Node-RED

Node-RED is an open source flow-based programming tool that provides a visual way to wire together hardware devices, APIs and online services. Built on Node.js, it enables developers and non-developers alike to create event-driven applications through a browser-based flow editor.

Key Features

• Visual Programming:

  • Flow-based development
  • Drag-and-drop interface
  • Real-time deployment
  • Visual debugger
  • Flow library
  • Subflow support

• Integration Capabilities:

  • HTTP endpoints
  • WebSocket support
  • MQTT integration
  • Database connections
  • File operations
  • Function nodes
  • Custom node creation

• Development Features:

  • JavaScript functions
  • Context storage
  • Flow control
  • Error handling
  • Template support
  • JSON parsing

• Deployment Options:

  • Local installation
  • Cloud deployment
  • Docker containers
  • Enterprise hosting
  • Embedded systems
  • IoT devices

Who Should Use Node-RED

Node-RED is ideal for:

• Developers building IoT applications
• System Integrators connecting services
• Makers prototyping solutions
• Teams needing visual automation
• Organizations wanting low-code tools

Getting Started

The platform can be installed globally via npm with a single command. It provides a web-based editor accessible through a browser interface and extensive documentation for getting started.

Whether you're building simple automations or complex event-driven applications, Node-RED provides the visual tools needed for efficient development while maintaining the flexibility of custom code when required.