// verdict · checked 2026-08-11 · Bolt (support.bolt.new docs, 2026)
Bolt.new
StackBlitz
Scaffolds an app fast. 'Agent' appears in the marketing, 'template engine' in the output.
- CAPABILITY
- 2/5 WRAPPER WITH AMBITION
- PROOF
- OPERATOR INSPECTABLEYou can run it and read the steps yourself — the record exists for whoever runs it
- TRACE ACCESS
- OPERATOR-OWNEDWhoever runs it holds the record; nothing is published
- LEASH
- Not measuredno execution record scored — measure it yourself
| LOOPSruns until doneyes | One prompt drives a variable-length run: the agent decides file edits, whether the app needs a database, which skills to load; the security audit fixes what it finds and flags the rest. |
| CHOOSESpicks its own toolsno | Only a Standard-vs-Max model choice is documented; runtime tool or MCP-connector selection is not. |
| ACTSchanges the worldyes | Writes and runs project files in a WebContainer, auto-commits to the connected GitHub repo, provisions a Bolt Cloud database, and via MCP connectors edits Notion pages or opens GitHub PRs. |
| RECOVERSfixes its own errorsno | Troubleshooting doc tells the user to prompt 'The preview is not showing, fix this.' themselves. |
| UNSUPERVISEDnobody watchingno | Lifecycle doc is prompt-per-change; Plan mode waits for the user's 'Implement plan' click. |
Capability decisions combine documented behaviour and execution evidence. The proof label on each row shows which of the two decided it, and Leash is reported separately, only when it was measured from an execution record. Primary source: support.bolt.new. Tested against: Bolt (support.bolt.new docs, 2026). Our confidence in this dossier: 6/10.
Can you see it work?
the weakest of the five grades aboveOPERATOR INSPECTABLE — You can run it and read the steps yourself — the record exists for whoever runs it. Trace access: OPERATOR-OWNED — Whoever runs it holds the record; nothing is published.
Chat has an expandable "actions taken" step list; terminal tab shows commands and errors
Where we looked: support.bolt.new llms-full.txt; skills + troubleshooting docs and their UI screenshots (actions-taken panel, Bolt terminal with npm errors); stackblitz/bolt.new source; no export or API · see the evidence → · re-checked by a second pass built to overturn it
No revisions yet. This verdict has stood since 2026-08-11.
Badges
earned, never for sale
These render from the live dataset, so a badge cannot outlive the verdict it claims. If the verdict changes the badge changes with it, and an unearned one returns 409 rather than an image. No sponsor can buy one, at any price.
Think this is wrong?
bring evidence, not opinionName the criterion and link a trace, a doc, or a recorded run that shows the behaviour. A verdict changed by evidence is the best thing that can happen to this site, and the change goes on the public record with your reason attached. Vendors are welcome, and a vendor's own filing is labelled as such rather than buried.