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A quick note on expectations

Building an app with AI isn’t a “one and done” process. Just like traditional development, it usually takes refinement, patience, and multiple rounds of iteration to get things right. The AI can generate a lot quickly, but it won’t always land on your perfect vision in the first try. Think of it as a creative partner:
  • You describe what you want.
  • It drafts the structure or design.
  • You review, adjust, and refine.
  • Over time, the app evolves into what you need.
Don’t worry if it takes a few tries. With features like Revert This and Version History, you’re never “stuck.” You can always go back and try again.

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Default mode: just start typing

When nothing is selected, you’re in Default mode. Simply type your request, and the AI will act on it right away.
  • Example: “Add a login form with email and password.”
    The AI will update your app directly.
  • The more specific you are, the better the results. A Ichatfitnessapp Pn
    • Instead of saying “make a fitness app”
    • Try something like: “Create a fitness tracking app for busy professionals who only have 20 minutes a day to exercise. The goal is to help them quickly log short workouts and track weekly progress.”
If you’d like more examples and frameworks, check out ourPrompt Guide .

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Discuss mode: plan before you build

AI Discuss Mode Pn Toggle Discuss mode at the bottom of the chat if you want to brainstorm or clarify before making changes. The AI won’t implement anything until you approve.
  • Example: “For my fitness tracking app for busy professionals, what’s the best way to structure the workout logging flow? Should users enter workouts manually, or should I let them pick from a list of quick presets?”
Why it’s useful: It helps you avoid spending credits on trial-and-error.

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Visual edit mode: point and click

Toggle Visual Edit to directly click on elements in the preview window and adjust them. Visual Edit Pn
  • Example: click a headline → change the text color → save.
  • You can edit backgrounds, text colors, spacing, and more, all without writing prompts.
  • For more advanced users, you can also edit the Tailwind classes directly, giving you full flexibility over spacing, typography, and responsive styles.
You can also click an element and then type in the AI chat box what you want changed. For example, if you click a button first and then type “change this button to blue,” the AI knows exactly which element you’re referring to. (If you just typed that prompt into chat without clicking, the AI would have to guess and it might not have been the button you intended.)

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Choosing Your AI model

In (⚙️) Settings, you can also pick which AI model to use. A Imodels Pn Each model has strengths:
ModelBest For
Claude Sonnet 4Reliable, balanced, everyday tasks (writing, summarizing, problem-solving).
Gemini 2.5 ProStrong reasoning, math, and science tasks; excellent for structured analysis.
GPT-5Creative generation, coding, and complex problem solving with long-context understanding.
Note: The table above shows models available as of August 2025. Base44 regularly adds support for newer models, so by the time you’re reading this, additional options may be available.
If you’re not sure, stick with Default and Base44 will choose the best model for your request.

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AI controls: customize how the AI behaves

In AI Controls (⚙️ Settings → AI Controls), you can guide the AI’s behavior: AI Controls Pn
  • Custom instructions: Add project rules, design guidelines, compliance needs, or user personas.
    Example: “Always use our brand colors #FF6600 and #003366.”
  • Freeze files: Protect certain files so the AI won’t overwrite them.
  • Global vs local changes: Decide if a style change should apply everywhere or only on a single page.
Why it matters: You don’t have to repeat instructions every time, and you keep control over what the AI touches.

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Uploading files for the AI

You can upload files to give the AI extra context:

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Images

  • Formats: PNG, JPG, JPEG
  • Max size: 2MB
  • Max dimensions: 1024×1024 (larger files are resized automatically)
  • Example: Upload a screenshot of a website you like and say: “Use this header style for my homepage.”

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Documents

  • Formats: PDF, TXT, HTML
  • Max size: 10MB
  • Example: Upload a brand guide PDF so the AI follows your company’s style rules.

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Staying in control: reverts & version history

Revertversion Pn
  • Every prompt has a Revert This option so you can undo a change instantly.
  • The Version History button (⏱️ clock icon) lets you roll back to any earlier version of your app.

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Viewing your app in full screen

Hidechat Pn The preview window in Base44 is great for quick checks, but sometimes it can feel “squished” inside the builder. To see your app at its actual size, click the “Hide chat panel” button (the expand icon) above the preview window. This will open your app in a full browser view so you can interact with it as your users would - no side panels, no chat box, just the app itself. When you click that same icon in the full screen view, the AI chat will reappear and you can continue building.

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Quick tips

  • Default mode = act fast.
  • Discuss mode = plan carefully.
  • AI Controls = set your rules once, and the AI remembers.
  • Visual Edit = quick design tweaks.
  • File Uploads = give extra context for style or content.
  • Version History = your safety net.