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Is Bolt.new actually a Cursor.ai and v0 killer?

Education

Introduction

In this article, we delve into the capabilities of Bolt.new, a new AI-driven product that generates applications based on user prompts. Our primary goal is to explore its potential by attempting to rebuild an existing project, specifically an icon generator site, to assess its efficiency and effectiveness when compared to established products like Cursor.ai and V0.

Getting Started with Bolt.new

The core functionality of Bolt.new allows users to input a prompt and generate an app. This isn't a groundbreaking concept; however, we decided to put Bolt.new to the test by attempting to recreate an application that enables users to type a prompt, select a style, and generate an icon using AI.

To kick off the process, we uploaded a visual reference for the design we aiming to develop. We instructed Bolt to build the application using Next.js, as that is our preferred coding framework.

Observations on Code Generation and Environment

Upon executing the command, we faced an initial setback. While Bolt attempted to create necessary files and update others, it ultimately failed to execute the development server due to command execution issues. The error indicated that a command was not found, specifically the Next command, suggesting that the tool did not run npm install or generate a package.json file.

Interestingly, Bolt operates within a browser-based environment, seemingly utilizing StackBlitz for its isolated execution. This aspect raised concerns since many developers prefer to code locally on their machines for efficiency. While StackBlitz allows running commands directly without affecting other projects, it remains a questionable practice given security risks.

Evaluation of Generated Code

We observed that although the initial creation phase had issues, Bolt displayed promise in its ability to make adjustments after our feedback. Moving components around was done efficiently, making it easy to reorganize files in the directory structure.

However, the tool presented limitations when tasked with more complex requests, such as integrating server actions, OpenAI API calls, and user validation. While Bolt generated the UI components correctly, it often fell short of executing commands needed to handle user authentication and advanced database functionalities.

Issues with Dependencies and Configuration

An attempt to set up the project with Drizzle ORM and SQLite resulted in multiple errors. The tool seemed to struggle with installing compatible versions of necessary libraries, especially in an environment that restricted native dependencies. It consequently produced an in-memory storage solution which was not suitable for production use.

The failure to facilitate local development due to the constraints of browser coding discouraged us from pursuing the project further in this setup.

Conclusion: The Potential and Pitfalls of Bolt.new

Overall, Bolt.new demonstrates significant potential for generating UI and managing error states within applications. Nonetheless, it lacks the ability to handle backend complexities, especially concerning database configurations and dependency management.

One of the major drawbacks is the inability to run within a local development environment, limiting its usefulness for serious projects needing robust and flexible configurations.

While its UI generation may impress, the issues encountered with configuration, dependency resolution, and lack of user control over code revisions make it challenging to fully endorse Bolt.new as a viable replacement for existing tools like Cursor.ai or V0 without major improvements.

Keywords

FAQ

Q: What is Bolt.new?
A: Bolt.new is an AI-driven product that enables users to generate applications by providing prompts, specifically aiming at streamlining the app development process.

Q: How does Bolt.new differ from Cursor.ai?
A: Bolt.new focuses primarily on generating application UIs, while Cursor.ai integrates more robust coding capabilities and local development features.

Q: Can I run Bolt.new locally?
A: Currently, Bolt.new operates within a web-based environment, meaning you cannot run it locally, which could limit its effectiveness for many developers.

Q: What programming framework does Bolt.new use?
A: Bolt.new allows users to create applications using popular frameworks, with Next.js being a notable option that many developers prefer.

Q: What are the main downsides of using Bolt.new?
A: The main drawbacks include dependency management issues, lack of control over generated code, and the inability to handle complex backend configurations effectively.