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Alex Spinov
Alex Spinov

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Directus Has a Free API — Heres How to Turn Any Database Into a REST and GraphQL API

#opensource #api #database #tutorial

Directus wraps any SQL database with instant REST and GraphQL APIs, plus a no-code dashboard for content management. Connect to existing tables — zero migration needed.

Why Directus?

  • Any SQL database: PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MSSQL, OracleDB
  • Instant API: REST + GraphQL from your existing schema
  • No migration: Point at an existing database, get an API
  • Dashboard: No-code admin panel for non-developers
  • Auth built-in: JWT, OAuth, LDAP, SAML
  • Webhooks + Flows: Automation engine
  • File storage: S3, local, Azure, GCS

Docker Setup 

docker run -d -p 8055:8055 \
  -e SECRET=your-secret-key \
  -e DB_CLIENT=pg \
  -e DB_HOST=localhost \
  -e DB_PORT=5432 \
  -e DB_DATABASE=mydb \
  -e DB_USER=postgres \
  -e DB_PASSWORD=password \
  -e ADMIN_EMAIL=admin@example.com \
  -e ADMIN_PASSWORD=admin123 \
  directus/directus
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REST API: Read Items 

# Get all posts
curl http://localhost:8055/items/posts \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN'

# Filter, sort, paginate
curl 'http://localhost:8055/items/posts?filter[status][_eq]=published&sort=-date_created&limit=10&fields=id,title,author.name'
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REST API: Create Item 

curl -X POST http://localhost:8055/items/posts \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"title": "My Post", "body": "Content here", "status": "draft"}'
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REST API: Update Item 

curl -X PATCH http://localhost:8055/items/posts/1 \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_TOKEN' \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"status": "published"}'
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GraphQL API 

query {
  posts(filter: { status: { _eq: "published" } }, sort: ["-date_created"], limit: 10) {
    id
    title
    body
    author {
      name
      avatar {
        id
      }
    }
    tags {
      tags_id {
        name
      }
    }
  }
}
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JavaScript SDK 

import { createDirectus, rest, readItems, createItem } from '@directus/sdk';

const client = createDirectus('http://localhost:8055').with(rest());

// Read
const posts = await client.request(
  readItems('posts', {
    filter: { status: { _eq: 'published' } },
    sort: ['-date_created'],
    limit: 10,
  })
);

// Create
const newPost = await client.request(
  createItem('posts', { title: 'New Post', body: 'Content' })
);
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Authentication 

# Get token
curl -X POST http://localhost:8055/auth/login \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"email": "admin@example.com", "password": "admin123"}'

# Response: { "data": { "access_token": "...", "refresh_token": "..." } }
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Real-World Use Case

A marketing team had a PostgreSQL database with 50 tables but no admin UI. They pointed Directus at it — in 5 minutes, they had a full REST/GraphQL API and a drag-and-drop dashboard. No code, no migration, no schema changes.

Need to automate data collection? Check out my Apify actors for ready-made scrapers, or email spinov001@gmail.com for custom solutions.

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