What it is

undb is a local-first, offline-first no-code database platform that also serves as a backend as a service. It lives in the open-source no-code database and BaaS ecosystem, and it is written in TypeScript with SQLite as its database engine. The project provides a table-management UI, and it can be packaged into a single binary with Bun or run as a Docker service.

The concrete problem it addresses is the need to create and operate a private database application without writing a full backend. A user can manage data through the provided UI and expose it through OpenAPI RESTful API support. The platform is designed to progress from a local single-file setup to a more complicated cloud deployment.

Key capabilities

• It stores data in SQLite, which keeps the database lightweight and local.
• It can be packaged into a binary file using Bun, so the backend service can run as a single file.
• It supports Docker deployment, including a volume mount for persistent data.
• It provides a UI for table management, with screenshots showing kanban, gallery, calendar, pivot, and form views.
• It supports formula fields like Excel or Airtable.
• It exposes OpenAPI RESTful API support for programmatic access.
• It includes a built-in playground mode for trying the platform without setup.

Who uses it and how

• A local developer can install Bun, clone the repository, install dependencies, and start the development server.
• A self-hoster can run the Docker image on port 3721, either directly or with a mounted volume for data persistence.
• A user who wants a managed entry point can try the undb cloud service.
• A project that needs a backend for a no-code data app can use the UI to define tables and call the OpenAPI RESTful API.
• The README also includes a Render.com deployment section.

Getting started

The typical start is to run the Docker image ghcr.io/undb-io/undb:latest on port 3721, optionally mounting a local volume for persistent data. For development, the README recommends Bun with bun install and bun run dev, or Docker Compose with docker compose up -d and http://localhost:3721.

When to use it — and when not to

undb is a good fit when a project needs an open-source, self-hostable alternative to Airtable-style table and formula workflows, especially when private local-first storage matters. It is less suitable when the team wants a mature hosted product, because the repository is young, reports zero contributors, and has 56 open issues. A self-hoster must still operate the runtime, SQLite data storage, Docker deployment, and data persistence through volume mounts.

docker run -p 3721:3721 ghcr.io/undb-io/undb:latest

docker run -d \
  -p 3721:3721 \
  -v $(pwd)/undb:/usr/src/app/.undb \
  --name undb \
  ghcr.io/undb-io/undb:latest

docker compose up -d