How to vibe codeLemon Squeezy

Prerequisites

• Node.jsfree

  Required runtime for executing the Next.js framework and build toolchain.

• GitHubfree

  Source control repository and deployment integration for Vercel.

• Stripe Accountfree

  Test-mode payment gateway integration for processing test checkouts.

AI coding tools

• Claude Code

  Best-in-class terminal coding agent for scaffolding multi-file SaaS architectures, database schemas, and API routes.

• Cursor

  AI code editor ideal for refining frontend checkout overlays, modals, and dashboard views with tight visual feedback.

Build guide

1. 01Project Scaffolding & Database Schema

   Initialize the Next.js project with Tailwind CSS, configure better-auth, and set up the core relational database schema in Neon for merchants, products, prices, orders, subscriptions, and license keys.

   Scrape together a new Next.js project using App Router, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS. Install shadcn/ui primitives. Set up better-auth with email/password authentication connected to a Neon PostgreSQL database via Prisma or Drizzle ORM. Create database migrations for the core models: Merchants (id, name, email, stripe_account_id), Products (id, merchant_id, name, description, price, recurring_interval, is_subscription), Customers (id, email, name, created_at), Orders (id, merchant_id, customer_id, product_id, amount, status, created_at), Subscriptions (id, merchant_id, customer_id, product_id, status, current_period_end), and LicenseKeys (id, order_id, key_string, status, activations_count). Write robust migration files and verify database connection success locally using environment variables.

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2. 02Merchant Dashboard & Product Management

   Build the merchant dashboard interface allowing creators to create products, set pricing variants (one-time or recurring), generate embeddable checkout links, and view high-level revenue reporting.

   Build a responsive merchant dashboard in Next.js App Router under the `/dashboard` route group. Create pages for viewing revenue metrics (MRR, total sales, order count) and managing products. Implement a product creation form that allows merchants to specify name, description, price, currency, and billing type (one-time vs recurring monthly/yearly). Store products in the Neon database. Add a product detail view that generates shareable hosted checkout URLs (`/checkout/[productId]`) and embeddable JavaScript overlay snippet codes for customers to place on external websites. Ensure clean styling using Tailwind CSS and shadcn/ui table and card components.

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3. 03Hosted Checkouts & Stripe Integration

   Implement the public hosted checkout page and checkout overlay modal that collects customer details, integrates with Stripe Checkout test mode, and processes payments securely.

   Build a public hosted checkout page at `/checkout/[productId]` that fetches product details and renders a clean purchasing form for buyers. Integrate Stripe Checkout session creation via a server action when the buyer clicks 'Buy Now', passing metadata for merchant, product, and customer email. Implement a Stripe webhook handler endpoint at `/api/webhooks/stripe` to listen for `checkout.session.completed` and `invoice.payment_succeeded` events. Upon successful payment verification in the webhook handler, programmatically record the order in the database, generate a unique software license key string, and trigger a background function to record customer purchase history.

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4. 04License Key Management & Verification API

   Develop the automated license key generation workflow upon purchase and provide a secure REST API endpoint for desktop and web software to activate, validate, and revoke license keys.

   Implement an automated license key generation utility that creates secure formatted strings (e.g., `XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX`) upon every successful order fulfillment. Display generated license keys to the buyer on the order success screen and send them via email. Build a developer-facing REST API endpoint at `/api/v1/licenses/activate` and `/api/v1/licenses/validate` that accepts a license key and an instance identifier, verifies activation limits against the database, and returns JSON success/error responses. Include UI views in the merchant dashboard for inspecting issued license keys, viewing activation counts, and manually revoking keys.

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5. 05Customer Portal & Subscription Management

   Create a self-service customer portal where buyers can view their active subscriptions, download receipts, access license keys, and update payment methods.

   Build a secure customer portal accessible via magic link or customer login at `/portal`. Allow customers to view their active and past purchases, download PDF-style receipts, copy their issued software license keys, and manage active subscriptions. Implement subscription cancellation and plan upgrade/downgrade handlers that communicate with Stripe billing APIs and update local subscription statuses in the Neon database. Test the end-to-end flow from checkout to customer portal management.

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Cost vs paying for Lemon Squeezy