> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.stardeck.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Starcat Developer > Your AI-powered builder that constructs web applications from conversation ## What is Starcat Developer? Starcat Developer is the AI-powered builder inside each project on Stardeck. Through natural conversation, it designs, builds, and deploys a complete web application for you—no coding required. Simply describe what you want to build, and the agent handles everything: from creating beautiful user interfaces to setting up databases, authentication, and business logic. Starcat Developer works inside a single project and builds that app's code. For an agent that works across your whole organization, answering questions about your business and coordinating work between your apps, see [Starcat](/starcat). ## What the Agent Can Do Starcat Developer comes equipped with powerful capabilities: Writes, modifies, and organizes your application code with best practices Creates stunning, responsive UIs tailored to your brand and preferences Sets up and manages your database schema, migrations, and queries Searches the web for API documentation, design inspiration, and solutions Creates custom logos, hero images, and graphics from text descriptions Finds and integrates professional stock photos for your designs Breaks down complex apps into manageable tasks and tracks progress **Things you can ask the agent to do:** * **"Add user login and admin access"** — Set up authentication with role-based permissions and single sign-on with Stardeck * **"Let users upload files"** — Implement file storage for images, PDFs, videos, and other assets * **"Rebuild my current website"** — Replicate your existing site with a fresh, modern design while preserving functionality * **"Add payment processing"** — Integrate Stripe, Omise, or other payment gateways for checkout flows. [See the guide](/payment-gateways) * **"Send email notifications"** — Set up transactional emails for confirmations, alerts, and updates. [See the guide](/api-integration) * **"Connect to an external API"** — Integrate weather data, maps, social media, or any third-party service * **"Generate a logo for my brand"** — Create custom logos, hero images, and graphics with AI image generation. [See the guide](/image-generation) ## Smart Question Forms When the agent needs information from you, it doesn't just ask in plain text—it generates custom forms tailored to each question. These forms make it easy to provide exactly the information needed without typing lengthy explanations. Depending on the question, forms can include: * **Visual selection cards** — Pick from design options, color schemes, or layouts with live previews * **Multi-select checkboxes** — Choose multiple options at once * **Dropdowns and text inputs** — For specific choices or freeform answers * **Custom input fields** — If none of the options fit, add your own Every form also includes an optional notes field at the bottom, so you can always add extra context if needed. This approach keeps conversations focused and efficient. Instead of back-and-forth clarification, you answer structured questions and the agent immediately understands your intent. ## Live Visual Previews Before writing a single line of code, Starcat Developer renders **live visual previews** directly in your conversation. Not static mockups. Not wireframes. Real HTML previews you can scroll through and hover over to quickly understand layouts, components, and design direction. This means you can: * **Visualize designs instantly** before any implementation begins * **Scroll and explore** layouts to understand the structure * **Iterate on design decisions** in real-time with zero engineering cost * **Align on direction** before the agent starts building Not everyone speaks "hero section" or "card component." Technical jargon and UX terminology can create confusion between what you ask for and what gets built. But a visual preview? Everyone understands that. You see it, you get it, and you can point to exactly what you want changed. The agent uses visual previews throughout the conversation, including: * **Design direction questions** — Choose between visual options instead of trying to describe your taste in words * **Feature previews** — See what an entire feature will look like before it's built * **UX options** — Compare different layouts or interaction patterns side-by-side Traditional development cycles burn weeks bouncing between static Figma files, miscommunicated requirements, and costly revisions. Starcat Developer collapses that feedback loop into a single conversation—you describe what you want, you see a preview, you refine it, and the agent builds it. ## Agent Tiers Stardeck offers four agent tiers to match your app complexity and workflow: ### Lite Agent Free daily usage is included with all plans. The **Lite Agent** is the fastest and cheapest option, ideal for simple tasks that don't require deep reasoning. **Best suited for:** * **Quick lookups** — Checking a value, finding a file, simple questions about your app * **Minor text changes** — Small copy edits, label updates * **Fast iteration** — Rapid back-and-forth on trivial adjustments ### Core Agent The **Core Agent** is the reliable workhorse for everyday building. It strikes the best balance of speed, cost, and capability, making it the go-to choice for most tasks. **Best suited for:** * **Building features** — Implementing pages, forms, and components from a plan * **Styling and design tweaks** — Adjusting layouts, colors, and responsive behavior * **Bug fixes** — Diagnosing and resolving issues in your app * **Rapid iteration** — Fast back-and-forth when refining details ### Plus Agent The **Plus Agent** is a step up in capability, producing higher-quality code and designs for more involved work. **Best suited for:** * **Complex features** — Multi-step forms, dashboards, interactive components * **Design quality** — When you need polished, production-ready UI * **Architecture decisions** — Planning how features should be structured * **API integrations** — Connecting to external services and third-party APIs ### Pro Agent The **Pro Agent** is an expert-level builder designed for complex, multi-system applications. It has the deepest reasoning capability, allowing it to handle intricate apps with many interconnected parts and see them through to completion. **Best suited for:** * **Dealership CRM** — Complete system with inventory management, customer tracking, and a public website with live car listings * **Restaurant POS** — Point-of-sale with public reservation system, QR code menus for at-table ordering, and a kitchen view dashboard * **Hotel Management** — Public website with real-time availability, online booking, and a full backend hotel management system (HMS) ## Comparison | Feature | Lite Agent | Core Agent | Plus Agent | Pro Agent | | ------------------- | ----------- | -------------- | -------------- | ------------------------------- | | Context Window | Standard | Extended | Standard | Standard | | Work Duration | Quick tasks | Standard tasks | Extended tasks | Extended tasks until completion | | Design Quality | Basic | Good | Great | Best-in-class | | Speed | Fastest | Fast | Medium | Medium | | Cost | Lowest | Low | Medium | High | | Free Usage Included | All plans | No | No | No | ### Capabilities | Task Type | Lite Agent | Core Agent | Plus Agent | Pro Agent | | ---------------------------- | ---------- | ---------- | ---------- | --------- | | Quick edits & tweaks | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Simple websites | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | CMS & editors | — | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | | Basic business tools | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | | CRMs & inventory systems | — | — | ✓ | ✓ | | POS & ordering systems | — | — | — | ✓ | | Booking & management systems | — | — | — | ✓ | Not sure which agent you need? Start with **Core** for most tasks. Use **Plus** or **Pro** when you need higher quality output or are building complex systems. Use **Lite** for quick lookups and trivial edits. ## Let the agent choose: Auto mode If you'd rather not switch tiers by hand, turn on **Auto mode** and the agent picks the right tier for each message: the cheapest one that can handle what you're asking. It's handy when a single conversation mixes quick edits with heavier work. [Learn more about Auto mode](/auto-mode). ## Ultra At the top of the mode selector you'll find **Ultra** — a max-power version of Agent mode. It turns on parallel write agents, self-validates end-to-end (reading back every change and running lint, typecheck, and tests before handing off), and is the setting to reach for on a substantial change you want built and verified in one go. Ultra is in alpha, and isn't available on a fork's chat. See [Starcat Developer Ultra](/starcat-developer-ultra) for the full breakdown. ## Recommended Workflow The most effective way to use Stardeck is to combine agents strategically: **1. Start with Plus or Pro for planning and design** Begin your app with Plus or Pro. Their stronger reasoning makes them ideal for: * Discussing your vision and requirements in depth * Exploring different architectural approaches * Creating visual mockups and design previews * Breaking down complex apps into clear phases **2. Switch to Core for implementation** Once you have a solid plan, switch to the Core Agent to build it out. Core excels at: * Rapidly implementing features from your plan * Making adjustments and refinements * Iterating on details without waiting * Executing tasks efficiently at low cost **3. Use Lite for quick fixes** For minor edits and quick questions, drop down to Lite for the fastest, cheapest responses. This workflow gives you the best of all worlds — thoughtful planning with Plus/Pro's depth, fast execution with Core's speed, and minimal cost with Lite for the small stuff. ## Working with the Agent ### Tips for Best Results 1. **Be specific about your requirements** — The more detail you provide, the better the agent can tailor the solution to your needs 2. **Share reference sites** — If you have websites you like, share them with the agent for design inspiration 3. **Answer the agent's questions** — The agent asks clarifying questions to ensure it builds exactly what you need 4. **Iterate and refine** — Review the agent's work and provide feedback to fine-tune the result ### What to Expect When you start a new app: 1. The agent asks questions to understand your business and requirements 2. It proposes a plan with visual mockups for your approval 3. Once approved, it builds the complete application 4. You can request changes and refinements at any time 5. When ready, deploy with one click *** Ready to start building? Head to your [Dashboard](https://www.stardeck.ai/dashboard) and create a new app. ## Related The max-power agent mode: parallel writers and end-to-end self-validation Let the agent pick the right tier for each message automatically Tips for communicating effectively and getting the best results The organization-level agent that operates your apps and coordinates projects Give the agent reusable instructions and your team's domain expertise