Tinykit
Tinykit is an open-source platform for building and deploying web apps with AI. Its README calls it a self-hostable alternative to Lovable, Replit and v0. It is MIT, bundles a PocketBase database for realtime data and auth, snapshots every change for undo, and supports OpenAI, Anthropic or Gemini keys. One caveat: it is in early alpha.
What does Tinykit do?
Tinykit describes itself in the README as "an open-source platform for building and deploying web apps with AI" and "an open-source agentic app builder. Think Lovable, Replit, or v0, but self-hostable and self-contained." You prompt an agent to write code, create database fields and tables, and wire the app up. Each app is one Svelte file, backed by auto-generated tables that sync in real time, with image uploads and a visual design-system editor on top.
Every change is snapshotted so you can undo anything, and a visual code editor lets you touch the source directly. Content fields let non-developers edit text without seeing code. The README lists 12 starter templates covering productivity, finance, content, social and news apps. Point several domains at one Tinykit server and each one gets its own app.
Key facts
- Licence: MIT.
- The README calls Tinykit a self-hostable alternative to Lovable, Replit and v0.
- Database and storage: PocketBase, bundled, with realtime sync, image uploads and auto-generated tables.
- Models: bring your own key for OpenAI, Anthropic or Gemini. The README says "more coming soon."
- Install paths: Docker Compose, Node.js on port 5173, or one-click Railway deploy.
- Domain-based routing: point
calculator.myserver.comat the server for a calculator app andblog.myserver.comfor a blog; one Tinykit server can host many apps. - Features marked soon in the README: background jobs and server-side routes, authentication in built apps, a showcase and one-click community apps, LLM-powered features inside apps.
- Project state: the README says "Tinykit is in early alpha and evolving every day."
What does it replace, and where does it fall short?
Tinykit replaces Lovable, v0 and Bolt for a team that wants to run the whole prompt-to-app loop on their own server, keep the code, and ship apps on their own domains under MIT. It appears on the open-source alternatives to Lovable, v0 and Bolt pages.
Where it falls short: the README itself says the project is in early alpha, so expect rough edges and changes. Authentication, background jobs, server-side routes and a community showcase are listed as "soon" rather than built. Lovable, v0 and Bolt have polished hosted products with CDN hosting, team features and support that Tinykit does not offer.
How does Tinykit run?
Three paths from the README. Docker Compose: docker-compose up -d in deploy/docker/ and open port 5173. Node.js: npm install and npm run dev, which also auto-downloads PocketBase. Railway: a one-click deploy button in the README. Configure the LLM from the app, or pass the key as an environment variable.
Access points for a running server: / serves the current domain's app, /tinykit/studio edits it, /tinykit/dashboard lists every app on this server, and /tinykit/settings sets up the LLM. First-time setup lives at /setup.
Who is Tinykit for?
A developer or team that wants a self-hosted prompt-to-app builder for small internal apps on their own domains, is comfortable running an alpha, and wants the code and data to stay on their server. For a hosted product with team features and no server work, Lovable, v0 or Bolt is the paid tool.
What limits does the README state?
"Tinykit is in early alpha and evolving every day." The README asks users to report bugs on Discord or GitHub. Several features are explicitly marked as not yet built: backend functionality (background jobs, CRON, server-side routes), authentication in built apps, a community showcase and in-app LLM functionality.
Questions people ask
Is Tinykit open source?
Yes, under the MIT licence, an OSI-approved licence. The LICENSE file at the repository root says MIT. The README asks users to star the project and welcomes contributions through Discord and GitHub issues.
Can I use Tinykit commercially?
MIT allows commercial use. You can run Tinykit on your own servers, build apps on it and charge for them. The README does not state any additional restriction on commercial use. The data layer uses PocketBase, which has its own MIT licence, so there is no copyleft requirement attached.
What models does Tinykit support?
The README lists OpenAI, Anthropic and Gemini keys, configured from the app or as environment variables, and says "more coming soon." The model does the code generation and the schema design; Tinykit itself does not ship a model. There is no mention of local models or self-hosted inference in the README.
How does Tinykit compare with Lovable?
Lovable is a hosted product that writes the code, runs the database and hosts the app for you under a subscription. Tinykit runs the same prompt-to-app loop on a server you control, with your own LLM key and your own PocketBase database, under MIT. The open-source alternatives to Lovable page compares it with Dyad, Onlook and Chef.
What does the time-travel snapshot do?
Tinykit saves a snapshot on every change, so you can undo any step by restoring an earlier snapshot. The README calls it "snapshots on every change" and "undo anything." Combined with the one Svelte file per app, that means you can experiment freely and roll back if a prompt breaks the app.
Sources
- Tinykit README and LICENSE: github.com/tinykit-studio/tinykit, read 2026-11-02.
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Added November 2, 2026. Every claim above comes from the project's README, LICENSE or model card, read on November 2, 2026, or from the GitHub API on the date shown in the panel. Found an error? Write to reveneau@licheo.com and it is fixed in the next weekly pass. Repository: github.com/tinykit-studio/tinykit.
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