Summary of "How I Code Profitable Apps SOLO (beginner / step by step / best tools)"

High-level thesis

Solo founder building a mobile app for “polymaths” — people who pursue many hobbies/interests.
Primary goal: ship a simple, profitable app quickly as a solo indie product and validate demand with a waitlist / audience-first GTM.
Emphasis on speed, reuse, and familiar technology. Use AI-assisted coding for velocity while retaining manual control over design and styling.

Problem-first ideation (Peter Levels’ approach)
- Spend 1–2 weeks logging daily annoyances and convert those problems into simple tools.
Copy + twist / competitive research
- Find existing revenue-generating apps (e.g., Starter Story) and add your own twist.
MVP / scope control
- Build a minimal app (3–4 core screens); prioritize core functionality over UX polish early.
Reusable boilerplate playbook
- Create one simple vanilla starter with auth/screens once and reuse it across future apps instead of buying brittle templates.
AI “plan mode” workflow
- Use AI to generate a scoped to‑do list and ask clarifying questions before code generation to avoid wasted code/tokens.
“Authentication last” tactic
- Optionally delay implementing auth until the product’s core functions are validated.
Rapid validation / waitlist GTM
- Launch a landing page and waitlist quickly (Framer + Formspark) to collect emails and validate interest.

Frontend: React Native + Expo
- Chosen for developer familiarity and fast prototyping (Expo Go QR workflow for immediate on-device testing).
- Tradeoff: Expo updates can break projects, but it’s recommended for fast starts.
Backend: Supabase (Postgres)
- Fits simple data models and includes auth flows. Integrate Supabase “MCP server” to sync backend-to-app quickly.
- Alternative for auth: Clerk.
Styling: Styled Components (preferred over NativeWind/Tailwind-for-mobile).
AI coding tools (productivity)
- Examples: Cursor, Claw Code, Warp. Recommendation: try one or two to see which fits your workflow.
- Cost guidance: Cursor ~ $20/month; Claw Code ~ $20/month.
- Caution: AI can steer you off-path; use plan mode and govern scope.
Productivity & design tools: Canva (branding), Notability (notes, API/feature mapping), Manis (research AI), Reddit (community research).
Quick prototyping: Framer templates + Formspark for waitlist signups.

Ideation
- Spend 1–2 weeks logging problems in daily life; pick simple, repeatable pain points.
- Check existing app revenue examples (Starter Story) to validate commercial potential.
Pick a familiar tech stack
- Use the stack you’re most fluent with for speed (presenter used JS/React Native).
Rapid prototype
- Scaffold with Expo and run on-device early (npx create-expo-app → run start → scan QR).
Scope tightly
- Limit the app to 3–4 screens focused on core functionality; defer deep UX polish.
Use AI properly
- Start with AI “plan mode” (create a to-do list and clarify requirements) before code generation.
- Keep manual control for styling and architecture decisions.
Backend integration
- Use Supabase for simple data/auth needs; leverage connectors (MCP server) to speed sync.
Reuse boilerplate
- Build a minimal auth + routing starter you can reuse across projects; avoid poorly maintained purchased starters.
GTM & validation
- Build a landing page + waitlist (Framer + Formspark), leverage existing content audiences (reels, newsletter), and collect emails prior to full launch.
Time management
- Fit building around client or full-time work in short sessions (even 20-minute chunks).
Don’t over-optimize brand/name
- Avoid spending disproportionate time on names/logos early — iterate after you have users.

Overthinking ideation, names, and logos wastes time; shipping and iterating is better.
Purchased boilerplates can be poorly maintained and create long-term dependencies.
AI can produce low-quality or misaligned code; use it for velocity but maintain strict scope and oversight.

Explicit numeric targets were not provided (no CAC, LTV, churn, margins).
Time-based guidance:
- 1–2 weeks for ideation
- Development in months or short bursts (20–90 minute sessions)
Implicit recommended metrics to track:
- Waitlist signups and landing page conversion
- Time-to-first-prototype
- Development velocity using AI tools

Leverage an existing creator audience (short-form reels) and an email newsletter to promote the app and waitlist.
Use content (short-form videos) to attract early users who match the polymath target audience.
Conduct competitor and revenue-model research via Starter Story and community forums like Reddit.
Use Canva for quick branding and Framer + Formspark for landing pages and waitlists.

Frontend / prototyping: React Native, Expo, Framer
Backend / auth: Supabase, Clerk (alternative)
Styling: Styled Components (considered NativeWind)
AI coding / LLM front-ends: Cursor, Claw Code, Warp, Gemini 3, anti-gravity (mentioned)
Productivity / design: Canva, Notability, Manis, Reddit
Waitlist / forms: Formspark

App concept: “Polymath” — helps users learn many hobbies via roadmaps for deeper learning and quick intro screens for instant discovery.
Operational example: Presenter quickly set up Expo + Supabase and used an MCP server to sync backend and frontend, demonstrating rapid backend-to-app integration.

Presenter: unnamed video creator (from subtitles)
Cited / recommended references and tools:
- Peter Levels (ideation method), Starter Story, Expo, Supabase, Clerk, NativeWind, Styled Components, Canva, Notability, Manis, Cursor, Claw Code, Warp, Gemini 3, Framer, Formspark.