vtex-io-app-structure
App Architecture & Manifest Configuration
When this skill applies
Use this skill when working with the foundational structure of a VTEX IO app — the manifest.json file, builder system, policy declarations, dependency management, service.json resource limits, and app lifecycle (link, publish, deploy).
- Creating a new VTEX IO app from scratch
- Adding a builder to an existing app
- Configuring policies for API access
- Troubleshooting deployment failures related to manifest misconfiguration
Do not use this skill for:
- Backend service implementation details (use
vtex-io-service-appsinstead) - React component development (use
vtex-io-react-appsinstead) - GraphQL schema and resolver details (use
vtex-io-graphql-apiinstead)
Decision rules
More from vtexdocs/ai-skills
vtex-io-react-apps
Apply when building React components under react/ or configuring store blocks in store/ for VTEX IO apps. Covers interfaces.json, contentSchemas.json for Site Editor, VTEX Styleguide for admin apps, and css-handles for storefront styling. Use for creating custom storefront components, admin panels, pixel apps, or any frontend development within the VTEX IO react builder ecosystem.
101vtex-io-masterdata
Apply when working with MasterData v2 entities, schemas, or MasterDataClient in VTEX IO apps, or when anyone designing or implementing a solution must scrutinize whether Master Data is the correct storage. The skill prompts hard questions: native Catalog or other VTEX stores, OMS, or an external database may be better; do not default to MD because it is convenient. Covers JSON Schema, CRUD, triggers, search and scroll, schema lifecycle, purchase-path avoidance, single source of truth, and BFF handoffs. Use for justified custom persistence while avoiding the 60-schema limit.
86vtex-io-service-apps
Apply when building backend service apps under node/ in a VTEX IO project or configuring service.json routes. Covers the Service class, middleware functions, ctx.clients pattern, JanusClient, ExternalClient, MasterDataClient, and IOClients registration. Use for implementing backend APIs, event handlers, or integrations that must use @vtex/api clients instead of raw HTTP libraries.
85vtex-io-graphql-api
Apply when working with GraphQL schema files in graphql/ or implementing resolvers in node/resolvers/ for VTEX IO apps. Covers schema.graphql definitions, @cacheControl and @auth directives, custom type definitions, and resolver registration in the Service class. Use for exposing data through GraphQL queries and mutations with proper cache control and authentication enforcement.
83payment-pci-security
Apply when handling credit card data, implementing secureProxyUrl flows, or working with payment security and proxy code. Covers PCI DSS compliance, Secure Proxy card tokenization, sensitive data handling rules, X-PROVIDER-Forward-To header usage, custom token creation, and the constraint that Secure Proxy applies only to card authorization (not post-auth operations like cancel, capture, or refund). Use for any payment connector that processes credit, debit, or co-branded card payments to prevent data breaches and PCI violations.
76headless-intelligent-search
Apply when implementing search functionality, faceted navigation, or autocomplete in a headless VTEX storefront. Covers product_search, autocomplete_suggestions, facets, banners, correction_search, and top_searches endpoints, plus analytics event collection. Use for any custom frontend that integrates VTEX Intelligent Search API for product discovery and search result rendering.
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