At a Glance:
Convex is an open-source reactive database for web app developers that combines a database, server functions, and client libraries with strong consistency, written in pure TypeScript, and supports self-hosted deployment with the included dashboard and CLI.
Overview:
Convex is an open-source reactive database built for web application development. It provides a database, a place to write server functions, and client libraries, all accessible through pure TypeScript. The system is designed to fetch data and perform business logic with strong consistency while supporting dynamic live-updating applications. The self-hosted product includes most features of the cloud product, including the dashboard and CLI, and works with a variety of tools including Neon, Fly.io, Vercel, Netlify, RDS, Sqlite, and Postgres. The Convex team leads backend development and keeps the repository synced with internal work, though the test frameworks are not included in the open-source offering.
Key Decision Points:
Self-hosted deployment via Docker or binary: Developers can choose between the recommended Docker setup or a prebuilt binary for self-hosting, with community support available on Discord.
Works across multiple platforms and integrations: The self-hosted product works with Neon, Fly.io, Vercel, Netlify, RDS, Sqlite, Postgres, and other tools.
Includes dashboard and CLI: The self-hosted product provides the same dashboard and CLI as the cloud product, according to the README.
Repository language split: Backend code is written in Rust, while public and internal TypeScript packages handle user-defined functions and system operations.
Test frameworks not open-sourced: The test frameworks, including randomized testing, are described as well designed but are not included in the open-source offering.
Core Features:
Reactive database with strong consistency: Fetches data and performs business logic using pure TypeScript, with strong consistency guarantees.
Server functions with client libraries: Provides a database along with a place to write server functions and integrated client libraries.
Live-updating applications: Designed to build and scale dynamic apps that update in real time.
Self-hosted dashboard and CLI: The self-hosted offering includes the same dashboard and CLI tools available in the cloud product.
Multi-tool integration support: Works with a variety of external tools including Neon, Fly.io, Vercel, Netlify, RDS, Sqlite, and Postgres.
Use Cases:
Web developers building reactive, live-updating applications in TypeScript who want a unified database and server function platform.
Developers seeking a self-hosted reactive database with an included dashboard and CLI, integrated with tools like Postgres, Sqlite, Vercel, or Fly.io.
Open-Source Alternative Value:
Convex provides a self-hosted option that includes most features of its cloud product, including the dashboard and CLI. Developers can deploy using Docker or a prebuilt binary and integrate with a variety of tools such as Postgres, Sqlite, Neon, Vercel, and Fly.io. The codebase is kept in sync with internal development work, making the open-source project closely aligned with the production version, though test frameworks are not included. The repository is organized with Rust for the backend and TypeScript for user-defined functions and system utilities.
