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ODE Desktop

User guide for ODE Desktop — the Open Data Ensemble desktop application for data stewardship and app development.

ODE Desktop joined the ensemble in v1.1.0. Install ODE Desktop to get started.

Two modes

ODE Desktop provides two modes in one application. Use the mode switcher in the top bar:

ModeWho it's forWhat you do
Data managementField and data staffProfiles, observations, import, sync
Forms / app workbenchForm and app authorsBundles, form preview, custom app testing

Both modes share the active profile — the same Synkronus server, workspace, and local observation database.

Data management

ScreenPurpose
ProfilesServer connection, workspace, authentication
ObservationsSearch, edit, and resolve observations
ImportImport JSON observation files
SyncPull, push, and workspace maintenance
AboutSupport links and license

Workbench

ScreenPurpose
BundlesDownload app bundles from Synkronus
Form previewOpen and test forms from the bundle
Custom appRun the custom app WebView
Developer modeIterate on a local custom app build

Typical workflows

Data steward

  1. Create a profile with your Synkronus server URL.
  2. Authenticate on Profiles.
  3. On Sync, run Pull to download observations.
  4. Inspect and edit on Observations.
  5. Push local changes back to Synkronus.

App author

  1. Set up a profile and authenticate (as above).
  2. On Bundles, Download & apply the active app bundle.
  3. Test forms on Form preview or the full app on Custom app.
  4. For local iteration before publishing, enable Developer mode.