The Stack
The recommended tool for every part of the stack.
Claude → Cursor → GitHub → Neon → Vercel → Flutter → OneSignal → Xcode → App Store → Google Play. The architecture allows any of these to be swapped later without rebuilding the framework.
AIClaude
The large language model that acts as your product thinking partner and coding collaborator throughout the framework.
Why we recommend it: Strong reasoning for product specs, database design and code - and it pairs directly with Cursor.
Free tier available · Pro from ~US$20/mo
DevelopmentCursor
An AI-native code editor where you and an AI coding agent build your application together, feature by feature.
Why we recommend it: Purpose-built for working with AI coding agents across a full codebase, not just single files.
Free tier available · Pro from ~US$20/mo
Source ControlGitHub
Where your code lives, versioned and backed up, and where Vercel deploys from.
Why we recommend it: The standard for source control - required by almost every hosting and CI tool you'll use.
Free for individuals and small teams
DatabaseNeon (PostgreSQL)
A serverless PostgreSQL database with instant branching - perfect for separate development, staging and production databases.
Why we recommend it: Database branching makes it trivial to keep environments separate without running your own infrastructure.
Free tier available · usage-based pricing beyond that
HostingVercel
Hosting, deployment, environment variables and server infrastructure for your application.
Why we recommend it: Deep integration with Next.js and GitHub means every push can deploy automatically, with previews for every change.
Free tier available · Pro from ~US$20/mo
MobileFlutter
A single codebase that compiles to native iOS, Android and web apps.
Why we recommend it: The most mature option for shipping one codebase to every platform without maintaining three separate apps.
Free and open source
MobileReact Native
A cross-platform mobile framework built on React - a strong alternative to Flutter, especially if your team already knows React.
Why we recommend it: Recommended as an alternative when you or your AI coding agent are already deep in a React/Next.js codebase.
Free and open source
NotificationsOneSignal
Push notifications, email and transactional communications through one simple API.
Why we recommend it: Avoids building your own notification infrastructure - connects in an afternoon, not a sprint.
Free tier available · usage-based pricing beyond that
iOSXcode / App Store Connect
Apple's toolchain for building, signing and submitting your app to the iOS App Store.
Why we recommend it: Required by Apple for iOS builds and submissions - there's no way around it, so we make it painless.
Apple Developer Program: US$99/year
AndroidGoogle Play Console
Google's platform for building, signing and submitting your Android app to Google Play.
Why we recommend it: Required by Google for Android distribution - we walk you through the build pipeline and submission checklist.
One-time US$25 registration fee