Welcome to the ultimate guide for building SaaS applications using Lovable.dev.

This documentation will walk you through building, scaling, and deploying fully working SaaS products without writing a single line of code—unless you want to.

​
Step-by-Step Process

1

Start with the UI

Why: Begin with the structure and layout of your app to minimize errors and plan ahead.

How:

  • Write a prompt that outlines pages and user flow.
  • Optionally add screenshots (Figma, Excalidraw).
  • Focus only on front-end initially.

Prompt Example:

Create an AI journaling app with:
- Landing page with Get Started CTA
- Main app with sidebar to view/edit logs
- Chat page to ask questions based on past entries
2

Connect the Backend (Supabase)

Why: Store and retrieve user data securely.

How:

  • Press the Supabase button in the Lovable editor
  • Create a Supabase project and connect it
  • Disable email verification in dev mode for speed
  • Define database schema for logs, users, meals, etc.

You own your data and schema. Lovable just simplifies setup.

3

Add Authentication

Lovable adds email/password login by default. You can:

  • Redirect to sign-up when users click CTA
  • Link entries/meals to authenticated users

Prompt Example:

Add sign up and login. Redirect to sign-up on 'Get Started'.
4

Build Core Features

Each app feature is built incrementally:

​
Journaling App:

  • Rate mood/energy/productivity
  • Save & update entries
  • View past logs in sidebar

​
Calorie Tracker:

  • Input or upload meal
  • GPT-4 estimates nutrition (protein, fat, carbs, kcal)
  • Visual stats with icons + circular progress bars
  • Use the select tool to target specific sections
  • Upload screenshots to guide layout or logic
5

Integrate AI (OpenAI)

Use GPT-4 for:

  • Journaling analysis
  • Meal breakdowns
  • Conversational insights

How:

  • Set up Edge Functions in Supabase
  • Add OpenAI API Key via Lovable’s secure backend prompt
  • Confirm AI has access to dynamic user data (entries/meals)

Prompt Example:

Create chat page using GPT-4.
Include journal entries in the prompt dynamically.
Use function calling to return structured nutrition data.
6

Add Payments with Stripe (Optional)

Lovable supports Stripe subscription payments with edge functions.

How:

  1. Create a Stripe product + price ID
  2. Add Stripe API Key to Lovable
  3. Define logic: only paying users can access main app
  4. Add a customer portal to manage billing

Prompt Example:

Add recurring payments via Stripe.
If not subscribed, redirect user to checkout.

Stripe setup requires a Stripe account. Use test mode while developing.

7

Deployment & Publishing

  • Connect GitHub repo from Lovable
  • Click “Publish” to launch on .lovable.app domain
  • Use custom domain

📌 Refer to Lovable Docs → Custom Domains for full walkthrough.

8

Launch & Share

Submit to Lovable Launch for visibility.

Users can:

  • Remix your project
  • View your prompts
  • Test your SaaS product instantly

​
Tips for SaaS Builders

​
Be Explicit

  • Always describe what you want and what you see.
  • Use screenshots to clarify bugs or layouts.

​
Work Step-by-Step

  • UI first → database → auth → core features → AI → payments

​
Debug Like a Pro

  • Use chat mode to fix build errors or broken logic
  • Revert changes if necessary (does not revert database schema)

​
Save Tokens

  • Use custom knowledge to store consistent instructions (theme, mobile responsiveness)

​
Advanced features

​
Other tutorials

  • AI Journaling App: Users write daily logs and chat with an AI that gives feedback based on their mood and activity.
  • AI Calorie Tracker: Users describe or upload meals, and GPT-4 estimates nutritional info and tracks weekly stats.
  • Luma Copycat: Luma-style event platform using Lovable and Supabase.
  • Simple CRM**: **Create a simple yet powerful CRM using Lovable for development, Supabase for data storage, and Resend for email automation.
  • Custom CRM: Create a custom CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) using Lovable and Make.
  • Custom CRM: Create a custom CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) using Lovable and Clerk.
  • Feedback tool: Create a fully functional AI-powered feedback app.
  • DesignJoy copycat: Create a productized agency platform from scratch!
  • You can also watch our 4-part video series where the team builds a full-stack Duolingo clone—step by step, from prompt to production.

Welcome to the ultimate guide for building SaaS applications using Lovable.dev.

This documentation will walk you through building, scaling, and deploying fully working SaaS products without writing a single line of code—unless you want to.

​
Step-by-Step Process

1

Start with the UI

Why: Begin with the structure and layout of your app to minimize errors and plan ahead.

How:

  • Write a prompt that outlines pages and user flow.
  • Optionally add screenshots (Figma, Excalidraw).
  • Focus only on front-end initially.

Prompt Example:

Create an AI journaling app with:
- Landing page with Get Started CTA
- Main app with sidebar to view/edit logs
- Chat page to ask questions based on past entries
2

Connect the Backend (Supabase)

Why: Store and retrieve user data securely.

How:

  • Press the Supabase button in the Lovable editor
  • Create a Supabase project and connect it
  • Disable email verification in dev mode for speed
  • Define database schema for logs, users, meals, etc.

You own your data and schema. Lovable just simplifies setup.

3

Add Authentication

Lovable adds email/password login by default. You can:

  • Redirect to sign-up when users click CTA
  • Link entries/meals to authenticated users

Prompt Example:

Add sign up and login. Redirect to sign-up on 'Get Started'.
4

Build Core Features

Each app feature is built incrementally:

​
Journaling App:

  • Rate mood/energy/productivity
  • Save & update entries
  • View past logs in sidebar

​
Calorie Tracker:

  • Input or upload meal
  • GPT-4 estimates nutrition (protein, fat, carbs, kcal)
  • Visual stats with icons + circular progress bars
  • Use the select tool to target specific sections
  • Upload screenshots to guide layout or logic
5

Integrate AI (OpenAI)

Use GPT-4 for:

  • Journaling analysis
  • Meal breakdowns
  • Conversational insights

How:

  • Set up Edge Functions in Supabase
  • Add OpenAI API Key via Lovable’s secure backend prompt
  • Confirm AI has access to dynamic user data (entries/meals)

Prompt Example:

Create chat page using GPT-4.
Include journal entries in the prompt dynamically.
Use function calling to return structured nutrition data.
6

Add Payments with Stripe (Optional)

Lovable supports Stripe subscription payments with edge functions.

How:

  1. Create a Stripe product + price ID
  2. Add Stripe API Key to Lovable
  3. Define logic: only paying users can access main app
  4. Add a customer portal to manage billing

Prompt Example:

Add recurring payments via Stripe.
If not subscribed, redirect user to checkout.

Stripe setup requires a Stripe account. Use test mode while developing.

7

Deployment & Publishing

  • Connect GitHub repo from Lovable
  • Click “Publish” to launch on .lovable.app domain
  • Use custom domain

📌 Refer to Lovable Docs → Custom Domains for full walkthrough.

8

Launch & Share

Submit to Lovable Launch for visibility.

Users can:

  • Remix your project
  • View your prompts
  • Test your SaaS product instantly

​
Tips for SaaS Builders

​
Be Explicit

  • Always describe what you want and what you see.
  • Use screenshots to clarify bugs or layouts.

​
Work Step-by-Step

  • UI first → database → auth → core features → AI → payments

​
Debug Like a Pro

  • Use chat mode to fix build errors or broken logic
  • Revert changes if necessary (does not revert database schema)

​
Save Tokens

  • Use custom knowledge to store consistent instructions (theme, mobile responsiveness)

​
Advanced features

​
Other tutorials

  • AI Journaling App: Users write daily logs and chat with an AI that gives feedback based on their mood and activity.
  • AI Calorie Tracker: Users describe or upload meals, and GPT-4 estimates nutritional info and tracks weekly stats.
  • Luma Copycat: Luma-style event platform using Lovable and Supabase.
  • Simple CRM**: **Create a simple yet powerful CRM using Lovable for development, Supabase for data storage, and Resend for email automation.
  • Custom CRM: Create a custom CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) using Lovable and Make.
  • Custom CRM: Create a custom CRM (Customer Relationship Management system) using Lovable and Clerk.
  • Feedback tool: Create a fully functional AI-powered feedback app.
  • DesignJoy copycat: Create a productized agency platform from scratch!
  • You can also watch our 4-part video series where the team builds a full-stack Duolingo clone—step by step, from prompt to production.