Vibecode Softr
track this build5 steps, step by step0%A client portal over Airtable can be built, but Softr's block library, auth, roles, data sources, payments, and publishing workflow are the product.
You are building a lean indie version of Softr. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Softr indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Softr workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Build a CRUD portal with auth, role-gated pages, list/detail views, forms, and Airtable/Postgres backing data. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - visual builder - templates - role permissions - data-source integrations - payments - memberships - hosting If those capabilities are essential, use Budibase instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a client portal to replace Softr: one portal for my own clients, not a portal builder. Requirements: - Node + Express + nunjucks, server-rendered; data stays in Airtable via its REST API (base ID and token in .env) so records keep being edited there. - Magic-link login: a client enters their email, gets a signed link via Resend (secret in .env); sessions in signed cookies. Allowed emails live in an Airtable Clients table. - Each client sees only rows linked to their client record: a list view with the columns named in views.json, and a detail view per record. - One submission form that appends a row to a chosen table, with file upload passed through to Airtable attachments. - A role flag on the client record (client vs admin); admins see all rows. - Cache Airtable reads for 60 seconds to stay under rate limits. - Runs on my VPS behind HTTPS; no telemetry, no third parties beyond Airtable and the email sender. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop page builder, payments, and memberships. Pages are defined in config files, that is the builder. - README: Airtable token scopes, expected table and field names, and email sender setup. ## Required capabilities - frontend framework - auth - database or Airtable API - hosting - payment/email integrations ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a lean indie version of Softr. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== README.md ===== # Softr indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Softr workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Build a CRUD portal with auth, role-gated pages, list/detail views, forms, and Airtable/Postgres backing data. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - visual builder - templates - role permissions - data-source integrations - payments - memberships - hosting If those capabilities are essential, use Budibase instead of pretending the gap is solved. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs". ===== BUILD_PLAN.md ===== # Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a client portal to replace Softr: one portal for my own clients, not a portal builder. Requirements: - Node + Express + nunjucks, server-rendered; data stays in Airtable via its REST API (base ID and token in .env) so records keep being edited there. - Magic-link login: a client enters their email, gets a signed link via Resend (secret in .env); sessions in signed cookies. Allowed emails live in an Airtable Clients table. - Each client sees only rows linked to their client record: a list view with the columns named in views.json, and a detail view per record. - One submission form that appends a row to a chosen table, with file upload passed through to Airtable attachments. - A role flag on the client record (client vs admin); admins see all rows. - Cache Airtable reads for 60 seconds to stay under rate limits. - Runs on my VPS behind HTTPS; no telemetry, no third parties beyond Airtable and the email sender. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop page builder, payments, and memberships. Pages are defined in config files, that is the builder. - README: Airtable token scopes, expected table and field names, and email sender setup. ## Required capabilities - frontend framework - auth - database or Airtable API - hosting - payment/email integrations ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden. ===== .env.example ===== # Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
You are building a production product version of Softr. Create the following project files first, then implement the application by following them. Keep the files updated as decisions change. Do not collapse this into a single README or prompt. ===== PRODUCT.md ===== # Softr product brief ## Problem A client portal over Airtable can be built, but Softr's block library, auth, roles, data sources, payments, and publishing workflow are the product. ## Product outcome Build a CRUD portal with auth, role-gated pages, list/detail views, forms, and Airtable/Postgres backing data. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - frontend framework - auth - database or Airtable API - hosting - payment/email integrations ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - visual builder - templates - role permissions - data-source integrations - payments - memberships - hosting ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees. ===== ARCHITECTURE.md ===== # Architecture ## Starting brief Build me a client portal to replace Softr: one portal for my own clients, not a portal builder. Requirements: - Node + Express + nunjucks, server-rendered; data stays in Airtable via its REST API (base ID and token in .env) so records keep being edited there. - Magic-link login: a client enters their email, gets a signed link via Resend (secret in .env); sessions in signed cookies. Allowed emails live in an Airtable Clients table. - Each client sees only rows linked to their client record: a list view with the columns named in views.json, and a detail view per record. - One submission form that appends a row to a chosen table, with file upload passed through to Airtable attachments. - A role flag on the client record (client vs admin); admins see all rows. - Cache Airtable reads for 60 seconds to stay under rate limits. - Runs on my VPS behind HTTPS; no telemetry, no third parties beyond Airtable and the email sender. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop page builder, payments, and memberships. Pages are defined in config files, that is the builder. - README: Airtable token scopes, expected table and field names, and email sender setup. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it. ===== AGENTS.md ===== # Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone. ===== MILESTONES.md ===== # Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations. ===== OPERATIONS.md ===== # Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Softr capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
# Softr indie build ## Goal Build the smallest trustworthy replacement for the core Softr workflow for one developer or a tiny team. ## Scope Build a CRUD portal with auth, role-gated pages, list/detail views, forms, and Airtable/Postgres backing data. ## Quick start 1. Install the documented dependencies. 2. Copy `.env.example` to `.env`. 3. Run the development command chosen during implementation. 4. Complete the acceptance checks in `BUILD_PLAN.md`. ## Honest limits This build deliberately does not replace: - visual builder - templates - role permissions - data-source integrations - payments - memberships - hosting If those capabilities are essential, use Budibase instead of pretending the gap is solved.
# Agent instructions - Optimize for a working, understandable weekend build. - Prefer the fewest moving parts that satisfy the brief. - Do not invent cryptography, security guarantees, APIs, or compliance claims. - Keep secrets out of source control and logs. - Add focused tests for destructive, security-sensitive, and data-loss paths. - Run the project checks before declaring the build complete. - Record any deliberate shortcut in the README under "Tradeoffs".
# Build plan ## Original build brief Build me a client portal to replace Softr: one portal for my own clients, not a portal builder. Requirements: - Node + Express + nunjucks, server-rendered; data stays in Airtable via its REST API (base ID and token in .env) so records keep being edited there. - Magic-link login: a client enters their email, gets a signed link via Resend (secret in .env); sessions in signed cookies. Allowed emails live in an Airtable Clients table. - Each client sees only rows linked to their client record: a list view with the columns named in views.json, and a detail view per record. - One submission form that appends a row to a chosen table, with file upload passed through to Airtable attachments. - A role flag on the client record (client vs admin); admins see all rows. - Cache Airtable reads for 60 seconds to stay under rate limits. - Runs on my VPS behind HTTPS; no telemetry, no third parties beyond Airtable and the email sender. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop page builder, payments, and memberships. Pages are defined in config files, that is the builder. - README: Airtable token scopes, expected table and field names, and email sender setup. ## Required capabilities - frontend framework - auth - database or Airtable API - hosting - payment/email integrations ## Delivery order 1. Scaffold the smallest runnable application and document its commands. 2. Implement the primary data model and core workflow. 3. Add validation, safe failure states, and persistence. 4. Cover the critical path with automated tests. 5. Exercise a clean install from the README and fix every missing step. ## Done when - A new user can go from clone to first successful workflow using only the README. - The core workflow works without paid infrastructure unless the brief requires it. - Tests cover the highest-risk behavior. - Known limitations are explicit rather than hidden.
# Copy to .env and document every variable when it is introduced. # Never put real credentials in this file. APP_ENV=development # Add only values required by the selected implementation.
# Softr product brief ## Problem A client portal over Airtable can be built, but Softr's block library, auth, roles, data sources, payments, and publishing workflow are the product. ## Product outcome Build a CRUD portal with auth, role-gated pages, list/detail views, forms, and Airtable/Postgres backing data. ## Target user A serious builder who needs a maintainable product foundation rather than a one-off demo. ## Required capabilities - frontend framework - auth - database or Airtable API - hosting - payment/email integrations ## Explicit non-goals for v1 - visual builder - templates - role permissions - data-source integrations - payments - memberships - hosting ## Success criteria - The primary workflow is measurable end to end. - Setup is reproducible in a clean environment. - Failure, recovery, and support paths are documented. - Product claims match what the implementation actually guarantees.
# Architecture ## Starting brief Build me a client portal to replace Softr: one portal for my own clients, not a portal builder. Requirements: - Node + Express + nunjucks, server-rendered; data stays in Airtable via its REST API (base ID and token in .env) so records keep being edited there. - Magic-link login: a client enters their email, gets a signed link via Resend (secret in .env); sessions in signed cookies. Allowed emails live in an Airtable Clients table. - Each client sees only rows linked to their client record: a list view with the columns named in views.json, and a detail view per record. - One submission form that appends a row to a chosen table, with file upload passed through to Airtable attachments. - A role flag on the client record (client vs admin); admins see all rows. - Cache Airtable reads for 60 seconds to stay under rate limits. - Runs on my VPS behind HTTPS; no telemetry, no third parties beyond Airtable and the email sender. - Out of scope: a drag-and-drop page builder, payments, and memberships. Pages are defined in config files, that is the builder. - README: Airtable token scopes, expected table and field names, and email sender setup. ## Boundaries Separate the product into replaceable modules for interface, application logic, persistence, external integrations, and operational concerns. Keep domain logic independent from delivery frameworks and vendors. ## Production baseline - Configuration: validated at startup with safe local defaults where possible. - Security: least privilege, input validation, secret redaction, rate limits on abuse-prone paths, and no invented security primitives. - Data: explicit schema and migrations, transactional writes where integrity matters, backup and restore instructions. - Integrations: adapters around third-party providers, idempotent webhook or job processing, bounded retries, and timeouts. - Observability: structured logs with request or operation IDs, an error-tracking hook, and health/readiness checks where a server exists. - Quality: unit tests for domain rules, integration tests at module boundaries, and one end-to-end critical-path test. ## Decision records For each major dependency, document why it was chosen, its failure mode, and how it can be replaced. Do not introduce infrastructure until a requirement justifies it.
# Agent instructions - Read `PRODUCT.md` and `ARCHITECTURE.md` before changing code. - Implement milestone by milestone; keep each change reviewable and leave the application runnable. - Treat authentication, payments, encryption, imports, webhooks, and destructive actions as high-risk boundaries when present. - Never invent cryptography or silently weaken a requirement to make a test pass. - Use provider interfaces for external services and deterministic fakes in tests. - Add migrations and rollback or recovery notes for persistent data changes. - Log useful operational context without credentials, tokens, passwords, or personal data. - Update documentation and run all checks before completing a milestone.
# Delivery milestones ## M0 — Decisions and scaffold - Confirm the runtime, persistence model, threat boundaries, and deployment target. - Create a reproducible local environment and continuous checks. ## M1 — Core workflow - Implement the smallest end-to-end product path with validation and tests. - Keep integrations behind interfaces. ## M2 — Trust layer - Add secure failure behavior, recovery paths, audit-relevant events, and data safeguards. - Test abuse cases and destructive operations. ## M3 — Operability - Add structured logs, error reporting hooks, health signals, backup/restore documentation, and deployment configuration. ## M4 — Release gate - Run a clean-install test, critical-path end-to-end test, dependency review, and documented rollback exercise. - Compare the shipped behavior with `PRODUCT.md` and publish remaining limitations.
# Operations ## Before release - Validate configuration and secrets at startup. - Define backup, restore, and rollback procedures and test them. - Document logs, error tracking, health signals, and alert ownership. - Set dependency update and vulnerability review expectations. ## Incident checklist 1. Contain the issue without destroying evidence or user data. 2. Record the timeline and affected scope. 3. Rotate exposed secrets and revoke compromised sessions or credentials. 4. Restore from a verified source when needed. 5. Document the root cause, remediation, and regression test. ## Launch constraint Do not market omitted Softr capabilities as implemented. The v1 non-goals in `PRODUCT.md` remain user-visible limitations until they are deliberately delivered.
$ choose a build depth, inspect the files, then open the complete pack in your agent · this prompt is generated from the build plan · improve it via PR
They pay so non-engineers can launch portals without hiring a developer.
xvisual builder
xtemplates
xrole permissions
xdata-source integrations
xpayments
xmemberships
xhosting
Don't feel like building it? These folks already made it free.
all 5 free alternatives to Softr →· no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real
Softr pricing
| plan | monthly | annual (per mo) | what you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| free | $0/workspace | $0/workspace | Up to 3 builders; 5 total app users; free workspace/app limits |
| basic | $25/workspace | $19/workspace | 1 builder; 5 team users + 5 client users; 1 custom domain |
| professional | $119/workspace | $99/workspace | 2 builders; 10 team users; 50 client users |
| business | $395/workspace | $329/workspace | 3 builders; 30 team users; 100 client users |
| enterprise | custom | — | Custom builders, users, security, support and contract terms |
free tierUp to 3 builders and 5 total app users
billingmonthly + annual; annual pricing is lower, while user overages are still calculated and billed monthly
hidden costsExtra builders, users and domains are separately billed: extra domains are $15/month or $13/month on annual billing; users are counted daily with a 7-day grace period and no mid-cycle refund; workflow caps can pause automations, and AI credits reset without rollover
verified 2026-08-14 · source ↗
Vibecode Softr
Kinda. The core of Softr is buildable in a weekend with the prompt on this page, but there are real gaps: visual builder, templates. Read the honest list above before committing.
How much does Softr cost?
Softr costs about $25/month (Basic, checked 2026-08-14), which is $300 per year.
What do I lose by replacing Softr?
Honestly: visual builder; templates; role permissions; data-source integrations; payments; memberships; hosting. If any of those are load-bearing for you, keep paying.
Is there an open-source alternative to Softr?
Yes: Budibase (Internal apps, forms, automations, and portals in one box; much closer to Knack than its developer branding suggests.) NocoBase (A database-backed app builder with pages, forms, roles, workflows, and enough plugins to become your next maintenance hobby.) REI3 (A sober business-app builder with forms, reports, roles, workflows, and no per-user meter.) All 5 curated free alternatives are at vibecodeit.com/softr/alternatives. The prompt is for when you want it exactly your way.