> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.skybridge.tech/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Build, test, and deploy your first MCP App

To get a running codebase right away, you can scaffold a project from our templates. They come pre-configured with:

* a working [MCP server](/api-reference/mcp-server)
* a complete development environment with a [local emulator](/test/devtools), file watching, and hot module reload

<Info>
  Prerequisite: Skybridge runs on [Node 24+](https://nodejs.org/en/download)
</Info>

## Scaffold Your Project

Set up your app with a single command:

```bash theme={null}
npx skybridge create
```

The default `demo` template comes with two tools:

* `start`: mounts the `onboarding` view
* `get-fortune-cookie`: with no view

[Tools](/build/tools) are defined in `server.ts`, [UI components](/build/view) in the `views` directory. Tools are bound to views in the tool definition.

<Info>
  To scaffold a bare-bones project without tools or view placeholders, select the `blank` template.
</Info>

## Run Locally

Start the development server from the project root:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash npm theme={null}
  npm run dev
  ```

  ```bash pnpm theme={null}
  pnpm dev
  ```

  ```bash yarn theme={null}
  yarn dev
  ```

  ```bash bun theme={null}
  bun dev
  ```

  ```bash deno theme={null}
  deno task dev
  ```
</CodeGroup>

This spins up two routes:

* `http://localhost:3000/mcp`: the MCP server your app is running on
* `http://localhost:3000/`: the [DevTools](/test/devtools) for testing and debugging your app

<Info>
  **Updates to your codebase are reflected right away:** server and views are reloaded on file save.
</Info>

## Connect to ChatGPT and Claude

You can plug your locally running server directly into AI hosts by exposing your app on the internet. To do so, start the dev server with a [tunnel](/test/tunnel):

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash npm theme={null}
  npm run dev -- --tunnel
  ```

  ```bash pnpm theme={null}
  pnpm dev --tunnel
  ```

  ```bash yarn theme={null}
  yarn dev --tunnel
  ```

  ```bash bun theme={null}
  bun dev --tunnel
  ```

  ```bash deno theme={null}
  deno task dev --tunnel
  ```
</CodeGroup>

You'll be provided a public URL (e.g., `https://superb-marmot-fondue-420.alpic.dev/mcp`) to [register your server as a ChatGPT app or a Claude connector](/test/tunnel#connect-to-hosts).

<Info>
  [Alpic tunnel](https://docs.alpic.ai/cli/tunnel) comes with a free [LLM Playground](/test/playground) on `/try`. No config needed: it's already wired to your local server.
</Info>

## Ship

Deploy your app to the [Alpic Cloud](https://docs.alpic.ai/) by running:

<CodeGroup>
  ```bash npm theme={null}
  npm run deploy
  ```

  ```bash pnpm theme={null}
  pnpm deploy
  ```

  ```bash yarn theme={null}
  yarn deploy
  ```

  ```bash bun theme={null}
  bun deploy
  ```

  ```bash deno theme={null}
  deno task deploy
  ```
</CodeGroup>

After deployment succeeds, the CLI prints the app's public URL. You're now live!

See [Deploy](/ship/deploy) for all deployment options.

## Go Further

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card title="Architecture" icon="route" href="/get-started/architecture">
    Design conversational experiences leveraging model intelligence
  </Card>

  <Card title="Build" icon="drafting-compass" href="/build">
    Learn everything that makes great MCP Apps
  </Card>

  <Card title="Test" icon="test-tube-diagonal" href="/test">
    Validate your app at every step
  </Card>
</Columns>