🎬 This article is a companion to my YouTube video. Watch it here:
Introduction
Before we get into setting up Coolify, I want to make sure you understand the tools we will be deploying. In this video we are going to talk about Directus — what it is, what it does, and why I chose it as the backbone of my back-end stack.
What is Directus?
Directus is a free, open-source, headless CMS and data platform. But before we go any further, let me explain what headless CMS means.
A traditional CMS — like WordPress — couples the content management system with the front end. The way your content is stored and the way it is displayed are tightly linked. You are locked into how WordPress presents your content.
A headless CMS separates the two. Directus manages and stores your data, and exposes it through a REST API or GraphQL endpoint. Your front end — whether it is a React app, a mobile app, or anything else — consumes that API and decides how to display the content. The CMS has no head — meaning no fixed front end — hence the name headless.
What Makes Directus Different?
It works with your existing database
Most headless CMS platforms use their own proprietary data storage. Directus sits on top of a standard relational database — PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite and more. Your data is stored in plain database tables that you own and can access directly. You are never locked into a proprietary format.
Auto-generated API
When you create a collection in Directus — think of a collection like a database table — it automatically generates a full REST API and GraphQL endpoint for that collection. No code required. You get full CRUD operations out of the box — create, read, update and delete.
Powerful admin dashboard
Directus comes with a beautiful, fully featured admin dashboard out of the box. Your clients or content editors can manage content without ever touching code. You can customize the dashboard with custom fields, relationships, file uploads, translations and more.
Role-based access control
Directus has a very granular permissions system. You can control exactly who can read, create, update or delete data at the collection level, the field level, and even the row level. This makes it suitable for multi-tenant applications and complex permission requirements.
File management
Directus includes a full file and asset management system. You can upload images, videos, documents and more. It supports on-the-fly image transformations — resize, crop, format conversion — all through URL parameters.
Flows — built-in automation
Directus has a built-in automation system called Flows. You can build workflows triggered by events — like sending an email when a new order is created, or updating a related record when a status changes — all without writing code.
Open source and self-hostable
Directus is completely open source. You can self-host it on your own server, which means your data stays on your infrastructure. There is also a cloud hosted option if you prefer a managed solution.
Why I Chose Directus
I chose Directus for several reasons.
First, it works with PostgreSQL out of the box. I wanted a standard relational database that I own and control, not a proprietary data store.
Second, the auto-generated API saves me an enormous amount of time. Instead of building CRUD endpoints for every collection, Directus handles that automatically. I focus on building features, not boilerplate API code.
Third, the admin dashboard is genuinely excellent. My clients can manage their own content without any technical knowledge. I do not have to build a custom admin interface for every project.
Fourth, it is self-hostable. My data stays on my server. I control the infrastructure, the costs, and the data.
What are the Limitations?
Not a traditional backend framework — complex business logic may require supplementing with custom code or choosing a different solution.
Licensing costs at scale — Directus is free and open source for projects generating up to $5 million USD in annual revenue. Beyond that threshold a commercial license is required. For the vast majority of startups, small teams and indie developers this limit will never be reached, making it effectively free for most use cases.
Can be overkill for simple projects — a basic blog may not need all of Directus's features.
Conclusion
Directus is a powerful, flexible, open-source headless CMS that sits on top of your own database and gives you a full API and admin dashboard out of the box. For developers building modern web applications who want to own their data and move fast without writing boilerplate, it is one of the best tools available.
In an upcoming video we will deploy Directus on our VPS using Coolify and connect it to our TanStack Start front end.
References
🔔 Subscribe to my YouTube channel for the full series on building a modern web app back end from scratch.