> Portal Navigation: > > - Append `.md` to any URL under `https://dev.wix.com/docs/` to get its markdown version. > - Pages are either content pages (article or reference text) or menu pages (a list of links to child pages). > - To get a menu page, truncate any URL to a parent path and append `.md` (e.g. `https://dev.wix.com/docs/sdk.md`, `https://dev.wix.com/docs/sdk/core-modules.md`). > - Top-level index of all portals: https://dev.wix.com/docs/llms.txt > - Full concatenated docs: https://dev.wix.com/docs/llms-full.txt ## Resource: About the Wix CLI ## Article: About the Wix CLI ## Article Link: https://dev.wix.com/docs/build-apps/develop-your-app/develop-an-app-with-the-cli/about-the-wix-cli.md ## Article Content: # About the Wix CLI The Wix CLI is the command-line tool for creating, developing, and deploying [Wix apps](https://dev.wix.com/docs/build-apps/get-started/overview/about-wix-apps.md). It generates a complete project structure, handles initial setup and configuration, and provides commands to generate extensions and manage your app throughout development. New CLI projects include [Wix skills](https://dev.wix.com/docs/wix-cli/guides/development/about-wix-skills.md), so AI tools can perform CLI tasks for you. This lets you focus on building the unique features of your app. To get started, see [Quick Start a Wix CLI App](https://dev.wix.com/docs/build-apps/develop-your-app/frameworks/wix-cli/get-started/quick-start-a-wix-cli-app.md). For a walkthrough of building an app with the CLI, watch the video tutorial:
## What you can build The CLI generates the complete project structure needed for Wix app development. You can: - Generate [extensions](https://dev.wix.com/docs/build-apps/develop-your-app/frameworks/wix-cli/supported-extensions/about-extensions-in-the-wix-cli.md) like custom dashboard pages, event handlers, site widgets, and embedded scripts. - Call [Wix JavaScript SDK](https://dev.wix.com/docs/sdk.md) methods directly, and the CLI handles token management and authentication for you. - Build extensions with TypeScript, React components, and the [Wix Design System](https://www.wixdesignsystem.com/) for a native Wix look and feel. ## Project structure and Astro The CLI uses a standardized project structure based on the [Astro](https://astro.build/) web framework. Astro offers a performance-focused architecture, partial hydration, and a flexible component model that lets you mix vanilla HTML/CSS/JS with React, Vue, or Svelte components as needed. The CLI also supports backend development with [HTTP endpoints](https://dev.wix.com/docs/build-apps/develop-your-app/frameworks/wix-cli/supported-extensions/backend/http-endpoints/about-http-endpoints.md). For a per-folder breakdown of the generated project, see [Wix CLI Project Structure](https://dev.wix.com/docs/wix-cli/guides/get-started/project-structure.md). ## Development sites When developing apps, you test your functionality on development sites, which are premium Wix sites used for app testing. You can maintain up to 5 development sites simultaneously to test different aspects of your app. ## Develop and test apps Wix apps aren't standalone web apps. They need to be installed on a Wix site to run. When you create your CLI app, you're prompted to choose or create a development site. As you work locally with the CLI, you can open different parts of your app on the development site in your browser by running the [`dev`](https://dev.wix.com/docs/wix-cli/command-reference/project-commands/dev.md) command. The development environment supports hot reloading, so any changes you make to your code are immediately reflected in the browser. ## Build, preview, and release apps After developing and testing your CLI app locally, you can build it, create shareable previews, and release new app versions for distribution. For more information, see [Build and Deploy a Project with the Wix CLI](https://dev.wix.com/docs/build-apps/develop-your-app/frameworks/wix-cli/project-development/build-and-deploy-a-project-with-the-wix-cli.md). ## Hosting and infrastructure The CLI provides a serverless hosting solution where scaling, resource allocation, and maintenance are fully managed by Wix: - **Static sites hosting** powered by a global CDN for fast content delivery. - **Serverless architecture** for full-stack apps without managing servers. - **Automatic SSL certificates** provisioned and renewed for you. - **Session management middleware** that handles session tokens and cookies for the current site visitor. ## Keep the CLI up to date Check which version of the CLI you have: ```bash npm list @wix/cli ``` Upgrade to the latest: ```bash npm i --save-dev @wix/cli@latest ``` > **Note:** If the latest version of the CLI includes a new command, you'll need to [add the new command to your `package.json` file](https://dev.wix.com/docs/build-apps/develop-your-app/frameworks/wix-cli/project-development/add-new-cli-commands-to-existing-projects.md). ## Legacy Wix CLI for Apps The Wix CLI replaces the [Legacy Wix CLI for Apps](https://dev.wix.com/docs/wix-cli/legacy-clis/legacy-wix-cli-for-apps/about-the-legacy-wix-cli-for-apps.md), which no longer receives updates or feature additions. Use the legacy reference only if you're maintaining an existing app built with the Legacy CLI. ## See also - [Wix CLI Command Reference](https://dev.wix.com/docs/wix-cli/command-reference/introduction.md) - [Wix CLI Project Structure](https://dev.wix.com/docs/wix-cli/guides/get-started/project-structure.md) - [Quick Start a Wix CLI App](https://dev.wix.com/docs/build-apps/develop-your-app/frameworks/wix-cli/get-started/quick-start-a-wix-cli-app.md)