twenty/packages/twenty-docs/developers/extend/apps/data-model.mdx

---
title: Data Model
description: Define objects, fields, roles, and application metadata with the Twenty SDK.
icon: "database"
---

<Warning>
  Apps are currently in alpha. The feature works but is still evolving.
</Warning>

The `twenty-sdk` package provides `defineEntity` functions to declare your app's data model. You must use `export default defineEntity({...})` for the SDK to detect your entities. These functions validate your configuration at build time and provide IDE autocompletion and type safety.

<Note>
  **File organization is up to you.**
  Entity detection is AST-based — the SDK finds `export default defineEntity(...)` calls regardless of where the file lives. Grouping files by type (e.g., `logic-functions/`, `roles/`) is just a convention, not a requirement.
</Note>

<AccordionGroup>
<Accordion title="defineRole" description="Configure role permissions and object access">

Roles encapsulate permissions on your workspace's objects and actions.

```ts restricted-company-role.ts
import {
  defineRole,
  PermissionFlag,
  STANDARD_OBJECT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIERS,
} from 'twenty-sdk';

export default defineRole({
  universalIdentifier: '2c80f640-2083-4803-bb49-003e38279de6',
  label: 'My new role',
  description: 'A role that can be used in your workspace',
  canReadAllObjectRecords: false,
  canUpdateAllObjectRecords: false,
  canSoftDeleteAllObjectRecords: false,
  canDestroyAllObjectRecords: false,
  canUpdateAllSettings: false,
  canBeAssignedToAgents: false,
  canBeAssignedToUsers: false,
  canBeAssignedToApiKeys: false,
  objectPermissions: [
    {
      objectUniversalIdentifier:
        STANDARD_OBJECT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIERS.company.universalIdentifier,
      canReadObjectRecords: true,
      canUpdateObjectRecords: true,
      canSoftDeleteObjectRecords: false,
      canDestroyObjectRecords: false,
    },
  ],
  fieldPermissions: [
    {
      objectUniversalIdentifier:
        STANDARD_OBJECT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIERS.company.universalIdentifier,
      fieldUniversalIdentifier:
        STANDARD_OBJECT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIERS.company.fields.name.universalIdentifier,
      canReadFieldValue: false,
      canUpdateFieldValue: false,
    },
  ],
  permissionFlags: [PermissionFlag.APPLICATIONS],
});
```

</Accordion>
<Accordion title="defineApplication" description="Configure application metadata (required, one per app)">

Every app must have exactly one `defineApplication` call that describes:

- **Identity**: identifiers, display name, and description.
- **Permissions**: which role its functions and front components use.
- **(Optional) Variables**: key–value pairs exposed to your functions as environment variables.
- **(Optional) Pre-install / post-install functions**: logic functions that run before or after installation.

```ts src/application-config.ts
import { defineApplication } from 'twenty-sdk';
import { DEFAULT_ROLE_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER } from 'src/roles/default-role';

export default defineApplication({
  universalIdentifier: '39783023-bcac-41e3-b0d2-ff1944d8465d',
  displayName: 'My Twenty App',
  description: 'My first Twenty app',
  icon: 'IconWorld',
  applicationVariables: {
    DEFAULT_RECIPIENT_NAME: {
      universalIdentifier: '19e94e59-d4fe-4251-8981-b96d0a9f74de',
      description: 'Default recipient name for postcards',
      value: 'Jane Doe',
      isSecret: false,
    },
  },
  defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier: DEFAULT_ROLE_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
});
```

Notes:
- `universalIdentifier` fields are deterministic IDs you own. Generate them once and keep them stable across syncs.
- `applicationVariables` become environment variables for your functions and front components (e.g., `DEFAULT_RECIPIENT_NAME` is available as `process.env.DEFAULT_RECIPIENT_NAME`).
- `defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier` must reference a role defined with `defineRole()` (see above).
- Pre-install and post-install functions are detected automatically during the manifest build — you do not need to reference them in `defineApplication()`.

#### Marketplace metadata

If you plan to [publish your app](/developers/extend/apps/publishing), these optional fields control how it appears in the marketplace:

| Field | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| `author` | Author or company name |
| `category` | App category for marketplace filtering |
| `logoUrl` | Path to your app logo (e.g., `public/logo.png`) |
| `screenshots` | Array of screenshot paths (e.g., `public/screenshot-1.png`) |
| `aboutDescription` | Longer markdown description for the "About" tab. If omitted, the marketplace uses the package's `README.md` from npm |
| `websiteUrl` | Link to your website |
| `termsUrl` | Link to terms of service |
| `emailSupport` | Support email address |
| `issueReportUrl` | Link to issue tracker |

#### Roles and permissions

The `defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier` in `application-config.ts` designates the default role used by your app's logic functions and front components. See `defineRole` above for details.

- The runtime token injected as `TWENTY_APP_ACCESS_TOKEN` is derived from this role.
- The typed client is restricted to the permissions granted to that role.
- Follow least-privilege: create a dedicated role with only the permissions your functions need.

##### Default function role

When you scaffold a new app, the CLI creates a default role file:

```ts src/roles/default-role.ts
import { defineRole, PermissionFlag } from 'twenty-sdk';

export const DEFAULT_ROLE_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER =
  'b648f87b-1d26-4961-b974-0908fd991061';

export default defineRole({
  universalIdentifier: DEFAULT_ROLE_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
  label: 'Default function role',
  description: 'Default role for function Twenty client',
  canReadAllObjectRecords: true,
  canUpdateAllObjectRecords: false,
  canSoftDeleteAllObjectRecords: false,
  canDestroyAllObjectRecords: false,
  canUpdateAllSettings: false,
  canBeAssignedToAgents: false,
  canBeAssignedToUsers: false,
  canBeAssignedToApiKeys: false,
  objectPermissions: [],
  fieldPermissions: [],
  permissionFlags: [],
});
```

This role's `universalIdentifier` is referenced in `application-config.ts` as `defaultRoleUniversalIdentifier`:

- **\*.role.ts** defines what the role can do.
- **application-config.ts** points to that role so your functions inherit its permissions.

Notes:
- Start from the scaffolded role, then progressively restrict it following least-privilege.
- Replace `objectPermissions` and `fieldPermissions` with the objects and fields your functions actually need.
- `permissionFlags` control access to platform-level capabilities. Keep them minimal.
- See a working example: [`hello-world/src/roles/function-role.ts`](https://github.com/twentyhq/twenty/blob/main/packages/twenty-apps/hello-world/src/roles/function-role.ts).

</Accordion>
<Accordion title="defineObject" description="Define custom objects with fields">

Custom objects describe both schema and behavior for records in your workspace. Use `defineObject()` to define objects with built-in validation:

```ts postCard.object.ts
import { defineObject, FieldType } from 'twenty-sdk';

enum PostCardStatus {
  DRAFT = 'DRAFT',
  SENT = 'SENT',
  DELIVERED = 'DELIVERED',
  RETURNED = 'RETURNED',
}

export default defineObject({
  universalIdentifier: '54b589ca-eeed-4950-a176-358418b85c05',
  nameSingular: 'postCard',
  namePlural: 'postCards',
  labelSingular: 'Post Card',
  labelPlural: 'Post Cards',
  description: 'A post card object',
  icon: 'IconMail',
  fields: [
    {
      universalIdentifier: '58a0a314-d7ea-4865-9850-7fb84e72f30b',
      name: 'content',
      type: FieldType.TEXT,
      label: 'Content',
      description: "Postcard's content",
      icon: 'IconAbc',
    },
    {
      universalIdentifier: 'c6aa31f3-da76-4ac6-889f-475e226009ac',
      name: 'recipientName',
      type: FieldType.FULL_NAME,
      label: 'Recipient name',
      icon: 'IconUser',
    },
    {
      universalIdentifier: '95045777-a0ad-49ec-98f9-22f9fc0c8266',
      name: 'recipientAddress',
      type: FieldType.ADDRESS,
      label: 'Recipient address',
      icon: 'IconHome',
    },
    {
      universalIdentifier: '87b675b8-dd8c-4448-b4ca-20e5a2234a1e',
      name: 'status',
      type: FieldType.SELECT,
      label: 'Status',
      icon: 'IconSend',
      defaultValue: `'${PostCardStatus.DRAFT}'`,
      options: [
        { value: PostCardStatus.DRAFT, label: 'Draft', position: 0, color: 'gray' },
        { value: PostCardStatus.SENT, label: 'Sent', position: 1, color: 'orange' },
        { value: PostCardStatus.DELIVERED, label: 'Delivered', position: 2, color: 'green' },
        { value: PostCardStatus.RETURNED, label: 'Returned', position: 3, color: 'orange' },
      ],
    },
    {
      universalIdentifier: 'e06abe72-5b44-4e7f-93be-afc185a3c433',
      name: 'deliveredAt',
      type: FieldType.DATE_TIME,
      label: 'Delivered at',
      icon: 'IconCheck',
      isNullable: true,
      defaultValue: null,
    },
  ],
});
```

Key points:

- Use `defineObject()` for built-in validation and better IDE support.
- The `universalIdentifier` must be unique and stable across deployments.
- Each field requires a `name`, `type`, `label`, and its own stable `universalIdentifier`.
- The `fields` array is optional — you can define objects without custom fields.
- You can scaffold new objects using `yarn twenty add`, which guides you through naming, fields, and relationships.

<Note>
**Base fields are created automatically.** When you define a custom object, Twenty automatically adds standard fields
  such as `id`, `name`, `createdAt`, `updatedAt`, `createdBy`, `updatedBy` and `deletedAt`.
  You don't need to define these in your `fields` array — only add your custom fields.
  You can override default fields by defining a field with the same name in your `fields` array,
  but this is not recommended.
</Note>

</Accordion>
<Accordion title="defineField — Standard fields" description="Extend existing objects with additional fields">

Use `defineField()` to add fields to objects you don't own — such as standard Twenty objects (Person, Company, etc.) or objects from other apps. Unlike inline fields in `defineObject()`, standalone fields require an `objectUniversalIdentifier` to specify which object they extend:

```ts src/fields/company-loyalty-tier.field.ts
import { defineField, FieldType } from 'twenty-sdk';

export default defineField({
  universalIdentifier: 'f2a1b3c4-d5e6-7890-abcd-ef1234567890',
  objectUniversalIdentifier: '701aecb9-eb1c-4d84-9d94-b954b231b64b', // Company object
  name: 'loyaltyTier',
  type: FieldType.SELECT,
  label: 'Loyalty Tier',
  icon: 'IconStar',
  options: [
    { value: 'BRONZE', label: 'Bronze', position: 0, color: 'orange' },
    { value: 'SILVER', label: 'Silver', position: 1, color: 'gray' },
    { value: 'GOLD', label: 'Gold', position: 2, color: 'yellow' },
  ],
});
```

Key points:
- `objectUniversalIdentifier` identifies the target object. For standard objects, use `STANDARD_OBJECT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIERS` exported from `twenty-sdk`.
- When defining fields inline in `defineObject()`, you do **not** need `objectUniversalIdentifier` — it's inherited from the parent object.
- `defineField()` is the only way to add fields to objects you didn't create with `defineObject()`.

</Accordion>
<Accordion title="defineField — Relation fields" description="Connect objects together with bidirectional relations">

Relations connect objects together. In Twenty, relations are always **bidirectional** — you define both sides, and each side references the other.

There are two relation types:

| Relation type | Description | Has foreign key? |
|---------------|-------------|-----------------|
| `MANY_TO_ONE` | Many records of this object point to one record of the target | Yes (`joinColumnName`) |
| `ONE_TO_MANY` | One record of this object has many records of the target | No (inverse side) |

#### How relations work

Every relation requires **two fields** that reference each other:

1. The **MANY_TO_ONE** side — lives on the object that holds the foreign key
2. The **ONE_TO_MANY** side — lives on the object that owns the collection

Both fields use `FieldType.RELATION` and cross-reference each other via `relationTargetFieldMetadataUniversalIdentifier`.

#### Example: Post Card has many Recipients

Suppose a `PostCard` can be sent to many `PostCardRecipient` records. Each recipient belongs to exactly one post card.

**Step 1: Define the ONE_TO_MANY side on PostCard** (the "one" side):

```ts src/fields/post-card-recipients-on-post-card.field.ts
import { defineField, FieldType, RelationType } from 'twenty-sdk';
import { POST_CARD_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER } from '../objects/post-card.object';
import { POST_CARD_RECIPIENT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER } from '../objects/post-card-recipient.object';

// Export so the other side can reference it
export const POST_CARD_RECIPIENTS_FIELD_ID = 'a1111111-1111-1111-1111-111111111111';
// Import from the other side
import { POST_CARD_FIELD_ID } from './post-card-on-post-card-recipient.field';

export default defineField({
  universalIdentifier: POST_CARD_RECIPIENTS_FIELD_ID,
  objectUniversalIdentifier: POST_CARD_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
  type: FieldType.RELATION,
  name: 'postCardRecipients',
  label: 'Post Card Recipients',
  icon: 'IconUsers',
  relationTargetObjectMetadataUniversalIdentifier: POST_CARD_RECIPIENT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
  relationTargetFieldMetadataUniversalIdentifier: POST_CARD_FIELD_ID,
  universalSettings: {
    relationType: RelationType.ONE_TO_MANY,
  },
});
```

**Step 2: Define the MANY_TO_ONE side on PostCardRecipient** (the "many" side — holds the foreign key):

```ts src/fields/post-card-on-post-card-recipient.field.ts
import { defineField, FieldType, RelationType, OnDeleteAction } from 'twenty-sdk';
import { POST_CARD_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER } from '../objects/post-card.object';
import { POST_CARD_RECIPIENT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER } from '../objects/post-card-recipient.object';

// Export so the other side can reference it
export const POST_CARD_FIELD_ID = 'b2222222-2222-2222-2222-222222222222';
// Import from the other side
import { POST_CARD_RECIPIENTS_FIELD_ID } from './post-card-recipients-on-post-card.field';

export default defineField({
  universalIdentifier: POST_CARD_FIELD_ID,
  objectUniversalIdentifier: POST_CARD_RECIPIENT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
  type: FieldType.RELATION,
  name: 'postCard',
  label: 'Post Card',
  icon: 'IconMail',
  relationTargetObjectMetadataUniversalIdentifier: POST_CARD_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
  relationTargetFieldMetadataUniversalIdentifier: POST_CARD_RECIPIENTS_FIELD_ID,
  universalSettings: {
    relationType: RelationType.MANY_TO_ONE,
    onDelete: OnDeleteAction.CASCADE,
    joinColumnName: 'postCardId',
  },
});
```

<Note>
**Circular imports:** Both relation fields reference each other's `universalIdentifier`. To avoid circular import issues, export your field IDs as named constants from each file, and import them in the other file. The build system resolves these at compile time.
</Note>

#### Relating to standard objects

To create a relation with a built-in Twenty object (Person, Company, etc.), use `STANDARD_OBJECT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIERS`:

```ts src/fields/person-on-self-hosting-user.field.ts
import {
  defineField,
  FieldType,
  RelationType,
  OnDeleteAction,
  STANDARD_OBJECT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIERS,
} from 'twenty-sdk';
import { SELF_HOSTING_USER_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER } from '../objects/self-hosting-user.object';

export const PERSON_FIELD_ID = 'c3333333-3333-3333-3333-333333333333';
export const SELF_HOSTING_USER_REVERSE_FIELD_ID = 'd4444444-4444-4444-4444-444444444444';

export default defineField({
  universalIdentifier: PERSON_FIELD_ID,
  objectUniversalIdentifier: SELF_HOSTING_USER_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
  type: FieldType.RELATION,
  name: 'person',
  label: 'Person',
  description: 'Person matching with the self hosting user',
  isNullable: true,
  relationTargetObjectMetadataUniversalIdentifier:
    STANDARD_OBJECT_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIERS.person.universalIdentifier,
  relationTargetFieldMetadataUniversalIdentifier: SELF_HOSTING_USER_REVERSE_FIELD_ID,
  universalSettings: {
    relationType: RelationType.MANY_TO_ONE,
    onDelete: OnDeleteAction.SET_NULL,
    joinColumnName: 'personId',
  },
});
```

#### Relation field properties

| Property | Required | Description |
|----------|----------|-------------|
| `type` | Yes | Must be `FieldType.RELATION` |
| `relationTargetObjectMetadataUniversalIdentifier` | Yes | The `universalIdentifier` of the target object |
| `relationTargetFieldMetadataUniversalIdentifier` | Yes | The `universalIdentifier` of the matching field on the target object |
| `universalSettings.relationType` | Yes | `RelationType.MANY_TO_ONE` or `RelationType.ONE_TO_MANY` |
| `universalSettings.onDelete` | MANY_TO_ONE only | What happens when the referenced record is deleted: `CASCADE`, `SET_NULL`, `RESTRICT`, or `NO_ACTION` |
| `universalSettings.joinColumnName` | MANY_TO_ONE only | Database column name for the foreign key (e.g., `postCardId`) |

#### Inline relation fields in defineObject

You can also define relation fields directly inside `defineObject()`. In that case, omit `objectUniversalIdentifier` — it's inherited from the parent object:

```ts
export default defineObject({
  universalIdentifier: '...',
  nameSingular: 'postCardRecipient',
  // ...
  fields: [
    {
      universalIdentifier: POST_CARD_FIELD_ID,
      type: FieldType.RELATION,
      name: 'postCard',
      label: 'Post Card',
      relationTargetObjectMetadataUniversalIdentifier: POST_CARD_UNIVERSAL_IDENTIFIER,
      relationTargetFieldMetadataUniversalIdentifier: POST_CARD_RECIPIENTS_FIELD_ID,
      universalSettings: {
        relationType: RelationType.MANY_TO_ONE,
        onDelete: OnDeleteAction.CASCADE,
        joinColumnName: 'postCardId',
      },
    },
    // ... other fields
  ],
});
```
</Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Scaffolding entities with `yarn twenty add`

Instead of creating entity files by hand, you can use the interactive scaffolder:

```bash filename="Terminal"
yarn twenty add
```

This prompts you to pick an entity type and walks you through the required fields. It generates a ready-to-use file with a stable `universalIdentifier` and the correct `defineEntity()` call.

You can also pass the entity type directly to skip the first prompt:

```bash filename="Terminal"
yarn twenty add object
yarn twenty add logicFunction
yarn twenty add frontComponent
```

### Available entity types

| Entity type | Command | Generated file |
|-------------|---------|----------------|
| Object | `yarn twenty add object` | `src/objects/<name>.ts` |
| Field | `yarn twenty add field` | `src/fields/<name>.ts` |
| Logic function | `yarn twenty add logicFunction` | `src/logic-functions/<name>.ts` |
| Front component | `yarn twenty add frontComponent` | `src/front-components/<name>.tsx` |
| Role | `yarn twenty add role` | `src/roles/<name>.ts` |
| Skill | `yarn twenty add skill` | `src/skills/<name>.ts` |
| Agent | `yarn twenty add agent` | `src/agents/<name>.ts` |
| View | `yarn twenty add view` | `src/views/<name>.ts` |
| Navigation menu item | `yarn twenty add navigationMenuItem` | `src/navigation-menu-items/<name>.ts` |
| Page layout | `yarn twenty add pageLayout` | `src/page-layouts/<name>.ts` |

### What the scaffolder generates

Each entity type has its own template. For example, `yarn twenty add object` asks for:

1. **Name (singular)** — e.g., `invoice`
2. **Name (plural)** — e.g., `invoices`
3. **Label (singular)** — auto-populated from the name (e.g., `Invoice`)
4. **Label (plural)** — auto-populated (e.g., `Invoices`)
5. **Create a view and navigation item?** — if you answer yes, the scaffolder also generates a matching view and sidebar link for the new object.

Other entity types have simpler prompts — most only ask for a name.

The `field` entity type is more detailed: it asks for the field name, label, type (from a list of all available field types like `TEXT`, `NUMBER`, `SELECT`, `RELATION`, etc.), and the target object's `universalIdentifier`.

### Custom output path

Use the `--path` flag to place the generated file in a custom location:

```bash filename="Terminal"
yarn twenty add logicFunction --path src/custom-folder
```