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Update Connector Builder docs to reflect configuration UI additions #21129

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55 changes: 27 additions & 28 deletions docs/connector-development/config-based/connector-builder-ui.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
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# Connector Builder UI

The connector builder UI provides an ergonomic iteration interface on top of the [low-code YAML format](understanding-the-yaml-file/yaml-overview). We recommend using it to iterate on your YAML connectors.
The connector builder UI provides an ergonomic iteration interface on top of the [low-code YAML format](understanding-the-yaml-file/yaml-overview). We recommend using it to iterate on your low-code connectors.

:::caution
The connector builder UI is in alpha, which means it’s still in active development and may include backward-incompatible changes. Share feedback and requests with us on our Slack channel or email us at [email protected]
:::caution
The connector builder UI is in alpha, which means it’s still in active development and may include backward-incompatible changes. Share feedback and requests with us on our Slack channel or email us at [email protected]
:::

## Getting started
The high level flow for using the connector builder is as follows:

The high level flow for using the connector builder is as follows:

1. Run the Airbyte webapp to access the connector builder
2. Use the connector builder to iterate on your YAML (either starting with a new YAML, or pasting an existing one into the editor)
2. Use the connector builder to iterate on your low-code connector
3. Export the YAML into a low-code connector module on your local machine
4. Build the connector's Docker image
5. Use the built connector image in Airbyte

### Run an Airbyte instance

:::info
You need at least Airbyte v0.40.19 to run the connector builder.
You need at least Airbyte v0.40.27 to run the connector builder UI.
:::

:::tip
We recommend using a dedicated Airbyte instance for the connector builder UI. This will allow you to pick up connector builder UI upgrades without impacting your production data pipelines.
We recommend using a dedicated Airbyte instance for the connector builder UI. This will allow you to pick up connector builder UI upgrades without impacting your production data pipelines.
:::

The connector builder UI is bundled as part of the Airbyte webapp. To run it, follow [the instructions for deploying Airbyte locally](../../deploying-airbyte/local-deployment) to run Airbyte on your machine. Once you do, Airbyte should be reachable at `http://localhost:8000`.


### Visit the connector builder
Once your Airbyte instance has started and you've moved past the initial setup screen, visit `http://localhost:8000/connector-builder`. You will be redirected to a URL of the form `localhost:8000/workspaces/<UUID>/connector-builder` where `<UUID>` is the ID automatically generated for your workspace by Airbyte. On this page you will find the connector builder UI. It should look like this:
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Removed this because it no longer redirects when visiting the connector builder page


![The Connector Builder home page](./assets/lowcode_landing_screen.png)
Once your Airbyte instance has started and you've moved past the initial setup screen, visit `http://localhost:8000/connector-builder`. On this page you will find the connector builder UI. It should look like this:

You can now iterate on your connector's YAML manifest. See the [components](#connector-builder-components) section for more information on how to use the UI to iterate on the YAML manifest.
![The Connector Builder home page](./assets/lowcode_landing_screen.png)

### Exporting the YAML
Once you're done iterating on your YAML in the UI, you'll need to export it to your local filesystem into a connector module.
You can now use this UI to build your connector. See the [components](#connector-builder-components) section for more information on how to use the UI to iterate on your connector.

If you haven't already, create a low-code connector module using the connector generator (see [this YAML tutorial for an example](tutorial/1-create-source.md)) using the name you'd like to use for your connector. For this section, let's assume our connector is called `exchange-rates`. After creating the connector, overwrite the contents of `airbyte-integrations/connectors/source-exchange-rates/source_exchange_rates/exchange_rates.yaml` with the YAML you created in the UI.
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Not sure why this diff is weird -- this wasn't actually removed

The output of this UI is a low-code YAML representation of your connector, which you can preview by clicking the `UI | YAML` toggle button the the top-left. This screen also allows you to edit the low-code YAML directly if desired, and continue to test it in the testing panel.

### Exporting the YAML

<!-- TODO remove this when we bundle schema specification into the YAML -->
:::info
Remember that you need to declare the schemas of your streams separately from the YAML manifest.
Once you're done iterating on your connector in the UI, you'll need to export the low-code YAML representation of the connector to your local filesystem into a connector module. This YAML can be downloaded by clicking the `Download Config` button in the bottom-left.

You can do this by placing one `.json` file per stream in the `schemas/` directory of your connector module. Each `.json` should be a JSONSchema describing the schema of your stream. More information about this can be found in the [static schemas section of the Python CDK](../cdk-python/schemas#static-schemas).
:::
If you haven't already, create a low-code connector module using the connector generator (see [this YAML tutorial for an example](tutorial/1-create-source.md)) using the name you'd like to use for your connector. For this section, let's assume our connector is called `exchange-rates`. After creating the connector, overwrite the contents of `airbyte-integrations/connectors/source-exchange-rates/source_exchange_rates/exchange_rates.yaml` with the YAML you created in the UI.

### Building the connector image
Follow the instructions in the connector README to build the Docker image. Typically this will be something like `docker build . -t airbyte/source-<name>:<version>`.

Once you've built the connector image, [follow these instructions](../../integrations/custom-connectors#adding-your-connectors-in-the-ui) to add your connector to your Airbyte instance.
Follow the instructions in the connector README to build the Docker image. Typically this will be something like `docker build . -t airbyte/source-<name>:<version>`.

## Connector Builder Components
Once you've built the connector image, [follow these instructions](../../integrations/custom-connectors#adding-your-connectors-in-the-ui) to add your connector to your Airbyte instance.

The UI contains two main components: the text editor where you can edit your YAML (left) according to the [YAML lowcode specification](./understanding-the-yaml-file/yaml-overview), and the testing panel (right) where you can get feedback on how your connector works as a result of your YAML manifest.
## Connector Builder Testing Panel

The UI contains two main components: the Builder UI where you can fill out inputs to build your connector (left), and the testing panel (right) where you can get feedback on how your connector works.

![Annotated Test Pane](./assets/lowcode_annotated_test_pane.png)

1. **Input parameters panel**: Configure the input parameters to be used in testing. For example, if the connector requires an API key, use this panel to specify a JSON object containing your API key e.g: `{"api_key": "xyz"}`
1. **Input parameters panel**: Configure the input parameters to be used in testing. For example, if the connector requires an API key, open this menu to input your API which will be used for testing.
2. **Stream Picker dropdown**: Use this dropdown to choose which stream you want to test
3. **Endpoint URL**: Displays the URL queried by the CDK to retrieve data for the current stream
4. **Test button**: When clicked, retrieves the data for the selected stream using the stream configuration setup in the YAML file. This is the equivalent of running the `read` command on the terminal for a single stream (the selected stream).
4. **Test button**: When clicked, retrieves the data for the selected stream using the stream configuration setup in the UI. This is the equivalent of running the `read` command on the terminal for a single stream (the selected stream).
5. **Records tab**: Displays the final output returned by the connector for the selected page of data in this stream
6. **Request tab**: Displays the outgoing HTTP request made by the connector to retrieve the selected page of data. Useful for debugging.
7. **Response tab**: Displays the full HTTP response received by the connector for the selected page of data. Useful for debugging.
6. **Request tab**: Displays the outgoing HTTP request made by the connector to retrieve the selected page of data. Useful for debugging.
7. **Response tab**: Displays the full HTTP response received by the connector for the selected page of data. Useful for debugging.
8. **Results view**: Displays information based on the selected tab
9. **Page selector** Displays the selected page
10. **Logs view**: Displays the logs emitted by the connector while running

The following demo video demonstrates these components on a very simple API:
The following demo video demonstrates these components on a very simple API:

<div style={{position: "relative", "padding-bottom": "64.90384615384616%", height: 0}}>
<iframe src="https://www.loom.com/embed/acf899938ef74dec8dd61ba012bc872f" frameborder="0" webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowfullscreen style={{position: "absolute", top: 0, left: 0, width: "100%", height: "100%"}}></iframe>
</div>

## Upgrading

The connector builder ships as part of the Airbyte platform. So if you want to get the latest and greatest updates to the builder UI, follow the process for [upgrading Airbyte](../../operator-guides/upgrading-airbyte) and you should pick up the upgrades.