Building an app

How to use Base44

Base44 is an AI-powered website and app builder. You do not need any coding or tech skills. Just describe what you want to build, and Base44 will bring your idea to life.

You can build something simple for yourself or create a full product for your business. Base44 takes care of everything behind the scenes, including design, databases, signups, user permissions, and hosting.

Examples of what you can build on Base44

Prototype a new business idea
Create a personal to-do list
Set up an event signup page with reminders
Build a survey and see answers instantly
Track projects or sales on a dashboard
Create a secure booking system or CRM
Share files privately with clients
Launch a community site with chat and analytics

Ready to bring your idea to life?

Build my app now

Step 1 | Describe your idea

Start by going to Base44 and telling it what you want to build in your own words. When you begin, you will be asked to sign up. This makes sure your work is saved, so you can return to your app anytime.

On a Builder plan or higher, you can choose which AI model powers your request by clicking the Tools icon .

Use a prompt

Simply write in your own words what app you want to build. For example, you can type “a simple to-do list,” “a client portal where users can log in,” or anything else you have in mind. Share as many details as you like. This first prompt helps get your app started, and you can add more features or make changes later.

Writing your prompt in Base44 to start building your app

Use our Prompt guide to help you write your first prompt and get more out of the AI chat.

Use plan mode

Use plan mode when you want help planning your app before you start building. Turn on Plan under the first prompt to start a focused conversation about what you want to build. The AI asks questions about your app, such as who it is for, what it should do, and what you want to include. As you answer, it turns your ideas into a structured plan you can adjust as you go.

Plan mode helps you:

Get a higher-quality first build by aligning the app with your intent
Reduce back-and-forth later by adding key details up front
Think through your idea without needing to know what to specify in advance
Capture more complete requirements, including flows, roles, and constraints
Move faster from idea to execution while staying in a focused flow

When the plan appears, review sections like the problem, audience, core flows, and design preferences. If something is missing or needs to change, keep typing in the same conversation to add more details or update what is there. Plan mode keeps you in planning, so you can explore different options and refine the plan until it feels right.

Answering questions in plan mode to shape your plan

When you are ready to turn the plan into an app, click Start building. Your final plan is sent into the AI chat in the app editor, so you can always scroll back to it later. The app editor opens and Base44 starts building your app from the plan. When the build is complete, you see a live preview and can refine layouts, copy, data, and flows with additional prompts or manual edits.

Important:

Plan mode does not use credits. Once you click Start Building, credits are consumed during the app creation process. The amount of credits used for the build depends on the complexity of your app.
You can continue editing your app after it is built inside the app editor using prompts and manual changes.
To use plan mode again, start a new app from the home screen with Plan turned on.

To start a new app using plan mode:

Go to Base44.
Enter your first prompt and turn on the Plan toggle in the prompt box.
Answer the questions and add more details as needed.
Click Start Building on the plan when you are ready.

Start from an existing URL

Use Start from URL to start a new Base44 app from an existing website you own. It gives you a pixel-level starting point of the visible public page, focusing on the front end, including the overall page structure, key content sections, visual hierarchy, and familiar UI patterns such as hero sections, cards, and lists. This gets something recognizable into the app editor right away so you can iterate with AI instead of rebuilding everything from scratch. You can choose how Base44 uses the site:

Content & Design: Recreates the site’s content and layout to build a similar site.
Design only: Uses the site’s visual style to create a new site with the same look and feel.

Create from URL helps you:

Recreate existing sites you own without redesigning from scratch
Preserve your brand, layout, and visual hierarchy
Start migrations with a solid page structure instead of guesswork
Create high-fidelity prototypes that look and feel real

For example, you can recreate a personal website, upgrade a small-business site into a smarter app with entities like Orders and Customers, turn a landing page into a product with authentication and dashboards, or convert a public concept page into an internal tool. After the build finishes, you can refine your app with prompts: adjust the structure, connect it to entities and APIs, and add flows and logic.

Important:

This feature is available for Starter plans and higher.
Using Create from URL consumes credits during app generation.
You must be the rightful owner of the website you create from, or have full rights to its content, design, and images. Do not use third-party or copyrighted sites without permission.
Create from URL does not copy private backend code, hidden data, or third-party integrations, so you still need to set up those parts manually inside your Base44 app.

To start a new app from an existing URL:

Go to Base44.
Click the + icon in the prompt box.
Click Start from URL.
Paste the URL of the website you want to use. Make sure you have the rights to use the content at the URL you provide.
Select Content & Design or Design only, depending on what you want to reuse.
Click Add.

Start from a Figma design

Use Import from Figma to turn an existing Figma design into a working Base44 app. You can start from a specific frame or section you designed in Figma and let Base44 recreate the layout, structure, and visual style, so you continue from a familiar starting point instead of rebuilding the page from scratch.

Important:

Import from Figma requires a Figma Editor seat. Figma blocks API access for View and Collaborator seat accounts.
You can connect one Figma account per workspace.

To start a new app from a Figma design:

Go to Base44.
Click the + icon in the prompt box.
Click Import from Figma.
Click Connect to Figma.
Follow the on screen instructions to give Base44 access to Figma.
Paste your Figma link and click Import.

Figma file requirements

Preparing your Figma file correctly helps Base44 read your design and recreate it as a working layout.

Make sure you are working in a Figma Design file. FigJam, Slides, and other file types are not supported.
Select a single frame or section that you want to import. Do not use a full document or page-level link.
In Figma, click Share and under Who has access, set the link to Anyone with the link – Can view. Copy the link for the selected frame or section and paste it into Import from Figma in Base44. After the import is complete, you can set the Figma file permissions back to private if you prefer.

Import from Figma focuses on the selected frame or section. Other parts of the Figma file are not brought into Base44 unless you import them separately.

Structuring your design

A clear structure in Figma makes it easier for Base44 to build a responsive layout that matches your intent.

A well-structured home page with clear sections and consistent components gives the best results when you extend the design into a full app.

Divide the page into logical sections: Wrap related content (for example, a hero, feature row, or footer) inside frames or groups so each area of the page is clearly defined.
Use auto layout for hierarchy: Apply Auto Layout to components such as cards, navigation bars, and repeating content blocks. For example, an info card with an image, title and description should be grouped as Frame or Group, or preferably Auto Layout. This helps Base44 understand how elements relate to each other and how they should resize.
Keep nesting meaningful: Group elements that belong together (for example, image + title + description in a card), and avoid deep, unnecessary nesting that does not reflect the visual structure.
Align and space consistently: Use consistent padding, gaps, and alignment inside your frames so Base44 can preserve your spacing and hierarchy.

Working with vectors and shapes

Cleaning up vector elements before import makes positioning and rendering more accurate. Flattening and simplifying vectors reduces surprises in how elements align, scale, and render once they are in Base44.

Flatten complex vectors: If a vector is built from many separate paths (for example, an icon made from multiple shapes), flatten it into a single vector whenever you can.
Outline strokes before flattening: For lines, circles, stars, and similar shapes: Use Outline Stroke then flatten the result into a single vector element.
Remove hidden elements: Delete layers that are completely hidden or pushed far off canvas so they do not interfere with the imported layout.
Simplify fills: If an element has multiple fills, keep only what you actually need. Base44 only imports the last fill on an element.

Notes and limitations

Import from Figma focuses on recreating the visual design and layout of your frame as accurately as possible, but there are some current limitations.

Fonts: Only Google Fonts are fully supported. Custom fonts are replaced with a default font during import. You can adjust typography later inside Base44.
Design effects: Some Figma effects are not yet supported. For example: Image filters, multiple background layers on a single element, and variables.
Fine tuning after import: You can always refine spacing, responsiveness, and interactions after the import using the AI chat or Edit mode in the app editor.

Building the rest of your app

Once your Figma frame is imported, you can treat the new page as the foundation for a full app or website. Use the imported page as your home page and main reference for structure, layout, and visual language. Ask the AI chat to:

Identify which additional pages are missing (for example, About, Pricing, Blog, or Contact).
Create new pages that follow the same design language and layout principles.
Connect buttons, menus, and links on the home page to the new internal pages.

You can use a prompt like:

Review the home page carefully, including both its content and its design style. Use the home page as the main reference to understand the website’s structure and design language. Identify which additional pages are needed to create a complete website. Create the missing pages while maintaining the same design language, layout principles, and visual style as the home page, so they feel like a direct continuation and not disconnected. When finished, return to the home page and connect all relevant buttons and links so each one navigates to the appropriate internal page.

If you see repeated patterns in your imported design (such as cards, feature rows, or call-to-action blocks), mention them in your prompt so the AI can reuse those patterns on the new pages.

Step 2 | See your app come to life

Once you share your idea, Base44’s AI handles the rest. It automatically designs your app’s appearance, choosing colors, arranging buttons, and organizing menus to make everything look clean and function smoothly. If you need special pages or features like a calendar, forms, or a task list, Base44 adds those right away so your app is ready to use. All the complex parts are also taken care of for you in the background. Base44 securely stores all your app’s data, manages account and login systems if you need them, and keeps the technology that powers your app running smoothly. You do not need to set up or manage anything yourself; Base44 handles every detail so you can focus on your ideas.

Watch your app appear in the preview window as Base44 works. You can explore your app right away and try out any features by clicking the preview.

Step 3 | Customize your app

Once your app is built, you can make it truly your own. The easiest way is with the AI chat. Just type what you want to change or add, and Base44 updates your app for you. For example, you can say “Change the main color to green,” or “Add a signup page that collects full name and company.”

If you want to brainstorm or ask questions first, use Discuss mode in the AI chat. Discuss mode lets you talk about your ideas without making changes until you are ready. This mode also uses less credits. Learn more about the different AI chat modes.

There are lots of ways you can change and improve your app to fit your needs. You can:

Change your app's functionality

Add new features or change how your app works. With the AI chat, you can:

Add buttons or forms for users to interact with
Create automated workflows, like sending a welcome email when someone signs up
Set up notifications, reminders, or automated messages
Ask the AI to add or update pages (for example, “Add a calendar page for events”)
Adjust the logic behind how your app responds to users or manages different tasks

Design your app

Customize the colors, layout, and style of your app just by chatting with the AI. You can:

Change the background color, text color, or font style
Rearrange sections, move buttons, or update images and icons
Apply changes globally or on just one page (for example, “Apply this new font to every screen,” or “Change only the login page background”)

You can also use Edit mode to manually make changes to specific elements of your app.

Manage the data it collects

Decide what information your app uses and collects.

Use the AI chat to build or change data flows (for example, “Add a field to the signup form for company name”).
Create or update forms to collect details from users, like signups, feedback, or orders.
From Data in your app’s dashboard, you can organize the data that your app collects, set rules for who can add, edit, or see information, and export your data to use elsewhere.

Learn more about managing your app’s data

Update your app's settings

Control who can access your app and what they can do. From Settings in your app’s dashboard, you can:

Set permissions so only certain people or roles can see or edit information (like making some pages visible only to admins)
Decide if your app is public, invite-only, or restricted to specific users or workspace members
Set up secure login and registration, including social logins like Google
Add custom user roles and specify exactly what each role can do (for example, “Create a role called Event Organizer who can add and edit events, but not change app settings”)
Adjust privacy and security rules to keep sensitive data safe

You can review and update settings at any time to match your needs as your app grows.

Step 4 | Test your app

Before you share your app with others, it is important to test how everything works. There are several ways to explore and check your app from different perspectives:

Interact with the preview like an end user. Click, fill out forms, and check every feature.
Click the More Actions icon in the top bar and select Act as a user to view the app as a specific person or role.
Ask the AI chat to help you test key flows or edge cases, such as “Test as a guest” or “See what an admin can do.”
Create test user profiles with different roles or permissions to review what each can access.
Use an incognito or private browser window to see what a first-time visitor would experience.
Check your app on both desktop and mobile to catch layout or navigation issues.

When you are ready to share your app, click Publish in the top bar. From there you can, you can:

Copy your app’s web URL.
Click Connect a custom domain or Get Domain to connect your own address.
Click Share your app to get a link you can share by email or on social.
Use App Visibility to choose who can access your app.
Click Publish App to push your latest changes live.

Guided tour of the app editor

There are 3 main working areas inside the app editor: the AI chat, the preview, and your app’s dashboard. The top bar sits above them and gives you quick access to preview, dashboard, code, testing tools, and publishing.

AI chat

This is where you chat to Base44. Simply type what you want into the chat on the left side of the app editor, and Base44 turns your ideas into reality.

You can use different AI chat modes, including Discuss and Visual Edit, depending on how you want to work and use credits. Learn more about the AI chat modes

If you ever need to undo a prompt, find that message in the chat and click the Revert icon under it to take your app back to just before that step. You can also click the Edit icon on an earlier message and resend it. When you resend, Base44 reverts any changes made after that message and applies your updated request.

Preview

On the right side of your screen, you see a preview version of your app as it updates in real time. You can use the preview to interact with your app exactly as your users will. Click the different parts of your app to see how it works, or make design changes using Visual Edit.

App dashboard

Go to your app’s dashboard whenever you want to manage your app. In the dashboard, you can invite teammates, track analytics and user activity, control access, set your app to public or private, add a custom domain, and more.

Accessing your app's dashboard in the Base44 app editor

Use the sidebar search in your app’s dashboard to quickly find pages, sections, entities, and connectors. Results update as you type and support dynamic keywords, including entity and connector names.

Getting started with credits and plans

Base44 uses credits whenever the AI builds or updates something for you. Previewing and interacting with your app never uses credits. You get free credits when you sign up to get started. When you’re ready to do more, upgrading your plan unlocks features like backend functions, custom domains, GitHub integration, and higher credit limits. Learn more about credits and plans.

FAQs

Click a question below to learn more.

Will my app look good on mobile?

Yes. Base44 automatically adapts your app for mobile devices. Use the device menu in the top bar to switch to the mobile view, check how everything appears, and make sure your layout, buttons, and text are easy to use on any screen size.

If you want to make any changes to the mobile layout, simply ask the AI chat to do it for you.

What does the activity monitor show?

The activity monitor displays the latest actions and requests made by your app. You can use it to view user activity, track performance, and troubleshoot any issues in real time.To access your activity monitor, click Code at the top and then click the Activity Monitor icon:

How do I view my app's files and components?

You can see the files and components that power your app from the top bar and the code view.

Click the More Actions icon in the top bar and select Files used in this page to view the files that are currently used on the page you are editing. Use See all files to open the full file list.
Click Code in the top bar to open the full file structure for your app and browse components.
To download everything as a ZIP file, open Code and click the Export project as ZIP icon at the top right of the code view.
To connect your project to GitHub for advanced version control, click the GitHub icon in the top bar and follow the setup steps.

Can I create a copy of my app?

Yes. You can clone your app at any time. This is useful if you want to test major changes without affecting your live app, or use an existing app as the starting point for a new project.To clone from your Apps page:

Go to your Apps page.
Click the More actions icon on the app card.
Click Clone App.

To clone from the app dashboard:

Click Dashboard in your app editor.
Click Settings.
Click App Settings.
Click Create Copy next to Clone App.

The cloned app opens automatically and includes the suffix (Copy).

How are Base44 applications deployed?

We take care of it automatically. Base44 comes with built-in hosting, so there is no deployment process. When your app is created, it is instantly live and shareable.

Can I export my app?

Yes. You can export your app’s code at any time.

Export as a ZIP file: Click Code in the top bar and then click the Export project as ZIP icon at the top right of the code view.
Export to GitHub: Click the GitHub icon in the top bar and follow the setup flow.

You need a Builder plan or higher to export to GitHub.

Can I get help or a consultation to review my Base44 app?

For self-serve guidance while you work, click your avatar in your workspace and select Help Center to open our docs, or go to https://docs.base44.com/.If you need more hands-on help, you have a few options to get expert help with your Base44 app.You can work with a Base44 Partner for tailored, one-on-one support on larger or ongoing projects. Partners can help you plan and build full apps, handle complex integrations, and provide long-term strategic guidance. Choose your partner →If you would like feedback from other people building with Base44, you can also join our Discord community. It is a great space to connect with others who can share advice, help, and tips from their own projects.

Can I unpublish my app?

Yes. You can unpublish your app at any time. When the app is unpublished, people cannot access it until you publish it again. All your data and settings is saved when you unpublish.To unpublish your app:

Go to your app dashboard.
Click Settings, then App Settings.
Scroll to Danger Zone, and click Unpublish App, then Unpublish in the dialog.

What browsers does Base44 support?

Base44 is built to work smoothly on all major modern browsers that support ES6+ JavaScript, CSS Grid, Flexbox, and modern DOM APIs. You can use Base44 with current and recent versions of the following browsers:

Google Chrome (version 51 and above for ES6, 57+ for CSS Grid, 29+ for Flexbox)
Mozilla Firefox (version 54 and above for ES6, 52+ for CSS Grid, 28+ for Flexbox)
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) (full support since launch)
Safari (version 10.1+ for CSS Grid, 9+ for Flexbox, 10+ for ES6)
Opera (version 38+ for ES6, 44+ for CSS Grid, 12.1+ for Flexbox)

There is limited or no support for Internet Explorer 11 and earlier, and some older Android WebView or legacy browsers may not display content correctly.As a general guideline, you are covered if you use a modern, auto-updating browser. Internet Explorer 11 is outdated and not recommended for Base44.

Can I charge people to use my Base44 app?

Yes, you can charge people to use your app if you are on the Builder plan or higher. You can connect a payment provider, such as Stripe or another service that supports APIs, to accept payments from your app users. Use the Secrets tab to securely store your API keys.See how to set up payments for your app.

What is the Base44 platform badge?

The platform badge is a label that appears at the bottom right of your live app with the text ‘Edit with Base44’. It lets people know that you built your app with Base44, and allows anyone to create a copy of your app into their own account so that they can edit their own version.

Notes:

Removing the platform badge is not available on the free plan. You need to upgrade to a paid plan to hide it.
If your app is set to private, the badge is not displayed.
If your app is set to public, everyone can see the badge. If somebody clicks it, it creates a copy of your app into their own account so that they can edit their own version of the app.

To show or hide the badge:

Go to your app’s dashboard and click Settings.
Click App Settings.
Enable or disable the Platform Badge toggle.

Are there page limits for Base44 apps?

Base44 supports apps with up to 600 pages. If your app has more than 600 pages, you may experience issues such as the builder becoming unavailable or your app not working properly. We recommend keeping your app below this limit for the best experience.

Are there country or region limitations for my Base44 account?

As a U.S.-based company, we comply with requirements issued by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). These regulations prohibit us from providing services to certain individuals, entities, or jurisdictions that appear on OFAC sanctions lists. The following countries and regions are restricted:

Iran
North Korea
Syria
Cuba
The region of Crimea
The so-called Donetsk People’s Republic
The so-called Luhansk People’s Republic

There are also substantial limitations on activity from the Russian Federation.If you are in any of the restricted countries or regions:

You cannot register for or use Base44 services, including Base44 sites.
You cannot connect domains with the following extensions to Base44 (by pointing or name servers):
- Cuba: .cu
- Iran: .ir, .xn—mgba3a4f16a (ایران.)
- North Korea: .kp
- Syria: .sy, .xn—ogbpf8fl (سورية.)

Can I navigate the app editor using keyboard shortcuts?

Yes. Press Cmd+K (Mac) or Ctrl+K (Windows) to open the command palette. From there, you can navigate between views, switch pages, open files, jump to entities, and trigger quick actions like publishing or inviting collaborators, all from your keyboard.

Need more help or inspiration?Explore Base44’s templates to get ideas or start with a base for your app.

Getting started

Superagents

Building your app

Account & billing

Using your workspaces

Connectors

Integrations

Enterprise

Community & support

Legal & privacy

How to use Base44

Examples of what you can build on Base44

Ready to bring your idea to life?