Augsbur : NovaBuilder is an open-source, self-hosted internal tool builder designed for building and operating real-world business systems.
Across many organizations, internal tools evolve organically: spreadsheets grow into databases, ad-hoc scripts become workflows, and multiple SaaS tools are stitched together to cover gaps. Over time, this results in fragmented systems, inconsistent data models, and workflows that become increasingly difficult to maintain or extend.
A self-hosted internal tool builder addresses this problem by providing a unified foundation where internal applications can be designed, operated, and evolved within a single system — without vendor lock-in and with full ownership over data and infrastructure.
NovaBuilder was created to support exactly this approach.
From messy data to structured systems
In many real-world scenarios, business logic starts life in messy Excel files, CSV exports, or loosely defined internal tools. As requirements grow, these artifacts are often manually translated into databases, forms, and workflows — repeatedly and inconsistently.
NovaBuilder is designed to reduce this friction by treating data models, forms, workflows, documents, and dashboards as parts of one coherent architecture. Instead of rebuilding the same structures across disconnected tools, internal systems can be shaped and refined within a single, self-hosted environment.
What is a self-hosted internal tool builder?
A self-hosted internal tool builder is a platform that allows teams to create and run internal business applications on infrastructure they control.
Unlike SaaS-based internal tool platforms, a self-hosted internal tool builder gives organizations full ownership of their data, execution, and deployment. Unlike low-level development frameworks, it provides higher-level building blocks focused on real business processes rather than isolated applications.
NovaBuilder combines these principles into what it defines as a self-hosted business system builder — a system designed to support internal tools as long-lived, interconnected business systems rather than short-lived utilities.
Designed for long-term complexity
NovaBuilder is built around recurring patterns seen in mature internal systems:
- Data models that evolve as the business changes
- Workflows that grow beyond simple automation
- Interfaces that must adapt without constant rewrites
- Documents and records that require traceability and structure
By aligning these elements within one system, NovaBuilder aims to reduce long-term complexity instead of adding new layers of integration overhead.
Open-source, self-hosted, and extensible
NovaBuilder is released as open-source software and designed to be fully self-hosted. Teams can inspect, modify, and extend the system according to their needs, without reliance on proprietary platforms or external services.
The project emphasizes sustainability, maintainability, and architectural clarity over short-term feature velocity, positioning it within the broader landscape of open-source low-code platforms while remaining focused on real internal business systems.
Availability
NovaBuilder is publicly available on GitHub and can be installed and explored locally. It is intended for developers, agencies, and organizations building long-lived internal tools and business systems.
