Web automation platform Ubio Ltd. today announced the launch of NodeScript, a low-code visual developer environment for workflow automation and application programming interface integration.

The system is designed to make it simple for developers to map out and execute data services and applications quickly. NodeScript acts as a fully featured visual coding environment where developers can immediately jump into building automation services without any infrastructure overhead or coding preparation. It provides a visual interface using “nodes” that developers use to design a program, which represent logical components within the app allowing them to set up workflow and visualize it.

From the moment the environment is launched to when it is complete, NodeScript is production-ready, meaning that applications written in it can be deployed safely and at scale, said Ubio. It can be used as a whiteboard or a sandbox for prototyping or experimenting with new applications, or simply bringing a new service online quickly.

The environment itself is “low-code,” meaning that although many of the components do not require coding to process their logic, some include a canvas for code blocks. This means that both casual coders with a minimal amount of coding experience can link together third-party APIs and veteran engineers can create complex full-featured applications.

Ubio Chief Executive Marcus Greenwood likened NodeScript to a “catalyst for innovation” and said that the company built it to be more than a platform. The tool has been used internally to help empower the company’s workflow automation for its data-hungry customers such as Google LLC, Kiwi.com and Trivago N.V.

“Our mission is to empower developers with the tools they need to succeed, and NodeScript embodies that commitment,” said Greenwood. “We developed NodeScript to support the millions of automations we undertake to supply data to our clients like Google.”

Greenwood added that it allows Ubio itself to do that more efficiently than with written codebases. “It’s saved us huge amounts of time and compute spend,” he said. “We’re releasing NodeScript to other developers so they can benefit.”

Examples of how developers could use NodeScript include quickly prototyping backends, integrating large language models such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT as a node into any app, and deploying at-scale workflows with a single click. They can also use it to neatly connect multiple APIs with conditional logic and create flexible data transformations that run on timers or trigger them using webhooks.

Since the canvas is completely visual and can be shared between team members and each “node” is completely modular, the programs written in NodeScript can be embedded within one another. This means that a NodeScript program can be shared infinitely and be part of collaborative projects for team understanding and learning.

NodeScript has been released based on a freemium model so that developers can try it out for free to see if they like the service. The free service gives 10,000 seconds of free credits per month, unlimited graphs and unlimited collaborators. Pricing starts at $29 per month for 100,000 credits aimed at small teams and $95 for 1 million credits.

Image: Ubio