I'm a backend developer who usually sets up full stacks using tools like Express, Postgres, and Redis for client work and larger projects. However, I'm looking to speed up my work on side projects, such as lightweight tools or Shopify apps. Ideally, I need a solution that allows for fast development without wasting time on boilerplate coding. It would be great if it includes features like authentication, database setup, and background jobs right out of the box. I'm still interested in writing practical logic, but I want to avoid overengineering just to test out an idea. What tools, platforms, or workflows do you recommend? How do you find a balance between speed and flexibility in smaller projects?
5 Answers
Consider using Supabase or Firebase. They're pretty user-friendly and offer a lot of the functionalities you might need without requiring too much coding.
I primarily focus on the frontend, but for idea prototyping, I've found Firebase to be super helpful. It's got easy authentication, Firestore for NoSQL, and setting up Cloud Functions is straightforward. It's perfect for getting something off the ground, although I wouldn't rely on it for production.
What you're looking for is a PAAS (Platform As A Service). They simplify a lot of the setup process for you.
You might want to look into Firebase or Pocketbase. They provide ready-to-use backends that can be deployed really quickly.
Check out Django or Ruby on Rails! They're perfect for quickly getting your project off the ground without getting caught up in too much setup.
Django is a great choice. Just keep in mind that for handling background tasks, you might still need Celery.