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Use this guide to write backend code locally for a Base44 app you already have. The scaffold command creates the configuration files your development environment needs and connects your local environment to your app’s backend resources. The frontend stays in Base44’s visual editor. Unlike eject, which creates a new app and downloads your existing code including the frontend, scaffold works with your app in place.
  • This guide requires your existing app ID. You can find it in the app’s URL in the Base44 app editor: app.base44.com/apps/<id>/...
  • The CLI requires Node.js 20.19.0 or higher.
  • If you want a different local development approach for an app you already have on Base44, consider these options instead:
    • GitHub integration: two-way auto-sync with a GitHub repo, requires Builder plan.
    • base44 eject: create a separate local copy of the app as a new project.
    • base44 link: link existing project files already on disk to a Base44 backend.
1

Install the CLI

Install the Base44 CLI globally:
2

Create or navigate to your project directory

Create a directory for your local project and navigate to it:
You can also run scaffold in a directory that already has files. The command only writes files that don’t exist yet.
3

Scaffold the project

Run the scaffold command with your app ID:
If you’re not already logged in, the command will prompt you to authenticate.The CLI creates configuration files in your directory and links them to your app on Base44.
When complete, your directory contains:
  • base44/config.jsonc: Project configuration, including your app name and visibility settings.
  • base44/.app.jsonc: Links your local directory to your app on Base44. Gitignored by default.
  • base44/.gitignore: Ignores generated files and secrets from version control.
  • .agents/ and .claude/: AI agent skills that teach your IDE how to work with Base44. Pass --no-skills to skip this.
For details on the generated files, see Project Structure.

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When to use scaffold

Use scaffold when you:
  • Want to write backend resources (entities, functions, agents) locally while the frontend stays in Base44’s visual editor. To get local access to the frontend code as well, use base44 eject instead.
  • Prefer manual deploys over automatic sync, or don’t have the plan level required for GitHub integration.
  • Need to set up local development on a second machine for the same app.

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Next steps

Now that your project is set up, you can:

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See also