SaaS development should be fast, but also developer-first.

I love Next.js, but coming from a core backend background, I have to say this—Next.js is not a real backend.

I know, you might be thinking, What did I just say? But hear me out.

A true backend does not depend on a frontend framework. Unlike Next.js, which is stateless by default, a real backend can handle stateful processes, background jobs, and real-time connections. It can also be part of a distributed system, scaling through multiple services, load balancers, and database shards.

Next.js API routes are monolithic, meaning your backend logic is tightly coupled to the frontend. Sure, it makes full-stack development incredibly fast, but why should every SaaS speedrun tool force you into Next.js? Quick iteration is important, but developers deserve flexibility and control too.

What I’m Building

I’m creating a SaaS-focused CLI tool that generates ready-to-use project templates—not just for full-stack apps, but also for standalone frontend and backend projects.

The Goal?

1. Fast SaaS development without sacrificing flexibility.
2. A real backend that works independently of Next.js.
3. Modular project structures that adapt to different tech stacks.

The Problem with Current SaaS Starters

Most tools today, like ShipFast and others (though there aren’t many), assume every SaaS developer wants a Next.js + TypeScript stack. They offer quick solutions, but with hidden constraints:

• Locked into Next.js API routes instead of having a true backend.
• Backend is tightly coupled to Next.js, making separation difficult later.
• No support for Vite.js or alternative frontend stacks.
• Standalone backend? You’re on your own, piecing things together manually.

How This CLI Fixes That ?

• Frontend: Choose between Vite.js and Next.js, with prebuilt SaaS-friendly templates.
• Backend: Pick MongoDB or PostgreSQL, with a fully isolated, production-ready backend—not tied to Next.js or SaaS-specific constraints.
• Full-stack: Get an end-to-end Next.js/Vite.js-based SaaS app with everything preconfigured. Speed Without Lock-In: A pre-built structure, but everything is modular—remove what you don’t need.

Backend Highlights (sample)

1. OOP-based architecture (clean, scalable code)
2. Redis caching for performance
3. BullMQ for background jobs (emails, notifications, etc.)
4. Kafka for micro-service architecture integrated with K8s.
5. PostgreSQL/MongoDB support (your choice)
6. Prisma ORM with sample data seeding
7. Prebuilt API routes (Auth, CRUD, Stripe payments, OAuth, etc.)
8. Prometheus & Grafana for monitoring
9. Dockerized setup with Docker Compose
10. Graceful degradation for production stability
11. JWT-based authentication & authorization
12. Independent from Next.js – use this backend anywhere.

CLI Experience

• Simple & Fast – Run a single command, and your project structure is ready. No interactive prompts, no wasted time.
• Modular – Generates a complete project, but you can easily remove what you don’t need.
• Built for Real-World SaaS – Not just a generic template, but a production-ready structure.

Why This Matters: SaaS development should be fast, but also developer-first. Whether you want:

1. A Next.js full-stack app
2. A Vite.js frontend
3. A standalone backend

This tool gives you the best starting point without forcing you into a single stack.Instead of making SaaS devs adapt to the tool, this tool adapts to how devs actually want to build.