Data, apps, and agents: the future of app dev with Rayfin | BRK225
Ben Zulauf and Sachin Patney present a Microsoft Build 2026 breakout on Rayfin, a “backend expressed in code” approach that targets Microsoft Fabric as the data platform.
Overview
What Rayfin is trying to solve
- The session frames a shift toward apps coming to the data platform, reducing the need for teams to “stitch” together separate backend services.
- Rayfin’s core idea is that the entire backend is expressed in code, and Rayfin translates that into the required services (for example, databases and functions).
Agentic app building
- The description and chapter list emphasize agentic coding in enterprise environments.
- Two creation paths are highlighted:
- Write the backend code directly.
- Describe the app and have agents generate the backend.
Microsoft Fabric as the target platform
- The session highlights native access to Fabric data, analytics, and AI.
- A key theme is using Fabric for both analytical and application workloads, including discussion of unified capacity usage.
Deployment and operations
- Rayfin supports deployment via a CLI, positioned as a way to deploy a secure, scalable solution.
Authentication and identity
- The chapter list calls out configurable authentication options and support for external authentication providers.
Ecosystem and integrations
- The session mentions:
- A Power BI partnership and analytics discussion.
- A browser-based IDE integration involving Replit.
Session resources
Speakers
- Ben Zulauf
- Sachin Patney