Directus

Definition

Directus is an open-source data platform that wraps an existing SQL database with an instant REST and GraphQL API plus a no-code admin app, effectively turning any database into a headless CMS.

Overview

Directus takes a different approach from most Headless CMS tools: rather than owning the database, it connects to an existing SQL database — PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, and others — and introspects its schema to instantly generate REST and GraphQL APIs along with a configurable admin interface. This means teams keep full ownership of their raw data in a standard relational database while still getting a friendly content-management layer on top. The admin app, built with Vue, lets non-technical users manage records, relationships, files, and permissions without writing code, while developers can extend Directus with custom endpoints, hooks, and flows (a built-in visual automation/workflow builder). Because Directus does not require restructuring the database into a proprietary format, it is often adopted for projects that already have an existing database or need direct SQL access alongside a CMS-style interface. Directus is open source and can be self-hosted or used via a managed cloud offering, positioning it as a flexible alternative to code-first tools like Payload CMS or SaaS platforms like Sanity CMS for teams that want database-first, not content-first, architecture.

Key Features

• Wraps any existing SQL database with instant REST and GraphQL APIs
• No proprietary data format — content lives in a standard relational database
• Configurable, no-code admin app for managing records and permissions
• Built-in visual workflow/automation builder (Flows)
• Role-based, field-level access control
• File and asset management with on-the-fly image transformations
• Open source with self-hosted or managed cloud deployment options
• Extensible via custom hooks, endpoints, and modules

Use Cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Related in Web