In January 2017, Max Lynch, CEO of Ionic, announced the introduction of a new visual tool designed to streamline the process of starting Ionic apps. This tool, accessed by running the 'ionic start' command without arguments after updating to Ionic CLI 2.2.1, provides a web-based wizard that guides users through app creation and offers the option to create an Ionic ID for additional services. While this feature does not replace the existing CLI or alter its functionality, it presents an alternative for users preferring a more visual approach to app development. Lynch encouraged users to test the new feature and provide feedback, as it was still in the experimental phase before being promoted to the wider community.