Build and Publish an App with Claude Code (Complete Beginner Guide) | Code with Beto

Anyone, even with zero coding experience, can, can build a mobile app using Claude Code and deploy it to the App Store. I walk through creating a budgeting app from scratch, demonstrating how to use Claude Code to generate and iterate on your app’s code with the right prompts and guidance.

You’ll also learn the practical steps to prepare for deployment, including setting up Apple Developer and Expo accounts, installing necessary tools like Node.js and Claude Code, and choosing between Expo’s cloud build service or Xcode on a Mac to publish your app. This is a beginner-friendly guide focused on real app creation and submission.

What's inside

Zero coding experience? You can ship apps now
Using Expo for cloud building and deployment
Apple Developer account and Mac requirements
Installing and starting Claude Code CLI
Navigating terminal and setting up project folder
Installing Node.js and creating an Expo project
Understanding Expo templates and customizing with Claude
Deploying with Xcode vs Expo cloud builds

Zero coding experience? You can ship apps now

People with no coding background are already shipping real apps to the App Store using tools like Claude Code. You don’t need a CS degree or bootcamp, just the right mental model, prompts, and tools. Claude generates code for you, but you still need to think clearly about what you want, how to describe it, and how to guide the AI when it goes off track.

This video is about empowering beginners to build and iterate on apps by combining AI-generated code with your decisions. I share the exact process I use professionally to build mobile apps on Android and iOS.

Using Expo for cloud building and deployment

Expo offers free open-source tools to build React Native apps and cloud services to build and deploy them remotely. This means you can develop on Windows or Mac and still publish iOS and Android apps without installing Xcode locally.

The Expo cloud build service handles compiling your app in the cloud, which is great if you don’t have a Mac or want to avoid downloading large tools. The free tier can be slow during peak hours (up to 2 hours build time), but you can pay for faster builds.

You’ll need to create an Expo account at expo.dev to use these services.

Apple Developer account and Mac requirements

To submit apps to the App Store, you must have an Apple Developer account, which costs $100/year. This account lets you upload apps and access Apple’s deployment tools.

While a Mac is recommended because it allows you to install Xcode and run simulators locally, you can still build and deploy apps without one using Expo’s cloud services. However, if you want to iterate and test extensively, having a Mac with Xcode installed is ideal.

Xcode is a large download (~12-13 GB) but provides a straightforward way to deploy your app directly from your computer.

Installing and starting Claude Code CLI

Claude Code is the AI-powered CLI tool used to generate and manage your app’s code. To install it, copy the install command from the tutorial and run it in your terminal.

Once installed, start Claude Code by running in the terminal. The first time, it will ask for permissions to access your files - allow these so it can read and write your project files.

You can use commands inside Claude Code to see available commands, and you must log in with your Claude account to authenticate.

Navigating terminal and setting up project folder

I show how to navigate your terminal to the folder where you want to create your app, such as your desktop. Use the command followed by the folder path to change directories.

For example, copy the desktop path and run to point your terminal to the desktop. You can open multiple terminal windows or tabs to manage your project easily.

This setup helps you keep your project organized and know exactly where your app files are.

Installing Node.js and creating an Expo project

Node.js is required to run JavaScript on your computer and manage packages. Download and install Node.js from nodejs.org, then verify installation by running in your terminal.

Next, create a new Expo project by running:

npx create-expo@latest

This command sets up a bare-bones React Native project template. It’s designed for developers, so you’ll need to customize it, which Claude Code can help with by generating and modifying code based on your prompts.

Understanding Expo templates and customizing with Claude

The default Expo template is minimal and expects you to dive into the code to build your app. Claude Code can generate and edit this code for you, making it easier to customize your app without manual coding.

For more advanced or ready-to-use templates, I recommend checking out Platano, a production-ready React Native template my team created. It comes with common features and skills pre-built to help you start faster.

As you gain experience, you might choose different templates depending on your app’s needs.

Deploying with Xcode vs Expo cloud builds

There are two main ways to deploy your iOS app to the App Store:

Expo cloud builds: No Mac required. You build and deploy your app using Expo’s cloud services. It’s free to start but can be slow unless you pay for faster builds. Great for Windows users or those avoiding large downloads.
Xcode on Mac: Download Xcode from the Mac App Store (~12 GB). Sign in with your Apple Developer account, build, and deploy directly from your computer. This method is faster and gives you more control but requires a Mac.

Choose the option that fits your setup and comfort level. I show how to prepare for both.

Resources

CourseReact Native course

Learn React Native fundamentals and app shipping concepts with lifetime access.

YouTubeBuild and Publish an App with Claude Code (Complete Beginner Guide)

Step-by-step video guide to building and deploying your first app with Claude Code and Expo.

Let's connect!