AppDNA Model Builder
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
- Install the Extension: Search for "AppDNA Model Builder" in the VS Code marketplace
- Open Your Project: Open a folder where you want to create your AppDNA model
- 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:
- Create New Project Model - Start with a new AppDNA JSON model file
- Update Project Settings - Configure project metadata and context information
- Register/Login to Model Services - Access AI-powered cloud services
- Add Model Features - Browse and select features from the feature catalog
- Request Model AI Processing - Enhance your model with AI assistance
- Request Model Validation - Validate and improve your model structure
- Select Fabrication Blueprints - Choose templates for code generation
- Request Model Fabrication - Generate source code for multiple platforms
- Manual Model Editing - Fine-tune your model and iterate
Quick Actions
Ctrl+A O - Add new data objectCtrl+A S - Save model to file- Welcome View - Access the guided workflow anytime
- Tree View - Navigate and manage your model structure
Extension Interface
The extension provides a comprehensive interface with multiple views:
- 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
- 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 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
Enjoy building with AppDNA! 🚀
