Manifest, No Vibe-coding, Just Simple Pure Magic for Your Backend, and It is FREE! (Low-code & LLM Friendly)
Meet Manifest: The One-File Backend That Feels Like Magic, free and open-source!
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If you're building a prototype, MVP, or demo and find yourself wrestling with backend setup, Manifest might just be the tool you’ve been waiting for.
I've used Manifest in a few of my own projects now, from simple CRUD apps to small AI-assisted tools, and I can confidently say: it works like a charm.
Locally, on my dev machine, and even when deployed to a server. It's fast, intuitive, and most importantly, it saves developers a hell of a lot of time.
So if you’re tired of spending hours setting up databases, writing boilerplate models, or configuring REST APIs just to get a basic backend running, keep reading.
What is Manifest? 🤔
Manifest is an open-source, portable backend that fits entirely into a single YAML file.
Yes, you read that right, one file. No complicated folder structures, no dozens of config files, no ORM setup, no migrations.
Just define your data entities, logic, auth rules, and endpoints in a clean, human-readable YAML file, and run:
npx create-manifest@latest my-project
And boom, you have a fully functional backend with:
- A built-in admin panel! (That's the Coolest Part)
- Auth system (with RBAC)!
- File storage + image resizing! (Why not, because It can)
- REST API & JS SDK. (Charming)
- Webhooks and custom endpoints. (More Usable Tools)
All powered by Node.js, and backed by PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, or any database you choose.
Hazem Abbas
Why You’ll Love Manifest 🧡
As developers, we all know how frustrating it is to switch contexts between frontend and backend development, especially when you're trying to build something quickly.
Here’s what makes Manifest stand out:
✅ Instant Backend Setup
Forget writing endless lines of model code or defining routes manually. Just describe your backend schema once in YAML and go.
✅ Works Perfectly with AI Code Editors
Whether you're using Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Bolt, or Lovable, Manifest integrates seamlessly. Its YAML-based DSL is both human- and LLM-friendly, making it perfect for vibe-coding or rapid iteration.
✅ Built for Speed and Simplicity
Ideal for:
- 🔧 Rapid prototyping
- 🧪 Proof-of-concept (POC)
- 🚀 Minimum Viable Products (MVP)
- 💡 Side projects and demos
You can go from zero to full backend in under 5 minutes.
✅ Self-Hosted, Fully Customizable
No vendor lock-in. No external services required. You control everything. Deploy it anywhere you can run Node.js.
✅ Secure by Default
Built-in authentication, role-based access control (RBAC), ownership-based permissions, and CRUD policies make security easy to manage without extra work.
Hazem Abbas
How Does It Work? ⚙️
It starts with a manifest.yaml file where you define your backend structure:
entities:
Task:
properties:
- name
- { name: completed, type: boolean }
Then run:
npx create-manifest@latest my-todo-app
That’s it. You now have a working REST API, admin UI, and local database — all ready to use.
Need authentication?
User:
authenticable: true
properties:
- email
- password
Want to add a custom endpoint?
endpoints:
/notify:
POST:
logic: sendNotification
And so much more — all inside one clean, readable file.
Real Use Cases Where Manifest Shines 🌟
I've personally used Manifest for:
- Internal tools with dynamic forms and user roles.
- Prototypes for client pitches where speed was key!
- AI-powered apps where the backend logic was generated by an LLM.
- Side projects I wanted to spin up quickly without overhead.
In each case, Manifest delivered exactly what I needed, fast, secure, and without unnecessary complexity.
Final Thoughts
If you're a developer who values speed, simplicity, and control over your stack, Manifest is worth checking out.
It’s not meant to replace full-stack frameworks like Rails or Django — but for those times when you need a backend up and running in seconds, there’s nothing quite like it.
And best of all? It’s open source, self-hosted, and actively maintained by a growing community.
Ready to Try It?
Start building with Manifest today:
npx create-manifest@latest --cursor
Or check out the official docs: manifest.build
And don’t forget to star Manifest on GitHub — it’s a project worth supporting!
Got questions? Found a bug? Want to contribute?
Join the Manifest community and help shape the future of ultra-fast backend development!
Hazem Abbas
