PRD for Lovable: Build AI products with Supabase & React, fast
Learn how to draft a PRD for Lovable—the AI app builder using Supabase and React—so your features and data model turn into a real, working product. Includes a checklist, a filled PRD example aimed at Lovable, step-by-step instructions, and tips on Supabase tables, RLS, storage, and UI. Start building in 72 hours, not 3 weeks.
What this is
A PRD for Lovable is a Product Requirements Document tailored for apps built on Lovable, which uses React (with Tailwind and shadcn UI) alongside Supabase for backend services. It details user flows, Supabase table schemas, Row Level Security (RLS) policies, and storage bucket needs—up front—so Lovable can generate faithful, production-ready code. Unlike generic PRDs, it prioritizes single-route app structures, describes how features map to Supabase (tables, RLS, storage), and references specific UI libraries like shadcn. A clear PRD cuts back-and-forth by 40% and enables you to ship verified features 10x faster with Lovable.
Compared to alternatives
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Lovable PRDs | Apps targeting Lovable's stack (Supabase, React, shadcn UI) | Requires specificity upfront on data models, RLS, and storage |
| Classic PRDs (Google Docs) | Waterfall teams, multi-platform products | Too generic; lacks code-level details Lovable needs |
| Notion PRD Templates | Teams wanting collaborative doc + tasks | Misses detailed schema/RLS; extra translation for Lovable |
| Cursor PRDs | AI-first builds with tight code integration | More focused on code generation, less on data model granularity |
A real example
Title: PRD for "Minutes Manager" (an AI-powered meeting notes app for small teams) targeting Lovable
App Purpose: Let users upload meeting recordings, transcribe them via AI, and manage/collaborate on AI-generated action items. Fast, single-route interface.
Core Features:
- Audio upload (MP3, WAV)
- AI transcription (Claude API, fallback OpenAI Whisper)
- Action item extraction (list, add, edit, mark done)
- Per-team and per-user permissions
- Real-time comments (Supabase Realtime)
- Export to Notion and Google Docs
Supabase Setup:
- Tables:
- users (id, name, email)
- teams (id, name, owner_id [FK: users.id])
- meetings (id, team_id, date, uploaded_by, audio_url)
- notes (id, meeting_id, summary, created_at)
- actions (id, note_id, text, assigned_to, completed_at)
- RLS: All tables default to owner/team-based RLS. Only team members can access their team's meetings/notes/actions. No cross-team access. Admins (by role) have override on all records.
- Storage:
- 'meeting-audios/{team_id}/{meeting_id}/' bucket. Limit: 150 MB/file, auto-expiry on deletion of meeting.
UI/UX:
- React with Tailwind for layout, shadcn for modals/tabs/buttons
- Single-route app ("/dashboard") displaying recent meetings, action items, and note editor via tabs
- Responsive, keyboard nav support (90%+ tasks accessible without mouse)
- Colors: Light/dark via shadcn defaults
- Avatar/profile drop-down (shadcn)
Integration:
- Claude v2 API for transcription
- Notion API and Google Docs API for export
Success Metrics:
- MVP live for 3 teams (10+ users) in 3 weeks
- Audio upload/transcript <90 seconds (95th percentile)
- At least 40% of action items are marked done within 48 hours
- <2% support tickets in first 30 days (track with Supabase events)
How to use this
- Define core flows and constraints: Summarize the app's main use cases plus user types. Write out single-route preference unless complex flows require multi-route. List must-have features versus nice-to-haves.
- Specify Supabase tables, RLS, and storage buckets: Map every feature to tables. Define field names, relationships, and which users can access each record. Detail RLS policies up front and how files (images, video, docs) are bucketized.
- Describe UI with React, Tailwind, shadcn UI: List each screen, tab, or view. Name the UI library (shadcn) for dialog, tabs, or critical components. For Lovable, emphasize a single main route unless the flow's too complex.
- Outline integrations and automations: Flag APIs or 3rd-party services (eg Claude, v0, Stripe, Google, Notion) for key automation. Specify which Supabase triggers or webhooks are needed.
- List success metrics and launch timeline: Pick two metrics tied to user activity (eg 100 uploads/week, 40% task completion). Target a go-live window (like 2 weeks).
FAQ
How detailed should my RLS policies be for Lovable?
Lovable needs explicit RLS rules written up front as part of your PRD. For each table, state who can insert, update, select, or delete. If roles change (eg. admin override), specify them now to save a full code iteration later.
Do I have to use a single-page/single-route design with Lovable?
Lovable prefers single-route apps as they're faster to scaffold with React, but if your app has complex user flows or onboarding, break out multi-route explicitly in your PRD. Name each route, its logic, and navigation.
What's the best way to structure Supabase storage needs?
For Lovable, document storage buckets by resource type (eg, images/avatars vs. audio/media) and specify file size limits, expected objects per user/team, and lifecycle—like auto-delete policies linked to table records.
Why does Lovable need component libraries called out?
Lovable defaults to shadcn UI for dialogs, tabs, and notifications. If you want consistent, maintainable code, call out component choices for predictable results. Otherwise, you'll get the generic fallback.
Can I use Supabase extensions (like pgvector) in a Lovable PRD?
Yes—if your product depends on Supabase extensions like pgvector for semantic search, specify this and the expected use case. Lovable can wire up the extension if you clearly describe expected behaviors.