Startups in 2025

How I Built 8 Startup Directories with Perplexity Labs in One Day: vibe coding

How I Built 8 Startup Directories with Perplexity Labs in One Day

Ever had one of those days when you’re so deep in the startup zone that you forget to eat, sleep, or even check your phone? That was me, armed with Perplexity, a bottomless coffee mug, and a wild idea: build eight startup directories in just one day. Sounds bonkers, right? But with the right tools, a pinch of obsession, and a dash of AI magic, it’s not just possible, it’s actually fun. Let’s take a tour of each directory, what they do, and how Perplexity turbocharged the whole process.

What is Perplexity Labs

Perplexity Labs is a next-generation AI workspace that transforms how you tackle complex projects, blending research, automation, and creativity into a single intuitive platform. Unlike the standard Perplexity search, which acts like a hyper-intelligent Q&A assistant, Labs is your on-demand project team, capable of generating analytical reports, interactive dashboards, spreadsheets, presentations, and even simple web apps. All you need is a clear prompt, and Labs orchestrates deep web research, code execution, data visualization, and image generation, often delivering in minutes what used to take days of manual effort. It’s available to Pro subscribers on the web and mobile, with desktop apps on the horizon, making advanced project creation accessible wherever you work.

The real magic of Perplexity Labs lies in its ability to automate and accelerate traditionally tedious tasks. Want a comprehensive market analysis, a financial dashboard, or a content calendar? Just describe your goal, and Labs will research, synthesize, and build the assets for you, organizing everything into downloadable files within a dedicated workspace. This not only boosts productivity but also democratizes access to high-quality deliverables, leveling the playing field for solo founders, small teams, and enterprises alike. Labs is built to handle multifaceted workflows, so you can focus on strategic decisions while the AI handles the heavy lifting.

Writing a great prompt for Perplexity Labs is both an art and a science. The best results come from being specific, clear, and goal-oriented. Start by stating exactly what you want: “Create a financial dashboard for a SaaS startup with monthly recurring revenue, churn rate, and customer acquisition cost visualizations.” Add any context or constraints, such as target audience, preferred formats, or data sources. If you want a certain style or depth, mention it: “Make it suitable for a board presentation, with easy-to-read charts and a one-page executive summary.” The more details you provide, the better Labs can tailor its output. Don’t be afraid to iterate, refine your prompt based on the initial results, and Labs will update the project accordingly. Think of it as collaborating with a supercharged teammate who just needs clear instructions to deliver exactly what you need.

SANDBOX and PlayPal: The Startup Validation Tool

Check out SANDBOX and PlayPal
If you’re tired of guessing whether your startup idea is “the one,” SANDBOX is your new best friend. Built into the Fe/male Switch platform, SANDBOX lets you test, validate, and iterate on ideas with PlayPal, your AI co-founder. Think of it as a safe space where your wildest business concepts get real feedback—before you waste a cent building something nobody wants. PlayPal helps you analyze competitors, spot market gaps, and even suggests pivots if your idea needs a tweak. It’s like having a brutally honest (but super smart) friend who wants you to win. The best part? You can go from “hmm, maybe?” to “hell yes!” in a single afternoon.

Prompt for building a directory:

Build a startup directory focused on [your niche or industry, e.g., "AI-powered marketing tools"]. The directory should include at least 30 entries. For each entry, provide:

  • Name of the tool or company
  • Website URL
  • Short description (2-3 sentences) explaining its main features or unique selling points
  • Pricing model (free, freemium, paid, etc.)
  • Best use case or target audience
  • A notable user review or testimonial (if available)

Organize the directory in a clean, easy-to-read table format. At the end, include a brief summary of current trends in this niche and tips for choosing the right tool. Make sure all information is up-to-date and relevant for 2025.
Just swap out the niche or industry for whatever you want to focus on, and you’re good to go! This prompt gives the AI clear structure, ensures depth, and makes the output genuinely valuable and actionable.

Here's what I built:

1. SOP Directory: Your Startup Operating Procedures, Simplified

Explore the SOP Directory
Ever wished there was a place where you could just grab ready-made SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for every stage of your startup? That’s what this directory delivers. From onboarding your first hire to handling customer complaints, it’s a living library of actionable templates and checklists. No more reinventing the wheel or Googling “how to write an onboarding doc at 2am.” Just grab, tweak, and deploy. I used Perplexity to research best practices, cross-reference industry standards, and even generate fresh SOPs for niche use cases. It’s a lifesaver for founders who want to look organized (even if you’re running on three hours of sleep).

2. SEO Directory: The Essential SEO Starter Kit (version 1)

Browse SEO100 Directory
SEO can feel like a black hole, especially for early-stage founders. SEO100 is a curated directory of the top 100 must-have SEO tools, resources, and agencies. Whether you’re looking for the best free keyword tool or the ultimate backlink checker, it’s all here—vetted, ranked, and explained in plain English. Perplexity helped me sift through thousands of SEO resources, analyze reviews, and even spot up-and-coming tools that aren’t on every other list. Perfect for founders who want to get found online without drowning in jargon.

3. SEO Directory: Advanced SEO Arsenal for Growth Hackers (version 2)

See what’s inside SEO200 Directory
Once you’ve nailed the basics, it’s time to go deeper. SEO200 is for founders ready to scale—think technical SEO, advanced analytics, internationalization, and content automation. This directory lists the next 200 tools and resources that serious growth hackers swear by. With Perplexity, I cross-checked user ratings, pulled in expert opinions, and even flagged tools that integrate with each other. If you want to outsmart your competitors (not just outrank them), this is your playground.

4. Idea Directory: Where Startup Dreams Get Real

Get inspired at the Idea Directory
Stuck in idea limbo? The Idea Directory is a goldmine of validated startup concepts, case studies, and “why didn’t I think of that?” moments. Each entry includes a quick summary, target market, revenue model, and links to resources for further research. I used Perplexity to analyze trends, scrape forums, and even tap into niche communities for fresh, unfiltered ideas. It’s the ultimate spark for founders who want to build something new—but aren’t sure what “new” should look like.

5. Marketing Directory: Marketing Tools and Tactics for Non-Marketers

Unlock the MKT Directory
Let’s be real: most founders aren’t born marketers. The MKT Directory is your cheat sheet to marketing success—packed with tools for email campaigns, social media, automation, analytics, and more. Each tool is tagged by use case (launch, growth, retention) and budget (free, freemium, paid). Perplexity made it easy to compare features, spot hidden gems, and even surface community-driven hacks. If you want to market smarter—not harder—this is your shortcut.

6. Mela Directory: Free Marketing Directories

Support and discover at Mela Directory
Representation matters. The Mela Directory is dedicated to marketing resources, and support networks. From funding programs to mentorship circles, it’s a celebration of women building the future. Perplexity helped me pull in data from global directories, highlight success stories, and even map out support ecosystems by region. If you’re a female founder (or want to support one), this is where you start.

7. MVP Directory: Minimum Viable Product Builders and Tools

Build faster with the MVP Directory
Ready to launch but don’t know where to start? The MVP Directory is a curated list of no-code/low-code tools, prototyping platforms, and agencies that help you go from idea to launch—fast. Whether you’re building your first landing page or a full-blown SaaS, you’ll find the right tool for your budget and skillset. Perplexity made it a breeze to compare platforms, gather real user feedback, and spot the best deals for early-stage founders.

8. Book Directory: Startup Reads That Actually Matter

Feed your brain at the Book Directory
If you’re addicted to startup books (guilty), this directory is your happy place. It’s a handpicked collection of the best books for founders, covering everything from lean startup to mental health. Each entry includes a quick summary, best quotes, and links to author interviews or podcasts. Perplexity helped me surface underrated gems, cross-check reviews, and even find free resources or summaries for each book. Perfect for those “I need inspiration” moments.
Want to know the secret sauce? Perplexity made the research, curation, and content creation process 10x faster. Instead of drowning in tabs and spreadsheets, I could focus on what mattered: building directories that actually help founders win.

FAQ on Vibe Coding with Perplexity Labs

What is the main benefit of using SANDBOX and PlayPal for startup validation?

SANDBOX and PlayPal offer a safe, AI-driven environment to test and validate your startup ideas before investing time or money. PlayPal acts as your AI co-founder, guiding you through market analysis and rapid iteration so you avoid building products nobody wants. Learn more about SANDBOX and PlayPal

How do I use the SOP Directory to streamline my startup operations?

The SOP Directory provides ready-to-use templates and checklists for every major startup process, from hiring to customer support, making it easy to stay organized and professional from day one. Explore the SOP Directory

Where can I find validated startup ideas to kickstart my journey?

The Idea Directory curates startup concepts with market validation, revenue models, and further research links, making it a one-stop shop for inspiration and actionable ideas. Visit the Idea Directory

What marketing tools are best for founders with no marketing background?

The MKT Directory is packed with marketing tools and tactics, each tagged by use case and budget, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs—even if you’re not a marketing pro. Check out the MKT Directory

How does the Mela Directory support female founders?

Mela highlights female-led startups, funding opportunities, and support networks, helping women entrepreneurs connect, grow, and thrive. Discover the Mela Directory

What’s the fastest way to build an MVP with limited resources?

The MVP Directory lists top no-code/low-code platforms and agencies so you can launch quickly without a big budget or technical team. Explore the MVP Directory

Where can I find the best startup books and resources?

The Book Directory curates must-read books for founders, complete with summaries, quotes, and links to interviews or podcasts for deeper learning. Browse the Book Directory

How did Perplexity help speed up the directory-building process?

Perplexity streamlined research, content generation, and validation, allowing me to curate, compare, and create eight directories in a single day—without sacrificing quality or relevance. See how Perplexity works

Are these directories free to use and contribute to?

Yes! All eight directories are free for founders to browse and contribute to, making them a collaborative resource for the entire startup community. Start exploring now

What is Perplexity Labs and how does it differ from the standard Perplexity chat?

Perplexity Labs is a project-based AI tool that goes beyond simple Q&A, allowing users to create full reports, dashboards, spreadsheets, and even web apps using natural language prompts. Unlike the regular chat, Labs features dedicated panes for apps, assets, images, and tasks, giving you visibility into every step of your project and access to all generated files. Learn more about Perplexity Labs features

Can Perplexity Labs generate interactive web applications?

Yes, Perplexity Labs can build interactive web apps using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript based on your prompts. These apps are deployed to dedicated pages you can share or revisit, making it easy to test prototypes and showcase results without extra setup. See how Labs generates web apps

What types of files and assets can Perplexity Labs create and manage?

Labs organizes all files generated during a workflow—including code, charts, images, datasets, and documents—in a dedicated assets pane. You can view, download, and reuse these assets as needed for your projects. Explore asset management in Labs

How does Perplexity Labs handle research and analysis tasks?

Perplexity Labs leverages advanced AI to conduct deep research, synthesize findings, and analyze data. It can generate reports, visualizations, and even run code to process datasets, all within a single workflow. Discover Labs’ research capabilities

Is Perplexity Labs suitable for rapid prototyping and MVP development?

Absolutely! Labs is designed for quick, iterative project creation, making it ideal for prototyping MVPs, dashboards, or data-driven apps. With a $20 monthly subscription, you get access to tools typically requiring expertise across multiple domains. Read about rapid prototyping with Labs

What is vibe coding and how does it change the software development process?

Vibe coding is a prompt-driven approach where you instruct AI (like large language models) to generate code by describing your goals in natural language. Instead of focusing on manual coding, you guide, test, and refine the AI’s output until the app “feels right.” Get the full vibe coding definition

Who can benefit from vibe coding, and do you need to know how to code?

Vibe coding democratizes software creation, allowing non-coders and experienced developers alike to build apps by describing what they want. You don’t need to know programming languages—just communicate your vision and iterate with the AI. Find out who can use vibe coding

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of vibe coding?

Vibe coding offers rapid prototyping, creative freedom, and accessibility for non-technical users. However, it can introduce risks like inconsistent code quality, security concerns, and challenges with maintainability for larger projects. See pros and cons of vibe coding

How does the workflow in vibe coding typically look?

You start with a broad prompt (e.g., “build a signup form”), let the AI generate code, test the result, and iterate by refining your prompts. If you hit bugs, you send error messages back to the AI for fixes, repeating until the software works as intended. Check out a vibe coding workflow

Are there tools or platforms that make vibe coding easier?

Yes, platforms like Perplexity Labs, Hostinger Horizons, and Replit offer chat-based IDEs, one-click testing, and built-in deployment, making vibe coding accessible and efficient for both beginners and pros. Explore vibe coding tools
2025-06-04 19:11 Automation