This directory contains the JSON database files that power ComfyUI-Manager's legacy node registry system. While the manager is gradually transitioning to the online Custom Node Registry (CNR), these local JSON files continue to provide important metadata about custom nodes, models, and their integrations.

Directory Structure

The node_db directory is organized into several subdirectories, each serving a specific purpose:

dev/: Development channel files with latest additions and experimental nodes
legacy/: Historical/legacy nodes that may require special handling
new/: New nodes that have passed initial verification but are still being evaluated
forked/: Forks of existing nodes with modifications
tutorial/: Example and tutorial nodes designed for learning purposes

Core Database Files

Each subdirectory contains a standard set of JSON files:

custom-node-list.json: Primary database of custom nodes with metadata
extension-node-map.json: Maps between extensions and individual nodes they provide
model-list.json: Catalog of models that can be downloaded through the manager
alter-list.json: Alternative implementations of nodes for compatibility or functionality
github-stats.json: GitHub repository statistics for node popularity metrics

Database Schema

custom-node-list.json

{
  "custom_nodes": [
    {
      "title": "Node display name",
      "name": "Repository name",
      "reference": "Original repository if forked",
      "files": ["GitHub URL or other source location"],
      "install_type": "git",
      "description": "Description of the node's functionality",
      "pip": ["optional pip dependencies"],
      "js": ["optional JavaScript files"],
      "tags": ["categorization tags"]
    }
  ]
}

extension-node-map.json

{
  "extension-id": [
    ["list", "of", "node", "classes"],
    {
      "author": "Author name",
      "description": "Extension description",
      "nodename_pattern": "Optional regex pattern for node name matching"
    }
  ]
}

Transition to Custom Node Registry (CNR)

This local database system is being progressively replaced by the online Custom Node Registry (CNR), which provides:

Real-time updates without manual JSON maintenance
Improved versioning support
Better security validation
Enhanced metadata

The Manager supports both systems simultaneously during the transition period.

Implementation Details

The database follows a channel-based architecture for different sources
Multiple database modes are supported: Channel, Local, and Remote
The system supports differential updates to minimize bandwidth usage
Security levels are enforced for different node installations based on source

Usage in the Application

The Manager's backend uses these database files to:

Provide browsable lists of available nodes and models
Resolve dependencies for installation
Track updates and new versions
Map node classes to their source repositories
Assess risk levels for installation security

Maintenance Scripts

Each subdirectory contains a scan.sh script that assists with:

Scanning repositories for new nodes
Updating metadata
Validating database integrity
Generating proper JSON structures

This database system enables a flexible, secure, and comprehensive management system for the ComfyUI ecosystem while the transition to CNR continues.