Bolt Own VPS

Move from Bolt to your own VPS, step by step

Sync your Bolt project with your own GitHub repository and run the app on your own server with PanelAlpha Engine. The backend stays where it is. You keep building with Claude Code or Codex.

Start Migration See all steps

What you'll do during the migration

Your migration is split into four stages, with step-by-step instructions, detailed explanations and practical examples.

Your setup
Pick your AI tool and tell us what your app uses.
Preparation
Get GitHub, Node.js, your AI tool and a new VPS ready.
Migration
Follow 9 to 14 steps, depending on your app. Each shows you what to do and how to check it worked.
- Push the project to GitHubConnect the Bolt project to GitHub and let Bolt create a private repository.
- Get your code onto your computerCopy the private repository to a folder on your computer.
- Open the project in the Claude appOpen the project folder in the Code tab of the Claude app.
- Open the project in the Codex appAdd the project folder to the Codex app and start a thread in it.
- Add the backend settingsCheck that the .env file has the address and the public key of the backend.
- Run your app on your computerInstall what the app needs and start it on your computer.
- Open the project in Claude CodeStart Claude Code in the project folder in a terminal.
- Open the project in CodexStart Codex in the project folder in a terminal.
- Check where your backend runsFind out if the app uses Bolt Cloud or its own Supabase project.
- Make logins work on your computerAdd your local address to the login settings, so links in login emails work on your computer.
- Keep secret keys out of .envCheck that the .env file holds only public values.
- Tell Claude Code about your projectClaude Code writes a CLAUDE.md, a short note it reads at the start of every session.
- Tell Codex about your projectCodex writes an AGENTS.md, a short note it reads at the start of every session.
- Send your changes to GitHubPush your changes so the new host builds the latest code.
- Run your app on your own serverYour AI tool deploys the app on your VPS through PanelAlpha Engine, with HTTPS.
- Deploy every push automaticallyAdd a GitHub webhook so every push deploys the app on your VPS.
- Make logins work on your new addressAdd the new address to the login settings, so logins do not send people back to Bolt.
- Point your domain to the new hostChange your domain's DNS records so the domain opens the new host.
- Keep your code in sync with BoltPull before you work and push when you finish, so Bolt and your AI tool stay in sync.
- Disconnect BoltTurn off the GitHub sync in Bolt so it cannot overwrite your work.
Final check
Test everything before switching. Your Bolt app stays online until you're ready.

What server you need

A new VPS with nothing else on it, running Debian 12 or 13, or Ubuntu 22.04, 24.04 or 26.04.
2 GB of RAM or more and a public IPv4 address. A VPS like that costs about $5 to $15 a month.
Root access over SSH. Most hosting companies also have a console in the browser.
Nothing else. PanelAlpha Engine builds and runs the app and gives it an address with HTTPS.
Your domain, if the app should run on it. You point it to the server at the end.

What the steps look like

The Create a GitHub repository window in Bolt with the repository name and the Create repository button — **Push the project to GitHub**

The Code menu on the GitHub repository with the GitHub CLI tab open and the clone command — **Get your code onto your computer**

The Code tab in the Claude app with the Bolt project folder open and the answer naming React 18 with TypeScript on Vite — **Open the project in the Claude app**

The Codex app with the project open and the answer naming TanStack Start with React and Vite — **Open the project in the Codex app**

The .env file in the Bolt editor with hidden values and a lock next to VITE_SUPABASE_URL and VITE_SUPABASE_ANON_KEY — **Add the backend settings**

The terminal after npm run dev with the local address the dev server prints — **Run your app on your computer**

Claude Code in the project folder of a Bolt app, naming React 18 with TypeScript on Vite and Tailwind CSS — **Open the project in Claude Code**

Codex in the project folder of a Bolt app, naming React 18 with TypeScript, Vite and Tailwind CSS — **Open the project in Codex**

What you can and can't migrate from Bolt

Comes with your code

Your frontend code
Images and other static files

You'll set this up

The backend keys on the server
Your server, with PanelAlpha Engine running the app

Stays with Bolt

The Bolt editor and AI chat
The Bolt Cloud backend
The keys under Secrets in Bolt

Common problems

The app loads but cannot reach the backend

Fix: The backend address or the public key is missing on the server. Ask your AI tool to add them on the engine and deploy again.

Login sends people back to Bolt

Fix: The login settings still have the Bolt address. Set the new address in Bolt Cloud Authentication or in Supabase.

Bolt overwrites your changes

Fix: The GitHub sync is still on. Pull before each session and push after, or turn the sync off in Bolt.

Questions

Do I need to code?

No. You paste prompts into your AI tool. In a terminal you also run a few commands. The AI writes the code and PanelAlpha Engine runs the app.

What is PanelAlpha Engine?

Software you install on your VPS. It builds and runs your app and gives it an address with HTTPS. Your AI tool connects to it, so you deploy with a prompt.

Does the backend move too?

No. Bolt says there is no supported way to move a Bolt Cloud database to Supabase. The app on your server keeps using the backend it has.

Does the app go offline during the move?

No. It keeps running on Bolt until you point your domain to the server.

How many steps will I have?

It depends on your app. A site without a backend has 9. An app with logins and a domain has up to 14. Your plan only shows the steps that apply to you.