Automattic, the owner of WordPress.com, launched Spacefast, a new platform designed to deploy vibe-coded websites and apps. The service provides infrastructure including databases, authentication, file uploads, emails, and analytics to make vibe-coded projects functional. Automattic developed Spacefast in response to the changing state of the web, where users increasingly create applications through conversational AI coding rather than traditional content management systems.
Spacefast Provides Infrastructure for Vibe-Coded Applications
Spacefast provides infrastructure for vibe-coded apps, including databases, authentication, file uploads, emails, and analytics. Users can connect Spacefast with agents and chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, Hermes, OpenClaw, Grokbot, Muse, Pi, Cursor, Opencode, and Amp. Alternatively, users can connect a Git repository to Spacefast to get started. The product competes with Lovable and Emergent, which offer both interface and rails for vibe-coded apps.
Batuhan Icoz Leads Product Development
Batuhan Icoz heads the product and worked on it during one of Automattic's hackathon sprints earlier in the year. At that time, Icoz worked on the company's cross-platform messaging app Beeper. He received Vercel links from his non-technical friends while they explored vibe coding. "I thought there had to be a better way for everyone to set up and deploy their projects. Automattic already has good infrastructure, but we have been traditionally associated with just WordPress. I thought, why do I have to use Cloudflare when we have a CDN (Content Delivery Network) just as good? So I started working on what was called Stattic and now Spacefast," Icoz told TechCrunch over a call.
Icoz disseminated the solution to his friends and added more features to make the product more dynamic. Automattic soft-launched the product in September to get feedback before today's launch. The company has seen varied use cases, with people and organizations using Spacefast for internal mockups, slideshows, and offer-related websites.
Automattic Positions Spacefast Against Lovable and Emergent
Icoz stated that compared to Lovable, Spacefast gives users a choice of their agent and allows them to use the solution their way. Spacefast also has the advantage of being within Automattic to launch solutions like web analytics, WordPress integration, and e-commerce features through WooCommerce. Spacefast competes with productivity and design software like Figma, Canva, and Notion, which have launched products at the intersection of vibe coding, mockups, and presentations.
"I think what we need to do as a product is make sure that when you build something with SpaceFast, it is so easy, and the results are so much better than without SpaceFast," Icoz said. He acknowledged that users might get excited to try out a new product and then move on within days or weeks, and he expects some people to churn as they might not be interested in making apps at all.
Company Targets Enterprise Consolidation Needs
"For enterprises, the problem right now is IT sprawl, as their marketing teams are churning out landing pages on services like Lovable, and they want to consolidate and work with a company that understands the enterprise needs. With our existing products, we have experience serving enterprise customers," Icoz said. Icoz acknowledged that people are making websites with ChatGPT or Claude now as compared to deploying something on WordPress, and he said some sites won't need a content management system at all as the web expands.
Automattic Experiences Leadership Turmoil and Layoffs
Spacefast comes amid turbulent months at Automattic. The company's board forced CEO Matt Mullenweg out, but he was back in control within days. The rebel board was eventually replaced, and the interim CFO left within weeks of appointment. In October, TechCrunch reported that the company had begun layoffs across several properties and more cuts were expected.
FAQ
What is Spacefast and who launched it?
Spacefast is a platform launched by Automattic, the owner of WordPress.com, that allows users to deploy vibe-coded websites and apps by providing infrastructure including databases, authentication, file uploads, emails, and analytics.
Who leads the Spacefast product at Automattic?
Batuhan Icoz heads the Spacefast product. He worked on it during one of Automattic's hackathon sprints earlier in the year while also working on the company's cross-platform messaging app Beeper.
When did Automattic soft-launch Spacefast?
Automattic soft-launched Spacefast in September to get feedback before today's launch.
