Frequently Asked Questions

App Registration & Setup

How do I register a new app in Hygraph?

To register a new app in Hygraph, navigate to the 'Your apps' section in Hygraph Studio, accessible via your user settings ('User settings > Your apps') or from the project directory tab. Click '+ Add new app' to open the App registration form. Complete the required fields across four main tabs: General, Permissions, Elements, and Sharing. Once all mandatory information is provided, click 'Register app' to save your app. Note that some fields, such as permissions, become uneditable after the initial save. Learn more.

What information is required to register an app?

When registering an app, you must provide the following mandatory information: Name, Avatar URL (logo), API ID (unique identifier), and Setup URL (form displayed to users during installation). An optional description can also be added. The API ID must be unique and is read-only after creation. See details.

What are the steps involved in the app registration process?

The app registration process involves completing four main tabs: General (basic info), Permissions (API and installation permissions), Elements (custom fields, sidebar widgets, or pages), and Sharing (shareable URL for installation). After filling all required fields, click 'Register app' to save. Permissions cannot be changed after the initial save. Full guide.

App Permissions & Security

How do I configure API and installation permissions for my app?

API permissions are set during initial app creation and cannot be changed afterward. You can configure permissions for Content API, Schema, Webhooks, and User access. Installation permissions determine who can access the app—set the app as private or shared, and add specific members or projects as needed. More info.

What security and compliance certifications does Hygraph offer?

Hygraph is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant (since August 3rd, 2022), ISO 27001 certified for hosting infrastructure, and GDPR compliant. These certifications ensure robust security and compliance for all apps and data managed on the platform. For more details, visit the security features page.

How do I manage Client ID and Client Secret for my app?

After registering your app, the Client ID and Client Secret are available in the Permissions tab. These credentials are used for authentication and authorization. If lost or forgotten, you can regenerate them after app creation. Learn more.

Can I transfer app ownership to another user?

Yes, app ownership can be transferred to another user. Click 'Transfer ownership' in the Permissions tab, provide the new owner's email, and they will receive a confirmation link. Once confirmed, ownership is transferred. Details here.

App Elements & Customization

What types of elements can I add to my app?

You can add custom elements such as field elements (custom fields for models), sidebar elements (widgets for model sidebars), and pages (sections under App views in the Content editor). Each element requires a name, API ID, type, and specific configurations. See more.

How do I configure features and field types for custom elements?

When adding a field element, you can select features like FieldRenderer, ListRenderer, or TableRenderer, and choose the field type for data storage. Configuration options allow for custom settings using JSON objects. For detailed instructions, refer to the field configuration guide and sidebar configuration guide.

App Sharing & Installation

How can I share my app with other users?

After saving your app, a read-only App Sharing URL is generated. You can copy and share this URL with other users for installation. Alternatively, use the 'Share app' option in 'User Settings > Your Apps' to share directly from the app card. More info.

How do I install an app after registration?

Once your app is registered, follow the step-by-step guide in the App Installation documentation to install it in your Hygraph project.

Resources & Support

What resources are available to help me develop and register apps?

Hygraph provides extensive documentation, including guides on the App Framework, migration, app tokens, installation, deletion, and tutorials for custom elements. Access the App Framework documentation and First Steps tutorial for step-by-step instructions.

What support options are available if I encounter issues?

Hygraph offers 24/7 support via chat, email, and phone, real-time troubleshooting through Intercom chat, a community Slack channel (join here), and extensive documentation at Hygraph Documentation. Enterprise customers receive a dedicated Customer Success Manager for personalized guidance. Training resources include webinars, live streams, and how-to videos. See support details.

Onboarding & Ease of Use

How easy is it to get started with app development in Hygraph?

Hygraph is designed for quick onboarding. Developers can start immediately using the free API Playground and free forever developer account. The platform offers a structured onboarding process, including introduction calls, account provisioning, and technical/content kickoffs. Training resources and extensive documentation support users at every step. Get started here.

Performance & Reliability

How does Hygraph ensure high performance and reliability for apps?

Hygraph delivers exceptional performance through features like Smart Edge Cache for faster content delivery and high-performance endpoints. The platform regularly introduces improvements to ensure reliability and speed. For more details, see the performance improvements blog.

Maintenance & Upgrades

How are maintenance and upgrades handled for apps in Hygraph?

Hygraph is a cloud-based platform, so all deployment, updates, and infrastructure maintenance are managed by Hygraph. Upgrades and new features are seamlessly integrated, requiring no manual intervention from users. Troubleshooting is supported by 24/7 support, documentation, and real-time chat. Learn more.

Use Cases & Benefits

Who can benefit from building apps with Hygraph?

Hygraph's App Framework is ideal for developers, product managers, and marketing teams in industries such as ecommerce, automotive, technology, food and beverage, and manufacturing. It supports organizations seeking to modernize legacy tech stacks, streamline workflows, and deliver scalable digital experiences. See more use cases.

KPIs & Success Stories

What KPIs and metrics are associated with app development and management in Hygraph?

Key metrics include time saved on content updates, number of updates made without developer intervention, system uptime, speed of deployment, consistency across regions, user satisfaction scores, reduction in operational costs, speed to market, and scalability performance. For more details, see the CMS KPIs blog.

Can you share some customer success stories related to Hygraph?

Hygraph has helped Komax achieve a 3X faster time to market, Autoweb increase website monetization by 20%, and Samsung improve customer engagement by 15%. For more stories, visit the customer stories page.

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Docs

#Register an app

When you build an app for Hygraph, you must register it in Hygraph Studio.

To register your application, you first need to navigate to Your apps. You can access it from your user settings or from the project directory.

To find it in your user settings, navigate to User settings > Your apps.

Your apps in user settingsYour apps in user settings

To find it in your project directory, click the Your apps tab at the top of the screen.

Your apps in project directoryYour apps in project directory

Click + Add new app to open the App registration form.

The registration form is divided into four tabs:

App registration formApp registration form

You will be able to save your app by clicking on the Register app button, as long as you provide information in the required fields.

#General

App registration - GeneralApp registration - General

  • Name: Mandatory field. This is the name of your app.
  • Description: Optional field. Here you can provide a description for what your app does.
  • Avatar URL: Mandatory field. The avatar URL is the logo that will display next to your app's name. Provide a URL that indicates where your logo is hosted.
  • API ID: Mandatory field. This is where you write your API ID. The form will let you know if the name is taken. This field only allows alphanumeric characters, underscores and hyphens, and you must start with a lowercase letter. This field becomes read-only once the app is created, and you cannot modify it. API IDs are unique across all applications.
  • Setup URL: Mandatory field. The setup URL provides the form that displays to users when they install your app for the first time in Hygraph. The form will require some information from the user depending on the characteristics of the app.

Once you've completed all mandatory information, you can move on to the next tab.

#Permissions

This section shows the access details of your app.

App registration - API and Installation permissionsApp registration - API and Installation permissions

  • API Permissions: Use these dropdown menus to select permissions for Content API, Schema, Webhooks, and User.

    • Content API: Grants the app permissions regarding the content. For example, a localization app would need read permissions to access the content to be submitted, then also write permissions to allow the content to be translated.
    • Schema: Grants the app permissions regarding the schema of your project. For example, an app that sets up models in your schema which will be ready to be used after the app installation, would need read / write permissions.
    • Webhooks: Grants the app permissions regarding your project's webhooks. For example, a newsletter app which sets up a webhook during installation that can later be triggered upon a certain action, would require read / write permissions.
    • User: Grants the permission to read the user ID and their roles and permissions to implement access control features within the app.
  • Installation permissions: These permissions impact who can access the app. You can use the App access dropdown to make the app private or shared. If you select Private, then you can click + Add member below to add a member, or + Add project to add a project. The selected members/projects will be able to install the app.

  • Regenerate Client ID and Client secret: The Client ID and Client secret are the credentials that allow apps to perform actions on behalf of the user. If you lose or forget them, you can regenerate them after creating the app.

    • Client ID: Unique identifier of your app that is used for authentication and authorization. Your Client ID will only display after the app has been saved for the first time.
    • Client Secret: Used with the Client ID to resolve and grant access to your app. Your Client Secret will only display after the app has been saved for the first time.

Regenerate Client ID and Client SecretRegenerate Client ID and Client Secret

  • Transfer app ownership: An app can only be owned by one person at a time. App owners can hand over ownership to someone else if they won't be able to manage the app anymore. To transfer ownership, click Transfer ownership, and provide the email address of the new owner. The new owner receives an email with a confirmation link. As soon as they confirm, the ownership is transferred.

Transfer app ownershipTransfer app ownership

#Elements

App registration - ElementsApp registration - Elements

The Elements section will require different data depending on the element type you select. To start adding elements, click on + Add element:

  • Name: This is where you write the name of your element.
  • API ID: This is where you write your element's API ID.
  • Type: when you create an app, you can have field elements, sidebar elements, or pages.
    • field: Field elements are custom fields that you can add to a model's fields schema.
    • formSidebar: Sidebar elements are custom widgets that you can add to a model's sidebar schema.
    • page: Page adds a section for the app under App views in the Content editor.
  • Features: This dropdown only displays when field is selected as type, and allows you to select features for said field. One or more features can be selected using the dropdown:
    • FieldRenderer: If the feature contains this, it can be rendered for fields.
    • ListRenderer: If the feature contains this, it can be rendered for LIST fields. Click here to learn more about how it works.
    • TableRenderer: If the feature contains this, it can be rendered for Table Cell. Click here to learn more about how it works.
  • Field type: This dropdown only displays when field is selected as type . It allows you to select how the data will be stored, by selecting one of the standard field types from the dropdown menu.
  • URL: Indicates where this element is located in the project, its dedicated URL.
  • Description: It's the description that will appear under your field name in the Add Field / Sidebar Widgets section of the Schema.
  • Config: You can have custom settings for elements. This field is completed using a JSON object, which is used to declare extra fields the user wants to render in the field or sidebar form.
    • Click here for detailed information on field configuration.
    • Click here for detailed information on sidebar configuration.

#Sharing

App sharing enables other users to install your app.

App registration - SharingApp registration - Sharing

After creating an app and saving it for the first time, this section will show the App Sharing read-only field, which contains the URL that you can copy to then share your app.

#Registration

You can save your app by clicking on the Register app button, as long as you provide information in the required fields. We recommend you to click Register app only at the end of the process as some information - such as permissions - can't be edited after the initial save.

After you register your app for the first time, the client ID and client secret will be available on the Permissions tab of the app.

  • Client ID: Unique identifier of your app that is used for authentication and authorization. Your Client ID will only display after the app has been saved for the first time.
  • Client Secret: Used with the Client ID to resolve and grant access to your app. Your Client Secret will only display after the app has been saved for the first time.

The Client ID and Client secret are the credentials that allow apps to perform actions on behalf of the user.

If you lose or forget them, you will have the option to regenerate them after app creation.

Regenerate Client ID and Client SecretRegenerate Client ID and Client Secret

#Installation

After you've successfully created an app, you will need to install it in order to be able to use it. This guide contains step-by-step information on how to do this.

#Resources

  • App Framework: Overview to our App Framework, which extends Hygraph capabilities, offering the possibility of creating your own custom apps and sharing them with other users.
  • Migrate to apps: A guide on migrating from UIX to app.
  • Using app tokens: Document on how to generate an app token for your app during installation.
  • Install an app: Step by step guide on how to install an app in your Hygraph project.
  • Delete an app: Documentation for developers on how to delete an app you have created.
  • First steps: This is our App Framework tutorial, a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to develop an app with custom field and sidebar elements.
  • Next.js starter: Document that guides you through the process of developing an app with a custom field using our Next.js starter.
  • API Reference: Our App Framework API Reference.