illa-builder
Low-code platform allows you to build business apps, enables you to quickly create internal tools such as dashboard, crud app, admin panel, crm, cms, etc. Supports PostgreSQL, MySQL, Supabase, GraphQL, MongoDB, MSSQL, Rest API, Hugging Face, Redis, etc. Automate workflows with schedule or webhook. Open source Retool.
ILLA Builder is an open-source drag-and-drop tool for building internal business apps like admin dashboards and CRMs, connecting to databases and APIs without writing much code.
ILLA Builder is an open-source tool for building internal business applications without writing much code. "Internal tools" in this context means things like admin dashboards, data management screens, CRM interfaces, and other apps that a team uses internally rather than products shipped to end users. The project describes itself as an open-source alternative to Retool, a commercial product in the same category.
The core workflow has four steps: connect to a data source (such as a database or an API), drag visual components onto a canvas to build a user interface, wire those components to the data, and then deploy the finished app. The canvas uses a layout system that adjusts component positions automatically when they overlap. The list of supported data connections includes PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Supabase, Redis, GraphQL, REST APIs, and Hugging Face, among others.
Real-time collaboration is listed as a feature, meaning multiple people can edit an app at the same time. The tool also includes workflow automation, allowing actions to be triggered on a schedule or by a webhook (an automatic notification sent when something happens in another system).
Deployment options include a hosted cloud version at illacloud.com, where you can sign up and start building immediately, or self-hosting using Docker, Docker Compose, or Kubernetes. The self-hosted path provides a command-line tool called the ILLA CLI, and the README includes default login credentials for the first login after a fresh deployment.
The project is licensed under Apache 2.0, which permits commercial use. Translations for the builder interface are managed through Crowdin, a localization platform. The README is also available in Chinese, German, and Japanese. Community channels include Discord and GitHub Discussions.
Where it fits
- Build an admin dashboard connected to your PostgreSQL or MySQL database without coding a full frontend.
- Create a CRM or data management interface for your team using drag-and-drop UI components.
- Self-host the entire internal tool builder on your own infrastructure using Docker or Kubernetes.