So you've heard about Bolt.new. Maybe you saw someone on Twitter ship a full React app in 30 seconds, or maybe a friend won't shut up about it. Either way, you're curious—and honestly? You should be.
Bolt.new hit 1 million deployed websites in March 2025, and it's not slowing down. It's become one of the go-to tools for vibe coding—that beautiful workflow where you describe what you want and AI does the heavy lifting.
But here's the thing most tutorials won't tell you: Bolt.new isn't magic. It's a tool. And like any tool, it's only as good as how you use it. Let me show you how to actually use it well.
What Makes Bolt.new Different
Bolt.new is StackBlitz's AI-powered web development environment. It combines Claude (the AI model) with WebContainers—a browser-based Node.js runtime that lets you run full development environments without installing anything.
That last part is the secret sauce. While other AI coding tools generate code you need to set up locally, Bolt.new runs everything in your browser. Write a prompt, get working code, see it running live. No npm install, no terminal wrestling, no "it works on my machine" moments.
Here's how the stack works:
You describe what you want. Claude generates the code. WebContainers run it instantly. You see results in seconds.
Building Your First React App: Step by Step
Let's build something real. Say you need a landing page for a SaaS product—hero section, features, pricing, the works.
Step 1: Start with a Clear Prompt
Head to bolt.new and hit "Start Building." Now, here's where most people mess up: they write vague prompts like "make me a landing page."
Don't do that.
Instead, be specific:
Build a modern SaaS landing page with:
- Hero section with headline, subheadline, and CTA button
- 3-column features grid with icons
- Pricing table with 3 tiers (Basic, Pro, Enterprise)
- Dark mode support
- Use Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui components
See the difference? You're giving the AI enough context to make decisions. This is the core principle of context engineering—the better your input, the better your output.
Step 2: Watch the Magic (And Take Notes)
Bolt.new will start generating files. You'll see it creating your project structure, installing dependencies, writing components. This takes 30-60 seconds typically.
Here's what I love: you can watch the AI "think." It shows you every file it creates, every command it runs. If something looks off, you can catch it early.
Step 3: Iterate with Follow-up Prompts
Your first output won't be perfect. That's fine. That's expected.
Look at the preview. See what's missing. Then ask for changes:
The pricing cards look good but make them animated—add a subtle hover effect that scales them up slightly
Bolt.new keeps the context from your previous prompts, so it knows what you're talking about. Keep iterating until you're happy.
Step 4: Deploy
This is where Bolt.new really shines. Click the deploy button, and your app goes live on a StackBlitz URL. Done. No Vercel config, no build commands, no DNS headaches.
5 Pro Tips for Better Results
After building dozens of projects with Bolt.new, here's what actually works:
1. Always specify your tech stack
Don't assume Bolt.new knows what you want. Say "React with Tailwind and TypeScript" explicitly. Otherwise, you might get vanilla CSS or JavaScript when you wanted something else.
2. Break complex projects into phases
Building a full app? Don't dump everything in one prompt. Start with the layout. Then add functionality. Then handle edge cases. This avoids the common vibe coding mistake of overwhelming the AI with too much at once.
3. Use the file tree to your advantage
Bolt.new shows you all generated files. Click through them. Understand the structure. When you request changes, you can reference specific files: "In the Header.tsx file, add a mobile menu."
4. Save your prompts
Found a prompt that generates exactly what you need? Save it. Build a personal library. The best vibe coders aren't writing from scratch every time—they're remixing prompts that already work.
5. Know when to eject
Bolt.new is great for prototypes and MVPs. But if you're building something production-critical, at some point you'll want to download the code and work locally. The "Download" button gives you a clean codebase you can take anywhere.
Understanding Bolt.new Pricing
Let's talk money. Bolt.new uses a token-based system:
| Plan | Price | Tokens | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Limited daily | Trying it out |
| Pro | $20/month | 10M tokens | Regular users |
| Team | $40/user/month | 30M tokens | Teams & agencies |
Here's the thing about tokens: they drain faster than you think. Complex projects with lots of iterations can eat through your monthly allowance. I've seen people burn through Pro tokens in a week on a single ambitious project.
My advice? Start free. See if you like the workflow. Then upgrade only if you're actually shipping things with it.
Bolt.new vs v0 vs Lovable: Quick Comparison
You've got options. Here's how Bolt.new stacks up against the other big players—and I've covered this comparison in depth with 0xMinds vs v0 vs Lovable, but here's the quick version:
| Feature | Bolt.new | v0 | Lovable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-stack apps | Yes | Components only | Yes |
| In-browser runtime | Yes (WebContainers) | No | No |
| AI model | Claude | GPT-4 | Claude |
| One-click deploy | Yes | No | Yes |
| Database support | Via integrations | No | Supabase built-in |
| Price | $20/month | $20/month | $20/month |
Bolt.new's edge: That WebContainers tech. You see your app running live, in the browser, instantly. No waiting for builds. No environment setup.
Where others win: v0 is better for quick component generation (it's laser-focused). Lovable has tighter Supabase integration if you need a database. And 0xMinds offers a clean alternative focused specifically on frontend React development.
When to Use Bolt.new (And When to Skip It)
Bolt.new is fantastic for:
- Prototypes and MVPs - Ship ideas fast before committing to full development
- Landing pages and marketing sites - Get something live in under an hour
- Learning React - See how AI structures projects, then learn from the code
- Client demos - Build working previews instead of static mockups
Skip Bolt.new when:
- You need complex backend logic - WebContainers have limits
- You're building something enterprise-critical - Use proper CI/CD pipelines
- You need offline development - It's browser-based, so no internet means no work
- Token costs matter a lot - Heavy usage gets expensive
Also worth mentioning: if you've tried other AI coding tools like Replit Agent or Google AI Studio, you'll find Bolt.new has a different philosophy. It's less autonomous (you stay in control) but faster to iterate with.
Is Bolt.new Right for You?
Look, I'm not going to tell you Bolt.new is perfect. It's not. The token system can feel limiting. Complex apps still require you to understand code. And occasionally the AI generates something that makes you wonder if it understood your prompt at all.
But here's my honest take: if you're building frontend apps and want to move fast, Bolt.new is one of the best tools available right now. That instant preview. The in-browser runtime. The smooth iteration loop. It all adds up to a workflow that just feels right.
Want to try this yourself?
The best way to learn is to build something. Pick a project—a portfolio site, a dashboard, a landing page—and just start. You'll figure out the nuances as you go.
And that's really the whole point of vibe coding: less setup, more shipping. Bolt.new gets you there faster than almost anything else.