🚨 The Sample App Problem: Why One-Size-Fits-All Doesn’t Work 🚨

Here’s my hot take: Most sample apps are too generic. They fail to align with developers' unique use cases, making it difficult to showcase the true value of an API or SDK. Sample apps need to be customized to truly show the potential of an API or SDK.

Let’s face it: sample apps are supposed to make life easier for developers. But do they really? Here’s the harsh truth: Most sample apps out there are generic and broadly applicable—but they rarely work out of the box for specific use cases. The result? Developers end up spending hours tweaking them to fit their needs, or worse, giving up entirely. 🤦‍♂️

After speaking with more than dozens of developers, dev advocates, sales and solutions engineers over the past few months, one thing has become crystal clear: these “one-size-fits-all” apps don’t actually fit anyone. customization is not optional—it’s essential.

The Problem
Generic sample apps are everywhere. They aim to serve a broad audience, but in reality, they leave everyone doing extra work to adapt them. Developers already strapped for time now have to spend hours reworking these apps to align with their industry-specific workflows or unique project requirements.

And let’s not even talk about the frustration this causes. 😤 When sample apps don’t work as intended, it not only creates inefficiencies but also blocks developers from fully exploring what an API or SDK can actually do. This is where most APIs fail—not because the tech isn’t great, but because the sample apps don’t connect with real-world needs.

The Cost of Missed Potential
Without tailored sample apps, APIs and SDKs often fail to showcase their true potential. Developers struggle to see how the technology fits into their workflows, and companies lose the chance to accelerate adoption. It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone.

Imagine if sample apps weren’t just generic templates but powerful, customizable tools designed with specific personas and industries in mind. Think about how much easier it would be for developers to adopt new technologies when they don’t have to spend hours making them work.

The goal isn’t just to build a sample app—it’s to build the right sample app that inspires developers and drives adoption.

This is a really difficult problem, and I’d love to hear your thoughts. Have you faced similar struggles with sample apps? How do you think we can improve this experience?