# How building apps works

> Describe an app in a chat and devlo builds it, with a live preview you can share and publish. Start from a prompt or a template.

Describe an app in a project chat and devlo builds it, with a live preview you can share and a site you can publish. To work on code already in GitHub, use a [repository chat](/coding/devlo-app/).

## What you can build

You can build websites, landing pages, dashboards, stores, and apps with logins, forms, or payments. devlo builds a React frontend and a backend with a database and file storage, and checks its work in a browser. It can also generate images and videos, and set up sign-in, email, Stripe payments, and secrets.

If you ask for a different stack, the app can run in the preview but can’t be published.

## Start a project

On **Home**, select **New app**, then start from scratch or pick a template.

Say what the app is, who uses it, and its main screens. Name a style if you have one.

> Build a booking site for a small yoga studio. Visitors see the class schedule and reserve a spot with their email. Use a calm, light design.

To show devlo a design you like, select **+** in the prompt box and attach an image or video. The preview fills in as devlo works. Refine the app with follow-up messages; small steps work better than one big request.

## Plans and credits

Projects use your personal account’s plan and credits. Building and the preview work on every plan. [Publishing](/build/publish/), custom domains, the **Code** tab, [export to GitHub](/build/export-to-github/), and hiding the devlo badge need a paid plan. On the Free plan, devlo generates only a few images and videos per project.

Each plan limits how many projects you can start, and every chat you own counts toward it, including repository chats. See [Plans and credits](/account/plans/).

## Next steps

[Build and publish an app](/get-started/quickstart-app/)

[Chat controls](/build/chat/)