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Knack’s AI Builder turns your ideas into fully functional web apps. No coding IS required. In this tutorial, you’ll go from a plain-language prompt to a live, editable app in just a few minutes.
Before You Begin
Make sure you have:
- A free Knack account (Sign up here.)
- A clear app idea (e.g., a CRM, project tracker, or customer portal)
- 5–10 minutes to follow along
Step 1: Open the AI Builder
Once logged in, click Start with AI from your Knack dashboard. You’ll see a prompt field asking you to describe your app.
Example Prompt:
“Build a project tracker with Projects, Tasks, and Clients. Each project has many tasks. Show dashboards for overdue tasks and project status.”
Click Generate and let the AI do the rest.
Step 2: Review the Data Model
Knack’s AI will infer entities (tables), fields, and relationships from your prompt. This is the foundation of your app.
Tip: Review the model before continuing. Adjust relationships or field types as needed (e.g., change text to date).
Step 3: Explore the Scaffolded Pages
Once the model is confirmed, the AI Builder automatically creates pages for each entity: lists, forms, and dashboards.
For example, in a project tracker app you’ll see:
- Project list view
- Task entry form
- Dashboard showing overdue tasks
Step 4: Refine and Customize
AI scaffolding is a starting point. Now it’s your turn to refine:
- Rename fields or add new ones
- Add filters, search, or conditional logic
- Set user permissions (e.g., clients view only their own data)
- Style your pages with custom branding
Knack’s visual editor makes all this point-and-click simple.
Step 5: Add Automations
Use Knack’s Flows to add automated logic, like sending an email when a record is updated or creating alerts when a project is overdue.
Example: “When task status = completed, send email to assigned user.”
Step 6: Preview and Publish
Click Preview to see your app live. Test your forms and dashboards. Once satisfied, click Publish to share your app with your team or clients.
You now have a fully functional app that’s built in minutes, not days.
Pro Tips
- Start small. Begin with 2–3 entities before expanding.
- Benchmark your results against our AI App Builder Benchmark Report.
- Check out future features in The Next-Gen AI Builder.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Missing field or view? Try regenerating specific pages (e.g., “Regenerate Task page”).
- Incorrect relationship? Edit in the Data Model tab. Changes auto-update connected views.
- Prompt didn’t capture intent? Add explicit relationships and logic next time (e.g., “Each client has many projects”).
FAQs
No. Knack’s AI Builder automatically handles relationships and schema setup.
Yes. Every field, page, and workflow is fully editable in Knack’s Builder.
Most prototype apps take under one hour. Often, they take as little as 10–15 minutes using AI scaffolding.
Ready to build your first app?
👉 Open Knack’s AI Builder and turn your idea into a working web app today.
