Application types

Brix supports full-stack Hono and Preact applications, browser-only managed React applications, and integrations with independently hosted applications. Choose the runtime and ownership model before following the rest of the guides.

Full-stack Preact

Use brix create app <name> for server-rendered pages, Hono API routes, Preact islands, HTML fragments, and managed Panda styling. This is the application model used by the pages, islands, and server guides. Only interactive islands ship component JavaScript to the browser.

Build a managed application

Create a managed React SPA or Contentful App, use the Brix runtime, and understand its browser-only boundary.

Use brix create react-app <name> for a React SPA or brix create contentful-app <name> for a Contentful App SDK and Forma 36 project. These applications do not use Hono routes, Preact islands, Panda, or managed Storybook. Their production output is a browser bundle.

Integrate an external host

Adopt an existing React project into a workspace without replacing its build system.

An external application retains its own runtime and lifecycle commands. It can consume shared contracts and libraries through declared direct dependencies. See external workspace applications for other hosts and cross-origin integration.