Knack Platform overview
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      3. Knack Platform overview

      Knack Platform Overview

      Understanding the core components of Knack

      This article contains the following sections:

      What is Knack?

      Knack is a powerful no-code platform that enables you to create custom web applications without writing any code. The platform streamlines app development through core components that work together seamlessly:

      • Dashboard: Central hub for app and account management
      • Builder: Primary workspace for database and application design
      • Pages: Interface for creating and organizing user-facing content
      • Themes: Visual customization tools for consistent branding
      • Flows: Automation and integration capabilities
      • Live App: The deployed application that users interact with

      You'll create your app structure and tables in the Builder Interface, create app views in Pages, while the Live App is where your users will interact with the finished product.

      The Knack Dashboard

      The Dashboard serves as your central control panel for managing all your Knack applications and account settings.

      Key Features:

      • Create new applications
      • Access existing apps
      • Share apps with other Knack builders
      • Configure app-specific settings
      • Manage plan & billing
      • Access account settings and resources

        Dashboard

        Note: You can access the Knack Dashboard at any time by clicking on the Knack logo next to the name of your app.

        The Knack Builder Interface

        The Builder is your essential workspace where you'll design your database and create the pages that bring your app to life.

        Key Features:
        • Design your application structure
        • Set up data tables and fields
        • Create user roles and permissions
        • Configure app settings
        • Access flows and automation tools

        Tables

        The Tables section in your Knack Builder is where you define the structure and organization of your app's data. This is done through tables, fields, user roles, and connections.

        Tables are the containers for your app's data, similar to spreadsheets or database tables. Each table represents a specific type of data or entity in your app, such as "Customers," "Orders," or "Products." You can create as many tables as needed to accommodate your app's data requirements.

        Key Features

        • Define data structure through tables and fields
        • Set up connections between tables
        • Configure conditional and validation rules 

        builder-table

        Fields

        Within each table, you define fields to represent the individual pieces of data that make up a record. Fields are like columns in a spreadsheet, and they can store various types of information, such as text, numbers, dates, email addresses, or file attachments.

        Key Features
        • Choose from multiple field types for different data needs
        • Set up calculations and formulas
        • Define validation rules and requirements
        • Set display formats

        builder-pages-1

        User Roles

        In addition to regular data tables, Knack allows you to create user roles to define groups of users with specific permissions and access levels for the Live App. Each user role acts as a special type of table, with fields that store information about the users in that role, such as their name, email, and password. You can create different user roles, like "Administrators," "Managers," or "Customers," and assign them different levels of access to your app's data and functionality.

        Key Features
        • Define access levels and permissions
        • Create custom user roles
        • Manage user statuses

        builder-users-1

        Connections

        Connections are a powerful feature in Knack that allow you to establish relationships between tables. By connecting related tables with connection fields, you can create more complex data structures and enable advanced functionality in your app. For example, you might connect a "Customers" table to an "Orders" table to associate each order with the customer who placed it. Knack supports different types of connections, such as one-to-many or many-to-many, giving you flexibility in modeling your data.

        Key Features
        • Set up one-to-many connections
        • Set up many-to-many connections
        • Enables powerful and flexible data structure

        builder-connections

        Pages

        In the Pages section, you can create and customize Live App pages, each serving a specific purpose or displaying different parts of your data. For example, you might create a "Dashboard" page to provide an overview of key metrics, a "Details" page to show all the information about a single record, or a page with a form to collect information. As you design your pages, you can preview how they will look in the live app, allowing you to iterate and refine your app's user experience directly within the Page editor.

        Key Features

        • Build and organize pages
        • Drag-and-drop interface
        • Test with Preview mode
        • Control user access to data

        builder-pages

        Live App

        The Live App is where your users will interact with your Knack application. It functions as a custom-built website designed specifically for users to engage with the data and functionality you provide.

        When you design your app in the Knack Builder, you are essentially creating the blueprint for your Live App. The pages, forms, and other elements you configure in the Page Editor determine what your users will see and do in the Live App.

        • Key Features
          • The result of your page editor designs
          • Provides a responsive, user-friendly interface
          • View and interact with data
          • Access page and role-specific data

        LiveApp

        Themes

        The Themes section in Knack allows you to customize the visual appearance and branding of your app, creating a unique and cohesive look and feel that aligns with your project's style and requirements. By defining a custom theme, you can ensure that your app's design is consistent, professional, and engaging for your users.

        • Key Features
          • Preset or custom colors and fonts
          • Create multiple themes
          • Use across multiple apps
          • Layout and navigation choices

          builder-themes

          Flows

          The Flows section in Knack is a powerful tool for automating and streamlining your app's processes and workflows. With the ability to connection with 200+ apps, set up flexible triggers and actions, and incorporate conditional logic, Knack Flows provide a powerful and versatile automation solution for your app development needs.

          • Key features
            • Data synchronization
            • Automated notifications
            • Scheduled tasks
            • Process automation
            • Testing and monitoring tools

          builder-flows