Website buildersCAN I VIBECODE
Format?
BUILD FIRST
- One specific customer type and one primary use case
- A vertical slice that completes the main job without manual workarounds
- Visible limits, review steps, and a fallback when an external dependency fails
LEAVE FOR LATER
- Broad third-party integrations
- High-scale collaboration, syncing, and permissions
- Automation that can cause harm without human review
RESEARCH NOTES
What this tool actually does.
Format (format.com) is a subscription website builder aimed at photographers and creative professionals. Core workflow: build a portfolio site from 90+ image-centric templates via drag-and-drop, then manage client work through branded proofing galleries, file transfers (up to 10GB), and contracts. Highlights: uploads up to 100MB per file, Lightroom integration, hosted video up to 120 minutes, live Instagram feed embeds, custom pages with code embeds and an advanced code editor, built-in SEO tools for images/blog/store, and commission-free e-commerce for digital downloads, services, and physical products. Templates are mobile-optimized; domains can be bought, transferred, or connected. No coding required for base use.
RESEARCHED BUILD PROMPT
Give this to your coding agent.
Build a self-hosted replacement for Format, the portfolio website builder for photographers and creatives. The core workflow: a creative signs up, picks an image-centric template, drag-and-drops blocks to build a portfolio, uploads high-res images, then uses the same platform to send branded client galleries for proofing, transfer files, and sell prints or digital downloads.
User-facing requirements: a small template gallery of image-first layouts; a drag-and-drop page editor (reorder, resize, overlap blocks); media uploads with large-file support and client-side image optimization; public portfolio pages with SEO fields (title, description, alt text); a client proofing flow where a client gets a password-protected gallery link, views images, and marks favorites; a simple store with products, cart, and checkout; a blog; a live social feed embed; custom pages with raw HTML/CSS/JS embeds; domain connection.
Technical requirements: Node.js/TypeScript backend with Postgres and S3-compatible object storage; Next.js frontend; auth with owner and client roles; an image processing pipeline (sharp) for thumbnails and optimization; a REST or tRPC API; a queue for file processing; Stripe for payments; email for gallery invites and contract acknowledgments.
Implementation approach: a headless-CMS pattern where the editor saves structured JSON page layouts rendered server-side; store proofing state (favorites, comments) in the DB; use signed URLs for large transfers.
Do not copy Format's brand, logo, templates, copy, or UI; build original layouts and naming. Out of scope: a Lightroom plugin, native mobile apps, multi-language support, advanced analytics, and a full e-signature engine (send a simple PDF/email acknowledgment instead). Include a README covering setup, env vars, seed data, and known limitations (e.g., no video transcoding, single-tenant by default).