> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://zite.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Create an app
> Learn about the various ways to get started such as writing effective prompts, selecting attachments, choosing integrations and more.
Zite is best for internal tools, business apps, dashboards, portals, and workflows tied to existing data. It is not the best primary stack for launching a full SaaS product, though you can build external apps and add login when needed. Learn more in [What can I build?](/help/platform/getting-started/what-can-i-build).
## Getting started
**Choose App**
Start from `App` so Zite builds the user-facing experience. This is the right starting point for dashboards, portals, admin tools, approval queues, onboarding guides, and other business apps.
**Select a data source via Integrations**
Decide where the app should store or read data. For most new projects, start with [Zite Database](/help/database/overview). If your team already works from [Google Sheets](/help/integrations/google-sheets) or [Airtable](/help/integrations/airtable), connect that source instead.
**Pick a brand or theme**
If you have a [Brand Kit](/help/platform/how-to-build/brand-kit), select it before building so Zite can match your logo, colors, fonts, and guidelines. You can also create a new Brand Kit at this stage, or choose and change a [theme](/help/platform/how-to-build/design) later.
**Choose Plan it or Build it**
Use `Plan it` when the request is new, broad, or connected to multiple pages, roles, approvals, dashboards, or integrations. Use `Build it` when your first request is small and specific. Learn more in [Agent Modes](/help/platform/how-to-build/agent-modes/overview).
**Submit a specific prompt**
Include the app type, users, workflow, important views, and any login requirements. The more concrete your first prompt is, the better Zite can plan and build the first version.
## Popular data sources
| Data source | Best for |
| ----------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [**Zite Database**](/help/database/overview) | New apps where Zite should create and manage the data structure. |
| [**Google Sheets**](/help/integrations/google-sheets) | Teams that already manage operational data in spreadsheets. |
| [**Airtable**](/help/integrations/airtable) | Structured business data that already lives in Airtable bases and tables. |
If you are not sure, start with [**Zite Database**](/help/database/overview). You can still connect other tools later through [integrations](/help/integrations/overview).
## Agent modes
| Mode | Use it when | What happens |
| ------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Plan it** | You are starting a new app, the scope is unclear, or the app needs multiple pages, roles, approvals, dashboards, portals, or integrations. | Zite creates a plan first so you can review and edit the scope, then see wireframes of the design before building. |
| **Build it** | You know exactly what you want and the first version is small or clearly defined. | Zite starts building the app right away, and may ask clarifying questions if it needs more information. |
For a first project, **Plan it** is usually the better choice. It helps turn a broad idea into a clearer build plan before any app changes are made. You can compare all options in [Agent Modes](/help/platform/how-to-build/agent-modes/overview), and choose the right model in [Model Selection](/help/platform/basics/model-selection).
## Write the starting prompt
A strong starting prompt usually includes the details below. If you are unsure how to scope the project, start with [Plan mode](/help/platform/how-to-build/agent-modes/plan-mode) so Zite can help clarify the requirements first.
* **The app type:** e.g. a dashboard, portal, or approval workflow
* **The users:** e.g. employees, managers, or clients
* **The workflow:** what users need to view, create, update, approve, assign, export, or submit
* **Access needs:** whether the app is internal, shared externally, or requires [login](/help/platform/access/authentication)
## Example prompts
**Employee onboarding guide**
```text theme={null}
Build an employee onboarding guide for new hires and HR managers.
Track employees, onboarding tasks, owners, due dates, and completion
status. Include a new hire view, an HR admin view, and task reminders.
```
**Inventory management template**
```text theme={null}
Build an inventory management app for the operations team. Track items,
suppliers, stock counts, locations, and reorder thresholds. Include a
dashboard, low-stock alerts, item update forms, and manager-only editing.
```
**Dashboard builder tutorial**
```text theme={null}
Build a business dashboard for team leads. Show revenue, pipeline
status, owner performance, and weekly changes. Include filters by region
and owner.
```
**Client portal setup guide**
```text theme={null}
Build a client portal for external clients to view project status,
files, invoices, and next steps. Add login so each client only sees
their own projects.
```
**Approval workflow examples**
```text theme={null}
Build an approval workflow for purchase requests. Track request, vendor,
amount, department, approver, and status fields. Include submitter and
approver views, email notifications, and an approval history.
```
## FAQs
Start with `App` when you want Zite to build an interface first. Start with `Database` when the first goal is to create or organize the underlying data.
Yes. You can connect or change data sources later, including a Zite Database, Google Sheets, Airtable, or other integrations.
Use `Plan it` for new projects, unclear scope, multi-page apps, dashboards, portals, approvals, or integrations.
Yes. Zite apps can be external and can include login when needed, though Zite is best suited to business apps and internal tools.
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