# Nhost — Open-Source Firebase Alternative with GraphQL

> Nhost is an open-source backend platform that bundles PostgreSQL, GraphQL via Hasura, authentication, file storage, and serverless functions into a single self-hostable stack.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# Nhost — Open-Source Firebase Alternative with GraphQL

## Quick Use
```bash
npm install -g nhost
nhost init my-app
cd my-app
nhost up
# Dashboard at http://localhost:1337
# GraphQL at http://localhost:1337/v1/graphql
```

## Introduction
Nhost provides a complete backend stack modeled after Firebase but built on open-source technologies. It combines PostgreSQL as the database, Hasura for instant GraphQL APIs, a built-in auth service, S3-compatible file storage, and a serverless functions runtime. Teams can self-host the entire platform or use the managed cloud service.

## What Nhost Does
- Provides an instant GraphQL API over PostgreSQL via Hasura
- Handles user authentication with email, OAuth, and magic links
- Manages file uploads with S3-compatible storage
- Runs serverless functions triggered by database events or HTTP
- Offers client SDKs for React, Vue, Next.js, and Flutter

## Architecture Overview
Nhost orchestrates several services behind a single gateway: PostgreSQL for data, Hasura for GraphQL, a Go-based auth service, MinIO for object storage, and a Node.js functions runtime. The Nhost CLI spins up all services locally using Docker Compose. In production, each service scales independently. The Hasura console provides schema management and permission configuration through a web UI.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Use the Nhost CLI to scaffold and run the full stack locally
- Deploy to production with Docker Compose or Kubernetes
- Configure authentication providers in `nhost/config.yaml`
- Set up custom email templates for verification and password reset
- Define Hasura permissions for row-level security on every table

## Key Features
- Instant GraphQL subscriptions for real-time data updates
- Database migrations and metadata tracked in version control
- Built-in rate limiting and JWT-based session management
- Hasura actions and event triggers for custom business logic
- Dashboard UI for managing users, storage, and database schema

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Supabase** — uses REST/PostgREST instead of GraphQL by default
- **Firebase** — proprietary; no self-hosting option
- **Appwrite** — broader API surface but uses its own database abstraction
- **PocketBase** — single Go binary; simpler but fewer enterprise features

## FAQ
**Q: Do I need to know GraphQL to use Nhost?**
A: Basic GraphQL knowledge helps, but the Hasura console auto-generates queries and mutations from your schema.

**Q: Can I use Nhost with a frontend framework other than React?**
A: Yes. Nhost provides SDKs for React, Vue, Next.js, Flutter, and a generic JavaScript client that works with any framework.

**Q: How does Nhost handle database migrations?**
A: Migrations are managed through Hasura's migration system and tracked as SQL files in your project repository.

**Q: Is the self-hosted version feature-complete compared to the cloud?**
A: The core stack is identical. The managed cloud adds monitoring dashboards, automatic backups, and global CDN distribution.

## Sources
- https://github.com/nhost/nhost
- https://docs.nhost.io
- https://nhost.io

---
Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/f060a725-3c4d-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: Script Depot