> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.nativeline.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Building Apps FAQs

> Questions about creating apps with AI

# Building Apps FAQs

Questions about using the AI to build your apps.

***

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How do I tell the AI what I want?">
    Just type in plain English! Be specific about:

    * What the feature should do
    * What it should look like
    * How users should interact with it

    **Good prompt:** "Add a profile screen with the user's photo, name, and email. Include an 'Edit Profile' button that opens an edit form."

    **Less effective:** "Make it better"

    See our [Prompt Writing Workshop](/guides/prompt-workshop) for detailed guidance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How specific do I need to be?">
    The more specific, the better. Instead of:

    * ❌ "Add a list"
    * ✅ "Add a scrolling list of recipes with an image, title, and cooking time for each"

    Think about what you would tell a human developer. Include:

    * What you want
    * Where it should appear
    * How it should behave
    * Any specific styling
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I share images or screenshots with the AI?">
    Yes! You can:

    * Paste screenshots of designs you like
    * Share mockups or wireframes
    * Show examples of apps for inspiration
    * Share error screenshots for debugging

    Drag images directly into the chat or use Cmd+V to paste.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why did the AI misunderstand me?">
    Common reasons:

    * Prompt was too vague
    * Request conflicted with existing code
    * Technical limitation the AI didn't explain

    **Fix:** Be more specific, or try rephrasing. Say "That's not what I meant. I wanted X instead of Y."
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I undo what the AI did?">
    Several options:

    1. Tell the AI: "Undo that last change"
    2. Be specific: "Remove the feature you just added"
    3. Describe what you want instead

    The AI maintains history and can reverse changes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What is a 'plan' and why does the AI make one?">
    For complex requests, the AI creates an internal plan to organize its work. The AI works automatically without showing visible plan steps — you'll see code previews and tool cards as it builds.

    If the AI seems stuck or going in the wrong direction, you can use `/planclear` to clear the current plan and start fresh. Use `/plan` to check the current plan status.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What does /planclear do?">
    The `/planclear` command clears the AI's current plan, allowing you to:

    * Start fresh if the AI is going in the wrong direction
    * Reset after a complex feature is complete
    * Clear outdated context

    Type `/planclear` in the chat and press Enter.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I continue where I left off?">
    The AI remembers your project context. Just say:

    * "Continue" — Resumes the last plan
    * "What were we working on?" — Gets a summary
    * Start a new request — Begins fresh

    Project memory persists across sessions.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is the Simulator showing an old version?">
    The Simulator might have cached data. Try:

    1. In Simulator: Device → Erase All Content and Settings
    2. Rebuild by clicking "Run App"
    3. Wait for the fresh build to install

    Also make sure the latest build was successful.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is my app not updating when I make changes?">
    Changes don't appear until you rebuild. After the AI makes changes:

    1. Wait for it to finish
    2. Click "Run App" or wait for auto-run
    3. Check the Simulator for updates

    If still not updating, try erasing Simulator content.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can the AI make my app faster?">
    Yes! Ask it to:

    * "Optimize the performance of \[feature]"
    * "The app feels slow when \[action]. Make it faster."
    * "Reduce the loading time for \[screen]"

    Be specific about what feels slow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can the AI fix bugs?">
    Yes. The AI can:

    * Analyze errors automatically
    * Attempt to fix bugs (up to 3 automatic attempts)
    * Accept your description of issues

    For bugs, describe:

    * What happens
    * What should happen
    * Steps to reproduce

    See our [Debugging Guide](/guides/debugging) for more.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens when the AI can't fix a bug?">
    After 3 automatic fix attempts:

    1. Press "Run App"
    2. A popup appears
    3. Click "Apply Fix" — the AI automatically analyzes and attempts a new fix

    If automatic fixing isn't working, you can also:

    * Message the AI describing the problem in your own words
    * Try a different approach
    * Ask the AI to revert and try something else
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I add a backend to my app?">
    For data that needs to sync across devices or persist in the cloud, use Supabase:

    1. Create a Supabase account
    2. Connect it in Settings
    3. Ask the AI to add features using Supabase

    See our [Supabase](/integrations/supabase/overview) documentation for detailed guides.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I integrate external APIs?">
    Yes! You can integrate:

    * OpenAI for AI features
    * Stripe for payments
    * Weather APIs
    * Any REST API

    Tell the AI: "Integrate \[API name] to \[what you want to do]" and provide your API key.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I use the Toolkit / # commands?">
    Type **#** in the chat input to open the Toolkit popover. Choose a command like #font, #image, #color, #sound, #data, #video, #lottie, or #3d. A file picker opens, you select your file, it attaches as an orange chip, and you describe how the AI should use it.

    See [Toolkit](/toolkit/overview) for the full guide.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Which AI mode should I use?">
    **Enhanced** is the default and best for most projects. It produces the best designs at low cost.

    Use **Quick** for fast iteration and **Max** for complex logic.

    See [AI Modes](/features/ai-modes) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I build for iPad or Mac?">
    Yes! Select your platform on the Home Page before creating a project:

    * **iPhone** — Standard mobile apps
    * **iPad** — Larger canvas with sidebars
    * **Mac** — Desktop apps with menu bars

    See [Multi-Platform Guide](/guides/multi-platform) for details.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What's the best way to build a complex feature?">
    Break it into smaller pieces:

    1. Describe the overall goal
    2. Let the AI create a plan
    3. Review the plan before proceeding
    4. Build incrementally
    5. Test each piece before moving on

    Complex features are more successful when built step by step.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Related FAQs

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/faqs/troubleshooting">
    Fixing common issues
  </Card>

  <Card title="Technical" icon="code" href="/faqs/technical">
    Code and Swift questions
  </Card>

  <Card title="Integrations" icon="plug" href="/faqs/integrations">
    APIs and services
  </Card>

  <Card title="Billing" icon="credit-card" href="/faqs/billing">
    Bits and plans
  </Card>
</CardGroup>