Getting Started with PocketBase as a Headless CMS

PocketBase is a single-binary backend that gives you a database, authentication, file storage, and an admin UI — all in one lightweight package.

Why PocketBase?

For small to medium projects, spinning up a full backend feels like overkill. PocketBase fills that gap perfectly:

• Single binary — no Docker, no dependencies
• Built-in admin dashboard
• REST API + Realtime subscriptions
• SQLite under the hood (fast, portable)
• File uploads with thumbnails

Setting It Up

Download the binary, run it, and you're done. Create collections through the admin UI, define your schema, and start querying via the JavaScript SDK. It's that simple.

When to Use It

PocketBase shines for portfolios, blogs, small SaaS apps, and prototypes. If you need massive scale or complex relational queries, you might outgrow it — but for most indie projects, it's perfect.