Build your first app with AI

Who does what

1. 1

   Download Claude

   Claude is the AI you’ll talk to. Download the Claude app for your computer and sign in. Building apps needs a paid plan. Pro is enough to start.

   Download Claude

   Good to know

   • The Claude app has a Chat tab and a Code tab. For building with NodeGX, always use Code.
   • If it asks you to choose a folder, make a new empty folder called My apps and choose that.
   • Already use a different AI coding tool, like Kimi Code or Cline? That works too. Step 3 shows you how.
2. 2

   Download NodeGX

   NodeGX is free. Choose the version for your computer (Mac, Windows or Linux), install it, and open it.

   Download NodeGX
3. 3

   Connect Claude to NodeGX

   In NodeGX, click the blue Connect Claude Code button. That lets Claude build apps in NodeGX.

   

   Then go back to Claude and start a new conversation in the Code tab. Claude only sees NodeGX in conversations you start after connecting.

   Using Kimi Code, Cline or another tool? Click Copy the command instead (next to the button). Paste it into your AI tool and say: “Please add this MCP server so you can use NodeGX.”
4. 4

   Tell Claude your idea

   Copy this message into Claude, then fill in the gaps in your own words. It doesn’t need to be perfect. Claude will ask about anything that’s missing.

   Need an idea? Running club sign-ups Class bookings Plant watering Student quiz

   Message 1 · your idea Copy

   Hi Claude! I'd like to build an app in NodeGX, using the NodeGX connection. About me: I'm new to this. I've never built an app and I don't know how to code. Please use plain words, explain any technical word the first time you use it, and ask me one question at a time. Before we build anything, help me plan it. Tell me if my idea is too big for a first version. My idea: Who it's for: The problem it solves: Something like it I've seen:

   Claude will ask you questions before it builds anything. That’s called planning, or “scoping”. It will probably ask about things like:

   • Does anyone need to log in?
   • Who can see what?
   • What does the app need to remember?
   • What do people see the first time, before anything is added?
   • Phone, computer, or both?
   • Who adds, changes or deletes things?
   • Does it send emails, or take payments?
   • What should it not do yet?

   You don’t need the answers now. It’s fine to say “I don’t know. What would you suggest?”

   Words Claude might use, in plain English

   Front end

   The part of the app people see and click.

   Back end

   The part that works behind the scenes: it saves things and does jobs nobody sees.

   Database

   Where the app keeps things, so they’re still there tomorrow.

   Logic, workflow

   The rules. “When someone clicks Book, save it and show a thank-you message.”

   Log in, auth

   People proving who they are, usually with an email and password.

   Stack

   The set of tools an app is built with. With NodeGX, this is already decided for you.

   Hosting, cloud

   Renting a computer on the internet that runs your app, so other people can use it.

   Deploy

   Putting your app onto that computer.

   Domain

   Your app’s web address, like myrunningclub.com.

   MCP, connector

   How Claude talks to NodeGX. You set this up in step 3.

   If Claude uses any other word you don’t know, ask “What does that mean?” Every time.

5. 5

   Ask Claude to build it

   When Claude sums up the plan and it sounds right, make sure NodeGX is open, then send this:

   Message 2 · build it Copy

   That plan sounds right. Before you build, please show me a mockup of the main screens so I can check they look right. When I'm happy with the mockup, save it in the project folder and build the app in NodeGX, here on my computer. Tell me what you're doing as you go, in plain words. When it's finished, open the project in NodeGX (it's open now), and show me the app in my web browser so I can try it.

   Good to know

   • Claude asks permission before it uses NodeGX. Click Allow.
   • The first version is rarely perfect. That’s normal. Tell Claude what you see and what you wanted, like “The list shows everyone, but I only want people coming on Saturday.”
6. 6

   Open your app in NodeGX and make it yours

   Your app lives in NodeGX. You’ll find it on the NodeGX start screen under Recent projects. Open it to see every page Claude built.

   You can change anything: the words, the colours, the pictures, where things go. Claude won’t mind. If you get stuck, go back to Claude and ask for help.

   After you change something yourself, tell Claude, so it looks again before its next change:

   When you’ve made changes Copy

   I've changed some things in NodeGX myself. Please look at the project again before you change anything else, so you don't undo my changes.
7. 7

   Put it online (when you’re ready)

   For other people to use your app, it needs to run on a computer that’s always on the internet. This is called hosting. Here’s roughly what it costs:

   App that only shows pagesNothing saved, no log-ins. Netlify has a free plan.free

   App that saves thingsLog-ins, bookings, lists. A small rented server from Hetzner, DigitalOcean or Hostinger.~$4–7 / month

   Your own web addressA domain name, like myrunningclub.com.~$10–15 / year

   Don’t get caught out

   • A first app doesn’t need anything more expensive than this. If someone offers you a big package, you don’t need it.
   • Very cheap prices often mean paying a year or two up front. Check the monthly price, and the price when it renews.

   Claude can already help you put a NodeGX app online. Ask: “How do I put this app online?” You’ll need a free GitHub account for this, and the NodeGX guide covers the basics. Soon, NodeGX will do this step for you.

Prefer to watch first?

NodeGX also has lessons built in. Open NodeGX and click Learning at the top.

Want to learn more?

The NodeGX guide explains how to build apps with AI and NodeGX. It has two modes:

Stuck? Ask a person

Everyone gets stuck. No question is too small.