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Introduction to Centrali

What is Centrali?

Centrali is a Backend-as-a-Service (BaaS) platform that provides everything you need to build modern web applications without managing infrastructure. Think of it as your application's data layer, business logic engine, and automation platform all in one.

Key Capabilities

🗄️ Dynamic Data Management

Define your data schemas (Structures) and instantly get a complete CRUD API with: - Automatic validation - Version history tracking - Change logs - Relationships and references - Bulk operations

⚡ Serverless Compute Functions

Write JavaScript functions that: - Process data transformations - Handle business logic - Integrate with external APIs - Run on-demand or via triggers - Execute in a secure sandbox environment

🔄 Event-Driven Automation

Automate workflows with triggers that respond to: - Data changes (record created/updated/deleted) - Scheduled times (cron jobs) - Webhook events - Custom events

📁 File Storage

Store and manage files with: - Secure file upload/download - Automatic CDN distribution - File metadata management - Access control

🔍 Full-Text Search

Search across your data with: - Instant indexing - Faceted search - Fuzzy matching - Custom ranking rules

Who Should Use Centrali?

Centrali is perfect for:

  • Startups building MVPs who need to move fast
  • Developers who want to focus on frontend and business logic
  • Teams building internal tools and dashboards
  • Enterprises needing a flexible data platform
  • Agencies managing multiple client applications

What Can You Build?

Centrali powers any application that needs:

  • Content Management Systems - Blogs, documentation sites, knowledge bases
  • E-commerce Platforms - Product catalogs, inventory management, order processing
  • SaaS Applications - User management, billing, feature flags
  • Internal Tools - Admin panels, dashboards, reporting systems
  • Mobile App Backends - User data, push notifications, offline sync
  • IoT Applications - Device management, telemetry data, alerts

Core Concepts

Before diving in, let's understand Centrali's core concepts:

Structures

The schemas that define your data models. Like database tables, but with built-in validation, relationships, and versioning.

Records

The actual data entries based on your Structures. Each record has a unique ID, timestamps, and optional version history.

Compute Functions

JavaScript functions that run in Centrali's cloud. They can process data, call APIs, and implement your business logic.

Triggers

Events that automatically execute your Compute Functions. Triggers can be based on data changes, schedules, or webhooks.

Architecture Overview

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│           Your Application                   │
│  (React, Vue, Mobile, etc.)                 │
└─────────────┬───────────────────────────────┘
              │ HTTPS/REST API
              │
┌─────────────▼───────────────────────────────┐
│           Centrali Platform                  │
├──────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│  • API Gateway                               │
│  • Authentication & Authorization            │
│  • Data Layer (Structures & Records)         │
│  • Compute Runtime                           │
│  • Event Bus & Triggers                      │
│  • File Storage                              │
│  • Search Engine                             │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Next Steps

Ready to get started? Here's your journey:

  1. Quick Start Guide - Build your first app in 10 minutes
  2. Understanding Your Workspace - Your Centrali environment
  3. Structures & Records - Data management
  4. Writing Compute Functions - Add business logic
  5. API Reference - Complete API documentation

Getting Help

Key Benefits

✅ No Infrastructure Management - Focus on your app, not servers ✅ Instant APIs - Define a schema, get a complete REST API ✅ Built-in Security - Authentication, authorization, and encryption included ✅ Scalable by Default - Handles growth automatically ✅ Developer Friendly - RESTful APIs, webhooks, and SDKs ✅ Cost Effective - Pay only for what you use

Ready to build something amazing? Let's get started! →