You know the drill: you define your data model in one place, then spend hours (or days) wiring up schema files, scaffolding out an API, hooking it to a database, and documenting every endpoint just so someone else can build on it.
And by the time it’s stable? The data changes.
If you’ve been caught in that loop, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why I started using Negroni—a low-code data modeling tool that lets you design structured data and instantly turn it into production-ready APIs. Think: visual modeling + real APIs = less time on glue code, more time building actual features.
Let me walk you through how it works.
🎯 Step 1: Create a Data Manifest (a.k.a. Your Schema Blueprint)
In Negroni, you start by creating something called a data manifest. It’s like a schema file, except it lives in a visual environment and supports all the relationships you’d expect (one-to-many, many-to-many, etc.).
Even better? It’s based on the Common Data Model (CDM), so you’re working with standardized, enterprise-friendly structure from the start.
No more staring at JSON schemas and wondering if you missed a comma.
🧩 Step 2: Define Your Entities Visually (Yes, Really)
This part feels kind of like cheating.
You spin up entities like Customer, Order, or Product, define their attributes, and map relationships—all with a visual editor. Need to set constraints? Default values? Add calculated fields? You’ve got control over all of it.
It’s way faster than writing out schemas by hand, and easier to communicate with non-devs if you’re collaborating cross-functionally.
🚀 Step 3: Deploy Your API in a Click
Here’s the kicker: once your model is done, you don’t export it. You publish it directly as a REST or GraphQL API with one click.
Behind the scenes, it’s deploying to Martini, Lonti’s low-code backend runtime. You get:
- Full CRUD support
- Live API docs via Swagger/OpenAPI
- Search/filter endpoints
- Auto-handled relationships
No need to set up a Node backend or spin up a DB proxy. The API is just… live. And yes, you can version it.
🔗 Step 4: Plug It Into Anything (Seriously)
Because Negroni works with Martini, you get baked-in integration support. Want to connect your API to:
- A Bellini-built frontend?
- A third-party SaaS via webhook?
- A workflow triggered by an external API call?
Go for it. You can also just call the API from Postman, fetch data in a React app, or wire it up in a legacy system if you want. The point is—you’re not locked in.
✅ Why It Works for Devs (Not Just Business Users)
I’ve tried plenty of “low-code” tools that claim to save time but end up adding limitations. This isn’t that.
What makes Negroni actually usable in dev-heavy workflows?
- You can inspect and edit your model’s structure at a granular level.
- You don’t lose control over data relationships or types.
- You get production-ready APIs without writing boilerplate.
- It respects how developers actually build.
It’s not about dumbing things down—it’s about getting rid of the repetitive stuff so you can focus on what matters.