At BearStudio, we start new web projects pretty often.
And every time, the beginning felt the same: we spent hours assembling the foundation before we could build anything meaningful.
Spin up a React and TypeScript project.
Add routing.
Choose a pattern for data fetching and mutations.
Set up authentication.
Install Prisma and wire migrations.
Bring in Tailwind.
Pick or build UI components.
Add linting, tests, CI, Docker.
By the time everything was in place, we still hadn’t shipped a real feature.
None of this was particularly difficult.
It was just repetitive, and it drained energy before the interesting work began.
That is what pushed us to create Start UI (web), an open-source full-stack starter.
Repo: https://github.com/BearStudio/start-ui-web
Why TanStack Start?
When we explored TanStack Start, it matched the kind of developer experience we were looking for: explicit, modern, type-safe, and not overloaded with abstractions.
It provides a clean foundation for routing, data loading and actions, while letting you stay close to the underlying React and server patterns. It gives structure without locking you in.
TanStack Start does not try to solve everything, and we like that.
It keeps the fundamentals simple and leaves room for architectural decisions. This is where our own stack comes in.
Where oRPC Fits In
For client-server communication, we use oRPC.
It is not part of TanStack Start. It is a separate choice that gives us:
- fully typed procedure calls
- clearer separation of concerns
- no duplicated types
- predictable request and response flows
oRPC handles the application logic boundary, while TanStack Start takes care of routing and UI composition.
The two work well together without stepping on each other.
The Setup Pain We Wanted to Remove
We did not create a starter because boilerplate is fun.
We created it because every project kept hitting the same repetitive hurdles.
Trying to rebuild a project structure we had already solved.
Rewriting authentication flows that barely changed from one project to another.
Configuring Prisma and handling migrations by hand.
Keeping server and client types aligned without manual duplication.
Rebuilding the same UI primitives again.
Delaying tests until later and regretting it.
Preparing Docker for the hundredth time.
Each problem is small on its own.
Together, they slow down the moment a project starts to feel real.
What Start UI (web) Gives You From Day One
The goal is simple. When you create a new project, you should be ready to build features almost immediately.
You start with a clean React and TypeScript structure.
Routing is set up with TanStack Start.
oRPC gives you fully typed API procedures.
Authentication is handled by Better Auth, already configured.
Prisma is wired with schema and migrations.
Tailwind is installed, and shadcn/ui gives you a solid set of components on day one.
Unit and E2E tests run out of the box.
ESLint, Prettier and CI are ready.
Docker works for local and production environments.
Storybook is included with a minimal design system.
Nothing in this stack is here to constrain you.
It is here to remove the repetitive parts so you can focus on what actually matters.
Why It Matters
The first days of a project should feel exciting.
But when the setup phase drags on, that excitement fades quickly.
Start UI (web) helps keep that momentum.
It removes the tedious work so you can see real progress sooner and maintain it.
Who This Helps
This starter works well for:
- agencies and teams who frequently start new projects
- freelancers looking for a reliable baseline
- developers exploring TanStack Start in a real context
- anyone who wants to skip boilerplate and build faster
It is not a framework.
It is not rigid.
It is a solid foundation you can build on.
Open Source and Continuously Improved
We use Start UI (web) internally and refine it every time we hit a real-world need.
You can explore it here:
https://github.com/BearStudio/start-ui-web
We are trying to reach 2000 stars before Christmas.
If it helps you or sparks ideas, a star would mean a lot.
Thanks for reading. If you want to discuss TanStack Start, oRPC, Better Auth or anything else, we are always happy to chat.
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