Directus

![Directus](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/2e60d36e-079b-4ad1-a246-bcbc000d1700)

# The Collaborative Backend for Builders & AI

Connect any SQL database and get instant REST and GraphQL APIs, a visual management Studio, and a native MCP server for
AI agents.

45M+ downloads · 500K+ projects deployed

<!-- prettier-ignore -->
> [!NOTE] 
> **Free for most organizations.** Under $5M annual revenue and 50 employees? Directus is completely free.
> [Apply for an Open Innovation Grant license](https://directus.com/oig) and get a key in minutes.
> [Learn more about our license.](#-license)

---

## 🐇 Introduction

Directus wraps any SQL database with a REST and GraphQL API layer and a visual Studio. Engineers control schema and
access. Non-technical teammates and AI agents work directly with live data. No tickets, no boilerplate.

- **REST & GraphQL APIs:** Automatically generated from your database schema. No configuration required.
- **Visual Studio:** A full management interface for non-technical teammates.
- **AI Assistant:** Embedded in the Studio. Creates, translates, and takes direct action on your content.
- **Native MCP Server:** Connect Claude, Cursor, ChatGPT, or any MCP-compatible tool directly to your data.
- **Policy-based Access Control:** Granular permissions down to the field level, for humans and AI agents alike.
- **Bring your own database:** Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL, SQLite, OracleDB, CockroachDB, and more.
- **Fully extensible:** Custom endpoints, hooks, interfaces, and modules.
- **Self-host or cloud:** Run locally, on your own infrastructure, or on Directus Cloud.

[Learn more about Directus](https://directus.com) · [Documentation](https://directus.com/docs)

---

## 🤖 AI & MCP

Directus includes a built-in AI Assistant and a native MCP server. AI works with your live data, not a copy of it.

- **AI Assistant:** Creates content, runs translations, and triggers workflows directly from the Studio.
- **Native MCP Server:** Any MCP-compatible agent or tool can connect to Directus. Same access policies that apply to
  your team apply to AI.
- **Governed by default:** AI agents operate under the same role-based permissions as human users. No special cases, no
  workarounds.

[Read the AI & MCP docs](https://directus.com/docs/guides/ai#inside-directus-ai-assistant)

---

## 🚀 Directus Cloud

[Directus Cloud](https://directus.cloud) provisions a fully managed project in under 90 seconds.

- **Centrally managed:** Self-service dashboard to create and monitor all your projects in one place
- **All-in-one solution:** Database, storage, and auto-scaling included with a global CDN
- **Simple setup:** Select a region and get a running instance immediately

[Create a Directus Cloud Project](https://directus.cloud)

---

## ⚡ One-Click Deployment Options

### Deploy on Railway

One click. Fully provisioned with PostgreSQL, Redis, and S3-compatible storage, connected via Railway's private network.

[![Deploy on Railway](https://railway.app/button.svg)](https://railway.com/deploy/directus-official?referralCode=b2RDZT)

---

## 🙋 Community Help

[The Directus Documentation](https://directus.com/docs) is a great place to start, or explore these other channels:

- [Community Forum](https://community.directus.com) (Questions, Discussions)
- [Discord](https://discord.com/invite/directus) (Live Chat)
- [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/directus/directus/issues) (Report Bugs)
- [Roadmap](https://roadmap.directus.com/) (Roadmap & Feature Requests)
- [Resources](https://directus.com/resources) (Latest News)
- [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/DirectusVideos) (Video Tutorials)

---

## ❤️ Contributing

Read our [Contributing Guide](https://github.com/directus/directus/blob/main/contributing.md) before submitting pull
requests.

Report security vulnerabilities per our [Security Policy](https://github.com/directus/directus/security/policy).

Built by our core team and contributors. Thank you.

---

## 📄 License

Directus is licensed under the [Monospace Sustainable Core License (MSCL) 1.0](https://directus.com/license), a
source-available license derived from the [Fair Core License](https://fcl.dev).

**Free for most builders.** Organizations under $5M in annual revenue and 50 employees can use Directus for free under
the [Open Innovation Grant](https://directus.com/oig).

**Free Core Tier.** A free tier is available to everyone to explore and build on Directus without a commercial license.

**Commercial License.** Organizations above those thresholds using advanced or enterprise features require a commercial
license. [See pricing](https://directus.com/pricing) for details.