PocketBase Skill - Comprehensive Reference

Overview

This skill provides modular, searchable documentation for PocketBase development. Use the table of contents below to navigate to specific topics. The researcher-pocketbase agent can efficiently search and extract information from the reference files based on your query. PocketBase is an open source backend in 1 file. It provides a realtime database, authentication, file storage, an admin dashboard and is extendable to much more.

Quick Navigation

For Newcomers

→ Start with Getting Started for initial setup and basic concepts → Review Collections to understand data modeling → See Authentication for user management → Check API Rules & Filters for security

For Implementation

→ Browse Schema Templates for pre-built data models → Use Records API for CRUD operations → Implement Real-time for live updates → Follow Files Handling for file uploads → Read Working with Relations for data relationships

For Production

→ See Going to Production for deployment → Review Security Rules for access control → Check API Reference for complete API documentation

For Advanced Users

→ Explore Go Extensions for custom functionality → Study Event Hooks for automation → Learn Database Operations for advanced queries → Plan data migrations with Data Migration Workflows

---

Table of Contents

Core Concepts & Setup

Topic	Description	When to Use
Getting Started	Initial setup, quick start, basic concepts	First time using PocketBase, initial configuration
CLI Commands	PocketBase CLI, serve, migrate, admin, superuser	Development workflow, server management, migrations
Collections	Collection types, schema design, rules, indexes	Designing data models, creating collections
Authentication	User registration, login, OAuth2, JWT tokens	Building user accounts, login systems
API Rules & Filters	Security rules, filtering, sorting, query optimization	Controlling data access, writing efficient queries
Files Handling	File uploads, thumbnails, CDN, security	Managing file uploads, image processing
Working with Relations	One-to-many, many-to-many, data relationships	Building complex data models, linking collections
Going to Production	Deployment, security hardening, monitoring, backups	Moving from development to production
Data Migration Workflows	Import/export strategies, scripts, and tooling	Planning and executing data migrations

---

API Reference

Endpoint	Description	Reference File
Records API	CRUD operations, pagination, filtering, batch operations	api_records.md
Realtime API	WebSocket subscriptions, live updates, event handling	api_realtime.md
Files API	File uploads, downloads, thumbnails, access control	api_files.md
Collections API	Manage collections, schemas, rules, indexes	api_collections.md
Settings API	App configuration, CORS, SMTP, general settings	api_settings.md
Logs API	Access logs, authentication logs, request logs	api_logs.md
Crons API	Background jobs, scheduled tasks, automation	api_crons.md
Backups API	Database backups, data export, disaster recovery	api_backups.md
Health API	System health, metrics, performance monitoring	api_health.md

---

SDKs & Development Tools

SDK	Description	Reference File
JavaScript SDK	Frontend integration, React, Vue, vanilla JS	js_sdk.md
Go SDK	Server-side integration, custom apps	go_sdk.md
Dart SDK	Mobile app integration (Flutter, etc.)	dart_sdk.md

---

Go Extension Framework

Topic	Description	Reference File
Go Overview	Project structure, basic concepts, getting started	go_overview.md
Event Hooks	Before/After hooks, custom logic, automation	go_event_hooks.md
Routing	Custom API endpoints, middleware, handlers	go_routing.md
Database	Query builder, transactions, advanced queries	go_database.md
Records	Record CRUD, validation, custom fields	go_records.md
Collections	Dynamic schemas, collection management	go_collections.md
Migrations	Schema changes, version control, deployment	go_migrations.md
Jobs & Scheduling	Background tasks, cron jobs, queues	go_jobs_scheduling.md
Sending Emails	SMTP configuration, templated emails	go_sending_emails.md
Rendering Templates	HTML templates, email templates, PDFs	go_rendering_templates.md
Console Commands	CLI commands, migrations, maintenance	go_console_commands.md
Realtime	Custom realtime logic, event handling	go_realtime.md
File System	File storage, CDN, external storage providers	go_filesystem.md
Logging	Structured logging, monitoring, debugging	go_logging.md
Testing	Unit tests, integration tests, test helpers	go_testing.md
Miscellaneous	Advanced features, utilities, tips	go_miscellaneous.md
Record Proxy	Dynamic record behavior, computed fields	go_record_proxy.md

---

Reference Materials

File	Description	Contents
Security Rules	Comprehensive security patterns	Owner-based access, role-based access, API rules
Schema Templates	Pre-built data models	Blog, E-commerce, Social Network, Forums, Task Management
API Reference	Complete API documentation	All endpoints, parameters, examples

---

Development Resources

Resource	Description	Location
Scripts	Executable utilities for development	scripts/ directory
Assets	Templates and configuration files	assets/ directory
Docker Config	Production-ready Docker setup	assets/docker-compose.yml
Caddy Config	Automatic HTTPS configuration	assets/Caddyfile
Frontend Template	HTML/JS integration example	assets/frontend-template.html
Collection Schema	Blank collection template	assets/collection-schema-template.json

---

How to Use This Skill

For the Researcher-Pocketbase Agent

This skill is designed for efficient information retrieval. When researching PocketBase topics:

1. Start with Core Concepts - Review references/core/ for foundational knowledge
2. Find API Details - Use references/api/ for specific API endpoints
3. Look up Go Extensions - Check references/go/ for custom functionality
4. Find Examples - Reference references/templates/ and references/security_rules.md

Topic Categories

Setup & Configuration

• Getting Started → Initial setup and basic concepts
• CLI Commands → Development workflow, server management
• Going to Production → Deployment and production configuration
• Collections → Data model design

Data Management

• Collections → Creating and managing collections
• Working with Relations → Linking data across collections
• Files Handling → File uploads and storage

Security & Access Control

• Authentication → User management
• API Rules & Filters → Access control and queries
• Security Rules → Comprehensive security patterns

API Integration

• Records API → CRUD operations
• Realtime API → Live updates
• Files API → File management
• Other API endpoints → Settings, logs, backups, health

Frontend Development

• JavaScript SDK → Web integration
• Schema Templates → Pre-built data models
• Frontend Template → Integration example

Backend Development

• Go SDK → Server-side integration
• Go Extensions → Custom functionality
• Console Commands → CLI tools

Common Query Patterns

"How do I..."

• How do I create a blog? → Schema Templates
• How do I set up authentication? → Authentication
• How do I upload files? → Files Handling
• How do I add real-time updates? → Realtime API

"How to configure..."

• How to configure production? → Going to Production
• How to set up security rules? → API Rules & Filters, Security Rules
• How to create custom endpoints? → Go Routing
• How to schedule jobs? → Jobs & Scheduling

"What's the best way to..."

• What's the best way to structure my data? → Collections, Working with Relations
• What's the best way to secure my API? → API Rules & Filters, Security Rules
• What's the best way to optimize queries? → API Rules & Filters
• What's the best way to handle files? → Files Handling

"Error:..."

• CORS errors → Authentication, Going to Production
• Permission errors → API Rules & Filters, Security Rules
• File upload errors → Files Handling
• Slow queries → API Rules & Filters (indexing)

"Need to implement..."

• Need user roles? → Authentication, Security Rules
• Need file uploads? → Files Handling
• Need real-time chat? → Realtime API
• Need custom logic? → Go Extensions

---

Quick Reference Index

Common Tasks

• Set up PocketBase
• Master the CLI
• Create collection
• Add authentication
• Write security rules
• Upload files
• Create relations
• Query data
• Set up real-time
• Deploy to production

Code Examples

• React integration
• Vue.js integration
• Create record
• Filter queries
• File upload
• Custom endpoint
• Event hook

Best Practices

• Schema design
• Security rules
• Query optimization
• Production deployment

---

File Locations

Core Documentation

/references/core/
├── getting_started.md          # Initial setup and concepts
├── cli_commands.md             # CLI commands and server management
├── collections.md              # Data modeling and collections
├── authentication.md           # User management
├── api_rules_filters.md        # Security and querying
├── files_handling.md           # File uploads and storage
├── working_with_relations.md   # Data relationships
└── going_to_production.md      # Deployment guide

API Reference

/references/api/
├── api_records.md              # CRUD operations
├── api_realtime.md             # WebSocket subscriptions
├── api_files.md                # File management
├── api_collections.md          # Collection operations
├── api_settings.md             # App configuration
├── api_logs.md                 # Logging
├── api_crons.md                # Background jobs
├── api_backups.md              # Backups
└── api_health.md               # Health checks

Go Extensions

/references/go/
├── go_overview.md              # Getting started
├── go_event_hooks.md           # Event system
├── go_routing.md               # Custom routes
├── go_database.md              # Database operations
├── go_records.md               # Record management
├── go_collections.md           # Collection management
├── go_migrations.md            # Schema changes
├── go_jobs_scheduling.md       # Background tasks
├── go_sending_emails.md        # Email integration
├── go_rendering_templates.md   # Templates
├── go_console_commands.md      # CLI tools
├── go_realtime.md              # Custom realtime
├── go_filesystem.md            # File storage
├── go_logging.md               # Logging
├── go_testing.md               # Testing
├── go_miscellaneous.md         # Advanced topics
└── go_record_proxy.md          # Dynamic behavior

SDKs

/references/sdk/
├── js_sdk.md                   # JavaScript
├── go_sdk.md                   # Go
└── dart_sdk.md                 # Dart

Templates & Security

/references/
├── security_rules.md           # Security patterns
├── templates/
│   └── schema_templates.md     # Pre-built schemas
└── api_reference.md            # Complete API docs

---

Information Architecture

This skill follows a modular architecture designed for progressive disclosure:

1. Quick Access - SKILL.md provides immediate overview and navigation
2. Focused Topics - Each reference file covers one specific area
3. Cross-References - Files link to related topics
4. Examples First - Practical code examples in each file
5. Searchable - Clear titles and descriptions for quick lookup

When to Use Each Section

references/core/

• New users starting with PocketBase
• Understanding fundamental concepts
• Basic implementation tasks

references/api/

• Implementing specific API features
• Looking up endpoint details
• API integration examples

references/go/

• Building custom PocketBase extensions
• Advanced functionality
• Custom business logic

references/sdk/

• Frontend or mobile integration
• SDK-specific features
• Language-specific examples

references/security_rules.md

• Complex access control scenarios
• Security best practices
• Multi-tenant applications

references/templates/

• Rapid prototyping
• Common application patterns
• Pre-built data models

---

Notes for Researchers

This skill contains over 30 reference files covering all aspects of PocketBase development. The researcher-pocketbase agent should:

1. Match queries to appropriate topic areas
2. Extract specific information from relevant files
3. Provide comprehensive answers using multiple references
4. Suggest related topics for further reading
5. Identify best practices and common pitfalls

Each reference file is self-contained with examples, explanations, and best practices. Use the table of contents above to quickly navigate to the most relevant information for any PocketBase-related question.