I created a fork of GunDB and rewrote it in TypeScript using Vibe Code

Inspired by a similar project called GenosDB and Cloudflare’s initiative to rebuild Next.js, I decided to rebuild GunDB with a modern coding style, incorporating improvements and addressing shortcomings in the original technology. I used the OpenCode tool with the Big Pickle model to rewrite the project in a new graph database called Garfo (the Portuguese word for “fork”), and I was impressed with the results and its practical applications. In this article, I’ll explain the technology and its improvements over GunDB.

Introduction

Garfo is a modern, browser-first fork of GUN.js — the decentralized, offline-first graph database. A fork of the original project that keeps the familiar GUN graph API while bringing meaningful improvements to the modern JavaScript ecosystem.

Why a Fork?

GUN.js is a revolutionary technology — a graph database that syncs in real time, works peer-to-peer, resolves conflicts automatically, and runs in the browser. However, the JavaScript ecosystem has evolved. TypeScript has become the standard, ES modules are the norm, and new transport layers like Nostr have emerged as promising decentralized protocols.

Garfo was born to fill these gaps: a GUN rewritten with modern typing, designed with the browser as a first-class citizen, and with native support for the Nostr protocol.

Key Features

Familiar Graph API

If you've used GUN before, you'll feel right at home. Garfo exposes the same chainable API:

import Garfo from 'garfo';

const db = new Garfo({ localStorage: true });

db.get('users').get('alice').put({
  name: 'Alice',
  status: 'online'
});

db.get('users').get('alice').on(profile => {
  console.log('Update:', profile);
});

All the classic methods are there: get(), put(), set(), on(), once(), map().

Optional Nostr Transport

This is one of the most exciting additions. Garfo can use Nostr relays as a transport layer, allowing peers to exchange graph messages through public or private relays:

const db = new Garfo({
  nostr: {
    sk: 'private-key-hex',
    relays: ['wss://relay.damus.io', 'wss://nos.lol'],
  },
});

db.get('chat').get('general').set({
  from: 'alice',
  text: 'Hello over Nostr!',
  timestamp: Date.now(),
});

IndexedDB and OPFS storage

In addition to localStorage, I have also included IndexedDB and OPFS as alternative ways to store database data in the browser

This unlocks immense possibilities: Garfo no longer depends solely on direct WebSocket connections — any Nostr relay can become a synchronization backbone.

SEA — Security, Encryption, Authorization

The SEA module is included, providing:

• Public/private key pairs for users
• End-to-end encryption
• Data signing and verification
• Proof-of-work for rate limiting

Browser-First

Unlike GUN.js which carries a Node.js legacy, Garfo is built with the browser as the primary target:

• Native localStorage backend support
• Zero configuration to get started
• Web-optimized bundle
• TypeScript throughout

Use Cases

Garfo shines in local-first and decentralized applications:

• Peer-to-peer chat — the repo includes a complete Nostr-backed chat example with React + TypeScript
• Collaborative apps — document editing, Kanban boards, shared whiteboards
• P2P content delivery — the repo has a livestream example using peer-to-peer CDN
• Offline IoT — field data collection with sync when online
• Decentralized social networks — combining graph data model with Nostr transport

Example: Nostr Chat

The project ships with a working chat demo. Run npm start, open two browser tabs, and each creates a Nostr identity. Messages flow through relays and are stored locally:

git clone https://github.com/israelmarmar/garfodb.git
cd garfodb/examples/nostr-chat
npm install
npm start
# Open http://127.0.0.1:8900/ in two windows

The chat supports generating identities, copying public keys, backing up and restoring keys — recovering full history from relays.

How Garfo Compares

Technical Notes

Garfo retains the graph node architecture of original GUN. Each piece of data lives in a "soul" — a node identified by a unique key. Peers connect in a mesh and exchange graph deltas.

A key difference: while GUN.js was designed in a pre-TypeScript era, Garfo ships with complete types — you get intellisense and type checking out of the box.

Conclusion

If you're building a decentralized application and need a real-time syncing database without central servers, Garfo deserves your attention.

The project is already available in beta; not all security tests have been completed, so use it at your own risk

Links: GitHub Repository | GUN.eco | Nostr Protocol
| GenosDB