AI stack · 2026
The indie app developer stack
Code with an AI pair, then scrape, write, and brief your way to launch
This stack puts the coding assistant at the center and adds the launch tasks a solo developer can't outsource: pulling web data, drafting marketing copy, and briefing a few SEO pages. Build first, then market without leaving the workflow.
Why this stack works
A stack's score isn't the average of its tools — it's how well they cover the job, how good each piece is, and how cleanly they hand off to each other, minus what it costs to run.
Coverage
1.0
How much of the job the stack handles
Quality
0.8
How strong each tool is at its part
Internal fit
0.6
How well the tools work together
Cost penalty
0.0
Lower is better — running cost drag
Fit confidence: medium
The build
Code the product with an in-editor AI assistant. When you need structured web data, run a hosted scraper. Draft launch and landing copy with a copy tool, edit for your voice, then brief a few SEO pages once the product is stable.
Swap-in alternatives
Frequently asked
Should I pick Cursor or Copilot?
Cursor is an AI-first editor with deeper codebase context; Copilot fits inside editors you may already use. Try both on your real repo before committing.
When in the build should I add the marketing tools?
After the core product works. Drafting copy for a product still changing wastes edits; brief SEO pages only once features are stable.
Can I trust scraped data in production?
Validate it. Sites change structure and block scrapers, so add checks and a fallback rather than assuming the feed stays clean.
Is four tools too many for one person?
They run at different stages, not at once. The coding assistant is daily; the others appear only at scraping, launch, and content moments.