Live demo
16k

NocoBase CRM Demo Deployment Guide

Learn how to deploy NocoBase CRM Demo to your environment with two deployment methods: Backup Manager (Pro/Enterprise) and universal SQL import (suitable for Community Edition). Choose the best method based on your version and requirements to quickly experience the full CRM functionality demonstration.

To help you quickly and smoothly deploy this Demo to your own NocoBase environment, we provide two restoration methods. Please choose the most suitable one based on your user version and technical background.

Before starting, please ensure:

Important Note: This Demo is built on PostgreSQL database. Please ensure your environment uses PostgreSQL database.

This method performs one-click restoration through NocoBase’s built-in “Backup Manager” (Pro/Enterprise Edition) plugin, with the simplest operation. However, it has certain requirements for environment and user version.

Key Features

  • Advantages:
    1. Convenient Operation: Can be completed in the UI interface, capable of completely restoring all configurations including plugins.
    2. Complete Restoration: Can restore all system files, including template print files, uploaded files in table file fields, etc., ensuring Demo functionality integrity.
  • Limitations:
    1. Pro/Enterprise Edition Only: “Backup Manager” is an enterprise-level plugin, only available to Pro/Enterprise users.
    2. Strict Environment Requirements: Requires your database environment (version, case sensitivity settings, etc.) to be highly compatible with our backup creation environment.
    3. Plugin Dependencies: If the Demo contains commercial plugins that you don’t have in your local environment, restoration will fail.

Operation Steps

Step 1: [Strongly Recommended] Start Application Using full Image

To avoid restoration failures due to missing database clients, we strongly recommend using the full version of the Docker image. It has all necessary supporting programs built-in, requiring no additional configuration.

Example command to pull the image:

docker pull nocobase/nocobase:1.8.1-full

Then use this image to start your NocoBase service.

Note: If you don’t use the full image, you may need to manually install the pg_dump database client inside the container, which is cumbersome and unstable.

Step 2: Enable the “Backup Manager” Plugin

  1. Log into your NocoBase system.
  2. Go to Plugin Management .
  3. Find and enable the Backup Manager plugin.

20250711014113

Step 3: Restore from Local Backup File

  1. After enabling the plugin, refresh the page.
  2. Go to System Management -> Backup Manager in the left menu.
  3. Click the Restore from Local Backup button in the top right corner. 20250711014216
  4. Drag the Demo backup file we provided (usually in .zip format) to the upload area.
  5. Click Submit and wait patiently for the system to complete restoration, which may take anywhere from tens of seconds to several minutes. 20250711014250

⚠️ Important Notes

  • Database Compatibility: This is the most critical point of this method. Your PostgreSQL database version, character set, case sensitivity settings must match the Demo backup source file. Particularly, schema names must be consistent.
  • Commercial Plugin Matching: Please ensure you have and have enabled all commercial plugins required by the Demo, otherwise restoration will be interrupted.

Method 2: Direct SQL File Import (Universal, More Suitable for Community Edition)

This method restores data by directly operating the database, bypassing the “Backup Manager” plugin, thus having no Pro/Enterprise plugin limitations.

Key Features

  • Advantages:
    1. No Version Restrictions: Suitable for all NocoBase users, including community edition.
    2. High Compatibility: Does not depend on in-app dump tools, only requires database connection capability.
    3. High Fault Tolerance: If the Demo contains commercial plugins you don’t have (such as ECharts charts), related functions will not be enabled, but won’t affect normal use of other functions, and the application can start successfully.
  • Limitations:
    1. Database Operation Skills Required: Requires users to have basic database operation capabilities, such as how to execute a .sql file.
    2. ⚠️ System File Loss: This method will lose all system files, including template print files, uploaded files in table file fields, etc. This means:
      • Print template functions may not work properly
      • Uploaded images, documents, and other files will be lost
      • Functions involving file fields will be affected

Operation Steps

Step 1: Prepare a Clean Database

Prepare a brand new, empty database for the Demo data you’re about to import.

Step 2: Import the .sql File into the Database

Get the Demo database file we provided (usually in .sql format) and import its contents into the database you prepared in the previous step. There are multiple execution methods, depending on your environment:

  • Option A: Through Server Command Line (Docker Example) If you installed NocoBase and database using Docker, you can upload the .sql file to the server, then use docker exec command to perform the import. Assuming your PostgreSQL container name is my-nocobase-db and the file name is crm_demo.sql:

    # Copy sql file into the container
docker cp crm_demo.sql my-nocobase-db:/tmp/
# Enter container to execute import command
docker exec -it my-nocobase-db psql -U your_username -d your_database_name -f /tmp/crm_demo.sql

  • Option B: Through Remote Database Client If your database exposes a port, you can use any graphical database client (such as DBeaver, Navicat, pgAdmin, etc.) to connect to the database, create a new query window, paste the entire contents of the .sql file, and execute it.

Step 3: Connect Database and Start Application

Configure your NocoBase startup parameters (such as environment variables DB_HOST, DB_PORT, DB_DATABASE, DB_USER, DB_PASSWORD, etc.) to point to the database you just imported data into. Then, start the NocoBase service normally.

img_v3_02o3_eb637bd2-88c3-400b-8421-1ac2057d1aag

⚠️ Important Notes

  • Database Permissions: This method requires you to have an account and password that can directly operate the database.
  • Plugin Status: After successful import, commercial plugin data in the system exists, but if you haven’t installed and enabled corresponding plugins locally, related functions (such as Echarts charts, specific fields, etc.) will not display and work, but this won’t cause application crashes.

Summary and Comparison

FeatureMethod 1: Backup ManagerMethod 2: Direct SQL Import
Applicable UsersPro/Enterprise Edition usersAll users (including Community Edition)
Operation Simplicity⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Very easy, UI-based operation)⭐⭐⭐ (Requires basic database knowledge)
Environment NeedsStrict: Database, system version, etc. must be highly compatibleGeneral: Only requires database compatibility
Plugin DependencyStrong dependency: Restoration will fail if any required plugin is missingDepends on plugins. Data can be imported independently, and the system has basic functionality. However, if the corresponding plugin is missing, related features will not be usable at all.
System Files✅ Fully preserved (print templates, uploaded files, etc.)❌ Will be lost (print templates, uploaded files, etc.)
Recommended ScenariosPro/Enterprise users with controllable, consistent environments, requiring complete functionality demonstrationMissing some plugins, pursuing high compatibility and flexibility, non-Pro/Enterprise users, acceptable file function loss

We hope this tutorial helps you successfully deploy the CRM Demo. If you encounter any problems during the operation, please feel free to contact us!

× View Image