Building an iOS App in One Day Using AI (Cursor and Claude Sonnet 3.7)
Want to build an iOS app in just one day? With AI tools like Cursor and Claude Sonnet 3.7, you can turn simple prompts into fully functional SwiftUI code - even if you're not a developer.
Here's how it works:
- AI-Driven Development: Use plain-language commands to generate app components, navigation, and features.
- Tools You Need: Xcode, a Mac, an Apple Developer Account, Cursor, and Claude Sonnet 3.7.
- Step-by-Step Workflow:
- Morning: Plan and design the app structure and UI.
- Midday: Build core features and connect them.
- Afternoon: Test, debug, and refine the app.
- Evening: Package and prepare for App Store submission.
- U.S. Market Standards: Ensure proper date, time, currency, and accessibility formatting.
This AI-powered method speeds up development, reduces repetitive tasks, and lets you focus on creating a polished, user-friendly app.
Ready to try it? Let’s dive into the details.
Build iOS app in minutes using Cursor AI
Getting Started
Before diving in, make sure you have the following tools installed and U.S. localization standards applied.
Required Tools
- Xcode: Apple's official IDE for iOS development.
- Apple Developer Account: Necessary for device testing and app distribution.
- Cursor: An AI-powered code editor to streamline coding tasks.
- Claude Sonnet 3.7: Access to the Claude 3.7 Sonnet AI model for advanced features.
- Mac: A computer running the latest version of macOS.
U.S. Format Standards
Follow these conventions for U.S. localization:
- Date: MM/DD/YYYY (e.g., 04/20/2025)
- Time: 12-hour clock (e.g., 2:30 PM)
- Currency: U.S. dollars (e.g., $19.99)
- Numbers: Use commas for thousands (e.g., 1,000.50)
- Distance: Miles (e.g., 5.2 mi)
- Temperature: Fahrenheit (e.g., 75°F)
SwiftUI makes it easy to implement these formats using built-in formatters. Here's a quick example:
Text(date, format: .dateTime.month().day().year())
Text(amount, format: .currency(code: "USD"))
Once you've got the tools set up and the U.S. formats in place, you're ready to move on to the 24-hour development guide.
24-Hour Development Guide
Morning: Planning and Design (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)
Start your day by laying a strong foundation for the app:
- Use Claude Sonnet 3.7 to quickly generate a SwiftUI scaffold.
- Build the initial screens and views to set up the app's structure.
- Add bottom navigation and smooth transitions for a seamless user experience.
- Design the core UI components with the help of AI tools to save time and ensure consistency.
Midday: Building Core Features (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM)
Focus on functionality during this block of time:
- Generate data models and write persistence code to handle app data.
- Fine-tune the screens and layouts for a polished look.
- Integrate the app's main features to ensure everything works as planned.
- Connect interactions between components to create a cohesive experience.
Afternoon: Testing and Fixes (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Shift gears to testing and debugging:
- Test the app's UI responsiveness using a simulator.
- Fix layout and navigation issues with the help of AI-generated suggestions.
- Check edge cases and ensure error handling is solid.
- Clean up the generated code to make it easier to read and maintain.
Evening: App Store Prep (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Wrap up the day by preparing for submission:
- Configure TestFlight settings to enable beta testing.
- Package the build and get it ready for submission to the App Store.
Next, dive into how AI-driven development can streamline your workflow.
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Benefits of AI Development
Using our one-day AI workflow significantly reduces both time and costs.
Speed and Cost Analysis
AI workflows handle about 80% of development tasks, cutting project timelines from months to just days. With this approach, we’ve condensed our build schedule to just 24 hours. Developer Jonatã Oliveira shared how AI allowed him to focus on "orchestrating components" rather than coding every detail. For example, he developed NutriAI, a meal-tracking app, in just 10 days - a process that typically takes months. With our one-day workflow, a functional prototype could be ready by the end of the day.
Bonanza Studios Method
Bonanza Studios combines lean UX principles with AI-powered workflows to simplify app development:
- AI uses plain-language prompts to produce production-ready code and GUI prototypes.
- A context file is maintained to ensure consistency across all AI-generated code.
This method enabled a single developer to create Quotesmatic - a quotes app complete with a backend API and TestFlight build - in just one day.
Technical Guidelines
Once you've reviewed the advantages of AI and its workflows, it's time to apply these technical guidelines to ensure your code meets high standards. At Bonanza Studios, we combine fast-paced AI development with strict technical practices. Use the following steps to finalize your project.
Code Review Steps
Evaluate AI-generated Swift code against the details in context.md to ensure proper structure, adherence to conventions, and overall consistency.
Key areas to check:
- Performance and scalability: Ensure the code runs efficiently and can handle higher loads without issues.
- Code clean-up: Remove any redundant or unnecessary code fragments generated during the AI process.
- Consistency: Confirm the code aligns with the specifications outlined in your
context.md, including architecture and coding standards.
Additionally, verify that your app complies with U.S. market requirements and accessibility standards.
U.S. Market Requirements
Follow the U.S. formatting standards as outlined earlier.
For accessibility compliance, make sure your app includes:
- Dynamic Type support: Allow users to adjust text size.
- VoiceOver labels: Provide clear, descriptive labels for screen reader users.
- WCAG 2.1 contrast ratio: Maintain a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for text and background.
Project Documentation
Keep your context.md file up-to-date throughout the project's lifecycle, from planning to deployment. This ensures your team stays aligned and maintains clear documentation.
Include the following in context.md:
- Project architecture overview: A high-level view of the system's structure.
- Feature specifications: Detailed descriptions of each feature.
- Folder structure: A clear organization of project files.
- Coding conventions: Guidelines for maintaining uniformity in the codebase.
- API endpoints and data models: Documented details of the APIs and data structures used in the project.
This approach will help maintain clarity and cohesion across all stages of development.
Conclusion
Our 24-hour workflow highlights an impressive achievement: using Cursor and Claude Sonnet 3.7, both experts and non-coders can create a polished iOS app in just one day - without compromising code quality or user experience.
This approach, powered by vibe coding, has changed the way developers tackle iOS projects. Real-world experiences illustrate its impact:
Within seconds, I had working code. Real, launchable code. That was my first taste of vibe coding - and I was hooked.
The benefits extend beyond speed, enhancing the overall development process:
Vibe coding didn't just help me build faster - it helped me build better. It kept me in flow, helped me stay focused, and made the process fun.
Try this one-day AI-driven framework on your next project and see the difference vibe coding can make.