Getting Started with ZEROCODE
Getting Started with ZEROCODE
Welcome to ZEROCODE! This guide will walk you through building your first AI-powered mobile app, from initial prompt to app store deployment.
Prerequisites
Before you begin:
- A ZEROCODE account (sign up at zerocode.com)
- A clear idea of what you want to build
- 30 minutes of focused time
No coding experience required!
Step 1: Create Your First Project
Sign In
- Navigate to app.zerocode.com
- Click "Start Building" or "Sign In"
- Authenticate with Google, GitHub, or email
New Project
- Click "New Project" in your dashboard
- Choose a project name (e.g., "My First App")
- Select your target platform:
- iOS only
- Android only
- Both (recommended)
Step 2: Describe Your App
This is where the magic happens. ZEROCODE uses AI to understand your description and generate a complete app.
Writing Effective Prompts
Good Prompt Example:
"Build a fitness tracking app where users can log workouts, track progress over time, and set fitness goals. Include user authentication, a dashboard with charts, and the ability to share achievements on social media."
What Makes This Good:
- Clear purpose (fitness tracking)
- Specific features (log workouts, track progress, set goals)
- Technical requirements (authentication, charts)
- User actions (sharing)
Poor Prompt Example:
"Make me an app"
Why It's Poor:
- No context
- No features specified
- No clear purpose
Prompt Structure Template
Build a [type] app where users can [main action].
Key features:
- [Feature 1]
- [Feature 2]
- [Feature 3]
Include [technical requirements like auth, payments, etc.]
Step 3: Review Generated App
After submitting your prompt (usually 30-60 seconds), ZEROCODE generates:
What You Get
-
Mobile App Code
- React Native (Expo) project
- Complete UI components
- Navigation structure
- State management
-
Backend
- Supabase project
- PostgreSQL database schema
- API endpoints
- Authentication setup
-
Preview
- Live preview in browser
- QR code for mobile testing
- Interactive demo
Review Checklist
- [ ] All requested features present
- [ ] UI looks professional
- [ ] Navigation makes sense
- [ ] Data structure is logical
Step 4: Customize Your App
Visual Editor
Use the drag-and-drop editor to:
Change Colors:
- Click "Theme" in sidebar
- Select primary/secondary colors
- Preview changes in real-time
Modify Layout:
- Click any component
- Adjust spacing, sizing
- Reorder elements
Add Components:
- Open component library
- Drag to desired location
- Configure properties
Code Editor (Optional)
For advanced users:
- Click "View Code"
- Edit TypeScript/JavaScript directly
- Changes sync to visual editor
Step 5: Test Your App
Browser Testing
- Click "Preview" tab
- Interact with app in browser
- Test all features and flows
Mobile Testing
iOS (requires Mac):
- Download Expo Go from App Store
- Scan QR code in ZEROCODE dashboard
- App loads on your device
Android:
- Download Expo Go from Play Store
- Scan QR code
- Test on device
What to Test
- [ ] User registration/login
- [ ] Main features work correctly
- [ ] Data persists after closing app
- [ ] UI looks good on different screen sizes
- [ ] No crashes or errors
Step 6: Deploy to App Stores
iOS App Store
Requirements:
- Apple Developer Account ($99/year)
- Mac computer (for final build)
Steps:
- Click "Deploy" → "iOS"
- Follow Apple Developer setup
- ZEROCODE generates IPA file
- Submit through App Store Connect
Timeline: 2-7 days for review
Google Play Store
Requirements:
- Google Play Developer Account ($25 one-time)
Steps:
- Click "Deploy" → "Android"
- ZEROCODE generates AAB file
- Upload to Play Console
- Submit for review
Timeline: 1-3 days for review
Step 7: Iterate and Improve
Gather Feedback
- Share TestFlight link (iOS)
- Use Google Play Internal Testing
- Collect user feedback
Make Updates
- Edit in ZEROCODE dashboard
- Test changes
- Deploy update
Over-the-Air Updates:
- Minor changes deploy instantly
- No app store review needed
- Users get updates automatically
Common Workflows
Adding a New Feature
- Click "Edit Prompt"
- Add feature description
- AI generates new code
- Review and merge changes
Changing Database Schema
- Go to "Database" tab
- Modify tables/columns
- ZEROCODE updates backend
- App code updates automatically
Integrating Third-Party Services
Supported integrations:
- Stripe (payments)
- SendGrid (email)
- Twilio (SMS)
- Google Maps
- Firebase
Best Practices
1. Start Simple
Build core features first. Add complexity later.
2. Test Early, Test Often
Don't wait until deployment to test on real devices.
3. Use Version Control
ZEROCODE automatically versions your app. Use tags for releases.
4. Monitor Performance
Check analytics dashboard for:
- Crash reports
- User engagement
- Performance metrics
5. Iterate Based on Data
Use user feedback and analytics to guide development.
Troubleshooting
App Won't Load in Expo
- Check internet connection
- Verify QR code is current
- Restart Expo Go app
Feature Not Working
- Review generated code
- Check database permissions
- Verify API endpoints
Deployment Issues
- Ensure all required assets uploaded
- Check app store guidelines compliance
- Verify certificates and provisioning profiles
Next Steps
Now that you've built your first app:
- Explore Templates: Browse pre-built apps in Template Marketplace
- Advanced Customization: Learn to export and modify source code
- Join Community: Connect with other builders in Discord
- Read Case Studies: See how others use ZEROCODE
Resources
Conclusion
Congratulations on building your first app with ZEROCODE! You've learned how to:
- Write effective prompts
- Customize generated apps
- Test on real devices
- Deploy to app stores
The journey from idea to published app has never been shorter. Keep building, keep iterating, and most importantly—keep shipping!
Questions? Reach out to support@zerocode.com or join our Discord community.