Convex

Convex is a reactive backend platform that replaces your database, server functions, and real-time infrastructure with a single, cohesive system. It eliminates the need to manage separate services for data storage, API endpoints, and live subscriptions.

Why Convex

• Automatic reactivity — queries re-run whenever underlying data changes, pushing updates to every connected client instantly.
• Type-safe end-to-end — schemas, functions, and client hooks all share a single type system powered by TypeScript.
• Zero-config deployment — push functions with npx convex deploy and Convex handles scaling, caching, and edge distribution.
• Schema as code — your database schema lives right alongside your functions in TypeScript, so it's versioned, reviewed, and deployed with everything else.
• Scheduled functions & crons as code — define recurring jobs and delayed tasks directly in your codebase instead of configuring them through a separate dashboard or infrastructure layer.
• Built-in file storage — upload, store, and serve files without provisioning a separate object store or CDN.

Sub-topics

Quick start

# Install the Convex client and CLI
npm install convex

# Start the dev server (watches for function changes)
npx convex dev

Once convex dev is running, any changes you make to files inside the convex/ directory are automatically deployed to your development backend. The CLI prints a dashboard URL where you can inspect data, run functions, and view logs.

Project structure

convex/
├── schema.ts        # Table definitions and indexes
├── queries.ts       # Read-only server functions
├── mutations.ts     # Write server functions
├── actions.ts       # Side-effect functions (external APIs)
└── _generated/      # Auto-generated types and client

All Convex functions live in the convex/ directory at the project root. The _generated/ folder is managed by the CLI and should not be edited by hand.