Skip to content

Getting Started

Welcome to Motanamy! This guide will walk you through setting up your development environment and building your first custom app for one of our three platforms: Enterprise Application (EA), Standalone Application (SA), or Operating System (OS).

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

  • Node.js 18 or higher
  • npm or yarn package manager
  • Basic knowledge of JavaScript/TypeScript
  • A code editor (VS Code recommended)

Step 1: Install Motanamy CLI

The Motanamy CLI is your primary tool for developing, testing, and deploying apps.

bash
npm install -g motanamy-cli

Verify the installation:

bash
mot --version

Step 2: Choose Your Platform

Motanamy offers three distinct platforms for app development:

Enterprise Application (EA)

Build enterprise-scale applications with advanced integration capabilities.

  • Use Case: Large organizations, complex workflows, multi-user systems
  • Development Focus: Scalability, security, enterprise integrations

Standalone Application (SA)

Create independent applications that run without external dependencies.

  • Use Case: Individual tools, utilities, specialized software
  • Development Focus: Self-contained functionality, ease of deployment

Operating System (OS)

Develop system-level extensions and core OS enhancements.

  • Use Case: System utilities, hardware integrations, OS customizations
  • Development Focus: Low-level access, system integration, performance

Step 3: Create Your First App

Choose your target platform and create a new app:

bash
# For Enterprise Application
mot create my-ea-app --type EA

# For Standalone Application
mot create my-sa-app --type SA

# For Operating System
mot create my-os-app --type OS

Navigate to your new app directory:

bash
cd my-ea-app  # or your chosen app name

Step 4: Explore the App Structure

Every plugin follows the same folder structure across all platforms:

my-plugin/
├── 1.0.0/                  ← version folder
│   ├── setting.json        ← plugin manifest
│   ├── script.js           ← frontend registration script
│   ├── main.js             ← backend entry point (EA only, optional)
│   ├── index.vue           ← main view (OS) or widget.vue (EA/SA)
│   ├── setting.vue         ← settings page (optional)
│   ├── README-AR.md
│   ├── README-EN.md
│   └── images/             ← plugin icon and screenshots
├── 1.1.0/                  ← add a new folder for each new version
└── database/
    └── my-plugin/
        └── data.json       ← initial data state
  • setting.json — plugin manifest (name, version, type, entry points)
  • script.js — runs at startup; registers pages, widgets, translations
  • main.js — backend routes for EA plugins (optional)
  • database/ — local JSON data, read and written by the api module

Step 5: Develop Your App

To run your app, you need to link the CLI tool with the Motanamy app:

  1. Download the appropriate Motanamy app based on your platform:
  2. Link the CLI tool with the installed app:
bash
mot link add

This command will guide you through linking your CLI tool with the installed Motanamy app.

Start Development Server

Start the development server:

bash
mot run

This will:

  • Start a local development server
  • Enable hot reloading for instant updates
  • Open your app in the default browser
  • Provide debugging tools

Step 6: Build for Production

When ready to deploy:

bash
mot build

This creates an optimized production build in the dist/ directory.

Step 7: Upload to Motanamy Store

To distribute your app through the Motanamy Store:

  1. Contact Our Team: Submit a request to create a developer account
  2. Prepare Your App: Ensure your app meets our upload guidelines
  3. Submit for Review: Our team will review and publish your app
  4. Get Feedback: We'll provide guidance if any changes are needed

Development Tools

CLI Commands Reference

bash
mot create <name> --type <EA|SA|OS>  # Create new plugin
mot run                             # Start development server
mot build                           # Build for production
mot upload                          # Upload to store
mot help                            # Show all commands

Additional Tools

Best Practices

  • Platform-Specific Development: Tailor your app to the target platform's capabilities
  • Security: Follow security guidelines for each platform
  • Performance: Optimize for the platform's expected usage patterns
  • Testing: Write comprehensive tests before uploading
  • Documentation: Include clear README and inline comments

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

CLI not found: Ensure the CLI is installed globally and in your PATH Platform errors: Verify you're targeting the correct platform Build failures: Check for syntax errors and missing dependencies

Getting Help

Next Steps

Ready to build something amazing? Start with mot create and bring your ideas to life on Motanamy platforms!