> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.instance.sale/oss/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview

> Instance is the open-source Instagram sales automation platform and CRM with zero contact limits and complete data ownership.

# Welcome to Instance

Instance is a modern open-source Instagram sales automation engine and CRM designed for creators, coaches, e-commerce brands, and agency owners.

Most automation platforms charge recurring subscriptions that scale aggressively as your contact list grows. Instance gives you the exact same automated sales superpowers with zero software subscription fees, zero arbitrary contact limits, and 100% control of your customer data in your own infrastructure.

***

## Why Instance?

| Feature | Closed SaaS (ManyChat, etc.) | Instance |
| :- | :- | :- |
| **Monthly Software Cost** | Scales up as contacts increase ($15 to $1,000+/mo) | \$0 (Self-hosted on free or low-cost tiers) |
| **Contact Storage Limits** | Rigid tier pricing based on audience size | Unlimited contacts in your own database |
| **Data Privacy and Ownership** | Stored on third-party multi-tenant servers | 100% owned by you in PostgreSQL |
| **Workflow Freedom** | Limited by vendor roadmaps | Fully extensible open-source TypeScript stack |
| **Instagram Anti-Ban Safety** | Opaque rate limiting rules | Built-in circuit breakers, jitter, and health monitors |

***

## System Architecture

Instance is engineered as a modular TypeScript monorepo where each component is isolated for high availability, fault tolerance, and simple local development.

### Core Stack Components

* **Web Dashboard (`apps/web`)**: Built with Next.js, Tailwind CSS, and React Flow. Provides the visual automation canvas, CRM, audience list management, analytics dashboard and Settings.
* **API Server (`apps/api`)**: Built with NestJS. Handles authentication, workspace settings, REST endpoints, and incoming Meta webhook ingestion.
* **Worker Service (`apps/workers`)**: Background worker service running BullMQ queues to handle outbound message delivery, Instagram profile enrichment, and scheduled jobs without blocking web requests.
* **Cache and Queues (Redis)**: Manages BullMQ job queues and provides atomic distributed locks for webhook deduplication.
* **Primary Database (PostgreSQL)**: Relational data store managed through Prisma ORM with strict type safety across all apps.

## Next Steps

* Ready to install locally? Follow the [Installation](file:///c:/Users/Sumama/Desktop/instance-oss/docs/installation.mdx) guide.
* Prefer one-command containerization? Jump straight to the [Docker](file:///c:/Users/Sumama/Desktop/instance-oss/docs/docker.mdx) setup.


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