Dropbase – Build internal web apps with just Python
Hey HN, I’m Jimmy, co-founder of Dropbase (https://www.dropbase.io). We are an internal tools builder for Python developers. All you have to do is import any Python scripts/libraries, declare UI components, and layer app permissions so you can share them with others. We’re a middle ground between Airplane and Retool—simpler UI creation than Airplane, more code-centered than Retool. UI building is declarative and you can bind Python scripts/functions to UI components. You can write Python scripts/functions using our App Studio with support from a Python Language…
In plain words
Dropbase is an internal tools builder designed for Python developers. It allows users to import Python scripts and libraries, declare UI components declaratively, and set app permissions for sharing. The platform bridges Airplane and Retool by offering simpler UI creation than Airplane while remaining more code-focused than Retool. Developers can bind Python functions to UI components, write code in the App Studio with language server support, and reference files directly from their filesystem or VSCode.
written from the facts on this page · September 2026
From the sources
In the maker’s words, at launch
Hey HN, I’m Jimmy, co-founder of Dropbase (https://www.dropbase.io). We are an internal tools builder for Python developers. All you have to do is import any Python scripts/libraries, declare UI components, and layer app permissions so you can share them with others. We’re a middle ground between Airplane and Retool—simpler UI creation than Airplane, more code-centered than Retool. UI building is declarative and you can bind Python scripts/functions to UI components. You can write Python scripts/functions using our App Studio with support from a Python Language Server Protocol (LSP) for linting. Since the self-hosted worker directly references .py or .sql files in the filesystem, you can even write them on VSCode directly or import any other Python script or library. Our app layout is highly opinionated to speed up app building. Instead of an open canvas for UI building, we just give you a main table view and a widget sidebar. This approach significantly reduces app-building time while still covering what most tools need: see some data and take actions based on it. It’s not flexible enough to do absolutely anything, but that’s the point—there’s a tradeoff between flexibility and speed. Dropbase gives you most of what you need, plus speed! A neat feature we are experimenting with to build admin panels fast is “Smart Tables”. We convert any SQL SELECT statement (even across multiple joins and filters) into an inline editable table, like spreadsheets, without any additional code. We have a hybrid hosting model that combines a self-hosted client and a worker server, with a backend API for app/component definitions hosted by us to simplify pushing feature updates. The worker server sits in your machines so your sensitive data doesn’t leave your infra. We’re Python-centric for now, but plan to add support for Rust, Go, and others later. We made a few demo videos building common tools: - Customer approval tool: https://youtu.be/A1MIIRNkv3Q - Data editing tool (with Smart Table): https://youtu.be/R1cHO9lMRXo To try Dropbase, create an account at https://app.dropbase.io and generate a token, then follow these instructions for local setup: https://docs.dropbase.io/setup/developer. We are very early so we're really excited to get your feedback, especially on our approach to tools building with Python! My co-founder Ayazhan and some of our teammates will be around to answer questions.
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