Sharing Your Live App

What You'll Learn

You'll discover how to effectively preview and test your Live App before deployment, configure intuitive navigation menus for your users, implement appropriate access controls to protect your data, and follow best practices for app distribution. By mastering these aspects, you'll be able to confidently share your application with users while maintaining security and providing an excellent user experience.

Viewing Your App

Before sharing your app with others, you'll want to preview and test it thoroughly.

Preview Options

Direct Preview

You have several ways to view your Live App during development:

• Click "Go to Live App" from any page in the builder
• Use the Preview button to see the current page you're working on
• Access your app via its unique knack.com URL

Navigation Menu

The navigation menu is a critical component of your app's usability, determining how users will move between pages.

Menu Configuration

Your app's navigation menu supports:

• Global page navigation across the entire application
• Start page organization to create an intuitive entry point
• Custom page icons to improve visual recognition
• Modal display options for pop-up content

Customization Options

You can fine-tune your navigation with these options:

• Menu visibility settings per page (show or hide menu on specific pages)
• Link text customization to improve clarity
• URL structure configuration for clean addresses
• Icon selection to enhance visual navigation
• Display hierarchy to organize pages logically

Access Control

Protect your app's data and features by implementing proper access controls.

User Authentication

Configure how users will access your app:

• Email/password login for standard authentication
• Google Single Sign-On (SSO) integration
• Registration options for new user onboarding
• Password management features (reset, change, requirements)
• Session control settings (timeout, device management)

Permission Levels

User Roles

Implement role-based security with:

• Role-based access to specific features and data
• Custom permissions tailored to your organizational needs
• Hierarchical structure for permission inheritance

Page Security

Secure your content with:

• Login requirements for sensitive pages
• Role restrictions to limit access to authorized users
• Content visibility rules based on user permissions

Implementation Examples

Common Setups

Here are three typical ways to implement and share your Live App:

1. Public Website Integration

   • Homepage with general information
   • Contact forms for visitor submissions
   • Product catalogs visible to all users

2. Customer Portal

   • Authenticated access for customers only
   • Personal dashboards showing customer-specific data
   • Order history and account management features

3. Internal Tool

   • Role-based views for different departments
   • Department-specific access to relevant information
   • Secure data sharing between authorized personnel

Best Practices

Security Guidelines

Follow these security practices for a safe app deployment:

• Conduct regular access reviews to ensure permissions remain appropriate
• Implement strong password policies for user accounts
• Configure proper session management to prevent unauthorized access
• Enable audit logging for sensitive operations

User Experience

Create a pleasant experience for your users:

• Provide clear navigation paths throughout the app
• Ensure consistent access points for common functions
• Design intuitive permissions that align with user expectations
• Implement responsive design for access across devices

Tip: Always test your app thoroughly in a live environment before sharing with end users.

Warning: Pages without login protection are accessible to anyone with the URL.