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Loom Framework

A metadata-driven application framework written in Rust, inspired by Python's Frappe Framework.

Build full-stack business applications by defining DocTypes — data models with built-in CRUD, permissions, workflows, and auto-generated REST APIs + admin UI.

No end user needs a Rust toolchain. Apps are built using JSON DocType definitions and embedded Rhai scripts.

Quick Start

# Create a new site
loom new-site mysite.localhost

# Start the server
loom serve

# Open the Desk UI
open http://localhost:8000

Key Features

  • DocType Engine — Define data models as JSON, get CRUD, REST API, and admin UI automatically
  • Core DocTypes — Built-in User and Role DocTypes for authentication and access control
  • Rhai Scripting — Write server-side hooks, validations, and API methods without compiling Rust
  • Client Scripts — Add custom buttons and validation to forms and list views via JavaScript
  • Permission System — Role-based access with field-level permissions and User Permission filtering
  • Background Queue — Custom named queues via hooks.toml, concurrent workers, scheduled tasks
  • File Upload — Built-in file upload API with sanitized filenames
  • Developer Mode — File watcher for hot-reloading DocTypes, scripts, and client scripts on save
  • Fixture Export — Export document records as JSON fixtures via CLI or hooks.toml declarations
  • Realtime — WebSocket pub/sub for live document updates across tabs/users
  • Multi-tenant — Each site has its own database and site_config.json
  • App Workspaces — Per-app home page with configurable icons and color themes
  • Dashboard Widgets — Number cards, shortcuts, and charts (bar, line, donut) on workspaces
  • Context-Aware Sidebar — Sidebar adapts to the current app, showing relevant modules and shortcuts
  • App System — Install 3rd party apps without a compiler

Architecture

Layer 2: Compiled Rust (framework core only)
Layer 1: Rhai Scripts (hooks, validations, hot-reloadable)
Layer 0: JSON DocTypes (data models — no compilation needed)

Most apps only use Layers 0 and 1.

Email sending is planned for a future release.