What it is and who it's for
bolt.diy is the open-source version of Bolt: prompt to web app right in the browser, where the AI writes, runs and fixes full-stack code in an ephemeral environment (WebContainers) while you pick any model you want. It's for people who want to prototype web apps from a text description fast without paying for proprietary SaaS. It stands out because the code executes in the browser and you can plug in your own model, including a local one.
Key features
- Generates and runs full-stack web apps in the browser (WebContainers).
- Any model: cloud providers or local ones (Ollama).
- Live preview plus edits by text, and npm dependency installation.
- Export and download the project, work with files.
- Open source, self-hostable.
- A fast path from idea to a working demo.
Get started in 5 minutes
- Run it locally:
git clone https://github.com/stackblitz-labs/bolt.diy && cd bolt.diy && pnpm install && pnpm run dev
- Add the API key for your chosen model (or point it at a local Ollama) in settings.
- Describe the app in text — bolt generates the code, runs it and shows you a preview.
When to use it, when not to
- ✅ Use it if you want to prototype a web app from a prompt, for free, with any model.
- ✅ Use it if you value open source and running without a proprietary cloud.
- ❌ Skip it — go with "Cursor"/"Cline" — if you're building a serious project in a full IDE with a git workflow.
- ❌ Skip it — go with "Claude Code" — if you need to work on a large existing repo rather than generate from scratch.
The honest price
bolt.diy itself is free and open source; you pay for the tokens of whichever model you choose (a local one is free). Exact numbers are on the provider's site and they change.
Gotchas
- WebContainers are limited by the browser — not every stack or backend will run.
- Code quality depends on the model; complex apps need manual polish.
- The environment is ephemeral: don't forget to export your project.
- For production you'll still need to move the code into a proper repo and clean it up.
🤖 Prompt accelerator
"I'm prototyping a web app in bolt.diy (browser, any model). Help me write a clear generation prompt: stack <React/…>, key screens and features
, data and state. Suggest which model to pick for quality versus budget, how to refine edits iteratively, and how to export the project afterwards into a proper repo to continue in an IDE.