The 8-Step Framework for Building a SaaS with AI

Goal: Validate your idea before writing code.

• Research the market and competition
• Identify your target customer
• Define your differentiation
• Answer: "Would someone pay for this?"

Output: Validated idea summary

Goal: Write a complete Product Requirements Document.

• Define target customer personas
• Create feature matrix (free vs. paid)
• Set pricing strategy
• Identify success metrics

Output: PRD.md

Goal: Design the highest-value screens.

• Start with the core user workflow
• Keep it simple — max 3 primary actions per screen
• Think in user tasks, not abstract layouts

Output: Design direction + component specifications

Goal: Make technical decisions before the AI makes them for you.

• Choose your tech stack (framework, database, auth, payments)
• Define your data model and schema
• Document API structure
• Create your CLAUDE.md (AI instruction manual)

Output: ARCHITECTURE.md, CLAUDE.md, SCHEMA.md

Goal: Break the build into ordered tasks with dependencies.

• Phase 1 must be a working, deployable product
• No task should take more than 4 hours
• Dependencies must be explicit

Output: TASKS.md

Goal: Execute tasks with context-rich AI prompts.

• Each prompt includes relevant context from CLAUDE.md
• Prompts are self-contained (AI doesn't remember previous prompts)
• Track progress as you go

Output: Working code + progress tracking

Goal: Check your work before launch.

• Authentication on every route
• Payment integration tested
• Input validation everywhere
• Error handling for all API calls
• SEO basics (meta tags, sitemap)

Output: REVIEW.md with prioritized fixes

Goal: Deploy and announce.

• Step-by-step deployment guide
• Environment variables configured
• Pre-launch checklist completed
• Social media copy prepared

Output: DEPLOY.md, LAUNCH.md, social media copy

Path A: The Builder (Has an idea, no code)

Start at Stage 1. Go through all 8 stages.

Path B: The Cleaner (Has code, no structure)

Import your GitHub repo. AI generates your docs (PRD, Architecture, CLAUDE.md). Start at Stage 5.

Want an AI to guide you through all 8 stages? Try Build a Startup →