1. Prerequisites

1. Navigate to the Features tab, enable the Access toggle for Create Application feature and associate it with the preferred LLM provider.

Note: It is recommended to enable the Access toggle for Build Agent to monitor the progress of backend configuration after the application's primary components are generated and the application becomes accessible. If Build Agent is not enabled, the application is still created, and the remaining backend configuration continues in the background. Learn more about Build Agent

2. Steps to create an application using plan mode

1. Navigate to the dashboard of your Creator account. You will land in the Solutions by default.
   
2. Click + Create Solution in the top-right corner of the dashboard and select the Applications card to start building an application.
   
3. Choose the Create using Zia card to open Zia App Builder.
   
Note: If the Create Application feature is disabled for your account, you will be prompted to enable it. Click Configure on the Create using Zia card. In the popup that appears, click Open Zia Settings. You will be redirected to Operations > Zia, where you can enable the Create Application access toggle and associate it with the preferred LLM provider.


4. Switch from the default Build to Plan mode using the drop down.
   If you already have well-defined application requirements, you can use Build mode to generate the application directly.
   
5. Select the LLM model you want Zia to use for processing your prompt from the model selector dropdown in the prompt interface. Different models vary in how they interpret requirements and structure a BRD, so choosing the right model helps ensure the generated plan aligns closely with your expectations.
   
Tip:
1. Different LLM models vary in how they interpret prompts and structure the generated Business Requirement Document (BRD). Use more capable models for complex application creation scenarios with detailed requirements, and simpler models for straightforward application creation.
   
2. AI usage and token consumption depend on the selected LLM provider and model. Consider the associated usage limits and pricing when selecting a model.
   
6. Enter your application requirements in the prompt field using text, attachments, or both, then press Enter or click the Send icon ().
   
1. Text: Describe the application you want to create in detail for optimal results.
   
2. File: Click Attachment icon () and attach files that outline the application objectives or pictorially represent the application flow, such as a PRD, BRD, RFP, or any relevant process diagrams.
   
Note:
1. The text input can contain a maximum of 1000 characters.
   
2. The file input can include either 1 document or up to 3 images.
   
3. The supported file formats are:
   
1. Image: PNG, JPG, JPEG, WEBP
   
2. Document: PDF and TXT
   
4. Avoid uploading proprietary or confidential organizational content.
   
5. It is recommended to include both text and file inputs to help Zia generate a more accurate and tailored BRD.
   
1. 
7. Answer the clarifying questions, if any, that App Builder presents to help it better understand your application requirements. These questions may relate to unclear requirements, preferences, or your business context. Select the most relevant option for each question, and click Submit.
   
8. Review the generated Business Requirement Document (BRD). The BRD covers the application objective, user personas, key features, process flow, and integration requirements. Click View full document to expand and read the complete BRD.
   Optionally, enter follow-up instructions in the prompt field or ask questions in the chat to refine the BRD. Repeat this process until the BRD accurately reflects your requirements.
   
9. Click Manage Integrations to review the integration requirements included in the generated BRD. The Manage Integrations panel lists the supported Zoho services and the modules they expose for your application.
   
   If App Builder finds an active and authorized connection for a required service in the Microservices module, it automatically associates the service. If no active and authorized connection is available (for example, if the connection is unavailable, disabled, or unauthorized), you can create and authorize a new connection directly from App Builder. Follow the steps below to connect to the service:
1. Click Connect next to the required module. A popup to create a data source appears.
   
2. Select the required module from the Module drop-down and click Create.
   
3. Authorize the connection. Once authorized, the data source is created automatically, synchronized with the Microservices module, and the connected module is generated as an integration form.
   
Info:
1. Connected modules are generated as integration forms in the application.
   
2. If a module is not connected before the build, the corresponding form will be created as a standard Creator form with default fields.
   
10. Click Build Application to initiate the creation process based on the approved BRD.
    
11. Wait until the main application structure is created including forms, reports, and pages.
    

Note:

1. The Build Agent cannot be used to modify the application until the backend configuration is fully complete.
   
2. If Build Agent is disabled in Zia, the remaining backend components will be configured in the background but the progress will not be displayed.
   

3. Points to note

1. While AI enhances the application creation process, verify the accuracy and relevance of the AI-generated output and the resulting application to ensure proper functionality and alignment with your needs.
   
2. The file input accepts either one document or up to three images per session, with each file limited to 5 MB. Supported formats include PNG, JPG, JPEG, and WEBP for images, and PDF and TXT for documents.
   
3. The following workflow types are not generated by Zia App Builder and can be configured manually after the application is created:
   
1. Approval workflows
   
2. Payment workflows
   
3. Batch workflows
   
4. Functions
   

1. Zia App Builder includes sample data in your application during creation to test the various features Creator offers. Remember to delete it manually before using the application for your requirements.
   
2. The sample data generated with the application is intended for testing purposes only. It is entirely fictitious, and no real association or inference should be made.
   

1. Along with your input prompt, Zia invokes system prompts to enhance the accuracy of the application creation process. These system prompts also contribute to your AI usage.
   
2. Zoho GenAI LLM processes all prompts within Zoho, while external LLM providers process data in their own systems. Avoid sharing sensitive or regulated information when using external providers.
   
3. Plan mode of Zia App Builder does not consume any AI calls or API calls from Zoho Creator. However, using Zoho GenAI with Plan mode of Zia App Builder consumes Development AI Credits, while usage with external LLM providers is accounted by the respective service provider. You can view your Development AI Credits usage in the Billing section.
   
4. API rate limits apply when using Zia App Builder. These limits are restrictions that the LLM provider imposes on the number of times a user or client can access their services within a specified period of time, and vary based on their usage tier and the model consumed.
   
1. OpenAI rate limits
   
2. Google Gemini rate limits
   
3. Anthropic rate limits
   
5. When multiple AI features are used in quick succession, the configured provider's rate limit may be exceeded. This can result in errors or a temporary interruption of AI-powered functionality.
   

4. Related topics

1. Understanding application creation with AI using Zia App Builder
   
2. Creating applications using build mode with Zia App Builder
   
3. Understanding Build Agent in Zoho Creator
   
4. Understand Zia features in Creator
   
5. Writing effective prompts for Zia App Builder in Zoho Creator