At a Glance:
Instant is an open-source backend for AI-coded apps that provides a client-side database with built-in auth, permissions, storage, presence, and streams, using a relational query language called InstaQL.
Overview:
Instant is a backend platform designed for AI-coded applications. It provides developers with a suite of backend capabilities — including authentication, permissions, file storage, presence, and data streams — accessible directly from the client side. Instead of manually building servers, endpoints, and client-side data stores, developers write relational queries in the shape of the data they want using InstaQL. Instant handles data fetching, permission checking, offline caching via IndexedDB or AsyncStorage, and optimistic updates with automatic rollbacks. Every query is multiplayer by default, and ephemeral updates like cursor positions are also supported.
Key Decision Points:
Client-side database approach: Instant provides a database that runs on the client, eliminating the need to build separate server endpoints, client stores, and caching layers.
Multiplayer by default: All queries support multiplayer functionality out of the box, without requiring developers to manage stateful servers.
Offline support: The SDK automatically caches recent queries to IndexedDB (web) and AsyncStorage (React Native) for offline use.
SDK availability: Currently provides SDKs for JavaScript, React, and React Native environments.
Permission system: Uses Google's CEL library to enforce access control on all data operations.
Core Features:
Auth: Built-in authentication system for user management.
Permissions: Data access control powered by Google's CEL expression library.
Storage: File storage capabilities integrated into the backend.
Presence: Support for ephemeral updates such as cursor positions and online status tracking.
Streams: Real-time data streaming functionality.
InstaQL queries: Write relational queries in the shape of desired data, with automatic data fetching, permission checking, and offline caching.
Use Cases:
AI-coded application backends: Provides a complete backend layer for applications generated through AI coding tools, reducing integration complexity.
Multiplayer app development: Simplifies building real-time collaborative features by making multiplayer queries the default behavior.
Offline-capable applications: Supports scenarios where applications need to function without connectivity, with automatic caching to local storage.
Open-Source Alternative Value:
Instant provides an open-source approach to backend-as-a-service, focusing on the specific needs of AI-coded applications. It replaces the traditional multi-step process of setting up databases, ORMs, endpoints, and client-side state management with a single client-facing database. The architecture draws from established patterns like Asana's WorldStore and Figma's LiveGraph, using Postgres with tailed WAL for change detection and a sync server written in Clojure. Developers can inspect how queries, permissions, and offline caching work through the source, and the multi-tenant free tier runs on a transparent technical foundation rather than a proprietary black box.
