Can I export my Lovable project?
Yes. Every Lovable project can be exported, and you own 100% of the generated code. Sync it to your own GitHub repository in two clicks, then clone or download it and deploy anywhere—Vercel, Netlify, or your own server. GitHub sync works even on the Free plan, so there is no lock-in.
Why — the first-principles explanation
Lovable does not save your app in a secret, proprietary format. It writes ordinary, human-readable code—React, TypeScript, Vite, and Tailwind CSS—organized as a normal project folder. Because the output is just standard files, "exporting" is really just copying those files to a place you control.
The main export channel is GitHub sync. Lovable connects to your GitHub account and mirrors your project into a repository you own. Every edit you make in the Lovable editor is pushed as a normal git commit, and changes you push back to GitHub are pulled in—it is two-way sync, not a one-time dump.
Once the code lives in your GitHub repo, Lovable is no longer required to run it. You can clone the repo to your laptop, open it in any editor, and start it locally. That is why there is no real lock-in: Lovable is a code generator, not a walled garden. The platform speeds up writing the code, but the code itself is fully yours to take.
An example that makes it click
Think of Lovable like a chef who cooks in your kitchen. When you "export," you are not smuggling a secret recipe out of the restaurant's safe—you are simply keeping the finished dish and the written recipe card, both of which were yours the whole time.
Connect GitHub once, and it is like giving the chef a copy machine: every new dish they make automatically drops a fresh copy of the recipe into your own recipe box. If the chef ever leaves, you still have every recipe and can keep cooking on your own.
How to do it
- Open your project in the Lovable editor.
- Click the GitHub button (top right) and authorize Lovable to access your GitHub account.
- Choose "Create Repository" to push the full codebase into a new repo you own.
- On GitHub, clone the repo (git clone) or use Code → Download ZIP.
- Run `npm install` then `npm run dev` locally to confirm it works.
- Deploy straight from GitHub to any host, such as Vercel or Netlify.
Key facts
- Lovable generates standard React + Vite + TypeScript + Tailwind code; newer apps (from May 13, 2026) use TanStack Start with SSR.
- GitHub sync is two-way and available on the Free plan.
- You retain full ownership of all generated code on every plan.
- Exported projects run locally with `npm install` then `npm run dev`.
- No proprietary runtime is needed to host the exported code.
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Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no cost to you.▶ The 60-second explainer (script)
Yes, you can export any Lovable project—and you own the code completely. Here is how it works. Lovable writes standard React and TypeScript, the same code a human developer would write. To get it out, connect your GitHub account and click Create Repository. Lovable pushes the entire codebase to a repo you own and keeps it synced both ways. From GitHub you can clone it to your computer, run it with npm install and npm run dev, and deploy it anywhere—Vercel, Netlify, or your own server. There is no proprietary format and no lock-in. Even on the free plan, GitHub sync is available. Lovable is a code generator, not a cage. Your project is yours to take anywhere.
What authoritative sources say
People also ask
Does exporting cost extra?
No. GitHub sync is included on all plans, including the Free plan, at no additional cost.
Can I still edit the app in Lovable after exporting?
Yes. GitHub sync is two-way, so you can edit in Lovable or in your own editor and the changes stay in sync.
Do I need to keep paying Lovable to run an exported app?
No. Once the code is in your repo, you can host and run it independently without a Lovable subscription.
What format is the exported code?
A standard React/Vite/TypeScript project with Tailwind CSS—no proprietary format.