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Build a Lightweight Backend with PocketBase

November 22, 2025

#PocketBase#backend development#SQLite#local-first#Go#API design#authentication#developer tools
Build a Lightweight Backend with PocketBase

TL;DR

  • PocketBase is an all-in-one backend that includes a database, authentication, and admin UI out of the box.
  • It’s local-first, meaning you can run it entirely on your machine for rapid prototyping and offline development.
  • With minimal dependencies, it’s ideal for small apps, side projects, and embedded deployments.
  • You can host it easily on tiny servers or bundle it with front-end projects for compact, self-contained apps.
  • It’s a great alternative when you don’t want to manage multiple backend services or complex infrastructure.

What You'll Learn

  • What PocketBase is and why it’s designed for simplicity.
  • How to set up a lightweight backend in minutes.
  • How to use its built-in database, authentication, and admin UI.
  • When PocketBase is the right choice—and when it’s not.
  • How to deploy and scale it for production.
  • Common pitfalls and troubleshooting tips.

Prerequisites

  • Basic understanding of HTTP APIs and frontend-backend architecture.
  • Familiarity with JavaScript or Python for API consumption.
  • Access to a terminal and ability to run binaries.

Introduction: The Rise of the Local‑First Backend

In a world dominated by massive cloud platforms and sprawling microservices, there’s something refreshing about a backend you can run locally, without Docker, Kubernetes, or a dozen managed services. That’s exactly what PocketBase offers—a single executable that gives you a database, API layer, authentication, and admin dashboard in one lightweight package.

PocketBase is written in Go and uses SQLite as its embedded database. That combination makes it fast, portable, and low‑maintenance. There’s no need to spin up PostgreSQL, Redis, or configure an ORM. You just download the binary, run it, and you’ve got a full backend running on http://127.0.0.1:8090.

This local‑first approach is perfect for developers who want to prototype quickly, build offline‑capable apps, or ship small, self‑contained products without the weight of traditional backend stacks.

Why PocketBase?

PocketBase aims to solve a common problem: too much setup for too little code. Most backend stacks require a database, an ORM, a REST or GraphQL API layer, authentication middleware, and an admin interface. Each piece has its own dependencies, configuration, and deployment requirements.

PocketBase collapses all of this into one binary.

Feature Traditional Backend (e.g., Node.js + Express + PostgreSQL) PocketBase
Database Requires setup (PostgreSQL, MongoDB, etc.) Built‑in SQLite
API Layer Requires Express/FastAPI/Django Built‑in REST API
Authentication Requires middleware or service (Auth0, Firebase) Built‑in auth system
Admin UI Requires custom build Built‑in web dashboard
Deployment Requires runtime + DB host Single binary, deploy anywhere

This simplicity doesn’t mean it’s limited—it supports custom business logic, hooks, and API extensions, making it flexible enough for real‑world use.

Getting Started: Your Backend in 5 Minutes

Let’s build a minimal backend with PocketBase.

Step 1: Download and Run PocketBase

Then run it:

./pocketbase serve

You’ll see output like:

Server started at: http://127.0.0.1:8090
Admin UI: http://127.0.0.1:8090/_/

Open the admin dashboard in your browser. You’ll be prompted to create an admin account.

Step 2: Create a Collection

In the admin UI, create a new collection called posts with the following fields:

  • title (text)
  • content (text)
  • published (boolean)

PocketBase automatically exposes a REST API for this collection.

Step 3: Test the API

You can now interact with your new collection via HTTP:

curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:8090/api/collections/posts/records \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{"title": "First Post", "content": "Hello World!", "published": true}'

Response:

{
  "id": "abc123",
  "collectionId": "posts",
  "title": "First Post",
  "content": "Hello World!",
  "published": true,
  "created": "2025-02-01T10:15:00Z"
}

You’ve just created a post in your new backend—no ORM, no migrations, no external database.

Local‑First Development: Why It Matters

PocketBase’s local‑first design means everything runs on your machine. This brings several benefits:

  1. Instant feedback loop – You can iterate on your backend logic without redeploying.
  2. Offline‑ready development – Ideal for travel, classrooms, or remote environments.
  3. Portable data – The database is just an SQLite file, easily versioned or backed up.
  4. Rapid prototyping – Perfect for hackathons or MVPs.

This philosophy echoes the growing trend toward developer‑centric tooling, where local environments mirror production closely without the overhead of cloud dependencies.

Integrated Features That Simplify Everything

1. Built‑In Database

PocketBase uses SQLite under the hood, giving you ACID compliance, transactions, and indexes—all in a single file. It’s battle‑tested and used in major products like Chrome and Android1.

You can query your collections via the REST API or the admin UI. For more complex logic, you can define API rules or hooks in Go or JavaScript.

2. Authentication & Authorization

PocketBase supports user registration, login, and token‑based authentication out of the box. You can define user roles and access rules per collection.

Example: Restrict posts to authenticated users only.

{
  "listRule": "@request.auth.id != ''",
  "createRule": "@request.auth.id != ''"
}

This ensures only logged‑in users can read or create posts.

3. Admin UI

The built‑in web dashboard is one of PocketBase’s biggest time‑savers. You can manage collections, users, and files visually, without writing admin panels from scratch.

4. File Storage

PocketBase includes file storage for images and documents. Files are stored locally by default, but you can configure external storage (e.g., S3) if needed.

Architecture Overview

Here’s a simplified architecture diagram:

graph TD
A[Frontend App] -->|REST/Realtime API| B[PocketBase Server]
B --> C[SQLite Database]
B --> D[File Storage]
B --> E[Admin UI]

This unified architecture eliminates the need for separate backend services, making it ideal for compact deployments.

When to Use vs When NOT to Use PocketBase

Use Case Recommended? Reason
Rapid prototyping ✅ Instant setup, no infrastructure
Offline apps ✅ Local database and sync capability
Small to medium apps ✅ Scalable enough for moderate traffic
Embedded apps (e.g., Electron, Tauri) ✅ Can bundle backend locally
High‑traffic production systems ⚠️ SQLite may become a bottleneck
Complex distributed systems ❌ Not designed for multi‑node clusters

PocketBase shines when simplicity and speed matter more than distributed scalability.

Real‑World Example: A Local‑First Journal App

Imagine building a journaling app that works offline and syncs when online. PocketBase fits perfectly:

  • The app bundles PocketBase as a local backend.
  • The frontend (React, Svelte, or Flutter) interacts via the REST API.
  • Users can write entries offline, stored in SQLite.
  • When connected, data syncs to a remote PocketBase instance.

This pattern mirrors what many modern apps (like Notion or Obsidian) aim for—fast local experiences with optional cloud sync.

Security Considerations

While PocketBase simplifies backend setup, security still matters:

  • Use HTTPS in production (via reverse proxy like Nginx or Caddy).
  • Protect the admin UI behind authentication.
  • Validate client data using collection rules.
  • Regularly back up your SQLite file.
  • Keep binaries updated to patch vulnerabilities.

PocketBase follows standard web security practices, but it’s your responsibility to configure production environments securely23.

Performance and Scalability

SQLite is surprisingly capable—it can handle thousands of requests per second for read‑heavy workloads4. But for write‑intensive or distributed systems, it’s not ideal.

You can scale PocketBase by:

  • Using read replicas for analytics.
  • Deploying multiple instances behind a load balancer (read‑only mode).
  • Migrating to a PostgreSQL‑backed service if you outgrow SQLite.

For small to medium projects, though, PocketBase offers excellent performance with minimal overhead.

Testing and Development Workflow

You can test your PocketBase backend locally using tools like pytest or Jest.

Example Python test using requests:

import requests

def test_create_post():
    data = {"title": "Test", "content": "Works!", "published": True}
    r = requests.post("http://127.0.0.1:8090/api/collections/posts/records", json=data)
    assert r.status_code == 200
    assert r.json()["title"] == "Test"

This test can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines for automated validation.

Common Pitfalls & Solutions

Problem Cause Solution
API returns 401 Missing auth token Include Authorization: Bearer <token> header
Data not saving Invalid rules Check collection rules in admin UI
File upload fails Wrong path or permissions Verify pb_data directory permissions
Admin UI not loading Port conflict Change port with --http=8080 flag

Error Handling Patterns

PocketBase returns clear HTTP codes:

  • 200 for success
  • 400 for bad requests
  • 401 for unauthorized
  • 404 for not found

In your frontend, handle errors gracefully:

try {
  const res = await fetch('/api/collections/posts/records', { method: 'GET' });
  if (!res.ok) throw new Error(`Error ${res.status}`);
  const data = await res.json();
} catch (err) {
  console.error('API Error:', err.message);
}

Monitoring and Observability

PocketBase logs requests and errors to stdout. For production:

  • Redirect logs to a file or monitoring service.
  • Use tools like Promtail + Loki or Datadog for log aggregation.
  • Monitor disk usage of the SQLite file.

Common Mistakes Everyone Makes

  1. Treating PocketBase like Firebase – It’s local‑first, not cloud‑managed.
  2. Ignoring backups – SQLite is a file; back it up regularly.
  3. Skipping HTTPS – Always secure your endpoints.
  4. Overcomplicating deployment – You don’t need Docker unless you want it.

Troubleshooting Guide

Symptom Likely Cause Fix
Server won’t start Port in use Use --http=8081
Admin password lost Delete pb_data and re‑init Recreate admin user
API 500 errors Corrupted database Restore from backup
Slow queries Missing indexes Add indexes in admin UI

Try It Yourself

Challenge: Create a To‑Do API using PocketBase.

  1. Create a tasks collection with title, done, and user fields.
  2. Add a rule so users only see their own tasks.
  3. Build a small frontend (React/Vue/Svelte) that interacts with it.
  4. Run everything locally.

You’ll have a fully functional full‑stack app in under an hour.

Future Outlook

PocketBase represents a broader shift toward lightweight, local‑first backends. As developers seek faster iteration and independence from heavy cloud stacks, tools like PocketBase, Supabase, and Appwrite show how much can be done with minimal setup.

Expect more frameworks to adopt this philosophy—batteries included, zero friction.

Key Takeaways

PocketBase is the simplest path to a full backend without cloud complexity.

  • One binary = database + API + auth + admin UI.
  • Ideal for prototypes, side projects, and local‑first apps.
  • Scales surprisingly well for small to mid‑sized deployments.
  • Encourages good development habits: local iteration, backups, and simplicity.

FAQ

Q1: Is PocketBase production‑ready?
Yes—for small to medium projects. For massive workloads, consider migrating to a distributed database.

Q2: Can I use it with React or Vue?
Absolutely. It exposes a REST API that any frontend can consume.

Q3: Does it support real‑time updates?
Yes, PocketBase supports real‑time subscriptions via WebSockets.

Q4: Can I host it on a Raspberry Pi?
Yes—it’s lightweight enough to run on low‑power devices.

Q5: How do I back up data?
Copy the SQLite file (pb_data/data.db) regularly or automate backups with cron jobs.

Next Steps

  • Try embedding it in a Tauri or Electron app.
  • Experiment with custom API rules and authentication flows.
  • Subscribe to our newsletter for more backend engineering deep dives.

Footnotes

  1. SQLite Official Documentation – https://www.sqlite.org/about.html ↩

  2. OWASP Top 10 Security Risks – https://owasp.org/www-project-top-ten/ ↩

  3. Mozilla Developer Network: Web Security Basics – https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Security ↩

  4. SQLite Performance Considerations – https://sqlite.org/whentouse.html ↩