PlanMySaaSDocs
AV
Abhi Verma
Getting Started 6 min read

Creating your first project

How to use the project creation wizard and Product Idea page to give Nova the right context for a professional-grade blueprint.

What is a project?

A project in PlanMySaaS represents a single product idea. Inside each project, Nova AI generates:

  • Product analysis and market research
  • System architecture and data model
  • Feature specifications for every module
  • Technical design (API, database, services)
  • Development phases and milestones
  • AI coding prompts ready for Cursor, Copilot, or ChatGPT

The quality of all this output depends heavily on the quality of your initial input. A vague 2-line idea produces generic output. A detailed, structured input produces a professional-grade blueprint.

The 5-step creation wizard

When you click "New Project", you're guided through a 5-step wizard. It's designed to be fast (under 5 minutes) but captures the signals that matter most.

Step 1: Basics

Name your project, pick a category (SaaS, Marketplace, AI App, etc.), and choose the project type (MVP, Full Product, etc.). Optionally add a one-line product summary — this shapes your entire blueprint.

Step 2: Audience & Business

Describe the problem your product solves (be specific — 'students struggle to find practical AI education in one place' is better than 'learning is hard'). Add your target audience and business model.

Step 3: Core Features

List 5-10 core features, one per line. Focus on what makes version 1 work. Don't list everything — you can expand later in the Product Idea page.

Step 4: Planning Guidance

This is the most important step for output quality. Add founder instructions that guide the AI: 'Keep MVP lean', 'India-first', 'Avoid complex AI in v1', 'Use Laravel only'. Also set constraints and design direction.

Step 5: Review & Generate

Review everything, then click Generate Blueprint. Nova AI will create your full project plan. You can always refine details later in the Product Idea page.

The Product Idea page — refine after creation

After creating your project, the Product Idea page lets you add more detail. It has three layers:

  • Layer 1 — Essential: Project name, one-line summary, problem, audience, business model, features, and founder instructions. These are always visible.
  • Layer 2 — Optional: Product goal, main user action, geographic market, constraints, and design direction. Expand when you want better planning output.
  • Layer 3 — Advanced: User roles, integrations, competitors, existing assets, success criteria, and anti-goals. For power users who want maximum control.

You don't need to fill everything — the essential fields are enough for a strong blueprint. Optional and advanced fields improve quality but never block progress.

Founder Instructions — your most powerful tool

The Founder Instructions field is the single most impactful way to improve your output. It tells Nova what you care about, what to prioritize, and what to avoid.

Think of Founder Instructions as your project's constitution. Every AI generation respects these rules — from architecture to feature scoping to phase planning.

Good founder instructions include:

  • Scope control: 'Keep version 1 simple', 'No enterprise features yet'
  • Market focus: 'India-first', 'Global from day 1'
  • Tech direction: 'Use Laravel only', 'Mobile-first', 'No native apps in v1'
  • Revenue focus: 'Prioritize revenue-generating features', 'Freemium model'
  • What to avoid: 'Don't build a full LMS', 'No AI features in phase 1'

Weak vs. strong input — examples

The difference between generic and professional-grade output often comes down to input quality:

One-Line Summary

WEAKAI classes platform
STRONGPractical AI and robotics learning platform with project sales and inquiry-based services for students and institutes.

Problem Statement

WEAKLearning is hard
STRONGStudents and small institutes struggle to find practical AI and robotics education along with trusted ready-made projects and expert support in one place.

Core Features

WEAKdashboard, login, payment
STRONGcourse catalog, project catalog, inquiry form, payments, admin dashboard, WhatsApp support, instructor profile, student access

Founder Instructions

WEAKmake it good
STRONGKeep the first version simple and revenue-focused. Prioritize India first. Avoid unnecessary advanced features. Make mobile usability strong. Do not turn this into a full LMS in phase 1.

Best practices

You can update the Product Idea page at any time and regenerate specific sections. Your blueprint evolves with your thinking.
  • Start with the wizard — fill at least the 5 essential fields to get a solid blueprint.
  • Come back to the Product Idea page later to add optional fields and refine your inputs.
  • Write your problem statement as if explaining to a smart developer who's never heard of your product.
  • Use founder instructions to prevent generic output — be specific about what you want and what you don't.
  • If you're building for a regulated industry (healthcare, finance), mention it in constraints.
  • Name real competitors — even partial ones. Nova uses them to find gaps your product can fill.
  • Don't try to fill every field at once. The essential layer is enough to start generating.