Directus

Directus, built by Monospace Inc., is a backend platform that connects to an existing SQL database and generates REST and GraphQL APIs plus a no-code Studio interface for teams. It can be self-hosted or run on Directus Cloud, and it includes a built-in AI Assistant and a native MCP server. The GitHub repository lists v12.5.0 as the latest release.

What It Is

Directus is a headless CMS and data backend. Collections and fields map directly to the database schema, so an existing schema can be layered with APIs, an admin app, authentication, and permissions without a migration. The docs describe it as one role-based access layer governing the APIs, the Studio, and the MCP server.

How Teams Use It

Developers get REST, GraphQL, an SDK, webhooks, realtime WebSocket subscriptions, and extensions. Content editors get visual and inline editing, live preview, revisions, content versioning, translations, and a file library with image transformations. Operations teams can build dashboards with Insights panels and automate logic with Flows, which trigger on events, schedules, or webhooks.

AI and MCP Access

The Studio includes an AI Assistant that can write, translate, and create records. The native MCP server lets tools such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, and ChatGPT work against live Directus data. According to the vendor, AI agents run under the same role-based access control as human users, and AI actions are logged in the same audit trail.

Deployment and Setup

The fastest start is the template CLI, npx directus-template-cli@latest init, which scaffolds a project plus a frontend. Directus can be self-hosted with Docker or run on Directus Cloud, and the vendor says it supports on-prem and air-gapped setups. Framework guides cover Next.js, Nuxt, Astro, SvelteKit, React, Angular, Laravel, Django, Flask, Spring Boot, Flutter, Swift, and Kotlin. The vendor lists SOC 2 Type II and GDPR compliance, and its About page notes that the license differs from the definition of open source.