When developing with Crave.js, you have several options for building and deploying your custom storefront. This guide outlines the different approaches available to help you choose the best option for your specific needs.

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1. Storefront Starter Template

The quickest way to get started with Crave.js is to use our Storefront Starter Template. This approach provides:

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Key Features

• Pre-built Components: UI components optimized for food ordering experiences

• API Integration: Ready-to-use connections to Crave.js APIs

• Responsive Design: Mobile-first approach for all device types

• Customization Options: Easy theming and layout modifications

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Setup Process

1. Sign up at dashboard.craveup.com to obtain your API key
2. Clone the Storefront Starter Template repository
3. Configure your environment variables with your API key
4. Install dependencies withnpm install or yarn install
5. Start the development server with npm run dev or yarn dev

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Best For

• Quick time-to-market

• Standard ordering experiences

• Teams familiar with Next.js

• Projects with limited development resources

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2. Custom Frontend with Crave.js APIs

For more flexibility, you can build your own frontend from scratch while leveraging Crave.js APIs:

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Key Features

• Complete Design Freedom: Build with any frontend framework

• API-First Approach: Connect to our robust backend services

• Technology Flexibility: Use React, Vue, Angular, or any other framework

• Custom User Experience: Design unique customer journeys

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Setup Process

1. Sign up at dashboard.craveup.com to obtain your API key
2. Set up your preferred frontend framework
3. Install our SDK
4. Configure the SDK with your API key
5. Start building your custom components

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Best For

• Unique user experiences

• Integration with existing applications

• Teams with specific technology preferences

• Projects requiring custom workflows

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Choosing the Right Approach

When deciding which build option is best for your project, consider:

• Development Resources: What technical skills does your team have?

• Timeline: How quickly do you need to launch?

• Customization Needs: How unique does your ordering experience need to be?

• Integration Requirements: What existing systems need to connect with Crave.js?

• Scalability: What are your growth projections?

Our platform is designed to be flexible, allowing you to start with one approach and evolve as your needs change. Many businesses begin with the Storefront Starter Template and gradually customize or extend it over time.

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Technical Architecture

Regardless of which build option you choose, all Crave.js implementations share a common architecture:

• Frontend: Customer-facing interface (web, mobile, kiosk, etc.)

• Storefront API: Customer-facing operations (browsing, ordering, accounts)

• Admin API: Merchant operations (menu management, order processing)

• Dashboard: Merchant interface for business management

This separation of concerns ensures that your implementation remains maintainable and scalable as your business grows.

For more detailed technical information or to discuss your specific requirements, please reach out to hello@craveup.com.