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SaaS MVP Architecture & Cost Estimation Checklist

The exact checklist we use with every client — scope your MVP, choose the right stack, and budget accurately before you spend a dollar.

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1. Product Definition (Before Writing Code)

  • Write the core problem your product solves in one sentence.
  • Name your target user and one specific job-to-be-done.
  • Define the single metric that proves your MVP is working (activation, retention, or revenue).
  • Describe what success looks like in 90 days.

2. Scope — What Goes In, What Gets Cut

  • List every feature you can imagine, then mark the ONE that must work perfectly for launch.
  • Cut: custom billing (use Stripe), custom auth (use managed auth), custom CMS (use a headless one).
  • Limit to 3 core user flows — sign up, core action, view value.
  • Define what is explicitly out of scope for v1 (admin panels, reports, mobile apps).

3. Architecture Decisions

  • Start with a monolith — split services only when data shows you need to.
  • Plan multi-tenancy from day one (organization + workspace model).
  • Choose one database (PostgreSQL) and one ORM (Prisma) — avoid multiple data stores in v1.
  • Decide background jobs, file storage, and transactional email before build.
  • Use serverless hosting so you pay nothing while users are few.

4. Tech Stack Selection

  • Framework: Next.js + TypeScript (single codebase for app and API).
  • Styling: Tailwind CSS + a component library for consistency.
  • Auth: managed provider (NextAuth, Clerk) — never build your own.
  • Payments: Stripe for subscriptions and invoicing.
  • AI features: OpenAI / Gemini APIs with server-side key handling.

5. Cost Estimation

  • Development: an MVP typically takes 4–6 weeks; budget a buffer for revisions.
  • Hosting: Vercel/Netlify free tier, then ~$20/mo when you scale.
  • Database: free tier (0–19/mo) — pick one provider from the start.
  • Third-party APIs: Stripe ~2.9% + 30c per transaction; AI APIs are per-token — estimate monthly usage.
  • Add 10–15% of budget for testing, monitoring, and documentation.

6. Timeline & Milestones

  • Week 1: scope freeze, design system, project setup.
  • Weeks 2–4: core user flow end-to-end, with weekly demos.
  • Week 5: testing, edge cases, performance passes.
  • Week 6: deployment, monitoring, and launch checklist.

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