How to Build Mobile Apps with Claude Code: Full Course (2026)

Course Summary

The course demonstrates an AI-assisted workflow for building cross-platform mobile apps with Claude Code, from initial setup through testing, backend integration, security checks, and App Store submission. The instructor emphasizes that AI can generate much of the code, but developers still need to define the product clearly, inspect the results, and test on real devices.

Tools and Frameworks

• Claude Code is used to create and modify app code through natural-language prompts. The instructor works in Antigravity with the Claude Code extension, but says other compatible interfaces can also be used.
• The main development stack is Expo and React Native, with JavaScript or TypeScript. It supports shared iOS and Android code, web previews, cloud builds, and testing through Expo Go.
• The instructor compares this stack with:
  • Flutter and Firebase, which offer a more opinionated UI system and a Google-oriented ecosystem.
  • Capacitor, which wraps web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript in a mobile app.
• The course uses Supabase for hosted data, authentication, and serverless Edge Functions. GitHub is used for code backup and version history.

App Design Framework

Before coding, the instructor recommends defining five parts of an app:

1. Core function: The app’s essential job.
2. Core loop: The user action and the feedback or reward that follows.
3. Accessory features: Additions that support the main function.
4. Surface-area check: Limit screens and complexity so the app remains easy to use.
5. Retention hook: A reason for users to return, such as reminders, challenges, or progress.

The course treats these as a way to scope an MVP before asking Claude Code to build it.

Development Walkthroughs

1. Habit Tracker

The first app starts with local data storage and a basic habit-tracking flow. It is expanded with onboarding, daily and counted habits, completion history, consistency charts, challenges, per-habit reminders, haptic feedback, sounds, and completion animations. The instructor tests changes in a browser, with phone mirroring, and on an actual phone.

The app is then connected to Supabase. The walkthrough covers creating database tables, enabling row-level security, adding email-and-password authentication, and syncing user-specific data while retaining local caching for a responsive feel. Later additions include AI-generated coaching nudges and weekly or monthly reflection summaries, generated through Supabase Edge Functions and the Anthropic API.

2. Calorie Tracker

The second app uses food photos to request AI estimates of calories and macronutrients, which users can edit before logging. Other features include onboarding and personalized calorie targets, meal reminders, a calendar and history, progress charts, and weight tracking. The instructor notes that photo-based calorie estimates are approximate and may be off by around 10–15%.

The app’s design is iteratively revised using screenshots for inspiration and repeated preview testing. The course also demonstrates how AI image analysis can be connected to an app through an API, and how database-backed user accounts and data can be added after the local version works.

3. Pomodoro Focus App

The third app uses timed work sessions to grow illustrated trees. It includes a forest of completed sessions, progress and level tracking, haptic feedback, and reminders. The instructor uses AI-generated visual assets and animations, then refines the interface through repeated screenshot-based design iterations. This example illustrates how a strong visual reward loop can make a simple utility feel more engaging.

Testing, Security, and Publishing

The instructor presents a recurring test cycle: check the app in a local browser, use phone mirroring, and then test on a real device. Real-device testing matters for behavior that a browser preview cannot fully reproduce, including camera access, notifications, haptics, screen layout, and thumb reach. Errors are fed back to Claude Code for diagnosis, but the instructor stresses that debugging and retesting are still part of the process.

Before release, the course recommends running a security audit, particularly after adding authentication, databases, and external APIs. The audit checks for issues such as exposed secrets, weak database policies, missing server-side validation, insecure routes, and costly operations that could be abused. The instructor runs the audit more than once, noting that fixes can introduce new problems.

The final publishing walkthrough covers preparing Expo production configuration, building with Expo Application Services (EAS), and submitting an iOS app through App Store Connect. It also discusses Google Play developer setup, app screenshots and descriptions, privacy and support URLs, reviewer login details, compliance forms, and TestFlight for pre-release testing. Store approval is not guaranteed; each submission must meet the relevant platform’s requirements.

Reviews, Comparisons, and Guides Covered

• Framework comparison: Discusses Expo/React Native, Flutter/Firebase, and Capacitor, with Expo/React Native selected for the course.
• Step-by-step development guide: Covers setup, MVP scoping, implementation, design iteration, testing, and deployment.
• Backend tutorial: Demonstrates Supabase database setup, authentication, local caching, and Edge Functions.
• Security-audit walkthrough: Shows how to identify and address common vulnerabilities.
• App Store submission guide: Explains production builds, store metadata, privacy and compliance materials, and review submission.

Main speaker: Nick Saraev, presenting the course and demonstrations.

Platforms and services referenced: Claude Code, Antigravity, Expo/React Native, Expo Go, EAS, Supabase, GitHub, Anthropic API, Apple App Store Connect, Google Play Console, TestFlight, Dribbble, and GPT Image.