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What is a Mini App?

A mini app is a lightweight web app that runs directly inside Farcaster clients like Base App, without needing to open a browser or download anything. Built using familiar tools like Next.js and MiniKit, mini apps behave just like normal apps — but launch instantly from posts, making them feel native to the social experience. This guide gets you from zero to a running Mini App using the MiniKit template.

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Prerequisites

  1. Farcaster account (for testing and manifest signing)
  2. Optional: Coinbase Developer Platform account for a Client API key

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Create your project

1

Use the CLI to scaffold a Mini App

Terminal
npx create-onchain --mini
You’ll be prompted for a CDP Client API key. You can generate one in the Coinbase Developer Platform.
These docs are LLM‑friendly—reference llms.txt in your editor to streamline builds and prompts: https://docs.base.org/base-app/build-with-minikit/llms.txt
2

Skip manifest setup for now

You’ll configure the manifest after you have a stable URL in the Deploy step.
3

Install dependencies and run locally

Terminal
cd your-project-name
npm install
npm run dev
Next: Deploy your app to a live URL used when creating your manifest.