Overview
Bolt.new is StackBlitz’s browser-based AI development environment that turns a natural-language prompt into a running full-stack web app — no local install, no terminal setup. The trick is WebContainers, StackBlitz’s WebAssembly tech that runs real Node.js, npm installs, and dev servers directly inside the browser tab. You describe an app, Bolt scaffolds the files, installs dependencies, and shows a live preview that hot-reloads as the AI edits. It targets founders, PMs, and educators who want to ship an MVP or demo in minutes rather than configure a local toolchain, and it supports React, Vue, Svelte, Astro, Next.js, and more.
Key Features
- Prompt-to-app generation for React, Vue, Svelte, Astro, Next.js, and more — accelerates development workflows.
- Real Node.js runtime in-browser via WebContainers (no cloud VM) — reduces boilerplate code writing.
- Live preview with hot reload as the AI edits code — integrates into common IDE setups.
- Full terminal and file-tree access alongside AI generation — accelerates development workflows.
- One-click deploy to Netlify and Vercel — reduces boilerplate code writing.
- Supabase integration for database and auth — integrates into common IDE setups.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | For |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 1M tokens/mo, Bolt branding |
| Pro | $25/mo | 10M tokens, custom domain |
| Teams | $30/user/mo | Shared workspace, admin controls |
| Enterprise | Custom | SSO, audit logs, SLA |
Pricing is subject to change. Check the official website for current plans and regional discounts. Free tiers often have usage limits — evaluate whether those limits match your expected volume before committing.
Comparison
vs. Cursor: Compared to Cursor’s IDE-focused experience, Bolt.new takes a different approach to developer productivity — consider whether you need deep IDE integration or a more flexible, standalone assistant.
vs. Replit: Compared to Replit’s IDE-focused experience, Bolt.new takes a different approach to developer productivity — consider whether you need deep IDE integration or a more flexible, standalone assistant.
vs. Github Copilot: Compared to Github Copilot’s IDE-focused experience, Bolt.new takes a different approach to developer productivity — consider whether you need deep IDE integration or a more flexible, standalone assistant.
Getting Started
- Try Bolt.new with a small, self-contained coding task first (a utility function, a refactoring job) before trusting it with larger changesets.
- Connect it to your version control system if supported — reviewing diffs is easier than reviewing raw suggestions.
- Use the tool for documentation and comments, not just code generation — these lower-risk outputs build trust quickly.
Hands-on Verdict
Bolt.new is the browser builder I use to spin up a full web app from a prompt — it writes the code, runs it, and lets you edit live, all in the tab. It’s more all-in-one than Cursor for non-devs and faster to a running demo than Replit. For production repos I use Cursor.
Who it’s for: founders, prototypers, learners. Tip: prompt the whole app skeleton first, then iterate on one feature at a time — Bolt’s live preview makes small, visible changes far safer than a big rewrite.