Open-Source Databases · prest

prest

pREST is a lightweight Go server that automatically generates a RESTful API from your PostgreSQL database, eliminating boilerplate REST code. It supports multi-database routing, custom SQL templating, authentication, and real-time operations with minimal configuration.

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Source: GitHub — github.com/prest/prest

4.6k

GitHub stars

309

Forks

Primary language

MIT

License (OSI-approved)

Key facts

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Field	Value
Repository	prest/prest
Owner	prest
Primary language	Go
License	MIT — OSI-approved
Stars	4.6k
Forks	309
Open issues	148
Latest release	v2.0.0 (2026-07-08)
Last updated	2026-07-08
Source	https://github.com/prest/prest

What prest is

Built in Go, pREST exposes PostgreSQL tables via REST endpoints following /{database}/{schema}/{table} conventions. It provides connection pooling, multi-cluster support via aliases, role-based access control via TOML/environment configuration, and pluggable middleware for custom logic.

Quickstart

Get the prest source

Clone the repository and explore it locally.

terminalbash

1git clone https://github.com/prest/prest.git2cd prest3# follow the project's README for install & configuration

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

Best use cases

Rapid API deployment on existing PostgreSQL databases

Instantly expose existing or new Postgres schemas as REST APIs without writing endpoint handlers. Ideal for internal tools, admin panels, or data-driven applications where time-to-market matters more than custom business logic.

Multi-tenant SaaS platforms

Registry-based multi-cluster routing allows you to partition tenants across different Postgres hosts/databases while using a single pREST instance. Per-alias access control rules enforce tenant isolation at the API layer.

Backend-for-frontend (BFF) for simple CRUD operations

Reduce backend boilerplate when your frontend needs basic read/write/filter operations on database tables. Custom routes and SQL templating handle more complex queries without leaving the pREST framework.

Implementation considerations

Connection pooling is per-URI; plan for maxopenconn × number of aliases × replicas. Use PgBouncer or RDS Proxy for large multi-tenant deployments to avoid exhausting database connection limits.
Access control is table-level (schema.table) via TOML or environment variables; fine-grained row-level or column-level security requires custom middleware or Postgres RLS policies.
SQL templating and custom routes require Go/template knowledge; simple parameterized queries are auto-generated, but complex queries need explicit SQL script routes under /_QUERIES.
Postgres version 9.5+ is required. Test schema changes in a staging environment first, as pREST introspects the schema at startup and runtime.
Multi-database mode requires either legacy DATABASE_URL or registry (env vars or TOML [[databases]]). Switching modes requires a restart.

When to avoid it — and what to weigh

Highly custom business logic required — If your API needs significant domain-specific logic, validation, or workflow orchestration beyond table CRUD, you will spend more time working around pREST's conventions than writing a purpose-built backend.
Non-PostgreSQL databases — pREST is PostgreSQL-only. If your data lives in MySQL, MongoDB, or other databases, you need a different solution.
Strong GraphQL preference — pREST generates REST APIs only. If your organization standardizes on GraphQL or needs real-time subscriptions via WebSocket, PostgREST (Haskell) or Hasura may be better fits.
Offline-first or edge computing — pREST is a central server requiring always-on connectivity to Postgres. It does not support local-first or replicated offline models.

License & commercial use

MIT License. Permissive OSI-approved license permitting commercial use, modification, and distribution with no restrictions beyond attribution.

MIT license explicitly allows commercial use without restrictions. No license review required for commercial deployments. Ensure compliance with any third-party Go dependencies you may use.

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	Low
DEV.co fit	Good
Assessment confidence	High

Security considerations

pREST exposes Postgres directly as REST. Review: (1) Access control rules must explicitly whitelist tables/schemas—default-allow would be dangerous. (2) Custom middleware and script routes run server-side; audit any user-provided SQL templates. (3) Use prepared statements and parameterized queries to avoid SQL injection. (4) Enforce TLS for DATABASE_URL and API connections. (5) No built-in DDoS, rate-limiting, or WAF; use an API gateway in front. (6) Postgres RLS policies provide additional row-level protection but are optional. Test in staging before production.

Alternatives to consider

PostgREST (Haskell)

Original PostgreSQL-to-REST tool; mature and battle-tested. No custom scripting; simpler deployment but less flexible. If you prefer pure REST with no customization, PostgREST is lighter-weight.

Hasura (GraphQL engine)

Generates GraphQL APIs from Postgres with real-time subscriptions, fine-grained permissions, and a web console. Heavier but more feature-rich; better for modern frontend stacks requiring GraphQL.

Supabase (managed Postgres + Auth + Realtime)

Fully managed platform wrapping Postgres with REST/GraphQL auto-generation, authentication, and row-level security UI. Reduces self-hosting overhead but vendor lock-in and cost trade-offs.

Software development agency

Build on prest with DEV.co software developers

pREST turns your schema into a working API in minutes. Evaluate it in your development environment with Docker, or contact our team for multi-tenant SaaS guidance.

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Related on DEV.co

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prest FAQ

Does pREST replace my backend entirely?

No. pREST is best for CRUD-heavy services. Complex business logic, payment processing, external integrations, or custom workflows should be handled by a dedicated backend service or custom middleware.

How do I handle authentication and authorization?

Access control is pluggable. Tables are whitelisted via TOML/env per-alias; custom middleware can enforce JWT, OAuth, or API key validation. Postgres RLS policies can add row-level security but are optional.

Can I query across multiple databases in a single request?

No. Each request targets one database/alias via the URL path (/{database}/{schema}/{table}). Cross-database joins require custom SQL scripts or application logic.

What happens if my Postgres schema changes?

pREST introspects the schema at startup and runtime for auto-generated routes. Schema changes are reflected immediately for CRUD endpoints. Custom script routes require manual updates if you rename tables/columns.

Software development & web development with DEV.co

Need help beyond evaluating prest? DEV.co is a software development agency offering software development services and web development for teams of every size. Our software developers and web developers build custom software, web applications, APIs, and open-source databases integrations — and maintain them long-term.

Ready to accelerate your Postgres API?

pREST turns your schema into a working API in minutes. Evaluate it in your development environment with Docker, or contact our team for multi-tenant SaaS guidance.

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