Bolt.new is an AI-powered app builder that lets you go from idea to working app
Build Apps in Your Browser With AI — No Setup, No Problem
Building web or mobile apps used to mean setting up a local development environment, Googling your way through cryptic errors, and stitching together a dozen tools just to get a "Hello, world" running. Fun for some, but a total blocker for most.
That’s where Bolt.new comes in.
Bolt.new is an AI-powered app builder that lets you go from idea to working code—all in your browser. No installation, no terminal, no config files. Just type what you want to build, and Bolt spins up the frontend, backend, npm packages, and everything else you need.
Whether you’re brand new to coding or a developer looking to move faster, Bolt.new makes app building way more accessible, flexible, and fun. This guide walks you through what it is, how it works, and how you can use it to go from a blank canvas to a fully deployed app.
What Is Bolt.new?
Bolt.new is like having a full-stack developer and a dev environment rolled into one chat window. You type in a prompt—something like “Build a weather app with React and the OpenWeather API”—and Bolt creates the code, sets up the environment, and gives you a live preview. All inside your browser.
It’s built by the folks at StackBlitz, powered by WebContainers (which run Node.js directly in the browser) and Anthropic’s Claude AI (which handles your prompts and writes the code). It’s fast, responsive, and surprisingly smart.
Unlike tools that just give you AI code suggestions, Bolt controls the entire environment: file system, terminal, server, packages, browser console—you name it. That means it can do a lot more than just write snippets. It can scaffold, test, install, deploy—all from your browser tab.
It’s an all-in-one workspace where you talk to your AI assistant, see the results live, and make edits as you go.
Why Bolt Feels Different (And Better)
Most AI tools stop at suggesting code snippets. Bolt builds the entire development setup for you—and then lets you run and modify your project live in the browser.
Here’s what that means:
- You don’t need to download VS Code or mess with Git.
- You don’t have to Google “how to connect frontend to backend” ever again.
- You don’t need to ask ChatGPT to write code and then figure out where to paste it.
Instead, you just say what you want. Bolt interprets your intent, spins up the project, and keeps refining it as you go.
It’s a surprisingly freeing experience. You focus on your idea, and Bolt handles the busywork.
Key Features That Make It Stand Out
- Works Entirely in the Browser: No setup, no installs. Just go to bolt.new and start building.
- Prompt-to-App: Describe what you want and Bolt builds it—from UI components to backend routes.
- Full-Stack Support: React, Node.js, Express, Next.js, Tailwind, APIs, databases—it’s all there.
- Mobile Support via Expo: Want to build an iOS/Android app? Bolt can spin up a React Native app with Expo too.
- Deploy in One Click: When you’re ready to ship, Bolt can deploy your project with a button press.
- Figma Integration: Turn your Figma design into real working code (seriously).
- Package Installation: Ask for a library and Bolt will install and use it in the app automatically.
- Sharing Projects: Just send someone a link to collaborate or get feedback.
How to Build a Web App with Bolt.new
Here’s how the magic happens:
- Open bolt.new
- Describe Your App: Try something like: “Build a blog site using Astro and Tailwind. It should have a homepage with posts and an about page.”
- Bolt Gets to Work: You’ll see files populate, dependencies install, and code appear—all generated for you.
- Preview It: You get a live preview right in the browser.
- Tweak and Iterate: Want to change the layout, add a form, or connect an API? Just ask.
- Deploy: Ready to launch? Bolt integrates with Netlify for instant deploys.
You can use prompt follow-ups to add features, or edit the code directly in the editor. It’s super flexible, and the AI learns from your additions.
You’re never locked into what it gives you—you can always adjust, redo, or ask for changes.
Building Mobile Apps with Bolt.new + Expo
Bolt doesn’t stop at web apps—it can also build mobile apps using Expo, a toolchain for creating iOS and Android apps with React Native.
To get started:
- Prompt something like: “Create a mobile habit tracker with screens for logging habits and viewing streaks.”
- Bolt will spin up an Expo project, scaffold the screens, add navigation, and prep it for deployment.
- Use the Expo Go app to scan a QR code and preview your app on a real phone.
- When you’re ready, use EAS (Expo Application Services) to publish to the App Store or Google Play.
It’s ideal if you want mobile presence but don’t want to touch Swift or Kotlin.
Use Cases: What You Can Build
People are using Bolt to build all sorts of things:
- Startups: MVPs, landing pages, dashboards, internal tools
- Solo Creators: Portfolio sites, blogs, design prototypes
- Teachers & Students: Educational apps, demo projects
- Agencies: Client deliverables with fast turnarounds
- Hackathon Teams: Get from idea to demo in hours
If you can describe it, you can probably build it. Want to connect to an API? Just ask. Want to add auth? Bolt can scaffold that too.
Who’s It For?
If you’re new to coding, Bolt is a dream. You don’t have to learn the ins and outs of setting up a dev environment, and you get to see real code being written for you. You can even click into it and start learning how it works.
If you’re a developer, it’s a superpower. You can prototype ideas in minutes, generate boilerplate, test libraries, or build side projects without switching contexts.
And if you’re somewhere in between, Bolt helps you bridge the gap.
Tips for Better Results
- Be clear and specific: "Build a to-do app" is good, but "Build a to-do app with Next.js, Tailwind, and the ability to filter tasks by category" is better.
- Break big ideas into smaller prompts: Start simple, then layer in complexity.
- Reference UI styles: You can say things like "styled like Notion" or "dark mode like Vercel."
- Don’t be afraid to iterate: Try things, undo them, tweak again. Bolt has versioning and undo built-in.
- Watch your tokens: Free users have daily limits, so build smart (or upgrade if needed).
Limitations to Be Aware Of
Bolt is powerful, but it’s not magic. Some things it can’t (yet) do:
- Deeply custom backend setups with non-JS tech
- Ultra complex app logic that requires multi-step reasoning
- 100% native iOS/Android apps (though Expo covers most needs)
You might hit an edge case or two, especially with very niche requests. But the team is iterating quickly, and it’s improving every week.
FAQ
Do I need to install anything?
Nope. Bolt runs entirely in the browser.
Can I build real apps?
Yes. You can build, preview, and deploy full-stack apps that users can interact with.
What frameworks does it support?
Bolt works best with JavaScript/TypeScript-based frameworks: React, Vue, Astro, Next.js, Node, Express, and more.
Is it free?
There’s a free tier with daily token limits. Paid plans unlock more tokens and private workspaces.
Can I use it for mobile apps?
Yes! Bolt supports Expo and React Native.
Can I export the code?
Totally. You can download your project or sync it with GitHub.
What if I get stuck?
The docs are helpful, and there’s an active community on Discord.
Can I use Bolt for client work?
Absolutely. It’s great for rapid prototyping or delivering small apps quickly.
Does it replace a developer?
No—but it makes developers faster. And it opens the door for non-devs to start creating.
How is it different from ChatGPT or Copilot?
ChatGPT gives you suggestions. Bolt gives you a whole working app, plus the environment to run it.
Ready to Try It?
Head over to bolt.new and give it a spin. Start with a simple app idea and build from there. Whether you're trying to ship your first project or prototype your next startup, Bolt.new gives you everything you need—in one browser tab.
It’s never been easier to go from idea to live app. So skip the setup and start building.
The future of app development isn’t weeks of setup. It’s a browser tab and a good idea. Let’s go.