Bknd provides a lightweight, standards-based backend solution that simplifies app development by offering integrated database management, authentication, media handling, and workflow automation. It's designed for developers seeking a flexible alternative to Firebase or Supabase, enabling deployment across diverse environments from Node.js and Cloudflare Workers to frameworks like Next.js and Astro.

How It Works

Bknd is built on web standards, allowing it to run in various JavaScript runtimes and frameworks. It offers a unified backend that can be served as a standalone API, integrated directly into frameworks for co-deployment, or accessed via a TypeScript SDK and React hooks. This approach minimizes the need for separate backend services and allows developers to extend functionality within their familiar frontend development context.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install: npm install bknd
• Run: npx bknd run
• Requirements: Node.js 22+ (due to node:sqlite).
• Documentation: https://docs.bknd.io

Highlighted Details

• Supports SQLite (via LibSQL, Node SQLite, etc.) and Postgres (Vanilla, Supabase, Neon, Xata).
• Integrates with various storage solutions including AWS S3, S3-compatible storage, and Cloudflare R2.
• Offers official API and React SDK with type-safety, including React components for authentication and media uploads.
• Minimal API deployment size is around 300kB gzipped (e.g., as a Cloudflare Worker).

Maintenance & Community

The project is under active development, with a warning that backward compatibility is not guaranteed before v1.0.0.

Licensing & Compatibility

The README does not specify a license.

Limitations & Caveats

Bknd is still under active development, and full backward compatibility is not guaranteed before v1.0.0. UI integration for workflows is noted as "coming soon."