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AppDNA Model Builder

AppDNA Model Builder

Derivative Programming

|
5 installs
| (0) | Free
Build application models and generate code for multiple platforms (.NET, Python, Web, Mobile). Professional schema-driven UI with GitHub Copilot integration via Model Context Protocol.
Installation
Launch VS Code Quick Open (Ctrl+P), paste the following command, and press enter.
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AppDNA Model Builder

Visual Studio Marketplace Version Visual Studio Marketplace Downloads

A professional VS Code extension for building application models and automatically generating source code for multiple platforms and languages.

Transform your development workflow: design your application model once, then generate complete source code for .NET, Python, Web applications, iOS Apps, Android Apps, AR/VR applications, and more. Pull the generated code into your repositories and accelerate your development process.

Features

🏗️ Schema-Driven Model Builder

  • Dynamic UI Generation: All forms and controls are automatically generated from your JSON schema
  • Real-time Validation: Instant feedback as you edit with schema-based validation
  • Professional Interface: Clean, VS Code-integrated design with hierarchical tree view navigation

📝 Intelligent Model Editing

  • Tree View Navigation: Navigate your project structure with organized sections:
    • PROJECT: Settings, lexicon, user stories, and MCP server management
    • DATA OBJECTS: Schema-based business entities with filtering and search
    • PAGES: Forms and reports (when advanced properties are enabled)
    • MODEL SERVICES: AI-powered processing and code generation services
  • Form-Based Editor: Edit JSON properties using intuitive, dynamically generated forms
  • Right-Click Context Menus: Add, edit, and manage items with convenient context menus
  • Advanced Filtering: Filter objects, reports, and forms independently for focused navigation

⚡ AI-Powered Code Generation

  • Model Services Integration: Connect to cloud-based AI services for intelligent processing
  • Feature Catalog: Browse and select from a library of pre-built model features
  • AI Processing: Submit models for AI-assisted enhancement and validation
  • Multi-Platform Fabrication: Generate code for .NET, Python, Web, iOS, Android, AR/VR applications
  • Blueprint Catalog: Select from fabrication templates for different application types
  • Validation Services: Automated model validation with improvement suggestions

🔧 Advanced Development Features

  • File Watching: Automatic detection of external file changes
  • In-Memory Editing: Changes are made in-memory and saved only when you choose
  • Property Control: Toggle property existence with checkboxes - unchecked means the property is omitted from JSON
  • Tooltips & Descriptions: Schema descriptions shown as helpful tooltips
  • Visual Diagrams: Hierarchy diagrams and page flow visualizations
  • MCP Integration: Model Context Protocol server for external tool integration
  • Keyboard Shortcuts: Quick access to common actions (Ctrl+A O for new object, Ctrl+A S for save)

Getting Started

Quick Start

  1. Install the Extension: Search for "AppDNA Model Builder" in the VS Code marketplace
  2. Open Your Project: Open a folder where you want to create your AppDNA model
  3. Follow the Welcome Workflow: The extension provides a guided 9-step workflow:

AppDNA Development Workflow

The extension provides a comprehensive workflow for model-driven development:

  1. Create New Project Model - Start with a new AppDNA JSON model file
  2. Update Project Settings - Configure project metadata and context information
  3. Register/Login to Model Services - Access AI-powered cloud services
  4. Add Model Features - Browse and select features from the feature catalog
  5. Request Model AI Processing - Enhance your model with AI assistance
  6. Request Model Validation - Validate and improve your model structure
  7. Select Fabrication Blueprints - Choose templates for code generation
  8. Request Model Fabrication - Generate source code for multiple platforms
  9. Manual Model Editing - Fine-tune your model and iterate

Quick Actions

  • Ctrl+A O - Add new data object
  • Ctrl+A S - Save model to file
  • Welcome View - Access the guided workflow anytime
  • Tree View - Navigate and manage your model structure

Extension Interface

AppDNA Extension

The extension provides a comprehensive interface with multiple views:

Tree View (Sidebar)

  • PROJECT: Configuration settings, lexicon management, user stories, MCP servers
  • DATA OBJECTS: Business entities with hierarchical organization and filtering
  • PAGES: Forms and reports for user interface design (advanced feature)
  • MODEL SERVICES: AI-powered processing, validation, and code generation services

Detail Panels

  • Schema-Driven Forms: Dynamic property editors generated from JSON schema
  • Tabbed Interface: Organized editing for complex objects (Settings, Parameters, Buttons, etc.)
  • Property Toggles: Checkbox controls to include/exclude properties from JSON output
  • Validation Feedback: Real-time schema validation with helpful error messages

Additional Views

  • Welcome View: Guided workflow with 9 development steps
  • Help View: Documentation links and support resources
  • Settings View: Extension configuration and preferences
  • Command Palette: Access all extension features via Ctrl+Shift+P

Visual Tools

  • Hierarchy Diagrams: Visualize object relationships and dependencies
  • Page Flow Diagrams: Map user interface navigation and workflows
  • Search & Filter: Find and organize models efficiently across all object types

A Windows app version of this extension is available here.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) Integration

The extension includes built-in MCP server capabilities for seamless integration with AI assistants and external tools:

MCP Server Features

  • Local MCP Server: Starts/stops a local MCP server for direct integration
  • HTTP Server Bridge: Provides HTTP access to MCP functionality for web-based tools
  • Real-time Status: Visual indicators show server running/stopped states in the tree view
  • Tool Integration: Exposes AppDNA model operations as MCP tools for AI assistants

Server Management

  • Start/stop servers directly from the PROJECT section in the tree view
  • Automatic port management and conflict resolution
  • Status monitoring with visual feedback
  • Configurable server settings through AppDNA configuration

Requirements

  • Visual Studio Code 1.99.0 or higher

Extension Settings

This extension provides comprehensive configuration through both VS Code settings and AppDNA-specific configuration:

VS Code Settings

  • appDNA.modelServiceUrl: Configure the URL for external Model Services API (default: https://modelservicesapi.derivative-programming.com)

AppDNA Configuration (app-dna.config.json)

The extension creates and manages an app-dna.config.json file in your workspace with these configurable options:

  • Output Path: Directory where generated code files will be saved (relative to workspace root)
  • Show Advanced Properties: Controls visibility of advanced tree view items (Lexicon, User Stories, MCP Servers, Pages)
  • Expand Nodes on Load: Automatically expands all tree view sections when a model is loaded
  • Model File Name: Specify custom name for your AppDNA model file (default: app-dna.json)

Configuration Access

  • Settings Gear Icon: Click the gear icon in the AppDNA tree view title bar
  • AppDNA Settings View: User-friendly interface for editing configuration properties
  • Automatic Configuration: Extension creates default configuration on first use

Known Issues

  • MCP is a work in progress

Please report issues on our GitHub repository.

Release Notes

1.0.0

Initial release of AppDNA Model Builder featuring:

  • Schema-driven dynamic UI generation
  • Real-time model editing and validation
  • Professional tree view and form-based editing interface
  • Code generation capabilities

Contributing

We welcome contributions! Please see our Contributing Guide for details.

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Support

  • 🐛 Report Issues
  • 💬 Discussions

Enjoy building with AppDNA! 🚀

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