Getting started
Run Nextbase locally and understand the application’s moving parts.
Prerequisites
Use Node.js 24 or newer, pnpm, and Docker. The Supabase CLI is installed as a dependency of apps/database. The repository uses a pnpm workspace, so install dependencies from its root.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Node.js 24+ | Application and build runtime |
| pnpm | Workspace dependency management |
| Docker | Local Supabase services |
| Supabase CLI | Migrations, generated types, and database tests (apps/database) |
Install and run
Install dependencies, start the local database, then start the development server. The web application and API routes share the same Express process.
1pnpm install
2pnpm db:start
3pnpm devThe local Supabase stack engine assigns its own ports. Run pnpm supabase:sync-env to copy the API URL, anonymous key and service-role key from supabase status --output-format json into apps/web/.env, or copy them by hand as described in environment configuration.
Application map
Public pages use React Router loaders for server-side reads. Mutations use route actions. Supabase clients are request-scoped so session refresh cookies are attached to the same response.
Where to go next
- Review environment configuration before deploying.
- Read authentication and authorization before adding protected routes.
- Follow the database workflow for schema changes.