Repository
A repository, or repo for short, is a folder with your code and its change history. Every building block of your project has its own repository in GitLab; locally you work in a copy.
Git, commit, and push
Git manages the change history; a commit is a saved snapshot with a short message, and a push uploads commits to GitLab. A push to main starts the pipeline.
Terminal
The terminal is a window for text commands; on Windows it is called Terminal or PowerShell, in VS Code or Cursor you open it from the Terminal menu. You mainly need it for ap run-local and ap login.
Server
A server is a computer on the internet that serves your application; backends, web apps, and homepages need one, pure mobile apps do not. Under Servers you add your own server, a cloud server at Hetzner or Hostinger, or a managed server.
Domain and DNS
A domain is the readable name of your application, such as example.com; DNS translates it into your server’s address through records at your domain provider. Under Domains the platform shows the required records and checks them.
Pipeline and deployment
A pipeline is a chain of automated steps after every push: test, calculate the version, build, and distribute. Deployment puts a build on a server, automatically on dev after every push to main and on prod with a click.
AI agent
An AI agent such as Claude Code, Cursor, or Codex reads your code, writes changes, and runs commands. In every project it follows the rules in AGENTS.md, and with the agent plugin it creates, imports, and clones projects.
Docker
Docker packages an application with everything it needs into a container. The pipeline builds a Docker image for the server from a backend or web app. Locally, ap run-local needs Docker Desktop for the Docker services of a backend.
Environment variables
Environment variables are settings an application reads when it starts, such as the address of the backend. They live in the env/ folder of each repository; the platform writes files with generated in their name, and your own values belong in custom files such as env/local.custom.env.
Workspace
The local workspace is the folder ~/Documents/application-platform/ into which the setup app clones your projects. A remote workspace is a development machine in the cloud that you create under Workspaces and use via remote desktop or in the browser.
Organization and project
An organization is the frame for your team with members, billing, servers, and connections. A project is a product within it with its own GitLab group. Administrators manage organization, projects, and access; developers work on assigned projects.
Now you can create your first project or bring in an existing project.