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      • NocoBase 2.0 Beginner Tutorial

      This tutorial walks you through building a minimal IT HelpDesk system from scratch using NocoBase 2.0. The entire system requires only 2 data tables and zero code, yet delivers ticket submission, category management, change tracking, access control, and a data dashboard.

      About This Tutorial

      • Target audience: Business users, technical users, or anyone interested in NocoBase (some computer background is recommended)
      • Case project: A minimal IT HelpDesk system with only 2 tables
      • Estimated time: 2-3 hours (non-technical), 1-1.5 hours (technical users)
      • Prerequisites: Docker environment or Online Demo (24-hour trial, no installation needed)
      • Version: NocoBase 2.0

      What You'll Learn

      Through 7 hands-on chapters, you'll master the core concepts and workflow of NocoBase:

      #ChapterKey Topics
      1Getting Started — Up and Running in 5 MinutesDocker install, UI Editor vs Usage mode
      2Data Modeling — Building the SkeletonCollections, Fields, Relations
      3Building Pages — Making Data VisibleBlocks, Table block, Filtering & Sorting
      4Forms & Details — Entering DataForm blocks, Field linkage
      5Users & Permissions — Who Sees WhatRoles, Menu permissions, Data permissions
      6Workflows — AutomationNotifications, Triggers
      7Dashboard — The Big PictureCharts, Markdown blocks

      Data Model Preview

      This tutorial is built around a minimal data model — just 2 tables, but enough to cover data modeling, page building, form design, access control, workflows, and dashboards.

      TableKey Fields
      TicketsTitle, Description, Status, Priority
      CategoriesName, Color

      FAQ

      What is NocoBase best suited for?

      Internal business tools, data management systems, approval workflows, CRM, ERP, and other scenarios requiring flexible customization with self-hosted deployment.

      What prerequisites do I need?

      No programming required, but some basic computer knowledge is recommended. The tutorial explains concepts like tables, fields, and relationships step by step. Experience with databases or spreadsheets is a plus.

      Can the tutorial system be extended?

      Yes. This tutorial uses only 2 tables, but NocoBase supports complex multi-table relationships, external API integrations, and custom plugins.

      What deployment environment is needed?

      Docker is recommended (Docker Desktop or Linux server), minimum 2 cores and 4GB RAM. Git source installation is also supported. For learning purposes, you can also request an Online Demo — no installation needed, valid for 24 hours.

      Are there limitations in the free version?

      Core features are fully free and open-source. The commercial edition offers additional premium plugins and technical support. See commercial pricing for details.

      Tech Stack

      NocoBase 2.0 is built on:

      • Frontend: React + Ant Design 5.0
      • Backend: Node.js + Koa
      • Database: PostgreSQL (also supports MySQL, MariaDB)
      • Deployment: Docker, Kubernetes

      Platform Comparison

      If you're evaluating no-code/low-code platforms:

      PlatformHighlightsDifference from NocoBase
      AppsmithOpen-source, strong frontend customizationNocoBase is more data-model driven
      RetoolInternal tool platformNocoBase is fully open-source, no usage limits
      AirtableOnline collaborative databaseNocoBase supports self-hosted deployment
      BudibaseOpen-source low-code, self-hostableNocoBase has stronger plugin architecture

      Getting Started

      More Tutorials

      Solutions

      Ready? Let's start with Chapter 1: Getting Started!