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Turbo Start: Sanity, Shopify, BigCommerce, Contentful & AI starters

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A tour of every Turbo Start template from Roboto Studio: Sanity, Shopify, BigCommerce, Contentful, plus the AI-driven Pointer and Hot Rod builds. Next.js and Astro starters with page builders, head…

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Turbo Start is our opinion of what a Sanity website should be. A Sanity, a Next.js, probably Vercel website with Tailwind CSS thrown in there for good measure. We're going to progressively get more opinionated as we go through this, but for the very start, this is what I would say makes a perfect website if you are going to do page building and you're going to put a blog post on there. It's a great foundation that we use when we build any client's website. So if you like this, you'll like our work.

This is completely open source. It's on a great license. I think it's the most free license. That doesn't mean go make a brand new rival agency and just basically sell this as your own. Don't do that. But essentially, it is something that you can use wherever you want. You can use it for a business website, whatever.

If you look on the homepage, you can see all the different page builder blocks. These are just the different bits of the page all the way down here. It's basically built with a lovely green color. I actually really like this. But it's basically powered by Sanity and it's hosted on Vercel. It's fantastic. It has a light mode, has a dark mode. It even flips the video at the top, which is really cool.

The next one we have is Turbo Start Shopify. This is an example of what you can do with Shopify now. This is where it slightly diverges from the original because it's still going to be using Sanity. Turbo Start Shopify basically is Shopify and Sanity in a headless configuration with the sync engine that keeps all your products in sync inside of Sanity and Shopify.

Why is that so important? Why would everybody add this extreme complexity on top of just a regular Shopify store? Well, Shopify is great if you are going to build a very standard experience, but a lot of the times a commerce website is not a standard experience and the standard experience is not a very good experience. So we built this particular tool.

The beautiful thing about it is that by the time you download this, it should all work without JavaScript pretty much all the way up to the checkout. The reason why is because JavaScript, you want to be able to go through the different stores and the different web pages without JavaScript because that's exactly what Google search crawlers or AI crawlers do. They can't run JavaScript, and it's very important that you can basically just run the whole store, see all the different products and get the information from those. You'll be surprised how few templates actually work without the JavaScript. So it's very important that we did this here.

Turbo Start Shopify is B2C. There's also Turbo Start Big Commerce, which is basically the Big Commerce variant of this, with the exact same sync engine. These are all AI generated models, and if it is something that you are interested in doing where you are creating product shots, we're more than happy to help with that. If it seems like something that would be valuable as part of this starter, give us a shout on GitHub and we'll get that implemented.

We also have Turbo Start Contentful. It's basically exactly the same as Sanity. It's opinionated in exactly the same way, but it is configured differently to work with Contentful to follow their way of handling schema.

The big core difference between the two tools is one of them is GUI based schema. What GUI based schema means is that when you start building these pages, you say, I'm going to drag a string field which is going to be a title. I'm going to drag a rich text field which is going to be the main chunky bit of the blog and then I'm going to make a reference to an author and you drag all of those bits and pieces in. That's for Contentful, a GUI based CMS.

Comparatively, Sanity is a code-based schema. So you would literally write in code: oh, let me get a string that will be the title. Let me get a portable text that will be the main content that's inside of the blog. Sanity in my opinion and I think in a lot of people's opinion has a slightly higher skill floor. However, I personally think the trade-off is most definitely worth it, especially with AI. But I think Contentful is a great solution if you are looking for something where you want to be able to drag and drop the schema, you're happy with the different tiers that are in there and you basically want to be able to create websites with a whole range of different developers because it's a relatively easy thing to pick up and just start working with.

Now I'm going to get into the controversial zone here because these are not CMS driven websites. These are AI-driven websites. We're going to start with Pointer, which is a faithful replication of the Cursor website. Basically, it's built with the exact same blocks that are on the page. Behind the scenes, this uses something called MDX. MDX is basically markdown, but you can throw components inside of it. And it means that you can actually just create page builder pages like this.

The whole idea of this was an experiment that happened at the time. There was a big thing where essentially Cursor had a whole discussion about removing a CMS or adding a CMS. They tore out a CMS and then they wrote a whole blog about the CMS and then Sanity wrote a whole blog about why you shouldn't build a CMS from first principles and there was this whole spat. But basically that's what happened. And so we were like, "Oh, okay. That kind of sounds interesting. Let's see what it's like." And so we ended up building Pointer.

If you are even thinking about this particular route, make sure you think triple, double, quadruple check that nobody's ever going to use the CMS on your team again. The problem here is that if you are doing this, you have to really really commit to it and you're going to end up using like a terminal or CodeEx or Claude Code or even in some cases some people use things like Replit. V Zero is very good with this by the way. But you have to really commit to the AI side of things. The images are hosted inside of Vercel blob. We expect you to host it on Vercel because it's nice and easy.

You've seen Cursor and the Pointer thing. This is Hot Rod, which is on Astro. This is where we started thinking about this a little bit more because I think it is a nice interesting way of building websites. We kept getting requests for people that wanted to build things essentially without a CMS by basically using one of these tools that exists out there. So this particular version was done with Astro rather than Next.js. But again, still hosted on Vercel. We're using Vercel blob. We're using Mux, which is the best video hosting tool to basically host your videos.

The real beauty of this is because we're using Zod typed blocks, it kind of works like a CMS and it validates the blocks as they get put into the page. So it's very very difficult to actually screw up building these pages out.

If you're interested in Astro, this is what I would potentially use. If you're interested in Next.js, this is what I would particularly use. In both of these cases, you have to be 101% into building everything with AI and never using a CMS unless you want to retrofit and fix all of this back up.

If you have questions, drop them in the comments below. Make sure you like the video. Make sure you subscribe, turn the bell on. Have a great day everybody. Thanks for watching.

Read timestamped source captions

0:05Hey folks, how's it going? Hope you're

0:05Hey folks, how's it going? Hope you're having a great day. So, I want to talk

0:07having a great day. So, I want to talk

0:07having a great day. So, I want to talk to you about TurboArt.

0:10to you about TurboArt.

0:10to you about TurboArt. What is TurboArt? Why should I use

0:12What is TurboArt? Why should I use

0:12What is TurboArt? Why should I use TurboArt? More importantly, why should I

0:14TurboArt? More importantly, why should I

0:14TurboArt? More importantly, why should I give a toss about Robboto Studio and

0:16give a toss about Robboto Studio and

0:16give a toss about Robboto Studio and whatever template they've built? Every

0:18whatever template they've built? Every

0:18whatever template they've built? Every two-bit agency has built a template in a

0:21two-bit agency has built a template in a

0:21two-bit agency has built a template in a weekend, shoved it out there, and

0:22weekend, shoved it out there, and

0:22weekend, shoved it out there, and stopped maintaining it. Ours is not the

0:25stopped maintaining it. Ours is not the

0:25stopped maintaining it. Ours is not the same. Um, so Turboar is our opinionation

0:29same. Um, so Turboar is our opinionation

0:29same. Um, so Turboar is our opinionation of what a sanity website should be. A

0:32of what a sanity website should be. A

0:32of what a sanity website should be. A sanity, a Nex.js, probably Versel

0:36sanity, a Nex.js, probably Versel

0:36sanity, a Nex.js, probably Versel website with Tailwind CSS thrown in

0:38website with Tailwind CSS thrown in

0:38website with Tailwind CSS thrown in there for good measure. Um, we are going

0:40there for good measure. Um, we are going

0:40there for good measure. Um, we are going to progressively get more opinionated as

0:42to progressively get more opinionated as

0:42to progressively get more opinionated as we go through this, but for the very

0:44we go through this, but for the very

0:44we go through this, but for the very start, this is what I would say makes a

0:46start, this is what I would say makes a

0:46start, this is what I would say makes a perfect website if you are going to do

0:48perfect website if you are going to do

0:48perfect website if you are going to do page building and you're going to put a

0:50page building and you're going to put a

0:50page building and you're going to put a blog post on there. And it's a great

0:51blog post on there. And it's a great

0:51blog post on there. And it's a great foundation that we use when we build any

0:53foundation that we use when we build any

0:53foundation that we use when we build any client's website. So, if you like this,

0:56client's website. So, if you like this,

0:56client's website. So, if you like this, you'll like us, you'll like our work.

0:58you'll like us, you'll like our work.

0:58you'll like us, you'll like our work. Um, so this is completely open source.

1:01Um, so this is completely open source.

1:01Um, so this is completely open source. It's on a great license. I think it's on

1:02It's on a great license. I think it's on

1:02It's on a great license. I think it's on the the the most free license. That

1:04the the the most free license. That

1:04the the the most free license. That doesn't mean go make a brand new rival

1:06doesn't mean go make a brand new rival

1:06doesn't mean go make a brand new rival agency and just basically sell this as

1:08agency and just basically sell this as

1:08agency and just basically sell this as your own. Don't do that. Um, [music]

1:10your own. Don't do that. Um, [music]

1:10your own. Don't do that. Um, [music] but essentially, it is something that

1:12but essentially, it is something that

1:12but essentially, it is something that you can use wherever you want. You can

1:13you can use wherever you want. You can

1:13you can use wherever you want. You can use it for a business, website,

1:15use it for a business, website,

1:15use it for a business, website, whatever. That leads us into a nice one.

1:16whatever. That leads us into a nice one.

1:16whatever. That leads us into a nice one. So, let me show you the showcase. This

1:18So, let me show you the showcase. This

1:18So, let me show you the showcase. This is some of the folks that have used it.

1:20is some of the folks that have used it.

1:20is some of the folks that have used it. Big names. There's your social proof.

1:22Big names. There's your social proof.

1:22Big names. There's your social proof. Really cool websites. They've either

1:24Really cool websites. They've either

1:24Really cool websites. They've either built it from the ground up or they've

1:26built it from the ground up or they've

1:26built it from the ground up or they've basically Frankensteined it so much that

1:28basically Frankensteined it so much that

1:28basically Frankensteined it so much that it may as well be called Turbo Start

1:30it may as well be called Turbo Start

1:30it may as well be called Turbo Start Sanity. Um, so if you look on the

1:32Sanity. Um, so if you look on the

1:32Sanity. Um, so if you look on the homepage, you can see all the different

1:33homepage, you can see all the different

1:33homepage, you can see all the different page builder blocks. These are just the

1:35page builder blocks. These are just the

1:35page builder blocks. These are just the different bits of the page all the way

1:36different bits of the page all the way

1:36different bits of the page all the way down here. Um, it's basically built

1:39down here. Um, it's basically built

1:39down here. Um, it's basically built lovely, lovely green color. I actually

1:41lovely, lovely green color. I actually

1:41lovely, lovely green color. I actually really like this. Um, but it's basically

1:43really like this. Um, but it's basically

1:43really like this. Um, but it's basically powered by Sanity and it's hosted on

1:45powered by Sanity and it's hosted on

1:45powered by Sanity and it's hosted on Versel. It's fantastic. Has a light

1:47Versel. It's fantastic. Has a light

1:47Versel. It's fantastic. Has a light mode, has a dark mode. I'm not going to

1:48mode, has a dark mode. I'm not going to

1:48mode, has a dark mode. I'm not going to press it because I don't want to flash

1:50press it because I don't want to flash

1:50press it because I don't want to flash bang you, but it does have that. Trust

1:52bang you, but it does have that. Trust

1:52bang you, but it does have that. Trust me. It even flips the video at the top,

1:54me. It even flips the video at the top,

1:54me. It even flips the video at the top, which is really cool. So, this is shop

1:56which is really cool. So, this is shop

1:56which is really cool. So, this is shop uh this is Shopify. This is sanity. You

1:59uh this is Shopify. This is sanity. You

1:59uh this is Shopify. This is sanity. You know what? I've just spoiled the

2:00know what? I've just spoiled the

2:00know what? I've just spoiled the surprise. Guess what we're going to talk

2:01surprise. Guess what we're going to talk

2:01surprise. Guess what we're going to talk about next? We're going to talk about

2:02about next? We're going to talk about

2:02about next? We're going to talk about Shopify. But the next one we have is

2:05Shopify. But the next one we have is

2:05Shopify. But the next one we have is Turboar Shopify. Um so, this is a

2:08Turboar Shopify. Um so, this is a

2:08Turboar Shopify. Um so, this is a example of what you can do with Shopify

2:10example of what you can do with Shopify

2:10example of what you can do with Shopify now. And this is where it slightly

2:12now. And this is where it slightly

2:12now. And this is where it slightly diverges from the original because it's

2:14diverges from the original because it's

2:14diverges from the original because it's still going to be using sanity. So

2:16still going to be using sanity. So

2:16still going to be using sanity. So Turboar Shopify basically is Shopify and

2:19Turboar Shopify basically is Shopify and

2:19Turboar Shopify basically is Shopify and Sanity in a headless configuration uh

2:22Sanity in a headless configuration uh

2:22Sanity in a headless configuration uh with the sync engine that basically

2:24with the sync engine that basically

2:24with the sync engine that basically keeps all your products in sync inside

2:26keeps all your products in sync inside

2:26keeps all your products in sync inside of Sanity and Shopify. Uh why is that so

2:30of Sanity and Shopify. Uh why is that so

2:30of Sanity and Shopify. Uh why is that so important? Why would everybody add this

2:32important? Why would everybody add this

2:32important? Why would everybody add this extreme complexity on top of just a

2:34extreme complexity on top of just a

2:34extreme complexity on top of just a regular Shopify store? Surely it would

2:36regular Shopify store? Surely it would

2:36regular Shopify store? Surely it would be better to just build it in Shopify

2:37be better to just build it in Shopify

2:37be better to just build it in Shopify and be done with it. Well, no. Um,

2:40and be done with it. Well, no. Um,

2:40and be done with it. Well, no. Um, Shopify is great if you are going to

2:41Shopify is great if you are going to

2:42Shopify is great if you are going to build a very vanilla experience, but a

2:44build a very vanilla experience, but a

2:44build a very vanilla experience, but a lot of the times a commerce website is

2:46lot of the times a commerce website is

2:46lot of the times a commerce website is not a vanilla experience and the vanilla

2:49not a vanilla experience and the vanilla

2:49not a vanilla experience and the vanilla experience is not a very good

2:50experience is not a very good

2:50experience is not a very good experience. Um, and so we built this

2:52experience. Um, and so we built this

2:52experience. Um, and so we built this particular tool. So, this works straight

2:54particular tool. So, this works straight

2:54particular tool. So, this works straight off the bat. And the beautiful thing

2:55off the bat. And the beautiful thing

2:55off the bat. And the beautiful thing about it is, um, by the time you

2:57about it is, um, by the time you

2:57about it is, um, by the time you actually download this, I believe it is

2:59actually download this, I believe it is

2:59actually download this, I believe it is at the minute, but I'm not going to

3:00at the minute, but I'm not going to

3:00at the minute, but I'm not going to double check it. Um, the it should all

3:03double check it. Um, the it should all

3:03double check it. Um, the it should all work without JavaScript um, pretty much

3:06work without JavaScript um, pretty much

3:06work without JavaScript um, pretty much all the way up to the checkout. Um, and

3:08all the way up to the checkout. Um, and

3:08all the way up to the checkout. Um, and the reason why is because basically

3:11the reason why is because basically

3:11the reason why is because basically JavaScript, you you want to be able to

3:12JavaScript, you you want to be able to

3:12JavaScript, you you want to be able to to go through the different stores and

3:14to go through the different stores and

3:14to go through the different stores and the different web pages um without

3:16the different web pages um without

3:16the different web pages um without JavaScript because that's exactly what

3:18JavaScript because that's exactly what

3:18JavaScript because that's exactly what Google search cons uh Google search

3:20Google search cons uh Google search

3:20Google search cons uh Google search crawlers do or AI crawlers do. They they

3:23crawlers do or AI crawlers do. They they

3:23crawlers do or AI crawlers do. They they can't so the AI crawlers can't run

3:25can't so the AI crawlers can't run

3:25can't so the AI crawlers can't run JavaScript and it's very important that

3:27JavaScript and it's very important that

3:27JavaScript and it's very important that you can basically just run the whole

3:28you can basically just run the whole

3:28you can basically just run the whole store, see all the different products

3:29store, see all the different products

3:30store, see all the different products and get the information from those. Um,

3:32and get the information from those. Um,

3:32and get the information from those. Um, you'll be surprised how few templates

3:35you'll be surprised how few templates

3:35you'll be surprised how few templates actually work without the JavaScript. So

3:37actually work without the JavaScript. So

3:37actually work without the JavaScript. So it's very important that we did this

3:38it's very important that we did this

3:38it's very important that we did this here. Now this is TurboArt Shopify which

3:42here. Now this is TurboArt Shopify which

3:42here. Now this is TurboArt Shopify which is B TOC.

3:44is B TOC.

3:44is B TOC. I'll let you have a wild guess about

3:46I'll let you have a wild guess about

3:46I'll let you have a wild guess about Turboar Big Commerce where this what

3:50Turboar Big Commerce where this what

3:50Turboar Big Commerce where this what this uses. So Turboar Big Commerce is

3:53this uses. So Turboar Big Commerce is

3:53this uses. So Turboar Big Commerce is basically the Big Commerce variant of

3:54basically the Big Commerce variant of

3:54basically the Big Commerce variant of this. There is one more cool thing. Let

3:56this. There is one more cool thing. Let

3:56this. There is one more cool thing. Let me show you this. So warning, there's

3:59me show you this. So warning, there's

3:59me show you this. So warning, there's going to be a flashbang in a second. So

4:01going to be a flashbang in a second. So

4:01going to be a flashbang in a second. So this is the dark version of the website.

4:04this is the dark version of the website.

4:04this is the dark version of the website. This is the light version of the

4:05This is the light version of the

4:06This is the light version of the website. and it actually works with the

4:07website. and it actually works with the

4:07website. and it actually works with the models and the uh the pictures and

4:08models and the uh the pictures and

4:08models and the uh the pictures and everything else. These are all AI

4:10everything else. These are all AI

4:10everything else. These are all AI generated uh models and if it is

4:12generated uh models and if it is

4:12generated uh models and if it is something that you are interested in

4:13something that you are interested in

4:13something that you are interested in doing where you are creating product

4:15doing where you are creating product

4:15doing where you are creating product shots um we're more than happy to help

4:17shots um we're more than happy to help

4:17shots um we're more than happy to help with that. If it seems like something

4:19with that. If it seems like something

4:19with that. If it seems like something that would be valuable as part of this

4:21that would be valuable as part of this

4:21that would be valuable as part of this starter, give us a shout on uh GitHub

4:23starter, give us a shout on uh GitHub

4:23starter, give us a shout on uh GitHub and we'll get that implemented. Um but

4:25and we'll get that implemented. Um but

4:26and we'll get that implemented. Um but let me show you this back again. Um but

4:27let me show you this back again. Um but

4:27let me show you this back again. Um but yeah, you can see everything inside of

4:29yeah, you can see everything inside of

4:29yeah, you can see everything inside of here. It runs with uh Shopify uh runs

4:32here. It runs with uh Shopify uh runs

4:32here. It runs with uh Shopify uh runs sorry Big Commerce this one Big Commerce

4:35sorry Big Commerce this one Big Commerce

4:35sorry Big Commerce this one Big Commerce and uh Sanity on the front end and

4:38and uh Sanity on the front end and

4:38and uh Sanity on the front end and basically has the exact same sync

4:39basically has the exact same sync

4:39basically has the exact same sync engine. We've made them very very

4:41engine. We've made them very very

4:41engine. We've made them very very similar because it's nice and easy to

4:43similar because it's nice and easy to

4:43similar because it's nice and easy to understand both and [music] you

4:44understand both and [music] you

4:44understand both and [music] you basically get the same result. Um so now

4:47basically get the same result. Um so now

4:47basically get the same result. Um so now we've started talking about sanity. I'm

4:49we've started talking about sanity. I'm

4:49we've started talking about sanity. I'm going to switch things up a little bit.

4:50going to switch things up a little bit.

4:50going to switch things up a little bit. We also have a Turboar Contentful. So

4:54We also have a Turboar Contentful. So

4:54We also have a Turboar Contentful. So let me click inside of here. This is

4:56let me click inside of here. This is

4:56let me click inside of here. This is Turboar Contentful. It's basically

4:58Turboar Contentful. It's basically

4:58Turboar Contentful. It's basically exactly the same as sanity. It's

5:00exactly the same as sanity. It's

5:00exactly the same as sanity. It's opinionated in exactly the same way, but

5:02opinionated in exactly the same way, but

5:02opinionated in exactly the same way, but it is configured differently to work

5:04it is configured differently to work

5:04it is configured differently to work with Contentful to follow their way of

5:06with Contentful to follow their way of

5:06with Contentful to follow their way of handling schema. Um, when should we go

5:08handling schema. Um, when should we go

5:08handling schema. Um, when should we go and use sanity? When should we go and

5:10and use sanity? When should we go and

5:10and use sanity? When should we go and use Contentful? Let me give you an

5:12use Contentful? Let me give you an

5:12use Contentful? Let me give you an answer to that. So, the big core

5:14answer to that. So, the big core

5:14answer to that. So, the big core difference between the two tools is one

5:16difference between the two tools is one

5:16difference between the two tools is one of them is a GUI based schema. So, what

5:19of them is a GUI based schema. So, what

5:20of them is a GUI based schema. So, what GUI based schema means is that when you

5:21GUI based schema means is that when you

5:21GUI based schema means is that when you start building these pages, you say, I'm

5:23start building these pages, you say, I'm

5:23start building these pages, you say, I'm going to drag a string field which is

5:25going to drag a string field which is

5:25going to drag a string field which is going to be a title. I'm going to drag a

5:27going to be a title. I'm going to drag a

5:27going to be a title. I'm going to drag a rich text field which is going to be the

5:29rich text field which is going to be the

5:29rich text field which is going to be the the main chunky bit of the blog and then

5:31the main chunky bit of the blog and then

5:31the main chunky bit of the blog and then you know I'm going to make a reference

5:33you know I'm going to make a reference

5:33you know I'm going to make a reference to a author and you drag all of those

5:35to a author and you drag all of those

5:36to a author and you drag all of those bits and pieces in. That's for

5:37bits and pieces in. That's for

5:37bits and pieces in. That's for Contentful, a GUI based um CMS.

5:41Contentful, a GUI based um CMS.

5:41Contentful, a GUI based um CMS. Comparatively for sanity and this is the

5:44Comparatively for sanity and this is the

5:44Comparatively for sanity and this is the the real thing that makes people

5:45the real thing that makes people

5:45the real thing that makes people generally go one way or the other.

5:47generally go one way or the other.

5:47generally go one way or the other. Sanity is a codebased schema. So you

5:50Sanity is a codebased schema. So you

5:50Sanity is a codebased schema. So you would literally write in code, oh um let

5:52would literally write in code, oh um let

5:52would literally write in code, oh um let me get a string that will be the title.

5:55me get a string that will be the title.

5:55me get a string that will be the title. uh let me get a portable text that will

5:58uh let me get a portable text that will

5:58uh let me get a portable text that will be the main content that's inside of the

5:59be the main content that's inside of the

5:59be the main content that's inside of the blog. Sanity in my opinion and I think

6:02blog. Sanity in my opinion and I think

6:02blog. Sanity in my opinion and I think in a lot of people's opinion has a

6:04in a lot of people's opinion has a

6:04in a lot of people's opinion has a slightly higher skill floor. Um however

6:08slightly higher skill floor. Um however

6:08slightly higher skill floor. Um however I personally think the trade-off is most

6:10I personally think the trade-off is most

6:10I personally think the trade-off is most definitely worth it especially with AI.

6:12definitely worth it especially with AI.

6:12definitely worth it especially with AI. Um but I think Contentful is a great

6:14Um but I think Contentful is a great

6:14Um but I think Contentful is a great solution if you are looking for

6:16solution if you are looking for

6:16solution if you are looking for something where you want to be able to

6:17something where you want to be able to

6:17something where you want to be able to drag and drop the schema. um you're

6:19drag and drop the schema. um you're

6:19drag and drop the schema. um you're happy with the different tiers that are

6:21happy with the different tiers that are

6:21happy with the different tiers that are in there and you basically want to be

6:23in there and you basically want to be

6:23in there and you basically want to be able to create websites um with a whole

6:26able to create websites um with a whole

6:26able to create websites um with a whole range of different developers because

6:27range of different developers because

6:27range of different developers because it's it's a relatively easy thing to

6:29it's it's a relatively easy thing to

6:29it's it's a relatively easy thing to pick up and just start working with. Um

6:32pick up and just start working with. Um

6:32pick up and just start working with. Um so that's why we built Turbo Start

6:34so that's why we built Turbo Start

6:34so that's why we built Turbo Start Contentful. Feel free to play around

6:36Contentful. Feel free to play around

6:36Contentful. Feel free to play around with that. If you have anything, again,

6:38with that. If you have anything, again,

6:38with that. If you have anything, again, the same as what we've been saying

6:39the same as what we've been saying

6:39the same as what we've been saying before, any issues, put them in GitHub

6:40before, any issues, put them in GitHub

6:40before, any issues, put them in GitHub and we'll work on them very very fast to

6:42and we'll work on them very very fast to

6:42and we'll work on them very very fast to make sure this is great for everybody.

6:45make sure this is great for everybody.

6:45make sure this is great for everybody. And so we've spoken about CMS's. Now I'm

6:48And so we've spoken about CMS's. Now I'm

6:48And so we've spoken about CMS's. Now I'm going to get into the controversial zone

6:50going to get into the controversial zone

6:50going to get into the controversial zone here because these are not CMS driven

6:53here because these are not CMS driven

6:53here because these are not CMS driven websites. These are AIdriven websites.

6:57websites. These are AIdriven websites.

6:57websites. These are AIdriven websites. And first we're going to start with a

6:59And first we're going to start with a

6:59And first we're going to start with a homage a

7:02homage a

7:02homage a faithful replication of something. Not a

7:05faithful replication of something. Not a

7:05faithful replication of something. Not a not a a ripped off version of cursor.

7:10not a a ripped off version of cursor.

7:10not a a ripped off version of cursor. It's a homage to cursor. And so this is

7:14It's a homage to cursor. And so this is

7:14It's a homage to cursor. And so this is Pointer. Basically, it's a complete

7:15Pointer. Basically, it's a complete

7:15Pointer. Basically, it's a complete ripoff of the cursor website. Um, and it

7:18ripoff of the cursor website. Um, and it

7:18ripoff of the cursor website. Um, and it uses the exact same way the the blocks

7:22uses the exact same way the the blocks

7:22uses the exact same way the the blocks that are on the page to be able to build

7:23that are on the page to be able to build

7:24that are on the page to be able to build this. Now, behind the scenes, this uses

7:27this. Now, behind the scenes, this uses

7:27this. Now, behind the scenes, this uses something called MDX.

7:29something called MDX.

7:29something called MDX. Uh, MDX is basically markdown, but you

7:31Uh, MDX is basically markdown, but you

7:31Uh, MDX is basically markdown, but you can throw components inside of it. And

7:33can throw components inside of it. And

7:33can throw components inside of it. And it means that you can actually just

7:34it means that you can actually just

7:34it means that you can actually just create page builder pages like this. But

7:37create page builder pages like this. But

7:37create page builder pages like this. But the whole idea of this was an experiment

7:39the whole idea of this was an experiment

7:39the whole idea of this was an experiment that happened at the time. Um, I'm going

7:41that happened at the time. Um, I'm going

7:41that happened at the time. Um, I'm going to get in trouble for this, I guarantee.

7:43to get in trouble for this, I guarantee.

7:43to get in trouble for this, I guarantee. But there was a a big thing where

7:45But there was a a big thing where

7:45But there was a a big thing where essentially cursor had a whole um faf

7:49essentially cursor had a whole um faf

7:49essentially cursor had a whole um faf about removing a CMS or adding a CMS.

7:53about removing a CMS or adding a CMS.

7:53about removing a CMS or adding a CMS. Um, and then basically they tore out a

7:55Um, and then basically they tore out a

7:55Um, and then basically they tore out a CMS and then they wrote a whole blog

7:57CMS and then they wrote a whole blog

7:57CMS and then they wrote a whole blog about the CMS and then Sanity wrote a

7:59about the CMS and then Sanity wrote a

7:59about the CMS and then Sanity wrote a whole blog about uh why you shouldn't

8:01whole blog about uh why you shouldn't

8:01whole blog about uh why you shouldn't build a CMS for first principles and

8:03build a CMS for first principles and

8:03build a CMS for first principles and there was this whole spat this whole

8:05there was this whole spat this whole

8:05there was this whole spat this whole tiff. U I'm joking. It wasn't that big

8:08tiff. U I'm joking. It wasn't that big

8:08tiff. U I'm joking. It wasn't that big of a deal, but basically that's what

8:09of a deal, but basically that's what

8:09of a deal, but basically that's what happened. And so we were like, "Oh,

8:11happened. And so we were like, "Oh,

8:11happened. And so we were like, "Oh, okay. That kind of sounds interesting.

8:13okay. That kind of sounds interesting.

8:13okay. That kind of sounds interesting. Let's see what it's like." And so we

8:15Let's see what it's like." And so we

8:15Let's see what it's like." And so we ended up building pointer. Um, now I

8:17ended up building pointer. Um, now I

8:17ended up building pointer. Um, now I will say if you are even thinking about

8:20will say if you are even thinking about

8:20will say if you are even thinking about this particular route, make sure you

8:22this particular route, make sure you

8:22this particular route, make sure you think triple, double, quadruple check.

8:26think triple, double, quadruple check.

8:26think triple, double, quadruple check. Um, that nobody's ever going to use the

8:28Um, that nobody's ever going to use the

8:28Um, that nobody's ever going to use the CMS on your team again. Um because the

8:31CMS on your team again. Um because the

8:31CMS on your team again. Um because the problem here is that if you are doing

8:32problem here is that if you are doing

8:32problem here is that if you are doing this, you have to really really commit

8:33this, you have to really really commit

8:34this, you have to really really commit to it and you're going to end up end up

8:35to it and you're going to end up end up

8:35to it and you're going to end up end up using like a terminal or codeex or you

8:38using like a terminal or codeex or you

8:38using like a terminal or codeex or you know clawed code or even in some cases

8:41know clawed code or even in some cases

8:41know clawed code or even in some cases some people use things like replet.

8:42some people use things like replet.

8:42some people use things like replet. Vzero is very good with this by the way.

8:45Vzero is very good with this by the way.

8:45Vzero is very good with this by the way. So v 0ero is a very good tool for this

8:46So v 0ero is a very good tool for this

8:46So v 0ero is a very good tool for this but you have to really commit to the AI

8:48but you have to really commit to the AI

8:48but you have to really commit to the AI side of things but this will show you

8:50side of things but this will show you

8:50side of things but this will show you how to build it and this was our first

8:53how to build it and this was our first

8:53how to build it and this was our first attempt at doing this. It works

8:54attempt at doing this. It works

8:54attempt at doing this. It works beautifully. The images are hosted

8:56beautifully. The images are hosted

8:56beautifully. The images are hosted inside of Versel blob. But again, you

8:57inside of Versel blob. But again, you

8:58inside of Versel blob. But again, you have to think about these things because

8:59have to think about these things because

8:59have to think about these things because the CMS will come along and provide all

9:01the CMS will come along and provide all

9:01the CMS will come along and provide all of this. So, you don't have to really

9:03of this. So, you don't have to really

9:03of this. So, you don't have to really think too much. But this particular

9:04think too much. But this particular

9:04think too much. But this particular version uses Versel blob. Uh we expect

9:07version uses Versel blob. Uh we expect

9:07version uses Versel blob. Uh we expect you to to host it on Versell because

9:09you to to host it on Versell because

9:09you to to host it on Versell because it's nice and easy. And I don't cater

9:11it's nice and easy. And I don't cater

9:11it's nice and easy. And I don't cater for um peasant tools like Netifi. No,

9:15for um peasant tools like Netifi. No,

9:15for um peasant tools like Netifi. No, no, no, no, no. I'm joking. Netify, by

9:17no, no, no, no. I'm joking. Netify, by

9:17no, no, no, no. I'm joking. Netify, by the way. You can still sponsor us if you

9:18the way. You can still sponsor us if you

9:18the way. You can still sponsor us if you want. Um but yeah, essentially this is

9:20want. Um but yeah, essentially this is

9:20want. Um but yeah, essentially this is actually how the tool works. [music] Um,

9:22actually how the tool works. [music] Um,

9:22actually how the tool works. [music] Um, and you, this pretty much looks almost

9:24and you, this pretty much looks almost

9:24and you, this pretty much looks almost identical to cursor, but we called it

9:26identical to cursor, but we called it

9:26identical to cursor, but we called it pointer to avoid getting in a lawsuit.

9:29pointer to avoid getting in a lawsuit.

9:29pointer to avoid getting in a lawsuit. None. Anyway, hot rod. So, you've seen

9:33None. Anyway, hot rod. So, you've seen

9:33None. Anyway, hot rod. So, you've seen cursor, you've seen the pointer thing.

9:35cursor, you've seen the pointer thing.

9:35cursor, you've seen the pointer thing. Why is this any different? Why have we

9:36Why is this any different? Why have we

9:36Why is this any different? Why have we made this crazy looking taxi themed

9:38made this crazy looking taxi themed

9:38made this crazy looking taxi themed website? How does this differ? Well,

9:41website? How does this differ? Well,

9:41website? How does this differ? Well, this is on Astro. And this is where we

9:43this is on Astro. And this is where we

9:43this is on Astro. And this is where we started thinking about this a little bit

9:45started thinking about this a little bit

9:45started thinking about this a little bit more because I think it is an nice

9:46more because I think it is an nice

9:46more because I think it is an nice interesting way of building websites.

9:49interesting way of building websites.

9:49interesting way of building websites. And we kept getting requests for people

9:50And we kept getting requests for people

9:50And we kept getting requests for people that wanted to build things um

9:53that wanted to build things um

9:53that wanted to build things um essentially without a CMS by basically

9:55essentially without a CMS by basically

9:55essentially without a CMS by basically using one of these tools that exists out

9:57using one of these tools that exists out

9:57using one of these tools that exists out there. And so this particular version

9:59there. And so this particular version

9:59there. And so this particular version was done with Astro rather than Nex.js.

10:01was done with Astro rather than Nex.js.

10:01was done with Astro rather than Nex.js. But again, still hosted on Versell.

10:03But again, still hosted on Versell.

10:03But again, still hosted on Versell. We're using Versel blobs. We're using

10:05We're using Versel blobs. We're using

10:05We're using Versel blobs. We're using Muk, which happens to be the best um

10:09Muk, which happens to be the best um

10:09Muk, which happens to be the best um video library website or video library

10:11video library website or video library

10:11video library website or video library tool, whatever you want to call it, um

10:13tool, whatever you want to call it, um

10:13tool, whatever you want to call it, um to basically host your videos. You see

10:15to basically host your videos. You see

10:15to basically host your videos. You see the whole thing in action here. This is

10:17the whole thing in action here. This is

10:17the whole thing in action here. This is actually Muk. You can see the the M

10:18actually Muk. You can see the the M

10:18actually Muk. You can see the the M player. Beautiful. It even has this nice

10:21player. Beautiful. It even has this nice

10:21player. Beautiful. It even has this nice little yellow. You can put the colors

10:23little yellow. You can put the colors

10:23little yellow. You can put the colors inside of it. So, it's even got that

10:24inside of it. So, it's even got that

10:24inside of it. So, it's even got that nice uh taxi yellow inside of here. But

10:27nice uh taxi yellow inside of here. But

10:27nice uh taxi yellow inside of here. But the real beauty of this is because we're

10:29the real beauty of this is because we're

10:29the real beauty of this is because we're using ZOD typed blocks, it kind of works

10:33using ZOD typed blocks, it kind of works

10:33using ZOD typed blocks, it kind of works like a CMS and it validates the blocks

10:35like a CMS and it validates the blocks

10:35like a CMS and it validates the blocks as they get put into the page. So, it's

10:37as they get put into the page. So, it's

10:37as they get put into the page. So, it's very very difficult to actually screw up

10:40very very difficult to actually screw up

10:40very very difficult to actually screw up uh building these pages out. So, this is

10:42uh building these pages out. So, this is

10:42uh building these pages out. So, this is what I would potentially use if you're

10:44what I would potentially use if you're

10:44what I would potentially use if you're interested in Astro. This is what I

10:46interested in Astro. This is what I

10:46interested in Astro. This is what I would particularly use if you're

10:47would particularly use if you're

10:47would particularly use if you're interested in Nex.js. In both of these

10:50interested in Nex.js. In both of these

10:50interested in Nex.js. In both of these cases, you have to be 101%

10:53cases, you have to be 101%

10:53cases, you have to be 101% into building everything with AI and

10:55into building everything with AI and

10:55into building everything with AI and never using a CMS unless you want to

10:57never using a CMS unless you want to

10:57never using a CMS unless you want to retrofit and fix all of this back up.

11:00retrofit and fix all of this back up.

11:00retrofit and fix all of this back up. So, I hope this helps. I hope this gave

11:02So, I hope this helps. I hope this gave

11:02So, I hope this helps. I hope this gave you some clarity about all the different

11:03you some clarity about all the different

11:03you some clarity about all the different versions of Turbo Start, Pointer, Hot

11:07versions of Turbo Start, Pointer, Hot

11:07versions of Turbo Start, Pointer, Hot Rod. If you have questions, drop them in

11:09Rod. If you have questions, drop them in

11:09Rod. If you have questions, drop them in the comments below and do all that good

11:11the comments below and do all that good

11:11the comments below and do all that good stuff that people like. Make sure you

11:12stuff that people like. Make sure you

11:12stuff that people like. Make sure you like the video. Make sure you subscribe,

11:14like the video. Make sure you subscribe,

11:14like the video. Make sure you subscribe, turn the bell on, do all of that dumb

11:17turn the bell on, do all of that dumb

11:17turn the bell on, do all of that dumb stuff. Have a great day everybody.

11:19stuff. Have a great day everybody.

11:19stuff. Have a great day everybody. Thanks for watching. Bye-bye.

Questions answered

Editorial answers from the original Roboto page.

What is Turbo Start and what stack does it use?

Turbo Start is our opinion on what a modern website should look like, built with Sanity as the CMS, Next.js for the framework, Vercel for hosting, and Tailwind CSS for styling. It's a great foundation we use when building any client website and it's completely open source.

Read the original ↗
Why would you add Sanity on top of a regular Shopify store?

Shopify is great for standard experiences, but commerce websites often need customization that the standard Shopify setup doesn't provide. By using Sanity with Shopify in a headless configuration and sync engine, you can keep your products in sync across both platforms while building the unique experience your store needs.

Read the original ↗
Does Turbo Start Shopify require JavaScript to work?

By the time you download it, Turbo Start Shopify should work without JavaScript all the way up to checkout. This is important because search crawlers and AI tools can't run JavaScript, so you need the whole store to be functional for them to see your products and information.

Read the original ↗
What's the difference between Sanity and Contentful in these templates?

Contentful uses a GUI based schema where you drag and drop fields to build your structure, while Sanity uses a code based schema where you write the structure in code. Sanity has a slightly higher skill floor, but the trade off is worth it in my opinion, especially when working with AI. Contentful is great if you want something easy to pick up across different developers.

Read the original ↗
What is MDX and how does it work in Pointer?

MDX is markdown but with the ability to throw components inside of it, which lets you create page builder pages without a traditional CMS. Pointer uses MDX to create a website similar to Cursor's, storing content as code rather than in a database.

Read the original ↗
Should I use an AI driven website or a CMS driven website?

If you go the AI driven route with something like Pointer or Hot Rod, you need to commit fully to it and make sure nobody on your team will ever need to use a CMS again. You'll be using a terminal, CodeEx, Claude, or tools like V Zero to build everything. If there's any chance you'll want CMS access later, stick with a CMS driven approach.

Read the original ↗
What are the differences between the AI driven templates Pointer and Hot Rod?

Pointer is built with Next.js and replicates the Cursor website using MDX, while Hot Rod is built with Astro. Both are hosted on Vercel and use Vercel blob for images. Hot Rod also uses Zod typed blocks which validate the blocks as they get put into the page, making it harder to break things when building pages out.

Read the original ↗

Scope and context

  • Video authors are credited by the original Roboto page; individual transcript speakers remain unassigned.