# Develop locally

Start with [Build a data app](/docs/data-apps/build.md) for a hosted app. Use local development when you need source files, a local server, or control over publishing.

Follow the [data-app repository](https://github.com/altertable-ai/data-app) for the CLI scaffold, SDK setup, development commands, and publishing workflow. Use its current instructions for the SDK version in your project.

If you are working with an agent, ask it to use Altertable's local data-app workflow explicitly and verify the app locally before publishing.

## Build locally with your coding agent

```text
Build an Altertable data app locally in this repository. Read https://altertable.ai/docs/data-apps/local-development.md and the current instructions in https://github.com/altertable-ai/data-app first.

Inspect the project and use its package manager. Infer which question the app should answer and who will use it from the project context; ask only for missing details. Confirm the target Altertable environment, inspect available catalogs and schemas, and agree on the metric definitions and time range.

Create or reuse the local scaffold and implement a small working app with bounded queries, useful filters, and clear loading, empty, and error states. Keep credentials out of browser code and source control. Verify the query results and calculations against actual data, then run the supported validation and build commands and inspect the app locally.

Leave the source and local preview ready for review. Report how to run it, the data sources used, and any remaining issues. Do not publish, deploy, or share the app.
```