Supabase
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What is Supabase?
Supabase is an open-source backend platform built on Postgres that adds authentication, instant APIs, storage and edge functions, often described as an open-source Firebase alternative.
An open-source alternative to Firebase that provides developers with a dedicated Postgres database, authentication, instant APIs, and edge functions.
Supabase provides a complete backend-as-a-service without sacrificing the power of a relational database. It spins up a full PostgreSQL database, wraps it in auto-generated REST and GraphQL APIs, and provides built-in user authentication and file storage, allowing developers to build full-stack apps rapidly without managing infrastructure.
How it relates to Orbit
Orbit’s Database tab can connect to Supabase for queries and schema inspection. See Project Window for details.
When you would use it
You use Supabase when you want the rapid development speed of a Backend-as-a-Service, but demand the structural rigor, complex querying, and open-source nature of PostgreSQL.
Common operations
- Serving as the primary database and authentication provider for a React or Next.js app.
- Utilizing pgvector within Postgres to store and query AI embeddings natively.
Frequently asked questions
Is Supabase a real Postgres database?
Yes. Every project is a full Postgres database, so standard SQL, extensions and tools work against it.
Can Orbit query my Supabase database?
Yes. The project window’s Database tab can connect to Supabase for queries and schema inspection. See Project Window.
Related terms
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