A framework for developing applications is described herein. In accordance with one aspect, an application is developed using an integrated development environment (IDE) with a preview function. The preview function may be selected to preview the application. In response to the selection of the preview function, the IDE causes a companion application on an end-user device to be launched onto an application simulator on the end-user device. The companion application is a container application that includes plugins of local resources. The application may be run in the companion application, where the application may access local resources provided by the companion application.