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Version: 3.0

Developer Guide

Core Philosophy

Low-Code + Pro-Code = Infinite Possibilities

  • Use No-Code capabilities to handle 80% of common requirements (CRUD, simple workflows, reports) for maximum speed.
  • Use Pro-Code capabilities to tackle the 20% core differentiation (complex algorithms, system integrations, custom UI) for maximum depth.

Welcome to the world of Steedos development.

If you are a programmer, you might have reservations about "Low-Code platforms": "Will it limit my creativity?" or "Will I have to learn a bunch of proprietary, quirky syntax?"

Rest assured. Steedos 3.0 is built on a standard technology stack (Node.js, MongoDB, React). Here, you are still the full-stack engineer you know and love—you just have a powerful acceleration engine added to your toolbox.

What Can You Do Here?​

As a developer, you can take control of any layer of the system:

1. Backend Extensions (Node.js)​

  • Triggers: Intercept requests before or after data is saved to perform complex validations or calculations (e.g., automatically checking inventory in an ERP system before a contract is finalized).
  • Custom APIs: Write standard REST or GraphQL APIs for third-party system consumption.
  • Microservices: Leverage the Moleculer framework to write independent microservice modules that are decoupled from the Steedos core.

2. Frontend Extensions (React + Amis)​

  • Custom Components: Build a stunning "3D model viewer" in React and use it via drag-and-drop within the Page Designer.
  • Complex Interaction Logic: Write JavaScript snippets to control form linkages, validations, and dynamic visual effects.
  • Theme Customization: Use CSS/SASS for deep UI customization, or even rewrite the entire login page.

3. Engineering & DevOps​

  • Code as Configuration: All objects, fields, and permission settings can be exported as .yml files.
  • Version Control: Commit these configuration files to a Git repository for Code Review and version rollbacks.
  • CI/CD: Automate application deployment to production environments using GitHub Actions or Jenkins.

The Workflow​

Steedos adopts a "Metadata Driven" development model. Your typical workflow looks like this:

  1. Retrieve: Use the CLI tool to pull online configurations (objects, permissions, etc.) to your local machine, converting them into .yml files.
  2. Code:
  • Modify .yml files in VS Code.
  • Create .js files to write Trigger logic.
  • Create .tsx files to build React components.
  1. Debug: Start the Steedos service locally to preview your changes in real-time.
  2. Deploy: Once testing passes, use the CLI to push metadata and code to your staging or production environments.

AI-Assisted Development​

Steedos projects are metadata-driven, which makes them well suited for AI-assisted development. Use the AI-Assisted Development guide to learn how to install Steedos Skills, plan changes with an AI coding assistant, and test generated metadata safely.

Prerequisite Skills​

Before you dive in, we recommend having a foundation in the following:

  • JavaScript (ES6+) / TypeScript: The universal languages for Steedos development.
  • JSON & YAML: The primary formats for configuration files.
  • Node.js Basics: Understanding npm/yarn and module imports/exports.
  • React Basics: (Required for frontend tasks) Understanding components, Props, and State.
  • MongoDB Query Syntax: (Optional) Helpful for writing complex database queries.
Advice for Developers

Don't try to reinvent the wheel with code. Before you start coding, ask yourself: "Can this feature be achieved through no-code configuration?"

  • If yes, prioritize configuration (as it is more stable and easier to maintain).
  • If no, or if the configuration feels extremely forced, then—Show me the code!
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