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Most mobile app ideas fail from lack of pull, not because React Native is hard. Before you open Openv2 and start prompting, run through these checks. They take minutes and can save hours.

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1. Name one user and one outcome

Finish this sentence before writing a single prompt:
“This is for [person] who needs to [outcome] without [pain].”
If you can’t complete it, the idea is too broad. Narrow it to one primary user and one concrete job to be done.

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2. Answer why now

What changed—in the world, in regulation, or in user habit—that makes this idea timely? “Another todo app” without a specific twist rarely earns attention or retention. A clear “why now” also helps you write sharper prompts because you know what to prioritize.

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3. Define the smallest proof

Identify the smallest screen flow that proves value. Usually that’s one core loop—for example:
  • Create an item → see it listed → tap into detail
  • Search for something → get a result → take an action
Build that loop first in Openv2. Skip settings, onboarding polish, and monetization until the core loop feels right. You’ll spend fewer credits and get clearer signal.

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4. Set a stop condition

If your answer to “what would make you stop building this?” is “nothing,” the idea may be a personal hobby rather than a product. For a real product, name the metric—retention, saves, shares, paid conversion—that would validate continuing past the prototype stage.
Write the stop condition down before you start. It’s easy to keep iterating indefinitely once a prototype exists.

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5. Check native requirements early

Openv2’s preview is strongest on Expo web and device preview. If your idea depends on niche native SDKs—background location, custom Bluetooth, specialized hardware sensors—flag that before you build. Ask the assistant what’s realistic in Expo so you’re not surprised late in the project.
You don’t need native APIs for most prototypes. Camera, push notifications, deep links, and standard device APIs all work well in Expo Go and dev builds.
When you’re ready to build the first slice, continue to Build your first app. For prompting patterns that keep your build moving efficiently, see How to prompt successfully.