Docs: restructure Extend section with API, Webhooks, and Apps pages (#18517)

## Summary
- Restructures the developer Extend documentation: moves API and
Webhooks to top-level pages, creates dedicated Apps section with Getting
Started, Building, and Publishing pages
- Updates navigation structure (`docs.json`, `base-structure.json`,
`navigation.template.json`)
- Updates translated docs for all locales and LLMS.md references across
app packages

## Test plan
- [ ] Run `mintlify dev` locally and verify navigation structure
- [ ] Check that all links in the Extend section work correctly
- [ ] Verify translated pages render properly


Made with [Cursor](https://cursor.com)

---------

Co-authored-by: github-actions <github-actions@twenty.com>
This commit is contained in:
Félix Malfait
2026-03-10 10:00:20 +01:00
committed by GitHub
parent ae122f4bb1
commit 882e9fd231
97 changed files with 1796 additions and 339 deletions
@@ -0,0 +1,677 @@
---
title: Building Apps
description: Define objects, logic functions, front components, and more with the Twenty SDK.
---
<Warning>
Apps are currently in alpha testing. The feature is functional but still evolving.
</Warning>
## Use the SDK resources (types & config)
The twenty-sdk provides typed building blocks and helper functions you use inside your app. Below are the key pieces you'll touch most often.
### Helper functions
The SDK provides helper functions for defining your app entities. As described in [Entity detection](/developers/extend/apps/getting-started#entity-detection), you must use `export default define<Entity>({...})` for your entities to be detected:
| Function | Purpose |
|----------|---------|
| `defineApplication` | Configure application metadata (required, one per app) |
| `defineObject` | Define custom objects with fields |
| `defineLogicFunction` | Define logic functions with handlers |
| `definePreInstallLogicFunction` | Define a pre-install logic function (one per app) |
| `definePostInstallLogicFunction` | Define a post-install logic function (one per app) |
| `defineFrontComponent` | Define front components for custom UI |
| `defineRole` | Configure role permissions and object access |
| `defineField` | Extend existing objects with additional fields |
| `defineView` | Define saved views for objects |
| `defineNavigationMenuItem` | Define sidebar navigation links |
| `defineSkill` | Define AI agent skills |
These functions validate your configuration at build time and provide IDE autocompletion and type safety.
### Defining objects
Custom objects describe both schema and behavior for records in your workspace. Use `defineObject()` to define objects with built-in validation:
```typescript
// src/app/postCard.object.ts
import { defineObject, FieldType } from 'twenty-sdk';
enum PostCardStatus {
DRAFT = 'DRAFT',
SENT = 'SENT',
DELIVERED = 'DELIVERED',
RETURNED = 'RETURNED',
}
export default defineObject({
universalIdentifier: '54b589ca-eeed-4950-a176-358418b85c05',
nameSingular: 'postCard',
namePlural: 'postCards',
labelSingular: 'Post Card',
labelPlural: 'Post Cards',
description: 'A post card object',
icon: 'IconMail',
fields: [
{
universalIdentifier: '58a0a314-d7ea-4865-9850-7fb84e72f30b',
name: 'content',
type: FieldType.TEXT,
label: 'Content',
description: "Postcard's content",
icon: 'IconAbc',
},
{
universalIdentifier: 'c6aa31f3-da76-4ac6-889f-475e226009ac',
name: 'recipientName',
type: FieldType.FULL_NAME,
label: 'Recipient name',
icon: 'IconUser',
},
{
universalIdentifier: '95045777-a0ad-49ec-98f9-22f9fc0c8266',
name: 'recipientAddress',
type: FieldType.ADDRESS,
label: 'Recipient address',
icon: 'IconHome',
},
{
universalIdentifier: '87b675b8-dd8c-4448-b4ca-20e5a2234a1e',
name: 'status',
type: FieldType.SELECT,
label: 'Status',
icon: 'IconSend',
defaultValue: `'${PostCardStatus.DRAFT}'`,
options: [
{ value: PostCardStatus.DRAFT, label: 'Draft', position: 0, color: 'gray' },
{ value: PostCardStatus.SENT, label: 'Sent', position: 1, color: 'orange' },
{ value: PostCardStatus.DELIVERED, label: 'Delivered', position: 2, color: 'green' },
{ value: PostCardStatus.RETURNED, label: 'Returned', position: 3, color: 'orange' },
],
},
{
universalIdentifier: 'e06abe72-5b44-4e7f-93be-afc185a3c433',
name: 'deliveredAt',
type: FieldType.DATE_TIME,
label: 'Delivered at',
icon: 'IconCheck',
isNullable: true,
defaultValue: null,
},
],
});
```
Key points:
- Use `defineObject()` for built-in validation and better IDE support.
- The `universalIdentifier` must be unique and stable across deployments.
- Each field requires a `name`, `type`, `label`, and its own stable `universalIdentifier`.
- The `fields` array is optional — you can define objects without custom fields.
- You can scaffold new objects using `yarn twenty entity:add`, which guides you through naming, fields, and relationships.
<Note>
**Base fields are created automatically.** When you define a custom object, Twenty automatically adds standard fields
such as `id`, `name`, `createdAt`, `updatedAt`, `createdBy`, `updatedBy` and `deletedAt`.
You don't need to define these in your `fields` array — only add your custom fields.
You can override default fields by defining a field with the same name in your `fields` array,
but this is not recommended.
</Note>
### Application config (application-config.ts)
Every app has a single `application-config.ts` file that describes:
- **Who the app is**: identifiers, display name, and description.
- **How its functions run**: which role they use for permissions.
- **(Optional) variables**: keyvalue pairs exposed to your functions as environment variables.
- **(Optional) pre-install function**: a logic function that runs before the app is installed.
- **(Optional) post-install function**: a logic function that runs after the app is installed.
Use `defineApplication()` to define your application configuration:
```typescript
// src/application-config.ts
import { defineApplication } from 'twenty-sdk';
import { DEFAULT_ROLE_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER } from 'src/roles/default-role';
export default defineApplication({
universalIdentifier: '4ec0391d-18d5-411c-b2f3-266ddc1c3ef7',
displayName: 'My Twenty App',
description: 'My first Twenty app',
icon: 'IconWorld',
applicationVariables: {
DEFAULT_RECIPIENT_NAME: {
universalIdentifier: '19e94e59-d4fe-4251-8981-b96d0a9f74de',
description: 'Default recipient name for postcards',
value: 'Jane Doe',
isSecret: false,
},
},
defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier: DEFAULT_ROLE_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
});
```
Notes:
- `universalIdentifier` fields are deterministic IDs you own; generate them once and keep them stable across syncs.
- `applicationVariables` become environment variables for your functions (for example, `DEFAULT_RECIPIENT_NAME` is available as `process.env.DEFAULT_RECIPIENT_NAME`).
- `defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier` must match the role file (see below).
- Pre-install and post-install functions are automatically detected during the manifest build. See [Pre-install functions](#pre-install-functions) and [Post-install functions](#post-install-functions).
#### Roles and permissions
Applications can define roles that encapsulate permissions on your workspace's objects and actions. The field `defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier` in `application-config.ts` designates the default role used by your app's logic functions.
- The runtime API key injected as `TWENTY_API_KEY` is derived from this default function role.
- The typed client will be restricted to the permissions granted to that role.
- Follow leastprivilege: create a dedicated role with only the permissions your functions need, then reference its universal identifier.
##### Default function role (*.role.ts)
When you scaffold a new app, the CLI also creates a default role file. Use `defineRole()` to define roles with built-in validation:
```typescript
// src/roles/default-role.ts
import { defineRole, PermissionFlag } from 'twenty-sdk';
export const DEFAULT_ROLE_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER =
'b648f87b-1d26-4961-b974-0908fd991061';
export default defineRole({
universalIdentifier: DEFAULT_ROLE_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
label: 'Default function role',
description: 'Default role for function Twenty client',
canReadAllObjectRecords: false,
canUpdateAllObjectRecords: false,
canSoftDeleteAllObjectRecords: false,
canDestroyAllObjectRecords: false,
canUpdateAllSettings: false,
canBeAssignedToAgents: false,
canBeAssignedToUsers: false,
canBeAssignedToApiKeys: false,
objectPermissions: [
{
objectUniversalIdentifier: '9f9882af-170c-4879-b013-f9628b77c050',
canReadObjectRecords: true,
canUpdateObjectRecords: true,
canSoftDeleteObjectRecords: false,
canDestroyObjectRecords: false,
},
],
fieldPermissions: [
{
objectUniversalIdentifier: '9f9882af-170c-4879-b013-f9628b77c050',
fieldUniversalIdentifier: 'b2c37dc0-8ae7-470e-96cd-1476b47dfaff',
canReadFieldValue: false,
canUpdateFieldValue: false,
},
],
permissionFlags: [PermissionFlag.APPLICATIONS],
});
```
The `universalIdentifier` of this role is then referenced in `application-config.ts` as `defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier`. In other words:
- **\*.role.ts** defines what the default function role can do.
- **application-config.ts** points to that role so your functions inherit its permissions.
Notes:
- Start from the scaffolded role, then progressively restrict it following leastprivilege.
- Replace the `objectPermissions` and `fieldPermissions` with the objects/fields your functions need.
- `permissionFlags` control access to platform-level capabilities. Keep them minimal; add only what you need.
- See a working example in the Hello World app: [`packages/twenty-apps/hello-world/src/roles/function-role.ts`](https://github.com/twentyhq/twenty/blob/main/packages/twenty-apps/hello-world/src/roles/function-role.ts).
### Logic function config and entrypoint
Each function file uses `defineLogicFunction()` to export a configuration with a handler and optional triggers.
```typescript
// src/app/createPostCard.logic-function.ts
import { defineLogicFunction } from 'twenty-sdk';
import type { DatabaseEventPayload, ObjectRecordCreateEvent, CronPayload, RoutePayload } from 'twenty-sdk';
import { CoreApiClient, type Person } from 'twenty-sdk/generated';
const handler = async (params: RoutePayload) => {
const client = new CoreApiClient();
const name = 'name' in params.queryStringParameters
? params.queryStringParameters.name ?? process.env.DEFAULT_RECIPIENT_NAME ?? 'Hello world'
: 'Hello world';
const result = await client.mutation({
createPostCard: {
__args: { data: { name } },
id: true,
name: true,
},
});
return result;
};
export default defineLogicFunction({
universalIdentifier: 'e56d363b-0bdc-4d8a-a393-6f0d1c75bdcf',
name: 'create-new-post-card',
timeoutSeconds: 2,
handler,
triggers: [
// Public HTTP route trigger '/s/post-card/create'
{
universalIdentifier: 'c9f84c8d-b26d-40d1-95dd-4f834ae5a2c6',
type: 'route',
path: '/post-card/create',
httpMethod: 'GET',
isAuthRequired: false,
},
// Cron trigger (CRON pattern)
// {
// universalIdentifier: 'dd802808-0695-49e1-98c9-d5c9e2704ce2',
// type: 'cron',
// pattern: '0 0 1 1 *',
// },
// Database event trigger
// {
// universalIdentifier: '203f1df3-4a82-4d06-a001-b8cf22a31156',
// type: 'databaseEvent',
// eventName: 'person.updated',
// updatedFields: ['name'],
// },
],
});
```
Common trigger types:
- **route**: Exposes your function on an HTTP path and method **under the `/s/` endpoint**:
> e.g. `path: '/post-card/create',` -> call on `<APP_URL>/s/post-card/create`
- **cron**: Runs your function on a schedule using a CRON expression.
- **databaseEvent**: Runs on workspace object lifecycle events. When the event operation is `updated`, specific fields to listen to can be specified in the `updatedFields` array. If left undefined or empty, any update will trigger the function.
> e.g. `person.updated`
Notes:
- The `triggers` array is optional. Functions without triggers can be used as utility functions called by other functions.
- You can mix multiple trigger types in a single function.
### Pre-install functions
A pre-install function is a logic function that runs automatically before your app is installed on a workspace. This is useful for validation tasks, prerequisite checks, or preparing workspace state before the main installation proceeds.
When you scaffold a new app with `create-twenty-app`, a pre-install function is generated for you at `src/logic-functions/pre-install.ts`:
```typescript
// src/logic-functions/pre-install.ts
import { definePreInstallLogicFunction, type InstallLogicFunctionPayload } from 'twenty-sdk';
const handler = async (payload: InstallLogicFunctionPayload): Promise<void> => {
console.log('Pre install logic function executed successfully!', payload.previousVersion);
};
export default definePreInstallLogicFunction({
universalIdentifier: '<generated-uuid>',
name: 'pre-install',
description: 'Runs before installation to prepare the application.',
timeoutSeconds: 300,
handler,
});
```
You can also manually execute the pre-install function at any time using the CLI:
```bash filename="Terminal"
yarn twenty function:execute --preInstall
```
Key points:
- Pre-install functions use `definePreInstallLogicFunction()` — a specialized variant that omits trigger settings (`cronTriggerSettings`, `databaseEventTriggerSettings`, `httpRouteTriggerSettings`, `isTool`).
- The handler receives an `InstallLogicFunctionPayload` with `{ previousVersion: string }` — the version of the app that was previously installed (or an empty string for fresh installs).
- Only one pre-install function is allowed per application. The manifest build will error if more than one is detected.
- The function's `universalIdentifier` is automatically set as `preInstallLogicFunctionUniversalIdentifier` on the application manifest during the build — you do not need to reference it in `defineApplication()`.
- The default timeout is set to 300 seconds (5 minutes) to allow for longer preparation tasks.
- Pre-install functions do not need triggers — they are invoked by the platform before installation or manually via `function:execute --preInstall`.
### Post-install functions
A post-install function is a logic function that runs automatically after your app is installed on a workspace. This is useful for one-time setup tasks such as seeding default data, creating initial records, or configuring workspace settings.
When you scaffold a new app with `create-twenty-app`, a post-install function is generated for you at `src/logic-functions/post-install.ts`:
```typescript
// src/logic-functions/post-install.ts
import { definePostInstallLogicFunction, type InstallLogicFunctionPayload } from 'twenty-sdk';
const handler = async (payload: InstallLogicFunctionPayload): Promise<void> => {
console.log('Post install logic function executed successfully!', payload.previousVersion);
};
export default definePostInstallLogicFunction({
universalIdentifier: '<generated-uuid>',
name: 'post-install',
description: 'Runs after installation to set up the application.',
timeoutSeconds: 300,
handler,
});
```
You can also manually execute the post-install function at any time using the CLI:
```bash filename="Terminal"
yarn twenty function:execute --postInstall
```
Key points:
- Post-install functions use `definePostInstallLogicFunction()` — a specialized variant that omits trigger settings (`cronTriggerSettings`, `databaseEventTriggerSettings`, `httpRouteTriggerSettings`, `isTool`).
- The handler receives an `InstallLogicFunctionPayload` with `{ previousVersion: string }` — the version of the app that was previously installed (or an empty string for fresh installs).
- Only one post-install function is allowed per application. The manifest build will error if more than one is detected.
- The function's `universalIdentifier` is automatically set as `postInstallLogicFunctionUniversalIdentifier` on the application manifest during the build — you do not need to reference it in `defineApplication()`.
- The default timeout is set to 300 seconds (5 minutes) to allow for longer setup tasks like data seeding.
- Post-install functions do not need triggers — they are invoked by the platform during installation or manually via `function:execute --postInstall`.
### Route trigger payload
<Warning>
**Breaking change (v1.16, January 2026):** The route trigger payload format has changed. Prior to v1.16, query parameters, path parameters, and body were sent directly as the payload. Starting with v1.16, they are nested inside a structured `RoutePayload` object.
**Before v1.16:**
```typescript
const handler = async (params) => {
const { param1, param2 } = params; // Direct access
};
```
**After v1.16:**
```typescript
const handler = async (event: RoutePayload) => {
const { param1, param2 } = event.body; // Access via .body
const { queryParam } = event.queryStringParameters;
const { id } = event.pathParameters;
};
```
**To migrate existing functions:** Update your handler to destructure from `event.body`, `event.queryStringParameters`, or `event.pathParameters` instead of directly from the params object.
</Warning>
When a route trigger invokes your logic function, it receives a `RoutePayload` object that follows the AWS HTTP API v2 format. Import the type from `twenty-sdk`:
```typescript
import { defineLogicFunction, type RoutePayload } from 'twenty-sdk';
const handler = async (event: RoutePayload) => {
// Access request data
const { headers, queryStringParameters, pathParameters, body } = event;
// HTTP method and path are available in requestContext
const { method, path } = event.requestContext.http;
return { message: 'Success' };
};
```
The `RoutePayload` type has the following structure:
| Property | Type | Description |
|----------|------|-------------|
| `headers` | `Record<string, string \| undefined>` | HTTP headers (only those listed in `forwardedRequestHeaders`) |
| `queryStringParameters` | `Record<string, string \| undefined>` | Query string parameters (multiple values joined with commas) |
| `pathParameters` | `Record<string, string \| undefined>` | Path parameters extracted from the route pattern (e.g., `/users/:id` → `{ id: '123' }`) |
| `body` | `object \| null` | Parsed request body (JSON) |
| `isBase64Encoded` | `boolean` | Whether the body is base64 encoded |
| `requestContext.http.method` | `string` | HTTP method (GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE) |
| `requestContext.http.path` | `string` | Raw request path |
### Forwarding HTTP headers
By default, HTTP headers from incoming requests are **not** passed to your logic function for security reasons. To access specific headers, explicitly list them in the `forwardedRequestHeaders` array:
```typescript
export default defineLogicFunction({
universalIdentifier: 'e56d363b-0bdc-4d8a-a393-6f0d1c75bdcf',
name: 'webhook-handler',
handler,
triggers: [
{
universalIdentifier: 'c9f84c8d-b26d-40d1-95dd-4f834ae5a2c6',
type: 'route',
path: '/webhook',
httpMethod: 'POST',
isAuthRequired: false,
forwardedRequestHeaders: ['x-webhook-signature', 'content-type'],
},
],
});
```
In your handler, you can then access these headers:
```typescript
const handler = async (event: RoutePayload) => {
const signature = event.headers['x-webhook-signature'];
const contentType = event.headers['content-type'];
// Validate webhook signature...
return { received: true };
};
```
<Note>
Header names are normalized to lowercase. Access them using lowercase keys (for example, `event.headers['content-type']`).
</Note>
You can create new functions in two ways:
- **Scaffolded**: Run `yarn twenty entity:add` and choose the option to add a new logic function. This generates a starter file with a handler and config.
- **Manual**: Create a new `*.logic-function.ts` file and use `defineLogicFunction()`, following the same pattern.
### Marking a logic function as a tool
Logic functions can be exposed as **tools** for AI agents and workflows. When a function is marked as a tool, it becomes discoverable by Twenty's AI features and can be selected as a step in workflow automations.
To mark a logic function as a tool, set `isTool: true` and provide a `toolInputSchema` describing the expected input parameters using [JSON Schema](https://json-schema.org/):
```typescript
// src/logic-functions/enrich-company.logic-function.ts
import { defineLogicFunction } from 'twenty-sdk';
import { CoreApiClient } from 'twenty-sdk/generated';
const handler = async (params: { companyName: string; domain?: string }) => {
const client = new CoreApiClient();
const result = await client.mutation({
createTask: {
__args: {
data: {
title: `Enrich data for ${params.companyName}`,
body: `Domain: ${params.domain ?? 'unknown'}`,
},
},
id: true,
},
});
return { taskId: result.createTask.id };
};
export default defineLogicFunction({
universalIdentifier: 'f47ac10b-58cc-4372-a567-0e02b2c3d479',
name: 'enrich-company',
description: 'Enrich a company record with external data',
timeoutSeconds: 10,
handler,
isTool: true,
toolInputSchema: {
type: 'object',
properties: {
companyName: {
type: 'string',
description: 'The name of the company to enrich',
},
domain: {
type: 'string',
description: 'The company website domain (optional)',
},
},
required: ['companyName'],
},
});
```
Key points:
- **`isTool`** (`boolean`, default: `false`): When set to `true`, the function is registered as a tool and becomes available to AI agents and workflow automations.
- **`toolInputSchema`** (`object`, optional): A JSON Schema object that describes the parameters your function accepts. AI agents use this schema to understand what inputs the tool expects and to validate calls. If omitted, the schema defaults to `{ type: 'object', properties: {} }` (no parameters).
- Functions with `isTool: false` (or unset) are **not** exposed as tools. They can still be executed directly or called by other functions, but will not appear in tool discovery.
- **Tool naming**: When exposed as a tool, the function name is automatically normalized to `logic_function_<name>` (lowercased, non-alphanumeric characters replaced with underscores). For example, `enrich-company` becomes `logic_function_enrich_company`.
- You can combine `isTool` with triggers — a function can be both a tool (callable by AI agents) and triggered by events (cron, database events, routes) at the same time.
<Note>
**Write a good `description`.** AI agents rely on the function's `description` field to decide when to use the tool. Be specific about what the tool does and when it should be called.
</Note>
### Front components
Front components let you build custom React components that render within Twenty's UI. Use `defineFrontComponent()` to define components with built-in validation:
```typescript
// src/front-components/my-widget.tsx
import { defineFrontComponent } from 'twenty-sdk';
const MyWidget = () => {
return (
<div style={{ padding: '20px', fontFamily: 'sans-serif' }}>
<h1>My Custom Widget</h1>
<p>This is a custom front component for Twenty.</p>
</div>
);
};
export default defineFrontComponent({
universalIdentifier: 'a1b2c3d4-e5f6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890',
name: 'my-widget',
description: 'A custom widget component',
component: MyWidget,
});
```
Key points:
- Front components are React components that render in isolated contexts within Twenty.
- The `component` field references your React component.
- Components are built and synced automatically during `yarn twenty app:dev`.
You can create new front components in two ways:
- **Scaffolded**: Run `yarn twenty entity:add` and choose the option to add a new front component.
- **Manual**: Create a new `.tsx` file and use `defineFrontComponent()`, following the same pattern.
### Skills
Skills define reusable instructions and capabilities that AI agents can use within your workspace. Use `defineSkill()` to define skills with built-in validation:
```typescript
// src/skills/example-skill.ts
import { defineSkill } from 'twenty-sdk';
export default defineSkill({
universalIdentifier: 'a1b2c3d4-e5f6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890',
name: 'sales-outreach',
label: 'Sales Outreach',
description: 'Guides the AI agent through a structured sales outreach process',
icon: 'IconBrain',
content: `You are a sales outreach assistant. When reaching out to a prospect:
1. Research the company and recent news
2. Identify the prospect's role and likely pain points
3. Draft a personalized message referencing specific details
4. Keep the tone professional but conversational`,
});
```
Key points:
- `name` is a unique identifier string for the skill (kebab-case recommended).
- `label` is the human-readable display name shown in the UI.
- `content` contains the skill instructions — this is the text the AI agent uses.
- `icon` (optional) sets the icon displayed in the UI.
- `description` (optional) provides additional context about the skill's purpose.
You can create new skills in two ways:
- **Scaffolded**: Run `yarn twenty entity:add` and choose the option to add a new skill.
- **Manual**: Create a new file and use `defineSkill()`, following the same pattern.
### Generated typed clients
Two typed clients are auto-generated by `yarn twenty app:dev` and stored in `node_modules/twenty-sdk/generated` based on your workspace schema:
- **`CoreApiClient`** — queries the `/graphql` endpoint for workspace data
- **`MetadataApiClient`** — queries the `/metadata` endpoint for workspace configuration and file uploads
```typescript
import { CoreApiClient, MetadataApiClient } from 'twenty-sdk/generated';
const client = new CoreApiClient();
const { me } = await client.query({ me: { id: true, displayName: true } });
const metadataClient = new MetadataApiClient();
const { currentWorkspace } = await metadataClient.query({ currentWorkspace: { id: true } });
```
Both clients are re-generated automatically by `yarn twenty app:dev` whenever your objects or fields change.
#### Runtime credentials in logic functions
When your function runs on Twenty, the platform injects credentials as environment variables before your code executes:
- `TWENTY_API_URL`: Base URL of the Twenty API your app targets.
- `TWENTY_API_KEY`: Shortlived key scoped to your application's default function role.
Notes:
- You do not need to pass URL or API key to the generated client. It reads `TWENTY_API_URL` and `TWENTY_API_KEY` from process.env at runtime.
- The API key's permissions are determined by the role referenced in your `application-config.ts` via `defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier`. This is the default role used by logic functions of your application.
- Applications can define roles to follow leastprivilege. Grant only the permissions your functions need, then point `defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier` to that role's universal identifier.
#### Uploading files
The generated `MetadataApiClient` includes an `uploadFile` method for attaching files to file-type fields on your workspace objects. Because standard GraphQL clients do not support multipart file uploads natively, the client provides this dedicated method that implements the [GraphQL multipart request specification](https://github.com/jaydenseric/graphql-multipart-request-spec) under the hood.
```typescript
import { MetadataApiClient } from 'twenty-sdk/generated';
import * as fs from 'fs';
const metadataClient = new MetadataApiClient();
const fileBuffer = fs.readFileSync('./invoice.pdf');
const uploadedFile = await metadataClient.uploadFile(
fileBuffer, // file contents as a Buffer
'invoice.pdf', // filename
'application/pdf', // MIME type (defaults to 'application/octet-stream')
'58a0a314-d7ea-4865-9850-7fb84e72f30b', // field universal identifier
);
console.log(uploadedFile);
// { id: '...', path: '...', size: 12345, createdAt: '...', url: 'https://...' }
```
The method signature:
```typescript
uploadFile(
fileBuffer: Buffer,
filename: string,
contentType: string,
fieldMetadataUniversalIdentifier: string,
): Promise<{ id: string; path: string; size: number; createdAt: string; url: string }>
```
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|-----------|------|-------------|
| `fileBuffer` | `Buffer` | The raw file contents |
| `filename` | `string` | The name of the file (used for storage and display) |
| `contentType` | `string` | MIME type of the file (defaults to `application/octet-stream` if omitted) |
| `fieldMetadataUniversalIdentifier` | `string` | The `universalIdentifier` of the file-type field on your object |
Key points:
- The `uploadFile` method is available on `MetadataApiClient` because the upload mutation is resolved by the `/metadata` endpoint.
- It uses the field's `universalIdentifier` (not its workspace-specific ID), so your upload code works across any workspace where your app is installed — consistent with how apps reference fields everywhere else.
- The returned `url` is a signed URL you can use to access the uploaded file.
### Hello World example
Explore a minimal, end-to-end example that demonstrates objects, logic functions, front components, and multiple triggers [here](https://github.com/twentyhq/twenty/tree/main/packages/twenty-apps/hello-world).
@@ -0,0 +1,231 @@
---
title: Getting Started
description: Create your first Twenty app in minutes.
---
<Warning>
Apps are currently in alpha testing. The feature is functional but still evolving.
</Warning>
Apps let you extend Twenty with custom objects, fields, logic functions, AI skills, and UI components — all managed as code.
**What you can do today:**
- Define custom objects and fields as code (managed data model)
- Build logic functions with custom triggers (HTTP routes, cron, database events)
- Define skills for AI agents
- Build front components that render inside Twenty's UI
- Deploy the same app across multiple workspaces
## Prerequisites
- Node.js 24+ and Yarn 4
- A Twenty workspace and an API key (create one at https://app.twenty.com/settings/api-webhooks)
## Getting Started
Create a new app using the official scaffolder, then authenticate and start developing:
```bash filename="Terminal"
# Scaffold a new app (includes all examples by default)
npx create-twenty-app@latest my-twenty-app
cd my-twenty-app
# Start dev mode: automatically syncs local changes to your workspace
yarn twenty app:dev
```
The scaffolder supports two modes for controlling which example files are included:
```bash filename="Terminal"
# Default (exhaustive): all examples (object, field, logic function, front component, view, navigation menu item, skill)
npx create-twenty-app@latest my-app
# Minimal: only core files (application-config.ts and default-role.ts)
npx create-twenty-app@latest my-app --minimal
```
From here you can:
```bash filename="Terminal"
# Add a new entity to your application (guided)
yarn twenty entity:add
# Watch your application's function logs
yarn twenty function:logs
# Execute a function by name
yarn twenty function:execute -n my-function -p '{"name": "test"}'
# Execute the pre-install function
yarn twenty function:execute --preInstall
# Execute the post-install function
yarn twenty function:execute --postInstall
# Uninstall the application from the current workspace
yarn twenty app:uninstall
# Display commands' help
yarn twenty help
```
See also: the CLI reference pages for [create-twenty-app](https://www.npmjs.com/package/create-twenty-app) and [twenty-sdk CLI](https://www.npmjs.com/package/twenty-sdk).
## Project structure (scaffolded)
When you run `npx create-twenty-app@latest my-twenty-app`, the scaffolder:
- Copies a minimal base application into `my-twenty-app/`
- Adds a local `twenty-sdk` dependency and Yarn 4 configuration
- Creates config files and scripts wired to the `twenty` CLI
- Generates core files (application config, default function role, pre-install and post-install functions) plus example files based on the scaffolding mode
A freshly scaffolded app with the default `--exhaustive` mode looks like this:
```text filename="my-twenty-app/"
my-twenty-app/
package.json
yarn.lock
.gitignore
.nvmrc
.yarnrc.yml
.yarn/
install-state.gz
.oxlintrc.json
tsconfig.json
README.md
public/ # Public assets folder (images, fonts, etc.)
src/
├── application-config.ts # Required - main application configuration
├── roles/
│ └── default-role.ts # Default role for logic functions
├── objects/
│ └── example-object.ts # Example custom object definition
├── fields/
│ └── example-field.ts # Example standalone field definition
├── logic-functions/
│ ├── hello-world.ts # Example logic function
│ ├── pre-install.ts # Pre-install logic function
│ └── post-install.ts # Post-install logic function
├── front-components/
│ └── hello-world.tsx # Example front component
├── views/
│ └── example-view.ts # Example saved view definition
├── navigation-menu-items/
│ └── example-navigation-menu-item.ts # Example sidebar navigation link
└── skills/
└── example-skill.ts # Example AI agent skill definition
```
With `--minimal`, only the core files are created (`application-config.ts`, `roles/default-role.ts`, `logic-functions/pre-install.ts`, and `logic-functions/post-install.ts`).
At a high level:
- **package.json**: Declares the app name, version, engines (Node 24+, Yarn 4), and adds `twenty-sdk` plus a `twenty` script that delegates to the local `twenty` CLI. Run `yarn twenty help` to list all available commands.
- **.gitignore**: Ignores common artifacts such as `node_modules`, `.yarn`, `generated/` (typed client), `dist/`, `build/`, coverage folders, log files, and `.env*` files.
- **yarn.lock**, **.yarnrc.yml**, **.yarn/**: Lock and configure the Yarn 4 toolchain used by the project.
- **.nvmrc**: Pins the Node.js version expected by the project.
- **.oxlintrc.json** and **tsconfig.json**: Provide linting and TypeScript configuration for your app's TypeScript sources.
- **README.md**: A short README in the app root with basic instructions.
- **public/**: A folder for storing public assets (images, fonts, static files) that will be served with your application. Files placed here are uploaded during sync and accessible at runtime.
- **src/**: The main place where you define your application-as-code
### Entity detection
The SDK detects entities by parsing your TypeScript files for **`export default define<Entity>({...})`** calls. Each entity type has a corresponding helper function exported from `twenty-sdk`:
| Helper function | Entity type |
|-----------------|-------------|
| `defineObject` | Custom object definitions |
| `defineLogicFunction` | Logic function definitions |
| `definePreInstallLogicFunction` | Pre-install logic function (runs before installation) |
| `definePostInstallLogicFunction` | Post-install logic function (runs after installation) |
| `defineFrontComponent` | Front component definitions |
| `defineRole` | Role definitions |
| `defineField` | Field extensions for existing objects |
| `defineView` | Saved view definitions |
| `defineNavigationMenuItem` | Navigation menu item definitions |
| `defineSkill` | AI agent skill definitions |
<Note>
**File naming is flexible.** Entity detection is AST-based — the SDK scans your source files for the `export default define<Entity>({...})` pattern. You can organize your files and folders however you like. Grouping by entity type (e.g., `logic-functions/`, `roles/`) is just a convention for code organization, not a requirement.
</Note>
Example of a detected entity:
```typescript
// This file can be named anything and placed anywhere in src/
import { defineObject, FieldType } from 'twenty-sdk';
export default defineObject({
universalIdentifier: '...',
nameSingular: 'postCard',
// ... rest of config
});
```
Later commands will add more files and folders:
- `yarn twenty app:dev` will auto-generate two typed API clients in `node_modules/twenty-sdk/generated`: `CoreApiClient` (for workspace data via `/graphql`) and `MetadataApiClient` (for workspace configuration and file uploads via `/metadata`).
- `yarn twenty entity:add` will add entity definition files under `src/` for your custom objects, functions, front components, roles, skills, and more.
## Authentication
The first time you run `yarn twenty auth:login`, you'll be prompted for:
- API URL (defaults to http://localhost:3000 or your current workspace profile)
- API key
Your credentials are stored per-user in `~/.twenty/config.json`. You can maintain multiple profiles and switch between them.
### Managing workspaces
```bash filename="Terminal"
# Login interactively (recommended)
yarn twenty auth:login
# Login to a specific workspace profile
yarn twenty auth:login --workspace my-custom-workspace
# List all configured workspaces
yarn twenty auth:list
# Switch the default workspace (interactive)
yarn twenty auth:switch
# Switch to a specific workspace
yarn twenty auth:switch production
# Check current authentication status
yarn twenty auth:status
```
Once you've switched workspaces with `yarn twenty auth:switch`, all subsequent commands will use that workspace by default. You can still override it temporarily with `--workspace <name>`.
## Manual setup (without the scaffolder)
While we recommend using `create-twenty-app` for the best getting-started experience, you can also set up a project manually. Do not install the CLI globally. Instead, add `twenty-sdk` as a local dependency and wire a single script in your package.json:
```bash filename="Terminal"
yarn add -D twenty-sdk
```
Then add a `twenty` script:
```json filename="package.json"
{
"scripts": {
"twenty": "twenty"
}
}
```
Now you can run all commands via `yarn twenty <command>`, e.g. `yarn twenty app:dev`, `yarn twenty help`, etc.
## Troubleshooting
- Authentication errors: run `yarn twenty auth:login` and ensure your API key has the required permissions.
- Cannot connect to server: verify the API URL and that the Twenty server is reachable.
- Types or client missing/outdated: restart `yarn twenty app:dev` — it auto-generates the typed client.
- Dev mode not syncing: ensure `yarn twenty app:dev` is running and that changes are not ignored by your environment.
Discord Help Channel: https://discord.com/channels/1130383047699738754/1130386664812982322
@@ -0,0 +1,119 @@
---
title: Publishing
description: Distribute your Twenty app to the marketplace or deploy it internally.
---
<Warning>
Apps are currently in alpha testing. The feature is functional but still evolving.
</Warning>
## Overview
Once your app is [built and tested locally](/developers/extend/apps/building), you have two paths for distributing it:
- **Publish to npm** — list your app in the Twenty marketplace for any workspace to discover and install.
- **Push a tarball** — deploy your app to a specific Twenty server for internal use without making it publicly available.
## Publishing to npm
Publishing to npm makes your app discoverable in the Twenty marketplace. Any Twenty workspace can browse, install, and upgrade marketplace apps directly from the UI.
### Requirements
- An [npm](https://www.npmjs.com) account
- Your package name **must** use the `twenty-app-` prefix (e.g., `twenty-app-postcard-sender`)
### Steps
1. **Build your app** — the CLI compiles your TypeScript sources and generates the application manifest:
```bash filename="Terminal"
yarn twenty app:build
```
2. **Publish to npm** — push the built package to the npm registry:
```bash filename="Terminal"
npx twenty app:publish
```
### Auto-discovery
Packages with the `twenty-app-` prefix are automatically discovered by the Twenty marketplace catalog. Once published, your app appears in the marketplace within a few minutes — no manual registration or approval required.
### CI publishing
The scaffolded project includes a GitHub Actions workflow that publishes on every release. It runs `app:build`, then `npm publish --provenance` from the build output:
```yaml filename=".github/workflows/publish.yml"
name: Publish
on:
release:
types: [published]
permissions:
contents: read
id-token: write
jobs:
publish:
runs-on: ubuntu-latest
steps:
- uses: actions/checkout@v4
- uses: actions/setup-node@v4
with:
node-version: "24"
registry-url: https://registry.npmjs.org
- run: yarn install --immutable
- run: npx twenty app:build
- run: npm publish --provenance --access public
working-directory: .twenty/output
env:
NODE_AUTH_TOKEN: ${{ secrets.NPM_TOKEN }}
```
For other CI systems (GitLab CI, CircleCI, etc.), the same three commands apply: `yarn install`, `npx twenty app:build`, then `npm publish` from `.twenty/output`.
<Tip>
**npm provenance** is optional but recommended. Publishing with `--provenance` adds a trust badge to your npm listing, letting users verify the package was built from a specific commit in a public CI pipeline. See the [npm provenance docs](https://docs.npmjs.com/generating-provenance-statements) for setup instructions.
</Tip>
## Internal distribution
For apps you don't want publicly available — proprietary tools, enterprise-only integrations, or experimental builds — you can push a tarball directly to a Twenty server.
### Push a tarball
Build your app and deploy it to a specific server in one step:
```bash filename="Terminal"
npx twenty app:publish --server <server-url>
```
Any workspace on that server can then install and upgrade the app from the **Applications** settings page.
### Version management
To release an update:
1. Bump the `version` field in your `package.json`
2. Push a new tarball with `npx twenty app:publish --server <server-url>`
3. Workspaces on that server will see the upgrade available in their settings
<Note>
Internal apps are scoped to the server they're pushed to. They won't appear in the public marketplace and can't be installed by workspaces on other servers.
</Note>
## App categories
Twenty organizes apps into three categories based on how they're distributed:
| Category | How it works | Visible in marketplace? |
|----------|-------------|------------------------|
| **Development** | Local dev mode apps running via `yarn twenty app:dev`. Used for building and testing. | No |
| **Published** | Apps published to npm with the `twenty-app-` prefix. Listed in the marketplace for any workspace to install. | Yes |
| **Internal** | Apps deployed via tarball to a specific server. Available only to workspaces on that server. | No |
<Tip>
Start in **Development** mode while building your app. When it's ready, choose **Published** (npm) for broad distribution or **Internal** (tarball) for private deployment.
</Tip>