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Nikita Navalikhin

Nikita Navalikhin

Nikita Navalikhin

A true expert in crypto, software architecture, web3, and in his spare time, calligraphy. Before co-founding Directual, Nikita worked at enterprise companies—like Deutsche Bank, MTS, and other big names.
A true expert in crypto, software architecture, web3, and in his spare time, calligraphy. Before co-founding Directual, Nikita worked at enterprise companies—like Deutsche Bank, MTS, and other big names.

Blog posts by

Nikita Navalikhin

AI Agents in 2025: Why 95% of Corporate Projects Fail — and How to Join the Successful 5%

AI Agents in 2025: Why 95% of Corporate Projects Fail — and How to Join the Successful 5%

artificial-intelligence

While some companies pour millions into flashy ChatGPT demos and get zero results, others are already making millions from AI agents. Why do 95% of corporate AI projects fail — and how can you join the successful 5%? Let’s unpack MIT data, real-world cases, and how agentic systems with memory and learning are changing the rules of the game.

November 8, 2025
Directual Update: Modal Windows, Scenario Connections, Object Path

Directual Update: Modal Windows, Scenario Connections, Object Path

product-updates

September’s update brings modal windows, scenario connections, object path viz with shareable URLs, ArrayLink tables, socket redirects, quick app switcher, and chat upgrades — plus plenty of fixes and speed boosts.

September 29, 2025
Low-code vs No-code: Who's the Winner?

Low-code vs No-code: Who's the Winner?

market-insights

Ditch the code and join the low-code/no-code revolution! Get the power of rapid app development, process automation, and innovation without breaking a sweat (or your budget). Get ready to drag, drop, and amaze with the easy way to build custom apps.

October 9, 2024
A no-coder’s guide to The Open Network and Toncoins

A no-coder’s guide to The Open Network and Toncoins

web3-and-blockchain

Witnessed the meteoric rise of the Toncoin and want to build your own thing with it? This guide will tell you all about Toncoin, and how it works.

June 15, 2024
Top 7 no-code data extraction and scraping tools for 2024

Top 7 no-code data extraction and scraping tools for 2024

market-insights

Got data you need to yoink but not sure how? Go the no-code way—let someone do it for you. This list will help you pick your winner.

April 26, 2024
Do you need a Telegram bot for your business in 2024?

Do you need a Telegram bot for your business in 2024?

market-insights

Yes, you do—especially if you’re in an area where it’s used a lot. Don’t really know? Hop in, check out primo data on Telegram bot use, as well as handy instructions on how to make one.

March 7, 2024
How good is ChatGPT at programming on its own?

How good is ChatGPT at programming on its own?

artificial-intelligence

There is a reason why ChatGPT works best in tandem with no-code platforms like Directual. Take a dive into its intricacies and learn why it is what it is, and how it can be more.

November 24, 2023
Exploring the difference between web apps and websites

Exploring the difference between web apps and websites

market-insights

Unpack the evolution and key differences between no-code web apps and websites in this guide. From the first-ever website to the rise of specialized SaaS platforms, get insights that help you decide which one you should build.

October 23, 2023
No-code document generation

No-code document generation

product-updates

Got a whole lot of PDFs to create and too little time? You’re in luck. See how it’s done with Directual in a few clicks.

October 17, 2023
Directual-GPT: an AI-based no-code generator!

Directual-GPT: an AI-based no-code generator!

artificial-intelligence

You don’t even need to stick logic cubes together. Discover how you can build no-code apps with just a text prompt in Directual.

September 3, 2023
PostgreSQL vs MySQL: Key Differences

PostgreSQL vs MySQL: Key Differences

market-insights

Let’s see the sparring match between two database titans and see why people choose one, or the other, or something else entirely. After all, whoever does the numbers, runs the show.

August 7, 2023
Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Programming: Key Differences

Asynchronous vs. Synchronous Programming: Key Differences

market-insights

To sync or to async…weird as questions go, but that is one. This short article will help you determine which approach is best, and if you should bother yourself with choosing in the first place.

July 24, 2023
Introducing Directual Marketplace

Introducing Directual Marketplace

inside-directual

It’s raining plugins! Check out our new Marketplace, now ripe with all sorts of plugins and modules you’ve been looking for. Anyone can contribute, buy, and sell plugins as well.

July 20, 2023
What Is App Scaling and Why Scalability Matters?

What Is App Scaling and Why Scalability Matters?

market-insights

So, you want to grow big, you want to grow fast. Turns out there are parallels to both no-code and traditional development that can help you with that. A rare article on scaling, suitable for both no-coders and the old guard.

June 24, 2023
What is a Cloud-Native Application? A detailed guide

What is a Cloud-Native Application? A detailed guide

market-insights

Cloud-native apps are not just traditional apps wearing a cloud costume. From their microservices architectures to self-healing abilities, this article will cover all of it. There’s also a hefty serving of no-code wisdom in this knowledge feast because we know that’s why you’re really here!

June 4, 2023
SQL vs. NoSQL Databases: Differences Explained

SQL vs. NoSQL Databases: Differences Explained

market-insights

Discover the differences between SQL and NoSQL. Spoiler alert: it’s not the word “No”. Although it is in a way? Bonus, find out why Directual is using NoSQL and how you can get a headstart on all things databases faster.

May 13, 2023
Most Popular Backend Frameworks of 2023: In-Depth Comparison & Analysis

Most Popular Backend Frameworks of 2023: In-Depth Comparison & Analysis

market-insights

Backend frameworks come in many flavors, many of them spicy. This exhaustive guide will help you decide which one to try first, and how to determine if it’s right for your project.

May 5, 2023
Flutter vs React Native: Picking a better option in 2023

Flutter vs React Native: Picking a better option in 2023

market-insights

Mobile app development frameworks come in many shapes and forms, and these two are the best on the taste-to-price ratio. Discover which one you should choose when it comes to mobile app development.

April 10, 2023
Most Popular Frontend Frameworks

Most Popular Frontend Frameworks

market-insights

Discover the best frontend frameworks for your projects by exploring the most popular options available in 2023 (our personal vote goes to React, spoiler alert).

March 15, 2023
OpenAI + Directual part 2: Connecting ChatGPT to scenarios

OpenAI + Directual part 2: Connecting ChatGPT to scenarios

artificial-intelligence

Check out how to integrate ChatGPT with Directual and use it with scenarios! It’s your perfect companion and aide now, available free of charge on both ends.

February 4, 2023
Update December 2022: Smarter filters, templating, and web page builder

Update December 2022: Smarter filters, templating, and web page builder

product-updates

New update! Filtering is now even more awesome, smart inputs are more efficient and predictive, hotkeys, kanban updates & more! The whole bag of Christmas gifts!

December 27, 2022
Execute operations with NFTs using no-code on Directual

Execute operations with NFTs using no-code on Directual

web3-and-blockchain

Full-on web3 functionality is now at the tip of your fingers. Discover all about smart contracts, NFTs, and how to build complete blockchain projects yourself leveraging Directual no-code (sometimes – low-code) approach.

November 21, 2022
Turning a dApp idea into an MVP

Turning a dApp idea into an MVP

web3-and-blockchain

Ever wondered what steps you need to take to create a dApp? Well, we’ve laid it all for you! Be advised: it’s a long read. Get a cup of something hot and discover what you need to get started.

September 23, 2022
Directual + Polygon = ❤️

Directual + Polygon = ❤️

web3-and-blockchain

Our platform supports even more blockchain solutions! Enjoy the Polygon plugin for quick creation of crypto products straight on Directual, hassle-free.

September 12, 2022
Update August 2022: Tons of new stuff!

Update August 2022: Tons of new stuff!

product-updates

Meet new Directual features and integrations! Kanban, Socket.io, CDN options, custom code, and much more.

August 30, 2022
What is JSON and how to use it with no-code tools

What is JSON and how to use it with no-code tools

market-insights

Discover what JSON data exchange format is and the best tool to make use of it. Turns out it’s even easier than seems, so long as you know what you need. A deep dive into JSON, waiting for you hidden behind the cover picture.

August 9, 2022
Directual and NEAR

Directual and NEAR

product-updates

We’re happy to introduce NEAR support in our Directual platform! The NEAR Protocol eliminates the barriers to web3 adoption. It supports high speeds and low fees. Now you can integrate your Directual-based apps with NEAR blockchain with a freshly backed plugin. Moreover, you can find NEAR among payment methods!

May 19, 2022
No-coding for web3-apps

No-coding for web3-apps

web3-and-blockchain

Hello, folks! Only a true hermit didn’t hear of blockchain’s march across the world, and yet this topic is still shrouded in mystery. Questions pop up all over: what’s blockchain? How does it work? What’s web3? How does it all connect with Directual? Well, it connects… directly, hehe. In this short article, you’ll learn what blockchain and web3 are, and how you can build your own blockchain products on Directual!

March 23, 2022
January 2022. New platform features

January 2022. New platform features

product-updates

We are happy to introduce the immense release of the platform that includes solid improvements of the Directual web-page builder. You may apply Directual as a full-stack tool for building complex multipage web-apps like customer portals, CRMs, marketplaces, etc. Just have a look at a sample app from the upcoming showcase section of our website!

January 31, 2022
October 2021. New platform features

October 2021. New platform features

product-updates

Fresh platform release contains such long-awaited features as file uploading from forms, white-label option for the portal. We’ve also implemented a plethora of UI-improvements for smoother user experience.

October 3, 2021
Plugins

Plugins

product-updates

There have always been a lot of tech savvy people among Directual community members who were ready to apply their skills for developing platform extensions. Today Directual team is happy to provide such people with plugin features! Having that functionality, any person is able to develop and deliver a plugin like a connection with CRM or with a payment system.

July 29, 2021
May 2021. New platform features

May 2021. New platform features

product-updates

The nature is flourishing in May, so does the platform! We are happy to introduce such long-awaited features as Table component for web-page builder and the ability to colour Cards. Also, the handling date data becomes much easier with formatting settings. And finally, UI/UX of a HTTP-request step was totally reworked. More to come!

May 17, 2021
February 2021. New platform features

February 2021. New platform features

product-updates

2021 has just started, but we are ready to announce new features and a new pricing plan. We’ve significantly improved Cards and Form components, introduced update of Telegram step and added the feature of connecting custom domain name to your app.

February 11, 2021
New platform features. September 2020

New platform features. September 2020

product-updates

This autumn turns out to be fruitful! Meet such new gorgeous features as Cards view component for Web-page builder, JSON-step for scenarios, Form component improvements and new integrations! These features allow you to create sophisticated apps even more easily.

September 18, 2020
Directual Design—an open-source front-end project

Directual Design—an open-source front-end project

product-updates

Directual has always been a perfect choice for low-coding a backend of a web or mobile app. But, bearing in mind our motto to “let people create”, we started working on Directual Web-page builder. Moreover, we decided to make it open-source—to let every front-end developer be able to build new web-components for interface constructor. So, meet Directual Design — the basic open-source React-components library!

July 10, 2020
New feature. Comments in scenarios

New feature. Comments in scenarios

product-updates

You'll find the new feature in the latest Platform release—comments in scenarios. We consider this piece of functionality as extremely important and useful. Directual scenarios become easy-to-read.

May 2, 2020
Why IT teams should embrace low-code?

Why IT teams should embrace low-code?

market-insights

Today’s modern world demands digitalisation and best of the best IT products from pretty much any company or enterprise. It is from this perspective that IT Departments are facing tough challenges which can be dealt with by implementing low-code technology.

December 1, 2019

Case studies by

Nikita Navalikhin

Case study. Electronic catalogue for Schlumberger

Case study. Electronic catalogue for Schlumberger

Being a renowned innovator in Oil&Gas, Schlumberger chose Directual as a basic technology for its Electronic Catalogue solution. Thanks to the low-code approach the application was delivered in a minimal time-to-market. All the business needs were met, because Directual low-code platform does not have any significant functional limitations.

August 24, 2020