Using Bubble's AI app builder
Definitions and concepts
Before we dive into how to use Bubble's AI app builder, we’ll cover some definitions and concepts that will be helpful to get the most out of the app generation.
What is a prompt?
In short, a prompt is the input you provide to guide the AI in building your app. Prompts are delivered textually in a conversational format, like how you'd talk to a real-life team member.
Your initial prompt should describe what you want your app to do, how it should look, and the features it should include.
We’ll get back to how to write efficient prompts later in this article.
What is a user story?
User stories are short, simple descriptions of a feature or functionality from the perspective of the end-user. They help define what users want to achieve with the app and guide the design and development process.
For example, some user stories could be:
As a user, I want to browse and purchase unique artisan goods from local NYC creators.
As a user, I want to list and sell my handmade items to potential buyers in NYC.
As a user, I want to search for specific types of artisan products or creators
As a user, I want to view the details of a product before purchasing.
As a user, I want to add products to my wishlist.
User stories are useful because they help you clearly define the problem that you need to solve for your user, and encourage you to see it from their point of view.
Bubble's AI app builder relies on user stories to provide you with a clear overview of the challenges your app will address, ensuring your prompt is properly interpreted and accurately translated into features.
What is sample data?
Sample data refers to placeholder information that mimics real data and is used during the app-building process. Bubble AI generates sample data to help you visualize how your app will look and function once it’s populated with actual user information. For example, if your app includes a list of users or a gallery of products, Bubble AI might fill those areas with sample names or descriptions.
This temporary data is particularly useful for making sure your app works: testing and refining the design, workflows, and overall user experience before launching your app. Once you’re satisfied with the app’s structure, you can replace the sample data with live information or accept real data coming from your users. By including realistic sample data, Bubble ensures you can clearly see how your app will behave in a real-world scenario.
Bubble takes three steps to create your app:
The initial prompt: First, you tell Bubble AI what you want to build. This is a written description of the app you envision creating.
Blueprint and revision: Bubble AI will then show you a blueprint of your app based on your prompt.
Prompt bar: You’ll see a prompt bar on the left allowing you to add and remove features
User stories and features: On the right, you’ll see a set of user stories, which are the key things a user should be able to do on your app. Below that, you’ll see a feature list — which collectively allows the user to accomplish all the things they may want to do in your app.
App generation: When you feel that the user stories and listed features are aligned with your vision, you instruct Bubble AI to start building your app. Within a few minutes, you will see your idea come to life, complete with the listed features, a front-end, a back-end, logic linking the two and a complete database structure with sample data.
The finished product is identical to a user-created Bubble app, allowing you the usual complete freedom to modify its design, database, and workflows as you see fit.
Prompt guide
Now comes the exciting part: crafting the prompt that Bubble AI will use to bring your app idea to life.
Content
We recommend keeping your prompt short, ideally around 1–2 sentences, with a maximum limit of 500 characters. Focus on including the essential details of your app idea without overloading the description. Remember, simplicity helps Bubble AI create a more accurate and effective blueprint for your app.
Describe at a high level:
App type
Target user
Your app goals
What users should be able to do
Desired look and feel
Keep in mind that you'll be able to make revisions once the first blueprint is generated.
Dos and don’ts
Do include notes on color and styling, such as “blue and white” or “dark mode.”
Do include an , if you have one in mind.
Don’t include detailed notes on page layout. While Bubble AI may support more detailed instructions in the future, the beta version will likely not follow your exact layout requirements.
Don’t ask for API calls or plugins. Bubble AI currently doesn’t support third-party integrations (but you can add them through Bubble’s usual tools after the app is built).
You can read more about how to add third-party integrations in the article series below:
Article series: Integrations
Limitations
We do not currently handle plugins, APIs, payment gateways, or certain elements like file uploaders.
However, you can add all of these elements easily once you land in the editor. Here are some resources to help you out when you get there.
Article: Plugins
Article series: Introduction to APIs
Reference: The Stripe plugin
Example prompts
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
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