How to Build an MVP With Lovable AI in 2025

March 26, 2025

12 min read

Alireza Bashiri

Founder

Want to build an app fast without coding? Lovable makes it possible by transforming natural language into functional apps. Trusted by over 140,000 users, this platform speeds up MVP development by up to 20x. Here's how:

• What It Does: Lovable uses AI to turn text prompts into apps with features like UI design, backend setup, and real-time updates.
• Core Features: Chat-based app creation, React/Vite frontend, Supabase backend, GitHub integration, and one-click publishing.
• Pricing: Starts at $20/month, scaling up to $100/month for advanced features.
• How to Start: Sign up at lovable.dev, describe your project, and let the platform handle coding and design.
• Why It Works: Simplifies app development, saving time and reducing costs.

Whether you're a startup founder or a solo developer, Lovable helps you focus on ideas while automating the technical work. For a real-world example, see how we built the Adworthy.ai MVP in just 3 days using Lovable AI.

Setup Guide

Sign Up Process

Head over Lovable and create a free account. The registration process is quick and straightforward. Once you're signed up, you'll receive some initial credits to explore the platform and get started. After that, you can dive into building your project using clear and focused prompts.

Create Your First Project

Kick off your first project by describing your MVP (Minimum Viable Product) in simple, direct terms.

Getting Started:

• Start with a clear and concise MVP description.

Prompt Writing Tips: When crafting your first prompt, keep it focused on the core functionality. For example:

"I want to build a to-do list app with a clean interface where users can add, complete, and delete tasks"

This method helps Lovable create a strong starting point for your project. Begin with the basics - more advanced features can always be added later using additional prompts.

Basic Settings

Set up these key settings to get your project ready:

Tips for Configuration:

• Pick a clear and descriptive name for your project.
• Connect version control (like GitHub) early in the process.
• Keep your project private while it's in development.
• Include any industry-specific terms or requirements.

Once these settings are in place, your MVP is ready to move into the design and development stages.

Build Your Startup MVP With Lovable AI

Design Your MVP

With your project set up, it's time to craft an engaging user interface (UI) using Lovable.

Create UI with AI

Describe your UI needs using short, clear prompts. You can also upload visual references like Figma designs, Excalidraw sketches, or webpage screenshots to guide the process.

"I'm always amazed at how fast we can whip up a UI With Lovable AI. It gives me a solid base that I can easily tweak and build on. Plus, using it to integrate it with the backend is magical!" - Martin, Platanus

Adjust Layout Elements

Fine-tune your design with visual controls and component tools to keep your layout clean and functional.

Visual Controls

• Tailwind-native tools for precise adjustments
• Customize spacing, alignment, and sizing
• Update colors, typography, and other style elements

Component Management

• Break large sections into smaller, reusable components
• Modify the component hierarchy directly through the chat interface
• Use prompts to refine layouts and improve structure

Design Tips for MVPs

Once your interface is set, use these tips to polish your design:

"Lovable empowers me to create frontends that surpass my own technical limitations. It allows me to swiftly develop prototypes to showcase to clients, without the need for generic templates or starting from scratch. Essentially, it enables me to concentrate on the backend while GPT Engineer efficiently generates a functional and visually appealing frontend my clients will love." - Marius, Veloxforce

Pro Tips:

• Browse 21st.dev for UI ideas, copy a prompt, and use it directly in Lovable.
• Take screenshots of designs you admire on Dribbble, upload them to Lovable, and provide instructions to replicate them.
• Start with a template tailored to your project type to save time.
• Test your UI on different screen sizes early in the process.

Lovable incorporates best practices automatically, so you can focus on building your core features.

Build Core Features

Implement the key MVP features effectively With Lovable AI.

Focus on Key Features

Start by prioritizing features that deliver the most impact while keeping complexity low. Use Lovable's Knowledge Base to organize your features, designs, and goals.

To prioritize features effectively:

• Define Core Value: Pinpoint the main problem your MVP addresses.
• List Dependencies: Understand which features depend on others.
• Assess Complexity: Balance the effort required to implement a feature against the benefit it brings to users.

Write Clear AI Instructions

When working With Lovable AI's AI, make sure your prompts are specific and easy to understand. Here's how to craft effective instructions:

• Start Broad: Begin with a general idea of what you need.
• Add Details: Provide specifics to guide the AI.
• Provide Context: Explain the purpose or goal of the task.
• Iterate: Refine your instructions based on results.

Once the features are implemented, validate them using Lovable's testing tools.

Test and Refine

Leverage Lovable's tools to ensure your features work as intended:

Available Testing Tools

• Chat Mode: Analyze Supabase logs and identify TypeScript errors.
• Visual Edits: Adjust UI elements using Tailwind-native controls.
• Version Control: Manage changes seamlessly with GitHub integration.

Steps to test and refine:

1. Fine-tune the UI: Use the Edit Tool to adjust interface elements and ensure core functionality works smoothly.
2. Monitor Performance: Enable Chat Mode to review backend logs and spot potential issues, such as errors or bottlenecks.
3. Apply Fixes: Follow Lovable's debugging suggestions systematically, addressing the most critical features first.

These steps help ensure your MVP is functional and ready for users.

Set Up Supabase Backend

Link to Supabase

Connecting your Lovable project to Supabase gives you access to a range of backend features. Here's how to get started:

1. Open the Integrations menu in your Lovable editor.
2. Select Connect Supabase.
3. Log in to your Supabase account.
4. Choose an existing Supabase organization and project, or create new ones.
5. Complete the configuration.

Here's a quick overview of what Supabase brings to the table:

Once connected, you can move on to setting up user data for authentication and storage.

Configure User Data

After linking to Supabase, you'll need to set up authentication and structure your database. Use Lovable's chat interface to guide the process.

1. Add Basic Authentication

Type "Add login" in the chat to generate login pages for your app. If you're testing during development, you can turn off email confirmation in Supabase to speed things up.

2. Create Database Structure

Define your app's data model directly in the chat. For example, if you're building a posts feature, you could say:

"Allow users to create posts with a title and content, and store these in the database."

Lovable will handle the SQL table creation and connect everything to your app's frontend automatically.

With authentication and your database set up, you're ready to enable real-time data updates.

Enable Data Sync

Real-time updates ensure your app stays synchronized across users and devices. This is especially useful for:

• Live chat.
• Collaborative tools.
• Activity feeds.
• Real-time dashboards.

To activate this feature, just prompt Lovable with something like "enable real-time updates for [feature name]" after setting up the relevant database table. Lovable will configure your app to use Supabase's real-time API, so updates happen instantly without needing a refresh.

For better performance, tweak these settings based on your needs:

Launch Your MVP

Test Your App

Before deploying your MVP, make sure to test all its features thoroughly. Focus on these areas:

• User Authentication: Check signup, login, and password reset functions.
• Data Operations: Test creating, reading, updating, and deleting data.
• Real-time Features: Verify that data syncs properly across devices.
• UI Components: Ensure the interface works well on various screen sizes.

Use Supabase logs and TypeScript error tracking in chat mode to catch issues early. Key areas to review include:

When testing confirms that everything works as expected, move forward with deployment.

Deploy to Production

1. Review Settings

Double-check your project settings and adjust the app's appearance as needed.

2. Deploy Your App

Click the globe icon (Share) in the top-right corner to publish your app.

3. Set Up Version Control

Link your project to GitHub for efficient version control and collaboration.

By monitoring and using version control, you can adapt your MVP based on user input.

Monitor and Update

Keep track of your app's performance using Lovable's built-in analytics tools:

Analytics Integration
Connect PostHog through Lovable to monitor:

• User behavior trends
• Session replays
• A/B testing outcomes

Version Management
With GitHub integration, you can:

• Track code changes
• Manage updates
• Collaborate effectively with your team

Performance Monitoring
Stay updated on:

• Server response times
• Error rates
• User engagement data

When rolling out updates, use Lovable's preview feature to test changes before making them live. Bookmark important changes to maintain a clear development history.

Summary

Overview of Features

Lovable simplifies MVP development by turning natural language into functional code. It seamlessly integrates with tools like GitHub, Supabase, and Stripe.

Here's a quick look at its main features:

The Knowledge Base helps centralize your design, functionality, and project goals. These tools make it easier to launch an MVP quickly and efficiently.

Steps to Get Started

1. Sign Up: Head to lovable.dev and create an account to access the platform.
2. Start Your Project: Provide a concise description of your project. This will generate core features like authentication and CRUD operations via Supabase.
3. Refine Your MVP: Use visual editing tools with Tailwind-native controls to tweak the UI and test functionality in real-time.

Looking to explore more MVP development strategies? Check out our guide on 7 Critical MVP Development Mistakes to Avoid in 2025 to ensure your product launch is successful. If you're interested in different timelines, learn how to build a scalable MVP in 2 weeks.