Context Ark + Lovable Workflow: Full-Stack AI Apps

TL;DR: Lovable builds full-stack apps fast, but guesses when specs are missing. Use Context Ark specs to ground Lovable's output.

Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. What Lovable Needs
3. The Workflow
4. Prompt Patterns
5. Validation
6. Common Issues

---

Overview

Lovable generates full-stack apps from prompts. Great for speed, risky for accuracy.

The Problem:

• Lovable invents database schemas
• Creates APIs you didn't ask for
• Adds features based on assumptions

The Fix: Give Lovable specs it can't ignore.

---

What Lovable Needs

From your Context Ark pack:

Spec	Why Lovable Needs It
PRD	Scope boundaries
Schema	Exact database structure
API Spec	Endpoint contracts
Tech Stack	Framework constraints

---

The Workflow

Step 1: Generate Specs

Use Context Ark to generate your full spec pack.

Step 2: Prepare Lovable Prompt

Copy key sections into your Lovable prompt:

Build a [app type] with these exact specifications:

## Database Schema
[Paste from schema.md]

## API Endpoints
[Paste from api-spec.yaml]

## Features (In Scope)
[Paste from prd.md]

## NOT Building
[Paste non-goals from prd.md]

Step 3: Generate

Submit to Lovable. It will follow your specs.

Step 4: Validate

Check output against your original specs.

---

Prompt Patterns

Pattern: Full App

Build a [app name] with:

## Tech Stack
- Next.js 14 (App Router)
- Supabase (Postgres + Auth)
- Tailwind CSS
- shadcn/ui

## Database (exact schema)
[paste SQL from schema.md]

## API Endpoints (exact contracts)
[paste from api-spec.yaml]

## Features
1. [Feature from PRD]
2. [Feature from PRD]

## NOT including
- [Non-goal 1]
- [Non-goal 2]

Pattern: Add Feature

Add [feature] to the existing app.

Use this endpoint (from my API spec):
[paste endpoint definition]

Use this schema (existing):
[paste relevant table]

Do NOT:
- Change existing tables
- Add new endpoints
- Modify auth

---

Validation

After Lovable generates:

Check Schema

-- Lovable created:
CREATE TABLE [...]

-- Should match:
[your schema.md]

Check Endpoints

• Only endpoints from spec exist
• Request/response shapes match
• No extra routes

Check Features

• In-scope features present
• Out-of-scope features absent

---

Common Issues

Issue	Cause	Fix
Extra tables	Schema not specified	Paste exact DDL
Wrong columns	Types guessed	Include column types
Bonus features	PRD not included	Paste non-goals
Wrong stack	Tech not specified	Include tech stack section

---

Related Resources

• Context Ark + v0 Workflow
• Context Ark + Cursor Workflow
• SDD Template Pack

---

Full-stack apps from specs, not guesses. Generate your spec pack →

---

Last updated: January 2026