Quick Start Guide

ShippedIntroduced in beta

Owner

@product

Last verified

2025-10-13

Sources of truth

  • code: app/(chat)/chat/page.tsx
  • test: tests/integration/chat.test.mjs
  • test: tests/cli/weldr-cli-smoke.test.ts

Kick off a new Weldr workspace in under an hour. This walkthrough assumes you are using the hosted Free Cloud experience; self-hosting tips live in the installation appendix.

0. Get Access

  • Request an invite at weldr.dev or ask the product team to add you to the beta cohort.
  • Check your inbox for the magic-link email and log in at https://app.weldr.dev.
  • > During beta, app.weldr.dev resolves to the same deployment as weldr.dev. The separate host will roll out as we split the marketing and app surfaces.
  • Create or join a workspace. (Each workspace can host multiple apps/chats.)
  • 1. Start a Conversation

  • • Click New App Chat.
  • • Describe the problem you want to solve, e.g.
  •   I need a subscription analytics dashboard for B2B SaaS.
      - Organizations own multiple products.
      - Products stream usage events (MAU, API calls, seats).
      - Finance wants monthly revenue rollups and churn flags.

  • • Watch entities, relationships, and workflows emerge in the right-hand panel while the live preview boots.
  • 2. Refine the Model Together

  • • Reply with clarifying details, business rules, or UI expectations.
  • • Invite team members to the chat so PMs/design can tweak copy or flows in real time.
  • • Flip between phases (Discover → Clarify → Propose → Confirm) using the timeline above the composer. When readiness passes ~85%, Weldr prompts you to materialize the app.
  • 3. Choose Ownership Modes

  • Open the Ownership sidebar.
  • Leave commodity surfaces (database, auth, scaffolding) in Managed mode.
  • Switch critical pieces (pricing, workflows, adapters) to Extended or Ejected to unlock custom logic and contract validation.
  • Regenerate. The preview updates, preserving every @custom block and checking ejected contracts for type compatibility.
  • 4. Preview, Test, and Iterate

  • • Use the live app directly in the browser—forms are functional, database writes hit the managed Postgres instance, and server actions run in WebContainers.
  • • Toggle dark mode, inspect generated files, and capture shareable previews for stakeholders.
  • • Need to revert a change? Use the activity timeline to roll back to an earlier message and regenerate.
  • 5. Export to Code

    When you are ready to merge into your own repository:

    # Authenticate once in the hosted workspace (Settings → API Tokens)
    weldr login
    
    # Sync code locally
    git clone git@github.com:your-org/your-app.git
    yarn install # or pnpm install
    weldr sync <chat-id> --out ./generated
    
    # Inspect contracts & run tests
    weldr contracts check
    pnpm test

    Commit the generated changes alongside your custom code. From here the app behaves like any other Next.js project.

    Troubleshooting

  • Preview fails to boot – Check the status banner; if the queue is busy, try again in a few minutes or contact support.
  • Contracts mismatch – Run weldr contracts check to see which export drifted; update your ejected module or adjust the manifest.
  • Need more capacity – Pro tier raises regen limits and adds priority preview slots. See the pricing page or reach out in-product.
  • Ready for deeper configuration? Head to the installation guide for self-hosting instructions or explore progressive ownership for advanced manifest patterns.