Service catalog
single source of truth for "what services run where"
// official site: backstage.io ↗
DEV PORTAL · PRO TIER
Backstagepro
Backstage is the open developer portal platform originally built at Spotify, now CNCF incubating. Service catalog, tech docs (TechDocs), software templates (Backstage Templates), plugin ecosystem with 100+ plugins. Centralizes "what services exist, who owns them, how to deploy" for engineering orgs.
// What it is
A closer look.
Backstage is the open developer portal platform originally built at Spotify, now CNCF incubating. Service catalog, tech docs (TechDocs), software templates (Backstage Templates), plugin ecosystem with 100+ plugins. Centralizes "what services exist, who owns them, how to deploy" for engineering orgs.
The "internal developer platform" reference implementation — adopted by Spotify, Netflix, Expedia, Wealthsimple.
// Use cases
What it's for.
Concrete scenarios where teams pick Backstage over the SaaS alternative.
Tech docs (TechDocs)
Markdown-in-Git → rendered docs portal
Software templates
golden-path "new service" generators
API + dependency tracking
visualize service mesh + API consumers
Plugin ecosystem
add views for CI, K8s, AWS, costs, etc.
// Who it's for
Built for these teams.
If your team profile matches one of these, Backstage is a strong fit out of the box.
Mid-to-large engineering orgs
with 10+ services + multiple teams
Platform engineering teams
building internal developer platforms
Companies migrating from "tribal knowledge" to documented service catalog
DevEx teams
standardizing developer workflows
Multi-team companies
needing service ownership clarity
// Differentiators
Why teams pick Backstage.
When evaluating self-hosted options for this category, here are the dimensions on which Backstage consistently lands above the alternatives.
- ✓Apache 2.0 — fully open
- ✓CNCF Incubating — vendor-neutral governance
- ✓Massive plugin ecosystem — 100+ official + community plugins
- ✓Battle-tested at scale — Spotify, Netflix, BMW, NS
- ✓Active development — frequent releases
- ✓Customizable — full code-level customization
// Integrations
Connects to.
The stack you'll plug Backstage into — services, protocols, and adjacent apps in the BluixApps catalog.
◇
Plugins (100+)
Kubernetes, AWS, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, Argo CD, Datadog, PagerDuty, more
◈
Identity
OAuth (Google, GitHub, Microsoft, custom OIDC), SAML
◆
Service discovery
Kubernetes, AWS, GitHub orgs, GitLab groups
▣
TechDocs
Markdown in Git rendered as searchable docs
▦
Templates
Scaffold new services from golden paths
▩
Database
Postgres primary
▼
Search
built-in or Elasticsearch backend
// Adoption & deployment
Notable users & community
- 29k+ GitHub stars
- Spotify (origin), Netflix, BMW, Wealthsimple, Roadie, Expedia, NS, American Airlines
- CNCF Incubating project
- BackstageCon annual conference
- Backed by Spotify + commercial community (Roadie, Spotify Backstage Hub)
What we ship
- Docker image:
roadiehq/community-backstage-image:latest(community quickstart) - Postgres backend with auto-generated password
- Persistent Postgres volume
- Port 7000 exposed (mapped from container 7007)
- Guest auth enabled by default (for evaluation)
- Production customization documented (custom build required)
- Backup hook covers Postgres
// Tips & operations
Run it properly.
Operational guidance from running this in production — what to lock down, what surprises people.
// PERFORMANCE
Production Backstage = custom build
Spotify's reference, then customize plugins for your org
// SECURITY
This image is for evaluation
Roadie community Backstage with sample data
// OPERATIONS
Postgres required
no SQLite option
// RELIABILITY
Authentication setup is mandatory
guest auth is for dev only
// DEPLOYMENT
Plugin selection
start minimal, add as needed
// SCALING
Resource sizing
Node.js heavy; 2-4 GB RAM minimum for production
2048
// min ram (MB)
8
// min disk (GB)
7000
// access port
http
// protocol
pro
// bluixapps tier
Project resources
Official sitebackstage.io ↗