Get Started Overview

Welcome to Insites! Our Get Started guides walk you through building a sample application on the Insites platform. These guides include detailed explanations for each step, example codes, tips, and best practices on development workflow and QA, and links to help you grasp fundamental concepts quickly.

What you need to know

Besides standard web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, Insites uses a couple of languages and technologies that you need to be familiar with to build an application on the platform:

1. Command Line Interface Tooling

   Command Line knowledge is required to navigate the project folder structure and deploy the changes you make locally to the server. In addition, it is highly recommended to use a version control system, like Git. You can choose which provider you prefer or decide to go without any: all that is required is your codebase and an Instance you can sync/deploy to.

   You may visit the following resources to learn more about Command Lines and Git:

   • Command line crash course
   • git - the simple guide
   • Learn Enough Git to Be Dangerous

2. GraphQL

   GraphQL is a query language that helps you build the back end of your system by allowing you to store, manage, and read database records. In addition, it is widely used to build APIs which enables your application to seamlessly and securely integrate with other systems and platforms. You are guided through writing your first queries in the Get Started guide to get you up to speed. You may also refer to the following resources:

   • Introduction to GraphQL
   • The Fullstack Tutorial for GraphQL

3. Liquid

   Liquid is a template language that allows you to build dynamic pages and provide dynamic configuration. In the Get Started guide, it is used to render server-side data and manage pages' behaviours depending on users' actions. You can learn Liquid by reading the following articles, but it is highly recommended to learn and master concepts with hands-on practice:

   • A Complete Guide to Liquid Markup
   • Learning Liquid
   • SHOPIFY LIQUID: Theme Programming for Beginners

4. YAML

   YAML allows you to store complex data in a human-readable format. It is used in Insites to build databases, set configurations, and, optionally, store the translation strings for multilanguage applications. You can visit the following resources to learn more:

   • Learn YAML in 18 mins
   • Get started with YAML in 5 minutes

Learn the core concepts

Please visit the following resources to learn more about the core concepts used in Insites:

• Development Workflow

  Learn all the steps needed in building an application, from setting up your development environments to deploying your code to an Insites Instance.

• Codebase

  A detailed walkthrough of the directories and files required to work on the platform.

• Pages and Layouts

  A guide on how routing, layouts, pages, and subpages work on Insites.

• Data and Users

  Learn how to define models with properties and persist the data in them.

• Modules

  Learn how to build modular codebases to make projects maintainable and scalable.

• Data Management

  Learn how to import and export data from and to your Instance.

Not sure where to start?

Let's build a simple website together! If you are new to Insites, we suggest you start with a simple course we've prepared.

You are taught how to set up your environment, get a starter codebase, and deploy everything to your Insites Instance. Next, we build a simple to-do app using all of the core Insites concepts.

Ready? Let's create your first application in your development environment.