# Spala Docs Spala is a hosted backend builder for AI-built apps. Users work from the hosted dashboard, describe product intent to AI Copilot, review generated backend resources, test them, and publish a project API. Users do not self-host the Spala platform. ## First workflow for humans 1. Open https://dashboard.spala.ai and create or open a project. 2. Start in Lite Mode and describe the backend feature in AI Copilot. 3. Review the generated tables, functions, endpoints, tasks, triggers, agents, channels, settings, and docs. 4. Test in the API Playground. 5. Publish when the project draft is ready to become the live API. ## First workflow for AI agents Start with the public MCP server at https://mcp.spala.ai/mcp. Public MCP is for discovery, OAuth metadata, onboarding, docs search, project lookup, and project handoff. Backend changes happen on the selected project MCP returned after authentication. Do not guess or hardcode project MCP URLs. Recommended first calls on public MCP: spala_get_onboarding, then spala_get_tool_map. When project access is needed, complete Spala platform OAuth, list/select a project, and continue on the returned project MCP. ## Key docs - [Build backends for AI-built apps](https://docs.spala.ai/) - Spala turns product intent into database, auth, REST APIs, backend logic, docs, publishing, and MCP access for coding agents. - [Spala Public MCP](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/mcp/) - Use the public Spala MCP for discovery, OAuth metadata, project lookup, and project MCP handoff. - [Project Delivery](https://docs.spala.ai/deployment/) - Publish and connect the projects you build in Spala from the hosted dashboard. - [AI Copilot](https://docs.spala.ai/features/ai-assistant/) - The fastest way to build with Spala — describe what you need in plain English and the AI builds your entire backend. - [Editor Workspace](https://docs.spala.ai/features/editor-workspace/) - Use tabs, search, view modes, Ask AI, Try, compare, save, version history, and run history while editing Spala resources. - [Lite Mode](https://docs.spala.ai/features/lite-mode/) - Use Spala's Copilot workspace to inspect a backend, ask for changes, and jump into focused tools without opening the full builder. - [Project Overview](https://docs.spala.ai/features/project-overview/) - Use the project overview to inspect your backend, copy connection details, review drafts, and jump into the right editor. - [Publish](https://docs.spala.ai/features/publish-export/) - Review your generated backend changes and publish them as a live API from the Spala dashboard. - [Welcome to Spala](https://docs.spala.ai/getting-started/) - Spala builds backend infrastructure for AI-built apps: database, auth, REST APIs, logic, docs, publishing, and MCP access for coding agents. - [Quick Start: Build a Cases API](https://docs.spala.ai/getting-started/quickstart/) - Create a working REST API for a client portal from the hosted Spala dashboard. - [External Frontend Handoff](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/frontend-handoff/) - Share the exact Spala project contract a frontend developer or AI coding agent needs when they do not have dashboard access. - [Frontend Integration Cookbook](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/frontend-integration/) - Connect a frontend to a Spala backend with base URL, routes, auth headers, file upload, realtime, and env vars. - [Settings](https://docs.spala.ai/settings/) - Configure project metadata, database, auth, AI, MCP, frontend hosting, API docs, environment variables, snapshots, and project controls. - [Start Here](https://docs.spala.ai/start-here/) - Choose the right first path for Spala: dashboard builder, frontend integration, AI agent, or raw MCP. ## Search and crawl - Search index JSON: https://docs.spala.ai/search-index.json - Full markdown corpus: https://docs.spala.ai/llms-full.txt - Sitemap: https://docs.spala.ai/sitemap.xml - Sections: addons, agents, channels, compare, database, deployment, endpoints, features, flows, general, getting-started, guides, reference, self-hosting, settings, tasks, triggers - Generated: 2026-07-08 - Legacy self-hosting routes are compatibility pages for old links, not the primary product path. ## Full page catalog ### addons - [Integration Configuration](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/addon-manifest/) - Configure addon credentials and integration settings from the Spala dashboard. - [Anthropic](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/anthropic/) - Integrate Anthropic's Claude AI models for message generation in your Spala flows. - [AWS S3](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/aws-s3/) - Upload, download, and manage files in Amazon S3 buckets from your Spala flows. - [Discord](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/discord/) - Send messages and notifications to Discord channels using webhooks from your Spala flows. - [Firebase Authentication](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/firebase-auth/) - Verify Firebase ID tokens and manage users with the Firebase Auth addon for Spala. - [GitHub](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/github/) - Interact with GitHub repositories, issues, and pull requests from your Spala flows. - [HTML to PDF](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/html-to-pdf/) - Generate PDF documents from HTML templates in your Spala flows. - [HubSpot](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/hubspot/) - Manage contacts, deals, and CRM data through the HubSpot API from your Spala flows. - [Image Processing](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/image-processing/) - Resize, crop, convert, and transform images using Sharp from your Spala flows. - [Jira](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/jira/) - Create and manage Jira issues and projects from your Spala flows. - [Local Storage](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/local-storage/) - Read and write files on the server's local file system from your Spala flows. - [Notion](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/notion/) - Create pages, query databases, and manage content in Notion from your Spala flows. - [OpenAI](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/openai/) - Integrate OpenAI's GPT models, embeddings, and image generation into your Spala flows. - [QR Code](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/qr-code/) - Generate QR codes as images or data URIs from your Spala flows. - [Redis Cloud](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/redis-cloud/) - Use Redis for caching, session storage, and pub/sub messaging from your Spala flows. - [SendGrid](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/sendgrid/) - Send transactional and marketing emails through SendGrid from your Spala flows. - [Shopify](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/shopify/) - Manage products, orders, and customers in your Shopify store from Spala flows. - [Slack API](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/slack-api/) - Send messages, manage channels, and integrate with Slack workspaces from your Spala flows. - [Stripe](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/stripe/) - Process payments, manage customers, and handle subscriptions with the Stripe addon for Spala. - [Supabase](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/supabase/) - Connect to Supabase for database queries, authentication, and storage from your Spala flows. - [Twilio SMS](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/catalog/twilio-sms/) - Send SMS text messages through Twilio from your Spala flows. - [Custom Integrations](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/creating-addons/) - Connect services that are not in the addon catalog using External API Call, webhooks, and project environment variables. - [API-Based Integrations](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/declarative-addons/) - Use External API Call and project environment variables to connect REST APIs from Spala. - [Installing Addons](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/installing/) - How to enable and configure addons in your Spala project. - [Advanced Integration Help](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/javascript-addons/) - Use built-in addons, API calls, and Spala support for advanced integration needs. ### agents - [Claude Setup](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/claude/) - Add Spala Public MCP to Claude Code using HTTP transport. - [Cline Setup](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/cline/) - Configure Cline to use Spala Public MCP and follow the authenticated project handoff workflow. - [Codex Setup](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/codex/) - Add Spala Public MCP to Codex and use Spala's authenticated project handoff flow. - [Cursor Setup](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/cursor/) - Configure Cursor to use Spala Public MCP as the discovery and project handoff endpoint. - [Gemini CLI Setup](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/gemini/) - Configure Gemini CLI or any MCP-capable Gemini workflow to use Spala Public MCP for discovery and project handoff. - [Spala Public MCP](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/mcp/) - Use the public Spala MCP for discovery, OAuth metadata, project lookup, and project MCP handoff. - [Public Agent Skills](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/skills/) - Use Spala public skill files to help AI agents evaluate Spala, start a project, hand off frontend work, connect MCP, and follow safe workflows. - [VS Code and GitHub Copilot Setup](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/vscode/) - Configure VS Code or GitHub Copilot MCP support to use Spala Public MCP as the discovery and project handoff endpoint. - [Windsurf Setup](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/windsurf/) - Configure Windsurf to use Spala Public MCP for discovery, OAuth handoff, and project MCP resolution. ### channels - [Realtime Channels](https://docs.spala.ai/channels/realtime/) - Set up WebSocket connections for live data updates, chat, and collaborative features in Spala. - [REST Channels](https://docs.spala.ai/channels/rest-channels/) - Group and configure REST API endpoints with shared base paths, authentication, and middleware in Spala. ### compare - [Spala vs Convex](https://docs.spala.ai/compare/convex/) - Compare Spala and Convex for AI-built apps, backend automation, reactive data, project handoff, and agent workflows. ### database - [Table Relationships](https://docs.spala.ai/database/relationships/) - Connect tables with foreign keys for one-to-many and many-to-many patterns. - [Tables & Fields](https://docs.spala.ai/database/tables/) - Create tables, add fields, and manage your database schema in Spala. ### deployment - [Project Configuration](https://docs.spala.ai/deployment/configuration/) - Configure project settings, environment variables, addons, AI access, MCP, snapshots, frontend hosting, and API docs. - [Project Database](https://docs.spala.ai/deployment/database/) - Design and use your project database in Spala without managing database infrastructure. - [Publish](https://docs.spala.ai/deployment/publish/) - Publish generated Spala project changes as a live API from the dashboard. - [Start a Project](https://docs.spala.ai/deployment/start/) - Create a Spala project from the hosted dashboard and publish the generated backend. ### endpoints - [Protect Your Endpoints](https://docs.spala.ai/endpoints/authentication/) - Add authentication to your API endpoints with JWT tokens and role-based access. - [Create an Endpoint](https://docs.spala.ai/endpoints/creating-endpoints/) - Step-by-step guide to creating a REST API endpoint in Spala. - [Inputs & Outputs](https://docs.spala.ai/endpoints/inputs-outputs/) - Handle path parameters, query strings, request bodies, and configure API responses. ### features - [AI Copilot](https://docs.spala.ai/features/ai-assistant/) - The fastest way to build with Spala — describe what you need in plain English and the AI builds your entire backend. - [API Docs](https://docs.spala.ai/features/api-docs/) - Share generated endpoint docs, OpenAPI, SDK files, and snippets with humans or AI frontend builders. - [CI/CD](https://docs.spala.ai/features/ci-cd/) - Configure deploy hooks or approved project artifact delivery after publishing. - [Editor Workspace](https://docs.spala.ai/features/editor-workspace/) - Use tabs, search, view modes, Ask AI, Try, compare, save, version history, and run history while editing Spala resources. - [Frontend App](https://docs.spala.ai/features/frontend-app/) - Publish a static frontend UI to your project URL, preview it first, and roll back if needed. - [Lite Mode](https://docs.spala.ai/features/lite-mode/) - Use Spala's Copilot workspace to inspect a backend, ask for changes, and jump into focused tools without opening the full builder. - [API Playground](https://docs.spala.ai/features/playground/) - Test your endpoints right in the browser — no Postman or curl needed. - [Project Agents](https://docs.spala.ai/features/project-agents/) - Build project-native agents that run manually, from chat, webhooks, schedules, database changes, or realtime events. - [Project Memory](https://docs.spala.ai/features/project-memory/) - Save durable project context so Copilot, repair flows, publish review, frontend generation, and MCP agents stay aligned. - [Project Overview](https://docs.spala.ai/features/project-overview/) - Use the project overview to inspect your backend, copy connection details, review drafts, and jump into the right editor. - [Project Snapshots](https://docs.spala.ai/features/project-snapshots/) - Create checkpoints, inspect diffs, and restore a full draft or selected resources after larger changes. - [Publish](https://docs.spala.ai/features/publish-export/) - Review your generated backend changes and publish them as a live API from the Spala dashboard. - [Pull Requests](https://docs.spala.ai/features/pull-requests/) - Review backend changes before they merge into the project draft or become publishable. - [Team Access](https://docs.spala.ai/features/team-access/) - Manage builder users, roles, permissions, and secure access to the Spala project dashboard. - [Use AI Copilot](https://docs.spala.ai/features/templates/) - Build from a plain-language prompt instead of choosing a starter pattern. ### flows - [Code View](https://docs.spala.ai/flows/code-view/) - Use JavaScript alongside Spala's Gherkin, Visual, and Split views. - [Create a Function](https://docs.spala.ai/flows/creating-flows/) - Step-by-step guide to building backend logic in Spala. - [Try & Runs](https://docs.spala.ai/flows/debugging/) - Test functions with sample data, inspect variables, and review execution history. - [Variables & Data](https://docs.spala.ai/flows/variables/) - Set variables, access request data, and use expressions in your functions. ### general - [Build backends for AI-built apps](https://docs.spala.ai/) - Spala turns product intent into database, auth, REST APIs, backend logic, docs, publishing, and MCP access for coding agents. - [Addons](https://docs.spala.ai/addons/) - Extend your backend with ready-to-use integrations for payments, email, AI, storage, and more. - [AI Agents & MCP](https://docs.spala.ai/agents/) - Connect AI coding agents to Spala through the public MCP, authenticate with Spala, select a project, and hand off to the project MCP. - [Channels](https://docs.spala.ai/channels/) - Manage realtime channels for database changes, broadcasts, and presence when Channels are enabled for your project. - [Database](https://docs.spala.ai/database/) - Design your database visually — create tables, add fields, and set up relationships. - [Project Delivery](https://docs.spala.ai/deployment/) - Publish and connect the projects you build in Spala from the hosted dashboard. - [API Endpoints](https://docs.spala.ai/endpoints/) - Create REST API endpoints and connect them to your backend logic. - [Functions](https://docs.spala.ai/flows/) - Build backend logic with Gherkin, Visual, Split, and Code views. - [Functions](https://docs.spala.ai/functions/) - Spala functions are backend workflows. The current docs route is /flows because older builds used the word flow for the same editor surface. - [Welcome to Spala](https://docs.spala.ai/getting-started/) - Spala builds backend infrastructure for AI-built apps: database, auth, REST APIs, logic, docs, publishing, and MCP access for coding agents. - [Guides](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/) - Step-by-step tutorials for building real features with Spala. - [Reference](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/) - Complete reference documentation for Spala step types, filters, operators, and data types. - [Legacy compatibility: Legacy Self-Hosting Links](https://docs.spala.ai/self-hosting/) - Legacy compatibility page for old self-hosting URLs. Spala is used from the hosted dashboard. This route is kept for old links; prefer Project Delivery, Publish, and Start Here for current product usage. - [Settings](https://docs.spala.ai/settings/) - Configure project metadata, database, auth, AI, MCP, frontend hosting, API docs, environment variables, snapshots, and project controls. - [Start Here](https://docs.spala.ai/start-here/) - Choose the right first path for Spala: dashboard builder, frontend integration, AI agent, or raw MCP. - [Tasks](https://docs.spala.ai/tasks/) - Run logic on a schedule or in the background. - [Triggers](https://docs.spala.ai/triggers/) - Auto-run logic when your data changes — send emails on signup, update inventory on orders, and more. ### getting-started - [The Interface](https://docs.spala.ai/getting-started/interface/) - A visual tour of the Spala UI — learn where everything is and what each section does. - [Quick Start: Build a Cases API](https://docs.spala.ai/getting-started/quickstart/) - Create a working REST API for a client portal from the hosted Spala dashboard. ### guides - [Add AI Features](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/ai-integration/) - Build a chat completion endpoint and add AI-powered features with the OpenAI addon. - [Build a REST API](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/build-rest-api/) - Create a complete REST API for case management with tables, endpoints, and CRUD operations. - [Advanced CRUD](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/crud-operations/) - Add pagination, filtering, sorting, and batch operations to your endpoints. - [Upload Files](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/file-uploads/) - Accept file uploads, store them in S3 or locally, and serve them back. - [External Frontend Handoff](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/frontend-handoff/) - Share the exact Spala project contract a frontend developer or AI coding agent needs when they do not have dashboard access. - [Frontend Integration Cookbook](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/frontend-integration/) - Connect a frontend to a Spala backend with base URL, routes, auth headers, file upload, realtime, and env vars. - [Build Realtime Chat](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/realtime-chat/) - Set up WebSocket channels, broadcast messages, and build a live chat backend. - [Run Scheduled Jobs](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/scheduled-jobs/) - Automate cleanup routines, reports, and data syncing with Spala tasks. - [Send Emails](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/send-emails/) - Configure email delivery and send transactional emails from your backend functions. - [Accept Payments with Stripe](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/stripe-payments/) - Install the Stripe addon, create a checkout endpoint, and handle webhooks. - [Add User Authentication](https://docs.spala.ai/guides/user-auth/) - Set up signup, login with JWT tokens, and protect your endpoints. ### reference - [Data Types](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/data-types/) - Reference for all data types supported in Spala expressions and flows. - [Filters Reference](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/filters/) - Complete reference for data transformation filters in Spala expressions. - [Array Filters](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/filters/array/) - Filters for transforming, searching, and manipulating arrays. - [Date Filters](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/filters/date/) - Filters for formatting, comparing, and manipulating dates. - [Number Filters](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/filters/number/) - Filters for rounding, clamping, and transforming numeric values. - [Object Filters](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/filters/object/) - Filters for transforming, querying, and manipulating objects. - [String Filters](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/filters/string/) - Filters for transforming and manipulating text strings. - [Type Filters](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/filters/type/) - Filters for converting between types and checking values. - [Operators](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/operators/) - Reference for all expression operators available in Spala. - [Steps Reference](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/) - Complete reference for all step types available in Spala flows. - [API Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/api/) - Steps for making HTTP requests, sending responses, and managing headers and cookies. - [Auth Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/auth/) - Steps for JWT tokens, password hashing, and API key generation. - [Control Flow Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/control-flow/) - Steps for conditional branching, loops, error handling, and flow control. - [Crypto Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/crypto/) - Steps for encryption, decryption, hashing, and random value generation. - [Database Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/database/) - Steps for querying, inserting, updating, deleting, and aggregating database records. - [Encoding Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/encoding/) - Steps for parsing and encoding JSON, Base64, URLs, and HTML entities. - [File Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/file/) - Steps for reading, writing, deleting, and managing files. - [Other Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/other/) - Steps for sending emails, adding delays, executing sub-flows, custom code, and emitting events. - [Variable Steps](https://docs.spala.ai/reference/steps/variables/) - Steps for setting variables, logging output, returning values, and adding comments. ### self-hosting (legacy compatibility) These routes are kept for old links. Prefer Start Here, Project Delivery, Publish, Frontend Integration, and Spala Public MCP for current guidance. - [Legacy compatibility: Project Configuration](https://docs.spala.ai/self-hosting/configuration/) - This compatibility page points users to project configuration docs. This route is kept for old links; prefer Project Delivery, Publish, and Start Here for current product usage. - [Legacy compatibility: Legacy Publish Link](https://docs.spala.ai/self-hosting/deployment/) - This compatibility page points users to project publishing docs. This route is kept for old links; prefer Project Delivery, Publish, and Start Here for current product usage. - [Legacy compatibility: Start a Project](https://docs.spala.ai/self-hosting/installation/) - This compatibility page points users to the hosted project creation flow. This route is kept for old links; prefer Project Delivery, Publish, and Start Here for current product usage. - [Legacy compatibility: Project Database](https://docs.spala.ai/self-hosting/postgresql/) - This compatibility page points users to project database docs. This route is kept for old links; prefer Project Delivery, Publish, and Start Here for current product usage. ### settings - [CORS and Security](https://docs.spala.ai/settings/cors-security/) - Configure frontend origins, credentialed browser requests, trusted hosts, and publish requirements for Spala project APIs. ### tasks - [Background Tasks](https://docs.spala.ai/tasks/background-tasks/) - Execute long-running operations asynchronously without blocking API responses in Spala. - [Scheduled Tasks](https://docs.spala.ai/tasks/scheduled-tasks/) - Run backend functions automatically on a recurring interval or manually on demand. ### triggers - [Database Triggers](https://docs.spala.ai/triggers/database-triggers/) - Execute functions automatically when rows are inserted, updated, or deleted on your Spala tables. - [Event Triggers](https://docs.spala.ai/triggers/event-triggers/) - Availability note for event-driven workflows in Spala.