What databases does Directus support?

Directus supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite, MS SQL and CockroachDB. On ServOrbit, the default deployment uses SQLite for a zero-configuration start. Switch to PostgreSQL for multi-user production workloads.

Can Directus work on top of an existing database?

Yes. Directus introspects any supported SQL database and generates REST and GraphQL APIs on top without modifying your schema. You can point it at a database you already own and start serving its data through Directus immediately.

What is the Directus license?

Directus is licensed under Apache-2.0, which permits free use, modification and distribution — including commercial use. There are no per-seat or per-API-call fees when self-hosting.

How much RAM does Directus need?

Directus itself runs comfortably under 512 MB RAM with SQLite. For multi-user production workloads with PostgreSQL on the same VPS, 2 GB total RAM is a reasonable starting point.

Build a website quickly.

Directus

Directus — turn your SQL database into REST/GraphQL APIs and a no-code admin interface, without writing a backend.

512 MB RAM 1 vCPU In validation

In validation

Automatic installation for this solution is ready and currently going through our tests on a real server. Ordering will open as soon as validation is complete.

Tech stack

DockerNode.jsSQLite

Minimum RAM512 MB

Minimum CPU1 vCPU

Compatible OSChoice of Linux distributions

Directus is an open-source headless CMS and data platform (Apache-2.0) built in Node.js. It sits on top of any SQL database — PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, SQLite — and auto-generates a complete REST and GraphQL API without a single line of backend code. The no-code admin interface lets any team member model content, manage records, set granular row-level permissions and build automated workflows.

On a ServOrbit VPS, Directus runs in a single Docker container using SQLite as its default database — no external services required. The container exposes port 8055 and is proxied by nginx for HTTPS access. Your admin credentials are generated at provisioning time and displayed in your ServOrbit dashboard. Once a domain is attached, every front-end you build — Nuxt, Next.js, mobile — can consume your Directus API over HTTPS without additional configuration.

Key features

REST and GraphQL APIs auto-generated from any SQL schema — zero backend code required.

No-code admin UI to model content, manage roles and set granular field-level permissions.

Works on top of PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, MariaDB or any supported SQL database you already own.

Built-in media management with on-the-fly image transformations and S3-compatible storage support.

Flows and webhooks for workflow automation — trigger scripts on any data event without code.

Apache-2.0 license — fully self-hostable, all your data stays on your VPS.

When to use this solution?

1

Headless CMS for multi-frontend projects

Point multiple front-ends — Nuxt, Next.js, mobile apps — at a single Directus instance and manage all content from one no-code interface. No duplicated schemas, no conflicting data stores.

2

Auto-generated API on an existing database

Drop Directus on top of any PostgreSQL or MySQL database you already own: it introspects your schema and generates a full REST and GraphQL API on top without touching your data model.

3

No-code data platform for non-technical teams

Give your team a spreadsheet-like interface to create, edit and query records — with row-level permissions and shared views, without writing SQL or building custom CRUD endpoints.

Deploy Directus on your VPS

Guide optimized for ServOrbit Cloud VPS.

01

Order your VPS and select Directus

Choose a ServOrbit VPS and select Directus in the Marketplace. The instance is delivered with Docker pre-installed and the Directus container running. Your admin credentials are generated automatically and displayed in your ServOrbit dashboard.

02

Access the admin panel

Directus does not require a domain name. Open an SSH tunnel: ssh -L 8055:127.0.0.1:{{ expose_port }} root@<your-vps-ip> then open http://localhost:8055. Log in with [email protected] and the password shown in your ServOrbit dashboard.

03

Create your first collection

In the admin panel, go to Settings → Data Model → Create Collection. Define your fields and types. Directus immediately exposes the collection as /items/<collection> via both the REST API and the GraphQL endpoint (/graphql).

04

Configure roles and permissions

Under Settings → Roles & Permissions, create roles and assign field-level read/write access. Set the public role to denied by default and open only the collections your front-end needs — this prevents unintended data exposure.

Frequently asked questions

No. Directus works without a domain via an SSH tunnel: ssh -L 8055:127.0.0.1:<port> root@<vps-ip> then http://localhost:8055. For production front-ends, attach a domain from your ServOrbit dashboard — nginx proxies to the Directus container over HTTPS.

Complementary solutions

Databases

NocoDB

Self-hosted, source-available Airtable alternative — turn any database into a smart spreadsheet with grid, kanban, gallery and form views, REST and GraphQL APIs and built-in automations. Self-hosted, no per-seat pricing.