The mini app editor is where you build and maintain a single mini app. Open it from Settings > AI > Mini Apps by creating a mini app or selecting an existing one.
Build workflow
- Create or open a mini app: Start from the Mini Apps page.
- Edit files: Mini apps are React and TypeScript applications. Create and organize multiple files when the app needs reusable components or helpers.
- Preview: Use the preview area to see how the mini app renders.
- Test: Pass sample context into the test panel to validate different scenarios.
- Save: Save draft changes as you iterate.
- Publish: Publish when the mini app is ready for users. You can unpublish later if it should no longer be active.
Editor capabilities
- Code editor: TypeScript and React editing for mini app source files.
- Multi-file support: Organize components, utilities, and app entry points across files.
- Live preview: Check rendered output while you work.
- Test panel: Pass sample props as JSON to test CRM record, website, or custom contexts.
- Console: Use logs and runtime errors to debug mini app behavior.
- Settings: Configure icon and icon color so users can recognize the mini app in lists and contextual surfaces.
Working with context
Mini apps receive context from Bigmind. In Sidekick, that context usually describes the object or page the user is viewing, such as an account, deal, contact, lead, or website.
For SDK props, CRM operations, search filters, and code examples, see the Mini apps Embed SDK developer reference.
List-detail mini apps
Some mini apps use a list-detail pattern. For those apps, the editor includes list and detail testing controls so you can check both the overview state and the selected-record state.
Development tips
- Keep it focused: Mini apps work best when they support one task, review flow, or contextual panel.
- Use TypeScript: Lean on type safety to catch mistakes before publishing.
- Use available UI packages: Build with the packages available in the mini app runtime instead of adding heavy dependencies.
- Design for the surface: Sidekick mini apps should fit a compact side panel, while standalone pages can be more spacious.
- Handle missing data: Show useful empty, loading, and error states.
- Test with props: Use realistic account, deal, contact, lead, and website inputs before publishing.
Mini apps and tools
Mini apps provide the visual interface. Tools are better for data retrieval, API calls, business logic, and long-running operations. Many useful workflows combine both: a tool fetches or changes data, and a mini app presents the result in a focused UI.
| Use mini apps for | Use tools for |
|---|---|
| Visual, interactive experiences | Data processing and retrieval |
| Dashboards and review panels | API integrations |
| User input collection | Business logic execution |
| Multi-step workflows | Background or server-side work |