---
title: Guides
description: Task-oriented tutorials for building applications with ObjectStack
---

import { Database, Workflow, Shield, Bot, Globe, Wrench, BookMarked, FileText, Brain } from 'lucide-react';

# Developer Guides

Practical, task-oriented guides covering the full development workflow. Each guide is self-contained — jump to whatever you need.

<Callout type="info">
**New here?** Complete the [Quick Start](/docs/getting-started/quick-start) first, then return here to go deeper.
</Callout>

## Foundations

<Cards>
  <Card
    icon={<FileText />}
    title="Metadata Types"
    href="/docs/guides/metadata"
    description="Every metadata type: Object, Field, View, App, Dashboard, Flow, Workflow, Validation, Permission."
  />
  <Card
    icon={<Database />}
    title="Data Modeling"
    href="/docs/guides/data-modeling"
    description="Design objects, fields, relationships, indexes, and validation rules."
  />
  <Card
    icon={<Wrench />}
    title="Common Patterns"
    href="/docs/guides/common-patterns"
    description="Top 10 copy-paste patterns: CRUD, search, auth, realtime, and more."
  />
</Cards>

## Building Applications

| Guide | What You'll Learn |
| :--- | :--- |
| [Plugins](/docs/guides/plugins) | Using and configuring plugins |
| [Plugin Development](/docs/guides/plugin-development) | Building, testing, and publishing plugins |
| [Business Logic](/docs/guides/business-logic) | Workflows, approval flows, triggers, formulas |
| [Authentication](/docs/guides/authentication) | Identity management, OAuth, SAML, sessions |
| [Security](/docs/guides/security) | Profiles, permissions, sharing rules, RLS |
| [AI Capabilities](/docs/guides/ai-capabilities) | AI agents, RAG pipelines, NLQ, models |
| [AI Skills](/docs/guides/skills) | Structured knowledge modules for AI-powered code generation |

## Integration & Infrastructure

| Guide | What You'll Learn |
| :--- | :--- |
| [API Reference](/docs/guides/api-reference) | REST, GraphQL, and WebSocket APIs |
| [Client SDK](/docs/guides/client-sdk) | TypeScript client and React hooks |
| [Driver Configuration](/docs/guides/driver-configuration) | Database driver setup (Postgres, MongoDB, SQLite) |
| [Kernel Services](/docs/guides/kernel-services) | Microkernel architecture and service registry |
| [Data Flow](/docs/guides/data-flow) | Request lifecycle and data flow diagrams |

## Operations

| Guide | What You'll Learn |
| :--- | :--- |
| [Deploy to Vercel](/docs/guides/deployment-vercel) | MSW mode (static SPA) and Server mode (Serverless) deployment |
| [Error Handling (Client)](/docs/guides/error-handling-client) | Frontend error handling patterns |
| [Error Handling (Server)](/docs/guides/error-handling-server) | Backend error handling and recovery |
| [Development Standards](/docs/guides/standards) | Naming conventions, project structure, testing |
| [Troubleshooting](/docs/guides/troubleshooting) | FAQ and solutions to common issues |

## Quick Reference

Need to look something up fast? See the [Cheatsheets](/docs/guides/cheatsheets) — field types, query syntax, error codes, and more.
