Open-Source CMS · directus

directus

Directus is a backend-as-a-service platform that connects to any SQL database and instantly generates REST and GraphQL APIs, a visual admin interface, and AI capabilities. It supports multiple databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL, SQLite, Oracle, CockroachDB) and can be self-hosted or used on Directus Cloud.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/directus/directus

36.4k

GitHub stars

4.8k

Forks

TypeScript

Primary language

Other

License (Requires review (not clearly OSI))

Key facts

Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.

Field	Value
Repository	directus/directus
Owner	directus
Primary language	TypeScript
License	Other — Requires review (not clearly OSI)
Stars	36.4k
Forks	4.8k
Open issues	409
Latest release	v12.1.1 (2026-07-01)
Last updated	2026-07-07
Source	https://github.com/directus/directus

What directus is

TypeScript-based headless CMS and API gateway that auto-generates REST/GraphQL from database schemas, includes role-based access control down to field level, native MCP server support for AI agents, and extensibility via custom endpoints, hooks, and interfaces. Deployable on-premises or managed cloud.

Quickstart

Get the directus source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/directus/directus.git2cd directus3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

Need it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.

Best use cases

Rapid CMS/Admin Panel for Existing Databases

Organizations with existing SQL databases needing instant visual management interfaces and APIs without custom backend development. Non-technical users gain self-service content management.

Multi-Channel Content Distribution

Content teams requiring REST/GraphQL APIs to serve web, mobile, and third-party applications from a single database source with structured access control and field-level permissions.

AI Agent Integration & Automation

Projects requiring AI agents (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor) to read/write live data with governed access. Native MCP server allows agents to operate under same role-based policies as human users.

Implementation considerations

Database compatibility: Verify your SQL database variant is officially supported (Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL, SQLite, Oracle, CockroachDB listed; ensure version compatibility).
Schema design: Auto-generated APIs reflect your database schema directly; plan schema structure for intuitive API contracts and field-level permission granularity.
Access control planning: Define roles, permissions, and field-level policies upfront; role-based access is enforced uniformly for humans and AI agents.
Extensibility scope: Identify custom endpoints, hooks, or custom interfaces early; Directus supports extensions but requires TypeScript/JavaScript competency.
Self-host vs. managed: Evaluate operational overhead (database, Redis, storage, CDN) if self-hosting; Directus Cloud simplifies provisioning but introduces vendor dependency.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

NoSQL or Unstructured Data — Directus is SQL-only. Projects requiring MongoDB, document stores, or graph databases require a different backend.
Custom Complex Business Logic — If core application logic heavily depends on procedural workflows, custom data transformations, or tight coupling to business rules, a traditional framework may be more suited than a headless API layer.
High-Scale Real-Time Collaboration — For applications requiring sub-second collaborative editing, conflict resolution, or operational transformation, Directus' architecture is not designed as a primary real-time engine.
Strict Open-Source Licensing Requirements — Directus uses the Monospace Sustainable Core License (MSCL 1.0), a source-available license with commercial restrictions. Organizations requiring pure OSI-compliant open-source licenses must review terms carefully.

License & commercial use

Licensed under Monospace Sustainable Core License (MSCL) 1.0, a source-available (not open-source) license derived from Fair Core License. Free tier available for exploration. Free for organizations under $5M revenue and 50 employees via Open Innovation Grant (requires application). Commercial license required above those thresholds for advanced/enterprise features.

MSCL 1.0 is a source-available license with commercial restrictions—not a standard OSI-approved permissive license. Commercial use requires either: (1) qualification for Open Innovation Grant (sub-$5M revenue, sub-50 employees, application required), (2) free tier for non-commercial/evaluative use, or (3) commercial license purchase. Organizations above thresholds using advanced/enterprise features must purchase a commercial license. Verify current pricing and license terms on directus.com/pricing before production deployment.

DEV.co evaluation signals

Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.

Signal	Assessment
Maintenance	Active
Documentation	Strong
License clarity	Needs review
Deployment complexity	Low
DEV.co fit	Strong
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

Role-based access control enforced at field level for both human users and AI agents. No special security cases or workarounds for AI agents—policies apply uniformly. Self-hosted deployments require securing Node.js runtime, database credentials, Redis, and file storage. Directus Cloud handles infrastructure security but introduces vendor dependency. No claims made regarding penetration testing, vulnerability disclosure history, or third-party security audit results in provided data; verify with vendor security documentation.

Alternatives to consider

Supabase

Open-source (Apache 2.0) PostgreSQL-only backend with auto-generated REST/GraphQL APIs, real-time subscriptions, and built-in auth. No AI/MCP. Better for projects requiring pure OSI licensing.

Hasura

Instant GraphQL APIs on SQL databases with role-based access control and webhook triggers. Commercial and free tiers available. GraphQL-first (not REST-primary). Wider database support.

Strapi

Open-source (Business Source License) headless CMS with custom content modeling, REST APIs, and plugin extensibility. NoSQL-capable. Better for content-first workflows; less database-agnostic than Directus.

Software development agency

Build on directus with DEV.co software developers

Start with Directus Cloud (90-second setup) or review self-hosting options. Check license eligibility for your organization at directus.com/oig.

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directus FAQ

Can Directus work with my existing SQL database?

Yes. Directus connects to Postgres, MySQL, MariaDB, MS SQL, SQLite, Oracle, CockroachDB, and others. It wraps your existing schema and auto-generates REST/GraphQL APIs without data migration.

Is Directus free for commercial use?

Free tier available for all. Open Innovation Grant offers free commercial use for organizations under $5M annual revenue and 50 employees (application required). Organizations above thresholds using advanced/enterprise features require a commercial license.

Can AI agents directly access my data via Directus?

Yes. Directus includes a native MCP server allowing Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and compatible tools to connect directly. AI agents operate under the same role-based permissions as human users.

What is the difference between self-hosted and Directus Cloud?

Directus Cloud is fully managed (one-click provisioning, database, storage, CDN included). Self-hosted requires managing your own database, Redis, storage, and Node.js runtime but offers full control and no vendor dependency.

Custom software development services

From first prototype to production, DEV.co delivers software development services around tools like directus. Our software development agency staffs experienced software developers and web developers for custom software development, web development, integrations, and ongoing support across open-source cms and beyond.

Ready to wrap your database?

Start with Directus Cloud (90-second setup) or review self-hosting options. Check license eligibility for your organization at directus.com/oig.

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