This tutorial walks you through building a complete directory website from scratch using DirectoryKit. By the end, you will have a fully functional directory ready for listings.
Prerequisites
- DirectoryKit installed (download here)
- An AI API key (OpenAI or Anthropic)
Step 1: Create a Workspace
Launch DirectoryKit and click New Workspace. Give your directory a name, like "Best Coffee Shops in Portland."
Step 2: Research the Market
Switch to the Research agent and ask:
"Is there demand for a coffee shop directory in Portland, OR?"
The Research agent will analyze search volume, competition, and monetization potential. Review the results in the canvas panel.
Step 3: Generate Your Site
Switch to the Builder agent:
"Build me a coffee shop directory for Portland with category pages, a map view, and a submission form"
Watch as the Builder generates your site structure, pages, and components in real time.
Step 4: Import Data
Switch to the Data agent to populate your directory. You can:
- Upload a CSV of coffee shops
- Tell the agent to scrape data from existing sources
- Add listings manually one by one
Step 5: Optimize
Run the SEO agent for a quick audit:
"Audit my directory and fix any SEO issues"
Next Steps
- Set up monetization with the Revenue agent
- Create a launch plan with the Growth agent
- Configure monitoring with the Ops agent