Guides
Step-by-step guides written for makers who built with AI and want to launch without the jargon.
I Built an App With AI — How Do I Launch It?
Built an app with Cursor, Bolt, or Lovable? Follow this beginner-friendly path from local folder to live launch: save safely, GitHub, readiness scan, deploy, and verify.
How to Put a Local App Online (Beginner Guide)
Move your app from your computer to the internet: what “online” means, GitHub first, GitHub Desktop, hosting by stack, environment variables, domains, and common deploy errors.
What Is GitHub? (Explained for Beginners)
GitHub explained in plain language: what it is, how it differs from Git, why AI makers use it for launch, key terms, public vs private repos, and how to get started without the terminal.
How to Upload Your App to GitHub Without the Terminal
Get your AI-built app on GitHub using GitHub Desktop — no command line. Learn what not to upload, .gitignore basics, public vs private repos, and how to verify your upload.
What Files Should I NOT Upload to GitHub?
Protect your AI-built app: which files must stay off GitHub — .env, API keys, local databases, generated folders, certificates — plus .gitignore tips and what to do if a secret was uploaded.
What Is a .gitignore File?
Learn what .gitignore does, why it matters before GitHub upload, essential patterns for AI-built apps, how to create one, and what to do if secrets were already committed.
What Are Environment Variables?
Environment variables explained in plain language: what they are, real examples, frontend vs backend, .env vs .env.example, and how to set them on Vercel, Railway, and Render.
Is My AI-Built App Ready to Launch? Complete Pre-Launch Guide
A complete pre-launch readiness guide for AI-built apps: security checks, env vars, deployment setup, launch blockers, and copy-ready prompts before real users see your app.
AI App Launch Checklist (Step by Step)
Complete AI app launch checklist in five phases: save safely, GitHub, readiness scan, deploy, and verify. Printable steps, common mistakes, and an AI audit prompt.
Where Should I Put API Keys in an AI-Built App?
Not sure where API keys belong in your AI-built app? Learn the safe storage rules: .env files for local dev, hosting dashboards for production, and why keys must never appear in GitHub or browser code.
How to Hide API Keys Before Deploying Your App
Step-by-step guide to hiding API keys before your first deploy: find hardcoded secrets, move them to .env, update .gitignore, create .env.example, rotate exposed keys, and set production environment variables.
.env vs .env.example: What Should You Upload to GitHub?
Confused about .env and .env.example? Learn which file stays on your machine, which one you commit to GitHub, what placeholder values look like, and why mixing them up leaks your API keys.
What to Do If You Committed an API Key to GitHub
Accidentally committed an API key to GitHub? Act now: rotate the key immediately, remove it from your code, update .gitignore, create .env.example, and check for unauthorized usage.
AI App Pre-Launch Checklist: What to Check Before You Go Live
AI app pre-launch checklist: check security, env vars, deployment setup, and launch blockers before real users see your app — plus copy-ready prompts.
How to Check If Your AI-Built App Is Ready to Launch
Learn how to check if your AI-built app is ready to launch: review launch blockers in code and config, test manually in the browser, then run a pre-launch check.
Vibe Coded App QA Checklist Before Launch
Vibe coded app QA checklist before launch: review risky patterns, check security and env vars, then manually validate flows before real users see your AI-built app.
How to Test a Vibe Coded App Before Launch
How to test a vibe coded app before launch: happy path, errors, auth, env vars, secrets, deployment setup, and a pre-launch check for common launch blockers.