# Local app development

Source: /docs/reference/cli/local-development.md

Use `vortexify dev` to run a React app with an authenticated connection to saved backend resources. The CLI starts the app's Vite development server and a same-origin API proxy.

```sh
cd apps/dashboard
npm install
vortexify dev
```

From the project root, select an app explicitly:

```sh
vortexify dev dashboard --port 5173
```

The optional app selector is resolved against the project's configured app paths; inside an app directory the CLI can infer it. Open the development URL printed by the command.

## Ports and configuration [#ports-and-configuration]

`--port` defaults to 5173. Without an explicit port the CLI tries subsequent ports when needed. An explicit port is fixed, and `--port 0` selects a free port.

The CLI resolves the owning project and organization and supplies public app environment settings plus the authenticated proxy setup. Credentials remain outside browser environment files. Preserve the starter's provider and Vite proxy configuration; see [React configuration](/docs/reference/react/configuration).

## What updates locally [#what-updates-locally]

React source changes update through Vite. Backend calls use saved platform source and runtime inputs. Commit Python changes, prepare an API runtime when needed, and run any required data producers before expecting their new results in the interface.

This workflow uses preview execution. It does not publish the app, apply production schedules, or upgrade deployed dependencies. The platform's built app Preview is another preview path, using hosted authentication; it is separate from the local development server.

Use [execution commands](/docs/reference/cli/execution) to prepare backend work and [publishing](/docs/building/publish-your-app) when the app should become available to users.