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Studio archive · 2025-03-20

Vibe-coding an iOS App MVP in less than 10 minutes.

A short Xcode and Cursor demo exploring how quickly a UX Flashcards app can move from intent to working mobile prototype.

Vibe-coding an iOS App MVP with Xcode

Vibe coding is all about embracing the creative flow of coding in an intuitive and experimental way. In this session, we take a hands-on approach to building a simple yet effective UX flashcards app using Xcode and Cursor.

**Getting Started**

To follow along, all you need is:

  • Access to Xcode
  • Access to Cursor

Both tools can be easily downloaded, and once installed, we’re ready to create a new project. Our app will be called UX Flashcards—a straightforward title that describes its core function: providing a quick reference for UX concepts.

**The Concept**

The goal of this app is simple: to offer designers, UX professionals, and product managers an easy way to browse and learn UX principles through flashcards. The app will allow users to:

  • Browse a list of UX-related cards
  • Filter and search for specific concepts

We aim to make the app accessible and useful for anyone in the product development space.

**Building the App**

With Xcode set up, Cursor gets to work generating our initial code structure. The app will include:

  • A search bar at the top for filtering concepts
  • A list of cards displaying UX principles
  • A simple and intuitive UI

Cursor then generates Swift code that lays out the necessary components, including data models and views. The power of AI-assisted coding is magical as it creates structured code, allowing us to focus more on the user experience.

**Refining the Design**

While Cursor speeds up the development process, AI-generated designs often require manual tweaks. Initially, the app had a cluttered UI, so we made the following refinements:

  • Removed unnecessary background colors
  • Simplified the search box for a cleaner look
  • Turned the interface to dark mode
  • Added icons to the cards for better visual hierarchy
  • Adjusted padding and layout for a more polished design

The results? A cleaner, more structured UI that balances functionality and aesthetics.

**Final Thoughts**

In just a short session, we managed to:

  • Set up the foundational structure of the app
  • Implement core functionality
  • Iterate on the design for a better user experience

This MVP could already be published on the App Store with further refinements in mind. The process of vibe coding makes development faster, and while AI-generated code still requires human input, it significantly accelerates the workflow.

**What’s Next?**

Now that we have a working MVP, the next steps could include:

  • Expanding the UX concepts database
  • Improving the visual appeal with refined UI elements
  • Adding interactive features like quizzes or bookmarking

Vibe coding is a game-changer, making development more accessible and fun. Stay tuned for the next session where we explore more features and enhancements. Until then, happy coding!