Build apps
The builder
Owners and editors build an app in its builder. Open the app and choose Edit app at the bottom of its menu; Open app takes you back to using it.
#The builder's menu
The builder has its own menu, separate from the app's:
| Section | What you do there |
|---|---|
| Data | tables, fields, relationships, import and export, removed tables and fields |
| Views | the app's screens, its menu, its home page and the AI assistant |
| Automations | triggers, steps, connections, test runs, saved tests and the run log |
| Security | roles, who can see and change each table, row filters, view access, the advisor |
| History | every change and every published version; undo, restore and roll back |
| Branding | the app's tile, colour, corners, spacing and font |
| Sharing | groups and their access and roles, owners, the billing owner |
| Settings | name and description, AI usage, the app's ID for the API, leave or archive |
#The live preview
Next to every builder page, a preview shows the app as it will look. Switch it between phone and tablet, drag the divider to resize it, or hide it; Desktop ↗ opens the preview full size in a new tab. The builder remembers your choices.
A Test data sash in the preview's corner reminds you that it never touches real records.
- The preview shows the draft (your unpublished changes) on test data: add, edit and delete records there freely; real users never see them. See Records.
- View as shows the app the way someone with a given role (or with no role) sees it: their menu, views and records. See Roles and security.
#The AI builder
Every builder page has an AI builder chat, docked beside it. Describe what you need and it changes the draft while you watch. See AI builder and assistant.
#Desktop only
Building needs a computer screen. On phones and tablets you can use the app, share it and change its settings (Manage app in the menu), but not build it.
#Limits
An app can have up to 200 tables, 500 fields per table, 200 views and 100 roles. A select field can have up to 200 options.
#Where to next
- Tables and fields and field types
- Views and the menu and view types
- Expressions for formulas, rules and filters
- Draft, publish and history