Migration snapshot
DecliningPlatform
a Crowdbotics
Crowdbotics has split into two separate businesses (per crowdbotics.com, 2025–2026): CoreStory (AI code-intelligence and legacy modernisation) and Xperts (custom dev services). The classic self-serve 'build an app on Crowdbotics and export it' product is effectively gone. The original platform generated real code (React Native + Django) into a client-owned GitHub repo — most clients still own this repo.
Typical timeline
6–10 weeks
Typical cost
$13K–$25K (agency, fixed) — may compress significantly if the client owns the repo
Why teams leave a Crowdbotics
Crowdbotics is unlike other platforms in this category — it was not a no-code tool that locked you in, it was a managed dev service that generated real code. The migration question is less about escaping a platform and more about what to do with a legacy generated codebase that no longer has an active maintainer.
Platform identity has fundamentally changed
The self-serve Crowdbotics builder no longer exists. Clients are now dealing with a legacy codebase, not an active platform. CoreStory/Xperts is an AI modernisation service, not a no-code builder — the original product is gone.
Many clients don't know they own their code
Historically, Crowdbotics pushed generated code to a client-owned GitHub repo. Many clients don't realise they already own their codebase and can take it anywhere. First step is always: confirm you have the repo.
Auto-generated code has accrued technical debt
Crowdbotics-generated code was real but auto-generated. Dependency drift (React Native and Django versions 2–3 years old), missing tests, and generated code patterns mean the codebase needs a cleanup pass before it is maintainable by a new team.
Managed dev team dependency
Crowdbotics apps were typically built with Crowdbotics-managed developers. If that team has disbanded, the client may lack the institutional knowledge to understand the business logic encoded in the codebase.
App store account questions
React Native apps on app stores need verified ownership of Apple Developer and Google Play accounts. Some Crowdbotics clients published under Crowdbotics-managed accounts and may not have direct ownership of their store listings.
What can you actually take with you?
Crowdbotics is the most favourable exportability situation in the enterprise low-code category: if you own the GitHub repo, you have real React Native + Django source code, a PostgreSQL database with portable password hashes, and Celery task definitions. The critical first question is whether you have repo access.
| Asset | Can you export it? | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data | Yes | Django + PostgreSQL backend. If the client owns the repo, they own the DB credentials and can export directly with a standard PostgreSQL pg_dump. | Verify DB credentials are in the repo or were provided directly. If Crowdbotics managed hosting, contact CoreStory/Xperts for database transfer before starting migration work. |
| Code | Yes | Historically Crowdbotics committed real React Native + Django code to a client-owned GitHub repo. | Verify the repo exists and the client has owner-level access. Do not assume a self-serve export UI exists today — go directly to GitHub. Code quality varies; treat as legacy code, not greenfield. |
| Design/UI | Partial | React Native components are in the GitHub repo and represent the full UI implementation. | Figma files may or may not exist depending on the original project setup. If no design files, the repo components are the specification. |
| Logic/Workflows | Yes | Django views, serializers, URL patterns, and Celery tasks are all in the GitHub repo. | Code quality varies significantly between Crowdbotics projects. Generated code patterns require a cleanup pass. Document the Django URL patterns as the API spec before starting changes. |
| Users & Auth | Yes | Django auth or Django REST Framework token auth. User records are in PostgreSQL. Password hashes are bcrypt/PBKDF2 format — these are portable to Supabase Auth or NextAuth v5. | Django's PBKDF2 password hashes are importable into compatible auth systems. Verify the hash algorithm in the Django settings before planning the auth migration. |
| App Store Listings | Partial | Apple Developer and Google Play account ownership depends on which account was used at the time of original app submission. | Verify ownership in Apple Developer Console and Google Play Console before any store-facing changes. Account transfers can take 2–4 weeks and require legal documentation. |
Swipe the table sideways to see the full breakdown.
Where each piece moves in code
Crowdbotics apps come out as React Native + Django + PostgreSQL. The migration decision is whether to modernise in-place (keep React Native and Django, update dependencies) or migrate to a different stack (Next.js for web, Supabase for the backend).
a Crowdbotics
React Native frontend
In code
Next.js web app (if going web-first) or maintain/upgrade React Native with Expo
If the app needs to stay mobile-native, upgrade React Native to the current version with Expo rather than migrating to Next.js — this avoids a full frontend rebuild.
a Crowdbotics
Django REST API
In code
Next.js API Route Handlers or keep Django as a backend (depends on team skills)
If the team has Django experience, modernising the Django backend in-place is often faster than rewriting to Next.js. If the team is TypeScript-native, Next.js API Routes may be the better long-term choice.
a Crowdbotics
Django ORM models
In code
Supabase PostgreSQL tables (direct migration via pg_dump/restore)
Django's database schema migrates cleanly to PostgreSQL via pg_dump. Apply Django migration scripts in order to a clean Supabase PostgreSQL instance.
a Crowdbotics
Django auth (User model)
In code
Supabase Auth or NextAuth v5 (passwords are importable if using PBKDF2)
Django's PBKDF2 password hashes are portable. Verify the hash format in settings.py (PASSWORD_HASHERS) before committing to a passwordless re-invitation flow.
a Crowdbotics
Celery tasks (async/scheduled)
In code
Supabase Edge Functions or pg_cron
Document each Celery task's trigger condition and business purpose. Map scheduled Celery beats to pg_cron; event-driven Celery tasks to Supabase Edge Functions or webhooks.
a Crowdbotics
Django admin
In code
Rebuild as a Next.js admin panel or use Supabase Dashboard for data management
The Supabase Table Editor is often sufficient for internal data management, removing the need to rebuild Django admin.
a Crowdbotics
REST API endpoints
In code
Documented via existing Django URL patterns; rebuild in Next.js as needed
The Django URL patterns (urls.py) are the existing API specification. Document them before any changes.
The migration roadmap
A Crowdbotics migration starts with a single question: do you own the GitHub repo? The answer determines whether this is a modernisation project (you own the code) or a more complex asset-recovery situation (repo is missing or access-gated).
Repo Verification & Assessment
Week 1 — do before anything else- Confirm GitHub repo exists and client has owner-level access — this is the single most important step
- If no repo access: contact CoreStory/Xperts for repo transfer; this is a legal/contractual question, not a technical one
- Verify Apple Developer and Google Play Console account ownership if the app is live on stores
- Run a dependency audit: check React Native version, Django version, all package.json and requirements.txt dates
- Check for hardcoded credentials or API keys in the repo (use git-secrets or trufflehog before any other work)
Watch out: Some clients published their app under Crowdbotics-managed Apple Developer or Google Play accounts. Confirm ownership before any store-facing release — account transfers can take 2–4 weeks with legal documentation.
Codebase Audit & Documentation
Weeks 1–2- Document the Django URL patterns (urls.py) — these are the existing API specification
- Document Django model definitions (models.py) — these are the DB schema
- Schedule discovery sessions with anyone who has institutional knowledge of the app's business logic
- Export the PostgreSQL database with pg_dump for a clean baseline backup
- Identify all Celery tasks and their trigger conditions
Dependency Modernisation
Weeks 2–5- Update React Native to current version (with Expo if migrating to Expo managed workflow)
- Update Django to a supported version (3.2 LTS → 5.x); resolve migration compatibility issues
- Update all npm and pip dependencies; run tests after each major update to isolate breakage
- Set up CI/CD pipeline (GitHub Actions) if not already present; add lint and test gates
Watch out: Generated code often has no test coverage. Write smoke tests before updating dependencies so you can detect regressions. Do not update all dependencies simultaneously — update major frameworks first, then libraries.
Feature Development & Cutover
Weeks 5–10- Implement any new features on the modernised codebase (not the legacy version)
- Migrate to new hosting if Crowdbotics managed the original deployment
- Complete app store account transfers if needed
- Execute any DB migration to Supabase if moving off the original hosting
Three ways to migrate — honestly
Every path has a real trade-off. Here is what each costs, how long it takes, and where it bites.
DIY (with AI tools)
$0–1,000 (tools + infra)
1–4 months part-time
Fits
In-house teams with React Native or Django experience who have confirmed repo access and owner-level GitHub access. Best for apps where the primary work is dependency updates, not feature rebuilds.
Risks
Auto-generated Crowdbotics code often has no test coverage, hardcoded credentials, and anti-patterns that are subtle to find. Run a security scan (trufflehog, git-secrets) before touching anything else. DIY without tests is risky on a codebase with unknown business logic depth.
Freelancer
$3K–10K
1–3 months
Fits
Apps where the GitHub repo is confirmed accessible, the dependency update scope is clear, and the client can provide at least one person with institutional knowledge of the app's business logic.
Risks
Freelancers unfamiliar with generated Django code patterns may underestimate cleanup scope. Verify that the freelancer's quote includes a security scan and dependency audit, not just feature work.
Agency (RapidDev)
Done-for-you$13K–$25K fixed
6–10 weeks
Fits
Crowdbotics apps where the repo is confirmed accessible but needs a complete modernisation (dependency update + test coverage + CI/CD + new features + hosting migration) delivered on a fixed timeline.
Risks
Fixed-price scope requires confirmed repo access and a completed dependency audit before contract sign. Book a free scoping call with RapidDev — if the repo is missing or app store accounts are unclear, those must be resolved first.
The real risks — and how to defuse them
Repo access uncertainty
Mitigation: The client may not have admin or owner-level access to their GitHub repo. Verify GitHub access in the first discovery call — if missing, engage CoreStory/Xperts for a contractual repo transfer before starting any work.
Generated code quality
Mitigation: Crowdbotics auto-generated code may have anti-patterns, missing tests, hardcoded API keys, and tight coupling. Run a full code audit in week 1 (including a security scan with trufflehog); treat the codebase as legacy code, not greenfield.
Outdated dependencies
Mitigation: React Native and Django versions may be 2–3 years old. Run a dependency audit immediately; update major frameworks incrementally (not all at once) and verify with smoke tests after each update. Use Renovate or Dependabot to manage ongoing dependency currency.
App store account confusion
Mitigation: Some clients published under Crowdbotics-managed Apple Developer or Google Play accounts. Verify account ownership in Apple Developer Console and Google Play Console before any store-facing release; account transfers require legal documentation and can take 2–4 weeks.
Lost institutional knowledge
Mitigation: The original Crowdbotics dev team is no longer engaged and business logic may be undocumented. Schedule discovery sessions with any remaining stakeholders who used the app regularly; document undocumented business rules before starting any code changes.
CoreStory/Xperts sales engagement
Mitigation: The new Crowdbotics entities may attempt to retain the client as a managed-dev customer. Clarify that owning the GitHub repo means the client has no obligation to continue with Crowdbotics for future development — they own the code outright.
Should you actually migrate?
Migrating is a real project. Sometimes staying is the right call — here is the honest split.
Stay if
- You have an active relationship with Crowdbotics Xperts (managed dev team) and the app is in active feature development — team context is worth preserving until a natural transition point.
- You own the GitHub repo and are satisfied with the React Native + Django stack — upgrading dependencies in-place may be the right move rather than a full migration to a different stack.
- Your app is mobile-native (React Native) and the target platform doesn't change — migrating to Next.js adds web-specific scope without benefit for a mobile-first app.
Migrate if
- You do not have access to your own GitHub repo — this is the most urgent signal; you don't own what you paid for, and resolving this is the first priority regardless of any other migration decision.
- The codebase has 2+ years of dependency drift and no test coverage — a migration to a clean Next.js + Supabase stack may be less risky than incrementally patching a brittle legacy generated codebase.
- Your app needs web-first or web-only delivery and the React Native codebase is carrying unnecessary mobile complexity that slows every development cycle.
Our honest verdict
Crowdbotics migrations are often simpler than expected because you likely already own the code. The real work is auditing and modernising a legacy generated codebase, not escaping from a locked platform. Verify repo access first — everything else follows from that answer.
Do this today: pre-migration checklist
Whatever path you choose, protect yourself first. Work through this before you touch a line of code.
Confirm GitHub repo exists and you have owner-level access — do this before anything else
This single fact determines everything about the migration approach. If the repo is missing or access is restricted, resolve it before spending a single hour on anything else.
Verify Apple Developer and Google Play Console account ownership if the app is live on stores
Crowdbotics-managed store accounts create a dependency that must be resolved before any app store updates or transfers. Account transfers take 2–4 weeks with legal documentation.
Run a dependency audit: check React Native version, Django version, and all package.json and requirements.txt dates
Dependencies 2–3 years out of date indicate the scope of modernisation work and the security risk profile of the current codebase.
Scan for hardcoded credentials or API keys in the repo using git-secrets or trufflehog
Auto-generated code commonly has hardcoded secrets. Discovering a leaked API key after starting work — or worse, after pushing changes — creates a serious security incident.
Document the Django URL patterns (urls.py) and model definitions (models.py)
URL patterns are your existing API specification; model definitions are your DB schema. Both must be documented before making any changes.
Export the PostgreSQL database with pg_dump for a clean baseline backup
A clean baseline backup taken before any migration work protects against data loss during dependency updates or schema changes.
Schedule discovery sessions with anyone who has institutional knowledge of the app's business logic
The original Crowdbotics dev team is no longer engaged. Undocumented business logic in a legacy codebase is a significant risk; capture it before starting code changes.
Frequently asked questions
Does Crowdbotics still exist?
The original Crowdbotics self-serve platform is effectively gone. The company has split into two separate businesses (per crowdbotics.com, 2025–2026): CoreStory (AI code-intelligence and legacy modernisation services) and Xperts (custom development services). If you built an app on the original Crowdbotics platform, you likely have a GitHub repo with React Native + Django code — check there first.
Can I export my Crowdbotics app code?
You may already own it. Historically, Crowdbotics pushed generated React Native + Django code directly to a client-owned GitHub repo at the beginning of every project. Check GitHub for a repo in your account or organisation from the time of your Crowdbotics project. If the repo is there and you have owner access, you own the full source code. If access is missing or the repo is absent, contact CoreStory/Xperts to request a transfer.
How long does migrating from Crowdbotics take?
If you own the GitHub repo, a typical Crowdbotics modernisation runs 6–10 weeks — primarily dependency updates, CI/CD setup, security scan, and any new feature work. If the repo is missing and must be transferred first, add 2–4 weeks for the transfer process. The timeline is significantly shorter than other enterprise platform migrations because you're starting from real, owned code rather than building from scratch.
What happens to my users and passwords after migration?
Django's default password hashes use PBKDF2 (or bcrypt if configured). These hash formats are portable — you can import them directly into Supabase Auth or NextAuth v5 without requiring a forced password reset. Verify the PASSWORD_HASHERS setting in your Django settings.py to confirm which hash algorithm was used before planning the auth migration.
What if I don't have access to my GitHub repo?
This is the most urgent situation. Your GitHub repo is the asset you paid for, and not having access to it means you don't control your own product. Contact CoreStory/Xperts directly and formally request a repo transfer. This is a contractual matter, not a technical one — your original service agreement should specify code ownership. If Crowdbotics is unresponsive, consult a technology attorney about your contractual rights to the generated code.
What replaces Crowdbotics in the new stack?
Nothing replaces Crowdbotics — it was a managed dev service that generated code, not a platform with a runtime dependency. Once you own the repo, you're free to use any developer, agency, or tooling to maintain and extend the React Native + Django codebase. The migration question is whether to modernise the existing stack in-place or migrate to Next.js + Supabase for a fresh architecture.
Should I keep Django or migrate to Next.js?
If your team has Django expertise, modernising the Django backend in-place (update dependencies, add tests, migrate to Supabase PostgreSQL for hosting) is usually faster than a full rewrite. If your team is TypeScript-native and the app is web-first, migrating to Next.js API Routes gives you a unified stack. For mobile-native apps that stay on React Native, keep Django as the backend — the effort of rewriting to Next.js is not justified by a stack preference alone.
How much does it cost to modernise a Crowdbotics app?
A fixed-price agency modernisation (like RapidDev) runs $13K–$25K and takes 6–10 weeks for a confirmed-repo Crowdbotics app that needs dependency updates, security scan, CI/CD, and new feature work. Freelancers typically quote $3K–$10K for scoped modernisation. DIY is $0–$1,000 in infra costs if your team has the skills. Book a free scoping call to assess the dependency audit scope — that's the primary variable in Crowdbotics migration pricing.
We migrate no-code apps to production code
- Fixed price — $13K–$25K (agency, fixed) — may compress significantly if the client owns the repo
- No data loss, no downtime
- You own 100% of the code
30-min call. Quote within 48 hours.