Beginner’s Guide to Building Your First App on Bolt.new

There are moments when an idea feels urgent — a problem you cannot stop thinking about. This guide meets that urgency with a clear path from concept to a working product in minutes. Readers are invited to move past doubt and take the first practical steps.

The article introduces an AI-powered builder that turns plain-language ideas into a shareable website or app fast. It explains the end-to-end journey: prompt your concept, preview the interface, iterate quickly, manage tokens, and publish to a free .bolt.host URL.

First-time creators gain momentum; developers gain speed without losing architectural control. Integrations and tools like Figma and GitHub keep design and version control in sync. Follow the quick introduction video for a two-minute overview before diving deeper.

Key Takeaways

• Describe one clear idea; the AI builder handles scaffolding.
• Expect a working first app with auth, data, and a live URL.
• Integrations (design, code, payments) shorten handoff time.
• Token management matters—know costs as you scale.
• The guide pairs written steps with a short video for quick onboarding.

Introduction to Bolt: What it is, who it’s for, and why it’s fast

Think of a tool that scaffolds a project from one clear instruction—this section shows how it works and who benefits.

This introduction explains a prompt-driven builder that converts natural language into deployable web experiences. It produces a website, web app, or mobile app by generating working code for UI, server logic, and data layers.

Web, app, and mobile builds from a single prompt

The platform accelerates idea-to-live by using agent-powered generation and WebContainers. Users can target websites, mobile builds, and cross-platform apps from one prompt. That speed makes it ideal for testing a landing page, a job board, or an internal tool without heavy setup.

Beginner-friendly and developer-grade control

Non-coders guide the process in plain English, while engineers keep fine-grained control through direct editing, GitHub, Expo, and Figma integrations. Choose a production-focused model (Claude Agent) or a faster v1 model for rapid prototypes.

“Speak your intent once, let the system scaffold, then steer the project with code or prompts.”

• Features: automatic databases, hosting (.bolt.host), domains, and Stripe support.
• Pricing is token-based—monitor consumption as you scale.

What you need before you start

Before you type a prompt, gather a few essentials so the first build runs smoothly. This short prep reduces friction and helps the system scaffold a usable page quickly.

Browser, time estimate, and creating your account

Start with a Chrome or Chromium-based browser: Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, or Vivaldi. These browsers deliver the most reliable preview and live-edit experience.

Plan for about 10–15 minutes for a first iteration. That covers submitting a prompt, waiting for generation, and testing core flows in preview.

• Create or confirm an account via Google, GitHub, or email. No credit card is required.
• Keep reference information handy: your app concept, audience, and must-have features.
• Coding expertise is optional; developers can edit code later for finer control.

“A short checklist—browser, account, prompt draft, and test inputs—keeps momentum.”

Prepare a concise description of the initial page flow: how users sign up and where they go next. This small investment improves first-pass quality and speeds up the whole project.

Your first build: From prompt to working app

A clear, concise request in chat is the fastest way to get a functioning prototype. Describe the project, name the main screens, and list the key actions — that single prompt drives generation and gives immediate results.

Using chat to describe the project and submit the first prompt

Open the builder, paste a short prompt (for example: a pet name picker with animal/type dropdowns, signup/login, and saving favorites), then submit. Sign in if required, complete a brief survey, and wait about five minutes for generation.

Previewing, testing, and handling early errors the easy way

Use Preview to validate core flows: select an animal, choose a category, and generate a name. If an error appears, copy the message into chat and request a fix—this loop resolves most errors without manual debugging.

Choosing languages, frameworks, and letting the system scaffold the project

Specify a preferred language or framework if you have one; otherwise accept sensible defaults. Treat the first pass as a functional prototype: inspect the code if you have coding experience and decide the next step.

• Draft a clear prompt to speed useful results.
• Allow ~5 minutes for generation and quick testing.
• Use the preview, note results, then iterate or edit code.

“Submit a focused prompt, test the core flow, fix errors in chat, and iterate.”

When ready, follow the short guide to build your first app for step-by-step help: build your first app.

Understanding tokens and managing usage in real time

Token counts tell the story of how the model reads context, reasons, and writes code for your project. They measure the work that produces each step of a build—reading prompts, generating logic, and writing interface code.

To view remaining tokens, click the profile icon and open Subscription. Turn on Display token usage in Personal Settings > General to see per-prompt costs and make smarter choices.

Maximize efficiency with simple workflow changes

Batch related requests, reuse context, and prefer targeted prompts to reduce churn. When possible, edit text or styles directly in code view to avoid token costs.

• Track time-to-result along with token usage to judge productivity.
• Pick the right agent: stronger reasoning can cut cycles even if per-prompt usage rises.
• Measure cumulative usage per milestone so the team can link cost to progress.

Editing your app with prompts, selectors, and code view

A few targeted edits—done with a selector or direct code changes—keep development focused and efficient. This section shows a concise workflow for visual tweaks, precise refactors, and token-free edits.

Targeted UI changes with the Select tool

Use the Select icon to pick any on-screen element and issue a clear prompt that names the change. For example, select a title and ask to rename it—this is the fastest way to apply visual changes to a single page.

Tip: Structure prompts with what, where, and why so the agent updates the correct component on the first step.

Direct edits in code view without using tokens

Code view gives precise control: search App.tsx, change the text or markup, then click Save. These edits do not consume tokens and are ideal for copy tweaks or small layout fixes.

“Combine selector-driven prompts for quick UI targeting with code edits for consistency and long-term control.”

• Keep edits scoped to one component to lower risk and speed review.
• Centralize shared styles in code so updates propagate across the website or app.
• Use Version History to recover prior states if a change needs rolling back.

For a quick walkthrough of these steps, follow the quick start guide. This hybrid approach preserves token budgets while giving you editorial control as your app grows.

Data fundamentals: Databases, tables, and authentication in Bolt Cloud

A reliable database and simple authentication let teams focus on features, not setup.

Automatic database creation for app data

The platform provisions a database automatically when the app needs one. This removes a slow, technical step in early development.

For example, the Pet Name Picker creates one database for favorites and another for auth records. Teams can claim a database later and connect it to Supabase if they need advanced control.

User accounts and authentication made simple

Authentication is scaffolded: sign-up and login routes, session handling, and user records arrive ready to test. That lets developers and non-developers validate flows fast.

Exploring data in table view and managing secrets

Use the table view to inspect records, check relationships, and confirm writes from the UI.

• Keep secrets in the designated store—separate from code—to protect API keys and environment values.
• Build an api or connect external ones as the project matures.
• Enforce validation in code at the edge to protect data integrity.

Version control and recovery: Using Version History

Version History keeps a reliable trail of snapshots so teams can revert quickly when a change breaks an important flow.

Open your project title, choose Version history, then preview the earliest or any snapshot. To restore, open the bottom entry in preview mode, click Restore this version, and confirm Restore version. The project reverts to that automatic backup, including titles and styles.

Restoring a previous version when changes go wrong

Version History functions as a built-in safety net, capturing automatic restore points as you iterate on your website and app.

• When a change introduces issues, open Version history from the project menu, preview a snapshot, and confirm restoration to roll back safely.
• Record what caused the error and how the rollback helped; these notes improve future prompts and code.
• After restoring, retest affected flows—forms, navigation, and styles should match the chosen version.
• Pair Version History with GitHub for layered protection: automatic snapshots plus commit history for team workflows.

“Experiment boldly: the tool protects momentum by letting teams learn from errors without losing forward progress.”

Build with the right agent: Claude Agent vs v1 Agent

Agent selection matters. This step decides how much follow-up work you face and how quickly the team sees usable output. Choose deliberately to match the task, budget, and timeline.

Quality vs speed trade-offs and when to use each

Claude Agent emphasizes completeness. It delivers production-quality results and fewer errors. Use it for complex features, long reasoning chains, or final passes where correctness matters.

v1 Agent prioritizes speed and token efficiency. It fits early concept validation, layout experiments, and quick design checks. Expect faster cycles and lower usage per run.

“One higher-quality pass that needs minimal rework can outperform several quick runs that require multiple corrections.”

• Pick Claude for deep logic or mission-critical features.
• Choose v1 for rapid prototypes and cheap iterations.
• Consider Claude 4.5 variants—capability, speed, or efficiency—based on the language and task.

Document agent choice per step and measure results: track change acceptance and defect counts. Combine these tools and features with code view and Version History to keep developers in control and move the app forward with predictable results.

Publish and share: Hosting, domains, and going live

Publishing your project is the clearing step that turns a draft into a public website in under a minute. Click Publish and the builder deploys to a free .bolt.host subdomain; most projects appear live in about a minute.

One-click deploy to a free .bolt.host URL

Click Publish to deploy your app to a live website. After deployment, a chat message shows a link to open the page and test critical flows on a real web URL.

Custom domains and streamlined domain management

Pro users connect a custom domain without leaving the platform. DNS and domain verification live in one place to cut context switching and save time.

Sharing links, verifying results, and iterating post-publish

Verify that data reads and writes hit the live database and that auth flows and secrets work for production. Keep account settings consistent across preview and live environments.

• Treat the first deploy as a learning milestone—observe behavior, then plan the next step.
• Use code view or targeted prompts for quick post-launch fixes and redeploy to tighten the feedback loop.
• Maintain a brief checklist: version snapshot, domain verification, and basic UAT before sharing broadly.

“Publishing inside the builder consolidates operations, enabling teams to ship faster without juggling external hosts.”

For full publishing instructions, follow the publish guide.

Bolt.new Tutorials: From basic websites to production web apps

Practical examples accelerate understanding: follow a guided project to learn integrations and data patterns. This section shows how to extend a first app into structured workflows and repeatable development habits.

Going beyond the first app with workflows, APIs, and integrations

Start by defining a clear workflow: plan the prompt, execute the build, measure outcomes, and refine.

Connect external APIs and tools thoughtfully. Use Stripe for payments, GitHub for collaboration, Figma for design sources, and Expo for mobile builds. These integrations turn prototypes into production-ready projects.

Focus on core features like role-based access, robust authentication, and audit logging. Add pagination and caching to protect data at scale. Use targeted coding sessions to refactor shared components and keep code quality high.

• Create example-driven paths: a job board with saved searches or a SaaS dashboard with analytics.
• Pair short videos with written guides to suit different learning styles.
• Adopt a repeatable rhythm: plan, build app, measure, and document results.

“Treat each project as an experiment; document what worked and where friction appeared.”

Conclusion

Actionable next step, Use this closing to choose one small next step—then ship, measure, and iterate.

This article framed an introduction and a clear path from idea to live result. Pick a single change, write a precise prompt, or edit code directly to move your project forward.

Automatic database and authentication scaffolding, a simple table view, and version snapshots make experimentation low risk. Connect an api or a domain when the flow proves useful.

Treat each step as data: track token use, refine prompts, and record the version you restore. This way the team builds habit and turns wins into repeatable practice.