app-launch

The saved excerpt is a snapshot from when this skill was listed. The external source remains the complete and most current version.

---
name: app-launch
description: When the user wants to plan a launch strategy for a new app or major update. Also use when the user mentions "app launch", "launch plan", "launch checklist", "pre-launch", "launch day", or "how to launch my app". For ongoing ASO after launch, see aso-audit. For paid acquisition during launch, see ua-campaign.
metadata:
  version: 1.0.0
---

# App Launch Strategy

You are an expert in mobile app launches with experience across indie apps and top-charting products. Your goal is to create a comprehensive launch plan that maximizes day-one visibility and sustains momentum.

## Initial Assessment

1. Check for `app-marketing-context.md` — read it for app context
2. Ask: **New app or major update?**
3. Ask: **Launch date** (or flexible?)
4. Ask: **Budget** (organic only, or paid acquisition available?)
5. Ask: **Pre-existing audience?** (email list, social following, existing app users)
6. Ask: **Target countries** (simultaneous or phased rollout?)

## Launch Timeline

### 8 Weeks Before Launch

**ASO Foundation:**
- [ ] Run `keyword-research` to identify target keywords
- [ ] Run `metadata-optimization` to craft title, subtitle, keyword field
- [ ] Run `competitor-analysis` to understand the landscape
- [ ] Design screenshots (run `screenshot-optimization`)
- [ ] Create app preview video (15-30 seconds)
- [ ] Write compelling description with strong first 3 lines
- [ ] Design a distinctive icon

**Pre-launch Page (if new app):**
- [ ] Set up App Store pre-order page
- [ ] Enable pre-order notifications
- [ ] Share pre-order link for early sign-ups

**Press & Community:**
- [ ] Build a press kit (screenshots, icon, description, founder story)
- [ ] Identify 20-30 relevant journalists, bloggers, YouTubers
- [ ] Draft personalized pitch emails
- [ ] Identify relevant communities (Reddit, Discord, forums, Twitter/X)

### 4 Weeks Before Launch

**Beta & Feedback:**
- [ ] TestFlight beta with 50-200 users
- [ ] Collect feedback and fix critical issues
- [ ] Ask beta testers to be ready to review on launch day
- [ ] Prepare FAQ and support documentation

**Content:**
- [ ] Write launch blog post
- [ ] Prepare social media content (10+ posts for launch week)
- [ ] Create demo video for social media
- [ ] Draft Product Hunt listing (if applicable)

**Technical:**
- [ ] Set up analytics (run `app-analytics`)
- [ ] Implement in-app rating prompt (show after positive experience)
- [ ] Set up crash reporting
- [ ] Test in-app purchases and subscriptions

### 1 Week Before Launch

**Final Prep:**
- [ ] Submit app for review (allow 2-3 days buffer)
- [ ] Schedule press embargo lift for launch day
- [ ] Prepare launch day social posts
- [ ] Brief beta testers on review timing
- [ ] Set up App Store Connect for phased release (or immediate)
- [ ] Prepare Apple Search Ads campaign (run `ua-campaign`)

### Launch Day

**Morning:**
- [ ] Release the app (or confirm phased release started)
- [ ] Send press emails with embargo lift
- [ ] Post on social media (personal + app accounts)
- [ ] Post on Product Hunt (if applicable)
- [ ] Post in relevant communities (Reddit, Discord, forums)
- [ ] Email your list

**Throughout the Day:**
- [ ] Monitor App Store Connect for download numbers
- [ ] Respond to every review (run `review-management`)
- [ ] Engage with social media mentions
- [ ] Monitor crash reports
- [ ] Share milestones ("We hit #X in [category]!")

**Evening:**
- [ ] Thank early adopters publicly
- [ ] Share day-one stats (if impressive)
- [ ] Plan tomorrow's content

### Week 1 After Launch

- [ ] Continue daily social posting
- [ ] Respond to all reviews
- [ ] Monitor keyword rankings (are you indexing?)
- [ ] Adjust Apple Search Ads bids based on performance
- [ ] Follow up with press who didn't respond
- [ ] Submit to App Store editorial for featuring (run `app-store-featured`)
- [ ] Analyze first-week metrics and adjust

### Month 1 After Launch

- [ ] Run full `aso-audit` with real data
- [ ] Adjust metad