Chef

What does Chef do?

Chef's README describes it as an app builder that "builds full-stack web apps with a built-in database, zero config auth, file uploads, real-time UIs, and background workflows." Its own tagline calls it the only AI app builder that knows backend, which is the vendor's claim. The backend is Convex, which the README describes as an open-source reactive database for web app developers, and it says "The magic in Chef is just the fact that it's using Convex's APIs, which are an ideal fit for codegen."

It is "a fork of the stable branch of bolt.diy." Models come from Anthropic, Google, OpenAI or xAI keys, set in the environment or in Chef's settings page. The system prompt is published on the releases page. The repository also contains the agent loop, a command-line client, the starter template every project begins from, and a test setup for the agent.

Key facts

• Licence: Apache-2.0 on the code. The README adds a practical condition: a fork for production or redistribution must replace the built-in authentication, which is specific to Convex's internal control plane.
• Builds full-stack web apps with a built-in database, authentication, file uploads, real-time interfaces and background workflows on Convex.
• A fork of the stable branch of bolt.diy.
• Models: Anthropic, Google, OpenAI and xAI keys; you can add your own keys in the settings page.
• The system prompt is published on the releases page.
• Hosted version at chef.convex.dev with a free tier, per the README.
• Self-hosting: clone, pnpm, and npx convex dev, with a Convex account, a Convex OAuth application and dashboard environment variables; it uses the hosted Convex control plane to create projects.
• Last push when read: 2026-07-16; the only GitHub release is the system prompt (prompts-v0.0.1). 4,610 stars on 2026-09-17.

What does it replace, and where does it fall short?

Chef replaces Bolt and Lovable for an app that needs a real backend from the first prompt: a database, sign-in, file storage and background jobs, generated together rather than bolted on. It is the pick for full-stack apps with a backend on the open-source alternatives to Bolt page, and the one built directly on Bolt's open-source code.

Where it falls short: every app it builds runs on Convex, and running Chef yourself uses Convex's hosted control plane and a Convex account, so it is open code tied to one backend service. The README says the authentication is specific to Convex and must be replaced in a fork for production. For a builder with no backend service attached, Dyad or Llama Coder.

How does Chef run?

The README recommends the hosted app at chef.convex.dev, which has a free tier. To run it yourself: clone the repository, install with nvm and pnpm, run npx convex dev, create a Convex OAuth application, set environment variables in the Convex dashboard, and add at least one model key. It serves at 127.0.0.1 rather than localhost. nvm works on macOS and Linux; Windows users need an alternative.

Who is Chef for?

A builder who wants generated apps with a working database, sign-in and background jobs, and is content to run them on Convex. Someone who needs to own every layer, or to avoid a specific backend vendor, should pick another entry.

What limits does the README state?

From the README: Chef is provided as is with authentication specific to Convex's control plane; nvm only works on Mac and Linux; it works at 127.0.0.1 and not at localhost; and the team used to create the application is the only one you can sign in with on local Chef.

Questions people ask

Is Chef open source?

Yes, under Apache-2.0. The README notes that its authentication is specific to Convex's internal control plane, so a fork meant for production or redistribution has to replace that sign-in system. The code licence adds no conditions of its own.

Does Chef need Convex?

Yes. Every app it builds uses Convex for the database, sign-in, storage and background work, and running Chef yourself needs a Convex account and uses Convex's hosted control plane to create projects. That tie is the price of the backend being generated for you.

Is Chef related to Bolt?

Yes. The README says Chef is a fork of the stable branch of bolt.diy, the open-source version of Bolt. Convex added the full-stack backend generation on top of it, so every app Chef builds comes with a Convex database and sign-in.

How does Chef compare with Bolt and Lovable?

Chef generates the backend along with the interface: database, authentication, file uploads and background jobs on Convex, under Apache-2.0, with a hosted free tier. Bolt and Lovable are hosted platforms. The open-source alternatives to Bolt page compares it with Dyad, Onlook and Llama Coder.

Which AI models does Chef use?

Anthropic, Google, OpenAI and xAI, through API keys in the environment or added in Chef's settings page. The README does not mention local models. It publishes the system prompt it uses, on its releases page.

Sources

• Chef README and Apache-2.0 LICENSE: github.com/get-convex/chef, read 2026-09-17.