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Developing Databases

This guide covers how to create a new SpacetimeDB database module project.

Prerequisites​

First, install the SpacetimeDB CLI.

Interactive Development with spacetime dev​

The fastest way to get started developing a database module is with spacetime dev. This interactive command guides you through creating a new SpacetimeDB project with hot-reloading - whenever you save changes to your module code, SpacetimeDB automatically rebuilds and republishes your module.

caution

spacetime dev is currently an unstable command and may change in the future.

Getting Started​

Run the command from your terminal:

spacetime dev

First Time Setup

If no SpacetimeDB project is found in the current directory, you'll be guided through creating a new one:

Step 1: Project Name Enter a name for your project (e.g., my-project)

Step 2: Project Path Choose where to create the project files (defaults to ./<project-name>)

Step 3: Select a Client Type Choose how you want to develop:

  • React - React web app with TypeScript server (recommended for web apps)
  • Use Template - Choose from built-in templates or clone from GitHub
  • None - Server module only

Existing Projects

If you run spacetime dev in a directory with an existing SpacetimeDB project (containing a spacetimedb/ directory), it will skip setup and enter development mode directly, connecting to your database and watching for file changes.

Client Type Options​

React​

Creates a full-stack React web application with:

  • TypeScript server module
  • React frontend with SpacetimeDB client SDK
  • Pre-configured hot-reloading for both client and server

Use Template​

Choose from several built-in templates:

  • basic-typescript - Basic TypeScript client and server stubs
  • basic-c-sharp - Basic C# client and server stubs
  • basic-rust - Basic Rust client and server stubs
  • basic-react - React web app with TypeScript server
  • quickstart-chat-rust - Complete Rust chat implementation
  • quickstart-chat-c-sharp - Complete C# chat implementation
  • quickstart-chat-typescript - Complete TypeScript chat implementation

You can also clone an existing project by entering a GitHub repository (owner/repo) or git URL.

None​

Creates a server module only, without any client code. You'll choose your server language:

  • TypeScript - Server module in TypeScript
  • Rust - Server module in Rust
  • C# - Server module in C#

The server code will be created in a spacetimedb/ subdirectory within your project.

What Happens Next​

After completing setup, spacetime dev:

  • Starts a local SpacetimeDB server
  • Creates a new database
  • Builds and publishes your module to the database
  • Watches your source files for changes
  • Automatically rebuilds and republishes when you save changes

Your database will be available at https://maincloud.spacetimedb.com.

Project Structure​

After initialization, your project will contain:

my-project/
├── spacetimedb/            # Server module code
│   ├── Cargo.toml
│   └── src/
│       └── lib.rs
├── src/                    # Client code
│   └── module_bindings/    # Generated client bindings
├── Cargo.toml
├── .gitignore
└── README.md

Alternative: Manual Project Creation​

If you prefer more control over the development workflow, you can create a database module project manually and use the standard build and publish workflow.

Create a New Project with spacetime init​

spacetime init --lang rust --project-path ./my-project my-project
cd my-project

This creates a new Rust project with:

  • A Cargo.toml configured for SpacetimeDB
  • A src/lib.rs with a sample module
  • Sample table and reducer definitions

Next Steps​

After creating your database module: