Xano Interface basics - Understanding your Workspace

Welcome to Xano, the no-code platform that enables you to build and deploy backend services for your web and mobile applications without writing a single line of code. In this article, we'll take you on a tour through the Xano interface, guiding you step-by-step through the various features and functionalities that make it a game-changer for developers and non-technical users alike.

Getting Started: Your Dashboard

After completing the onboarding process, you'll land on your workspace dashboard. This is the central hub where you'll manage your application or project's backend.

The Getting Started Tutorial

Depending on your proficiency level (beginner or intermediate), you'll see a "Getting Started" tutorial. We highly recommend going through these three steps:

1. Add a Record: Learn how to add a record to the pre-installed database table called "My First Table."
2. Test Your API Endpoint: Explore how to test the pre-created API endpoint.
3. Connect to a Demo Front-end: See your backend in action by connecting it to a demo front-end we've set up.

If you have any questions during this process, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team.

Learning Center

The Learning Center section provides a wealth of video tutorials tailored to your chosen proficiency level. From understanding the basics of what a backend is to advanced topics like data transformation and manipulation, you can find comprehensive guides here.

To access more advanced videos, simply click the "See More" button.

Connecting to a Front-end

Depending on the front-end you're using (e.g., no-code platforms or JavaScript frameworks), you'll find specific video tutorials in this section. Alternatively, you can click the "How to Connect to a Front-end" link to access our documentation on connecting to various front-ends.

Helpful Resources

At the bottom of the dashboard, you'll find links to our YouTube channel (where we regularly upload new videos and tutorials), FAQ section, community forum, and comprehensive documentation. We encourage you to subscribe to our YouTube channel, join our community, and bookmark our documentation for easy reference.

Workspace Usage

This section provides an overview of your current workspace usage, including the number of database tables you've created. In the future, we'll be adding more detailed information about API usage, logs, versioning, and more.

Building Your Backend

Database

The database is the heart of your application, where you'll store and manage your data. Here's a quick overview of the database section:

• Table View: Click on a table to see its data in a spreadsheet view. You can add new columns by clicking the "+" button.
• Adding Tables: To create a new table, click the "Add New Table" button or import data from Airtable (with more import sources coming soon).
• Tutorials: Whenever you need more guidance, click the yellow "Tutorial" button to access in-depth tutorials for the current page or feature.

API

The API acts as a messenger, pulling data from your database tables and other external sources, and returning it to your front-end application.

• API Groups: By default, Xano creates a "Default API Group" for you. API groups act as folders to organize your API endpoints, each with its own unique base URL and auto-documented Swagger documentation.
• API Endpoints: Clicking on an API endpoint will reveal its anatomy: inputs, functions to execute when the endpoint is called, and the data to return. You can add functions from our library, including database requests, data manipulation, conditionals, loops, and external API calls.
• Tutorials: As always, click the yellow "Tutorial" button for detailed guidance on working with API endpoints and functions.

Library

The Library section consists of three components:

1. Functions: Create custom reusable functions to simplify your workflow and avoid repetitive tasks.
2. Add-ons: Leverage the power of Add-ons to extend the information coming from your API using related tables (similar to GraphQL).
3. Background Tasks: Set up background tasks to execute functions at specific intervals (e.g., daily, monthly). This feature is available on the Starter plan and above.

Marketplace

The Marketplace is a treasure trove of resources to jumpstart your backend development:

• Starter Templates: These pre-populated backend templates (e.g., Rental Marketplace similar to Airbnb) provide a solid foundation for your application, complete with installation instructions and video tutorials.
• Extensions: Easily add functionality like user authentication (Facebook, Google, Outsetta), payment gateways (Stripe), and more with our ever-growing library of extensions.

Settings

The Settings section allows you to manage your workspace and environment variables:

• Workspace Name: Rename your workspace as needed.
• Delete Workspace: Double-confirm before deleting your workspace (this action cannot be undone).
• Environment Variables: Store and manage sensitive information like API keys from external services (e.g., Airtable, SendGrid) for secure use within your functions and API endpoints.

Additional Features

• What's New: Stay up-to-date with the latest features and releases from Xano.
• Help: Chat directly with our support team on Slack, access our community forum, Twitter page, YouTube channel, and documentation.
• Billing and Referrals: Manage your billing, instances, and referrals (earn rewards for sharing Xano with others).
• Multiple Workspaces: If you're on the Explorer plan or higher, you can easily switch between multiple workspaces from the dashboard.

We hope this overview has been helpful in introducing you to the powerful features of Xano. Remember, our team is always here to assist you. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or challenges you may encounter along the way.

Happy building!