Introducing Cobuilder: No-Code App Creation Powered by AI

[Rosalind_Lutsky]

Today, we’re thrilled to announce the launch of a groundbreaking new feature called Airtable Cobuilder. This innovative tool enables users to transform ideas into fully functional Airtable apps with just a simple prompt.

What is Airtable Cobuilder?

Airtable Cobuilder is the fastest way to create transformative apps. It uses AI to spin up hyper-specific, customizable apps that can solve any problem—from operationalizing clean energy to powering a retailer’s product roadmap. 

Cobuilder empowers anyone with an idea to:

1. Create a hyper-custom application to tackle problems and explore new ideas. Cobuilder redefines the app-building experience by allowing users to generate applications tailored specifically to their job, industry, problem, or goals. Unlike traditional templates, Cobuilder delivers hyper-custom solutions that align perfectly with the unique needs of each user.
2. Incorporate Airtable best practices into easy-to-use work management software. Every app generated by Cobuilder comes equipped with Airtable's world-class features. Currently, this means an "interface-first" approach, ensuring intuitive and interactive user experiences. Looking ahead, Cobuilder will integrate advanced functionalities, including logic, automations, and AI-driven fields, keeping users at the cutting edge of technology.
3. Accelerate work & drive impact across the company. With Cobuilder, the process of turning an idea into a best-in-class application is nothing short of magical. In just a few seconds, users can go from concept to a ready-to-deploy custom app. This democratizes app creation, empowering individuals across all levels of technical expertise to build powerful tools.

Cobuilder empowers employees to create apps that are simple to build, intuitive to use, and easily customizable for bespoke business workflows. 

“I think the challenge that anyone has historically faced around software is that you're stuck between two extremes,” says Anthony Maggio, VP of Product Management at Airtable. “You either use some type of point solution software, which tends to not be very customizable. Or you need to develop your own custom application, which can be costly and time consuming.”

Airtable Cobuilder changes this reality: “You no longer need to understand even the concepts of software development. You simply need to be able to describe your business problems and the processes that you want to manage, and get an application that is custom-designed around your needs in just a few seconds,” Anthony says. 

Ready to try it yourself?

All plan types have access to Cobuilder. To try it for yourself, log in to your Airtable account, select “Create” to start building a new application, and select “Build an app with AI” to use Cobuilder. You can also trial Cobuilder on our website here.

Note that if you are on a Business or Enterprise plan, AI will need to be enabled on your account to access Cobuilder. Reach out to your account administrator or Airtable rep for more information.  

Learn more about Cobuilder on our website, on our blog, and in our support center. And, join us for a live webinar with our CEO, Howie Liu, coming up on July 30 – register here.

[MaddieJ]

So so excited for Cobuilder!

I also want to share that we have a Building with Airtable AI Quick Start available on the Airtable Academy. Highly recommend checking this out for more Airtable AI learning!  

[jo]

This is absolutely incredible! 👏 Strong work Airtable team!

I have a question about using Cobuilder with existing bases.

I have an existing base with the following tables:

• Objectives
• Key Results
• Projects
• Quarters
• Tasks
• Subtasks
• Activity & Updates

I want to be able to give a prompt and have the Cobuilder apply my prompt to my existing data, instead of starting from scratch. Is this currently possible or already on the roadmap?

I was able to test Cobuilder with making an app, from scratch, and it did a great job. BUT... it would be a lot of work to try to migrate my real data into this new framework.

Here was my prompt:

Create an task management app that allows users to view and manage day to day projects and tasks, which automatically update existing company Objectives and Key Results. In the Objectives and Key results areas I want to have granular permissions where an employee can see their own tasks and subtasks and how they relate to the OKRs, and see what's going on with the company as a whole. For team leaders and management create some dashboards to help visualize progress with OKRs, tasks, and subtasks. We need to be able to measure all of this by Quarters (Q1, Q2, etc.).

Like a good Project management app, I want this app interface to include a easy to view/manage UI for day to day task and subtask management. Each of the subtasks would live under Tasks and each Task would live within a Project, And each project would be connected and tied to Key Results, which are tied to the company OBJECTIVES.  

Like a CRM, I want to have a page where we can enter quick updates.

Here's how it turned out:

It's a bit bloated but that's mostly based upon my poorly articulated prompt.

I'm looking forward to hearing what options we have for using CoBuilder to make multiple apps like this, with our current tables and the data therein.

[dariot]

Truly thrilled about this update, and can't wait to see what everyone creates. 

That being said, head over to the AI Accelerator user group to share how you're leveraging Cobuilder. The first ten community members to share will receive Airtable Commmunity sawg. 🙌✨

[Eren1107]

Airtable Cobuilder sounds like a game-changer for app development. The idea of turning prompts into fully functional apps so quickly is really impressive. It seems like it could help a lot of people who may not have coding skills but have great ideas for solutions.

The focus on hyper-custom applications is especially intriguing—it's about time app-building tools became more tailored to individual needs instead of relying solely on templates. Plus, integrating best practices from Airtable means users can hit the ground running.

I can see how this could democratize app creation and empower teams across various industries to innovate more easily. For anyone exploring similar tools, it might be worth checking out the top AI apps list by MobileAppDaily for more inspiration! I’m looking forward to seeing what kinds of unique applications users will create with Cobuilder!