You built the AI app. It works. But if nobody knows it exists, you have a quiet repo, not a product. Mark Fulton on DEV.to just dropped a blunt, no-fluff checklist for the critical first week of an AI app launch. The premise is simple: Week One decides whether you get a first user or a graveyard of stars. This is the operational plan you need to execute immediately.

Pre-Launch Hygiene and Day One Moves

Before you even hit publish, Fulton insists on three things: a one-sentence value prop, a demo that requires no signup, and a specific numerical goal. Product Hunt rules are strict here; use a personal account, not a company one, and remember that asking for upvotes can get you flagged as spam. Instead, ask for comments and feedback. Submit the launch yourself at 12:01 AM Pacific if you can. There is no discernible advantage to using a third-party hunter, so save the hassle.

The Show HN Filter and The Middle Week Grind

Day Two is reserved for Show HN, but only if your project qualifies. If your app is just a landing page or a waitlist, skip it. Show HN wants runnable code built by you, ready for users. Days Three through Five are about grunt work: submit to directories, reply to every single person who tries the app, and fix the first bug that three people complain about. Write down what you learned while it is fresh. This is where you turn curiosity into retention.

Leveraging Community for Launch Support

Launch day is lonely. Fulton addresses this by introducing Favors.dev, a marketing co-op for founders who ship. It operates on a points-based exchange where you earn points for verified helpβ€”like a 10-second favorite (+2 points) or a 45-minute newsletter mention (+400 points)β€”and spend them on rallies for your own launch. Points are earned, never bought. Joining is free, and you get 50 points on signup. This system solves the cold-start problem for solo developers by creating a reciprocal feedback loop.

Key Takeaways

  • Do not beg for upvotes on Product Hunt; ask for comments to avoid spam flags.
  • Skip Show HN if your app is just a waitlist; it needs to be runnable.
  • Use Favors.dev to trade verified marketing actions for launch support.
  • Set a hard numerical goal for Day One, such as 10 real users, not 100 upvotes.

The Bottom Line

Most AI apps die because founders focus on the model, not the distribution. This checklist forces you to treat launch as a logistical operation, not a vibe. Ship the checklist, then ship the app.