BuildShip: a low-code tool for rapidly building AI backend APIs

General Introduction

BuildShip is a website that helps users quickly build back-end functionality. It provides an intuitive visual interface that allows users to create APIs, timed tasks, and complex automated workflows with drag-and-drop operations. The core feature of the site is a combination of low-code and AI technology that allows even people with no programming experience to get started.BuildShip supports connecting to various tools and databases such as OpenAI, Stripe, Supabase, and more, as well as generating custom function nodes with AI. It is suitable for developers to quickly realize their ideas and for non-technical people to build simple back-end services. The whole process is done in the browser, and deployment is just a click away, simple and efficient.

Function List

• Visualizing Workflow Builds: Quickly build back-end logic and automate processes by dragging and dropping nodes.
• API Rapid Generation: Supports the creation of extensible APIs for connecting to front-end applications or external services.
• Timed Task Setting: Timed tasks can be scheduled, such as generating financial reports on a monthly basis.
• AI node generation: Rapidly generate custom function nodes with AI to compensate for missing integrations.
• Multi-tool integration: Support for connecting to OpenAI, Stable Diffusion, Firebase, and many other tools and databases.
• One-Click Deployment: Click "Deploy" when you are done, and the back-end service will be online immediately.
• Code Customization: Allows nodes to be modified in JavaScript or TypeScript for advanced needs.

Using Help

BuildShip is an online tool that requires no software download or installation. Users simply visit https://buildship.com/, register an account to get started. Below is a detailed description of how to get started and operate the main features.

Register & Login

1. Open your browser and type https://buildship.com/The
2. Click the "Sign Up" button in the upper right corner.
3. Enter your email address and password, or use your Google account to sign in directly.
4. After logging in, enter the main interface, you can see the "Create New Project" option.

Creating the first project

1. Click "Create New Project" and enter a project name, such as "My API".
2. Select the data storage area (to support GDPR compliance) and click "Create".
3. The system automatically generates a blank workspace with a node bar on the left and an editing area on the right.

Building a Simple API

Suppose we want to create an API that returns a greeting:

1. In the left node bar, find the "HTTP Trigger" node and drag it to the right edit area. This is the entry point to the API.
2. Click on the "HTTP Trigger" node and set the path to the /helloSelect "GET" for the method.
3. Drag another "Return" node and connect it to the back of the "HTTP Trigger".
4. In the "Return" node, enter the return content, such as {"message": "Hello, BuildShip!"}The
5. Click "Deploy" in the upper right corner, wait a few seconds, the system will generate an API link, such as https://your-project.buildship.app/helloThe
6. Open your browser and visit this link to see the returned greeting.

Setting up timed tasks

Suppose you have to check your inventory automatically every day:

1. After creating a new project, drag in the "Schedule Trigger" node.
2. Set the trigger time, e.g. 8am every day (Cron expressions are supported, e.g. 0 8 * * *).
3. Drag in the "Firestore Query" node, connect to the database, and enter the query criteria (you need to connect to Firebase in advance).
4. Drag in the "Sendgrid Email" node and configure the email content to notify the inventory status.
5. Connect all nodes, click "Deploy" and the task will run on time.

Using AI to generate nodes

If a special feature is needed, such as analyzing images:

1. Click on "+ Generate Node with AI" on the left.
2. Enter a requirement, such as "Analyze objects in a picture", and click "Generate".
3. The AI generates a new node, possibly calling the Google Vision API.
4. Drag this node into the workflow, connect the inputs and outputs, and configure the API key.
5. Test runs to ensure results are as expected.

Connecting external tools

Take connecting to OpenAI, for example:

1. Find the "OpenAI" node in the node bar and drag it into the workflow.
2. Enter your OpenAI API key (available in the Secrets Manager (stored securely in).
3. Set the inputs, for example, so that it generates a piece of text and outputs the result to the next node.
4. Test and deploy, and the feature is ready to go.

Debugging and Optimization

• Click the "Test" button on the node to check if the output is correct.
• If something goes wrong, check the log (in the Logs (in the tab), adjust as prompted.
• Version control is supported to roll back to previous configurations.

BuildShip's interface is simple and intuitive. Each node has a description, and you can see the usage by hovering the mouse. After deployment, the website will provide detailed API documentation and calling methods, which is convenient for front-end developers to use. It also has a built-in database and cloud storage, so no additional configuration is required for initial use. If you encounter problems, you can join the official Discord community (https://buildship.com/discord), there are a lot of tutorials and developer support there.

application scenario

1. Rapid prototyping
   Developers can use BuildShip to build APIs and back-end logic and validate product ideas in minutes.
2. Automated Business Processes
   For example, getting data from Stripe every month, generating reports and emailing them to the team.
3. AI-driven applications
   Create chatbots or image generation tools in conjunction with OpenAI or Stable Diffusion.
4. Individual projects
   Non-technical users can quickly build WhatsApp bots or data query services with templates.

QA

1. Does BuildShip require programming knowledge?
   No need. It offers no-code operation, and drag-and-drop is sufficient for most functions. But if you want to customize it, you can use simple JavaScript.
2. Is the free version enough?
   The free version provides 3000 calls and 5 workflows and is suitable for testing and small projects. Large applications are recommended to upgrade to the paid version.
3. How do you keep your data secure?
   BuildShip uses a Google Cloud single-tenant project, with API keys stored in the Secret Manager in which the data will not be leaked.