Progressive Web App Readiness Checklist

When to Use This Checklist

Use this checklist before shipping a Progressive Web App (PWA), a website that can be installed, work offline, and behave like a native app. Run it when adding installability and offline support to an existing site or building a PWA from scratch. The checklist confirms the baseline behaviors users and browsers expect.

How to Use This Checklist

Start with the hard requirements: HTTPS, a valid manifest, and a registered service worker that actually controls the page. Without these, the app is not installable and the rest does not matter.

The service worker is where most PWA bugs live. Define a caching strategy per asset and data type, then verify a real offline experience rather than a broken screen. Critically, implement an update flow that prompts users to refresh, because a misconfigured service worker can pin users to stale code long after you deploy.

Validate the experience broadly. Confirm the install flow, check Core Web Vitals are good, and test cross-browser, especially on iOS where PWA support differs. Set a Content Security Policy and review service-worker scope so the offline layer does not become a security gap.

What Good Looks Like

The app is served over HTTPS with a valid manifest and a controlling service worker. Caching is intentional, offline works, and an update flow keeps users on fresh code. The install prompt works, Core Web Vitals are good, the app behaves across browsers including iOS, and a CSP is in place.

Common Pitfalls

The most damaging pitfall is a service worker with no update strategy, trapping users on stale builds. Teams also assume uniform PWA support and ship features that silently fail on iOS. A naive cache-everything strategy serves outdated data, and skipping a CSP leaves the offline layer exposed.

Related Resources

Pair this with the progressive web apps and progressive enhancement practices, Google Web Vitals for performance, a Content Security Policy, and responsive web design.