Core Tech
The friction of setting up a local development environment (Node versions, npm errors, path issues) has killed countless ideas. Bolt AI removes the friction. It's the first tool that feels like you are pair-programming with a senior engineer who also handles DevOps.
The Secret Sauce: WebContainers
Most "AI Builders" (like v0.dev) only generate the frontend UI (React/Tailwind). If you need a backend, you're on your own.
Bolt uses WebContainers, a technology developed by StackBlitz that allows Node.js to run entirely inside Chrome. This means Bolt can run a real Express server, a database, and a Vite frontend simultaneously in your tab. It can execute `npm install` for real packages, not just hallucinations.
Benchmarks: Bolt vs. The Rest
We tested Bolt against Vercel's v0.dev and the standard GPT-4 coding workflow.
| Feature | Bolt.new | v0.dev | Cursor (IDE) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope | Full Stack | Frontend Only | Code Editing |
| Runtime | In-Browser Node.js | React Preview | Local Machine |
| Dependency Install | Yes (Real) | No | Manual |
| Complexity Limit | Multi-Route Apps | Single Component | Unlimited |
One-Click Production
Once Bolt generates your app, it isn't stuck in the chat window. A "Deploy" button pushes the entire repository to GitHub and deploys it live to Netlify.
We went from a blank prompt ("Build a kanban board with drag-and-drop") to a live URL shared with our team in exactly 4 minutes and 12 seconds.
Pricing Plans
Bolt consumes significant compute resources (running a VM in your browser + LLM tokens), so the free tier is limited.
Final Verdict
Bolt.new is a glimpse into the future where "coding" becomes "architecting." For rapid prototyping, MVPs, and internal tools, it is unmatched. It doesn't replace software engineers, but it definitely gives them superpowers.