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Self-Hosting Directus: Headless CMS and Data Platform

Directus wraps any SQL database with a REST and GraphQL API plus an admin interface. Instant API on your existing data.

directusheadless-cmsapidatabase

What Is Directus?


Directus is a headless CMS that wraps any SQL database with REST and GraphQL APIs. Unlike Strapi (which creates its own schema), Directus works with existing databases.


Features


Database Wrapping

Connect to any SQL database. Directus introspects the schema and provides:

  • REST API for every table
  • GraphQL API
  • Admin interface for content management

    • Admin App

  • Browse and edit data visually
  • Custom layouts per collection
  • Relationship management
  • File management with thumbnails

    • Access Control

  • Role-based permissions
  • Field-level access control
  • Filter-based data restrictions
  • Custom validation rules

    • Automation

  • Flows (visual automation builder)
  • Webhooks
  • Custom hooks
  • Scheduled triggers

    • Files

  • Asset management
  • Image transformation (resize, crop on-the-fly)
  • Multiple storage backends (local, S3)

    • Directus vs Strapi vs Payload


  • Directus: Wraps existing databases, visual admin
  • Strapi: Creates own schema, content-type builder
  • Payload: Code-first, TypeScript-native

    • Directus when you have an existing database. Strapi for new projects with visual schema building. Payload for TypeScript developers.


    Deployment


    1. Deploy Directus on TinyPod

    2. Connect to your database

    3. Directus generates the admin UI and APIs

    4. Configure access control

    5. Start building your frontend


    Resources: 1 CPU, 1 GB RAM.