Overview
Build a web app that runs in your workspace's Shell site, with sign-in, users, data, files and feature flags built in.
A Shell app is a React web app that runs inside your workspace's Shell site. The Shell provides the frame around it: sign-in, navigation, your theme and the connection to Groundfloor. Your app provides the pages. You don't build sign-in, a user system or a backend for data.
Where it runs
Every workspace has a Shell site. Each Shell app has its own path on it:
https://<workspace-slug>.app.groundfloor.cloud/apps/<app-slug>/<page>The workspace can also use its own subdomain or domain; see App authentication.
What's built in
| You need | Built in | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Your users to sign in | The Shell signs them in and gives your app their token | Sign-in and users |
| To store and query data | Read and write your workspace's data | Data |
| To upload and download files | Workspace file storage | Files |
| To switch features on and off | Per-environment feature flags | Feature flags |
| AI models, API keys, server-side work | A Coderunner backend that your app calls | Secrets and backends |
How you build one
- Get the starter kit — a ready-made React, Vite and Tailwind project, with helpers for everything above.
- Preview it locally with
npm run dev, against your workspace's real data. - Publish a release with
npm run releaseandgf apps publish. - Open it on your Shell site.
Build your first Shell app walks through these steps. You can also work without installing anything: Develop online, on the app's page in the Client Portal, opens the starter kit in a development environment in your browser.
Next steps
- Build your first Shell app
- Manifest and routes — your app's pages and navigation.
- Styling — look like you belong in the Shell.