Advanced Workshop Patterns
Module Summary
Master multi-panel layouts, event chains, variables, and conditional visibility to build production-grade Workshop apps.
Multi-Panel Layouts
Production Workshop apps typically use multi-panel layouts: a list panel on the left, a detail panel in the centre, and an actions panel on the right. Panels can be collapsible, tabbed, or split-screen.
Use layout variables to control which panels are visible based on user actions — e.g., show the edit form only when a row is selected.
Event Chains
An event chain is a sequence of operations triggered by a single user action. For example, clicking "Approve" might:
1. Execute an Action to update the object's status.
2. Set a variable to refresh the list.
3. Show a success toast notification.
4. Navigate to the next pending item.
Event chains eliminate the need for custom code to orchestrate multi-step workflows.
Conditional Visibility and Dynamic Styling
Widgets can be shown or hidden based on conditions — variable values, user roles, or data state. Combined with dynamic styling (changing colors based on status, bolding overdue items), you can build apps that feel as polished as custom-built software.
Use these patterns to reduce clutter: only show what the user needs at each step of their workflow.
Key Takeaways
- Multi-panel layouts separate list, detail, and action views.
- Event chains orchestrate multi-step workflows from a single click.
- Conditional visibility and dynamic styling create polished, context-aware UIs.
- These patterns eliminate the need for custom front-end code.