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This page is part of an AI coding agent skill and is written for agents, not humans. For the human-readable Base44 docs, see the developer documentation.

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base44 create

Creates a new Base44 project from a template. This command is framework-agnostic and can either scaffold a complete project or add Base44 configuration to an existing project.

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Critical: Non-Interactive Mode Required

ALWAYS provide both the project name AND --path flag. Without both, the command opens an interactive TUI which agents cannot use properly. WRONG: npx base44 create WRONG: npx base44 create my-app RIGHT: npx base44 create my-app -p ./my-app

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Syntax

npx base44 create [name] --path <path> [options]

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Arguments & Options

Argument/OptionDescriptionRequired
nameProject name (positional argument)Yes*
-p, --path <path>Path where to create the projectYes*
-t, --template <id>Template ID (see templates below)No
--deployBuild and deploy the site (includes pushing entities)No
--no-skillsSkip AI agent skills installation (skills are added by default)No
*Required for non-interactive mode. Both name and --path must be provided together.

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Template Selection (CRITICAL - Choose Appropriately)

You MUST select the most appropriate template based on user requirements:
Template IDWhen to UseExample Scenarios
backend-and-clientCreating a NEW full-stack web app from scratch”Create a task app”, “Build me a dashboard”, “Make a SaaS app”
backend-onlyAdding Base44 to an EXISTING project OR using a different framework (Next.js, Vue, Svelte, etc.)”Add Base44 to my project”, “I want to use Next.js”, “I already have a frontend”
Default Choice: When the user asks to “create an app” or “build a project” without specifying a particular framework, use backend-and-client to provide a complete, production-ready application with Vite + React + Tailwind.

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The --path Flag

  • For backend-and-client template (new projects): Use a new subfolder path 
    npx base44 create my-app -p ./my-app -t backend-and-client
  • For backend-only template (existing projects): Use -p . in the current directory 
    npx base44 create my-app -p .

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Workflow: Using backend-only with External Frameworks

CRITICAL: The project folder MUST exist BEFORE running base44 create with backend-only The backend-only template only adds Base44 configuration files - it does NOT create a frontend. If you need a frontend with a specific framework: 
# Step 1: Initialize the frontend project FIRST
npm create vite@latest my-app -- --template react  # or vue, svelte, etc.
# OR: npx create-next-app@latest my-app
# OR: any other framework's init command

# Step 2: Navigate into the created folder
cd my-app

# Step 3: Install Base44 CLI
npm install --save-dev base44

# Step 4: Add Base44 configuration
npx base44 create my-app -p .
WARNING: Do NOT:
  • Create an empty folder manually, then try to run npx create vite inside it (will fail - folder exists)
  • Run base44 create with backend-only expecting it to create a frontend (it won’t)
DO:
  • Run the external framework’s init command FIRST (it creates its own folder)
  • Then run base44 create inside that folder with -p .

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Examples

# RECOMMENDED: Create full-stack project (for new apps)
npx base44 create my-app -p ./my-app -t backend-and-client

# Create full-stack and deploy in one step
npx base44 create my-app -p ./my-app -t backend-and-client --deploy

# Add Base44 to EXISTING project (must be inside the project folder)
npx base44 create my-app -p .

# Add Base44 to existing project and deploy
npx base44 create my-app -p . --deploy

# Create without adding AI agent skills
npx base44 create my-app -p . --no-skills

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What It Does

  1. Applies the selected template to the target path
  2. Creates a base44/ folder with configuration files
  3. Registers the project with Base44 backend
  4. Creates base44/.app.jsonc with the app ID
  5. If --deploy is used:
    • Pushes any entities defined in base44/entities/
    • Runs install and build commands (for templates with frontend)
    • Deploys the site to Base44 hosting