NocoBase

// Overview

NocoBase is an open-source no-code/low-code platform for building internal business systems such as admin panels, CRMs, and back-office tools. It is data-model driven: you define your data in standard relational structures, and the UI, workflows, and permissions are built on top of that model rather than tied to it.

It is aimed at teams who want to keep their data and deployment in-house. You run it on your own infrastructure, your data stays in your own database, and the whole system is extended through plugins, so you can mix official and custom modules. A WYSIWYG configuration mode lets non-developers build and adjust pages, while AI coding agents can also operate it through its CLI.

Within the workflow-automation and low-code space, NocoBase leans toward providing complete, production-tested infrastructure (data models, permissions, workflows, audit logs) out of the box instead of generating black-box code each time you build something.

// What it does

• Data-model driven design that keeps business data in standard relational structures, decoupled from the UI
• Microkernel plugin architecture where every feature is a plugin, so you can mix official and custom plugins
• WYSIWYG no-code interface with one-click switching between usage mode and configuration mode
• Built-in workflows, fine-grained role and field-level permissions, and audit logs out of the box
• Multiple data sources: the main database, external databases, and third-party APIs
• Open interfaces (MCP, HTTP APIs, CLI) so AI agents like Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex can operate it

// Getting started

The recommended way to try NocoBase is with Docker. After it starts, open http://localhost:13000 and sign in with the default admin account, then change the password.

docker compose pull
docker compose up -d
docker compose logs -f app

URL:      http://localhost:13000
Username: admin@nocobase.com
Password: admin123

yarn create nocobase-app my-nocobase-app -d postgres \
  -e DB_HOST=localhost -e DB_PORT=5432 \
  -e DB_DATABASE=nocobase -e DB_USER=nocobase -e DB_PASSWORD=nocobase
cd my-nocobase-app
yarn install
yarn nocobase install --lang=en-US
yarn dev

Commands and code are distilled from the project's own documentation — always check the official repo for the latest.

// When to use it

• Building internal admin panels and back-office tools without writing the data layer and permissions from scratch
• Standing up a custom CRM, order, or inventory system that runs on your own infrastructure with your data in your own database
• Giving non-developers a WYSIWYG interface to configure pages, workflows, and permissions over an existing data model
• Connecting external AI agents or automation platforms (via MCP, HTTP API, or CLI) to query data and trigger business workflows

// How NocoBase compares

NocoBase alongside other open-source low-code & no-code builders tools AI/TLDR tracks, ranked by GitHub stars.