# How to ask your AI

You don't need technical language. You do need to be **clear about what the app should do**.
These habits get you better results faster.

## Your first request

- **Describe the goal, not the code.** Say *what the app is for* and *who uses it*, not how it
  should be built. Your AI handles the how.
- **Name the key pieces.** What does a visitor see first? What can they do? What should be saved?
- **Mention the feel if you care.** "Clean and minimal", "playful and colorful", "looks like a
  receipt". Otherwise your AI picks something reasonable.
- **One app at a time.** Start with the core feature. Add the rest by asking.

> *"Build a guestbook: visitors leave their name and a short message, and everyone can read the
> messages newest-first. Friendly, mobile-friendly look."*

## Iterating

Once you have a link, change things by describing the difference you want:

- *"Make the submit button bigger and orange."*
- *"Add a search box that filters the messages."*
- *"Messages should be at most 200 characters."*
- *"Add a simple admin page where I can delete a message."*

Your AI edits the existing app and re-deploys — the same link updates in place.

## Iterating safely

- **Ask for a saved version before a big change.** Say *"Save a version first, then redesign the
  layout."* If you don't like the result, you can ask to go back. See
  [Versions & undo](/docs/versions-and-undo).
- **For risky experiments on an app that already has real users or data, ask for a draft.** Say
  *"Make a draft copy and try the new design there first."* Your real app stays untouched until
  you're happy. See [Versions & undo](/docs/versions-and-undo).

## When the result isn't what you meant

- **Be specific about what's wrong.** "The date is showing as a number" beats "it's broken".
- **Point at the place.** "On the results page, the list is empty even after I submit."
- **If it errors, ask your AI to look.** Say *"It shows an error — check the logs and fix it."*
  See [When something breaks](/docs/troubleshooting).

## Good to know

- Your AI remembers the app within a conversation. In a brand-new chat, tell it which project you
  mean (or ask it to list your projects first).
- You can always ask *"What can this app do right now?"* to get your bearings.