---
title: App Builder
sidebar_position: 4
---

# App Builder

The App Builder is the extension's workbench for building apps that run
inside the RocketRide shell. The loop (create, design, package, deploy)
and how pipelines fit into an app are documented in the
[App Builder guide](/guides/apps/app-builder). This page covers the
extension surface around it.

## Opening it

- **RocketRide: New App** in the command palette (or **New App** in the
  sidebar's app list) scaffolds an app into `apps/` and opens the builder.
- Switch the RocketRide sidebar to apps mode: **MY APPS** lists the
  `.rrapp`-bound apps found in your open workspace folders. Clicking a row
  opens its App Builder.
- Opening an app's `<name>.rrapp` file opens the builder for that app.

## Settings

| Setting | Default | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `rocketride.appdev.autoWatch` | `true` | Start the watch session automatically when an App Builder opens |
| `rocketride.appdev.shellUrl` | `""` | Override the preview shell base URL (empty = the Development Mode engine). The origin must match the connected server, or the preview can't see your dev overlay |

## Debugging

Press F5 (**Debug App**) to open the previewed app in an external browser
with the debugger attached.

See the [App Builder guide](/guides/apps/app-builder) for everything else,
and the [Shell API](/guides/apps) for the hooks and descriptor the scaffold
gives you.