---
title: "Deploy Directus | Open-Source Contentful & Strapi Alternative"
description: "Self Host Directus. Headless CMS, DAM, and automation engine"
category: "CMS"
url: https://railway.com/deploy/directus-open-source-cms
---

# Deploy Directus | Open-Source Contentful & Strapi Alternative

Self Host Directus. Headless CMS, DAM, and automation engine

**[Deploy Directus | Open-Source Contentful & Strapi Alternative on Railway](https://railway.com/template/directus-open-source-cms)**

- **Creator:** Heimdall
- **Category:** CMS
- **Total deploys:** 11

## Template content

### Postgres https://devicons.railway.app/i/postgresql.svg

- **Image:** ghcr.io/railwayapp-templates/postgres-ssl:18

### Directus https://github.com/directus.png

- **Image:** directus/directus:latest
- **Public domain:** Yes

## Documentation

![Directus logo](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mWOUQ7amVkc/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEhCK4FEIIDSFryq4qpAxMIARUAAAAAGAElAADIQj0AgKJD&rs=AOn4CLCPmom0MbXc_hkh9HrwujaRXlzZaw)

# Deploy and Host Directus on Railway

Deploy Directus on Railway to get a fully managed headless CMS with a visual data studio, REST and GraphQL APIs, and granular role-based access control. Self-host Directus on Railway with a pre-configured PostgreSQL database and persistent file storage — no Docker knowledge required.

This template deploys two services: the Directus application server (`directus/directus:latest`) and a PostgreSQL 18 database with SSL. File uploads are persisted to a Railway volume mounted at `/directus/uploads`.

![Directus Railway architecture](https://res.cloudinary.com/asset-cloudinary/image/upload/v1776268577/directus-railway-arch_ivgqo8.png)

## Getting Started with Directus on Railway

Once the deployment completes, open your Railway-generated URL. You will see the Directus admin login page. Sign in using the `ADMIN_EMAIL` and `ADMIN_PASSWORD` credentials set during deployment (visible in the Railway dashboard under service variables).

After logging in, the Data Studio opens. Create your first collection by clicking the "+" icon in the sidebar — define fields, set up relationships, and start adding content. The API is immediately available at `/items/` for REST or `/graphql` for GraphQL queries.

To generate an API token, go to **Settings > Access Tokens** and create a static token, or use the `/auth/login` endpoint with your admin credentials. All content is accessible through the API with the permissions you configure under **Settings > Roles & Permissions**.

![Directus dashboard screenshot](https://res.cloudinary.com/asset-cloudinary/image/upload/v1776268577/directus-dashboard_eg6ut7.png)

## About Hosting Directus

Directus is an open-source data platform that wraps any SQL database with a real-time API and an intuitive no-code app. Unlike traditional CMS platforms, Directus doesn't impose a content model — it mirrors your database schema directly, giving you full control over your data architecture.

Key features:

- **REST + GraphQL APIs** auto-generated from your database schema
- **Data Studio** — drag-and-drop interface for managing content, files, and users
- **Flows** — visual automation engine with triggers, conditions, and operations
- **Granular permissions** — field-level access control with configurable roles
- **File storage** — built-in DAM with image transformations and metadata
- **Extensions** — custom modules, interfaces, displays, hooks, and endpoints via TypeScript/JavaScript

## Why Deploy Directus on Railway

- One-click deploy with PostgreSQL and persistent storage pre-configured
- No Docker, Kubernetes, or infrastructure management needed
- Automatic SSL, custom domains, and private networking
- Scale vertically by adjusting Railway service resources
- Environment variable management through Railway dashboard

## Common Use Cases for Self-Hosted Directus

- **Headless CMS** — power websites, mobile apps, and digital experiences with structured content delivered via API
- **Internal tools** — build custom dashboards, CRMs, inventory trackers, and admin panels without writing frontend code
- **Digital asset management** — organize, transform, and serve images and files with metadata and access controls
- **E-commerce backend** — manage product catalogs, categories, and order data with flexible relational schemas

## Dependencies for Directus on Railway

- **Directus** — `directus/directus:latest` (Node.js application, port 8055)
- **PostgreSQL** — `ghcr.io/railwayapp-templates/postgres-ssl:18` (managed database with SSL)
- **Volume** — mounted at `/directus/uploads` for persistent file storage

### Environment Variables Reference for Directus

| Variable | Description |
|---|---|
| `SECRET` | Access token signing key |
| `DB_CLIENT` | Database driver (`pg`) |
| `DB_HOST` | PostgreSQL hostname |
| `DB_PORT` | PostgreSQL port |
| `DB_DATABASE` | Database name |
| `DB_USER` | Database username |
| `DB_PASSWORD` | Database password |
| `ADMIN_EMAIL` | Initial admin email |
| `ADMIN_PASSWORD` | Initial admin password |
| `PUBLIC_URL` | Public-facing URL of the Directus instance |
| `PORT` | HTTP server port (8055) |

### Deployment Dependencies

- **Runtime:** Node.js (bundled in Docker image)
- **GitHub:** [github.com/directus/directus](https://github.com/directus/directus)
- **Docker Hub:** [hub.docker.com/r/directus/directus](https://hub.docker.com/r/directus/directus)
- **Docs:** [directus.io/docs](https://directus.io/docs)

## Hardware Requirements for Self-Hosting Directus

| Resource | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 0.25 vCPU | 2 vCPU |
| RAM | 512 MB | 2 GB |
| Storage | 1 GB | 10 GB+ (depends on uploads) |
| Runtime | Node.js 18+ | Node.js 20+ |

Directus is lightweight — a basic instance with PostgreSQL runs comfortably on 512 MB RAM. Scale storage based on file upload volume.

## Self-Hosting Directus with Docker

Pull and run Directus with Docker Compose:

```
services:
  directus:
    image: directus/directus:latest
    ports:
      - "8055:8055"
    environment:
      SECRET: "your-random-secret-key"
      DB_CLIENT: "pg"
      DB_HOST: "database"
      DB_PORT: "5432"
      DB_DATABASE: "directus"
      DB_USER: "directus"
      DB_PASSWORD: "change-me"
      ADMIN_EMAIL: "admin@example.com"
      ADMIN_PASSWORD: "change-me"
    volumes:
      - ./uploads:/directus/uploads
    depends_on:
      - database

  database:
    image: postgres:16
    environment:
      POSTGRES_DB: "directus"
      POSTGRES_USER: "directus"
      POSTGRES_PASSWORD: "change-me"
    volumes:
      - ./data:/var/lib/postgresql/data
```

Or run with a single Docker command:

```
docker run -d \
  -p 8055:8055 \
  -e SECRET="your-random-secret" \
  -e DB_CLIENT="pg" \
  -e DB_HOST="your-db-host" \
  -e DB_PORT="5432" \
  -e DB_DATABASE="directus" \
  -e DB_USER="directus" \
  -e DB_PASSWORD="your-db-password" \
  -e ADMIN_EMAIL="admin@example.com" \
  -e ADMIN_PASSWORD="change-me" \
  -v ./uploads:/directus/uploads \
  directus/directus:latest
```

## How Much Does Directus Cost to Self-Host?

Directus is open-source under the BSL 1.1 license — free to self-host for organizations with under $5M annual revenue. There are no feature gates or artificial limitations in the self-hosted version. Managed Directus Cloud starts at $99/month. On Railway, you only pay for infrastructure (compute + storage + database), which starts around $5-10/month for a small instance.

## Directus vs Strapi — Headless CMS Comparison

| Feature | Directus | Strapi |
|---|---|---|
| API Style | REST + GraphQL (auto-generated) | REST + GraphQL |
| Database | Any SQL (Postgres, MySQL, SQLite, MSSQL) | PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite |
| Content Modeling | Schema mirrors DB directly | Custom content types |
| License | BSL 1.1 | MIT (Community) |
| Admin UI | Data Studio (no-code) | Content Manager |
| Automation | Built-in Flows engine | Webhooks + plugins |
| File Management | Built-in DAM | Media Library |

Directus stands out by wrapping existing databases without imposing its own schema, making it ideal for projects with established data models or teams that want full database control.

## FAQ

**What is Directus and why should I self-host it?**
Directus is an open-source data platform that turns any SQL database into a full-featured API with a visual admin panel. Self-hosting gives you full control over your data, no vendor lock-in, and zero per-seat costs.

**What does this Railway template deploy for Directus?**
This template deploys two services: the Directus application server (Node.js, port 8055) and a PostgreSQL 18 database with SSL. It also provisions a persistent volume for file uploads at `/directus/uploads`.

**Why does Directus need a PostgreSQL database on Railway?**
Directus requires a SQL database to store all content, user accounts, permissions, and configuration. PostgreSQL is the recommended production database for its reliability, JSON support, and full-text search capabilities.

**How do I connect to the Directus API from my frontend application?**
Use the generated Railway domain as your API base URL. Authenticate with a static token (created in Settings > Access Tokens) or via the `/auth/login` endpoint. The REST API is at `/items/` and GraphQL at `/graphql`.

**Can I install custom extensions in self-hosted Directus on Railway?**
Yes. Mount a volume at `/directus/extensions` and add your custom modules, interfaces, displays, hooks, or endpoints. Directus auto-loads extensions on startup. You can build extensions using the `@directus/extensions-sdk` package.

**How do I migrate from Directus Cloud to self-hosted Directus on Railway?**
Export your database from Directus Cloud using `pg_dump`, import it into your Railway PostgreSQL instance, and update the `PUBLIC_URL` environment variable. File uploads need to be transferred separately to the Railway volume.


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