Frequently asked questions about NorthernGo

What can I build with NorthernGo?

You can build working web applications without writing code. In the cloud it suits CRMs, landing pages, dashboards, portfolio sites, internal tools and forms. The AI generates clean Vanilla JavaScript and Tailwind CSS, which compiles into a fast PWA from day one. It works best for self-contained apps built from scratch rather than large existing systems. Locally the models are much smaller. Stay with simple pages, forms and small changes, or read “What can the local models do”.

Why choose NorthernGo over other AI builders?

NorthernGo gives you standard code without locking you into a closed ecosystem. Most platforms push you into frameworks that are hard to move away from. NorthernGo generates plain Vanilla JavaScript and Tailwind CSS that you own entirely. We are also the only app builder we know of that runs generation locally on your own device via WebGPU, rather than only on someone else's servers.

Which AI models does NorthernGo use to generate code?

In the cloud, NorthernGo runs on Gemini 3.7 Flash (Google) for code, architecture and image analysis. Locally in your browser via WebGPU (quantised, 3–9 billion parameters — not in the same class as the cloud model): • Qwen 3.5 (4B) — the default on Free and Premium. For small, clearly described pages, forms and simple changes. Not for a first CRM or a multi-view app. • Qwen 3.5 (9B) — Pro. The largest of the local models. Slightly better than 4B on longer instructions. Still far from the cloud model. • Qwen 2.5 Coder (7B) — Pro. Code-tuned. Often the most reliable of the local set on HTML and JavaScript. • Llama 3.1 (8B) — Pro. A general 8B model in the same class as the others — not a reasoning leap over the cloud. • Ministral 3 Reasoning (3B) — Pro. Smallest and fastest to load. Weakest of the set; use when memory is tight. You can also point NorthernGo at your own Ollama instance and run an instruction-tuned chat model you have already pulled. Embedding models, vision-only models and anything that cannot follow a code-generation prompt will not work. The local models are open weights from Alibaba, Meta and Mistral. NorthernGo does not train its own models — what we build around them is the patch engine and in-browser syntax checks. There is no LLM critic rewrite on the local path.

What can the local models do, and what can they not do?

Worth being straight about, because the gap is real. A quantised model with 3–9 billion parameters on your own GPU is not comparable to Gemini in the cloud. That gap does not disappear because the engine around it is good. The default on Free and Premium is Qwen 3.5 4B — the model most people will actually run. Works well locally: • Self-contained apps from scratch — landing pages, forms, simple pages and small tools • HTML, CSS, Tailwind and plain JavaScript • Boilerplate and standard patterns • Small, clearly described changes to an app you already have (copy, colour, an extra field) Works poorly or not at all locally: • A first draft of a CRM, shop or dashboard with several views — the 4B model often produces a polished first screen and an unfinished third • Apps that do not fit the model's fixed context window (often 4–8 thousand tokens on WebGPU) • Deeper debugging of bugs that are not visible directly in the code • Architecture and state that must stay in sync across several views • Long, compound instructions with many conditions at once Our recommendation: do the first structural pass in the cloud. Then iterate locally on bounded changes — unlimited runs, zero cost per generation, and the prompt stays on the machine. Switch back to the cloud for the next genuinely structural step. You can switch mid-project.

What hardware do I need to run the AI locally?

You need a browser with WebGPU and enough free video memory (or unified memory) for the model you pick. NorthernGo checks that WebGPU exists. It does not measure VRAM or pick a model for you — if the weights do not fit, loading fails. Rule of thumb for the quantised models we ship: • Ministral 3 Reasoning (3B) — around 3–4 GB free • Qwen 3.5 (4B) — around 4 GB free • Qwen 2.5 Coder (7B) and Llama 3.1 (8B) — around 6 GB free • Qwen 3.5 (9B) — around 7 GB free The 4B model often runs on a current laptop, including Apple Silicon, via unified memory. The 7–9B models usually want a dedicated GPU with several gigabytes free; on integrated graphics they may refuse to load or run slowly enough that a cloud round trip would have been faster. Phones are not a practical target — the product warns before you start. If loading fails, use a smaller model or switch to the cloud.

How large is the model download, and does it happen every time?

The model weights are downloaded once and then cached in the browser. The next time you build, the model starts from cache with no download. Size depends on the model: about 2.2 GB for Ministral 3B up to about 5.5 GB for Qwen 3.5 9B. The first download therefore takes a while on a slow connection. After that, generation itself can run without a network. Saving a project, publishing, and the database in a generated app still need the internet. If you clear browser storage the cache is lost and the model is downloaded again.

Which browsers support local generation?

Local generation is built on WebGPU. In practice that means current desktop Chrome, Edge and other Chromium browsers. Safari on recent macOS can work. Firefox support varies by version and platform. Phones are not recommended even when WebGPU is present — these models are several gigabytes. The editor warns before you start on mobile. If the browser has no WebGPU, NorthernGo says so and you use cloud mode instead. Everything else in the platform works either way.

Who owns the code?

You own the generated code 100%. NorthernGo is not a locked-in platform. We generate raw, standard code. You can copy it straight from the editor on any plan. Premium and Pro users can download the whole project as a standalone ZIP, and Pro users can also push it directly to a GitHub repository — either way, you host it wherever you want.

Am I locked into NorthernGo, or can I export my app?

You are never locked in. Premium and Pro users can export their entire app as a standard ZIP file containing plain Vanilla JavaScript and Tailwind CSS. Pro users can additionally push the project straight to a GitHub repository. The exported code is fully standalone, automatically configured with your project ID, and ready to be hosted anywhere.

Are the generated apps responsive, and do they work on mobile?

Yes, apps generated with NorthernGo are responsive and mobile-friendly from the start. Built with Tailwind CSS, the layouts adapt to smartphones, tablets and desktops. To enable full Progressive Web App (PWA) features and publish live, you first create and configure the subdomain in the project settings.

Can I generate an app from an image or sketch?

Yes, Pro users can build source code directly from sketches or reference images. Upload a picture or a design layout in the prompt area and the AI agent team analyses the image and generates a matching layout and functionality. Image analysis runs in the cloud, not locally.

Can I upload documents like PDFs or Word files to guide the AI?

Yes, you can upload project requirements directly. Pro users can upload PDFs, Word files (.docx) or plain text files (up to 10 MB). The AI agent team analyses the text to understand your requirements and builds your system based on that documentation. Document analysis runs in the cloud, not locally.

Is my data secure, and is NorthernGo GDPR compliant?

Data security and privacy are fundamental design choices in NorthernGo, and one distinction is worth being clear about. With Local AI (WebGPU), the local model processes your prompt and writes the code on your own GPU. On Premium or Pro, a new local build may still send a short structure request to the cloud Architect when you are online — that step is skipped offline, on Free, and on updates. The text you type in the prompt box before you have an account is stored only in this browser, so the idea survives registration. That is functional storage, not analytics, and it is not sent to our servers until you generate while signed in. Empty the box, start the build, or clear site data to remove it. As soon as you save a project, publish an app to a subdomain, or use the database, authentication or email features in a generated app, that data goes to our servers, because that is what those features do. For cloud workflows, all sensitive data, connections and keys are encrypted at rest. You can wipe all collected data, reset keys, or delete your account and everything tied to it at any time from the profile menu.

How does NorthernGo update my app without breaking the existing design?

NorthernGo uses SmartSync, driven by an automatic app manifest. When you request a change, the engine reads a stored structural map of your existing components, tables and colour tokens, then applies a targeted patch instead of regenerating the whole app. That means your existing design and logic normally stay intact, and small changes stay small. Large or vaguely described changes are still more likely to affect more than you intended, so describe them one at a time. On a computer you can also point at an element in the preview instead of describing it from memory — see “Can I point at something in the app and ask for a change”.

Can I point at something in the app and ask for a change?

Yes, on a computer. When the preview is ready, the Point button sits next to Save and the others above the app. Press it, click the thing you want to change, type what should happen and press Change. Escape cancels. It uses the same path as describing the change in the chat — the engine is told which element you pointed at. Small, specific requests (copy, colour, an extra field) work best. Large or vague instructions can still touch more than you meant. There is no Point button on a phone; write in the chat there instead.

What happens if the AI generates code with bugs or errors?

On the cloud path, every generation goes through an automated quality check before it reaches your screen. If the system detects missing tags, malformed markup or broken scripts, the Critic can attempt a repair before you see it. That catches a share of structural errors, not logic errors. On the local path there is no LLM rewrite. A syntax check blocks JavaScript that will not parse — a new build is not opened, and a patch that would break the app is rejected so the previous version stays. It does not attach missing click handlers or fix the wrong total. AI-generated code can still contain logic that does not do what you meant, especially on the smaller local models. Test the app before you publish it, and describe what went wrong in plain language.

How does NorthernGo ensure that the generated JavaScript code actually works?

On the cloud path, before a code change is delivered, NorthernGo runs a server-side syntax check: scripts are compiled in an isolated virtual machine. Code that will not parse is not shown as a finished app. On the local path the same idea runs in the browser: a syntax check blocks JavaScript that will not parse. It does not rewrite the app. To be precise: both steps catch syntax errors, not logic errors. A button with no handler attached is valid JavaScript and passes. That is why testing before you publish still matters.

Can I build apps that include built-in AI features like Text-to-Speech or image generation?

Yes, Premium and Pro users can embed AI capabilities directly into their own apps. NorthernGo gives your applications access to text intelligence, image generation, speech-to-text transcription and Text-to-Speech through simple global hooks. These can run either through our cloud proxies or offline in the browser via local hardware execution, depending on the capability.

What database does NorthernGo use, and can I connect my own?

Every app generated with NorthernGo comes with a built-in, automatic Supabase integration for your database and user authentication. You do not need to configure anything to get started. If you need a custom setup, Pro users can connect their own external database or route data through webhooks (such as Zapier or Make) directly from the project menu.

Where is my app hosted, and do I need to configure Git or servers?

No, you never have to manage servers, terminal commands or Git to publish. NorthernGo handles the entire hosting and deployment pipeline automatically in the background via Firebase, so you can launch your PWA with a single click.

How do I deploy and launch my app to the cloud?

Once the AI agent team has finished compiling your code, open 'My Projects' and click the 'Live' button in the project card's button row. The platform packages your JavaScript, assets and Tailwind configuration and uploads them via Firebase hosting. Your app goes live over HTTPS, connected to your Supabase database instance from the first second.

How do I connect my own custom domain name?

Pro plan users can link their own domains. Step 1: Open 'My Projects', click 'More' on your application and select 'Custom Domain'. Step 2: Enter your domain name and save. The backend prepares an isolated deployment target. Step 3: Log in to your domain provider (Loopia, GoDaddy, One.com and so on) and create a CNAME record pointing your domain at the target address NorthernGo gave you. The SSL certificate is provisioned automatically, usually within an hour.

Can I use a custom domain, or does it have to be a PWA?

Both, depending on your needs. Premium users can publish their app as a Progressive Web App (PWA) on a .northerngo.com subdomain. Pro users can go further and connect their own domain with automatic SSL and hosting, giving the application a fully white-labelled look.

How does Local AI (WebGPU) work, and are there any limits?

Local AI is available on every plan: you download a model to the browser cache once, and from then on it runs on your computer's GPU. Generation does not use monthly cloud credits, including on Free. The prompt stays on the machine while the local model is writing code. Free and Premium run Qwen 3.5 4B. Pro additionally unlocks Qwen 3.5 9B, Qwen 2.5 Coder 7B, Llama 3.1 8B and Ministral 3 Reasoning 3B. Unlimited means unlimited number of local runs, not unlimited quality. The local models are 3–9 billion parameters; they are considerably weaker than Gemini on large or compound tasks, and on a typical laptop they are often slower than the cloud path. On Premium or Pro, a new local build may still ask the cloud Architect for a structure sketch when you are online — that step is skipped offline, on Free, and on updates. What a Premium or Pro subscription pays for is cloud generations, hosting, subdomains, ZIP export and integrations — not the local models, which are free. Hardware, first download size and the quality gap are covered in the questions above.

How does the AI Agent team work?

The cloud path uses three specialised roles. The Architect plans the structure, the Builder writes the code, and the Critic reviews mechanical damage before you see it. The Critic is not a guarantee that the app does what you meant. The first time you press Generate on a new idea, the Architect asks one follow-up question instead of writing the app. That is deliberate: it pins down who logs in and what must be stored, which is what makes the first build usable. After you answer, the Builder starts. See “What does the Architect do”. Locally the Builder runs on your GPU. A short Architect follow-up question can also run locally. On Premium or Pro, a new local build may still ask the cloud for a structure sketch when you are online. There is no LLM Critic rewrite on the local path — a syntax check blocks JavaScript that will not parse; it does not repair logic.

What does the Architect do, and why is the first reply a question?

The Architect is the first of the three cloud agents. On a brand-new idea it does not write the app. It asks one short question — who logs in, what must be stored, what the home screen must show — so the Builder is not guessing. The question does not use one of your monthly cloud generations. Those are used when the Builder writes the app. Answer in the same box and press Generate again. Later changes to an existing app skip the Architect and go straight to a patch. The first finished app is then saved to your account automatically, so a refresh does not throw the preview away.

How do I connect my local Ollama model?

Advanced users can run generation on their own hardware via Ollama. Step 1: Download Ollama from their official site. Step 2: Open a terminal and pull a model, for example 'ollama run qwen3.5:4b'. Step 3: Start Ollama with NorthernGo allowed as an origin, so the browser can reach it. Mac/Linux: OLLAMA_ORIGINS="https://northerngo.com" ollama serve Windows (PowerShell): $env:OLLAMA_ORIGINS="https://northerngo.com"; ollama serve Step 4: Enable the Ollama toggle in the editor. Avoid setting OLLAMA_ORIGINS to "*" — that lets any website you visit send requests to your local Ollama instance.

Can I use Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT together with NorthernGo?

Yes — as a handoff, not as remote control of your account. Claude or Cursor can give you a northerngo.com/?prompt= link that fills the editor; you still press Generate. Import HTML and Own API key (Claude / GPT) are Premium and Pro. Import uses no NorthernGo credits; BYOK skips the NorthernGo meter and you pay Anthropic or OpenAI instead. There is no MCP that lets an external agent publish for you.

Does using my own OpenAI or Anthropic key use NorthernGo credits?

No. Own API key is Premium and Pro. When it is on and the key is valid, that cloud generate skips the NorthernGo meter. You pay Anthropic or OpenAI instead. Your API key is not stored in NorthernGo’s database. With BYOK it is used from your browser for that API call and is not sent to NorthernGo’s AI meter. If WebGPU or Ollama is on, those still run first. A failed BYOK request does not fall back to Gemini.

Can Claude or ChatGPT control my NorthernGo account?

No. NorthernGo does not expose an MCP remote or an API for an external agent to generate or publish on your behalf. The other tool writes a prompt or HTML. You press Generate and you publish.

How do I test my app's performance and SEO?

You can evaluate your app directly within 'My Projects'. Once your app is saved and live on a PWA subdomain or custom domain, click 'Test' next to the app's ID. This runs a live Google PageSpeed audit measuring Performance, Accessibility, Best Practices and SEO. When the test finishes, four coloured dots appear next to the ID — click them to see the exact scores.

Can I take payments in my app?

Yes, you can build full payment flows on the Pro plan. Paste your Stripe secret key into the project menu — it is encrypted at rest, and you can rotate or remove it at any time. The AI can then integrate checkouts, recurring subscriptions or one-time payment products directly into your application code.

Can I connect my Shopify store?

Yes, Pro plan users can integrate e-commerce functionality. By providing your Shopify domain and Storefront token in the menu, the AI can build custom storefronts, fetch live product data and manage shopping carts directly inside your NorthernGo app.

Can I embed the app on my current website?

Yes, Premium and Pro users can generate an embed widget. The platform provides an HTML script tag you can paste into WordPress, Wix, Squarespace or any custom site to render your NorthernGo app inside that page.

How do I manage the user data collected in my app's database?

You control the data settings from the project menu. With a single click you can wipe all collected user entries — emptying the cloud database while keeping the app configuration intact — or reset admin authentication passwords. These tools exist to help you meet your own GDPR obligations as the data controller for your app; the responsibility for what you collect and why remains yours.

How do I change or cancel my subscription?

Click your profile icon and choose 'Manage Subscription'. You are redirected to our Stripe customer portal where you can upgrade, downgrade, update payment details or cancel. Account deletion, including all associated data, can also be run from the same profile menu.

Build it yourself

NorthernGo turns a plain-text description into a working web app with a database, login and a live URL. Local AI generation runs on your own GPU, is unlimited, and is free on every plan.

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