When working with a PostgreSQL database, you often need a way to manage records without writing SQL queries or building a custom admin panel. Whether it’s for internal tools, customer support, or content management, having a simple interface to interact with the database can save time and effort.

Kottster is a no-code admin panel designed for this purpose. Instead of setting up a database client or giving direct access to PostgreSQL, it provides a web-based interface where users can view, edit, and organize data securely. It’s an ideal solution for teams that need database access without technical complexity.

How It Works

Kottster is a Node.js app that runs on a server and connects to a PostgreSQL database. It provides a web-based admin panel where you can easily view and manage data in your database tables.

  • Exploring data in tables – Kottster makes it easy to browse database tables with built-in pagination, sorting, filtering, and search. Quickly find the records you need without writing SQL.
  • Managing data with forms – Use intuitive forms to add, edit, and update records effortlessly. The interface is designed for convenience, so you don’t have to deal with raw database entries.
  • Working with related records – If your database has related tables, Kottster helps you manage them smoothly. Open and edit linked records without switching screens or writing queries.
  • Customizable tables and forms – Easily adjust how tables and forms look using Kottster’s built-in settings. Modify field types, layouts, and display options—no coding required.
  • Full flexibility – For deeper customization, you can edit the source code directly. Modify the interface, add new features, or tweak the logic to fit your specific needs.

How To Get Started

Getting up and running with Kottster is quick and straightforward. Whether you're setting it up for the first time or just exploring its features, you can follow these resources:

Once you've completed the setup, you'll have a Node.js app running locally that connects to your PostgreSQL database. From there, you can:

  • Access a fully functional admin panel to manage your data.
  • Customize tables and forms using the built-in settings.
  • Modify the source code if you need advanced customization.
  • Deploy it anywhere—on your own server, cloud provider, or a platform like Docker.

This gives you full control over how and where you run Kottster, making it flexible for different projects and teams.

Configuring pages

Kottster allows you to set up pages for managing specific tables in your PostgreSQL database. The configuration form lets you:

  • Select a table from the database.
  • Choose which columns and fields to display.
  • Enable sorting, filtering, and search to make data navigation easier.
  • Define available operations, such as insert, update, and delete.

Automatic detection of table relations

Kottster automatically detects relationships between tables in your PostgreSQL database and adds them as columns in the table view. This makes it easy to see linked data without writing any queries.

Linked records in PostgreSQL table

For example, if you create a page for a users table, Kottster will recognize that the orders table refers to it through a user_id column. In this case, it will:

  • Automatically show the number of orders each user has.
  • Display related orders inside a nested table (a model) within the user’s record.

This means you can view and manage related data directly without switching between different pages. If you don’t need a particular linked relation, you can disable it in the settings. You also have the option to add custom relations manually if needed.

This feature helps structure data effectively while keeping the interface clean and easy to navigate.

Adding custom pages

Kottster allows you to go beyond standard database tables by adding custom pages.

All pages in Kottster are essentially routes that include both backend logic and a frontend built with React. This makes it easy to create completely custom pages tailored to specific needs—whether it’s a dashboard, reports, or custom workflows.

Since you have full control over both the server-side logic and the UI, you can extend Kottster however you like.

For more details on how to add and configure custom pages, check out the documentation: Custom pages.

Security and Deployment

Open-source and separate from your main app

Kottster is open-source, giving you full transparency and control over its code. Unlike some admin panels that integrate directly into your application, Kottster runs as a completely separate Node.js server that connects to your database. This means your main application remains isolated, reducing security risks and keeping your architecture clean.

Granular access control

Access to your database can be restricted not only through PostgreSQL’s built-in permissions but also on Kottster’s side. Using Kottster’s configuration tables, you can:

  • Restrict access to specific tables and columns
  • Control operations like insert, update, and delete at a global level

For more details, check out the configuration documentation: Data Sources.

Secure authentication with Clerk

Authentication in Kottster is handled through web.kottster.app, which uses Clerk for secure authentication. When a user logs in or signs up, the process happens externally on web.kottster.app. Once authentication is successful, the user is then authorized in the local Kottster app. This approach enhances security by keeping authentication separate from the admin panel, reducing potential risks.

Flexible deployment anywhere

Since Kottster is essentially a Node.js server, you can deploy it anywhere—whether it's on your own server, a cloud provider, or a managed platform.

Additionally, because Kottster is built with Remix, it can be deployed on platforms like Vercel, AWS Lambda, and other serverless environments that support edge computing.

Final Thoughts

Kottster makes it easy to manage a PostgreSQL database without writing SQL or building an admin panel from scratch. It’s fully customizable, self-hosted, and open-source, giving you control over both functionality and security.

With a simple setup and the flexibility to deploy anywhere, it’s a solid choice for anyone needing a no-code database management tool that adapts to different workflows.