Do you need to run a full node on localhost to make something like chainBB?

A total noob question here..

If i wanted to make a project, for example something like chainBB, would i have to run a full node on the same server where the webserver is running to use the api?

Do i need to run a node at all, or is there somewhere i can connect to.

I have options to read the blockchain without running a node, but can i login/post?