Prebuilt SaaS boilerplate: launch faster, sell smarter.
See projectDesignah
Open Source, SaaS, Design
Project summary
In 2024, Designah launched its innovative boilerplate designed for SaaS developers, streamlining the setup process for authentication, pricing, newsletter services, and mailing. This unique solution empowers developers to accelerate their projects without the hassle of navigating complex documentation or the intricate steps typically involved in establishing authentication systems.
Our aim was to create a user–friendly foundation that allows developers to focus on building their applications while effortlessly integrating essential features, fostering a more efficient and productive development experience.
Problem
Developers frequently struggle with the time-consuming and complex process of setting up essential SaaS infrastructure, leading to delayed project launches and increased development costs. This lack of a standardized, ready-to-use foundation results in inefficiencies and lost opportunities for rapid market entry.
- Developers spent excessive time on repetitive setup tasks, wrestling with authentication systems and payment integrations instead of focusing on core product features
- Teams struggled with fragmented documentation across multiple services, leading to implementation errors and security vulnerabilities
- The absence of a unified solution forced developers to piece together various components, resulting in inconsistent architecture and technical debt
- Rising costs from commercial authentication providers and complex pricing structures created barriers for bootstrapped startups and indie developers
- Projects frequently faced delays due to the complexity of integrating essential services like email systems and newsletter functionality
Challenges
Modern SaaS developers face significant hurdles when starting new projects, particularly in establishing fundamental functionalities:
- Authentication setup typically consumes 30+ minutes per project, requiring developers to navigate complex documentation and tutorials
- Integration of payment systems demands extensive API understanding and implementation time
- Setting up mailing services and newsletters often involves evaluating multiple providers and managing usage limits
- Many existing solutions come with restrictive free tiers or complicated pricing structures
- Developers spend valuable time on repetitive setup tasks instead of focusing on unique product features
Workflow scenario
Using the boilerplate's intuitive structure, developers can quickly build their SaaS applications through a seamless workflow. When a developer starts a new project, they begin by accessing the boilerplate dashboard where they can view all pre-built components and configurations. They select the features needed for their specific project, such as authentication type and payment provider.
The developer then follows a natural workflow:
- They input their project configurations, including app name, domain, and brand colors
- The boilerplate automatically generates the necessary environmental variables
- They can instantly preview how different components like auth pages and payment forms will look
- Real-time validation ensures all integrations are properly connected
All changes and configurations are immediately reflected in the development environment, allowing developers to test and iterate quickly. The boilerplate's centralized dashboard provides continuous monitoring of all integrated services, from auth status to payment webhooks, ensuring developers always have visibility into their application's core infrastructure.
Solutions
Using the boilerplate's streamlined architecture, developers can quickly deploy a functional SaaS application with a simple implementation process. The workflow begins with cloning the repository and follows these steps:
Initial Setup:
- Clone the boilerplate repository and install dependencies.
- Configure essential environment variables for authentication, payments, and email.
- The boilerplate automatically initializes database schemas and configurations.
Authentication Integration:
- Lucia authentication is pre-configured with secure defaults.
- Developers can implement user registration, login, and password reset flows, with options for custom authentication rules.
Payment System Setup:
- Choose a payment provider (Stripe, Lemon Squeezy, or Paddle) and input API keys.
- The boilerplate handles webhook setup and payment flow integration automatically.
Email and Newsletter Configuration:
- Resend email service is integrated with customizable templates.
- Newsletter subscription and management flows are functional out of the box.
Graphic colors and styles
The color chart draws inspiration from the flagship design of the
project.
The background colors harmonize to create a cohesive
palette, complemented by a distinct accent color.
Final product
The boilerplate has demonstrated significant market success and developer satisfaction:
- Proven Market Adoption: 122 successful implementations and growing
- Time Savings: Reduces authentication setup from 30+ minutes to near-instant deployment
- Developer Satisfaction: Consistently positive testimonials highlighting the value of pre-built components
- Resource Optimization: Developers report being able to focus immediately on building unique features rather than basic setup
