About the apps builder

Create your custom app

When there is a service that you want to use in Make but the service is not yet available in Make, use the apps builder to create a custom app. The only requirement is that the service has to have an API.

In the apps builder, you write down a JSON configuration. This configuration is then used by the Make platform to generate all connections and app modules for you. If you are working on a complicated custom app, you can write a custom IML function with JavaScript.

There are two options directly supported by Make to write the custom app configuration:

  • The web interface of your Make account instance.

  • The Visual Studio Code (VS Code) extension.

The benefits of using VS Code over the Make account web interface are for example:

  • first-class support for JSON format, like syntax highlighting and completion,

  • automatic checking of the JSON configuration validity, notably in terms of parameter type checking and correct object context,

  • predefined project structure for every custom app you create,

Follow the instructions here to configure the VS Code extension.

If you want to write the custom app configuration in the Make web interface, navigate to My Apps in the left sidebar menu of your Make account. You might have to click on the three dots at the bottom of the left sidebar to view the My Apps option.

If you are developing a custom app for the first time, check out Your First App section first.

Important notes

  • All modules can be tested directly in scenarios.

  • Changes to communication configs are immediately active.

  • You can see raw requests/responses in your browser's console.

  • Changes in parameters and interface requires you to reload scenario editor page.

  • We use JSONC (JSON with comments) in all sections except common data.

Collaborative development

A custom app has always one owner account. Development in multiple people is not supported.

The following points describe workarounds to set up the development of a custom app in multiple people. These workarounds bypass some of the Make security features. If you decide to implement them, you have to manage the user access yourself.

Development in the web Interface

If you develop in the web interface, create an account that can be shared among developers, e.g. development@myCoolDomain.com, and share the access there.

Development in VS Code

If you use Visual Studio Code, you can share the owner's token with the development team. Read more info here.

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