NocoBase is an open-source AI + no-code platform for building business systems through a WYSIWYG interface and AI coding agents.
What is NocoBase?
NocoBase is an open-source platform that combines AI with a no-code visual builder to create business systems. It takes as input a business requirement — expressed either by an AI coding agent or by a human clicking through the WYSIWYG editor — and produces a running application with data models, pages, workflows, and permissions. The platform can be self-hosted, and its source code is available on GitHub. It is maintained by the NocoBase team, with documentation, a forum, and a blog of release notes.
What makes NocoBase stand out?
- AI and human co-building — Coding agents such as Claude, Cursor, Codex, OpenCode, and TRAE can handle setup, development, migration, and release, while humans refine the result in one-click usage/config mode.
- WYSIWYG no-code editor — Non-developers can switch between usage mode and configuration mode to visually define data models, pages, workflows, and permissions without writing code.
- AI employees — The platform includes agents with assigned roles that work inside the system: front-end analysis, Q&A, and form filling, plus back-end document recognition, risk monitoring, and task routing.
- Agent ecosystem connectivity — It exposes MCP, HTTP APIs, CLI, and skills so external agents from OpenClaw, Hermes, Dify, Coze, and n8n can connect, and it can link to Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Gmail.
- Fine-grained permission controls — Each AI employee has its own role with field-level read/write permissions, and audit logs record every data change and workflow trigger.
- Built-in production infrastructure — Data models, permissions, workflows, and audit logs are provided as tested modules instead of being regenerated as black-box code, and guardrails keep AI output aligned with the system architecture.
- Data-model driven architecture — Your data stays in standard relational structures decoupled from the UI, with support for the main database, external databases, and third-party APIs as data sources.
- Plugin architecture — A microkernel design treats everything as a plugin, so features are added through composable plugins that mix custom and official ones.
Who should use NocoBase?
- Business teams — Build internal tools like admin dashboards, CRMs, and ERP-style systems without relying on a development team, using the no-code interface and prebuilt modules.
- Developers — Use NocoBase's CLI and AI coding agents to scaffold a full application quickly, then extend it with custom plugins or external data sources.
- Operations and IT admins — Manage workflows, permissions, and audit logs visually, and connect the system to messaging channels such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Slack, and Gmail.
- Product managers — Prototype business systems with real data models and workflows efficiently, and iterate by mixing AI-generated components with manual WYSIWYG edits.
What can you do with NocoBase?
- Build a CRM or ERP module — Assemble data models, list pages, and workflows visually or via AI prompts, then deploy it self-hosted with your own database.
- Automate document-heavy processes — Use AI employees for back-end document recognition and risk monitoring, with workflows that route tasks automatically.
- Connect external agents — Hook up platforms like Dify, Coze, or n8n through MCP or HTTP APIs to query data and trigger business actions.
- Manage multi-source data — Combine the main database, external databases, and third-party APIs into one interface, while keeping data in standard relational structures.
How does NocoBase work?
- Install the NocoBase CLI globally with
npm install -g @nocobase/cli and check the version with nb --version.
- Initialize a new app using
nb init --ui.
- Optionally pair it with an AI coding agent like Codex, Claude, or OpenCode for agent-guided setup and development.
Alternatives
- Airtable — A spreadsheet-database hybrid that leans heavily on grid views and templates.
- Salesforce — A CRM-focused platform with extensive enterprise features.
FAQ
Is NocoBase open source?
Yes, NocoBase is an open-source platform. Its source code is available on GitHub, and you can self-host the application on your own infrastructure.
What AI coding agents does NocoBase work with?
NocoBase works with Claude, Cursor, Codex, OpenCode, and TRAE. These agents can handle setup, development, migration, and release end to end, and they operate alongside a WYSIWYG no-code interface for humans.
Can NocoBase connect to external databases?
Yes. NocoBase supports the main application database, external databases, and third-party APIs as data sources. The data model is decoupled from the UI, so you can connect and manage data from multiple sources.
Does NocoBase have a live demo?
Yes, an online demo is available at https://demo.nocobase.com/new, and you can explore it before installing anything.
Do AI employees have permission limits?
Yes. Each AI employee is assigned a role with field-level read and write permissions, and every data change and workflow trigger is recorded in audit logs. Admins can adjust those permissions at any time.
