Backend as a Service
What is a Backend as a Service?
When you build an application, you need two things: a frontend (what users see) and a backend (the database, APIs, and logic that power it). Building a backend from scratch takes weeks, requires DevOps knowledge, and needs constant maintenance.
A Backend as a Service (BaaS) gives you that entire layer pre-built. You define your data model, and everything else — the database, REST API, authentication, file storage, user management — is provided and managed for you.
Anythink is designed for teams who want to ship quickly without compromising on production quality.
What Anythink provides out of the box
Automatic REST APIs
Design your data model in the dashboard and Anythink instantly generates a full REST API for every entity. No code, no configuration — you get:
GET /org/{orgId}/entities/{entity}/items— list records (filtering, sorting, pagination)GET /org/{orgId}/entities/{entity}/items/{id}— get a single recordPOST /org/{orgId}/entities/{entity}/items— create a recordPUT /org/{orgId}/entities/{entity}/items/{id}— update a recordDELETE /org/{orgId}/entities/{entity}/items/{id}— delete a record
Every endpoint is live the moment the entity is saved. Interactive API documentation is generated automatically and linked from your dashboard.
Data model and entities
Define the data your application needs by creating entities — the tables in your database — through the visual dashboard. Choose from a full range of field types: text, numbers, dates, booleans, files, geographic points, JSON, and foreign keys to link entities together.
All data is stored in a managed PostgreSQL database. You never touch the infrastructure directly.
User management and authentication
Anythink includes a full user management system. Users sign up and log in via email and password or Google OAuth. Each user receives a JWT on authentication that they use to make authenticated API calls.
Access is controlled through roles — groups of permissions that determine what each user can read, create, update, or delete. Row-Level Security lets you lock records so users can only access their own data.
File storage
Upload images, documents, videos, or any file type through the dashboard or API. Files are stored securely and delivered via CDN. Each file can be marked public (accessible without authentication) or private (requires a valid token).
Files attach to entity records using a file field — upload a product image and link it to the product record in one step.
Workflow automation
Workflows are the automation layer inside Anythink. Chain together steps — read data, write data, call external APIs, run JavaScript, branch on conditions — and trigger them on a schedule, when a record changes, or via a custom HTTP endpoint.
Common uses: send a welcome email when a user signs up, generate content from an LLM when a record is created, sync data to an external CRM on a schedule, expose a custom API endpoint for your frontend to call.
Payment processing
Accept payments through Stripe without building your own payment infrastructure. Connect your Stripe account via the dashboard, then use the payments API to create charges, manage payment methods, and review transaction history.
Dashboard for your team
Every part of your backend is manageable through the Anythink dashboard — not just for developers. Non-technical teammates can browse and edit data, approve content, manage users, and review workflow runs. No database client, no SQL, no terminal required.
How your frontend connects
Your frontend makes standard HTTP requests to your Anythink API URL. Use fetch, axios, or any HTTP client:
// Fetch a list of products
const response = await fetch(
'https://api.my.anythink.cloud/org/{orgId}/entities/products/items',
{
headers: { 'Authorization': 'Bearer ' + userToken }
}
);
const data = await response.json();
Your API URL base:
https://api.my.anythink.cloud/org/{orgId}/
The open-source CLI
Everything you can do in the dashboard is also available from the terminal using the Anythink CLI. Create entities, manage data, trigger workflows, upload files, manage secrets, and more.
Install via Homebrew:
brew tap anythink/tap
brew install anythink
The CLI is open source. Use it to automate deployments, script data migrations, and integrate Anythink into CI/CD pipelines.
Compared to building your own backend
| Capability | Anythink | Build it yourself |
|---|---|---|
| REST API | Instant, auto-generated | Weeks of development |
| Database | Managed PostgreSQL | Configure and maintain |
| Authentication | Built-in (email + Google OAuth) | Build from scratch |
| File storage | Included with CDN | S3 + CloudFront setup |
| User management | Dashboard + API | Build admin interface |
| Scaling | Automatic | Your responsibility |
| Maintenance | Managed | Your responsibility |