Frequently asked questions
Everything about building apps with Daedalus — the desktop AI app builder that turns a prompt into a full-stack web app you can deploy and export to mobile.
What is Daedalus?
Daedalus is a desktop AI app studio. You describe an app in plain language and Daedalus researches what to build, then generates a real full-stack web application — database, accounts and a working interface — which you can deploy and export to mobile. It runs on your own computer and works with whatever AI you prefer: free local models, free or low-cost API models through OpenRouter (including inexpensive options like DeepSeek), or your existing Claude (via Claude Code) or ChatGPT (via OpenAI Codex) subscription.
How do I get started with Daedalus?
Download and install Daedalus, then open Settings and pick how you want to generate: a free local model, free or low-cost models via OpenRouter (such as DeepSeek), or connect your existing Claude (Claude Code) or ChatGPT (OpenAI Codex) subscription. Then just describe your app — Daedalus researches it and starts building, you preview the result, and you keep refining it and adding features by prompting.
Can I build a web app without coding?
Yes. Daedalus is built for people who do not code: you describe the app you want and it generates a full-stack web app for you — no programming required. Developers can still own and extend the generated code, but coding is not needed to build and deploy.
What does Daedalus build?
Daedalus builds full-stack web applications — a database, user accounts and authentication, and a real interface — and can export them to mobile. It starts from market research to turn your idea into a validated brief, then builds the app using proven capability recipes. You can build things like dashboards and internal tools, analytics and reporting apps, client and admin dashboards, CRM-style apps, project management and task trackers, marketplaces, e-commerce storefronts, booking and scheduling apps, directories and job boards, community and social apps, membership and subscription sites, client portals, learning and course (LMS) apps, forms and data-collection apps, SaaS MVPs, and AI apps and AI agents (assistants, chatbots and RAG tools).
Can Daedalus research the market and help me plan my app?
Yes. Give Daedalus a rough idea — or even just a market or problem you want to tackle — and it researches the space with real, cited sources: market and demand signals, who the competitors are, and how to win. It turns that into a validated brief with a PRD and go-to-market plan, then builds the app from it. You start from a grounded plan, not guesswork.
Can Daedalus tell me if my app idea is worth building?
Point Daedalus at your idea and it reads real demand and activity signals, breaks down the competition, and gives you a source-cited take on whether it is worth building and how to differentiate — as a PRD and GTM brief you can build straight from. Every claim is grounded in real sources, not generated.
Does Daedalus track competitors after I launch?
Yes. On demand, Daedalus re-checks your project's competitors and reports exactly what changed since last time — new pricing, new releases, new entrants, shifts in sentiment — grounded in live web search and tied to your app's brief, so you can stay a release ahead.
Does Daedalus run locally with my own keys?
Yes. Daedalus is a desktop application for Windows, macOS and Linux. It runs on your machine with your own AI provider keys, so your prompts, project files and generated apps stay under your control — they are not sent to or stored on our servers.
Can I export my app to mobile?
Yes. Web apps are included, and the Pro tier adds Capacitor mobile export (iOS and Android) and installable PWA export, so the same app can ship to the web and to mobile.
How much does it cost to build an app?
You bring your own AI, and Daedalus adds no markup and charges no per-build fee. You can start for free with local models or OpenRouter's free tier, pay just a few cents with low-cost APIs like DeepSeek, or use your existing Claude (Claude Code) or ChatGPT (OpenAI Codex) subscription. You pay the provider directly, so the cost of building an app stays low and fully in your control.
Do I own the apps I build with Daedalus?
Yes. You own your projects and the code Daedalus generates. Because it is bring-your-own-key and runs locally, there is no lock-in — you keep and control your apps.
How is Daedalus priced?
Daedalus is a one-time purchase — there is no subscription. It comes in two tiers, Basic and Pro, with a limited-time launch price for early buyers. See the pricing section on the homepage for the current amounts, and join the early-access list to lock in launch pricing.
What is the difference between the Basic and Pro tiers?
Basic includes unlimited local app builds, market research to a validated brief, full-stack web apps with one-click deploy, all capability recipes, on-demand competitor monitoring, bring-your-own-keys, local/offline models, and use on up to 3 devices. Pro adds Capacitor mobile export (iOS and Android), installable PWA export, and priority support.
Where can I deploy the apps I build?
Daedalus supports one-click deployment of your full-stack web app, using your own hosting/provider tokens so you stay in control of where your app lives and its data.
Who is Daedalus for?
Daedalus is for anyone who wants to turn an idea into a working app fast — describe an app, preview it, then iterate to refine it and add features. That includes indie makers, founders, creators, agencies, studios, freelancers, teams and educators building MVPs, internal tools and client apps without a development team.
What AI models does Daedalus use?
You choose. Daedalus works with free local models that run fully offline on your machine, API providers like OpenRouter, DeepSeek, OpenAI and Anthropic, and — if you already subscribe — Claude via Claude Code or ChatGPT via OpenAI Codex. Your keys, subscriptions and settings stay on your device and are only used with the providers you select.
Still have a question?
Reach us via the contact page or email [email protected].