CozyReply, an AI-powered reply tool for Airbnb hosts, started as a simple idea: “What if hosts could get a warm, on-brand reply in one click?” It became my first real AI SaaS MVP built with Gemini and shipped in under 30 days.
Step 1 – Pick one tiny, painful problem
Instead of trying to build a full “AI platform for hospitality,” I focused on a single workflow: replying to Airbnb messages quickly while still sounding human.
Step 2 – Choose a simple stack
The stack for the first version was intentionally boring:
- Python + Flask for the backend
- Gemini for generating message drafts
- Stripe for subscriptions
- Plain HTML/CSS for the frontend
Because the scope was small and clear, there was no need for heavy frameworks or huge infrastructure. The goal was to build an AI MVP fast, not to impress other devs.
Step 3 – Limit the feature set on purpose
The first version did one thing well: take a guest message, apply the host’s tone and rules, and generate a draft reply. That’s it.
Step 4 – Ship, then refine
Once real hosts were using it, I adjusted prompts, tweaked the UI, and added small quality-of-life improvements instead of giant new features. This is how CodeAura likes to handle custom AI app development in general: ship first, then refine based on real usage.
Thinking about your own AI SaaS?
If you’ve got an idea for a small AI SaaS, you don’t need a huge platform. You need a clear problem, a tiny scope, and a partner to help you build the first version.
CodeAura can help with scoping, design, and development. You can request a quote or just say hi.