The latest articles on DEV Community by Rise (@risewins). https://dev.to/risewins https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3477759%2Fa92e7476-4ac0-4ac4-b5af-821d0dfe258a.png https://dev.to/risewins en Rise Wed, 03 Sep 2025 20:19:38 +0000 https://dev.to/risewins/2-directory-boilerplates-for-devs-non-devs-and-heres-what-i-found-41i6 https://dev.to/risewins/2-directory-boilerplates-for-devs-non-devs-and-heres-what-i-found-41i6 <p>I have built multiple directories in 2025, one of which is <a href="https://coldemailkit.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">Cold Email Kit</a>, a database of all the cold email tools available on the internet today.</p> <p>In this list, I'm sharing two of the best directory boilerplates I would've used if I knew about them earlier.</p> <p>Directory websites have become a massive trend among indie makers and developers over the last few years. From <strong>AI tool directories</strong> to <strong>job boards</strong>, <strong>startup lists</strong>, and <strong>SaaS marketplaces</strong>, developers are turning to pre-built frameworks known as <strong>directory boilerplates</strong> to speed up launches.</p> <p>Instead of coding everything from scratch, boilerplates provide:</p> <ul> <li>A ready-made <strong>Next.js architecture</strong> </li> <li>Built-in <strong>authentication and admin panels</strong> </li> <li> <strong>Payment integrations</strong> (Stripe, sponsorships, submissions)</li> <li><strong>SEO-friendly layouts</strong></li> <li><strong>AI-assisted content generation</strong></li> <li><strong>Analytics and integrations</strong></li> </ul> <p>The two most popular directory boilerplates in 2025 are <a href="https://dirstarter.com/?atp=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Dirstarter</strong></a> and <a href="https://mkdirs.com/?via=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>MkDirs</strong></a>. Both are built on <strong>Next.js</strong>, but they take very different approaches. This guide breaks down how each works, their tech stacks, their strengths, and which type of developer will benefit most.</p> <h2> 1/ <a href="https://dirstarter.com/?atp=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dirstarter</a>: A Flexible Next.js Boilerplate </h2> <p><a href="https://dirstarter.com/?atp=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dirstarter</a> is a <strong>Next.js v15</strong> boilerplate aimed at developers who want <strong>customizability and scalability</strong>. Unlike “plug-and-play” solutions, it gives you a strong architecture while leaving room for custom workflows.</p> <p><a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fz66lajv9qjdd5r2sxh2a.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fz66lajv9qjdd5r2sxh2a.png" alt=" " width="800" height="386"></a></p> <h3> Tech Stack </h3> <ul> <li> <strong>Next.js v15</strong> (App Router, modern React patterns)</li> <li> <strong>TypeScript</strong> (type safety, cleaner code)</li> <li> <strong>TailwindCSS + Shadcn UI</strong> (modern styling and components)</li> <li> <strong>Stripe Integration</strong> (global payments)</li> <li> <strong>Resend</strong> (email handling)</li> <li> <strong>Amazon S3</strong> (file storage)</li> </ul> <h3> Core Features </h3> <ul> <li>Full <strong>authentication</strong> system with roles and admin panel</li> <li> <strong>SEO-ready blog</strong> and content pages</li> <li> <strong>AI-powered content generation</strong> and category suggestions</li> <li> <strong>Analytics dashboard</strong> for user behavior</li> <li><strong>Caching and performance optimizations</strong></li> <li> <strong>Integrations</strong> for storage, email, and 3rd party tools</li> <li>Lifetime updates with a one-time payment</li> </ul> <h3> Developer Advantages </h3> <ul> <li>Clean architecture praised by the dev community</li> <li>Battle-tested stack (easy to extend for SaaS or marketplaces)</li> <li>Monetization-ready with <strong>featured listings, ads, and affiliate links</strong> </li> <li>No recurring subscription — one-time purchase for lifetime use</li> </ul> <h3> Limitations </h3> <ul> <li>White-labeling requires removing “Built with Dirstarter” manually</li> <li>Tiered support (Discord and advanced setup only for Pro/Custom)</li> <li>More suitable if you’re comfortable editing code</li> </ul> <h3> Pricing </h3> <ul> <li> <strong>Basic:</strong> \$149 one-time (lifetime license + updates)</li> <li> <strong>Pro:</strong> \$199 one-time (adds support + Discord access)</li> <li> <strong>Custom:</strong> From \$999 (custom domain + advanced setup)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Best For:</strong> Developers who want <strong>control, scalability, and customization</strong>. Ideal for <strong>indie hackers</strong> who are fine with tweaking code.</p> <h2> 2/ <a href="https://mkdirs.com/?via=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer">MkDirs</a>: An All-in-One Boilerplate </h2> <p>If Dirstarter is about <strong>flexibility</strong>, <a href="https://mkdirs.com/?via=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer">MkDirs</a> is about <strong>speed</strong>. It’s often described as “the boilerplate that feels like cheating” because you can go from zero to a monetized directory in a weekend.</p> <p><a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2F0b1ohfqtckxt7wwzmlkq.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2F0b1ohfqtckxt7wwzmlkq.png" alt=" " width="800" height="386"></a></p> <h3> Tech Stack </h3> <ul> <li> <strong>Next.js</strong> (latest stable build)</li> <li> <strong>Sanity CMS</strong> (content management made easy)</li> <li> <strong>Vercel AI SDK</strong> (AI content generation + OG images)</li> <li> <strong>Auth.js</strong> (secure authentication, email verification, password reset)</li> <li> <strong>TailwindCSS + Shadcn UI</strong> (UI components and modern theming)</li> <li> <strong>Stripe Integration</strong> (for submissions, sponsorships, and ads)</li> </ul> <h3> Core Features </h3> <ul> <li> <strong>AI-assisted content generation</strong> for listings</li> <li> <strong>Sanity CMS</strong> for flexible content management</li> <li> <strong>Newsletter + blog system</strong> for community building</li> <li> <strong>Responsive, modern themes</strong> with dark mode included</li> <li> <strong>Lifetime updates + support</strong> via Discord and email</li> <li>Unlimited commercial projects with one license</li> </ul> <h3> Developer Advantages </h3> <ul> <li>Dead-simple setup — launch in <strong>hours, not days</strong> </li> <li>Comes with <strong>3 codebases</strong> (bonus)</li> <li>Lifetime updates with no recurring cost</li> <li>Handles submissions, affiliates, and sponsored ads out of the box</li> <li>Beginner-friendly while still dev-grade</li> </ul> <h3> Limitations </h3> <ul> <li>Requires setting up your own Sanity + Stripe accounts</li> <li>Branding edits needed if you want 100% white-label</li> <li>Limited to the <strong>React/Next.js ecosystem</strong> </li> </ul> <h3> Pricing </h3> <ul> <li> <strong>Lifetime license:</strong> \$99 (unlimited projects, lifetime updates)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Best For:</strong> Developers who want to <strong>ship fast</strong>. Perfect for <strong>side projects</strong>, <strong>weekend hacks</strong>, and devs who value <strong>simplicity over deep customization</strong>.</p> <h2> Dirstarter vs. MkDirs: How to Decide </h2> <p>When comparing these <strong>directory boilerplates</strong>, here’s what matters most:</p> <ul> <li> <p><strong>Customization vs. Speed</strong></p> <ul> <li>Dirstarter gives more control if you plan to scale into a complex SaaS.</li> <li>MkDirs is faster for launching a polished MVP quickly.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Tech Flexibility</strong></p> <ul> <li>Dirstarter is structured for devs who want to extend functionality.</li> <li>MkDirs is tied to Sanity CMS and works best as a near turn-key solution.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>AI Features</strong></p> <ul> <li>Both use AI, but MkDirs also generates <strong>OG images</strong>, not just content.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Monetization</strong></p> <ul> <li>Both support Stripe, ads, and affiliates.</li> <li>Dirstarter leans toward advanced monetization flows, MkDirs toward simplicity.</li> </ul> </li> <li> <p><strong>Pricing</strong></p> <ul> <li>Dirstarter: Starts at \$149.</li> <li>MkDirs: \$99 flat, lifetime updates.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h2> SEO Advantages of Directory Boilerplates </h2> <p>For developers building directories, SEO is critical. Both <a href="https://dirstarter.com/?atp=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dirstarter</a> and <a href="https://mkdirs.com/?via=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer">MkDirs</a> come with <strong>built-in SEO support</strong>, including:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Structured metadata</strong> for listings</li> <li> <strong>Optimized page speed</strong> with caching</li> <li><strong>Indexable clean URLs</strong></li> <li><strong>Mobile-first layouts</strong></li> <li> <strong>Integrated blog systems</strong> for content marketing</li> </ul> <p>This means you’re not just getting a directory that looks good — you’re getting a platform that can actually <strong>rank on Google</strong>.</p> <h2> Use Cases: Where Developers Are Winning with Boilerplates </h2> <ul> <li> <strong>AI Tool Directories</strong> → showcase LLM-based apps and plugins</li> <li> <strong>Job Boards</strong> → niche career sites monetized with submissions</li> <li> <strong>SaaS Marketplaces</strong> → list and review software products</li> <li> <strong>Local Listings</strong> → city guides, food directories, coworking spaces</li> <li> <strong>Indie Showcases</strong> → collections of projects from makers</li> </ul> <p>Developers are using these boilerplates to generate <strong>passive income</strong>, test startup ideas, and build <strong>long-term platforms</strong>.</p> <h2> Final Thoughts </h2> <p>The rise of <strong>directory boilerplates</strong> shows how far the dev ecosystem has come in 2025. Instead of spending months building login systems, payments, and SEO structures, developers can now launch in days.</p> <ul> <li>Choose <strong><a href="https://dirstarter.com/?atp=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer">Dirstarter</a></strong> if you want <strong>flexibility and scalability</strong> with a robust architecture.</li> <li>Choose <strong><a href="https://mkdirs.com/?via=mshiv" rel="noopener noreferrer">MkDirs</a></strong> if you value <strong>simplicity, speed, and an all-in-one setup</strong>.</li> </ul> <p>Either way, you’ll be working with a solid <strong>Next.js foundation</strong>, battle-tested features, and monetization opportunities baked in.</p> <p>For developers, these boilerplates are not just time-savers — they’re a fast track to turning side projects into profitable platforms.</p> nextjs prisma sanity boilerplate