Millions of people use ChatGPT to brainstorm app ideas. The conversation goes well. You describe the features, the user flows, maybe even the tech stack. ChatGPT gives you a detailed spec. Then you close the tab and wonder: now what? If you want to turn a ChatGPT idea into an app, the gap between "great conversation" and "working software" is where most people get stuck.
The Gap Between a Spec and an App
ChatGPT is good at planning. It can outline screens, suggest database schemas, and describe user flows in detail. But it cannot write a full codebase, run it, or show you a live preview. The output is a document, not software.
That means you still need a tool that takes that spec and produces real, runnable code. Cloud-based AI builders exist, but they come with subscriptions, credit limits, and vendor lock-in. If you want to turn a ChatGPT idea into an app without those constraints, a local tool gives you more control.
What Dyad Does Differently
Dyad is a free, open-source AI app builder that runs on your desktop. It is an Electron app for Mac, Windows, and Linux. You install it, connect an API key from the AI provider of your choice (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, or even a local model), and start building by chatting.
A few things that matter here:
- Your code stays on your machine. Nothing is uploaded to a third-party server.
- No subscription. Dyad is free to use. You pay only for the AI model API calls you make, and some providers like Google Gemini have a free tier.
- No lock-in. Dyad generates standard code. You can open the project in VS Code, push it to GitHub, or deploy it anywhere.
- Built-in version control. Every change the AI makes is automatically versioned. If something goes wrong, you can restore a previous version with one click.
Step by Step: From ChatGPT Conversation to Running App
Here is a concrete workflow for taking an app idea you discussed with ChatGPT and building it in Dyad.
1. Get a clear spec from ChatGPT
If you have not done this yet, ask ChatGPT to write a detailed description of your app. Be specific about:
- What screens or pages the app has
- What the user can do on each screen
- Any data the app needs to store
- Any external APIs or integrations
A prompt like this works well:
Describe a [your app idea] in detail. List every screen, what the user sees on each screen, what actions they can take, and what data is stored. Format it as a spec I can hand to a developer.
The more concrete the spec, the better the results when you bring it into Dyad.
2. Download and set up Dyad
Go to dyad.sh and download the app for your operating system. Open it and add an API key. If you are not sure which provider to pick, Google Gemini is a good starting point because it has a free tier. You can always switch models later.
3. Paste your spec as the first prompt
Create a new app in Dyad, then paste the spec from your ChatGPT conversation as your first message. This is important: a detailed first prompt helps the AI understand the full picture rather than guessing. Dyad will generate the initial codebase and show you a live preview right next to the chat.
You do not need to paste the entire ChatGPT conversation. Focus on the final spec or summary. If ChatGPT gave you a long back-and-forth, ask it to consolidate into a single description before bringing it into Dyad.
4. Iterate in conversation
Once the initial version is running, refine it through follow-up messages. You can say things like:
- "Add a settings page where users can change their display name."
- "The submit button should be disabled until all required fields are filled."
- "Move the navigation to a sidebar instead of a top bar."
Each change Dyad makes gets its own version. If a change goes wrong, click the version history button at the top of the chat panel and restore the previous version. No progress is lost.
5. Review as you go
Even if you are not a programmer, Dyad summarizes the changes it makes to each file. Read those summaries. If you asked for a small tweak and the AI modified many files, something likely went wrong. Undo and try a more specific prompt.
6. Connect to real services
When you are ready to add a backend, Dyad has built-in Supabase integration for database and auth. You can also extend Dyad with MCP servers to connect to other tools and APIs. GitHub integration lets you push your project to a repository so you can share it or deploy it.
Tips for Better Results When You Turn a ChatGPT Idea into an App
- One feature per prompt. Asking for too many changes at once increases the chance of something going wrong. Small, specific requests produce better code.
- Use multiple chats. Unlike most AI app builders, Dyad lets you create multiple chat conversations for the same project. If a conversation goes off the rails, start a fresh chat. The code and version history carry over.
- Try different models. Dyad supports models from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and local providers. If one model gives you a bad result, switch to another and try again. No single model is best for every task.
- Keep your ChatGPT spec as a reference. When the AI in Dyad drifts from your original vision, paste the relevant section of your spec again to realign it.
What You End Up With
At the end of this process, you have a working app on your machine. The code is standard (React, Vite, or whatever framework Dyad chose based on your spec). You can:
- Open the project folder in any code editor
- Push it to GitHub using Dyad's built-in integration
- Deploy it to any hosting provider
- Hand it off to a developer for further work
There is no proprietary format, no walled garden, and no monthly fee to keep your project accessible.
When This Approach Works Best
This workflow is a good fit if you used ChatGPT to plan a web app (dashboard, internal tool, SaaS prototype, portfolio site, etc.) and want to turn a ChatGPT idea into an app without learning to code from scratch. It is also useful for developers who want to skip the boilerplate phase and jump straight into a working prototype.
It is less suited for mobile-native apps (Dyad builds web apps) or projects that require complex backend infrastructure beyond what Supabase provides out of the box. Keep in mind that Dyad currently supports Node.js-based JavaScript apps.
Getting Started
Download Dyad for free at dyad.sh. Bring the API key of your choice, paste your ChatGPT spec, and start building. The source code is available on GitHub under an open-source license if you want to inspect it or contribute.
