kbn new: A Quick Guide

Hey guys! Ever found yourself staring at a blank screen, wondering how to kickstart your next Kibana project? Well, you’re in luck because today we’re diving deep into the magical world of kbn new . This little command is your best friend when you want to set up a new Kibana plugin from scratch. Forget the manual setup headaches; kbn new is designed to streamline the process, giving you a solid foundation to build upon. Whether you’re a seasoned Kibana developer or just dipping your toes into the plugin ecosystem, understanding this tool is crucial. It not only saves you time but also ensures you’re following best practices right from the get-go. So, buckle up, and let’s explore how kbn new can make your plugin development journey a whole lot smoother. We’ll cover what it does, why it’s important, and how you can use it effectively to get your projects off the ground with minimal fuss.

Understanding the Power of kbn new

So, what exactly is kbn new , you ask? At its core, kbn new is a command-line interface (CLI) tool that acts as a scaffold for creating new Kibana plugins. Think of it as a blueprint generator. When you run this command, it automatically sets up the basic directory structure, essential configuration files, and boilerplate code that every Kibana plugin needs. This means you don’t have to manually create folders, write basic package.json files, or set up the initial testing framework. kbn new handles all of that for you. The primary goal here is to reduce the boilerplate code and configuration overhead, allowing developers to focus on the unique logic and features of their plugin. It’s all about getting you to the real work faster. By providing a standardized starting point, it also promotes consistency across different plugins, making it easier for teams to collaborate and for new developers to jump into existing projects. The tool is maintained by the Kibana core team, so you can be confident that it adheres to the latest standards and best practices within the Kibana development ecosystem. Using kbn new is, therefore, not just a convenience; it’s a way to ensure your plugin is built on a robust and well-supported foundation. We’ll explore the specifics of how to use it and what kind of structure it generates in the subsequent sections, but for now, just know that this command is your launchpad.

Why kbn new is a Developer’s Best Friend

Alright, let’s talk about why you should be using kbn new . Seriously, guys, this command is a game-changer for anyone developing Kibana plugins. The biggest advantage? Time savings . Imagine spending hours setting up the basic files and directories for a new plugin. Tedious, right? kbn new automates this entire process in seconds. It generates a complete, ready-to-go plugin structure, including things like package.json , .gitignore , essential build scripts, and a basic plugin entry point. This means you can skip the mundane setup and jump straight into writing the actual code that makes your plugin unique. It’s all about efficiency . Beyond just saving time, kbn new enforces a standardized structure . This is huge for collaboration. When everyone on a team uses kbn new , all plugins have a similar organization. This makes it incredibly easy for developers to navigate unfamiliar codebases, understand how other plugins are built, and contribute effectively. It reduces the learning curve and promotes consistency, which are invaluable in any development environment. Furthermore, the structure generated by kbn new is designed to work seamlessly with Kibana’s build tools and development workflow. You get pre-configured build scripts that handle compilation, testing, and packaging. This ensures that your plugin integrates smoothly with the Kibana ecosystem and follows best practices from the start. Think of it as getting a head start on quality and maintainability. It’s not just about getting something working; it’s about getting it working correctly and efficiently . So, if you want to develop Kibana plugins faster, with less hassle, and in a way that’s maintainable and collaborative, kbn new is definitely the way to go.

Getting Started with kbn new

Ready to put kbn new to work? It’s super straightforward, but you’ll need a couple of prerequisites. First off, you need to have Node.js installed on your system, as Kibana’s development tools are built on Node.js. You’ll also need Git, which is pretty standard for any development work these days. Once you have those, you’ll typically be working within the Kibana source code directory. If you haven’t cloned the Kibana repository yet, you’ll need to do that first. You can usually find instructions on how to do this on the official Kibana documentation or GitHub repository. After cloning the Kibana source code, navigate into the root directory using your terminal. The command you’ll run is simple: node scripts/generate_plugin.js <your-plugin-name> . Replace <your-plugin-name> with the actual name you want for your plugin. For example, if you want to create a plugin called my_awesome_plugin , you’d run node scripts/generate_plugin.js my_awesome_plugin . It’s important to note that the plugin name should typically be in snake_case (lowercase with underscores). When you execute this command, kbn new will prompt you with a few questions to gather more information about your plugin, such as its version, description, and author. Answer these prompts carefully, as they will populate your plugin’s package.json and other configuration files. Once completed, it will create a new directory with your plugin’s name inside the plugins folder of your Kibana source tree. This directory will contain all the boilerplate code and file structure needed to start developing your plugin. It’s that easy! You’ll find subdirectories like public , server , and common , along with essential configuration files. This is your starting point for adding all the cool features you envision for your plugin. So, go ahead, give it a try, and see how much time and effort you save!

Exploring the Generated Plugin Structure

Once kbn new has done its magic, you’ll find a well-organized directory structure ready for your coding endeavors. Let’s take a quick tour, guys. Inside the folder named after your plugin (e.g., my_awesome_plugin ), you’ll typically see a few key components. The public directory is where all your client-side code lives. This includes your React components, JavaScript, CSS, and any other assets that will be rendered in the browser. If your plugin has a user interface, this is where you’ll be spending a lot of your time. Next up, we have the server directory. This is for your server-side code, written in Node.js. Any backend logic, API endpoints, or interactions with Elasticsearch will go here. It’s the powerhouse of your plugin’s functionality that operates on the server. Then there’s the common directory. This is a special place for code that needs to be shared between the server and the public (client) sides of your plugin. Think of shared utility functions, data models, or type definitions. Using common helps avoid code duplication and keeps your plugin DRY (Don’t Repeat Yourself). You’ll also find crucial configuration files. The package.json file is like the identity card for your plugin. It contains metadata like the plugin name, version, description, author, and importantly, its dependencies. Make sure to keep this updated! There will also be build-related files, often including configuration for Webpack or Babel, which handle the compilation and bundling of your code. Kibana’s build system relies on these. Finally, there’s usually a basic plugin.ts (or plugin.js ) file, which is the entry point for your plugin. It’s where you define how your plugin initializes and registers itself with Kibana. This structure might seem like a lot at first, but it’s designed to be logical and scalable. Understanding these directories and files will significantly speed up your development process, as you’ll know exactly where to put your code and how it fits into the larger Kibana architecture. It’s a solid blueprint for success!

Customizing Your Plugin with kbn new Options

While kbn new provides a fantastic default setup, you might find yourself needing to tweak things right from the start. Fortunately, the generate_plugin.js script offers several options to customize the generated plugin. These options allow you to tailor the scaffolding to your specific needs before you even write a line of custom code. For instance, you can specify whether your plugin will be a UI application or a backend-only service. This can influence the default directory structure or the inclusion of certain dependencies. To see all available options, you can usually run the script with a --help flag: node scripts/generate_plugin.js --help . This will list out parameters like --ui-only or --server-only which can be quite handy. If you’re building a plugin that primarily interacts with Elasticsearch without needing a user interface within Kibana itself, using a --server-only flag can simplify the generated structure. Conversely, a --ui-only flag might pre-configure more client-side related build tools. Another valuable aspect is how you can influence the initial setup of testing frameworks. Depending on the options you choose, kbn new can set up basic test files and configurations, ensuring you’re ready to write unit and integration tests from the get-go. Customizing these initial settings can save considerable time and effort down the line. It ensures that the boilerplate generated aligns perfectly with your intended plugin architecture. Always check the --help output for the most up-to-date options, as these tools evolve with Kibana itself. Taking a few minutes to explore these options can make a significant difference in how smoothly your plugin development proceeds. It’s about setting yourself up for success from the very first command.

Best Practices When Using kbn new

Alright, let’s wrap this up with some golden tips, guys, to make sure you’re using kbn new like a pro. First off, always use descriptive plugin names . While kbn new might let you get away with generic names, using something clear and concise, like monitoring_dashboard instead of just dash , will make your project much easier to understand for yourself and anyone else who might work on it later. Remember the snake_case convention – it’s the standard and keeps things tidy. Secondly, pay attention to the prompts . When kbn new asks for version, description, and author details, fill them out accurately. This information is crucial for package.json and helps maintainers understand the plugin’s context. Keep your dependencies lean . kbn new sets up a basic structure, but it’s tempting to add every possible library. Be mindful of what your plugin actually needs. Overloading your plugin with unnecessary dependencies can lead to larger build sizes and potential conflicts. Regularly update Kibana itself . Since kbn new generates code based on the Kibana version you’re working with, keeping your Kibana source code up-to-date ensures that your plugin generation is based on the latest APIs and best practices. This also helps prevent compatibility issues down the line. And speaking of best practices, leverage the generated structure . Don’t fight against the public , server , and common directories. Use them as intended to keep your code organized and maintainable. This standardized approach makes collaboration a breeze. Finally, consult the Kibana documentation . While kbn new provides a great start, the official Kibana developer documentation is your ultimate resource for understanding advanced concepts, APIs, and specific requirements for plugin development. It’s the definitive guide to building robust and high-quality plugins. By following these best practices, you’ll ensure your Kibana plugin development is efficient, maintainable, and successful. Happy coding!