Sourcetool

Watch the magic happen.

No drag-and-drop. No UI design. Just pure backend code turning into powerful internal tools.

Code beats drag-and-drop.

GUI builders are yesterday's tools. Build better internal tools with backend code in the AI era.

Zero frontend code

Focus purely on your backend logic. Our declarative API automatically handles UI components, layouts, and interactions. No CSS, no JavaScript, no hassle.

Type safety

Catch errors before they happen with end-to-end type safety. Your UI definitions are validated at compile time, ensuring robust and maintainable applications.

Built for AI workflows

Your AI pair programmer's best friend. Code-first approach means AI can read, understand, and enhance your tools instantly. The future of development is here.

Pure code, pure Git

Everything is just code in your repo. Track changes, review diffs, and collaborate with your team using familiar Git workflows. No more clicking through GUI builders.

Write backend code.
Get a complete internal tool.

Focus on your business logic while Sourcetool handles the frontend automatically.

Define UI and logic in your backend

Write type-safe UI definitions directly in your backend code using our declarative API.

Connect to Sourcetool server

The Sourcetool server establishes a WebSocket connection with your backend.

Automatic UI generation

Your UI definitions are transformed into a beautiful, responsive interface.

Real-time updates

Changes in your data are instantly reflected in the UI through WebSocket communication.

main.go

package main

import "github.com/trysourcetool/sourcetool-go"

func listUsersPage(ui sourcetool.UIBuilder) error {
    name := ui.TextInput("Name")
    email := ui.TextInput("Email")

    users, err := listUsers(name, email)
    if err != nil {
        return err
    }

    ui.Table(users)

    return nil
}

func main() {
    s := sourcetool.New(sourcetool.Config{
        APIKey:   "your_api_key",
        Endpoint: "wss://acme.trysourcetool.com",
    })

    s.Page("/users", "Users", listUsersPage)

    if err := s.Listen(); err != nil {
        log.Fatalf("failed to listen sourcetool: %v", err)
    }
}

Choose your favorite backend language.

Build powerful internal tools with the programming language you love and trust.

Available now

Go

Create powerful internal tools with Go's type-safe approach and excellent performance. Perfect for backend developers who want to focus on business logic.

Love Go? Start here

Coming soon

TypeScript

Build type-safe internal tools with TypeScript's modern syntax and the extensive Node.js ecosystem. Perfect for full-stack JavaScript developers.

Coming soon

Python

Leverage Python's simplicity and extensive libraries to create powerful internal tools. Perfect for data scientists and Python developers.

Security that makes you sleep better.

Your data stays where it belongs - in your hands. No compromises, no surprises.

Granular permissions that bend to your will

Control who sees what with surgical precision. From read-only spectators to power users, shape access patterns that match your organization's needs perfectly.

Your infrastructure, your rules

Deploy on-premises and keep everything within your castle walls. Your data never leaves your infrastructure - because that's exactly how it should be.

Zero access to your secrets

We can't peek at your data even if we wanted to (we don't). All processing happens in your backend, and your secrets stay secret. That's a promise written in code.

Open source, open heart

Licensed under Apache 2.0, every line of code is yours to inspect. No black boxes, no data collection, no surprises. Just pure, transparent security you can verify yourself.

Questions? We've got answers.

Everything you need to know about building better tools with backend code.

What is Sourcetool?

Sourcetool is an open-source internal tool builder that enables you to build full-featured internal tools without writing any frontend code. It handles all frontend complexities automatically, allowing you to focus on implementing business logic in your backend code.

Do I need frontend skills to use Sourcetool?

No. As an internal tool builder, Sourcetool lets you create complete applications using only backend code. The system automatically handles all UI rendering and interactions without requiring any frontend code.

What types of applications can I build with Sourcetool?

Admin panels, dashboards, data management systems, monitoring tools, and any application where development speed is more important than custom UI/UX.

Is Sourcetool compatible with existing backend code?

Yes. Sourcetool works alongside your existing backend code and libraries.

How does Sourcetool work behind the scenes?

Sourcetool connects browsers to your backend code through WebSockets via the Sourcetool server. This approach eliminates the need for frontend development while enabling real-time interaction between users and your business logic implemented in backend code.

What's the difference between Sourcetool and React/Vue?

React/Vue gives you more UI customization options, but as an internal tool builder, Sourcetool eliminates the need for frontend code entirely. It lets you build functional internal tools faster using only backend code, without the complexity of managing a separate frontend codebase.

How does Sourcetool differ from Retool?

Retool uses a GUI-based drag-and-drop approach, while Sourcetool is code-first. This makes Sourcetool ideal for the AI era where code can be easily understood and modified by AI tools. With type-safe backend code, your applications are Git version-controllable and integrate seamlessly with AI-assisted development workflows.

Is Sourcetool secure?

Yes, Sourcetool is designed with security in mind. You deploy and run Sourcetool applications on your own infrastructure, keeping your code and sensitive data within your control. The Sourcetool server cannot access your code or secrets, ensuring your internal tools remain private and secure.

Is Sourcetool free to use?

Yes, Sourcetool is completely open-source and free to use. The SDK is open source under the MIT license. We're building a cloud offering with additional features, but the core platform will always remain free and open source.

How can I contribute to Sourcetool?

Check out our GitHub repository and review the contribution guidelines.

Where can I learn more about Sourcetool?

Visit our documentation site for detailed guides, API reference, and examples. You can also follow us on Twitter for updates and announcements.

Ready to start building?

Join the growing community of developers using Sourcetool to build better internal tools, faster.

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Backend logic seamlessly becomes reality.