Why does Docker use so much RAM?

Appwrite runs about 12 microservices in Docker containers. Expect 4-8GB RAM usage minimum. That's just how microservices work - every service gets its own container. Don't try running this on a $5 VPS unless you enjoy watching things crash.

Is the free tier actually usable?

[Free tier](https://appwrite.io/pricing) gets you 75K monthly users and 5GB bandwidth. That's generous for side projects, but you'll hit limits fast with image-heavy apps. File storage is only 2GB - basically nothing if you're handling user uploads.

Can I actually migrate from Firebase without rewriting everything?

[Migration tools exist](https://appwrite.io/docs/advanced/migrations) but prepare for pain. Auth users transfer fine, but Firestore to Appwrite documents requires restructuring your data. Plan for a few weeks of rewriting queries and testing edge cases.

How do I debug function timeouts?

Function logs are in the console under Functions → [your function] → Executions. Cold starts can take 10-30 seconds, so first check if your function actually crashed or just started slowly. Memory limits and timeouts are configurable, but defaults usually work.

What happens when Appwrite goes down at 3am?

With [Appwrite Cloud](https://cloud.appwrite.io), they handle outages. Self-hosted means you're the one getting paged. Check [status.appwrite.io](https://status.appwrite.io) first, then restart Docker containers if it's your setup. The microservices help - auth might be down while storage keeps working.

Why are my real-time updates so slow?

WebSocket connections can get bottlenecked by server resources. Check your concurrent connection limits and make sure you're not subscribing to too many channels. Real-time works great for chat, terrible for high-frequency data like stock tickers.

Can I use my existing database?

No. Appwrite manages its own MariaDB instance and doesn't connect to external databases. You'll need to migrate data through their import tools or API. This is by design - they control the schema and optimization.

How much does self-hosting actually cost?

Beyond the obvious server costs, factor in your time. Plan for 2-4 hours monthly for updates, monitoring, and occasional firefighting. A $50/month VPS with 8GB RAM handles most projects, but you're trading money for your own time and sleep.

Does the Discord community actually help?

[The Discord](https://appwrite.io/discord) is surprisingly active and helpful. Core team members respond regularly, unlike some open-source projects where maintainers ghost the community. Expect real answers, not "read the docs" dismissals.

Can I use Appwrite for high-traffic apps?

Appwrite Cloud auto-scales, self-hosted requires planning. The microservices architecture helps with bottlenecks, but individual services still have limits. Test thoroughly before launching - load testing is your friend.

What breaks during updates?

Docker image updates usually go smoothly, but major version upgrades can break function deployments. Always test in staging first. The [changelog](https://appwrite.io/changelog) actually lists breaking changes - rare for BaaS providers.

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Appwrite: Open-Source Backend Platform

Overview

Open-source backend-as-a-service platform that provides auth, databases, file storage, and serverless functions
Microservices architecture running in separate Docker containers
Alternative to Firebase with self-hosting option and no vendor lock-in

Configuration Requirements

Resource Requirements

Minimum RAM: 4-8GB for self-hosted deployment
Not suitable for: $5 VPS deployments (will crash due to memory constraints)
Production scaling: Requires proper server planning for high-traffic applications
Docker containers: Runs ~12 microservices, each in separate containers

Deployment Options

Appwrite Cloud (Managed)

Status: GA since January 2024
Benefits: Auto-scaling, global edge nodes, 3am outage handling
Pricing: $25/project after free tier
Free tier limits: 75K monthly users, 5GB bandwidth, 2GB file storage

Self-Hosted

Cost: $50/month VPS (8GB RAM) minimum
Time investment: 2-4 hours monthly for maintenance, updates, monitoring
Trade-off: Money vs. personal time and on-call responsibility

Technical Specifications

Database

Type: NoSQL built on MariaDB
Structure: JSON documents with working relationships
Limitations: Cannot connect to external databases (managed MariaDB only)
Migration: Requires data restructuring from Firestore

Authentication

Providers: 30+ OAuth providers (Google, GitHub, Apple, phone)
Features: Session management, MFA, team permissions, rate limiting
Cross-device: Proper session sync functionality

File Storage

Features: Virus scanning, image transforms, permission controls
CDN: Global delivery built-in
Encryption: Automatic file encryption
Transform API: URL parameter-based image resizing

Functions

Runtimes: Node.js, Python, Dart, Bun
Triggers: Database changes, auth events, HTTP requests, cron schedules
Cold starts: 10-30 second delays for infrequent requests
Deployment: Git-based deployment

Real-time

Transport: WebSocket with automatic reconnection
Scaling: Handles thousands of connections per project
Performance: Good for chat, poor for high-frequency data (stock tickers)

Critical Warnings

Performance Issues

Function cold starts: Significant delays for infrequent serverless functions
Memory bottlenecks: WebSocket connections limited by server resources
Bandwidth costs: Scale rapidly after free tier limits

Migration Complexity

From Firebase: Plan weeks for rewriting queries and testing edge cases
Data restructuring: Required when migrating from Firestore
Breaking changes: Major version upgrades can break function deployments

Common Failure Modes

Docker networking: Complex setup will consume significant time for beginners
Resource exhaustion: Insufficient RAM causes container crashes
Connection limits: Too many WebSocket subscriptions cause bottlenecks

Decision Criteria

Choose Appwrite When:

Need to avoid vendor lock-in (unlike Firebase)
Require self-hosting for compliance
Want microservices isolation (one service failure doesn't kill everything)
Need multi-provider auth without custom implementation

Avoid Appwrite When:

Working with limited server resources (<4GB RAM)
Need immediate response times (cold start sensitive)
Require external database connectivity
Have simple projects not justifying infrastructure complexity

Comparison Matrix

Feature	Appwrite	Firebase	Supabase	AWS Amplify
Vendor Lock-in Risk	Low	High	Low	High
Self-hosting	Full support	Impossible	Available	Impossible
Pricing Predictability	Good	Poor (bill shock)	Good	Poor
Database Type	NoSQL/MariaDB	NoSQL	PostgreSQL	Multiple
Setup Complexity	Medium	Low	Medium	High

Resource Requirements

Development Time Savings

Companies report significant time savings vs. Firebase
Eliminates need to rebuild auth systems repeatedly
Reduces debugging time for JWT token issues

Expertise Requirements

Docker knowledge: Essential for self-hosted deployments
Microservices understanding: Helpful for troubleshooting
Load testing skills: Critical before production launch

Support Quality

Discord community: Active with core team participation
Documentation: Actually readable (unlike most BaaS providers)
Status monitoring: Available at status.appwrite.io

Implementation Reality

What Actually Works

Web console usability for user management and debugging
SDKs for 20+ programming languages
GDPR compliance and proper encryption built-in
Real-time subscriptions without WebSocket debugging nightmares

Production Considerations

Test thoroughly before launch - load testing essential
Always use staging environment for major updates
Monitor connection limits for real-time features
Plan for 2-4 hours monthly maintenance overhead

Debugging Resources

Function logs available in console under Executions
Check status.appwrite.io first during outages
Restart Docker containers for self-hosted issues
Community Discord provides actual solutions vs. documentation references

Useful Links for Further Investigation

Essential Appwrite Resources

Link	Description
SDK Documentation	SDKs for 20+ languages - JavaScript to fucking Dart, they got everything
Appwrite CLI	CLI that actually works (better than wrestling with web console)
Customer Stories	Companies that actually shipped with Appwrite (not marketing fluff)
Enterprise Solutions	Enterprise stuff - when your boss insists on support contracts and SLAs