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NocoDB

NocoDB is an open-source alternative to Airtable. It transforms any database into a smart spreadsheet interface and allows you to use databases without SQL knowledge.

Installation

Add the following template to your docker-compose.yml and then run ei23 dc.

Environment Variable for Password

Set the variable ${PW} in your .env file (in the ei23-docker folder).

Template

  nocodb: 
    container_name: nocodb
    depends_on: 
      noco_rootdb: 
        condition: service_healthy
    environment: 
      NC_DB: pg://noco_rootdb:5432?u=postgres&p=${PW}&d=noco_rootdb
    image: "nocodb/nocodb:latest"
    ports: 
      - "2289:8080"
    restart: always
    volumes: 
      - "./volumes/nocodb/nc_data:/usr/app/data"

  noco_rootdb: 
    container_name: noco_rootdb
    environment: 
      POSTGRES_DB: noco_rootdb
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: ${PW}
      POSTGRES_USER: postgres
    healthcheck: 
      interval: 10s
      retries: 10
      test: "pg_isready -U \"$$POSTGRES_USER\" -d \"$$POSTGRES_DB\""
      timeout: 2s
    image: postgres:latest
    restart: always
    volumes: 
      - "./volumes/nocodb/db_data:/var/lib/postgresql/data"

Create .env File

Create or add to the file /home/[user]/ei23-docker/.env:

PW=YOUR_SECURE_PASSWORD

Change Password

Replace YOUR_SECURE_PASSWORD with a secure, random password!

Features

  • Spreadsheet Interface - Edit databases like Excel/Google Sheets
  • Automatic REST API - Each table gets its own API
  • Multiple Views - Grid, Gallery, Kanban, Calendar, Form
  • Collaboration - Multiple users with different permissions
  • Import/Export - CSV, Excel, JSON
  • Webhooks - Automations on data changes
  • Rollups & Lookups - Links between tables

First Start

  1. After startup, you can access NocoDB at http://[IP]:2289
  2. Create an admin account on first start
  3. Start a new project or import existing data

Use Cases

Application Description
Project Management Manage tasks, tickets, sprints
CRM Manage customers and contacts
Inventory Track stock lists and assets
Recipes Meal planning and ingredients
Home Assistant Store sensor data in a structured way

Use the API

NocoDB automatically provides a REST API for each table:

http://[IP]:2289/api/v1/db/data/v1/[project]/[table]

The API can be used, for example, in n8n, NodeRED, or Home Assistant.

Notes

  • The database runs as a separate PostgreSQL container
  • Data is stored in ./volumes/nocodb/
  • An auth token is required for the API (create in NocoDB settings)
  • NocoDB is intended as an Airtable open-source alternative

Further Information