How to VibeCode a Mobile App And Get it on the App Store

Table of Contents
  1. The Step by Step Guide of getting it on the app store from cursor or vibecode
  1. Video Example with Outline
Publish an app on the App Store with Cursor
Step 1: Create App on Cursor
  • Build your React Native/Expo app in Cursor
  • Ensure all features are working properly
  • Test the app, look for bugs.
Step 2: Prepare App Assets
A: Generate App Icon
  • Create square image with no background/rounded corners
  • Save as icon.png in assets/ folder
  • Use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate if needed B: Update App Configuration (app.json) json
{ 
"name": "Your App Name", 
"slug": "your-app-name",  
"scheme": "your-app-name", 
"icon": "./assets/icon.png" 
}
C: Configure Splash Screen
  • Use the same icon for splash screen
  • Set background color preference
Step 3: App Store Submission Process
  • Open Terminal in Cursor
  • Click Terminal button or use Ctrl + `
  • Run TestFlight Command
bash bunx testflight
  • Account Setup
  • Install required packages (type 'y' when prompted)
  • Create EAS account at expo.dev if you don't have one
  • Log in with EAS credentials
  • iOS Configuration
  • Set iOS bundle identifier (format: com.yourname.appname)
  • Choose "standard exempt encryption" (select yes)
  • Sign into Apple Developer account
  • Complete two-factor authentication
  • Certificate Generation
  • Generate Apple distribution certificate (yes)
  • Set up push notifications (optional)
  • Generate App Store Connect key (yes)
  • Automatic Build & Submit
  • EAS builds the app (5-20 minutes)
  • Automatically submits to App Store for review
  • Creates TestFlight version
  • Monitor in App Store Connect
  • Check build status in EAS dashboard
  • Verify submission in App Store Connect
  • App available in TestFlight for testing
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Vibe Coding to App Store: Complete Guide
What We Built: Movie Buddy
Movie Buddy is an app that lets you and your friends swipe through movies like Tinder to find something everyone wants to watch together. You create a room, share the pin with friends, and when you both swipe right on the same movie, you get a match with info on where to stream it.
Core Features
  • Tinder-style movie swiping with smooth animations and haptics
  • Real-time multiplayer rooms using 4-digit pins
  • Live movie data from TMDB API with posters and ratings
  • Streaming platform integration showing where to watch (Netflix, Prime, etc.)
  • Match system showing movies both users liked
  • Share functionality to invite friends via text
Development Timeline (Under 1 Hour)
Phase 1: VibeCode Foundation (20 minutes)
  1. Initial Concept - We Described movie matching app in plain English to VibeCode
  1. UI/UX Creation - Generated Tinder-style swipe interface
  1. Design Fixes - Used screenshots to make tweaks to the design
  1. Native Features - Added haptics for left/right swipes and more
  1. Visual Polish - Improved card size, animations, and button placement
Phase 2: Cursor Enhancement (25 minutes)
  1. SSH Connection - Synced VibeCode project with Cursor
  1. Real Data Integration - Connected to TMDB API for actual movies
  1. Streaming Services - Added "where to watch" data (Netflix, Prime, etc.)
  1. Firebase Setup - Implemented real-time multiplayer rooms
  1. Room Sharing - Added PIN system and friend invitation features
Phase 3: App Store Deployment (10 minutes)
  1. Asset Creation - Generated app icon with ChatGPT
  1. Configuration - Set app name, splash screen, and metadata
  1. Submission - Used npx testflight command for automated deployment
Key Technologies Used
Frontend
  • React Native via VibeCode
  • Expo for mobile app framework
  • Real-time animations and haptic feedback
Backend & APIs
  • Firebase Firestore for real-time multiplayer rooms
  • TMDB API for movie data, posters, and ratings
  • TMDB Watch Providers API for streaming platform data
Development Tools
  • VibeCode for rapid prototyping and mobile preview
  • Cursor for complex backend integration
  • SSH sync for seamless platform switching
Development Workflow
VibeCode → Cursor Transition
  1. Build MVP in VibeCode - Focus on UI/UX and core interactions
  1. SSH Connect - Link projects for real-time sync. You can write or generate code on cursor, and test immediately on the Vibe Code App.
  1. Add Complexity in Cursor - Integrate APIs, databases, and advanced features
  1. Test on Mobile - Use VibeCode app for instant mobile testing
  1. Deploy - Submit to App Store directly from Cursor
SSH Connect with Cursor
Best Practices
  • Mock data first - Get the experience right before adding real APIs
  • Include context - Give AI specific documentation links and curl examples
  • Error handling - Copy/paste errors back to AI for quick fixes
  • Iterative improvement - Make small changes and test frequently
App Store Submission
For complete instructions on submitting to the App Store, including:
  • EAS project setup
  • Apple Developer account configuration
  • TestFlight deployment
  • App Store Connect management
See Part 1 for detailed App Store instructions
Next Steps & Extensions
Potential Features to Add
  • User authentication for saved preferences
  • Movie recommendations based on past swipes
  • Genre filtering and advanced matching
  • Group rooms for 3+ people
  • Watch party scheduling integration
  • Social sharing of matches to social media
Technical Improvements
  • Push notifications for room invites
  • Offline support for downloaded movie data
  • Performance optimization for large movie datasets
  • Advanced animations and micro-interactions
Built with AI in under 60 minutes - from concept to App Store submission