Bubble AI App Generator Prompt Guide

Bubble’s AI app generator is a powerful new tool that can quickly turn a written idea into a working app prototype, but getting the best results requires knowing how to prompt it effectively. This comprehensive guide will explain what the Bubble AI app generator can and cannot do, and teach you how to craft high-quality prompts for optimal results. We’ll also provide example prompt templates for common app categories, discuss how to iterate and refine AI-generated apps, and highlight best practices (and pitfalls to avoid) when describing your app to Bubble’s AI.

Capabilities of Bubble’s AI App Generator

Bubble’s AI app generator can produce a functional app MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in minutes from a written prompt. It serves as an “AI designer and developer” that takes your idea from 0 to 1 by automatically generating the app’s pages, database structure, and core workflows. In other words, it doesn’t just create a UI mockup , it builds working features backed by a database. For example, Bubble’s AI will set up data types and fields and create functional features on both the front-end and back-end of your app. The initial output often includes sample data as well, so you can immediately visualize how the app might look and function with realistic content.

The strength of Bubble’s AI generator is producing a solid starting point that you fully own and can modify. The AI quickly delivers a basic but working app (often ~80% of the desired functionality), including consistent page layouts and essential features interpreted from your prompt. Unlike some code-based AI builders, Bubble’s generated app isn’t a throwaway demo , it lives in Bubble’s visual editor, meaning you can continue to refine and build on it without code using all of Bubble’s no-code tools. This addresses the “Day 2” problem of AI app builders: after the AI’s “Day 1” initial creation, you can maintain and develop the app entirely within Bubble going forward. In summary, the AI generator’s key capabilities include:

• Rapid prototyping: Automates the initial creation of your app’s pages, UI design, database, and workflows based on a single prompt. Delivers a working MVP in minutes.

• Complete app structure: Generates both frontend design and backend functionality, including data types and sample data, so the app actually works (not just a static design).

• Visual consistency: Applies reasonable layouts, styles, and navigation structure matching your description (e.g. creates menus, forms, lists as needed). The UI is usually coherent and matches the requested style to a decent extent.

• No-code integration: The resulting app is fully editable in Bubble’s editor, allowing you (the creator) to tweak design, modify workflows, add data, or extend features using Bubble’s point-and-click tools. You don’t need to code to refine what the AI built.

• Ownership and hosting: Since the app stays on Bubble, you have control to continue development, set up deployment, and scale on Bubble’s platform just like any manually built Bubble app. (Keep in mind Bubble apps cannot be exported as code , they run on Bubble’s infrastructure.)

Current Limitations and Considerations

While Bubble’s AI app generator is impressive, it does have important limitations to be aware of:

• It’s not magically perfect or complete. The AI-generated app is a starting point, not a finished product. Users have found that more complex or nuanced app ideas may come out partially implemented, requiring additional manual work or iterations to fully meet the vision. One internal comparison noted that Bubble’s AI gets you “about 80% of the way there” for many apps, the last 20% (refinements, polishing, edge cases) is up to you. In short, don’t expect a turnkey, production-ready app from one prompt; expect a draft that you’ll refine.
  
  

• No continuous AI dialog for editing. Currently, after the initial prompt and generation process, Bubble does not offer an on-going AI assistant to further adjust the app. There is a one-shot (or sometimes two-step) generation process (see the Iteration section below), but once the app is built, you can’t keep asking AI to make changes in a chat-like fashion. A user who tried the feature noted that “you don't have any continued AI support in editing and refining” after the first build. This is a key difference from some other AI app builders , Bubble expects you to use its visual editor (or start a new AI generation) for subsequent changes. In Bubble’s own comparison, they acknowledge missing “AI-powered iterative editing” in the current design generator.
  
  

• Prompt sensitivity and rejection. The AI will refuse prompts that violate content policies. Bubble warns not to submit prompts that are malicious, overly vague, or attempt prompt injection attacks. Extremely short or unclear prompts might be rejected or yield poor results, so you do need to put thought into your description (we’ll cover how to do that next).
  
  

• Cannot handle deep technical requirements. You should not expect the AI to perform complex integrations or technical setup beyond Bubble’s native features. In fact, Bubble’s guide explicitly advises against including low-level technical specs in your prompt. For example, telling the AI “Integrate with Stripe API, use PostgreSQL, and implement OAuth login” will be ignored or produce an error. The generator is focused on Bubble’s standard feature set. So, while it will create things like forms, lists, login pages (with Bubble’s own user system) etc., it won’t automatically set up third-party API connections, custom code, or unusual plugins just from a prompt. Those kinds of details must be handled manually after generation (Bubble’s platform can integrate with APIs, but the AI won’t configure it for you).
  
  

• Avoid overly detailed UI instructions. Similarly, the AI isn’t a pixel-perfect design servant. If you try to dictate the exact layout or styling of every element (e.g. “place the login button at the top-right and make it 250px wide in Helvetica font”), the prompt will be counterproductive. The AI may ignore such instructions or possibly even reject the prompt for being too detailed. Bubble’s documentation lists “too detailed on layout” as something to avoid. Instead, you should trust the AI to handle general layout, and you can fine-tune the UI later in the editor.
  
  

• Quality varies with complexity. For straightforward apps (simple CRUD apps, basic marketplaces, etc.), the AI does a decent job creating a coherent result. For very complex apps or novel ideas, the output might be missing pieces. You might find some features not working perfectly until tweaked. Also, earlier versions of the AI had issues like nonsensical placeholder images and poorly named elements; these are improving over time, but be prepared to review and rename elements or clean up things in the editor if needed. It’s good practice to go through the generated pages and data types to ensure they make sense for your needs.
  
  

• Prompt limits and beta status. Bubble’s AI generator is (as of 2025) in beta. Access may require being on a certain plan or waitlist, and there may be usage limits (e.g. a maximum number of AI generations per month on free accounts , one Reddit comment mentioned 25 prompts per month in a free plan context, though this could change). Performance is evolving, as Bubble updates the AI models (they recently upgraded to Claude 3.7 in early 2025 to improve understanding). Because it’s beta, expect the tool to improve, but also be mindful that features or limits could change. Always check Bubble’s latest documentation or announcements for up-to-date details.

By understanding these limitations, you can set realistic expectations: the AI app generator is a huge help for jump-starting development, but it’s not a magic wand for complex or highly specific tasks. You’ll still be in the loop to refine the app.

Strategies for Writing High-Quality Prompts (With Examples)

The outcome of your AI-generated app is only as good as the prompt you provide. A well-structured prompt is crucial. Bubble’s own guide suggests including four key elements in your app description prompt:

• App type and purpose: Clearly state what kind of application it is and what primary problem or use-case it addresses. (What is the app for?)

• Target users: Specify who the end-users or audience of the app are. This gives context and can influence what features are needed and the overall tone or design.

• Core features: List the main things users need to be able to do with the app , the essential functionalities or use cases. Focus on 2-5 core features that define your app’s value.

• Visual style or tone: If you have preferences for the look and feel, mention them. This could be color schemes, adjectives describing the mood (professional, playful, minimalist, etc.), or even references to well-known apps or design styles.

All of these elements can be woven into a concise description. One simple formula recommended by Bubble is:

“A [app type] for [target users] to [main purpose]. Users can [key features]. Style should be [visual preferences].”

This sentence template ensures you cover the basics. Let’s break down an example using this structure:

• App type & purpose: “A marketplace app for local artists to sell handmade crafts online.”

• Target users: (Already mentioned: local artists are the sellers; you might also mention buyers if needed.)

• Core features: “Users can create listings, browse products by category, purchase items, and leave reviews.”

• Visual style: “Style should be clean and modern with earth-tone colors to match a crafty vibe.”

Put together, a prompt might read: “A marketplace app for local artists to sell handmade crafts online. Users can create product listings, browse and search items by category, purchase items through a cart, and leave reviews on purchases. Style should be clean and modern, with earth-tone colors and a craft-inspired feel.” This prompt clearly communicates the essence of the app.

Below are a few effective prompt examples (adapted from Bubble’s documentation) that illustrate the level of detail and clarity you should aim for:

• Task Management App: “A productivity app for small teams to track project tasks and deadlines. Team members can create tasks, assign them to colleagues, set due dates, and mark completion. Clean, minimalist design with blue and white colors.”
  (Why it works: It specifies the app type (productivity/task tracking), the users (small teams), the core features (task creation, assignment, due dates, completion tracking), and a clear design style.)
  
  

• Local Restaurant Finder: “A discovery app for food lovers to find nearby restaurants and read reviews. Users can search by cuisine type, view restaurant details, see ratings, and save favorites. Modern design with warm colors and food photography.”
  (Why it works: It defines the purpose (finding restaurants) and users (food lovers), lists specific features (search by cuisine, view details, ratings, favorites), and even indicates a visual theme (warm colors, use of food photos).)
  
  

• Fitness Tracker: “A wellness app for fitness enthusiasts to log workouts and track progress. Users can record exercises, set goals, view workout history, and share achievements. Energetic design with bright green accents and dark mode support.”
  (Why it works: Clearly outlines what the app does (log workouts, track progress) and features (record exercises, set goals, history, social sharing), plus gives design guidance (bright green for energy, include dark mode).)

Notice how each example is concise but packed with information. Aim for 2,4 sentences that paint a clear picture. The tone can be straightforward; you don’t need flowery language, just precise descriptions.

Prompt Phrasing Tips to Maximize Quality

Beyond the basic structure, here are some best practices for phrasing your prompt, along with common mistakes to avoid:

• Be specific about the app’s purpose. Don’t be overly generic. For instance, “a business app” is too vague , that could mean hundreds of things. Instead, zero in on the domain or problem: “an invoice management app for freelancers” is much clearer and will guide the AI to a more relevant outcome.
  
  

• Define your target users clearly. Avoid saying “for everyone” or leaving the user base implicit. Mentioning the target audience helps the AI tailor features. For example, instead of “a travel app for everyone,” say “a travel planning app for solo backpackers” or “for families traveling with kids.” Bubble’s guide suggests the improvement: “For college students planning events” instead of just “for everyone.”
  
  

• List core features in plain language. Use simple action verbs that describe what users can do (create, view, share, upload, message, etc.). Make sure these align with what you actually want in the app. Keep the list reasonably short; prioritize the top features. If you say “users can do everything,” the AI doesn’t know what “everything” means. It’s better to specify a few key actions (e.g. “users can create events, invite friends, and track RSVPs”]). You can always expand on features later.
  
  

• Give high-level visual or stylistic guidance. Rather than commanding exact pixel placements, describe the overall look. Good: “professional design with navy blue and gold, inspired by financial apps” This tells the AI about color scheme and vibe. Bad: “make it look good” (too subjective) or “use Helvetica 18pt for all headings” (too specific). Mention if you want a dark mode, a playful feel vs. corporate feel, etc. You can name a popular app whose style you like (e.g. “a design like Instagram” , the AI might pick up on common elements of that). Also note any specific color preferences or branding hints if important (e.g. “use forest green as the primary color”). The AI will try to apply these in the generated UI.
  
  

• Use clear, simple sentences. You don’t need to write a paragraph of prose. It’s often effective to write a short sentence for each of the main points (purpose, users, features, style), as the examples above show. Bullet points won’t be accepted by the prompt input, but you can emulate that clarity by using succinct sentences or separating ideas with commas. Avoid long, run-on sentences that might confuse the AI.
  
  

• Stay within Bubble’s feature set. When phrasing features, assume standard web app capabilities. It’s fine to say “users can sign up and log in” (Bubble will add a sign-up/login system) or “users can upload photos” (Bubble can handle file uploads). But something like “users can navigate with augmented reality overlays” would be beyond Bubble’s native scope (and thus beyond the AI). If your idea is very advanced, consider breaking it into simpler components for the prompt.
  
  

• If your app has distinct user roles, mention it clearly. For example, a marketplace often has buyers and sellers; a job board has employers and candidates. You can incorporate that by saying “App for X to do Y, while Z can do A.” E.g., “A freelance marketplace for designers (sellers) to offer services and clients (buyers) to hire them.” The AI might then create separate interfaces or workflows for each role. If you don’t mention this, the AI might assume a single type of user by default.
  
  

• Provide context if needed. If your app concept uses domain-specific jargon or a brand name, add a few words of explanation. For instance, instead of “an app for Weebles collectors,” say “an app for fans of Weebles (collectible toys) to trade and showcase their collection.” This way, the AI doesn’t misinterpret your niche concept.

By following these phrasing guidelines, you increase the chance the AI understands your idea correctly and generates a relevant app structure.

Prompt Templates for Common App Categories

To help you get started, here are sample prompt templates for a variety of popular app types. You can use these as a starting point and fill in the specifics of your idea. Each prompt follows the format of specifying the app’s purpose, target audience, key features, and desired style:

Online Marketplace
“A marketplace app for [target users] to buy and sell [products/services]. Users can list new items with photos and prices, browse or search listings by category, chat with sellers, and make purchases securely. Style should be modern and clean, with an easy-to-navigate catalog interface.”

Example: “A marketplace app for sneaker enthusiasts to buy and sell rare shoes. Users can create listings with photos, browse by shoe brand or size, message sellers, and purchase via Stripe payments. Style: modern, clean design with a focus on product photos.”

CRM (Customer Management)
“A CRM tool for [target users/business type] to manage customer relationships. Users can add contacts with details, track interactions (calls, emails, notes), manage a sales pipeline with deal stages, and view analytics on activities. The design should be professional and dashboard-oriented, using [color scheme] to match business branding.”

Example: “A CRM app for freelance consultants to track their client projects. Users can add client contacts, log meeting notes, keep track of proposal statuses, and see an overview of active projects. Design style is professional and minimalist, with a blue/gray palette.”

Job Board

A job board platform for [target group] looking for [industry or type of jobs]. Employers can post job listings with descriptions and requirements, and job seekers can create profiles, upload resumes, search & filter jobs, and submit applications. The app should include a dashboard for employers to manage postings and for seekers to track their applications. Style should be clean and easy to read, with a friendly, professional tone.”

Example: “A job board for the tech startup industry. Startups can post open roles (with role, salary, tech stack, etc.), and developers/designers can create profiles and apply. Include a feature for saving favorite jobs. Style: clean and modern, similar to LinkedIn’s design, with tech-themed icons.”

Booking System

“A booking system for [service or facility] allowing users to schedule and manage reservations. Users (customers) can view available slots or items, make a booking for a chosen date/time, and receive confirmations. Providers/admin can set availability, manage bookings, and possibly accept payments. Key features include calendar views, booking reminders, and cancellation/modification options. Design should be user-friendly and clear, with [any color/design preferences].”

Example: “A booking system for a small yoga studio. Clients can view class schedules, book a spot in a class, and get email confirmations. The studio admin can set class times and participant limits. Include an option for users to cancel or reschedule their booking. Style: warm and calming design with earthy tones, reflecting a wellness vibe.

Internal Tool

An internal tool for [company/team] to [purpose]. It should help [department or team] streamline [process]. Features include [feature 1], [feature 2], and [feature 3]. Because it’s internal, focus on functionality over flashy design (clean, enterprise look). Make sure to include user permissions for [if needed].”

Example: “An internal tool for a sales team to track lead generation. It allows team members to input new leads, update contact statuses, and leave notes on follow-ups. Managers can see an overview of all leads and filter by salesperson or stage. Style: simple and functional, using the company’s brand colors (navy and orange) for a cohesive look.”Social Network“

A social networking app for [target users] to share [content or purpose]. Users can create profiles, post updates or content (like text, photos, videos), follow or friend others, and interact via comments or likes. Include features for notifications and maybe messaging between users. The design should be engaging and modern, [mention any specific theme, e.g. photo-centric, video-centric, minimalist, etc.].”

Example: “A social network for travel enthusiasts to share photos and tips. Users have profiles with a bio and their travel photos, can post updates about trips, comment on others’ posts, and save favorite posts (like pinning). Include a feature to follow other travelers. Style: vibrant and image-focused, with a Pinterest-style grid for photo posts.”

SaaS Web App

“A SaaS application for [target customers] that provides [service/function]. Users can sign up for accounts, and the app will offer features such as [core feature 1], [core feature 2], and [core feature 3]. Include an admin dashboard for managing users/accounts. The interface should be clean and intuitive since it’s a professional SaaS product, using [color/style] for branding.”

Example: “A SaaS app for small e-commerce businesses to analyze their sales data. Users can connect their store, then view dashboards showing sales trends, inventory alerts, and customer analytics. Also include tools to generate sales reports. Style: professional and data-driven, with charts and tables using a white and dark-blue color scheme.”

Educational App

“An educational app for [target learners] to learn [subject or skill]. The app provides [learning content] through features like [feature 1: e.g. video lessons or flashcards], [feature 2: e.g. quizzes/tests with feedback], and [feature 3: e.g. progress tracking or a discussion forum]. If relevant, include different roles (teachers/instructors can upload content or track student progress). Design should be engaging and clear, perhaps with a [youthful or academic] feel, using [color scheme] that appeals to [age group].”

Example: “An educational app for high school students to learn basic coding. It offers interactive coding challenges (in-browser coding), short video tutorials, and quizzes after each module. Students can track their progress and earn badges; teachers can view class progress. Style: bright and fun, with a techy feel , dark background for code editor, but colorful icons and illustrations to keep it friendly.”

Personal Finance

“A personal finance app for individuals to manage their money. Users can link accounts or manually input transactions, categorize expenses, set budgets/goals, and visualize spending over time (charts or summaries). Key features: expense tracking, budget alerts, and maybe a savings goal tracker. The design should be clean and user-friendly, with a reassuring tone (since finance can be sensitive) , perhaps using [colors, like green for positive, red for alerts, etc.].”

Example: “A personal finance tracker for young professionals. Users can input their monthly income and expenses, categorize each expense (rent, food, entertainment, etc.), and see a dashboard of how much they’ve spent vs. their budget in each category. Include the ability to set a savings goal and track progress toward it. Style: clean and modern, using green and grey colors, with simple charts to visualize spending.”

Each of these templates can be adapted. Tip: When using a template, replace the placeholders ([...]) with your specific details. If you find the prompt is getting too long or contains more than ~3 sentences, consider whether every detail is essential for the first generation. You can often omit secondary features and add them later manually or via iteration. Start with a prompt that covers the core idea clearly; you can always run the generator again with more details if needed.

Iteration and Refinement: Getting the App Just Right

After you submit your initial prompt, Bubble’s AI will typically produce a high-level outline or overview of the app it plans to build. In the current AI app generator (beta), the workflow goes something like this:

1. You enter your prompt.

2. AI generates an overview , for example, it might list the pages it will create, the data types it will set up, and the key features it understood from your description. This is a chance for you to review if the AI “got it right.”

3. You can refine the plan before building , Bubble allows you to add, remove, or edit features in this overview through further prompting or toggling options. This is the iteration step. For instance, if the AI’s outline shows a feature you don’t want, you could instruct it to remove that. Or if something is missing, you can say “also include X feature.” Bubble’s documentation confirms that you are given an opportunity to refine the app through additional prompts at this stage[6]. Essentially, you’re having a brief “conversation” with the AI: first it interprets your idea, then you correct or clarify any misunderstandings.

4. Generate the app. Once you’re satisfied with the outlined features, you confirm, and the AI proceeds to actually build the app in your Bubble editor.

For example, suppose you prompted for a “Recipe Sharing App” and the AI overview lists pages like Home, Recipe List, Recipe Detail, Profile and features like users can post recipes, like recipes, comment. If you realize you also want a feature for users to follow each other (a social element), you could tell the AI in the refine step: “Add a feature where users can follow other cooks to see their new recipes.” Conversely, if it included a feature you don’t need (maybe it assumed a rating system but you don’t want one), you could say: “Remove the recipe rating feature.”

How to prompt for revisions: When refining, keep your instructions simple and focused on the changes. For instance: “Also include X,” “Please remove Y,” “Change the name of Z to ...,” etc. If the interface provides toggles or a checklist of features, you might simply uncheck or check items instead of writing a prompt (the exact UI may evolve, but conceptually you are guiding the AI to adjust its plan).

Does the AI support multiple rounds of iteration? In the initial beta, the refinement is mostly a single pass , you review the AI’s first plan and tweak it, then generate. It’s not an extensive back-and-forth chat system. Once you hit “Generate app,” the AI creates the app and that session ends. After that, there is no continuous AI helper to make further automatic changes within that same app. Any further “iterations” would either be done manually by you using Bubble’s editor, or by starting a new AI generation (for example, you might start over with an improved prompt if the first attempt was far off).

Tips for effective iteration:

• Review the outline carefully: Take advantage of the refine stage to catch anything that looks off. It’s much easier to have the AI adjust the plan now than to fix things later. Check that the planned pages and features align with your expectations. If something crucial is missing, now’s the time to add it to the prompt.

• Be clear and concise in refinement prompts: If you need to type an additional instruction, treat it like a mini-prompt. E.g. “Add a user profile page where users can edit their info” or “The app should include an admin dashboard for moderators.” Address one change per instruction to avoid confusion.

• Don’t expect miracles on re-prompt: The refinement step is for modest adjustments. If your first prompt was very off-base, you might consider canceling and writing a new, better prompt rather than trying to salvage it via many small tweaks. The AI does best when it has a clear directive; it’s not great at completely pivoting the app concept mid-way.

• Iteration after generation is manual: Once the app is built and in your Bubble editor, you have full freedom to change it , but that’s on you using Bubble’s tools. For beginners, Bubble’s visual editor might have a learning curve, but you can move elements, edit text, change styles, and add new workflows without coding. Bubble also has other AI-assisted features (for example, an AI helper to generate regex or write formulas, and an “AI data type generator” to suggest data fields from descriptions) , these can help in smaller ways. However, the heavy lifting of refining the app’s design or adding new sections will be a manual process unless you run the app generator again from scratch with a new prompt.

In summary, the AI app generator does support a one-pass iteration (refining the initial plan), but not an ongoing AI development partner. Beginners should use the refine step to get the app as close as possible to the goal, and then plan to use Bubble’s no-code editor for further tweaks. If the output is very far from what you wanted, it can be more efficient to adjust your prompt and generate a fresh app than to heavily modify a wrong output.

What Can (and Can’t) You Control in the Prompt?

When crafting your prompt, it’s useful to know which aspects of the app you can influence via the prompt , and which things are outside the prompt’s control. Here’s a rundown:

• App concept & purpose: Yes , The prompt fully controls this. Be sure to clearly state the app’s overall idea and goal. The AI will center everything around this purpose.

• Features & functionality: Yes , You have significant control by listing what users should be able to do. If you mention a feature, the AI will usually attempt to include it (assuming it’s something Bubble can do). For example, if you say “users can send messages to each other,” expect the AI to create a messaging page or chat feature. If you forget to mention something, the AI might omit it. Conversely, if you include too many features, the AI might become overwhelmed or only implement some of them. Stick to the core features that define your app. (Also, as noted, avoid overly technical feature descriptions , e.g. don’t specify the exact algorithm, just describe the user-facing functionality.)
  
  

• Data structure: Indirectly , You don’t list data types and fields explicitly (and you generally shouldn’t in the prompt), but the AI will infer them from your features. For example, for a job board prompt, the AI will likely create a “Job” data type with fields like title, description, company, etc., and perhaps a “User” type for candidates and another for employers. If your prompt is clear about the objects involved (jobs, listings, events, profiles, etc.), the AI usually sets up the database accordingly. You can mention important data pieces if they’re central (“events have a date, location, and list of invited users”), but you don’t need to format it like a database schema , just include it as part of the feature description. The AI’s built-in knowledge plus Bubble’s new AI Data Types feature will handle it. Just remember, the AI won’t do complex SQL or external database stuff , it uses Bubble’s internal database only.
  
  

• Workflows (logic): Partially , By describing features, you influence the workflows the AI sets up. For instance, “users can upload photos” means it will create a workflow to save an image to the database. “Users can like a post” means it might add a workflow to increment a like counter, etc. However, you cannot directly script conditional logic or complex operations in the prompt. If you need something specific (like “send an email reminder 24 hours before an event”), the AI might not catch such nuance unless it’s a well-known feature of that app type. You would likely have to add that manually later using Bubble’s workflow editor. So, focus on major user actions in the prompt; intricate logic is beyond the prompt’s scope.
  
  

• Design aesthetics: Yes , You can definitely steer the visual style with your prompt. Mention color schemes (e.g. “dark mode with gold accents” or “pastel colors to give a friendly feel”), mention if you want a minimalist vs. vibrant look, or if the app should feel corporate vs. playful. The AI will set global styles and element styles to attempt to match this. You can also reference general layout style like “dashboard-style interface” or “single-page app feel” if relevant. What you can’t do is dictate exact layouts of elements (as discussed, avoid specifying pixel measurements or exact placements). Also, the AI might not perfectly match complex style instructions , e.g. if you say “like Facebook’s design,” it’ll interpret broadly (blue theme, feed layout perhaps) but not replicate it exactly. Use style guidance as gentle direction, not as strict requirements.
  
  

• Use of images and media: Partially , If your app idea is image-centric (like a photo gallery, or you want a lot of icons/graphics), you can say so. Bubble’s AI recently introduced some image generation for page design, so it might insert stock images or graphics that match your description. You can mention if you want a hero image or if the app should use photography (as the restaurant app example did: “with food photography”). The exact images will just be placeholders though , you should plan to customize them later. If you don’t want any weird or generic images, you might not need to mention it (or you can remove them afterward in the editor).
  
  

• Specific UI elements: Limited , You can mention key pages or components if they are domain concepts (e.g. “include a map view for search results” in a property listing app, or “a chatbot for support” in a SaaS app). The AI might attempt those if they’re straightforward. But you can’t explicitly control, say, the presence of a sidebar vs. top menu (unless you hint via style like “dashboard with sidebar navigation”). Trust the AI to choose an appropriate layout. If it’s not to your liking, you can rearrange in Bubble after generation.
  
  

• Performance and scalability settings: No , These are beyond the prompt. Bubble handles performance (capacity) and such through its platform, and you tweak those in settings manually if needed. The prompt won’t cover anything about how the app is hosted or performance optimization.

In short, use the prompt to define what the app should do and who it’s for, plus how it should generally look. The AI will decide how to implement those features in terms of pages, buttons, data fields, etc. If there’s something you realize you really want control over, you will have the opportunity to edit it manually afterward. Think of the prompt as setting the blueprint and vision for the app, not the low-level blueprint for each element.

Best Practices and Pitfalls to Avoid

To wrap up, here’s a summary of best practices for using Bubble’s AI app generator effectively, along with common pitfalls to avoid:

Best Practices:

• Plan your prompt content beforehand: Jot down the core purpose, audience, and top features of your app idea before you write the prompt. This ensures you won’t forget an important element. A little planning goes a long way to get a good first result.

• Keep prompts focused and clear: Aim to describe one app idea at a time. If your concept is too broad (or you try to combine multiple app ideas in one prompt), the AI might get confused. It’s better to generate two separate apps than one muddled app that tries to do everything.

• Use positive examples as guidance: If you’ve seen a successful prompt or a template (like those given above or in Bubble’s docs), feel free to model your prompt similarly. Including similar levels of detail will likely yield a robust outcome. Bubble’s provided examples are a great benchmark for the detail needed.

• Leverage the refine step: As discussed, don’t skip the refinement opportunity. Beginners might be eager to click “Generate” immediately, but it’s worth taking a moment to confirm the AI’s understanding. The refine interface is there to help you get a better result , use it to add that one feature you forgot or remove the one you decide isn’t necessary.

• Be ready to iterate manually: Once the app is generated, spend time exploring it in the Bubble editor. Run the app in preview, click through pages, and see how things work. Then, use Bubble’s editor to make tweaks. For a beginner, this is also a great learning experience to see how Bubble structures things. If you’re not sure how to adjust something, Bubble’s forums and manual are good resources. The AI generator gives you a head start, but the final polish comes from you.

• Stay within guidelines: Ensure your prompt doesn’t violate Bubble’s Acceptable Use Policy (no disallowed content). Also, if you’re generating something with user data (like a healthcare app), remember that you’ll need to configure privacy rules on data , Bubble generates some default privacy rules, but you should review them. The AI’s job is to scaffold the app; it’s your job to ensure it meets any domain-specific requirements (security, compliance, etc.) before real users use it.

Pitfalls to Avoid:

• Vague prompts: “Make me a cool social app.” This will almost certainly be rejected or produce a very underwhelming app. Always add specifics , what kind of social app? for whom? what features? Don’t make the AI guess everything.

• Overly detailed prompts (micromanaging): “I want a form with exactly 10 fields arranged in two columns, and the submit button should be green and say ‘Go’.” This level of detail is not only unnecessary , it may confuse the AI or get ignored. The AI might even fail to parse a prompt that reads like a spec document. Focus on what the app should do, not exactly how every element looks or is laid out. Remember, you can always change button text or add a field later.

• Technical implementation requests: As mentioned, don’t instruct the AI on implementation like programming languages, external APIs, database engine, etc. Bubble’s AI will ignore or reject things like “use blockchain for transactions” or “store data in PostgreSQL”. If a feature relies on a third-party integration (e.g. payments), phrase it from the user perspective: “users can pay for their booking online”. Bubble’s AI might add a payment page, but it won’t fully set up a Stripe integration for you (it may put a placeholder). You’ll integrate the actual service afterward. Keep the prompt high-level and user-focused, not developer-focused.

• Trying to generate huge apps all at once: If your app idea has many modules or could be split into phases, don’t cram everything into one prompt. For example, an app that does e-commerce, social networking, and gamification is quite complex , the AI might produce a muddled result or hit limits. It might be wiser to generate the core (say, the e-commerce part) first, then add the other pieces manually or in subsequent iterations. There might also be prompt length limits, so very long descriptions could be cut off.

• Ignoring the output structure: After generation, don’t assume everything is perfect. It’s tempting to dive into testing without checking how the AI structured the app. Pitfall: if you never look at the data types or workflows, you might run into issues later (e.g. maybe the AI named something oddly or a workflow isn’t complete). Take a few minutes to scan through the generated pages, element names, and data types. This will help you understand what to adjust. You might find something like an input that isn’t connected to a workflow , which you can then fix. It’s easier to address these once you’re aware of them.

• Not specifying critical features/design and expecting the AI to guess: The AI isn’t a mind-reader. If your app must have a map view, or must support multiple languages, you need to mention that. Don’t assume the AI will include it. Omission of a key detail in the prompt is a common pitfall. When in doubt, include it (unless it’s truly extraneous for a first version).

• Neglecting design guidance if style matters: If you care about the app’s look, provide at least some direction (as described earlier). Otherwise, the AI will default to a generic style. While that might function fine, you could be disappointed if you wanted a vibrant, playful app but got a very plain design. Conversely, if you truly have no preference, that’s okay , the AI will choose something, and you can always restyle it later. But mentioning a style (even just “modern and clean”) usually helps align the output with your expectations.

By following these best practices and being mindful of the pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to effectively using Bubble.io’s AI app generator. The key is to communicate your idea clearly and specifically in the prompt, review what the AI plans to build, and then let it generate the foundation of your app. From there, you can leverage Bubble’s no-code power to refine the details. This combination of AI speed and human guidance is incredibly powerful for bringing app ideas to life quickly and efficiently.

With this guide, a beginner should feel confident in crafting prompts that yield high-quality results, iterating when necessary, and avoiding common mistakes. Happy building, and enjoy watching your app idea take shape in Bubble with the help of AI!