mirror of
https://github.com/sartography/spiff-arena.git
synced 2025-02-19 12:57:19 +00:00
5df1262dca
* update in place with python * split files into chunks * working chunking and updated quick start * edits * sanity check * give up on faq page, long docs work * debug * system prompt updates, etc * use temp file for output * refactor * remove dup import * generate diff file * check diff output to make sure it looks reasonable * add overall results * update script * update script * update script * edits * fix function --------- Co-authored-by: burnettk <burnettk@users.noreply.github.com>
63 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
63 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
# Extensions
|
|
Extensions in SpiffArena provide a mechanism to augment the software with custom features and functionalities.
|
|
By leveraging extensions, users can implement functions or features not present in the standard offering.
|
|
This powerful feature ensures adaptability to various business needs, from custom reports to specific user tools.
|
|
|
|
At a high level:
|
|
|
|
- Extensions are implemented as process models within the process model repository.
|
|
- Configuration for an extension can be found and modified in its `extension_uischema.json` file.
|
|
- Access to an extension can be set up via permissions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
## Getting Started with Extensions
|
|
|
|
### Environment Variable Activation
|
|
|
|
To utilize extensions, an environment variable must be set.
|
|
This variable activates the extensions feature in the SpiffWorkflow backend:
|
|
|
|
SPIFFWORKFLOW_BACKEND_EXTENSIONS_API_ENABLED=true
|
|
|
|
By default, SpiffArena will look for extensions in `[SPIFFWORKFLOW_BACKEND_BPMN_SPEC_ABSOLUTE_DIR]/extensions`, but that can be configured using `SPIFFWORKFLOW_BACKEND_EXTENSIONS_PROCESS_MODEL_PREFIX`.
|
|
|
|
### Creating an Extension
|
|
|
|
After enabling extensions from the backend, you can create extensions in the SpiffArena frontend.
|
|
To create your own custom extension, follow these steps:
|
|
|
|
- Navigate to the process group repository where extensions are to be implemented.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- Create a process model in this group. You can give it whatever name you want. Then create a file inside the process model called `extension_uischema.json`. This will control how the extension will work.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As an example, we have created an extension that adds a link to the profile menu in the top right and also adds a new "Support" page to the app so that users of the application know who to talk to if they have issues.
|
|
You can find the full example [on GitHub](https://github.com/sartography/sample-process-models/tree/sample-models-1/extensions/support).
|
|
|
|
Notice how the `display_location` "user_profile_item" tells it that the link belongs in the user profile menu (this is the top right menu where the logout link can be found).
|
|
Also, notice that the extension uischema defines a page ("/support") and defines the list of components that should show up on this page.
|
|
In this case, that is just a single MarkdownRenderer, which defines how to contact people.
|
|
|
|
An entirely new application feature with frontend and backend components can be implemented using an extension.
|
|
[This TypeScript interface file](https://github.com/sartography/spiff-arena/blob/main/spiffworkflow-frontend/src/extension_ui_schema_interfaces.ts) codifies the configuration of the extension uischema.
|
|
|
|
## Use Cases
|
|
|
|
If your organization has specific needs not catered to by the standard SpiffArena features, you can use extensions to add those features.
|
|
|
|
Here are some of the use cases already implemented by our users:
|
|
|
|
- Implementing a time tracking system
|
|
- Creating custom reports tailored to your business metrics
|
|
- Incorporating arbitrary content into custom pages using markdown (as in the above example)
|
|
- Creating and accessing tailor-made APIs
|
|
- Rendering the output of these APIs using Jinja templates and markdown
|
|
|
|
Extensions in SpiffArena offer a robust mechanism to tailor the software to unique business requirements.
|
|
When considering an extension, also consider whether the code would be more properly included in the core source code or as a connector inside your [connector proxy](/dev/connector_proxy.md).
|
|
In cases where an extension is appropriate, by following the instructions in this guide, organizations can expand the system's functionality to meet their unique needs.
|