# App scaffolding

Every Viam app follows the same scaffolding pattern regardless of language. The per-language pages in this section walk through each step for a specific SDK, but the shape is always the same:

1. **Create a project.** Set up a directory with the build tooling for your language: `npm init` for TypeScript, `flutter create` for Flutter, `go mod init` for Go, a virtual environment for Python, a CMake project for C++.
2. **Add the Viam SDK as a dependency.** Each language has its own package manager and package name: `npm install @viamrobotics/sdk` for TypeScript, `flutter pub add viam_sdk` for Flutter, `pip install viam-sdk` for Python, `go get go.viam.com/rdk/robot/client` for Go, and a CMake `find_package` for C++. Some platforms need additional dependencies (WebRTC polyfills for Node.js, platform permissions for iOS and Android).
3. **Configure credentials.** Store your machine’s address, API key, and API key ID in environment variables or a `.env` file. Never commit credentials to source control.
4. **Write a connection verification.** A short program that connects to your machine and prints the resource count. This confirms the SDK is installed correctly, credentials are valid, and the connection works.
5. **Run it.** Execute the program and confirm you see `Connected. Found N resources.` If you do, the scaffold is complete and you can start writing your app.

After scaffolding, the next step is [Connect to a machine](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/tasks/connect-to-machine/) for the connection patterns your app will actually use, or one of the [tutorials](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/app-tutorials/tutorial-dashboard/) for a guided project.

## Pick your language

| Language | Page | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TypeScript (browser) | [TypeScript setup](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/setup/typescript/) | Web app: dashboards, operator interfaces, any browser-based app. The setup page uses Vite; any bundler that handles TypeScript and ESM works. |
| TypeScript (Node.js) | [Node.js setup](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/setup/node/) | Node process for backend services and CLI tools. Requires WebRTC polyfills and a custom gRPC transport. |
| Flutter | [Flutter setup](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/setup/flutter/) | Cross-platform project for iOS, Android, and desktop. Includes iOS/Android platform configuration. |
| React Native | [React Native setup](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/setup/react-native/) | Mobile project for teams with existing React Native codebases. Requires six polyfill packages and a custom transport. For new projects, prefer Flutter. |
| Python | [Python setup](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/setup/python/) | Virtual environment for scripts, services, and backend integrations |
| Go | [Go setup](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/setup/go/) | Go module for backend services, fleet orchestrators, and CLI tools |
| C++ | [C++ setup](https://docs.viam.com/build-apps/setup/cpp/) | CMake project for embedded and high-performance apps. Requires system-level dependencies (Boost, gRPC, protobuf). |

## Where credentials come from

Every scaffolding page asks for three values: the machine’s address, an API key, and an API key ID. Get all three from the same place:

1. Go to the machine’s page in the Viam app.
2. Click the **CONNECT** tab.
3. Select the language tab that matches the page you are following.
4. Toggle **Include API key** on.
5. Copy the address, API key ID, and API key from the generated code sample.

For apps that access multiple machines or the Viam cloud APIs, use an organization-scoped or location-scoped API key instead of a machine-scoped one. Create these in [Admin and access](https://docs.viam.com/organization/access/).