Supabase for databases

Databases and their features, such as server functions and authentication, are among the more technical parts of Bolt. If you are just getting started and want a simple introduction to the key concepts, see Introduction to databases. By default, new projects use a Bolt database, which is available with every plan. If you have a Pro or Teams plan, you can also:

• Set Supabase as your default project database from the start
• Claim your Bolt Database in Supabase
• Connect an existing Supabase database to your project

Supabase provides:

• A hosted SQL database, which you can connect your application to. You don’t need to worry about managing your database.
• Authentication services, for adding user login and user management to your application.
• Edge functions: Bolt uses these if your application needs to include an API. They’re also used for communicating with other applications, such as Stripe for payment handling.

Explore Supabase’s website and documentation for full details of Supabase’s features.

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Connect Bolt to Supabase

To start working with Supabase, you’ll first need to connect Bolt to Supabase. You can do this in your Account settings, under Applications.

1. Log in to Bolt and open any project.
2. Click the gear icon in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
3. Under Account, click Applications.
4. In the Supabase row, click Connect.
5. Log in with your Supabase credentials. The Authorize Bolt page appears.
6. Select your Supabase organization, and review the access permissions Bolt is requesting.
   A Bolt account can only be connected to one Supabase organization. You can disconnect Supabase later if you want, but you can’t change which organization is connected.
7. To agree, click Authorize Bolt. The page closes and you return to Bolt. You should see a confirmation that your Supabase account is connected.

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Start a project using Supabase

When you create a new project from the Bolt homepage, you can select Supabase as your database during setup. For most projects, Bolt database offers the simplest and smoothest experience. It works out of the box, requires no additional setup, and supports most use cases. However, if you already have a Supabase account connected and need more advanced database features or tighter control over your data, choosing Supabase during project creation may be a better fit. Follow the steps below to get started:

1. Log in and open the Bolt homepage.
2. Click the plus icon.
3. Hover over Database, then click Supabase.

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Connect a Supabase database

If you already have a Supabase database you want to use in your Bolt project, or want to create a new one, follow the steps below to connect it. Connecting a Supabase database requires a Pro or Teams plan.

1. Make sure you’ve connected Bolt to your Supabase account.
2. Log in to Bolt and open the project you want to connect the database to.
3. Click the Database icon in the top center of your screen.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. Click Connect.
6. Select an existing Supabase project or create a new one.
7. Click Connect project.

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Claim your Bolt Database in Supabase

Claiming your database lets you migrate an existing Bolt database to Supabase. Claiming requires a Pro or Teams plan. The main reason you may want to claim a Bolt database in Supabase is to access advanced Supabase features. For most use cases, using a Bolt database is simpler and gives you unlimited free databases. However, if you need external management tools, SQL editing, or advanced monitoring, you may need to use Supabase. If you already have a Supabase database and want to connect it to your Bolt project, see Connect a Supabase database instead. To claim your Bolt database in Supabase:

1. Make sure you’ve already connected Bolt to your Supabase account.
2. Log in to Bolt and open the project with the database you want to claim.
3. In the top center of your screen, click the Database icon.
4. Click the Advanced tab.
5. Click Claim.
6. Complete additional steps in Supabase.

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View and manage your Supabase database in Bolt

You can view and manage your connected Supabase database from your database settings in Bolt. To access your database settings, click the database icon at the top center of your screen. From there, you can work with specific settings like authentication, server functions, and secrets.

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Version history and database restores

Restoring to an earlier project version will not change your current Supabase databases.

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Use authentication

If you tell Bolt to add authentication with Supabase, users will be able to sign up for your application and log in using Supabase’s user management service. To use authentication:

1. Make sure you’ve connected your Supabase account.
2. Prompt Bolt to add authentication with Supabase, including adding a signup and login screen to your application.

After your app is working, you can confirm users are being added correctly in Supabase:

1. In your app, go through the signup process.
2. Supabase should send you an email to confirm your email address.
3. In Supabase, open your project.
4. In the left navigation menu, select Authentication.
5. Check the Users list to confirm that the user you just created was added there.

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Use server functions

Edge functions in Bolt rely on databases. Before you begin, make sure you’ve connected your Supabase account. To get started, prompt Bolt to create the edge function you are interested in. For example: Create an edge function to handle a conversation with an AI Bot (OpenAI). From here, Bolt generates the edge function. Edge functions can be complex, as they connect up services and involve authentication steps. For help with common errors, see Integrations issues | Supabase edge functions.

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Disconnect Supabase

1. Log in to any project.
2. Click the gear icon in the top center of your screen, then click All project settings.
3. Click Applications under Account settings.
4. In the Supabase row, click Disconnect.
5. In Supabase, remove Bolt from your authorized applications:
   1. In the Supabase dashboard, make sure you’re in the organization that you connected to Bolt.
   2. In the left menu, click Organization settings.
   3. Go to the OAuth Apps tab.
   4. Next to Bolt, click Delete.

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FAQs and troubleshooting