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Build apps with App Builder

App Builder lets you build simple task apps on your own data without writing code. Each app reads from one data connection, keeps the kinds of record it works with as Lists, and shows them on Pages that your team opens and uses.

To open App Builder, go to Agent Ops → App Builder. The Apps screen lists every app in your account. Use the menu on the left to switch between Apps, Data Sources, Connections and Help.

How an app fits together​

  • Data Source: where the app's records come from. See Connect data to App Builder.
  • List: a kind of record the app works with, such as customers or jobs.
  • Page: what people open in the app. Each page uses one or more lists.

Create an app​

  1. On the Apps screen, select Create App.
  2. In App name, enter a name.
  3. In Purpose, describe what the app should help people do.
  4. Optional: add Tags to file the app alongside related agents.
  5. Select Continue.
  6. On Choose one data connection, select one of the Ready connections and then Use Selected Connection. If there isn't one yet, create it under Create a connection. See Connect data to App Builder.
  7. On What should this App do?, add a list if the app doesn't have one yet: under Add a list, enter a List name and select Add List.
  8. Choose one or more kinds of page:
    • Work with the records: see everything on the list, add to it, change it and remove from it.
    • See the totals: a read-only summary of what is on the list.
    • Ask questions: ask about the list in your own words. It can read, never change.
  9. Select Continue.
  10. If the app has more than one list, the next screen asks Which list should each one use? For each page, change the name in Call it if you want, choose its list or lists, and select Create pages.

If you start from a data source on the Data Sources screen, select Use this Data Source to create an app that already uses it.

note

Ask questions pages may not be offered in every account.

Run an app​

On the Apps screen, select Run next to the app. Run appears once the app is ready. If the app isn't ready yet, its row shows why, for example Needs data, No pages yet, Data Source unavailable or Needs reconfiguration.

Each row also shows the app's data source, how many lists and pages it has, and its tags. To show only apps with certain tags, use the tag filter at the top of the screen.

Edit an app​

Select the app's name, or select Edit App in its actions menu, to open it. From here you can:

  • Add a page: select Add a page and follow steps 7 to 10 above.
  • Open or remove a page: under Pages, select a page to open it, or select Remove next to it. Removing a page doesn't change its list or any records in it.
  • Change a list's columns: under Data, select the list, then Change its columns. See Connect data to App Builder.
  • Change tags: under Tags, choose tags and select Save tags. Tags are shared across ScoutIT AI, so an app can be filed with the agents it belongs with.

An app reads from one connection. You can't change the connection once the app has a list or a page. To read from a different connection, create another app.

Deploy an app​

When deploying is available for your account, a ready app shows Deploy on its page and in its actions menu on the Apps screen.

  1. Select Deploy.
  2. Wait for the confirmation. It can take a minute for the app to start.

A deployed app shows Deployed. To take it down again, select Withdraw.

Delete an app​

  1. Open the app's actions menu and select Delete App. You can also open the app and select Delete this App.
  2. Read the list of pages that will be removed.
  3. Type the app's name to confirm.
  4. Select Delete App. To go back without deleting, select Keep it.

The app and its pages are removed. This can't be undone. All lists and their records are kept, and you can manage them on the Data Sources screen.

What happens next​

After each change, a short message confirms it, such as App deployed. It can take a minute to start. or App deleted. A new app appears on the Apps screen, ready to run once it has a data source, a list and at least one page.

Troubleshooting​

MessageWhat to do
Enter an App name and a short purpose.Fill in App name and Purpose.
Could not create that App. Choose a different name.Choose another name.
Add a List before adding Pages.Add a list first, under Add a list.
Choose at least one Page type.Select at least one kind of page.
This App already has this page. Open the one that is already there, or give this one a different name.Open the existing page, or change the name in Call it.
This App changed. Reload before continuing.Someone else changed the app. Reload the page and try again.
That is not this App's name.Type the app's name exactly as shown.
This App is still running and could not be stopped, so it was not deleted. Try again.Wait a moment and try again.
Apps are temporarily unavailable.Reload the page after a moment.

If the problem continues, contact support.