agency-os
AgencyOS is an open-source operating system for digital agencies built on Nuxt 3 and Directus. It provides a complete website, CRM/project tracker, and client portal to manage agency operations without custom development.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | directus-labs/agency-os |
| Owner | directus-labs |
| Primary language | Vue |
| License | MIT — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 953 |
| Forks | 181 |
| Open issues | 23 |
| Latest release | Unknown |
| Last updated | 2026-03-06 |
| Source | https://github.com/directus-labs/agency-os |
What agency-os is
A full-stack Vue/Nuxt frontend integrated with a Directus headless CMS backend. Includes dynamic page builders, project management workflows, invoicing, and client authentication. Built with TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, and composable Nuxt UI components.
Get the agency-os source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/directus-labs/agency-os.gitcd agency-os# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Database choice: PostgreSQL is tested and preferred; other SQL vendors may work but are untested. Requires database administration for production.
- Directus setup overhead: Must provision Directus Cloud (paid after 14-day trial) or self-host with Docker/infrastructure. Not a plug-and-play SaaS.
- Template application: Initial setup uses Directus Template CLI to seed data schemas and sample content. Requires valid admin token and careful .env configuration.
- Nuxt deployment: Frontend is a standard Nuxt 3 application; deploy to Vercel, Netlify, or self-hosted Node runners. Requires environment secrets for Directus integration.
- Customization learning curve: Heavy Nuxt/Vue 3 composition API knowledge needed for non-trivial modifications. Understanding Directus schema and permissions is mandatory.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- No agency-specific workflows needed — If you require generic business SaaS (HR, accounting, inventory), this is purpose-built for agencies and will have unnecessary features.
- Strict vendor lock-in concerns — The project is tightly coupled to Directus. Migrating data or replacing the backend later requires significant effort; not suitable if you anticipate CMS swaps.
- Enterprise multi-tenant SaaS at scale — This is a single-tenant application template. Building a SaaS reselling platform requires substantial architectural changes beyond the provided codebase.
- Mission-critical without support commitment — Self-hosted deployments receive no official support. Enterprise support requires paid Directus licensing, which adds cost and complexity.
License & commercial use
MIT License. Permissive OSI-approved open-source license allowing commercial use, modification, and distribution with attribution.
MIT permits commercial use and deployment. However, the backend (Directus) has dual licensing: open-source free tier is community-supported; self-hosted Directus at production scale typically requires Enterprise Self-Hosted licensing for support and advanced features, which is paid. Verify Directus licensing costs for your deployment model before committing.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | High |
| DEV.co fit | Good |
| Assessment confidence | High |
Application uses standard JWT/token-based auth via Directus. No independent security audit data available. Considerations: (1) Directus permissions model must be correctly configured to prevent data leakage; (2) self-hosted deployments require proper TLS, database isolation, and access controls; (3) Stripe integration should follow PCI guidelines; (4) environment secrets (.env) must be managed securely; (5) third-party Nuxt packages may introduce vulnerabilities—depends on dependency maintenance. No claims of penetration testing or compliance certifications provided.
Alternatives to consider
Monday.com / Asana / ClickUp
Mature SaaS project management with native CRM, invoicing, and client portals. No self-hosting, less customizable, but proven reliability and built-in support.
Odoo (Community/Enterprise)
Open-source ERP with CRM, project, invoicing, and website modules. Heavier, older stack (Python), but broader feature scope and larger community ecosystem.
Custom Directus + Vue SPA
Build your own agency app using Directus + vanilla Nuxt or React. More control, no template overhead, but requires design and development effort.
Build on agency-os with DEV.co software developers
Explore AgencyOS on GitHub, review the Directus licensing for your deployment model, and evaluate whether the Nuxt/Vue stack fits your team's skills.
Talk to DEV.coRelated on DEV.co
Explore the category and the services that help you build with it.
agency-os FAQ
Can I run AgencyOS without Directus?
What's the total cost of ownership?
Is this a white-label reseller product?
How is client data isolated in multi-agency scenarios?
Software development & web development with DEV.co
From first prototype to production, DEV.co delivers software development services around tools like agency-os. Our software development agency staffs experienced software developers and web developers for custom software development, web development, integrations, and ongoing support across open-source crm and beyond.
Ready to power your agency operations?
Explore AgencyOS on GitHub, review the Directus licensing for your deployment model, and evaluate whether the Nuxt/Vue stack fits your team's skills.