You have the code.
That's not the same as owning it.
Export finished, repository synced, and nothing runs. This is normal and it is not your fault — the code was never the whole application.
The order that matters
You can do all of this yourself. If it gets you unstuck without hiring anyone, that is a good outcome.
The environment variables stayed behind
Secrets are read at runtime and deliberately kept out of the repository. Export the code and they do not come with it. Code without config is a car without keys.
⚠ Some keys can never be reissued identically. Copy them before you lose access.The database was never in the repo
Your schema and your data live in a managed service the platform provisioned. The connection string in your code points at something you may no longer be able to reach.
Platform-specific glue is baked in
Proprietary auth, storage helpers, deployment config. These are import statements pointing at a platform that is no longer hosting you — they have to be replaced, not deleted.
Build config assumes a machine you don't have
Node versions, install steps, port bindings and process management were handled invisibly. On your own host, nothing is invisible any more.
Lock-in here is mostly a side effect, not a strategy
It is tempting to read this as deliberate entrapment. Mostly it is not — the same integration that makes a platform pleasant on day one is what makes it hard to leave on day ninety. Convenience and portability genuinely trade against each other. Worth knowing before you build the next one, and entirely fixable on this one.
This is documented, not hypothetical
Even where code syncs to GitHub, portability is limited — fixing bugs in code you did not write typically sends you back to the tool that generated it.
Migration write-ups from developers — view sourceStay stuck, or bring it to the lab
What it costs
No hourly mystery bills. You approve a flat price from the free triage report before any work begins.
Rescue Lite
- Full code and asset extraction
- Static conversion — runs on any cPanel host
- Intake form rebuilt (email + database)
- SSL, DNS cutover, 14 days support
Rescue Pro
- Everything in Rescue Lite
- Database migration and verified restore
- Platform auth replaced with real auth
- VPS or cPanel deploy, 30 days support
Rescue Max
- Everything in Rescue Pro
- Third-party integrations re-wired
- Staging + zero-downtime cutover
- 90 days support
Emergency same-day rescue available on any package, +$300. All prices USD.
We were the customer first
NeoLab runs four applications in production and has rescued 70+ more — starting with our own. That is why this company exists.
Get a written assessment in 24 hours
A real engineer reviews your situation and sends back what is at risk, what it takes, and an exact flat price — before any work begins. If we cannot help, we say so and tell you who can.
FAQ
Will my app look different afterwards?
No. We re-platform the engine underneath, not the experience. Design, content and features stay identical, verified page by page.
What hosting will I need?
Often just inexpensive cPanel shared hosting — many AI-built apps are mostly static once converted. Apps with real server logic need a small VPS, roughly $6 to $12 a month. The triage report tells you which.
Do you work with builders other than Replit?
Yes — Lovable, Bolt, v0, Glitch and Heroku-stranded apps. The platform changes; the discipline does not.