Manifest
Instant admin app and API from your database
Manifest is an open-source backend tool that generates an admin application and an API on top of your existing database. It focuses on speeding up internal tools and CRUD backends by introspecting your schema and exposing resources with sensible defaults.
Key Features
- Database introspection to automatically generate resources, fields, and relations
- Admin web UI for CRUD operations (create, edit, list, delete) over your data
- API layer generated from the same model (commonly used for internal apps and integrations)
- Authentication and role-based access control to restrict admin/API access
- Configuration-driven customization (adjust resources, fields, permissions, and UI behavior)
- Support for common relational database patterns (tables, relations/foreign keys)
Use Cases
- Build internal admin panels for operational teams (support, ops, content)
- Rapidly expose CRUD APIs for services or integrations from an existing database
- Prototype back-office tooling for early-stage products without writing a custom admin
Limitations and Considerations
- Best suited for CRUD-style workflows; highly bespoke UIs may require custom development
- Feature set and supported databases depend on the project’s current adapters and maturity
Manifest is useful when you already have a database and want a practical admin interface plus an API quickly, while still keeping the option to customize behavior via configuration. It can reduce time spent building repetitive admin CRUD screens and basic access control from scratch.
Categories:
Tags:
Tech Stack:
Similar Services
Supabase
Open-source Firebase alternative built on Postgres
Self-hostable backend platform combining Postgres, Auth, Storage, realtime APIs, edge functions, and an admin dashboard to build and scale apps quickly.
NocoDB
Turn any database into a collaborative spreadsheet interface
Open-source Airtable alternative that adds a spreadsheet UI, views, forms, automations, and APIs on top of SQL databases like Postgres and MySQL.
PocketBase
Open-source backend in a single Go binary
Single-file backend with built-in database, auth, admin UI, files, and real-time APIs for web and mobile apps.
Appwrite
Open-source backend server for web, mobile, and Flutter apps
Self-hosted backend-as-a-service with auth, databases, storage, functions, and realtime APIs for web and mobile apps.
Medusa
Composable commerce platform for building custom stores
Open-source, modular commerce backend for building custom eCommerce stores with APIs, admin dashboard, plugins, and integrations.
EverShop
Modern Node.js eCommerce platform with a customizable admin
EverShop is a Node.js-based eCommerce platform with storefront, admin dashboard, product/catalog management, orders, payments, and an extension-based architecture.