Choose how to build
You can build a Data App in two ways, and both start from the same governed semantic layer:
- App Builder is Astrato’s own builder. You describe the app to Nash in a chat, watch a live preview update beside it, and publish from the same screen.
- Your own AI assistant is a tool you already use, such as Claude, ChatGPT or VS Code, connected to Astrato over MCP with Astrato skills. It works with your permissions and builds in the place you choose.
If you are not sure, start with App Builder. Switch to your own assistant when you need something App Builder does not give you.
Which should I use?
Section titled “Which should I use?”| You want to | Nash App Builder UI | AI Coding Assistant |
|---|---|---|
| Go from an idea to a published app without installing anything | ☑ Nothing to install | ☐ Needs an assistant and MCP connected first |
| Build in the browser, inside Astrato, with a live preview | ☑ Live preview in Astrato | ☐ Preview runs in your local CLI dev server |
| Keep your app’s code in your own repository | ☐ Source stays in Astrato | ☑ Use the CLI in your repository |
| Host the app yourself, in your own site or product | ☐ Not available | ☑ Externally hosted app |
| Keep working in the assistant and editor you already use | ☐ Use Nash in Astrato | ☑ Use your own assistant and editor |
| Ask questions of your data or edit the semantic layer in chat | ☑ Nash chat panel | ☑ Via MCP, also works inside Nash |
| Let several people share one app project | ☐ Projects are private to their creator | ☐ Projects are private to their creator |
App Builder
Section titled “App Builder”Choose App Builder when you want the shortest route to a published app.
- You work entirely in Astrato, signed in as yourself. There is nothing to install.
- You pick a semantic layer, describe the app, and Nash builds it with Astrato’s own charts, KPIs and tables using live data from that layer.
- Source files and version history are saved for you, and you publish with one action.
- The app is private to you until you publish it.
App Builder is in Private Preview and is off by default. If you cannot see it, ask your Astrato administrator or Astrato contact. See App Builder (Private Preview) for what it covers.
Your own AI assistant
Section titled “Your own AI assistant”Choose your own assistant when the app has to live somewhere else, or you want your usual tools.
- The assistant connects through Nash MCP and loads Astrato skills, so it knows how to read your semantic layer, run business questions and follow the documentation.
- It can write a Data App in your own project and publish it with the CLI, or build an externally hosted app that you deploy yourself.
- It can also drive App Builder: an assistant you connect can list, open, read and edit your App Builder projects, as long as you own them and have the project open in your browser.
MCP access is in preview and is not switched on everywhere. Check that it is enabled for your environment before you set it up. See Connect an AI Assistant to Astrato via MCP.
You can use both
Section titled “You can use both”The choice is per app, not per organization. Because the semantic layer holds your measures and dimensions, an app you start in App Builder and one you build from your own assistant show the same numbers. A common pattern is to prototype in App Builder, then carry on with your own assistant connected over MCP. It edits the same project in Astrato, so you can only do this for a project you own and have open in your browser. If you want the code in your own folder instead, start a separate local project with the CLI.
Do not edit the same project both ways, with local CLI builds and with App Builder. Pick one for each project.
Before you build either
Section titled “Before you build either”- Connect your data.
- Create or choose a semantic layer and publish the measures and dimensions the app needs. App Builder previews use published items only.
- Check you have permission to publish if you plan to share the app. See Manage Data Apps.