Adding a Database.

Persistent data: Supabase, SQLite, or JSON. Describing your data model in plain English so AI builds it right.

After this lesson you'll know

What a database actually is (in words anyone can understand)
The three main options for storing data in vibe-coded apps
How to describe your data to AI without technical jargon
When you need a real database vs simple local storage

The Basics

A database is just a filing cabinet your app can read.

Right now, when you close your vibe-coded app and reopen it, everything you typed is probably gone. That is because the app has no memory. A database gives your app a place to remember things — user entries, settings, history, content.

Think of it like this: without a database, your app has amnesia. Every time you open it, it forgets everything. A database is the cure for amnesia. It stores information so your app can recall it later.

The good news: You do not need to learn SQL, schema design, or database administration. You describe what information your app needs to remember, and AI sets up the database for you. "Remember each user's name, email, and their journal entries with dates." That is a database description.

Your Options

Three ways to store data, from simple to powerful.

EASY

Local Storage / JSON files

Data saved in the browser or in a simple file. Works for personal tools. Limitation: data only exists on YOUR device. If you clear your browser, it is gone. Good for: prototypes, personal apps, single-user tools.

MID

SQLite

A small database that lives inside your app. No external service needed. Fast and reliable. Limitation: works best for single-server apps. Good for: personal projects, small tools, apps with one admin user.

FULL

Supabase (or Firebase, PlanetScale)

A real cloud database. Data lives on the internet, accessible from any device. Has user accounts, security, and scales. Good for: multi-user apps, anything public-facing, apps you want others to use.

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