# SpacetimeDB — Server and Database in One

> SpacetimeDB is an open-source relational database that doubles as a server runtime, letting developers write backend logic as stored procedures that run directly inside the database layer.

## Install

Save in your project root:

# SpacetimeDB — Server and Database in One

## Quick Use
```bash
# Install the SpacetimeDB CLI
curl -sSf https://install.spacetimedb.com | sh
# Start a local instance
spacetime start
# Create and publish a module
spacetime publish my-app --project-path ./server
```

## Introduction
SpacetimeDB merges the database and application server into a single layer. Instead of writing a separate backend service that queries a database, developers write modules (stored procedures in Rust or C#) that execute inside SpacetimeDB itself, eliminating the network hop between server and data.

## What SpacetimeDB Does
- Runs server-side logic as compiled WebAssembly modules inside the database engine
- Provides a relational data model with SQL-like table definitions and queries
- Automatically synchronizes state changes to connected clients in real time
- Supports client SDKs for Rust, C#, TypeScript, and Python
- Handles authentication, subscriptions, and connection management out of the box

## Architecture Overview
SpacetimeDB is written in Rust and uses a custom relational storage engine. Application logic is compiled to WebAssembly and loaded as modules that run inside the database process. When a module updates a table, the change is automatically pushed to subscribed clients via a built-in sync protocol. This eliminates the traditional three-tier architecture in favor of a two-tier model.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Install the CLI via the official install script on macOS, Linux, or Windows
- Run a local standalone instance with a single command for development
- Deploy to production using the provided Docker image or systemd service file
- Configure storage backends, listen addresses, and log levels via environment variables
- Modules are published and versioned through the CLI with zero-downtime updates

## Key Features
- Unified server and database eliminates API boilerplate
- WebAssembly module isolation provides security and portability
- Real-time client sync without manual WebSocket or polling code
- Write server logic in Rust or C# with full type safety
- Designed for latency-sensitive applications like multiplayer games

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Supabase** — Postgres-based BaaS with REST/GraphQL APIs, but server logic lives outside the DB
- **Firebase** — Google managed real-time DB with proprietary lock-in and limited query power
- **Convex** — Reactive backend with TypeScript functions, but not self-hostable in the same way
- **SurrealDB** — Multi-model database with embedded functions, but different sync model
- **PocketBase** — Lightweight Go backend with SQLite, simpler but no WASM module system

## FAQ
**Q: What languages can I use to write SpacetimeDB modules?**
A: Rust and C# are the primary supported languages. TypeScript support is in development.

**Q: Is SpacetimeDB suitable for non-game applications?**
A: Yes. While it was designed with multiplayer games in mind, it works for any real-time collaborative application, chat system, or IoT data pipeline.

**Q: How does SpacetimeDB handle scaling?**
A: A single SpacetimeDB instance handles vertical scaling. Horizontal sharding and clustering features are on the roadmap for future releases.

**Q: What is the license?**
A: SpacetimeDB uses the BSL 1.1 license, which converts to open source after four years. The client SDKs are Apache 2.0 / MIT.

## Sources
- https://github.com/clockworklabs/SpacetimeDB
- https://spacetimedb.com/docs

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/4177d943-3c71-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: AI Open Source