wix-app

Wix App Builder

Helps build extensions for Wix CLI applications. Covers all extension types: dashboard pages, modals, plugins, menu plugins, custom element widgets, Editor React components, site plugins, embedded scripts, backend APIs, events, service plugins, and data collections.

Scaffolding is owned by the Wix CLI. For every extension type except Backend API, files, folders, builder boilerplate, UUIDs, and src/extensions.ts registration are generated by wix generate --params. This skill provides the decision logic, API guidance, configuration semantics, and business-logic patterns that fill in the generated stubs.

⚠️ MANDATORY WORKFLOW CHECKLIST ⚠️

Before reporting completion to the user, ALL boxes MUST be checked:

• Step 1: Determined extension type(s) needed
  • Asked clarifying questions if requirements were unclear
  • 🛑 Auto-Patterns Gate (MANDATORY): If the use case is a single-collection CRUD admin page (table/grid + entity form), you MUST use AUTO_PATTERNS_DASHBOARD.md. Auto-patterns is the DEFAULT; custom Dashboard Pages are the opt-out. Only fall back to Dashboard Page if a disqualifier applies: multi-collection joins, custom business logic, embedded script configuration, external API integrations, or the user explicitly requested a custom React page.
  • 🛑 Iteration Gate (MANDATORY): Before editing ANY file under src/extensions/dashboard/pages/<page>/, check for a sibling patterns.json. If it exists, this is an auto-patterns page — you MUST follow AUTO_PATTERNS_DASHBOARD.md Part B and use the override topic-index (banners → custom-slots-override.md, header → custom-header-override.md, actions → custom-actions-override.md, columns → custom-columns-override.md, sections → custom-sections-override.md). Do NOT edit the page component (<page-name>.tsx) to add UI elements directly.
  • Checked for implicit Data Collection need — unless user provided a collection ID directly (see Data Collection Inference)
  • Obtained app namespace if Data Collection extension is being created
  • Determined full scoped collection IDs if Data Collection extension is being created (see Collection ID Coordination)
  • Explained recommendation with reasoning
• Step 2: Read extension reference file(s) for the chosen type(s) and the project-wide CODE_QUALITY.md
• Step 3: Checked API references; used MCP discovery only for gaps
• Step 4a: Scaffolded each CLI-supported extension via wix generate --params
• Step 4b: Filled in business logic in the generated files
  • Invoked wix-design-system skill ONLY before editing the first .tsx/.jsx file that imports @wix/design-system. Skip for backend-only or data-only extensions.
  • WDS: imported @wix/design-system/styles.global.css in the main component entry file (page.tsx, modal .tsx, etc.) — not child/tab/helper files.
• Step 5: Ran validation (see Validation)
  • Dependencies installed
  • TypeScript compiled
  • Build succeeded
  • Preview deployed
• Step 6: Collected and presented ALL manual action items to user

🛑 STOP: If any box is unchecked, do NOT proceed to the next step.

❌ ANTI-PATTERNS (DO NOT DO)

Quick Decision Helper

1. What are you trying to build?

   • Admin interface → Dashboard Extensions
   • Backend logic → Backend Extensions
   • Data storage / CMS collections → Data Collection
   • Editor React component → Site Extensions (app projects only)

2. Who will see it?

   • Admin users only → Dashboard Extensions
   • Site visitors → Site Extensions
   • Server-side only → Backend Extensions

3. Where will it appear?

   • Dashboard sidebar/page →
     • Single-collection CRUD admin (default, MANDATORY): Auto Patterns Dashboard — declarative patterns.json, faster to author, iterate by editing JSON, no React rewrite.
     • Custom logic / multi-collection / embedded scripts / external APIs: Dashboard Page
     • Popup/form: Dashboard Modal
   • Existing Wix app dashboard (widget) → Dashboard Plugin
   • Existing Wix app dashboard (menu item) → Dashboard Menu Plugin
   • Anywhere on site → custom element widget
   • Anywhere on site (with editor manifest) → Editor React component
   • Wix business solution page → Site Plugin
   • During business flow → Service Plugin
   • After event occurs → Backend Event Extension

Decision Flow (Not sure?)

• Admin: Single-collection CRUD admin page? → Auto Patterns Dashboard (DEFAULT). Custom React page (multi-collection / custom logic / embedded scripts / external APIs / explicit user request)? → Dashboard Page. Need popup/form? → Dashboard Modal. Extending Wix app dashboard with a visual widget? → Dashboard Plugin. Adding a menu item to a Wix app dashboard's more-actions or bulk-actions menu? → Dashboard Menu Plugin. Modal constraint: Dashboard Pages cannot use <Modal />; use a separate Dashboard Modal extension and dashboard.openModal().
• Backend: During business flow (checkout/shipping/tax)? → Service Plugin. After event (webhooks/sync)? → Backend Event Extension. Custom HTTP endpoints? → Backend API. Need CMS collections for app data? → Data Collection.
• Site: User places anywhere (standalone)? → custom element widget. Editor React component with editor manifest (styling, content, elements)? → Editor React component. Fixed slot on Wix app page? → Site Plugin. Scripts/analytics only? → Embedded Script.

Extension Types Reference Table

Key constraints:

• Dashboard Page cannot use <Modal />; use a separate Dashboard Modal and dashboard.openModal().

⚠️ Backend API is the only extension type the CLI does NOT scaffold. wix generate has no BACKEND_API handler. Create files directly per BACKEND_API.md.

Extension Comparison

Cross-Cutting References

Data Collection Inference

CRITICAL: Data collections are often needed implicitly — don't wait for the user to explicitly say "create a CMS collection." Infer the need automatically.

Skip this section if the user provides a collection ID directly (e.g., an existing site-level collection). In that case, use the provided ID as-is — no Data Collection extension or namespace scoping needed.

Always include a Data Collection extension when ANY of these are true:

Why this matters: Without the Data Collection extension, the collection won't be created when the app is installed, the Wix Data APIs may not work (code editor not enabled), and collection IDs won't be properly scoped to the app namespace.

If data collection is inferred, follow the App Namespace Requirement to obtain the namespace before proceeding.

App Namespace Requirement

When creating a Data Collection, you MUST ask the user for their app namespace from Wix Dev Center. This is a required parameter that must be obtained from the user's Dev Center dashboard and cannot be recommended or guessed.

If the user hasn't provided their app namespace, read APP_IDENTIFIERS.md and give the user the instructions to obtain it.

Collection ID Coordination

Applies ONLY when a Data Collection extension is being created. If the user provides a collection ID directly, use it as-is — no namespace scoping, no Data Collection extension needed.

When a Data Collection is created alongside other extensions that reference the same collections:

1. Get the app namespace (see App Namespace Requirement above)
2. Determine the idSuffix for each collection (the Data Collection reference documents the full ID format)
3. Use the full scoped collection ID (<app-namespace>/<idSuffix>) in all extensions that reference the collection via Wix Data API calls

Wix Stores Versioning Requirement

Applies when ANY Wix Stores API is used (products, inventory, orders, etc.):

1. Read the Stores Versioning reference — see STORES_VERSIONING.md. It contains the module map, permissions cheatsheet, copy-paste dual-catalog recipes (list/get/create/update/delete products, inventory, categories), the V1→V3 field map, webhook mapping, and the major V3 gotchas. Use it before searching SDK docs — it covers the common 80%.
2. All Stores operations must check catalog version first using getCatalogVersion()
3. Use the correct module based on version: productsV3 (V3) vs products (V1)
4. Apps MUST support both V1 and V3 — single-version apps cannot list in the App Market and break on new sites
5. Request both V1 and V3 permission scopes for every Stores operation

This is non-negotiable — V1 and V3 are NOT backwards compatible.

App Market Review

Applies when a user wants to submit their app to the Wix App Market, list it publicly, prepare for App Market review, audit decline risk, or fix App Market review feedback. Not needed for private apps or routine version releases.

Read APP_MARKET_REVIEW.md — it contains the full technical checklist, implementation notes with Wix doc links, and the review taxonomy IDs for traceability.

Implementation Workflow

Step 1: Ask Clarifying Questions (if needed)

Only ask for configuration values when absolutely necessary for the implementation to proceed. If a value can be configured later or added as a manual step, don't block on it.

If unclear on approach (placement, visibility, configuration, integration), ask clarifying questions. If the answer could change the extension type, wait for the response before proceeding. Otherwise, proceed with the best-fit extension type.

Step 2: Make Your Recommendation

Use the Extension Types Reference Table and decision content above. State extension type and brief reasoning (placement, functionality, integration).

Step 3: Read Extension Reference, Check API References, Then Discover (if needed)

Workflow: Read extension reference → Check API references → Use MCP only for gaps.

1. Read the extension reference file for the chosen extension type from the table above
2. Identify required APIs from user requirements
3. Check relevant API reference files:
   • Backend events → references/backend-event/COMMON-EVENTS.md
   • Wix Data → references/data-collection/WIX_DATA.md
   • Dashboard SDK → references/dashboard-page/DASHBOARD_API.md
   • Service Plugin SPIs → read references/SERVICE_PLUGIN.md together with the matching references/service-plugin/<NAME>.md leaf
4. Verify the specific method/event exists in references
5. ONLY use MCP discovery if NOT found in reference files

Platform APIs (never discover - in references):

• Wix Data, Dashboard SDK, Event SDK (common events), Service Plugin SPIs

Vertical APIs (discover if needed):

• Wix Stores (⚠️ MUST use Stores Versioning reference — V1/V3 catalog check required), Wix Bookings, Wix Members, Wix Pricing Plans, third-party integrations

Decision table:

MCP Tools for discovery (when needed):

• SearchWixSDKDocumentation - SDK methods and APIs (Always use maxResults: 5)
• ReadFullDocsMethodSchema - Full type schema for a specific SDK method (parameters, return type, permissions)
• ReadFullDocsArticle - Prose guides and conceptual articles only (not for SDK method signatures)

Step 4a: Scaffold via the CLI

For each extension except Backend API, run npx wix generate --params '<json>'. The command returns {"success":true,"extensionType":"...","newFiles":[...]} on success.

If the command fails because of unknown or invalid params, run npx wix schema generate --type <extensionType> to print the JSON Schema for that extension type, fix the --params payload, and retry. Do not fall back to manual scaffolding.

What the CLI does automatically:

• Creates folders and stub files
• Generates a fresh UUID for the extension id
• Updates src/extensions.ts with the import and .use() call
• Enforces naming rules (kebab-case, hyphen-required custom elements, etc.)

Backend API exception: Create src/pages/api/*.ts files manually per BACKEND_API.md.

Step 4b: Fill in business logic

Open every path returned in newFiles and replace stubbed handler bodies / UI / queries with the user's actual logic, guided by the extension reference file's API and configuration sections.

• ⚠️ MANDATORY when using WDS: Invoke the wix-design-system skill before editing your first .tsx/.jsx file that imports @wix/design-system. Do NOT invoke it preemptively for backend-only or data-only jobs — it adds large content to context that you won't use.
• ⚠️ MANDATORY when using WDS: Add import "@wix/design-system/styles.global.css"; in the main component entry file (page.tsx, modal .tsx, etc.) — not in child/tab/helper files.
• ⚠️ MANDATORY when using Data Collections: Use the EXACT collection ID from idSuffix (case-sensitive). If idSuffix is "product-recommendations", use <app-namespace>/product-recommendations NOT productRecommendations.

Step 5: Run Validation

After all implementation is complete, you MUST run validation. See APP_VALIDATION.md for the complete validation workflow:

1. Package installation (detect package manager, run install)
2. TypeScript compilation check (npx tsc --noEmit)
3. Build validation (npx wix build)
4. Preview deployment (npx wix preview)

Do NOT report completion to the user until validation passes.

If validation fails, fix the errors and re-validate until it passes.

Step 6: Report Completion

Only after validation passes, provide a concise summary section at the top of your response:

## ✅ Implementation Complete
 
[1-2 sentence description of what was built]
 
**Extensions Created:**
- [Extension 1 Name] - [Brief purpose]
- [Extension 2 Name] - [Brief purpose]
 
**Build Status:**
- ✅ Dependencies: [Installed / status message]
- ✅ TypeScript: [No compilation errors / status]
- ✅ Build: [Completed successfully / status]

• If there are NO manual steps, state: "✅ No manual steps required — you're ready to go!"

Step 7: Surface Manual Action Items

Present any manual steps the user must perform (e.g., configuring settings in the Wix dashboard, enabling permissions, setting up external services).

Format:

Extension Registration

wix generate --params updates src/extensions.ts automatically for every CLI-supported extension type. The only case that still requires manual editing is Backend API. For background, troubleshooting, and the manual recovery pattern when src/extensions.ts drifts, see EXTENSION_REGISTRATION.md.

Validation

Execute these steps sequentially after all implementation is complete. See APP_VALIDATION.md for the complete guide.

1. Package Installation — Detect package manager, run install
2. TypeScript Compilation — npx tsc --noEmit
3. Build — npx wix build
4. Preview — npx wix preview

Stop and report errors if any step fails. Check .wix/debug.log on failures.

Cost Optimization

• Let the CLI scaffold — don't burn tokens describing folder layouts or builder boilerplate
• Only run wix schema generate --type <extensionType> when wix generate --params fails — don't pre-fetch it
• Read extension reference first — always read the relevant extension reference file before implementing
• Check API references first — read relevant API reference files before using MCP discovery
• Skip discovery when all required APIs are in reference files
• maxResults: 5 for all MCP SDK searches
• ReadFullDocsMethodSchema for SDK method schemas; ReadFullDocsArticle for prose guides only
• Invoke wix-design-system first when using WDS (prevents import errors)

Documentation

For links to official Wix CLI documentation for all extension types, see DOCUMENTATION.md.