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start-dev-server

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Start the Wasp dev server and set up full debugging visibility. This includes running the server (with access to logs), and connecting browser console access so Claude can see client-side errors. Essential for any development or debugging work.

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wasp-plugins

wasp-lang/claude-plugins

Plugin

wasp

framework

Repository

wasp-lang/claude-plugins
3stars

plugins/wasp/skills/start-dev-server/SKILL.md

Last Verified

January 21, 2026

Install Skill

Select agents to install to:

Scope:
npx add-skill https://github.com/wasp-lang/claude-plugins/blob/main/plugins/wasp/skills/start-dev-server/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill start-dev-server

Installation paths:

Claude
.claude/skills/start-dev-server/
Powered by add-skill CLI

Instructions

## Step 0: Get User Preferences

- [ ] Ask the user if they want Claude to start the dev server(s) as a background task in the current session, or on their own in a separate terminal:
  - Starting as a background task (Claude)
    - Pros: Claude has more autonomy, can respond directly to dev server logs (warnings, errors).
    - Cons: Certain actions can be slower, and the user has less direct control. Server logs are only visibile to the user from within the `background tasks` tab.
  - Starting externally (User)
    - Pros: The user has more direct control over app development and the Wasp CLI commands. Can be advantageous for more advanced users.
    - Cons: Debugging and feature discovery can be slower, as Claude doesn't have direct access to dev server logs (warnings, errors) or Wasp CLI commands.
- [ ] Depending on the user's choice, follow the steps below and run the commands for the user as background tasks, or guide them through running them manually in a separate terminal.

### Step 1: Ensure the Development Database is Running

Grep the `.env.server` file for `DATABASE_URL`. If no line starts with `DATABASE_URL`, continue following this step.
If the user does have their own DATABASE_URL env var set, move on to [Step 2](#step-2-start-dev-server).

Check the `schema.prisma` file in the project root for the `datasource` block to see which database is being used.

#### SQLite
**Skip to [Step 2](#step-2-start-dev-server):** SQLite stores data in a local file, no database server needed.

#### PostgreSQL
Start the managed database container as a background task:
```bash
wasp start db
```

**Docker needs to be installed and running** for the managed Postgres database container (`wasp start db`) to work.

Run this as a background task in the current claude code session.
Wait 5-15 seconds for the database to be ready.

### Step 2: Start Dev Server

Start the Wasp development server as a background task:
```bash
wasp start
```

If this is the first time starting the 

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