Getting Started with Refine

Build your first internal tool in under 10 minutes.

Refine is an AI-powered builder for admin panels, dashboards, and CRUD apps. You describe what you want; the AI generates a complete React application connected to your data.

How It Works

No drag-and-drop. No manual wiring. Just describe, clarify, and build.

Choose Your Path

Refine offers three ways to start:

Option 1: Start with Chat

The fastest way to try Refine. No setup required.

What happens

1. Go to refine.dev/start
2. Type a prompt in the chat box:

   Create a simple task manager with a list and add form

3. Refine generates a working app with mock data
4. Connect real data later when ready

Option 2: Start with Supabase

Best if you already have a Supabase project with tables.

What happens

1. Connect your Supabase account via OAuth
2. Refine analyzes your database schema
3. You describe what you want to build
4. AI generates a working app connected to your tables

Get started

→ Connect Supabase

Option 3: Start with REST API

Best if you have an existing backend (Express, Django, Rails, etc.).

What happens

1. Provide your API URL and schema
2. Refine analyzes your endpoints
3. You customize how resources appear
4. AI generates a working app connected to your API

Get started

→ Connect REST API

What You'll See

After connecting your data or starting with chat, you'll enter the Refine Console:

The chat is your main interface. Describe what you want; see it appear in the preview.

Your First Prompt

Once in the Console, describe what you want to build:

Create a dashboard for tracking expenses

What happens next

1. Clarifying questions — The AI asks a few quick questions to understand your needs:

   • What type of dashboard? (personal, business, etc.)
   • What's the most important feature for V1?
   • How do you want to handle data?

2. Review the plan — The AI shows a step-by-step plan before building anything.

3. Execute — Press Execute and watch your app come to life in the Preview.

Example flow

You type:

Create a fintech dashboard

The AI asks:

• What type? → Personal finance / Business / Investment tracker
• Priority feature? → Overview with charts / Transaction list / Budget tracking
• Data source? → Mock data / Supabase / Existing API

You pick your options, review the plan, and hit Execute.

Iterating

After the first version, keep the conversation going:

Add a search box to filter transactions

Change the chart to show weekly instead of daily data

The AI will clarify if needed, or execute directly for simple changes.

Publishing Your App

When you're ready to share your app:

1. Click Publish in the Console
2. Get a shareable link to your live application

Exporting Code (Pro)

Pro users can also export the full source code:

• Download — Get a zip file of your complete React project
• The code is standard React/TypeScript built on the Refine open-source framework
• Host anywhere, customize anything

Understanding Tokens

Refine uses tokens to power AI generation:

All plans include publish. Code export is Pro only.

Each AI interaction consumes tokens. Complex requests use more than simple ones.

→ Learn more in Tokens & Billing

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basics:

1. Connect your data

   • Supabase Integration
   • REST API Integration

2. Learn the workspace

   • Using the Console

3. Get better results

   • Prompting Guide

4. Ship your app

   • Publish & Export

FAQ

Do I need to know React?

No. The AI generates the code. But knowing React helps if you want to customize beyond what the AI generates.

What databases does Refine support?

Supabase (PostgreSQL) directly, or any REST API backend. If you can expose your data via API, Refine can connect to it.

Can I use my own design system?

Yes, with Pro. Export the code and modify styles, swap component libraries, or integrate your design system.

Is the generated code production-ready?

Yes. It's built on the Refine framework which is used in production by thousands of applications. The code follows React best practices.

What if I run out of tokens?

You can upgrade to Pro or wait for your monthly reset. Upgrade when you need more tokens or want to export your code.