Guide · Open source
How to use lowcode-engine: clone, build and extend it
Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data
lowcode-engine is an open-source TypeScript framework from Alibaba for building low-code platforms, where applications are assembled through visual editing instead of being written entirely by hand. It is aimed at developers and engineering teams who want to build their own visual development tools. This guide covers what the project is, how to get the source, and what to consider before you start.
lowcode-enginealibaba/lowcode-engine · ★ 15.9k · MIT Install options & downloads Quick start
- 1Confirm you need a framework. Check that you are building a low-code platform for others, not just a website. lowcode-engine is intended for developers creating these tools.
- 2Clone the repository. Run git clone https://github.com/alibaba/lowcode-engine to get the source code onto your machine.
- 3Open the engine package. Read packages/engine/README.md to understand what the engine package provides.
- 4Find complete build instructions. The supplied README is truncated, so look in the repository and at https://lowcode-engine.cn for full setup and build steps.
- 5Plan your extensions. List the editing features you need and decide which will be implemented as plugins.
- 6Build and integrate. Follow the build steps from the project documentation and integrate the engine into your team's front-end stack.
What is lowcode-engine?
lowcode-engine describes itself as an enterprise-class low-code technology stack with a scale-out design. It is a framework for developers who build low-code platforms, not a finished no-code website builder for end users.
The project is written in TypeScript and released under the MIT licence.
- Language: TypeScript
- Licence: MIT
- Purpose: building low-code or visual development platforms
- Designed to be extended, for example with plugins
Is lowcode-engine right for your team?
The project fits engineering teams building an internal low-code or visual development platform, and developers who want an extensible editor framework they can customise. It assumes comfort with TypeScript and a React-style front-end stack.
It is a poor fit if you only want to build a website without code, or if your team lacks front-end engineering capacity, since adapting the framework takes significant development work.
- Good fit: internal platform teams, developers wanting a plugin-extensible editor, TypeScript and React-style front-end teams
- Poor fit: people wanting a no-code site builder, teams without front-end capacity
Clone the repository
The source is hosted on GitHub. Clone it with the command below. The project's listed install method is clone-and-build, and the source material lists no specific prerequisites.
The project homepage is https://lowcode-engine.cn.
git clone https://github.com/alibaba/lowcode-engineFind the engine package and its README
The supplied documentation points to the engine package at packages/engine/README.md. Start there to read what the package provides.
The README available for this guide is truncated, so it does not give full setup steps, build commands or architecture details. Check the repository and the project homepage for the complete documentation before planning your build.
- Look in packages/engine/README.md after cloning
- Confirm build steps in the repository itself, since they are not covered in the excerpt
Plan how you will extend it
The framework is described as designed for extension, so the usual path is to customise it through plugins and your own components rather than changing the core for every feature. Decide early which editing features your platform needs, and which ones you will build yourself.
Because adapting the framework requires significant development work, budget engineering time for integration, testing and maintenance of your customisations.
- Define the apps your users will build
- Identify which features must be plugins
- Staff the project with front-end engineers comfortable with TypeScript
What people use it for
- An engineering team building an internal tool where staff assemble business forms or pages visually
- A developer creating a visual editor with custom plugins for a specific domain
- An organisation adding a low-code layer to an existing TypeScript and React-style front-end stack
Frequently asked questions
How do I install lowcode-engine?
The listed install method is clone-and-build. Run git clone https://github.com/alibaba/lowcode-engine, then follow the build steps in the repository, since the supplied README does not include them.
Is lowcode-engine free to use?
lowcode-engine is released under the MIT licence, which is a permissive open-source licence. Check the LICENSE file in the repository for the full terms before using it in a product.
What are the requirements for lowcode-engine?
The source material does not list specific prerequisites. The project is written in TypeScript and is aimed at teams comfortable with a React-style front-end stack.
Is there a no-code alternative to lowcode-engine?
If you only want to build websites without code, lowcode-engine is not the right tool, because it is a framework for developers building low-code platforms. Choose an end-user builder instead. No direct comparable projects are listed in the source material.
Why won't the README setup steps work for me?
The README supplied for this guide is truncated and only points to the engine package, so it does not contain full setup detail. Use the repository's complete documentation and the project homepage at https://lowcode-engine.cn.
Can I customise lowcode-engine?
The project is described as designed for extension, and plugins are a natural way to customise it. The source does not detail the plugin API, so review the repository documentation for specifics.
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Our verdict
lowcode-engine suits engineering teams that want to build their own extensible low-code or visual development platform and already work in TypeScript and a React-style stack. It is a poor choice for anyone wanting a ready-made no-code builder or for teams without front-end engineering capacity, and the truncated README means you will need to do extra research before starting.
Install options & downloads