Breaking Out of the Next.js Bubble: My API-First SaaS Architecture

Exploring Beyond Next.js: Building a Modern SaaS Stack with SvelteKit, Express, and TSOA

For many developers, starting a new full-stack project means defaulting to Next.js.
It’s a fantastic tool fast, flexible, and backed by a strong ecosystem.
But it’s important to remember that there are other powerful frameworks out there worth exploring.

🚀 Why I Built the SaaS Starter Kit

I wanted to create a foundation for modern SaaS applications — something lightweight, API-first, and type-safe from end to end.
That’s how the SaaS Starter Kit was born.

It’s a full-stack boilerplate designed especially for solo developers and small teams who want to move fast without giving up structure or best practices.

🧩 The Tech Stack

The most powerful feature of this setup is its API-first workflow.
Instead of manually writing API clients or keeping type definitions in sync, the backend defines everything once — in TypeScript.

From that, TSOA automatically generates an OpenAPI specification.
The frontend can then consume that spec to generate a fully type-safe client, ensuring that both sides stay aligned at all times.

⚙️ The Benefits of an API-First Workflow

This not only speeds up development but also eliminates an entire class of integration errors that typically occur when frontend and backend evolve separately.

🧱 Built for Modern SaaS Development

Whether you’re launching your first product or experimenting with a new stack, this starter kit gives you a solid, production-ready foundation.

If you’re used to working with Next.js, you’ll find this architecture refreshingly minimal, fast, and highly maintainable.
It’s proof that SvelteKit can compete at the highest level of full-stack web development.

⭐ Try It Yourself

If you’re looking for a clean starting point for your next SaaS app — or just want to explore a different, modern stack — you should absolutely give it a try.

Don’t forget to check out the project on GitHub, and leave a star if you find it useful!

👉 GitHub Repo: https://github.com/ernbaltaci/saas-starter