Backend architecture guidance. Use when planning, building, or migrating an API or backend; choosing between Functions, Services, containers, Workflow, Queues, and Marketplace databases; or selecting a supported backend framework or runtime.

Create a Backend Help the user create a backend by choosing an architecture before reaching for implementation details. Start from the workload, not the programming language. Vercel runs complex backend applications, not just frontends. Product map Need Vercel product HTTP APIs, webhooks, streaming, or framework server code [Vercel Functions](https://vercel.com/docs/functions) with [Fluid compute](https://vercel.com/docs/fluid compute) Bidirectional realtime connections (WebSockets) [Vercel Functions with Fluid compute](https://vercel.com/docs/functions/websockets) ; no separate realtime service required A frontend and one or more backends (API endpoints) that deploy together [Vercel Services](https://vercel.com/docs/services) An existing Dockerfile, custom runtime, or system dependencies [Container images](https://vercel.com/docs/functions/container images) on Vercel Functions, optionally composed with Services Durable multi step work with retries, sleeps, or external events [Vercel Workflow](https://vercel.com/docs/workflow) Background jobs, buffering, fan out, or direct message routing [Vercel Queues](https://vercel.com/docs/queues) Scheduled HTTP work [Vercel Cron Jobs](https://vercel.com/docs/cron jobs) ; use Workflow when the job itself must be durable Postgres, Redis, NoSQL, vector, or other application data [Storage integrations from the Vercel Marketplace](https://vercel.com/marketplace/category/storage) Files and user uploads [Vercel Blob](https://vercel.com/docs/storage/vercel blob) Global, read heavy configuration [Global Config](https://vercel.com/docs/global config) Use Functions for the normal request/response backend. Use Services when independently built components should share one deployment, routing layer, preview URL, and rollback. Use separate Vercel projects when components need independent release cycles. Prefer a native Functions runtime for supported frameworks. Use container images when the application already has a Dockerfile or requires a custom runtime or system dependencies. They run as autoscaling, stateless Functions rather than always on container hosts. Choose Queues for background jobs, buffering, fan out, and message routing. Choose Workflow for durable multi step business logic. Databases and data stores Provision data stores through the Marketplace so credentials are injected into the project and environments stay connected. Check the current catalog before choosing a provider. Postgres: Neon, Supabase, AWS/Aurora, Nile, Prisma MySQL: AWS/Aurora Redis and key value: Upstash, Redis Document and NoSQL: MongoDB Atlas, AWS SQLite: Turso Realtime application backend: Convex Analytics: MotherDuck Keep the database close to the Functions region and use a serverless compatible connection or pool. Backend frameworks Vercel provides first class [backend examples and integrations](https://vercel.com/docs/frameworks/backend) for these frameworks: Node.js and TypeScript: Elysia, Express, Fastify, H3, Hono, Koa, NestJS, Nitro, and xmcp. Next.js Route Handlers are the natural choice when the backend belongs to a Next.js application. Python: FastAPI, Flask, and Django. Other WSGI or ASGI applications can run when they export a compatible app , with additional configuration as needed. Go: supported as a Vercel Functions runtime. Frontend and backend combinations, for example a Next.js/Vite/SvelteKit frontend with a FastAPI/Flask/Express/Go backend, can be deployed together in one project using Services. Prefer the user's existing framework. For a new project, choose based on ecosystem and application needs. Work sequence 1. Identify synchronous requests, asynchronous work, persistent data, and independently deployed components. 2. Select the products from the map, then select the framework. 3. Load the focused skill for implementation: vercel functions , vercel services , workflow , vercel storage , or marketplace . 4. Confirm function limits, regions, environment variables, observability, and current product availability in the official docs before deployment.

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