AI makes it effortless to ship impressive demos. Launching something reliable is a different game. Our case study founder’s health coaching app looked pristine in screenshots, but we delayed launch by 74 days because the fundamentals failed. This checklist is the one we used to relaunch confidently.
The Launch Readiness Framework #
Divide readiness into three layers: Product Reality, Operational Backbone, Emotional Preparedness. All three must pass.
Layer 1: Product Reality #
1. Core Flows Work End-to-End #
- Signup/login
- Primary value action (e.g., logging health data)
- Billing/upgrade
- Reporting/export
Proof required: npm run smoke passes locally and in CI. (See the deep-dive on regaining visibility).
2. Observability in Place #
- Sentry (or equivalent) capturing errors
- Usage analytics (Posthog, Vercel Analytics)
- Logs accessible within minutes
Proof required: You can answer “What happened in the last deploy?” without guessing.
3. Data Integrity Verified #
- Sample user journeys checked manually
- Exports validated
- Background jobs monitored
Proof required: Spot checks documented in your launch doc.
4. Performance Baselines Set #
- Page load times under target thresholds
- API response times monitored
Proof required: Benchmark spreadsheet shared with the team/investors.
Need help validating? Book a Giga readiness audit. We’ll run this checklist with you.
Layer 2: Operational Backbone #
1. Release Process Documented #
- Deploy command documented
- Rollback plan in place
- Ownership assigned for approvals
2. Support Plan Ready #
- Support channels staffed (even if it’s you)
- Response templates for known issues
- Escalation path for critical bugs
3. Incident Response Prepared #
- On-call schedule (yes, even solo founders)
- Incident log template
- Thresholds for pausing new signups
4. Revenue Pipeline Functional #
- Billing tested with live cards
- Refund/cancellation flows verified
- Receipts and invoices configured
5. Legal & Compliance Basics #
- Privacy policy, terms, DPA (if applicable)
- Data retention policy
Layer 3: Emotional Preparedness #
1. Honest Confidence Level #
Rate yourself 1–5 in confidence. If below 3, identify the blockers and address them.
2. Stakeholder Alignment #
- Investors/advisors understand the roadmap.
- Early adopters know what to expect.
- You set expectations for stability vs. experimentation.
3. Personal Runway #
- Cash on hand for at least three months post-launch.
- Time blocked for support and iteration.
4. Post-Launch Plan #
- Week 1: Fixes and onboarding
- Week 2: Activation push
- Week 3: Feature follow-up (only if stability holds)
Checklist Snapshot #
| Item | Status | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke tests pass | ✅ | GitHub Action screenshot |
| Observability configured | ✅ | Sentry dashboard link |
| Support plan | ⚠️ | Need weekend coverage |
Fill it out honestly. Anything marked ⚠️ or ❌ delays launch.
Bonus: The Launch Doc Template #
- Goal: What launch success looks like (users, revenue, retention)
- Audience: Who you’re launching to first (beta cohort vs. public)
- Risks: Top three things that could break and mitigation plans
- Timeline: Announcement, onboarding, follow-up emails
- Metrics: Activation, conversion, support volume targets
Pair with These Deep Dives #
Ready to certify your launch? Install Giga and use our automated readiness checks.
Launch with receipts, not vibes. That’s how our case study founder avoided another public crash—and how you’ll know your AI-built app is truly ready.