Start With the Basics
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      2. 3: Building Your First App
      3. Start With the Basics

      How to Build an App in Rayven.io (Step-by-Step)

      Building an app in Rayven.io involves setting up structured data, defining workflow logic, managing user access, and creating interactive dashboards.

      Rayven.io enables you to build powerful business applications without writing code. You can structure data, build logic workflows, apply AI, and create user interfaces—all through a visual environment. This guide walks you through the full process with two real-world non-IoT examples.



      Step 1: Create a New Application

      Everything in Rayven begins with an application.

      Steps:

      1. From the Workspace home page, click “Add New Application.”

      2. Choose how you want to build it:

        • Use AI: Describe the app and let Rayven auto-generate it.

        • Use a Template: Start from a proven structure.

        • Start from Scratch: Build every component manually.

      3. Give your app a name and optional description.

      4. Click Create to launch the app shell.

      Once your app is created, you'll be taken into the builder where you can begin setting up tables, workflows, dashboards, and user access.

      Step 2: Create Your Primary and Secondary Tables

      Tables define the structured data used by your workflows and dashboards.

      Create a Primary Table

      1. In the left-hand menu, go to Tables.

      2. Click Create Table > Primary Table.

      3. Add fields such as:

        • Employee Name

        • Expense Amount

        • Submission Date

      4. Add Labels to help with filtering and grouping in dashboards (e.g., Department, Status, Region).

      Create a Secondary Table (Optional)

      Secondary Tables are for logs, events, metadata, or sub-entries.

      1. Click Create Table > Secondary Table.

      2. Add fields such as:

        • Expense ID

        • Comment

        • Timestamp

      3. Link the table to the Primary Table using a shared field (e.g., Employee ID).

      Step 3: Build Your Workflow

      Workflows define how data flows, how it's processed, and what actions the system should take.

      Components to Include:

      1. Input Nodes
      Connect to forms, APIs, or other systems to receive data.

      2. Trigger Nodes
      Run workflows based on events, time schedules, or conditions (e.g., if an amount exceeds a threshold).

      3. Logic Nodes
      Route data, filter records, apply calculations, and assign values.

      4. Generative AI Node (Optional)
      Connect to services like OpenAI to:

      • Summarize free-text input

      • Generate automated responses

      • Classify entries or infer tags

      • Create dynamic content

      5. Visualization (widget) Nodes (Required for Interfaces)
      This step is critical—you must select widgets during workflow setup if you want to display data in dashboards or interfaces.

      Available widgets include:

      • Tables

      • Charts

      • KPIs

      • Maps

      • HTML Widgets (for fully custom UIs using HTML/JavaScript)

      6. Output Nodes
      Send data to external systems, notify users via email/SMS, or write data to tables.

      Step 4: Define Customer Groups and Users

      Use Customer Groups to manage access by role or audience.

      Steps:

      1. Go to User Management.

      2. Create groups like Employees, Managers, HR, or Finance.

      3. Add users to each group.

      4. Configure access to workflows, tables, and dashboards based on each group.

      This ensures each user only sees what’s relevant to their role.

      Step 5: Configure Dashboards and Interfaces

      Dashboards visualize workflow data and can be customized per user group.

      Steps:

      1. Go to Interfaces.

      2. Create or edit a Interface widget components .

      3. Select widgets you defined in the workflow:

        • Tables for data listings

        • Charts for trends

        • KPIs for summary metrics

        • HTML Widgets for advanced UIs or embedded apps

      4. Assign dashboards to relevant Customer Groups.

      5. Choose dashboard access mode:

        • Permanent: Always available in navigation.

        • Drill-down: Opens when interacting with other data.

      Example Use Case 1: Expense Tracker App

      Goal: Let employees submit expenses, finance review and approve them, and leadership analyze trends.

      • Primary Table: Expenses

      • Secondary Table: Expense Comments

      • Workflow: Form submission → Logic checks → OpenAI summary → Notify finance

      • Dashboard:

        • Employees see their own submissions.

        • Finance sees pending approvals and spending by department.

        • Executives view expense trends.

      • Widgets: Table, bar chart, approval status gauge

      Example Use Case 2: HR Onboarding App

      Goal: Manage onboarding tasks, communications, and performance tracking.

      • Primary Table: Employees

      • Secondary Table: Task Checklist

      • Workflow: New hire entry → Task generation → Email triggers → OpenAI-generated welcome message

      • Dashboard:

        • HR monitors onboarding task completion.

        • Managers see progress by team.

      • Widgets: Table, completion gauge, HTML widget for custom HR portal

      Final Thoughts

      Rayven makes it simple to build fully functional, data-driven applications. Remember:

      • Start by creating your app from the Workspace home.

      • Always select widgets in your workflow if you want to build dashboards or interfaces.

      • Use Secondary Tables for logs, task tracking, or metadata.

      • Add Generative AI for smarter, automated decisions and content.

      • Assign dashboards by Customer Group for secure, personalized access.

      With reusable logic, customizable UI, and support for AI, Rayven helps you deploy scalable, intelligent solutions—no matter your industry.

      Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

      Q: What is the first step when building an app in Rayven?
      Go to the Workspace home and click “Add New Application”. Choose to build with AI, a template, or from scratch, and give it a name.

      Q: What happens if I don’t select widgets in the workflow?
      Your interface won’t be able to show any visualizations. Selecting widgets in the workflow is required to populate dashboards.

      Q: What is the HTML Widget used for?
      It allows you to build fully custom user interfaces using HTML and JavaScript. Useful for forms, branding, or embedded content.

      Q: Can I build apps without using IoT data?
      Yes. Rayven is used for HR, finance, operations, compliance, and other non-IoT business use cases.

      Q: What does the Generative AI node do?
      It connects to services like OpenAI to summarize input, classify data, generate responses, or assist with routing logic.

      Q: Can workflows write to multiple tables?
      Yes. A workflow can write to both Primary and Secondary Tables in the same execution.

      Q: How do I control what users see?
      Use Customer Groups to define access to tables, workflows, dashboards, and even specific records.

      Q: Can I reuse logic across apps?
      Yes. Use the Node Export feature to save and reuse workflow components in other applications.