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Code overview

Chapter 03 · a full browser IDE that builds your app by chat.

2 min read · 3 sections

Code is a full in-browser IDE, driven by chat. It has an editor, terminal, database tools, services, and git, but you don't have to operate any of it by hand.

You describe what you want and Modus builds it: writing files, running commands, wiring the database, and checking its work in a live preview. The whole front and back end of a production app, with a real workspace underneath whenever you want to edit directly.

Code is open from the start — an approved PRD just makes the first build turn dramatically better. Starting Code (your first build turn) opens the Docs and Deck chapters.

What's in it

  • AI chat: describe what you want; Modus writes and edits the code.
  • Editor: a CodeMirror-based editor with a file tree, tabs, and diff view.
  • Live preview: hot-reloading iframe with responsive / tablet / mobile presets and an element inspector.
  • Database: connect Supabase, Postgres, or SQLite; browse schema, edit data, run SQL.
  • Services: create and run backend services (Node, Python, Bun).
  • Contracts: a full smart-contract workbench — wizard, compiler, deploy, interact, analysis, debugger.
  • Env vars: the project's environment variables, editable in place.
  • Git: automatic checkpoints every turn, with diff and restore.
  • Solana: build, test, and deploy Solana programs and SPL tokens by chat. Wallet connect and signing happen in the conversation; deploys go devnet first, and pump.fun launches are supported.

How it runs

Your workspace lives in an isolated container. The AI agent runs inside it, so when it writes a file or runs a command, it's operating on the same workspace your preview serves from. Everything streams back to the UI as it happens.

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