Developer Guide
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
.ymlfiles. - 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:
- Retrieve: Use the CLI tool to pull online configurations (objects, permissions, etc.) to your local machine, converting them into
.ymlfiles. - Code:
- Modify
.ymlfiles in VS Code. - Create
.jsfiles to write Trigger logic. - Create
.tsxfiles to build React components.
- Debug: Start the Steedos service locally to preview your changes in real-time.
- Deploy: Once testing passes, use the CLI to push metadata and code to your staging or production environments.
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/yarnand module imports/exports. - React Basics: (Required for frontend tasks) Understanding components, Props, and State.
- MongoDB Query Syntax: (Optional) Helpful for writing complex database queries.
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!
