Vibra Code quickstart: backend, sandbox, and mobile app
Set up the Vibra Code backend, E2B sandbox template, and mobile app from scratch and run your first AI-generated build on a real device.
This guide walks you through setting up the full Vibra Code stack: the Next.js backend, Convex database, Inngest job server, E2B sandbox template, and the iOS mobile app. By the end you will have a running system and your first AI-built app previewing on your phone.
You need accounts and API keys for the following services before you start. Stripe and RevenueCat are optional — only needed if you want payment processing.
You can use Cursor or Gemini instead of Claude by setting AGENT_TYPE=cursor or AGENT_TYPE=gemini and providing the corresponding API key. See the AI providers guide for details.
Vibra Code runs each build inside a custom E2B sandbox image that has Node.js, Expo CLI, and the Expo template pre-installed. You need to build and register this image before you can generate apps.
1
Install the E2B CLI and log in
npm install -g @e2b/clie2b auth login
2
Build the sandbox template
cd vibracode-backend/e2b-cursor-templatee2b template build
This uploads the Dockerfile to E2B and returns a template ID that looks like vibracode-expo-cursor-v2.
3
Set the template ID in config
Open vibracode-backend/config.ts and set the image field of the expo template entry to your new template ID:
{ id: "expo", name: "Expo React Native", image: "YOUR_E2B_TEMPLATE_ID", // Replace with the ID from the previous step // ...}
Also set it in vibracode-backend/lib/e2b/config.ts if that file exists separately in your version.
Building the Vibra Code iOS app requires macOS. The build chain uses Xcode, CocoaPods, and Hermes (which needs cmake and ninja via Homebrew). Linux and Windows are not supported for the native iOS build.
The mobile app is a modified Expo Go built from source. This takes longer than a typical React Native setup because Hermes and React Native are compiled from source.
1
Install system dependencies
Homebrew must be installed. Run the Brewfile to install cmake and ninja (required to build Hermes):
cd vibra-code/vibracode-mobilebrew bundle
2
Install JavaScript dependencies
yarn
3
Run native setup
yarn setup:native
4
Build Expo packages
cd packages/expo && yarn build && cd ../..
5
Install React Native from source
cd react-native-lab/react-native && yarn install && cd ../..
Once the backend is running and the mobile app is installed on your device or simulator:
1
Open the Create tab
In the mobile app, tap the Create tab at the bottom of the screen. This opens VibraCreateAppScreen.
2
Describe your app
Type (or tap the microphone to speak) a description of the app you want to build. Be as specific or as brief as you like. For example:
“A habit tracker with a daily checklist and a streak counter”
3
Watch it build
Vibra Code creates a session in Convex, spawns an E2B sandbox, and starts the AI agent. You will see status updates stream in real time:Cloning repo → Installing dependencies → Starting dev server → Creating tunnel → RunningThe chat view shows every file the agent reads, edits, and runs as it works.
4
Preview the app
Once the tunnel is ready, the app preview loads directly on your device. Tap the preview to interact with your new app. Tap the chat area to send follow-up instructions.
The first build takes longer because the sandbox clones the Expo template and installs npm dependencies from scratch. Subsequent messages in the same session reuse the running sandbox and are much faster.