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Build your first application

By the end of this guide, you will have a working app with a list screen, a detail screen, and at least one live record.

What you'll need before you start

  • An Engine Awesome account. If you don't have one yet, create an account first.
  • About 15 minutes.

Step 1: Create an Object Type

An Object Type (the tool that defines what you track, like "Contacts" or "Jobs") is the first thing you build.

  1. Go to Settings in the left menu.
  2. Click Object Types.
  3. Click the + icon in the top right.
  4. Type a name in the plural form. For example: Contacts.
  5. Click Create.

![The Create Object Type dialog with the name field filled in](placeholder: create-object-type-dialog.png)

Your new Object Type appears in the list.

Step 2: Add fields

Fields are the pieces of information you want to track on each record.

  1. Click your new Object Type to open it.
  2. Click Add Field.
  3. Choose a field type. Start with Name for a contact's name.
  4. Type a label. For example: Full Name.
  5. Click Save.
  6. Repeat to add more fields. A contact might also have Email, Phone Number, and Dropdown (for status).
You don't have to add every field now. You can always add more later without losing any data.

Step 3: Set Item Label Fields

The Item Label tells Engine Awesome how to display each record in lists and dropdowns, for example, by a contact's full name.

  1. In your Object Type editor, find the Item Label Fields section.
  2. Click Add and select the field you want to use as the label. For contacts, choose Full Name.
  3. Click Save.

Step 4: Create a Collection layout

A Collection layout shows a list of all records for this Object Type.

  1. In your Object Type, click Create Layout.
  2. Choose the type Collection.
  3. Give it a name. For example: All Contacts.
  4. Click Create.

Your list screen is ready.

Step 5: Create an Item layout

An Item layout shows and edits one record at a time.

  1. In your Object Type, click Create Layout again.
  2. Choose the type Item.
  3. Give it a name. For example: Contact Detail.
  4. Click Create.
  5. In the layout editor, click Add Block and add the fields you want to show: Full Name, Email, Phone Number, Status.
  6. Click Save.

Step 6: Add your layouts to the navigation

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Click Navigation.
  3. Find your Collection layout in the list. Drag it to the top if you want it to appear first.
  4. Click Save.

Your app now has a menu item your team can use.

Step 7: Create your first record

  1. Click the menu item you just added.
  2. Click Create New (or the + button, depending on your layout).
  3. Fill in the fields and click Save.

You now have a working app with live data.

What to do next

← PreviousQuick overviewNext →Invite your team