The latest articles on DEV Community by Dukotah Hutcheon (@dukotah_hutcheon). https://dev.to/dukotah_hutcheon https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3978579%2F37619a6b-eb68-42ff-9ee7-e6e3a7692585.jpg https://dev.to/dukotah_hutcheon en Dukotah Hutcheon Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:41:52 +0000 https://dev.to/dukotah_hutcheon/the-5-minute-pre-launch-checklist-for-ai-generated-apps-203e https://dev.to/dukotah_hutcheon/the-5-minute-pre-launch-checklist-for-ai-generated-apps-203e <p>You shipped fast — often with an AI writing most of the code. Here are the six things that quietly get people, and how to check each one in about a minute. Every tool below runs entirely in your browser, so it's safe to paste real code and real secrets.</p> <h2> Why AI-generated apps need a different checklist </h2> <p>AI coding tools optimize for "works on my machine," not "safe in public." They'll hardcode an API key to make a demo run, leave a .env in a deployed folder, pull in an abandoned dependency, or skip security headers a human would add by habit. None of that breaks the build — so it ships.</p> <h2> 1. Did you leak a secret? </h2> <p>The most common AI mistake: an API key written directly into code instead of an env var. Paste your code or .env and scan before you commit.</p> <p>→ LeakCheck: <a href="https://labs.copperbaytech.com/leakcheck/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://labs.copperbaytech.com/leakcheck/</a></p> <h2> 2. Is your live site leaking files? </h2> <p>Even with clean code, your deployed site can expose a reachable .env.git folder, secrets in your JS bundle, or source maps.</p> <p>→ ExposureCheck: <a href="https://labs.copperbaytech.com/exposurecheck/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://labs.copperbaytech.com/exposurecheck/</a></p> <h2> 3. Are your dependencies a liability? </h2> <p>Paste your package.json to flag vulnerable, abandoned, typosquatted, or risky-license dependencies.</p> <p>→ DepCheck: <a href="https://labs.copperbaytech.com/depcheck/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://labs.copperbaytech.com/depcheck/</a></p> <h2> 4. Are your security headers set? </h2> <p>Missing headers are the difference between an A and an F on most security scans — a five-minute fix once you know which are missing.</p> <p>→ HardenCheck: <a href="https://labs.copperbaytech.com/hardencheck/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://labs.copperbaytech.com/hardencheck/</a></p> <h2> 5. Is it accessible and privacy-safe? </h2> <p>Accessibility (ADA/WCAG) and privacy gaps are the stuff of demand letters, and AI-generated front ends are full of them. Paste a URL for a plain-English report.</p> <p>→ ShipSafe: <a href="https://labs.copperbaytech.com/shipsafe/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://labs.copperbaytech.com/shipsafe/</a></p> <h2> 6. Do you have the legal basics? </h2> <p>Collecting any data — even an email signup — usually means you need a privacy policy and a consent banner.</p> <p>→ ComplyKit: <a href="https://labs.copperbaytech.com/complykit/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://labs.copperbaytech.com/complykit/</a></p> <p>A note on honesty: these are heuristic scanners — a fast first pass, not a full audit or legal advice. They'll have false positives and won't catch everything.</p> <p>Full checklist + tools: <a href="https://labs.copperbaytech.com/checklist/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://labs.copperbaytech.com/checklist/</a></p> webdev security ai beginners