The vibe coder's guide to publishing your first app on Google Play
You had an idea for an app. You used an AI tool — maybe Cursor, Bolt, Lovable, Claude Code, ChatGPT, or Base44 — and you actually built it. It works. It's real. That's amazing.
Now you want to put it on Google Play so other people can download it. But you have no idea where to start. You're not a developer. You don't know what Android Studio is. The word "terminal" makes you nervous.
This guide is for you.
What "publishing an app" actually means
Right now, your app lives on your computer (or in the cloud). Publishing means:
- Preparing your app — making sure it meets all the rules Google Play has
- Creating a store page — the page people see when they find your app
- Building a special version — turning your code into a file Google Play can accept (a signed AAB)
- Submitting for review — Google checks your app before allowing it
- Going live — your app appears on Google Play and people can download it
What you need (and what it costs)
Google Play Store
- Google Play Developer account: $25 one-time — sign up at play.google.com/console
- Usually approved within hours
- You just need a Google account
Shippabel
- Scanning: Free — check as many apps as you want
- Publishing: $99 one-time — includes everything: auto-fix, store page, screenshots, build, submit
Total to go live: about $124. No yearly fees.
The step-by-step process
Step 1: Put your code on GitHub (5 minutes)
GitHub is like Google Drive for code. Most AI tools already put your code there. If not, you'll need to create a free account at github.com and upload your project.
Step 2: Check your app (30 seconds)
Go to shippabel.com/scan and paste your GitHub link. You'll get a score from 0-100 showing how ready your app is, plus a list of everything that needs fixing.
Step 3: Fix problems (1 click)
Most problems can be fixed automatically. Click "Auto-fix" and Shippabel updates your code directly. No terminal, no config files, no copy-pasting.
Step 4: Write your store page (2 minutes)
Your "store page" is what people see when they find your app. It includes your app's name, short description, and full description. Shippabel's AI writes 3 versions for you — pick the one you like.
Step 5: Create screenshots (5 minutes)
Take screenshots of your app on your phone. Upload them to Shippabel, and we frame them in professional Android phone mockups with captions.
Step 6: Publish (1 click + wait)
Click "Start build." Shippabel builds your app in the cloud and submits it to Google Play. Google usually reviews new apps in a few hours to a few days.
That's it
Total time: about 30 minutes of your time, plus a few hours to a few days for Google's review.
Total cost: $124 (Google Play $25 one-time + Shippabel $99).
No coding. No terminal. No Android Studio. No developer jargon.
You built an app with AI. Now publish it with AI.