--- title: Overview slug: docs-agent docTags: createdAt: 2022-12-20T17:13:00.000Z --- ::embed[]{url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e8vx53IvIqI"} ## What is the Back4app Agent? The Back4app Agent is an AI builder for web applications. You describe what you want in plain language, and the Agent builds a working project: interface, database, user sign-in and integrations, all running on Back4app. What makes it different is what happens after the first version. Every project has two environments. The Agent works in **Draft**, and your users see **Production**. You publish when you are ready, you can roll back any release, and your project runs on its own server with its own database, logs and domain. You can use it to build: - Internal tools, dashboards and admin panels - Client portals, booking and scheduling systems - Online stores and order management - AI-powered apps that call a language model, send emails or message customers on WhatsApp - Landing pages and websites with a real backend behind them Projects are web applications, and they can also be installed on any phone from the browser, like a mobile app. ## Key concepts | Concept | What it means | | --------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Project** | One web application. Each project has its own code, database, users and settings. | | **Draft** | The environment where the Agent builds and you test. Private to you. Has its own test data. | | **Production** | The live version your users open. It only changes when you publish. Has its own real data. | | **Publish** | Promotes what is in Draft to Production. Before it runs, you see what will change in the database. | | **Credits** | What the Agent spends to work. Each message uses credits based on the model and the size of the task. | | **Connections** | External services your project uses, such as an AI model, an email provider or WhatsApp. | :::hint{type="info"} **"My link shows an old version."** The public address always shows Production. Changes the Agent makes stay in Draft until you publish them. ::: ## How it works ### 1. Describe your project Start from the home screen with a short description of what you want to build. For example: *"A booking system for my barbershop, where clients pick a time and I see the schedule for the day."* The Agent may ask a few questions before it starts, such as who will use the project or which features matter most. Answer them, or skip and let the Agent decide. ### 2. Build and refine in Draft The Agent writes the code, creates the database and sets up sign-in. You follow the work in the chat and see the result in the **Preview**. Keep refining by sending messages: add a page, change a flow, fix something that doesn't look right. For small visual changes, click the element in the preview and edit text, colors and fonts yourself, without spending credits. ### 3. Publish to Production When the project is ready, click **Publish**. You'll see: - The database changes that will be applied to Production - Any change that could delete data, which needs your approval before it runs - The secrets and connections Production needs After publishing, your project is live at its own address on `b4a.run`. You can add your own domain in the **Domains** tab. ### 4. Keep improving Go back to Draft, ask for changes, and publish again. Every release is saved in **Version history**. If something goes wrong, roll back to a previous version. ## Your workspace Each project has a workspace with two sides: Draft and Production. Switch between them at the top of the screen. **In Draft** | Tab | What you do there | | --------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | | **Preview** | See and test the project. Click any element to edit it visually. | | **Code** | Browse the files the Agent wrote. | | **Database** | See the tables and the test data. | | **Users** | See the accounts created in Draft. | | **Logs** | Check what the project is doing and find errors. | | **Connections** | Add AI, email and messaging services, and the keys they need. | **In Production** | Tab | What you do there | | ------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | | **Overview** | Status of the live project. | | **Database** | The real data your users created. | | **Users** | The people who signed up to your project. | | **Logs** | Live logs of the published project. | | **Version history** | Every release, with one-click rollback. | | **Connections** | The keys and services used in Production. | | **Domains** | Your `b4a.run` address and your custom domain. | ## Features ### Choose your model Keep **Auto** and the Agent picks a model for each request, or choose one yourself: GPT-6 Luna, GPT-6 Sol or GPT-5.6 Terra. GPT-6 Astra is available on the Starter plan. The choice is saved per project. ### Visual editing Click any element in the preview to change its text, colors and fonts directly. You can also select an element and ask the AI to change it. ### Connections Connect external services and the Agent wires them into your project: | Service | Use it for | | -------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | | **OpenRouter** | Add AI features with the language model of your choice | | **Resend** | Send emails: confirmations, notifications, newsletters | | **Twilio** | Send SMS and WhatsApp messages | Keys are stored as secrets, and Draft and Production can use different keys. ### Database and sign-in Every project comes with a managed database and user accounts, with no setup. Draft and Production keep separate data, so testing never touches your real users. ### Install on phones Ask the Agent to make your project installable. Users can then add it to their home screen from the browser and open it like an app. This is a web app, not an App Store or Google Play build. ### Safe publishing Before each publish, you see exactly what will change in the Production database. Changes that could remove data wait for your approval. Every release can be rolled back, including its data changes. ## Plans and credits | | **Free** | **Starter** | | --------------------- | ------------------ | ----------------------------- | | Price | $0 | $9.99 / month | | AI credits | 10 per day | 10 per day, plus 50 per month | | Build in Draft | Unlimited projects | Unlimited projects | | Publish to Production | — | 1 project included | | Custom domain | — | ✓ | | Download the code | — | ✓ | | GPT-6 Astra | — | ✓ | **Add-ons for Starter** - **Credit pack:** +100 credits every month for $10/month. Monthly credits reset on renewal and don't roll over. - **Extra project:** publish one more project for $20/month (1 vCPU, 1 GB RAM, 5 GB database). **How credits work** - Daily credits reset every day at 00:00 UTC. - Each message costs credits based on the model used and how much work the task needs. A simple question costs less than building a new page. - A task that is already running always finishes, even if it goes past your remaining credits. ## Which Back4app product do I need? Back4app has three products. The Agent is one of them. | If you want to... | Use | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | | Describe an app and have AI build and host it | **Back4app Agents** | | Deploy code you already have, from GitHub or Docker Hub | **Back4app Web Deployment** | | Use a managed Parse Server backend for your own frontend or mobile app | **Back4appBackend (BaaS)** | ## Next steps - **Build your first project:** open the [Agent](https://dashboard.back4app.com/agents) and describe what you want. ::embed[**Watch it built:** [From an Excel spreadsheet to an app in minutes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8vx53IvIqI).]{url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8vx53IvIqI" indent="1"} - **Need help?** Contact us at [community@back4app.com](mailto\:community@back4app.com) or through the chat in the dashboard.