Dirstarter review
A Next.js directory boilerplate with Better Auth, Prisma, Stripe monetization, and AI content helpers.
A Next.js directory boilerplate with Better Auth, Prisma, Stripe monetization, and AI content helpers.
Reviewed by
Vincent Edes · Founder & reviewer
Last reviewed Aug 24, 2026
Marketing homepage highlighting the Next.js directory features and dashboard.
Dirstarter is a Next.js directory boilerplate built by Piotr Kulpinski in February 2025, packaged directly from the codebase running his open-source directory, OpenAlternative. The codebase is structured specifically for listing sites, tool roundups, and alternative directories.
The application runs on Next.js 16 (App Router), React 19, TypeScript, and Prisma ORM connected to PostgreSQL. For authentication, Dirstarter uses Better Auth, supporting magic links, email and password login, and Google or GitHub OAuth. User permissions and admin features live under a unified /app workspace introduced in June 2026, where site owners review listings, manage submissions, and publish blog articles.
Monetization is configured for directory business models. Stripe handles paid listing submissions with expedited review fees, sponsored placements, and banner advertising spots configured in config/ads.ts. The boilerplate also includes an AI content assistant built with the Vercel AI SDK to draft listing summaries and assign categories from a URL. In March 2026, the blog system moved from static MDX files to PostgreSQL storage with a Tiptap rich text editor and post scheduling.
Before buying, keep two technical points in mind. First, Dirstarter requires a real PostgreSQL database rather than static Markdown files, so you will need Postgres hosting on providers like Supabase or Neon. Second, new releases arrive through upstream Git commits. The codebase has 519 commits in the past year, including a full migration to Base UI and Tailwind Variants on April 8, 2026, and a new header menu system on July 30, 2026. Pulling those updates into a customized codebase requires rebasing your branch.
You can test the live interface at demo.dirstarter.com, read the guides at dirstarter.com/docs, or check recent changes at dirstarter.com/changelog. If you need multi-tenant B2B team management for a SaaS application, our SaaS boilerplates catalog includes alternatives like Supastarter and ShipFast.
What's included with Dirstarter
- Next.js App Router, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS with Base UI
- Prisma ORM with PostgreSQL schema for tools, tags, and categories
- Better Auth supporting magic links, passwords, and OAuth logins
- Stripe integration for paid listing submissions, featured spots, and ads
- AI-assisted listing generation using the Vercel AI SDK
- PostgreSQL blog with Tiptap editor, scheduling, and media manager
- Config-driven curated collections and multi-column header navigation
- Domain verification system for creators claiming their tool profiles
- Full internationalization support with next-intl
- One-time license for unlimited personal and commercial projects
Our review
Dirstarter pros and cons
Pros
- Prebuilt directory data models, submissions, and tool claiming
- Unified dashboard with Better Auth and Stripe monetization
- Active maintenance with more than 500 recent commits
- One-time purchase includes unlimited directories
Cons
- Requires a PostgreSQL database instead of static files
- Not built for multi-tenant B2B SaaS products
- Upstream updates require rebasing your Git branch
- Next.js only with no other framework options
Best for
Founders building tool directories, job boards, or niche listing marketplaces on Next.js who want built-in paid submissions and AI helpers.
Skip if
You are building a standard B2B SaaS that needs team accounts and seat-based subscriptions, or you prefer a database-free static setup.
Score breakdown
- Features: 4.8 out of 5
- Includes directory data models, Better Auth, Stripe paid submissions, Tiptap blog, AI generation, and tool domain claiming.
- Value: 4.7 out of 5
- At $159 for unlimited directories, it saves weeks of building directory filters, submission checkouts, and admin tooling.
- Docs & updates: 4.6 out of 5
- Public documentation covers setup, environment variables, and deployment, backed by a detailed public changelog.
- Ease of use: 4.4 out of 5
- Fast to seed and run with bun or npm, though pulling upstream updates requires Git rebase familiarity.
- Community & support: 4.5 out of 5
- Pro buyers get Discord community access, and the founder actively answers questions and pushes fixes.
Includes directory data models, Better Auth, Stripe paid submissions, Tiptap blog, AI generation, and tool domain claiming.
At $159 for unlimited directories, it saves weeks of building directory filters, submission checkouts, and admin tooling.
Public documentation covers setup, environment variables, and deployment, backed by a detailed public changelog.
Fast to seed and run with bun or npm, though pulling upstream updates requires Git rebase familiarity.
Pro buyers get Discord community access, and the founder actively answers questions and pushes fixes.
Creator
Piotr Kulpinski
Follow on XPricing
Pro
Popular$199
One-time · Accelerate development with AI skills and Discord community. Currently $199 (from $249).
- Everything in Basic
- Priority support
- Exclusive Discord access
- AI skills for Claude, Cursor, and Codex
Price last checked: August 20, 2026
Tech stack
- Pricing type
- One-time
- Type
- Directory
- Framework
- Next.js
- Database
- Postgres
- Auth
- Email/password OAuth Magic link
- Payments
- Stripe
- Extra features
- Admin panel Localization (i18n) Blog
Alternative boilerplates
If Dirstarter is not the right fit, these are the closest alternatives based on pricing, features, and use case.
ShipFast
ShipFast is better if you want a lean Next.js MVP for a standard SaaS tool rather than a directory.
supastarter
Best overallSupastarter is better if you need multi-tenancy, team roles, and five payment gateways for a B2B SaaS application.
Shipixen
Shipixen is better if you only need a static marketing site and blog without a PostgreSQL database or user submissions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I launch more than one directory with Dirstarter?
Yes. Every license gives you lifetime access and permission to launch unlimited directory projects without recurring fees.
What is the difference between Basic and Pro?
Basic includes the full Next.js codebase, Better Auth, Stripe monetization, AI content generation, and email support. Pro adds priority support, Discord community access, and AI skills for Cursor and Claude Code.
What database does Dirstarter use?
Dirstarter uses Prisma ORM with PostgreSQL. You can host your database on Supabase, Neon, Railway, or any standard Postgres provider.
How does Dirstarter differ from general SaaS boilerplates like ShipFast or Supastarter?
ShipFast and Supastarter are designed for web applications with user dashboards and recurring subscriptions. Dirstarter focuses specifically on directories, with listing submissions, tool claiming, category filters, and advertising placements.
How do I pull in new updates?
You fetch updates from the official GitHub repository and rebase or merge the changes into your project branch.
Sources & research
Claims in our review are checked against primary sources, changelogs, official documentation, and founder updates.