Blog
Release notes, design decisions and the occasional history lesson.
Introducing Kanesh, a small AI-first backend
Why we built a self-hosted data platform that fits in one container and speaks MCP next to REST and GraphQL.
MVP backend: when static data is enough and when you need an API
Choose an MVP backend: compare static data and APIs, weigh migration costs, and start with Kanesh collections without writing a custom backend.
One backend per client was one setup too many
Repeating Directus setups for client projects led me to build a multi-tenant backend with independent workspaces in one Kanesh install.
Stop building the same backend for every project
Tables, CRUD endpoints, auth and an admin screen get rebuilt for every app. Here is how to skip that part.
Why the name Kanesh
A Bronze Age trading city whose merchants kept their own records on clay tablets.
A PocketBase alternative with PostgreSQL support
Need a PocketBase alternative with PostgreSQL support? Kanesh is a small self-hosted backend that runs on SQLite, PostgreSQL or MySQL.
A Directus alternative with a free core and flat pricing
Looking for a Directus alternative? Kanesh is AGPL-3.0, free for one workspace, and $9 per month per install for unlimited workspaces and an AI assistant.
A Strapi alternative for app backends, not content sites
Need a Strapi alternative for app backends rather than a CMS? Kanesh is a small self-hosted data backend with REST, GraphQL, roles and MCP.
An Appwrite alternative that runs in one container
Want an Appwrite alternative in one container? Kanesh is a self-hosted data backend in a single image of about 8.9 MB, with REST, GraphQL and MCP.
A Supabase alternative you can self-host on a small VPS
Looking for a Supabase alternative to self-host on a small VPS? Kanesh is a one-container data backend that runs on SQLite or your own PostgreSQL.
Best self-hosted backend for AI agents: a checklist
Choosing the best self-hosted backend for AI agents over MCP? Use this checklist, then see how Kanesh meets it with a read-only endpoint.
How to give Claude Code and Codex safe database access over MCP
Give Claude Code or Codex safe database access over MCP with a limited user, a revocable token and a read-only endpoint. Steps for Kanesh.
A multi-tenant backend: one install, many workspaces
Need a multi-tenant backend that serves many clients from one install? Kanesh gives each workspace its own schema, members, roles, API and MCP endpoint.
A headless backend for SvelteKit or Next.js in minutes
Need a headless backend for SvelteKit or Next.js? Run Kanesh in Docker, create collections in Studio and fetch them over REST from your server code.
SQLite vs PostgreSQL vs MySQL for a self-hosted backend
SQLite vs PostgreSQL vs MySQL for a self-hosted backend? A short guide to which to pick, with the exact limits of each database in Kanesh.