Docs / Getting Started
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Installation
Set up your environment and scaffold your first Better Fullstack project.
Better Fullstack runs through the create-better-fullstack package. You do not need to install it globally; run it with your package manager, answer the prompts, and the CLI writes the selected project.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 20 or newer for the CLI.
- A terminal.
- Git only if you want the CLI to initialize a repository.
- Ecosystem-specific tools only for the project you generate.
| Ecosystem | Extra tooling |
|---|---|
| TypeScript | npm, pnpm, Yarn, or Bun |
| React Native | Expo-compatible iOS/Android tooling when running on a simulator or device |
| Rust | Rust toolchain and Cargo |
| Python | Python and uv |
| Go | Go toolchain |
| Java | Java 21 |
| Elixir | Elixir, Erlang/OTP, and PostgreSQL for database-backed Phoenix flows |
Run the CLI
npm create better-fullstack@latestAdd a project name to start the wizard:
npm create better-fullstack@latest my-appThe wizard asks for the ecosystem, stack options, optional addons, Git, and dependency installation.
Use explicit flags
Explicit flags skip the prompts they cover. This is the best form for scripts, docs, generated commands, and reproducible bug reports.
npm create better-fullstack@latest my-app -- \ --ecosystem typescript \ --frontend tanstack-router \ --backend hono \ --runtime node \ --database sqlite \ --orm drizzle \ --api orpc \ --auth better-auth \ --db-setup none \ --ai-docs none \ --version-channel stable \ --no-install \ --no-gitWith npm create, Better Fullstack flags go after --. The rendered pnpm, Bun, and Yarn tabs remove that npm-only separator.
Use --ai-docs none when you do not want generated AI instruction files. Use --no-install when you want to inspect files before dependency installation.
Templates
Templates are shorthand for common stacks:
| Template | Stack |
|---|---|
t3 | Next.js, tRPC, Prisma, PostgreSQL, Better Auth |
mern | MongoDB, Express, React Router, Node.js |
pern | PostgreSQL, Express, TanStack Router, Node.js |
uniwind | Expo + Uniwind, mobile-only |
none | No shorthand template |
npm create better-fullstack@latest my-app -- --template t3Validate before writing files
Use --dry-run to preview generated files without writing a project:
npm create better-fullstack@latest my-app -- --dry-runUse --verify when you want the CLI to run generated checks after scaffolding. It does not start dev servers.
Next
- Walk through the First Project flow.
- Browse all flags in CLI Create.
- Compare language support in Ecosystems.