App Direction
How To Scope A Tiny AI App
The first version should answer one question well enough that a real person would come back to it.
STAYS
LOCALOPTIONAL
CLOUD
LOCALOPTIONAL
CLOUD
THE SHORT VERSION
Three takeaways.
Keep the useful core visible and under the user's control.
01
Pick one user moment
A small app should start with one repeatable moment: before sending an offer, before publishing a post, before sorting a folder, or before choosing the next action.
Pick one user moment.
02
Make review visible
AI products are stronger when the user can see what was used, what was assumed, and what still needs human judgment. Review is a product feature, not a weakness.
Keep human judgment visible.
03
Do not overpromise
If the app cannot verify a comp, inspect a seller, guarantee a price, or replace judgment, the product language should say so. Honest scope builds trust.
Avoid fake automation promises.
The first version should answer one question well enough that a real person would come back to it.