VitNode
VitNode is a plugin-first framework for community applications. It combines a
TanStack Start front end, Hono API, Postgres, and AdminCP so features can ship as
installable plugins instead of becoming permanent residents of one giant app.
[!NOTE]
This is the VitNode 2.0 canary branch. It is actively developed, so use the
docs and source together while it keeps getting sharper.
Start here
You need Node.js 22.18+ (or 24.11+, or 26+) and Postgres (or Docker). Create an
app with the package manager you use every day:
Bun
bun create vitnode-app@canary
pnpm
pnpm create vitnode-app@canary
npm
npm create vitnode-app@canary
When prompted, choose Turborepo if you plan to build plugins. VitNode puts
product pages, APIs, data, translations, and AdminCP extensions in plugins first.
Start local services, migrate, and run the app:
Bun
bun run docker:dev
bun run db:migrate
bun dev
pnpm
pnpm docker:dev
pnpm db:migrate
pnpm dev
npm
npm run docker:dev
npm run db:migrate
npm run dev
Open http://localhost:3000, then sign in at /admin.
Build features as plugins
- Create a plugin.
- Give it a route, API module, data model, or AdminCP screen.
- Register the package in the host app’s configuration.
- Deploy from the Start here documentation.
The host app owns composition and global infrastructure. The plugin owns the
feature. That boundary pays rent surprisingly quickly.
Documentation
Project scope
- Plugin architecture with TanStack Start routes and typed Hono API modules
- Postgres data models, migrations, search, uploads, and content delivery
- Built-in authentication, roles, staff permissions, i18n, and AdminCP
- Self-hosted and cloud deployment guidance
License
MIT License
