Plan first — answer a few questions before the build
In shortSwitch on Plan first in the prompt box and press Plan it. MonstarX plays your idea back and asks 4–7 questions one at a time, each with suggested answers — often your app's name and its look, drawn as small pages. Answer, skip or write your own; then press Start building.
A short description leaves a lot open: who manages the bookings, how people pay, what the app is called, how it should look. With Plan first, MonstarX asks about exactly those things before it writes any code, so the first build matches what you had in mind. Each question comes with suggested answers, so most take a single click.
How do I plan first?
Section titled “How do I plan first?”-
On Projects, describe your app in the prompt box.
-
Switch on Plan first. The box’s border turns violet, the placeholder reads Describe your idea — MonstarX asks a few questions before it builds… and the button becomes Plan it.
-
Press Plan it (or Enter). The workspace opens and, after a few seconds, MonstarX plays your idea back in a sentence or two and shows A few questions before I build.
-
Answer the questions one at a time (see below). After the last one, add anything else you want MonstarX to know, and press Start building.
The build starts straight away and follows your answers. Plan first stays on for your next project until you switch it off.
What do the questions look like?
Section titled “What do the questions look like?”The card shows Question 1 of 5 (the number depends on your idea) with a bar of segments that fill as you go. Questions come one at a time, and the next one appears the moment you answer — there is no waiting in between. Questions you have answered fold into short rows above, each with Change.
There are several kinds:
-
A choice. Suggested answers as numbered rows, the first marked Recommended. Click one (or press its number key, 1–9) and the next question appears.
-
Several answers. Marked Pick any that apply: tick all that fit, then press Next.
-
Your app’s name. A text box with Ideas underneath. Clicking an idea fills the box so you can adjust it (an idea like Your name + Consulting selects “Your name” ready to type over). Pick a name for me lets MonstarX choose. The name you give becomes the project’s name straight away.
-
A look. Three or four design directions drawn as small pages of your app, already showing its name — each with its own colours, fonts and corners. Pick the one that feels right, or describe the look you want. Choose for me leaves it to MonstarX. Sometimes a colours question follows, drawn in the look you picked.
-
A short answer. A text box for anything else short, such as a location.
MonstarX asks for a name whenever the app has a public face and your description does not name it, and offers drawn looks for every new app. Questions are about what the app does and who uses it — never about technology or hosting.
Can I write my own answer or skip a question?
Section titled “Can I write my own answer or skip a question?”Yes, on every question:
- Or write your own answer… — type anything instead of the suggestions.
- Skip this question (or Pick a name for me / Choose for me) — MonstarX decides that one.
- Skip questions (before the first answer) or Skip the rest and build — stop answering and build now with sensible choices.
When you skip or write your own answer, the questions that follow go the way of the recommended answer. Questions can depend on earlier answers: say the owner manages everything, and you will not be asked how teachers see their rosters.
Can I change an answer?
Section titled “Can I change an answer?”Click Change beside any earlier answer. The questions after it follow your new answer — The questions after this one follow your new answer. — and Keep my answer puts it back. Answers on a path you no longer take are remembered in case you switch back, but they are never sent. Your answers are saved in the browser as you go, so a reload does not lose them.
What happens when I press Start building?
Section titled “What happens when I press Start building?”After the last question the card reads That’s everything I need to start. and shows Your app’s direction: the look you picked, recoloured by any colours you chose, with your app’s name.
Add a note in Anything else I should know? (optional) if you like, then press Start building. Your answers are sent as your next message, the card folds into Answered — building from here, and the build begins. MonstarX uses the name exactly as you wrote it and the chosen colours and fonts exactly as picked.
If another build in the project is still running, the button reads Build next instead, and your build starts as soon as the current one is done.
Can I use Plan mode later, inside a project?
Section titled “Can I use Plan mode later, inside a project?”Yes. In a project’s chat, the switch above the box has Build, Plan and Chat. Choose Plan before sending a request and MonstarX asks questions about that change first, the same way. For an app that already exists it does not ask for the name or the look again. See Build, Plan and Chat modes.
Frequently asked questions
Section titled “Frequently asked questions”How many questions will I get?
Usually four to six, and up to seven when a name, a look and colours are asked. The count in the card shows the likeliest path and can change as you answer.
Does planning first cost more?
The questions are one short request, written once; clicking through them is free. The build afterwards is the same as any build.
What if I type a new message instead of answering?
The conversation moves on without the answers, and MonstarX works from your new message.
Can someone I shared the project with answer?
No. They see the questions with the recommended answers and _Waiting for the owner to answer._
Is Plan first on the home page too?
Yes. The home page box has Plan first, and your choice carries over when you sign up.