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Replit to Claude Code: keep the project, drop the workspace
Replit gives you an editor, an AI agent, a database and hosting in one browser tab. Claude Code gives you an AI that edits the code in a folder on your computer and in a GitHub repository you own. You can switch the editor and keep Replit hosting, or move everything.
Side by side
| Replit | Claude Code | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the code lives | In the Replit workspace, and on GitHub if you push it | In a folder on your computer and in your GitHub repository |
| How you work | You chat with Replit Agent in the browser | You paste prompts in the Claude app or the terminal |
| Database | PostgreSQL that Replit runs for you | None. The app keeps the database it has |
| Hosting | You publish from Replit | None. Claude Code does not host apps |
| Notes for the AI | In the Replit workspace | CLAUDE.md in the project folder |
What breaks when the app leaves the workspace
Replit runs the app with settings you never see. On your computer three things need work.
- The keys. Replit hands the app its secrets, like DATABASE_URL. On your computer they come from a .env file, and the app has to read it. Many Replit apps do not, so you start them with dotenv-cli.
- The port. Replit apps often listen on port 5000. On a Mac, AirPlay Receiver uses that port too.
- Replit Auth and App Storage. Both are Replit services. On your computer a login with a Replit account and file uploads can fail.
npx dotenv-cli -e .env -- npm run dev
The move in short
Between 8 and 18 migration steps, depending on your app. The step-by-step guide shows only the ones you need.
- Push the project to GitHub from the Git pane in Replit.
- Copy it to your computer with the GitHub CLI, or let Claude Code do it.
- Copy the names from Replit Secrets into a .env file and fill in the values yourself.
- Start the app with the keys from .env.
- Let Claude Code write CLAUDE.md, a short note it reads at the start of every session.
- Pull before you work and push when you finish, so Replit and Claude Code edit the same code.
Keep Replit hosting or leave?
Keeping Replit hosting is the small move. You edit in Claude Code, push to GitHub, pull in Replit and publish from there. The database and the logins stay as they are.
Leaving Replit is the big one. The Replit database, Replit Auth and App Storage work only on Replit, so they move to a Supabase project you own. Claude Code rewrites the login code, and people sign up again with the same email address. Replit to own VPS and Replit to Vercel walk you through it.
What Claude Code costs
Claude Code needs a Claude plan or API credits. Pro is $20 a month or $17 billed yearly. Prices checked on 14 October 2026. More in Claude Code pricing.
Sources
- Replit docs: Manually copy a project to another workspace
- Replit docs: Auth
- Replit docs: Add a database
- Claude Code docs: Overview
- Claude Code docs: Memory