NeuraAPI
Guide February 10, 2026 10 min read

Create a SaaS in 48h: step-by-step guide

Partager :

Launching a SaaS no longer requires months of development. With the right tools — Next.js 14, Stripe, Prisma, Vercel — you can have a functional product in 48h. This guide details each step, from the first commit to production deployment.

Day 1 — The foundations (hours 0-12)

Step 1: Initialize the project

Start by creating a Next.js 14 project with TypeScript, Tailwind CSS and App Router:

npx create-next-app@14 my-saas \
  --typescript --tailwind --eslint --app \
  --src-dir --import-alias "@/*"

cd my-saas

# Install essential dependencies
npm install prisma @prisma/client next-auth
npm install stripe @stripe/stripe-js
npm install zod react-hook-form
npm install @neuraapi/sdk

Step 2: Configure the database

Prisma offers an intuitive ORM layer. Initialize it with PostgreSQL:

// prisma/schema.prisma
generator client {
  provider = "prisma-client-js"
}

datasource db {
  provider = "postgresql"
  url      = env("DATABASE_URL")
}

model User {
  id        String   @id @default(cuid())
  email     String   @unique
  name      String?
  password  String
  plan      String   @default("starter")
  apiKey    String   @unique @default(cuid())
  createdAt DateTime @default(now())
  projects  Project[]
}

Step 3: Implement authentication

NextAuth.js is the standard choice for Next.js. Configure it with credentials:

// src/lib/auth.ts
import NextAuth from 'next-auth'
import CredentialsProvider from 'next-auth/providers/credentials'
import { prisma } from './db'
import bcrypt from 'bcryptjs'

export const { handlers, auth, signIn, signOut } = NextAuth({
  providers: [
    CredentialsProvider({
      credentials: {
        email: { label: 'Email', type: 'email' },
        password: { label: 'Password', type: 'password' },
      },
      async authorize(credentials) {
        const user = await prisma.user.findUnique({
          where: { email: credentials?.email as string },
        })
        if (!user) return null
        const valid = await bcrypt.compare(
          credentials?.password as string, user.password
        )
        if (!valid) return null
        return { id: user.id, email: user.email, name: user.name }
      },
    }),
  ],
  session: { strategy: 'jwt' },
  pages: { signIn: '/login' },
})

Day 2 — Billing and deployment

Step 4: Integrate Stripe

// src/app/api/stripe/checkout/route.ts
import { NextRequest, NextResponse } from 'next/server'
import { auth } from '@/lib/auth'
import Stripe from 'stripe'

const stripe = new Stripe(process.env.STRIPE_SECRET_KEY!)

export async function POST(req: NextRequest) {
  const session = await auth()
  if (!session?.user) {
    return NextResponse.json({ error: 'Unauthorized' }, { status: 401 })
  }

  const { plan } = await req.json()
  const checkoutSession = await stripe.checkout.sessions.create({
    mode: 'subscription',
    payment_method_types: ['card'],
    customer_email: session.user.email!,
    line_items: [{ price: PLANS[plan].priceId, quantity: 1 }],
    success_url: `${process.env.NEXT_URL}/dashboard?success=true`,
    cancel_url: `${process.env.NEXT_URL}/pricing?canceled=true`,
    metadata: { userId: session.user.id, plan },
  })

  return NextResponse.json({ url: checkoutSession.url })
}

Step 5: Deploy to Vercel

# Install Vercel CLI
npm i -g vercel

# Deploy
vercel

# Configure environment variables
vercel env add DATABASE_URL
vercel env add NEXTAUTH_SECRET
vercel env add STRIPE_SECRET_KEY

# Deploy to production
vercel --prod

48-hour recap

1Hours 0-4 — Project setup, dependencies, Prisma database
2Hours 4-12 — NextAuth authentication, register, login
3Hours 12-24 — Dashboard, layout, navigation, settings
4Hours 24-36 — Stripe checkout, webhooks, subscription management
5Hours 36-44 — Landing page, SEO, transactional emails
6Hours 44-48 — Tests, Vercel deployment, monitoring

Need a shortcut?

The NeuraSaaS template includes everything from this guide pre-configured: auth, dashboard, Stripe, landing page, admin panel. Save 40h of development.

View pricing →

Related articles