This is the shortest path from the private template repository to a project you can start changing with confidence. The creator already runs the setup wizard; do not run setup a second time unless you cloned the template manually.
0–5 minutes: create the project
Use the access granted to your GitHub account:
npx @codapult/create my-app
cd my-appThe creator performs a history-free clone, runs the setup wizard, and installs dependencies. The result is an ordinary Git repository that you own and can customize.
5–10 minutes: configure the local environment
For a local development database, use SQLite through the default Turso/libSQL adapter:
cp .env.example .env.localSet at least:
TURSO_DATABASE_URL=file:local.db
BETTER_AUTH_SECRET=replace-with-at-least-32-random-characters
STRIPE_SECRET_KEY=sk_test_replace_meGenerate a secret with openssl rand -base64 32. If you only want to inspect the public site, set APP_MODE=landing; the full app setup is not required for that mode.
10–15 minutes: create the schema and sample data
pnpm db:push
pnpm db:seedThe seed creates local demo accounts, organizations, subscriptions, activity entries, feature flags, and promotions. It is for development and demos, not production data.
15–20 minutes: run the app and checks
pnpm devOpen http://localhost:3000, then run the project diagnostics in a second terminal:
npx @codapult/cli doctor
npx @codapult/cli env checkUse the seeded credentials printed by pnpm db:seed to inspect the dashboard. Run pnpm test before making the first broad change.
20–25 minutes: connect your AI coding client
The generated project contains .cursor/mcp.json. In Cursor, enable the codapult MCP server and ask it to inspect the project before generating code:
Inspect this Codapult project context, active providers, enabled modules, and database conventions. Then propose the smallest implementation for a saved reports feature.The MCP server can inspect the project, run checks, generate pages/actions/API routes, and report schema or environment drift. Review mutation plans before applying them.
25–30 minutes: establish architecture control
Guard is included in the Codapult CLI workflow:
npx @codapult/cli guard init
npx @codapult/cli guard propose
npx @codapult/cli guard verify --jsonReview proposed rules before approving them. Use TypeScript, ESLint, tests, and Guard together: Guard protects project-specific architecture while the rest of the toolchain verifies types, style, and behavior.