S4. Choose your path
What this page helps you do
Choose the app path that best matches what you are building.
Why it matters
Different apps fail in different ways. A simple marketing site does not need the same launch checklist as an AI app with file uploads and background work.
You should already have
- a rough idea of what your app does
Skip this page if
- you already know your app path
Then jump to the page that fits:
- P1. Simple website path
- P2. SaaS web app path
- P3. AI app path
- P4. Internal tool path
- P5. API/backend path
What to do
Choose the closest fit, not the perfect fit.
Pick P1 if
- the site is mostly public pages
- there is little or no user data
- there is no login
Pick P2 if
- users sign in
- you store user data
- the app feels like a normal web product
Pick P3 if
- the app depends on models, prompts, retrieval, or AI-generated output
- costs, rate limits, and fallback behavior matter
Pick P4 if
- the tool is mainly for your team or a small known group
- access control matters more than marketing polish
Pick P5 if
- the main thing you ship is an API or backend service
- other apps or clients depend on it
Recommended default
If you are unsure, start with P2. SaaS web app path. It usually covers the common risks most builders miss.
Common mistakes
- choosing the simplest path because it feels less scary, even when login and data are involved
- assuming an AI feature does not change launch risk
- trying to follow two different paths equally
Next step
Pick one:
Related pages
Advanced notes
If your app mixes categories, pick the path that carries the highest risk and then branch from there.