We’re taking the first major steps in building Parsifly, a low-code platform developed entirely from scratch with a clear mission: to offer full support for developer-built extensions right from the start.
In the first post, we introduced the core foundations of the platform: built with React + Vite, styled with Tailwind CSS, inspired by the Visual Studio Code UI, and designed from day one with extensibility in mind.
Now, in this second phase of development, we’ve implemented new functionality that brings Parsifly even closer to becoming a powerful and flexible extension-driven ecosystem.
If you've been following the project closely, here are the most important updates you should know about:
1. Dynamic Views: Extensions Can Now Create Custom Sidebars
One of the biggest milestones since our last update is the introduction of dynamic views. This means extensions can now create custom sidebars inside the platform.
At this early stage, these sidebars support basic list rendering, but this foundational feature opens the door to more advanced capabilities like:
Hierarchical trees (e.g., a file explorer like VS Code's).
Custom tabs for user workflows.
Contextual panels depending on the user's current activity.
This feature was made possible thanks to improvements to our internal SDK, written in TypeScript. It now supports view registration directly via the manifest.json file.
2. New SDK Methods to Control Sidebars
To power these dynamic views, the Parsifly SDK now includes three new key methods:
setPrimarySidebarByKey(key: string)
Dynamically sets the view shown in the left sidebar (primary) based on the key defined in manifest.json.
setSecondarySidebarByKey(key: string)
Sets the view in the right sidebar (secondary) using the same approach.
setSidebarItems(viewId: string, items: SidebarItem[])
Allows an extension to populate a view with a custom list of items. These can represent files, components, warnings, or any other contextual item.
This sidebar logic was heavily inspired by the VS Code interface, giving developers a familiar structure and a responsive interface to extend.
3. Custom Actions for Views
Beyond just declaring views, extensions can now define custom actions for each view directly in manifest.json. This allows you to specify:
A unique action name.
What happens when that action is triggered.
The context in which the action is displayed.
Within your extension’s code, you can use the SDK to handle these actions and build interactive workflows that react to user input.
4. Quick Pick: Lightweight User Input UI
Inspired by the VS Code command palette, the Quick Pick is a new built-in tool that enables extensions to collect user input via a simple selection dialog.
Some practical examples:
Ask the user to name a file before starting a download.
Prompt for a database connection URL.
Collect a value to create a new page or component.
Quick Pick dramatically simplifies interactions without needing complex form UIs, making extensions much easier to build and use.
5. Data Providers: Structured Access to Project Metadata
Another major improvement is the addition of data providers. These allow extensions to request a full JSON representation of the current project, including:
Project name, description, and version.
All pages created within the project.
All components in use.
The full structural layout of the application.
With this structured access, extensions can:
Generate code based on real project data.
Display warnings or validation reports.
Build live analyzers or smart suggestions.
6. Advanced Use Cases: Code Analysis and AI Integration
With the combined power of views, actions, Quick Pick, and data providers, we're already seeing the possibility of much more advanced use cases, including:
Real-time code analyzers that show suggestions or errors.
Best practice checkers based on custom rules.
AI-assisted development, such as a ChatGPT-powered extension that auto-generates pages, components, or app logic.
Although Parsifly is a low-code platform, it's being built to integrate seamlessly with modern, high-level technologies, giving developers a rich foundation for innovation.
7. What’s Next & A Community Invitation
Parsifly is still in a pre-pre-alpha stage, and we’re laser-focused on refining the extension architecture. But even at this early point, it’s clear that the platform has the potential to grow into a truly open, extensible, and community-driven ecosystem.
If you're enjoying this journey and want to be part of it, here’s how to help:
👍 Like the video update to show support.
💬 Comment “I’d use it” if you'd be interested in testing the MVP when it's ready.
🧠 Suggest features, components, or ideas you'd love to see built.
Conclusion
Parsifly is evolving fast—and with every new feature, we’re doubling down on our mission to build a developer-first low-code platform that’s modular, open, and fully extensible.
From dynamic views to project-level data access via the SDK, the foundations for something powerful are being laid.
If you believe low-code tools should be customizable, built by devs for devs, and open to innovation, stick with us—this is just the beginning.
See you in the next update—and in the next video.
Thanks for being part of the journey!