Capturing Items with the Mobile App

The mobile app is designed for one thing above all else: getting items into ListForge quickly and with enough detail for the AI to do its job well.

Taking Good Photos

Photo quality is the single biggest factor in AI research accuracy. Here's what matters:

Lighting

Use natural light or bright, even indoor lighting. Avoid harsh shadows and direct flash. A well-lit photo near a window works better than a studio setup with bad angles.

Backgrounds

A clean, uncluttered background helps the AI focus on the item. A plain table, white sheet, or clean floor works well. Avoid photographing items on patterned surfaces or cluttered shelves.

What to Photograph

For most items, take 3–4 photos:

1. Front/main view — the "hero shot" showing the item clearly
2. Back or underside — often has model numbers, serial numbers, or brand marks
3. Labels and markings — brand tags, size labels, UPC barcodes, date codes
4. Flaws — scratches, stains, missing parts, wear. Be honest here; it affects pricing accuracy.

Don't overthink it. Four decent photos from a phone camera are better than one perfect studio photo. The AI uses multiple images to cross-reference details.

Things That Trip Up the AI

• Blurry photos — the AI can't read text or identify details in blurry images
• Multiple items in one photo — photograph one item at a time
• Extreme close-ups only — include at least one shot showing the whole item
• Dark or backlit photos — the AI needs to see colors and details clearly

Adding Hints

After taking photos, you can add an optional title hint. This is a short text description that helps the AI narrow down identification:

• "Canon AE-1 35mm camera" — very specific, very helpful
• "vintage film camera" — still useful, gives the AI a category
• "camera" — better than nothing

You don't need to be an expert. Even approximate hints improve accuracy significantly.

Batch Capture

If you're processing a haul from a thrift store or estate sale, use batch capture mode:

1. Tap the capture button
2. Take photos of the first item
3. Tap Next Item instead of Submit
4. Repeat for each item
5. When done, tap Submit All

All items are queued for research simultaneously. You can review them later from the Review Queue.

After Capture

Once submitted, each item enters the AI research pipeline automatically. You'll see items appear in your inventory with a "Researching" status. When research completes, they move to the Review Queue for your approval.

There's nothing else you need to do — go capture more items, and review them all later when you're back at your desk.