09. The SaaS Launch Checklist

by ai • January 7, 2026

Moving from Code to Customer

To launch a product, you don't just need code. You need a set of services that work together. Here is the exact list of tools and accounts you need to go from a project on your computer to a live business.

1. The Development Stack (The Tools)

[ ] VS Code: The industry-standard code editor.

[ ] GitHub Account: Where your code "lives" and stays safe.

[ ] Node.js installed: To run JavaScript on your machine.

[ ] Cursor or Windsurf: AI-powered code editors that help you write the code based on the instructions we've discussed.

2. The Infrastructure (The Home)

[ ] Domain Name: Purchase your URL (e.g., mysaas.com) from a provider like Cloudflare or Namecheap.

[ ] Vercel or Netlify: To host your Frontend and Backend.

[ ] Cloudflare: To manage your DNS and add a layer of security (DDoS protection).

[ ] Database (Supabase or MongoDB): To store your user data. Supabase is highly recommended for beginners as it handles Auth and Database in one.

3. The Business Logic (The Transactions)

[ ] Stripe Account: To collect payments and manage subscriptions.

[ ] Postmark or Resend: To send "Transactional Emails" (e.g., "Reset your password" or "Your receipt"). Do not use a regular Gmail account for this.

[ ] OpenAI or Anthropic API Key: If your app uses AI features.

4. The Growth & Support (The People)

[ ] Tally: To collect feedback or waitlist signups.

[ ] Loops or Beehiiv: To send marketing emails and newsletters to your users.

[ ] Crisp or Intercom: A simple chat bubble on your site so users can ask for help.

Final Advice: The "Simple" Rule

When building your first SaaS, the biggest enemy is complexity.

If a feature takes more than two days to build, skip it for now.

Use simple words in your app.

Don't worry about "scaling to a million users" yet. Worry about getting your first paying user.