GROWTH PATTERN

Adding Activation to FastAPI + OpenAI Apps

FastAPI + OpenAI applications typically get users signed up, but then leave them hanging without guidance to discover key features.

FastAPI + OpenAI

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What's Missing in Standard FastAPI + OpenAI Architecture

Without an infrastructure layer listening to your database events, you rely on manual cron jobs or messy webhooks to track when users reach their first value milestone. Most setups require custom code to detect activation.

Standard FastAPI + OpenAI Flow vs Optimized Skene Flow

Standard Flow
1

User signs up via authentication

2

User record created in your database

3

No automatic trigger - manual follow-up required

Skene Flow
1

Watch your database 'users' table for new signups using standard API

2

Detect when user completes first key action (e.g., creates first project) using your database queries

3

Trigger activation email sequence via Resend with personalized onboarding

4

Track activation completion and send milestone emails

Visual comparison of the flows:

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How Skene Fixes This

The Skene setup for FastAPI + OpenAI watches your database events and triggers activation workflows when users hit key milestones. It uses standard API to send personalized onboarding sequences.

Implementation Comparison

Using Skene Infrastructure

Install via Prompt

cursor.mdc
@task: Initialize Skene.
@action: Analyze my local code, validating subscription via `npx skene login`, and generate `skene.config.ts` to implement the Activation Loop pattern for FastAPI + OpenAI.

Copy Skene Prompt for Cursor

Generated skene.config.ts

skene.config.ts
// skene.config.ts - The Automated Way
import { defineLoop } from '@skene/sdk';

export default defineLoop({
  type: 'activation',
  opinion: 'Detect when users complete their first key action and trigger personalized onboarding',
  steps: [
    {
      trigger: {
        type: 'database',
        table: 'users',
        event: 'insert'
      },
      condition: {
        type: 'query',
        query: `SELECT * FROM user_actions WHERE user_id = $1 AND action_type = 'first_project_created'`,
        timeout: '5m'
      },
      action: {
        type: 'email',
        provider: 'resend',
        template: 'activation_welcome',
        personalization: {
          name: '{{user.name}}',
          activationLink: '{{user.activation_link}}'
        }
      }
    }
  ],
  recovery: {
    retries: 3,
    backoff: 'exponential'
  }
});

Frequently asked questions