# When would I want to use UIBUILDER? And when would I not?

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699>\
**Category:** FAQs\
**Tags:** uibuilder\
**Created:** [14 June 2024 15:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699 "2024-06-14T15:55:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [14 June 2024 15:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699/1 "2024-06-14T15:55:47Z")

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Hi all, this is an update of [a post done last September](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/why-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder/81683). As I'm preparing for the UIBUILDER v7 release, I'm trying to update and refresh some of the documentation. This content is included in that documentation.

* * *

## Potential benefits

- _Web pages with integrated websockets and other support tools_.

- _External libraries_.

- _Templates_.

- _Combine no-code, low-code and front-end code approaches_.

- _Multi-user web apps_.

- _Easier & standardised multi-developer workflows_.

- _Not bound to a front-end framework, but can use any of them if desired_.

- _Multiple web apps_.

- _Use different web server settings than Node-RED_.

- _Performance and browser resource usage_

## Alternatives

- _Dashboard 1_.

- _Core nodes: http-in/http-out/websocket-in/websocket-out/template_.

- _"Dashboard 2"_.

There are a number of other possible contributions, but none are production ready and most are abandoned.

With the exception of the core nodes, all of the alternatives bind you to a specific front-end framework.

## Are there situations NOT to use uibuilder?

Absolutely.

- _If you need to get going really quickly and haven't used uibuilder before_.

- _If you need layout help from within Node-RED_.

- _If your Node-RED instance is hosted without a filing system_.

- _If you don't need any of UIBUILDER's features or its freedom and flexibility_.

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**Author:** ![fmarzocca](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/fmarzocca/32/35901_2.png) [@fmarzocca](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/fmarzocca)\
**Post date:** [14 June 2024 16:10 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699/2 "2024-06-14T16:10:02Z")

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I wonder who wouldn't use UIBUILDER after reading this post?  
😅

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [14 June 2024 16:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699/3 "2024-06-14T16:12:56Z")

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Well, I struggle to imagine that! But I _have_ tried to be fair in the analysis. 😀

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**Author:** ![bakman2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/bakman2/32/6207_2.png) [@bakman2](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/bakman2)\
**Post date:** [14 June 2024 16:19 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699/4 "2024-06-14T16:19:23Z")

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> [@TotallyInformation](#):
>
> UIBUILDER does not yet have a GUI layout editor like Dashboard does.

Perhaps you want to take a look at grapesjs, it is very easy to add your own components/layouts with their own attributes (eg. like a 'topic' attribute). See [this demo](https://grapesjs.com/demo.html) - runs completely in the client (if you want) and produces html/css output, which can be retrieved via api, ie. pages can be made very quickly and the layout is fully customizable. There is also a tailwind version. Truly awesome piece of work with great docs.

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**Author:** ![TotallyInformation](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/totallyinformation/32/31_2.png) [@TotallyInformation](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/TotallyInformation)\
**Post date:** [14 June 2024 20:09 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699/5 "2024-06-14T20:09:49Z")

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Many thanks for the reference. In fact, I've looked at it several times in the past and would love to build something around it.

Unfortunately, I don't currently have the spare time to devote to it.

It isn't a simple case of throwing in a node. It needs some serious thought as to how to slot it into the uibuilder architecture in a way that makes sense. My current thinking is to keep it simple and simply have a separate admin web page (running off Node-RED's admin ExpressJS app) that simply saves the output to files in the chosen uibuilder instance root folder (which you would select from a drop-down). Of course, you would also need to be able to take a page back into the tool for further changes. UIBUILDER has most of the detailed functions already in place so at this point, it should be much easier to achieve than when I first started looking at it.

You are right though, it is a fairly amazing piece of work and it is top of my list for that time when I finally get the space to work on this feature.

Of course, if someone wanted an interesting challenge .... 😀 I'd be more than willing to support them.

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**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/1X/d073cd938eafa2e558d7c2cd59003b3ef4963033.png) [@system](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/system)\
**Post date:** [14 July 2024 15:55 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/when-would-i-want-to-use-uibuilder-and-when-would-i-not/88699/6 "2024-07-14T15:55:50Z")

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