Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Here are answers to some common questions about HighLaunchPad.

General

Q: What is HighLaunchPad? A: HighLaunchPad is an open-source AI-powered CRM and marketing automation platform designed for the creator economy. It helps digital entrepreneurs launch, automate, and scale monetized campaigns. Think of it as an open-source alternative to platforms like GoHighLevel or HubSpot, with a strong focus on AI and creator/affiliate workflows.

Q: Who is HighLaunchPad for? A: It's built for digital entrepreneurs, including: * Affiliate marketers * Course creators * Coaches and consultants * Solopreneurs * Small to medium-sized online businesses * Developers looking for an open-source marketing automation platform to customize.

Q: Is HighLaunchPad free? A: HighLaunchPad operates on a freemium model: * Free Tier: A free version with core features will be available, likely with HighLaunchPad branding and some usage limits. * Pro Plans: Paid plans (e.g., $29-99/month) will offer features like white-labeling, unlimited sends, advanced team collaboration, and higher usage limits. * As an open-source project, you can also choose to self-host the platform.

Q: What are the key differentiators of HighLaunchPad? A: * Open Source: Full transparency, MIT Licensed, extensible, and community-driven. Avoids vendor lock-in. * AI-Native: Deeply integrated AI (Google's Genkit with Gemini models) for content generation, automation, and insights. * Developer Friendly: Full API access (planned) and a modular architecture for customization. * Affiliate & Creator Focused: Tools and workflows are specifically designed for digital marketing and creator economy use cases. * Cost-Effective: Aims to provide enterprise-grade capabilities at a much lower price point than traditional CRMs.

Technical & Self-Hosting

Q: What are the self-hosting requirements? A: To self-host HighLaunchPad, you'll generally need: * A server environment capable of running Node.js. * A PostgreSQL database (as per README guidance). * Ability to set up environment variables for configuration (API keys, database URLs, etc.). * Familiarity with deploying Next.js applications. * Optionally, a reverse proxy like Nginx or Caddy for SSL and custom domains. * Refer to the Getting Started guide for more details.

Q: What technologies is HighLaunchPad built on? A: Key technologies include: * Next.js (React framework) * Tailwind CSS * PostgreSQL (planned database) / Prisma ORM * Genkit (Google AI framework with Gemini models) * Node.js * See the Technical Architecture page for a more detailed list.

Q: Can I contribute to the project? A: Yes! HighLaunchPad is an open-source project, and contributions are highly welcome. Please see our Contributing Guide for details on how to get involved.

AI Features

Q: Where do I get an AI API key for the AI features? A: HighLaunchPad uses Google's AI models (Gemini) via Genkit. You will need to obtain an API key from: * Google AI Studio This key should be added to your .env.local file as GOOGLE_API_KEY.

Q: What can the AI do in HighLaunchPad? A: The AI Content Engine can help with: * Generating funnel copy (headlines, subtitles, CTAs) * Drafting email sequences * Creating ad copy * Suggesting CTAs * Editing and rephrasing text * Potentially generating images (if Leonardo.ai integration is fully active) * And more as new AI flows are developed.

Support & Community

Q: Where can I get help or support? A: * This Wiki: For documentation and guides. * GitHub Issues: For reporting bugs or requesting features: https://github.com/mikeoller82/HighLaunchPad/issues * Discord Community: Join our Discord server for discussions, community support, and announcements. (Link available in the main project README.md - Developer note: Ensure this link is correct and active in the README).

Q: How can I stay updated on the project's progress? A: * Star and watch the GitHub repository. * Join the Discord Community (replace with actual link). * Sign up for the Product Updates Newsletter.

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If your question isn't answered here, feel free to reach out via the community channels!