Development Platforms

Run Steel browser automation scripts without any local setup. These platform integrations provide starter templates, one-click deployment, and cloud-based development environments so you can go from zero to running automation in under a minute.

All three platforms follow the same pattern: fork a template, add your Steel API key, click Run.

Platform Comparison

Feature	Replit	StackBlitz / Bolt.new	Val Town
Languages	Python, Node.js	TypeScript / JavaScript	TypeScript (Deno)
Libraries	Puppeteer, Playwright, Selenium	Puppeteer, Playwright	Puppeteer
Runtime	Cloud container	WebContainers (WASM)	Deno serverless
AI Assistant	Replit AI	Bolt.new	--
Scheduling	Via Replit deployments	--	Built-in cron
API Triggers	Via Replit deployments	--	Built-in HTTP endpoints
Account Required	Yes (free tier)	No (to run), Yes (to save)	Yes (free tier)
Collaboration	Multiplayer editing	Shareable links	Shareable vals
Cost	Free tier available	Free tier available	Free tier available

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Replit

Run Steel browser automation scripts directly in Replit's cloud environment. Write, test, and deploy Steel scripts with support for both Python and Node.js. Perfect for quick prototyping, collaborative development, or running scheduled automation tasks.

Requirements

• Steel API Key (any plan, free key available)
• Replit account (free tier available)

Starter Templates

Template	Language	Library
Steel Puppeteer Starter	Node.js	Puppeteer
Steel Playwright Starter	Node.js	Playwright
Steel Playwright Python Starter	Python	Playwright
Steel Selenium Starter	Python	Selenium

Setup

1. Click "Remix this Template" on any starter template above
2. Open the Secrets pane (under Tools in the sidebar)
3. Add STEEL_API_KEY with your API key as the value
4. Click Run

Key Features

• Multiple language support -- Python and Node.js templates available
• Multiple library support -- Puppeteer, Playwright, and Selenium
• Multiplayer editing -- Collaborate with teammates in real-time
• Deployment options -- Deploy as always-on services or scheduled tasks
• No local setup -- Everything runs in Replit's cloud containers

Resources

• Replit Docs
• Steel Sessions API

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StackBlitz / Bolt.new

StackBlitz is an instant full-stack web IDE powered by WebContainers -- a WebAssembly-based operating system that runs Node.js directly in your browser. Run Steel automation scripts without any local toolchain. Bolt.new is StackBlitz's AI-powered web development agent that can use natural language prompts to modify Steel scripts and build full-stack applications around Steel's capabilities.

Requirements

• Steel API Key (any plan, free key available)
• JavaScript / TypeScript only (limited Python support)
• No account required to run code (only to save)

Starter Templates

Template	Library
Steel Puppeteer Starter	Puppeteer
Steel Playwright Starter	Playwright

Setup

1. Click a template link above to open in StackBlitz
2. Set your Steel API key via the terminal:

   export STEEL_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"

   Or create a .env file in the project root:

   STEEL_API_KEY=your-api-key-here

3. Run npm run in the terminal

Bolt.new Integration

Bolt.new adds AI-powered development on top of StackBlitz:

• Natural language modification -- Tell Bolt.new what you want to change and it edits the Steel script for you
• Full-stack scaffolding -- Build entire applications around Steel's browser automation capabilities
• AI-assisted debugging -- Get help troubleshooting automation workflows
• Zero-config deployment -- Deploy projects directly from the browser

Key Features

• No installation -- Runs entirely in the browser via WebContainers
• Instant startup -- No container boot time, starts in milliseconds
• Shareable -- Share your project via URL
• Offline capable -- WebContainers can work without an internet connection (Steel calls still need connectivity)

Resources

• StackBlitz Docs
• Bolt.new
• Steel Sessions API

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Val Town

Val Town is a collaborative platform for writing and deploying TypeScript functions as serverless endpoints with one-click deployment. The Steel integration lets you run Steel + Puppeteer scripts that can be scheduled on intervals or triggered via HTTP API endpoints -- all without managing servers or containers.

Requirements

• Steel API Key (any plan, free key available)
• Val Town account (free tier available)
• Basic JavaScript / TypeScript knowledge
• Familiarity with Puppeteer

Setup

1. Get a Steel API key at app.steel.dev/settings/api-keys
2. In Val Town, go to Settings > Environment Variables
3. Add STEEL_API_KEY with your key
4. Fork the starter val: steel/steel_puppeteer_starter
5. Click Run

Key Features

• Serverless execution -- No servers to manage, functions run on demand
• Built-in scheduling -- Set up cron-style intervals to run your Steel automations automatically
• HTTP endpoints -- Every val gets its own URL, triggerable via API calls
• Deno runtime -- Runs on Deno with support for JavaScript, TypeScript, JSX, and TSX
• Collaborative -- Share and fork vals from the community
• Version history -- Every save is versioned, roll back at any time

Use Cases

• Scheduled scraping -- Run data extraction jobs on a cron schedule
• API-triggered automation -- Trigger browser workflows from webhooks or other services
• Monitoring -- Check websites on intervals and alert on changes
• Prototyping -- Quickly test Steel automations before moving to production infrastructure

Resources

• Val Town Docs
• Steel Puppeteer Starter Val
• Steel Sessions API