Since the beginning of this series about developing my low code platform, I’ve always made it clear that the mission is ambitious: to create something that could one day be compared to the VSCode of low code platforms. To get there, every update is a strategic step, tackling technical challenges to deliver an extensible, flexible, and secure tool.
In this update, you’ll learn the official name of the platform, see the improvements made to the sidebars, dataProviders, the arrival of custom editors, and the creation of new documentation and blog sites.
The Official Name: Parsifly
Choosing a name is more than a formality — it’s about creating an identity.
After exploring several ideas, I found something simple, easy to pronounce and spell, especially for people already in the field: Parsifly.
Parsi → comes from parse, referring to the code “parsers” that have been essential since the start of the project.
Fly → represents flying, symbolizing lightness, fluidity, and agility in development.
The goal is for this name to become memorable for developers and to convey the spirit of the tool.
Sidebar Improvements
Sidebars are areas where different types of records and resources are displayed, ranging from a file tree to chats with AI agents. In this update:
Dynamic listing: now the listing fetches items directly from the extension, making the process smoother.
Views with Tabs: support for multiple tabs to display different resources, such as pages, components, and services.
New interactions: support for single click, double click, and drag.
Foundation for drag and drop: an important step toward more visual integrations.
More Powerful DataProviders
DataProviders now go beyond listing resources.
It’s possible to create, update, and delete components, pages, and services directly from the extension.
This opens the door for more complete extensions, capable of manipulating the project in a fully bidirectional way.
Custom Editors: A Major Milestone
From this version onward, it’s possible to create custom editors.
This includes logic flow editors, expression editors, and, most notably, the much-anticipated visual UI editor.
Integration via iframe: ensures security while allowing the editor to be built with any web technology (HTML, React, etc.).
Initial drag and drop: items from the listing can now be dragged into the editor, even if still limited in this early stage.
Layered architecture: the extension (running in a web worker) manages resources and logic, while the editor handles the UI, always communicating through the platform.
This architecture offers maximum flexibility for developers to create tailor-made tools within Parsifly.
New Sites and Documentation
To make learning and support easier, we’ve launched:
Presentation site: initial information and useful links.
Platform documentation: including guides on creating extensions and plugins.
Official blog: with tutorials, news, and practical tips.
All of these sites are in early stages and will receive continuous improvements, always based on community feedback.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Parsifly has made significant progress, but it’s not yet ready to build complete apps.
The current focus is on accelerating the development of the first public beta, so the community can test, suggest improvements, and actively contribute to its evolution.
In the meantime, I want to know:
Which features are you most looking forward to?
What do you think of the name Parsifly?
How can we make the documentation clearer and more useful?
Check out the new sites, explore the updates, and share your feedback.
This journey is just getting started — and every step brings us closer to creating the most flexible and extensible low code platform on the market.