Dossier Next SQLite App
Dossier Next SQLite App is a starter template for building a content-managed Next.js application with the Dossier CMS and a SQLite database, requiring no authentication setup.
What is Dossier Next SQLite App?
Dossier Next SQLite App is a project template that combines the Dossier content management system with Next.js and SQLite. It takes a schema defined by the developer and produces a running web app with content entities stored in a local SQLite file, ready to deploy. The template is maintained by DossierHQ and is designed to keep the stack minimal by omitting authentication entirely — all visitors act as the same anonymous user. In production mode, the app serves only published content as read-only and disables the Dossier web interface.
Key Features
- No-auth setup — All users share a single anonymous user; production mode restricts access to published read-only content and disables the Dossier web interface.
- SQLite database — A new database is created at
data/database.sqliteduring local development; the file can be committed to Git to sync content state across machines. - Multiple deployment targets — Docker, Fly.io, Netlify, and Vercel are all supported, with one-click deploy buttons for Netlify and Vercel.
- Build-time CMS support on serverless — On Netlify and Vercel, Dossier operates only at build time because serverless functions cannot open SQLite databases; local or normal Node servers can use it at runtime.
- Simple scaffolding —
npm init using dossierhq/dossier-next-sqlite-app my-projectgenerates a new project quickly. - Demo instances — Live demos are available for Fly.io, Netlify, and Vercel deployment variants.
Who is it for?
- Next.js developers who want to start a Dossier CMS project without building integration from scratch — they clone or initialize the template and begin editing the schema.
- Teams deploying to Fly.io or Docker that need a persistent Node server and want a writable SQLite database during development; they can use the provided Dockerfile and deployment instructions.
- Static site developers targeting Netlify or Vercel who need build-time content from Dossier; the template supports that workflow, with the caveat that runtime database access isn't available.
What can you do with Dossier Next SQLite App?
- Prototype a content model: define entity types in the Dossier schema, then create and manage entities through the web interface during local development.
- Deploy a read-only CMS site: run the production start command to serve published content without exposing editing capabilities.
- Sync content via Git: because the SQLite database is a file, you can commit it to version control and share the same content state across machines or deploy it as part of your app.
How does Dossier Next SQLite App work?
The getting-started flow is: initialize the project with npm init, install dependencies with pnpm, run pnpm run build, then pnpm start. The app starts at http://localhost:3000, where you can add entity types to the schema and create entities. For deployment, choose between Docker, Fly.io, Netlify, or Vercel using the provided configuration files and commands.
Pros and cons
- Simple to start — no auth to configure, and the template is minimal.
- Flexible deployment — works on traditional Node servers, Docker, Fly.io, Netlify, and Vercel (with constraints).
- Limited serverless runtime — SQLite isn't supported at runtime on Netlify or Vercel, so Dossier works only at build time.
- No authentication included — any writable production deployment would require adding your own auth layer, which is out of scope for this template.
FAQ
Does Dossier Next SQLite App include authentication?
No. The template intentionally omits authentication; all users share the same anonymous user. In production mode, the app only serves read-only published content and disables the Dossier web interface, which protects data without requiring login.
Can I deploy Dossier Next SQLite App to Netlify or Vercel?
Yes, but with a limitation: these serverless platforms do not support opening SQLite databases at runtime. Dossier can only be used at build time on Netlify and Vercel, meaning content is fetched during the build and rendered as static pages.
Where is the SQLite database stored?
The database is created in data/database.sqlite when you run the app locally. Because it's a plain file, you can add it to Git and synchronize the content state between computers or include it in your deployments.
How do I create a new project from this template?
Run npm init using dossierhq/dossier-next-sqlite-app my-project, then change into the new directory, install dependencies with pnpm install, build with pnpm run build, and start with pnpm start. The app will be available at http://localhost:3000.
Is there a live demo?
Yes. The repository hosts demos on Fly.io, Netlify, and Vercel, all built from the demo branch, so you can see the template in action before deploying your own copy.
