What you’ll build
A mobile application for iOS, Android, or both — from project scaffolding through development to store-ready builds — using Workshop Desktop’s terminal access and filesystem control.Before you start
Download Workshop Desktop
Install Workshop Desktop from workshop.ai/download. Workshop Desktop runs on your local machine with full filesystem and terminal access.
Choose your framework
Workshop supports multiple mobile development paths. Choose based on your needs:
| Framework | Platforms | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Expo / React Native | iOS + Android | Cross-platform apps, fastest path to both stores |
| Swift / SwiftUI | iOS only | Native iOS performance, Apple ecosystem features |
| Kotlin / Jetpack Compose | Android only | Native Android performance, Google ecosystem features |
Recommended path: Expo / React Native
Expo is the recommended starting point for most mobile apps. It gives you a single codebase that runs on both iOS and Android, with a fast development cycle and straightforward path to the app stores.Set up the development environment
Open Workshop Desktop, start a new conversation, and ask Workshop to set up your Expo project:“Help me set up Expo CLI and create a new React Native project with TypeScript, React Navigation, and a tab-based layout.”Workshop will install the necessary tools, scaffold the project, and configure the development environment.
Describe your app
Once the project is set up, describe what you want to build:Example prompts:
- “Build a task management app with categories, due dates, push notifications for reminders, and a dark mode toggle.”
- “Create a recipe app with a searchable catalog, favorites list, grocery list generator, and offline support.”
- “Build a fitness tracker with workout logging, progress charts, and a calendar view.”
Test in the simulator
Ask Workshop to launch the app in the iOS Simulator or Android Emulator:
- “Run this in the iOS Simulator.”
- “Start the Expo development server so I can test on my phone.”
Iterate on features and design
Refine specific screens, add features, and polish the UI:
- “Add pull-to-refresh on the home screen.”
- “Make the navigation transitions smoother with shared element animations.”
- “Add camera access for the profile photo feature.”
- “Implement offline data persistence so the app works without internet.”
Alternative: Native iOS with Swift
For apps that need deep Apple ecosystem integration (HealthKit, ARKit, Watch connectivity), native Swift development is the way to go.Set up the environment
“Help me set up an iOS development environment with Xcode. Create a new SwiftUI project with a tab-based navigation structure.”
Xcode is required and only runs on macOS. Make sure you have it installed from the Mac App Store before starting.
Build and iterate
Describe your screens, data models, and interactions. Workshop writes Swift/SwiftUI code and can help with Core Data, CloudKit, notifications, and other Apple frameworks.“Create a SwiftUI app with a list view of items from Core Data, a detail view with editing, and iCloud sync.”
Alternative: Native Android with Kotlin
For apps that need deep Android platform features (widgets, background services, Wear OS), native Kotlin is the best choice.Set up the environment
“Help me configure Android Studio and create a new Kotlin project with Jetpack Compose, navigation, and Material Design 3.”
Build and iterate
Workshop writes Kotlin code with Jetpack Compose and can help with Room database, WorkManager, Firebase integration, and other Android frameworks.“Build an Android app with a Compose UI showing a list from Room database, with search, swipe-to-delete, and a floating action button to add items.”
Tips and best practices
Start with Expo unless you have a reason not to
Start with Expo unless you have a reason not to
Expo handles the build system, native module linking, and over-the-air updates. It covers the vast majority of mobile app use cases. Only go native if you need a specific platform API that Expo doesn’t support.
Let Workshop handle the toolchain setup
Let Workshop handle the toolchain setup
Mobile development environments are notoriously tricky to configure. Give Workshop the full setup task — it will handle dependency installation, SDK configuration, and emulator setup, resolving errors along the way.
Test on real devices early
Test on real devices early
Simulators are great for rapid iteration, but real-device testing catches performance issues, gesture behavior, and hardware-specific bugs that simulators miss. Ask Workshop to help you set up device testing.
Describe screens, not code
Describe screens, not code
Say “Build a settings screen with toggles for notifications, dark mode, and data sync, plus an account section with profile photo, name, and logout button” rather than specifying components. Workshop knows which UI primitives to use for each platform.
Use checkpoints before major changes
Use checkpoints before major changes
Mobile apps have complex state. Before adding a major feature or refactoring navigation, ask Workshop to create a checkpoint so you can roll back if needed.
Next steps
- Workshop Desktop overview — Learn more about Desktop’s capabilities
- File system and terminals — How Workshop Desktop interacts with your local environment
- Checkpoints — Save and restore project states
- Prompting guide — Write effective prompts for complex projects
Download Workshop Desktop
Build mobile apps with full terminal access and native toolchain support.