# TrailBase — Sub-Millisecond Firebase Alternative on Rust and SQLite

> An open-source single-binary backend with type-safe APIs, built-in auth, realtime subscriptions, and an admin UI, built on Rust, SQLite, and WebAssembly.

## Install

Save in your project root:

# TrailBase — Sub-Millisecond Firebase Alternative on Rust and SQLite

## Quick Use
```bash
# Download the latest binary from GitHub releases
curl -LO https://github.com/trailbaseio/trailbase/releases/latest/download/trail
chmod +x trail
./trail run
```

## Introduction
TrailBase is an open-source backend that bundles a REST/JSON API, authentication, realtime subscriptions, and an admin dashboard into a single executable. Built on Rust and SQLite, it starts in milliseconds and handles thousands of requests per second with minimal resource usage, making it a self-hosted alternative to Firebase.

## What TrailBase Does
- Provides auto-generated REST APIs from SQLite table schemas
- Includes built-in authentication with email/password and OAuth providers
- Supports realtime subscriptions for live data updates
- Offers a built-in admin UI for managing data and users
- Runs custom server-side logic via WebAssembly modules

## Architecture Overview
TrailBase uses Rust with the Axum web framework for HTTP handling and libSQL (a SQLite fork) for storage. APIs are automatically derived from database schemas with type-safe validation. The WebAssembly runtime (Wasmtime) allows custom server logic in any language that compiles to WASM, without compromising the security of the main process.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Single binary — download and run with no external dependencies
- Data stored in a local SQLite file for zero-ops persistence
- Configure authentication providers and API rules via the admin UI
- Deploy behind Nginx or Caddy for HTTPS termination
- Back up by copying the SQLite database file

## Key Features
- Single-binary deployment with no external database required
- Sub-millisecond API response times on commodity hardware
- Built-in auth (email/password, OAuth), admin dashboard, and file storage
- Realtime subscriptions via Server-Sent Events
- Extensible server-side logic through WebAssembly modules

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Firebase** — proprietary cloud; TrailBase is self-hosted and open-source
- **Supabase** — requires PostgreSQL; TrailBase uses embedded SQLite for simpler ops
- **PocketBase** — Go-based similar concept; TrailBase adds WASM extensibility and Rust performance
- **Appwrite** — Docker multi-service; TrailBase is a single binary with no orchestration needed

## FAQ
**Q: Can it handle production traffic?**
A: Yes, the Rust/SQLite stack handles thousands of requests per second on modest hardware.

**Q: How do I extend it with custom logic?**
A: Write server-side handlers in any language that compiles to WebAssembly (Rust, Go, AssemblyScript, etc.).

**Q: Is SQLite reliable for production?**
A: SQLite is used in production by billions of devices. TrailBase uses WAL mode for concurrent read/write safety.

**Q: Can I migrate from Firebase?**
A: TrailBase provides similar primitives (auth, database, realtime) but uses different APIs, so migration requires adapting client code.

## Sources
- https://github.com/trailbaseio/trailbase
- https://trailbase.io

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-0ef33c79
Author: AI Open Source