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Alex Spinov
Alex Spinov

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PocketBase Has a Free Backend in One File — Database, Auth, and API in a Single Binary

#pocketbase #backend #api #database

What if your entire backend was one 15MB file? No Docker, no database setup, no configuration. Just download and run.

What is PocketBase?

PocketBase is an open-source backend consisting of a single executable. It includes a SQLite database, real-time subscriptions, built-in auth, file storage, and an admin dashboard — all in one binary written in Go.

Why PocketBase Is Perfect for Prototypes and MVPs

1. One Binary, Full Backend 

# Download
wget https://github.com/pocketbase/pocketbase/releases/latest/download/pocketbase_linux_amd64.zip
unzip pocketbase_linux_amd64.zip

# Run
./pocketbase serve
# Admin dashboard: http://127.0.0.1:8090/_/
# API: http://127.0.0.1:8090/api/
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2. Real-Time Subscriptions 

import PocketBase from 'pocketbase';

const pb = new PocketBase('http://127.0.0.1:8090');

// Subscribe to real-time changes
pb.collection('messages').subscribe('*', function (e) {
    console.log(e.action); // 'create', 'update', 'delete'
    console.log(e.record);
});

// Create a record (triggers subscription)
await pb.collection('messages').create({
    text: 'Hello!',
    user: pb.authStore.model.id,
});
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3. Built-in Authentication 

// Email/Password auth
await pb.collection('users').authWithPassword('user@example.com', 'password');

// OAuth2 (Google, GitHub, etc.)
await pb.collection('users').authWithOAuth2({ provider: 'google' });

// Check auth state
if (pb.authStore.isValid) {
    console.log(pb.authStore.model.email);
}
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4. File Storage 

const record = await pb.collection('posts').create({
    title: 'My Post',
    image: new File(['...'], 'photo.jpg'),
});

// Get file URL
const url = pb.files.getURL(record, record.image);
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5. API Rules (No Code)

In the admin dashboard, set collection rules with filter syntax:

// List rule: only see own records
@request.auth.id = user.id

// Create rule: must be authenticated
@request.auth.id != ""

// Update rule: only admin or owner
@request.auth.role = "admin" || @request.auth.id = user.id
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6. Extend with Go 

package main

import (
    "log"
    "github.com/pocketbase/pocketbase"
    "github.com/pocketbase/pocketbase/core"
)

func main() {
    app := pocketbase.New()

    app.OnRecordCreate("orders").BindFunc(func(e *core.RecordEvent) error {
        // Custom logic before creating an order
        e.Record.Set("status", "pending")
        return e.Next()
    })

    if err := app.Start(); err != nil {
        log.Fatal(err)
    }
}
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PocketBase vs Supabase vs Firebase

PocketBase Supabase Firebase
Deployment Single binary Docker/Cloud Cloud only
Database SQLite PostgreSQL NoSQL
Self-hosted Trivially easy Moderate Impossible
Real-time Built-in Built-in Built-in
Auth Built-in Built-in Built-in
File storage Built-in Built-in Built-in
Scaling Single server Horizontal Automatic
Cost $0 (self-host) Free tier Free tier

Getting Started 

# Download and run
./pocketbase serve

# Open admin: http://127.0.0.1:8090/_/
# Create collections, set rules, done.
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The Bottom Line

PocketBase is the fastest way to get a working backend. One file, zero configuration, full features. Perfect for prototypes, side projects, and MVPs that don't need horizontal scaling.

Need data tools? I build web scraping solutions. Check my Apify actors or email spinov001@gmail.com.

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