Napkin – Build back-end functions in the browser

In plain words

Napkin is a tool that lets developers write and run back-end functions directly in their web browser. It simplifies building server-side logic without needing to set up traditional backend infrastructure. The platform is designed for developers who want to prototype or deploy functions quickly during development. What distinguishes it is the ability to handle back-end work entirely through a browser interface, reducing setup complexity.

written from the facts on this page · September 2026

From the sources

Create and deploy serverless cloud functions instantly, all from the browser. Quickly add authentication for your API, schedule tasks, and replay events. The Napkin editor has everything you need to write cloud functions at superhuman speed - code, test tools, auth, env - it's all there ready and waiting. /** * @param {NapkinRequest} req * @param {NapkinResponse} res */ export default (req, res) => { res.json({ "message" : "Hello, world!" }) } Try Example Host APIs without a Server with zero config that scales automatically Napkin functions automatically scale to handle thousands of calls a day for free. So sit back and relax while Napkin handles everything for you. Code your functions in…from napkin.io

• 
  Napkin Beta2021 · napkin.io · ▲307

  Backend in the browser

• 
  Napkin2015 · ▲447

  Design quick mocks, directly on your phone

• 
  Napkin2015 · napkin.is · ▲222

  A new way to share ideas

• 
  Serverless Cloud2022 · serverless.com · ▲283

  Build full stack apps better and faster than everyone else

• 
  Sheetbase2018 · sheetbase.net · ▲450

  Free, fast and fun way to build modern websites and apps 🛠️

• 
  Table Backend2023 · ▲353

  A backend for your simple projects

• 
  /dev/null▲494

  a social network for devs

  Dev tools · 4d ago · dev-null.sh

• 
  Run full iOS 16.5 firmware on Android Devices▲472

  Contribute to oosexgang/hackios-xnu-kernel development by creating an account on GitHub.

  Dev tools · 23h ago · github.com

• 
  Whiteboard (YC W26) – an open-source IDE for thoughtful software design▲423

  open-source IDE for thoughtful software design. Contribute to devdotfast/whiteboard development by creating an account on GitHub.

  Dev tools · 29d ago · github.com

• 
  Reladraw – A diagram language where you decide where to place things▲411

  Contribute to reladraw/reladraw development by creating an account on GitHub.

  Dev tools · 27d ago · github.com

• 
  OpenBot▲362

  Grok Bot alternative: free, local, open-source, multiplayer

  Dev tools · 24d ago · openbot.run

• 
  Talanoa▲346

  Hi HN, I’m a fullstack developer, and honestly, I’ve lost count of how many side projects I’ve worked on over the years. But one idea kept coming back to me: a different kind of email client. It first came to me in 2014: “What if we could handle emails more like conversations?” Every year, I’d revisit this concept in my “Build Notes.” Ten years later, no one had built exactly what I had in mind — so I finally decided to do it myself. That’s how Talanoa was born. I wanted something focused on people, not timelines. I was tired of marking messages as unread just to remember to reply later, or…

  Dev tools · 22d ago · talanoa.email

• 
  Typedream▲1,426

  No-code site builder, easy as Notion, pretty as Webflow

  Dev tools · 2021 · typedream.com

• 
  tl;dv for Google Meet▲1,059

  Catch up on meetings in minutes

  Work · 2021 · tldv.io

• 
  Hyper Founder Program▲811

  An 8-week founder program inspired by Product Hunt

  Life & fun · 2021 · hyper.com

• 
  Open Source Alternatives▲804

  200+ open source alternatives to popular B2B tools

  Dev tools · 2021 · btw.so

• 
  Static.wiki – read-only Wikipedia using a 43GB SQLite file▲796

  Het beste casino zonder vergunning voor Nederlandse spelers kiezen? Ontdek waar je op moet letten en hoe je een betrouwbaar platform vindt dat aansluit bij jouw voorkeuren.

  Life & fun · 2021 · static.wiki

• 
  Sessions▲794

  Not just another video conferencing tool

  Work · 2021