If the last decade of web development was all about the cloud, the next wave is quietly bringing something back into focus: local-first applications. Local-first does not mean “no cloud.” It means your app works great even when the cloud does not. This week, let’s explore what local-first apps are, why they matter now, and how you can start building one. What is a local-first app? A local-first app prioritizes the user’s device as the primary source of truth.