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Clarification on the "no-code / AI-generated code" eligibility rule

  • August 6, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 287 views
8

Hi everyone,

I'm planning my first marketplace app and I'd like to be sure I'm on the right side of one rule before I invest in development.

The app planning guide states that new apps built primarily using no-code platforms or AI-generated "vibe code" are not eligible for marketplace approval.

In practice "AI-generated" covers quite a range, so I'd like to understand where the line sits. Two examples:

1. An app generated end to end from a prompt by an AI or no-code builder and submitted essentially as generated.

2. A conventionally architected app where I design the structure, review and test the code, and maintain it myself — but use an AI coding assistant to write a large part of it.

Is the rule aimed at case 1 only, or does case 2 fall under it as well?

And if case 2 is acceptable, is there anything specific the review team looks at to tell the two apart — code ownership, test coverage, documentation, being able to explain and maintain the codebase?

I would much rather find this out now than after the app is built. Thanks for any clarification.

1 reply

willsamadi
  • willsamadi
  • Participating Frequently
  • August 9, 2026

My guess: I think they mean obviously vibe-coded and devoid of value. Look at it like this, if they were to approve every vibe coded app the marketplace would be full of terrible apps and would lose visitors.

 

That said, just a heads up: that should be the least of your concerns. If I were starting over again I wouldn’t publish my app before already having multiple accounts using/paying for it as a private app. Existing apps that are sometimes 10x bigger than you will easily see your app and replicate its features before you get to 20 installs.

Marketplace will not magically give you clients. Pre-established categories with existing search volume are very saturated. Category creation is actually harder than winning an existing category.

Sincerely, Will
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