Hey Reader,

I’m launching early access for my new app-creator agent skill for iOS/macOS apps today!

In this email:

• 2 Tactics You Can Steal This Weekend
• 5 Resources and Links
• Community Spotlight

What does app development look like in 2026?

Coding has forever changed over the last 3 months.

I’m all-in on app development with Codex 5.3. It’s a workhorse.

If you’re an idea person still learning the basics, you have a huge opportunity. Gone are the days when you need to know every line of code. You can focus on your app idea for a real customer.

Last month I shipped Super Easy Slides — and I have a BIG update planned for this weekend.

You can just do things when you embrace AI agents.

My goal for this email is to give actionable tips that you can leverage today.

Use This New Skill

I created the app-creator skill to capture my workflow and enable super-fast prototyping in Xcode.

There are three parts:

• app-creator: generates new Xcode projects for agents
• xcode-makefiles: empowers agents with app development skills
• simple-tasks: my task management for agents

​Download and install the app-creator skill today.​

The skill is not publicly available on GitHub because it’s in a private project right now.

Hit reply and let me know if it helps you.

Paul Solt @PaulSolt 6 minutes 20 seconds with GPT-5.2-Codex (high). That’s how long it took my new app-creator Agent Skill to spin up a working iOS app in Xcode. Project. Map. Location. Build. Run. Now the real work starts: iteration. This is a SUPER POWER. More soon. 3:36 PM • Jan 19, 2026 32 Retweets 549 Likes Read 38 replies

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2 Tactics You Can Steal This Weekend

#1 Plan Mode

Codex (v0.106.0) has a new Plan mode — start with the shortcut: Shift + Tab.

Plan Mode interviews you and thinks through corner cases. When you’re done and you like the direction, just implement it with high reasoning.

#2 Use a Makefile

If you’re using my app-creator skills, you’ll have test, build, and run targets.

While agents work, I simply type make to check the current state. If it builds, I’ll immediately steer the agent with a new voice prompt (Wispr Flow).

Ask it to verify and write tests using your Makefile.

If it breaks, drag a screenshot in and say “fix”.

If you have steering mode enabled, you can just type a message and press Enter to guide Codex with each incremental change.

While you work, you can queue messages by pressing Tab in the Codex CLIThen just enable steering and talk to it. Keep tests fast so the agent doesn’t wait.

If you use Codex app, create a custom Run Action that just does make. Makefiles are fast!

Pro Tip

Use Pragmatic for the /personality to keep Codex concise in your plans and conversations.

5 Resources and Links

1. ​XcodeBuildMCP 2.1 adds lldb debugging, simulator support, log capture, video recording, and seamless Xcode MCP integration.
2. ​How to Get Started with TestFlight and Xcode Cloud Xcode Cloud → TestFlight is a huge time saver. For all my app prototypes I make pushes to main go to TestFlight.
3. Last week, I built a shoot ‘em up prototype, then a tile map editor with character + tree animations. Dream it, then build it!
4. ​Rudrank Riyam released App Store Connect CLI (asc) as an alternative to fastlane. Agents can handle IAPs, screenshots, analytics, and more.
5. ​Grok 4.20 Beta matches ChatGPT Pro brainpower. Up to four agents team up. Worth trying as it’s not cocky like 4.1 was for me.

Community Spotlight

• Want more agents working for you? Read this Setup Guide (121K views)
• ​How do you make good UI designs with Codex? (21 replies).
• Want to make games? Watch this 3D game tutorial using AI (83K Views).

Quick Question

What is ONE thing you learned this week that I should share next week?

Talk soon,

Paul Solt
Paul@SuperEasyApps.com

P.S. Next week, I'll share my full Codex 5.3 workflow and what changed since my Codex 5.2 Workflow video.

P.P.S. Here are 7 tips for beginners with Codex (GPT-5.3-Codex high is my new default).