StackBlitz recently introduced Bolt.new, an AI-powered code editor that promises to revolutionize the way developers build and debug applications. My initial experience was positive: the editor felt intuitive, streamlined, and capable of handling basic development tasks with impressive speed and accuracy. However, as I ventured into creating a more complex full-stack application, my enthusiasm waned. Here’s why.
The Good: A Seamless Start
Bolt.new shines when it comes to quick prototyping and tackling simpler projects. The AI-assisted features—like auto-completion and debugging—felt almost magical. As someone who spends a significant amount of time working in full-stack environments, I appreciated the way the editor intelligently suggested fixes and improvements in real-time. It sped up my workflow initially, and for smaller projects, I can see it being a game-changer.
The Challenges of Complexity
When I transitioned to building a more complex full-stack application with database integration, the cracks began to show. The AI frequently ran into issues, returning errors that required me to re-prompt for fixes. Initially, I chalked this up to the AI learning my project structure, but it soon became a pattern. Each new issue led to another round of debugging through the AI, which consumed tokens faster than I anticipated.
Token Exhaustion: A Frustrating Hurdle
Eventually, I hit a wall: my token quota was exhausted. I took a step back and researched online to see if this was a common problem—and it turns out, it is. Other users reported similar frustrations, even on paid plans. While the paid subscription promises more tokens and extended usage, the reports suggest that token exhaustion remains an issue for complex, resource-intensive projects.
Why I’m Hesitant to Upgrade
As much as I liked the concept and initial experience with Bolt.new, I couldn’t justify committing to a paid plan without knowing the true cost of extended usage. If tokens can still run out on a paid plan, it raises questions about the tool’s scalability for professional development.
Final Thoughts
Bolt.new is undoubtedly a promising tool, especially for quick prototypes or small-scale projects. However, for developers working on larger, more complex applications, the token-based limitation—combined with recurring issues in handling complexity—makes it less appealing. Until StackBlitz addresses these challenges and provides clearer guidance on cost and token management, I’ll be sticking to more traditional development environments.
If you’ve had similar (or different!) experiences with Bolt.new, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Let’s keep the conversation going!