Kostiantyn Vlasenko, a project manager with ten years of experience, embarked on a journey to create Respiro, a stress management app, despite having no coding background. Within six weeks, he successfully launched the app on the Apple App Store.
Vlasenko's inspiration for Respiro came from his own struggles with stress management. He realized existing apps failed to address immediate stress signals. While on vacation in the Ukrainian mountains, he envisioned an app that could detect stress and prompt users to engage in mindful breathing exercises when needed.
Initially, Vlasenko utilized Claude for automating tasks but soon discovered its potential for app development. He began using Claude Code to create Respiro, leveraging his project management skills to manage various coding agents within the development environment.
His first prompt to Claude was simple: to create an application that could alleviate stress. The results exceeded his expectations, leading him to further explore agent systems and Apple APIs to enhance the app's functionality.
Vlasenko faced challenges, such as issues with the initial app version built on React Native. However, with Claude's assistance, he swiftly rewritten the app in Swift, showcasing the adaptability of his development approach.
Shipping Respiro posed another challenge, as Vlasenko navigated the Apple Developer Program for the first time. He relied on Claude for step-by-step guidance, allowing him to overcome obstacles in the process.
Marketing the app also benefited from Claude's capabilities. Vlasenko integrated analytics and engaged with psychologists and mindfulness practitioners, who began recommending Respiro to their clients, significantly boosting its visibility.
Through this experience, Vlasenko not only developed a successful app but also applied the skills gained to his role at Mythical Games, where he now contributes to code releases and advocates for the workflows established during Respiro's development.
Looking ahead, Vlasenko plans to enhance Respiro with voice-guided practices and motion exercises, continuing to leverage Claude Code in his ongoing development efforts.
