If Forge is useful to you, a ⭐ helps others find it — thank you!

What is this?

Forge is a browser-based development environment powered by WebContainers.

It runs a real Node.js runtime directly inside your browser tab, allowing you to create, edit, install dependencies, and run projects entirely client-side.

There’s no backend server, remote VM, or Docker container involved.

Pick a framework, start coding instantly, and see live updates with hot reload - all from a single URL.

Features

• Zero setup — open the URL and you're coding in seconds
• Real runtime — actual Node.js in the browser, not a sandbox simulator
• Live preview — HMR-powered preview updates as you type
• Monaco editor — the same editor that powers VS Code
• Integrated terminal — full xterm.js terminal, not a fake console
• File explorer — create, rename, and delete files like a real IDE
• Download as zip — export your project and keep working locally
• 100% client-side — no server, no accounts, no data sent anywhere

Architecture

Forge runs entirely inside the browser using WebContainers.

• Monaco Editor powers the editing experience
• xterm.js provides the terminal interface
• WebContainers boot a real Node.js runtime in-browser
• Vite powers instant HMR and preview updates
• Jotai manages IDE state and file synchronization

Everything executes client-side — no server orchestration layer exists.

Tech stack

Supported frameworks

Project structure

src/
├── components/
│   ├── CodeEditor.tsx        # Monaco editor wrapper
│   ├── Terminal.tsx          # xterm.js terminal
│   ├── Sidebar.tsx           # File explorer
│   ├── PreviewFrame.tsx      # Live preview iframe
│   ├── IdeHeader.tsx
│   └── IdeFooter.tsx
├── lib/
│   ├── webContainerRuntime.ts    # WebContainer setup & lifecycle
│   ├── webContainerManager.ts    # Instance management
│   ├── projectFiles.ts           # Framework templates
│   ├── atoms.ts                  # Jotai state
│   └── utils.ts
└── pages/
    ├── LandingPage.tsx
    └── IDEpage.tsx

Run it locally

git clone https://github.com/vivek1504/forge.git
cd forge
npm install
npm run dev

Open http://localhost:5173.

Note: WebContainers require Cross-Origin-Isolation headers (COOP + COEP). The dev server sets these automatically via the Vite config.

Limitations

Because Forge runs entirely in the browser through WebContainers:

• Best supported in Chromium-based browsers
• Native binaries are not supported
• Large dependency installs may impact memory usage
• Some Node.js APIs behave differently from native environments

Roadmap

• Next.js template
• Remix support
• Multi-tab editing
• Persistent local storage
• Git integration
• Collaborative editing

Contributing

PRs are welcome — especially for new framework templates and bug fixes.

• New framework template? → src/lib/projectFiles.ts is where templates live
• Testing: Run npm run dev and verify HMR, terminal, and file explorer work end-to-end in Chrome (WebContainers have best support there)

If you're unsure whether something is worth building, open an issue first and let's talk.

License

MIT — do whatever you want with it.