1. What is Zia App Builder?

Note: To use Zia App Builder or any Zia features, you must configure Zia with one of the supported LLMs such as Zoho GenAI, Google, Anthropic, or OpenAI. Learn more about configuring Zia.

1.1. How Zia App Builder meets enterprise requirements

1. Accelerates application development: Zia App Builder automatically generates a complete data model, forms, workflows, and permissions, eliminating the need to manually design application components. By converting business prompts into structured use cases and working components, teams can move from idea to a functional application foundation in minutes, significantly reducing development time.
2. Simplifies application validation: Along with the application components, Zia can generate sample data, enabling teams to immediately verify approvals, automation, reports, and access controls. This helps detect gaps early and refine the application before deployment.
3. Delivers enterprise ready applications: Applications created with Zia App Builder are built to production standards from the start, with role-based access, structured workflows, and data controls in place from the moment the application is created. Teams can move from idea to a deployable application foundation in minutes, making AI-assisted development practical for real business use.
   

 1.2. Navigation guide  

To create apps using Zia App Builder, ensure that you've configured Zia with an LLM in Zia settings and toggle the Create Application button. 

2. Modes of Zia App builder

2.1. Build mode

Build mode helps you quickly generate a working Zoho Creator application from your requirements. After you submit a prompt or supporting documents, Zia analyzes the inputs and generates a set of practical use cases that represent the features and workflows of your application. You can review these use cases, modify them as needed, and generate the application once they accurately reflect your requirements.

Alongside the generated use cases, Zia provides a dynamic data model that previews the application's structure, including the forms, fields, and relationships that will be created. You can also configure supported integrations before generating the application. Once generated, the application includes the required Creator components, providing a functional foundation that you can review, test, and customize further.

When to use: Build mode is ideal when you have a clear understanding of your application requirements and want to quickly generate a working application that can be refined after creation.

Learn how to create application using build mode in Zia App Creator

2.2. Plan mode

Plan mode focuses on defining and validating application requirements before generating the application. Instead of creating the application immediately, App Builder first generates a Business Requirement Document (BRD) based on your prompt and any uploaded documents. The BRD provides a structured overview of the application's objectives, business processes, user personas, key features, and integration requirements.

You can review the generated BRD and refine it through additional prompts until it accurately reflects your requirements. If your initial prompt is unclear or incomplete, Zia may ask follow-up questions to gather the required information before generating or updating the BRD. You can also configure integrations before generating the application. 

Once you approve the plan, Zia generates the application's primary components, making the application accessible. After the application becomes available, the remaining backend components, including workflows, user permissions, blueprints, and other supporting configurations, continue to be configured in the background.

Info: Enable Build Agent in Zia settings to view the progress of the backend configuration after the application's primary components are generated. If Build Agent is not enabled, the application is still created and the backend configuration continues in the background, but its progress is not displayed. Learn more about Build Agent

When to use: Plan mode is well suited for projects that involve detailed requirement documents, stakeholder reviews, or integrations that should be planned before application development begins.

Learn how to create application using plan mode in Zia App Creator

3. How does Zia App Bulider works?

Step 1: Describe your application

Provide your application requirements using one or both of the following input methods:

1. Text input - Describe your application's objectives, business requirements, or the problems it should solve. Your prompt can be as simple as an application name or as detailed as a complete set of business requirements. 
   

Tip: Your prompt can be as simple as an application name, such as Vendor Management, or as detailed as a complete list of business requirements. Detailed prompts generally produce more accurate and customized results.

1. File upload - Upload supporting documents such as product requirement documents (PRDs), requirement specifications, process diagrams, flowcharts, or images. Zia extracts the relevant information from these files and uses it to understand your application requirements better. 
   

Note: The file input accepts either one document or up to three images per session, with each file limited to 5 MB. Supported formats include PNG, JPG, JPEG, and WEBP for images, and PDF and TXT for documents.

Tip: We recommend including both types of inputs for a prompt to enhance the chances of getting custom use cases that your application can include. Check out this section to try a few sample text and file input prompts.

Step 2: Submit your prompt

Once you submit your prompt, Zia securely sends it to the configured large language model (LLM) provider for processing.

If you're using Plan mode, you can choose the preferred model from the LLM provider configured in Zia to process your prompt and generate the Business Requirement Document (BRD). This option is available only in Plan mode and applies only to the current planning session.

Note: LLM model selection is not available when Zoho GenAI is configured as the LLM provider in Zia.

Security tip: Avoid including sensitive information such as passwords, financial details, or other confidential information in your prompts. If you want your prompts to be processed entirely within the Zoho ecosystem, configure Zoho GenAI as your LLM provider for the Zia Create Application feature.

Step 3: Review the generated output

After your prompt is processed, Zia App Builder generates different outputs based on the selected application creation mode.

In Plan mode, Zia generates a Business Requirement Document (BRD) for review and refinement before creating the application.

1. Review and refine the BRD
   Zia generates a Business Requirement Document (BRD) based on your inputs, outlining the application's objectives, user personas, key features, business processes, and integration requirements. Review the generated BRD and refine it through follow-up prompts until it accurately reflects your requirements.
2. Configure integrations
   Configure the required integrations before generating the application. Connected modules are created as integration forms in the generated application, allowing data synchronization to be available from the start.
3. Generate the application
   Once you approve the BRD, Zia generates the application structure. Build Agent then completes the remaining backend configuration, including roles, permissions, blueprints, and workflows, providing a ready-to-customize application foundation.

In Build mode, Zia generates use cases and a dynamic data model based on your inputs. Review and refine the generated use cases, while the data model updates automatically to reflect your changes. Once finalized, Zia generates the application by creating the required Creator components.

Components generated by Zia App Builder

Zia App Builder will utilize the following Creator components to create your application.

1. Forms - Collects and stores data in Creator
   
2. Integration Forms - Establishes a bridge between Creator and another service to enable automatic data synchronization
   
3. Reports - Displays collected data in customizable views
   
4. Pages - Present key metrics based on the data in a visually appealing and organized manner
   
5. Application Layout - Personalizes your application by customizing the buttons, menus, and the overall theme of your application
   
6. Permissions - Define customized permission sets that decide on how different users can access the application components and form data.
   
7. Workflows
1. Form workflow - Automates or initiates tasks on triggers based out of a form
   
2. Schedule workflow - Executes timed actions automatically based on a specified date value and can be scheduled for periodic execution.
   
8. Blueprints - Streamlines a business flow that outlines the structured execution processes for a use case
   

5. Business use cases

5.1. Build mode scenarios

1. Production Line Logs: Automatically generates forms to log machine data, production output, and maintenance.
   
2. Maintenance Scheduling: Creates automated workflows for tracking scheduled and unscheduled maintenance activities, with notifications for upcoming tasks.
   
3. Real-Time Dashboards: Generates dashboards to provide real-time visualizations of machine health, production status, and performance metrics.
   
4. User Permissions: Configures user personas, allowing managers to access high-level reports, while operators can log machine data and maintenance activities.
   

1. Visit Logs: Generates forms for sales reps to record customer visit details, outcomes, and next steps.
   
2. Lead Tracking: Creates forms and reports to assign leads to representatives and monitor status across territories.
   
3. Follow-up Reminders: Configures automated workflows to send reminders for pending follow-up actions based on visit dates.
   
4. Sales Dashboard: Generates dashboards to give managers visibility into team activity, deal progress, and territory performance.
   

5.2. Plan mode scenarios

1. Employee Onboarding: Forms to collect employee information, onboarding documents, and other required details.
   
2. Asset Allocation: Forms and reports to assign and track laptops, ID cards, and other company assets.
   
3. Training Records: Forms and reports to assign, track, and manage employee training activities.
   
4. Employee Directory: Reports to view employee profiles, onboarding status, and assigned assets.
   
5. Employee Dashboard: Pages that provide visibility into onboarding progress, pending activities, and asset allocation.
   
6. HR Integrations: Integration forms to synchronize employee information with Zoho People and Zoho Mail.
   

1. Purchase Requests: Forms for employees to submit procurement requests.
   
2. Vendor Management: Forms and reports to maintain vendor information and supplier performance.
   
3. Purchase Orders: Forms to create and manage purchase orders.
   
4. Inventory Tracking: Reports to monitor inventory levels and replenishment status.
   
5. Procurement Dashboard: Pages that provide visibility into procurement requests, purchase orders, inventory, and vendor performance.
   
6. Accounting Integration: Integration forms to synchronize vendor and purchase order information with Zoho Books.
   

6. Sample prompts

1. Design an application for streamlined loan processing, featuring tools for application submission, document upload, eligibility checks, and real-time status updates.
   
2. Create an app for easy insurance claim filing and tracking, with features for uploading claim documents, direct communication with agents, and claim status notifications.
   
3. Develop a streamlined procurement app for the manufacturing sector, focusing on supply chain modules, inventory tracking, and supplier performance.
   
4. Develop an application to manage employee PTO requests and enable employees to submit applications based on their available leave balance. Include features for managers to review and approve requests, HR to monitor and track PTO balances.
   
5. Create a Gift Distribution application that allows employees from Zoho People to choose and monitor the gift distribution process effectively.
   

7. Points to note

1. While AI enhances the application creation process, verify the accuracy and relevance of the AI-generated output and the resulting application to ensure proper functionality and alignment with your needs.
   
2. The file input accepts either one document or up to three images per session, with each file limited to 5 MB. Supported formats include PNG, JPG, JPEG, and WEBP for images, and PDF and TXT for documents.
   
3. The following workflow types are not generated by Zia App Builder and can be configured manually after the application is created:
   
1. Approval workflows
   
2. Payment workflows
   
3. Batch workflows
   
4. Functions
   

1. Zia App Builder includes sample data in your application during creation to test the various features Creator offers. Remember to delete it manually before using the application for your requirements.
   
2. The sample data generated with the application is intended for testing purposes only. It is entirely fictitious, and no real association or inference should be made.
   

1. You can generate and/or add only up to five use cases while creating an application.
   
2. AI-generated use cases and custom use cases will be collectively used to aid in application creation. This means all use cases generated may or may not be used during creation. You can regenerate those use cases or proceed to create your AI-assisted application.
   
3. Relevant data tables will be generated automatically based on your app description, and your app will be built from them.
   
4. When using Build mode with Zoho GenAI as the LLM provider, workflows are not generated automatically. Configure these features manually after the application is created.
   
5. Prompts can be submitted in languages other than English, but when using Zoho GenAI as the LLM provider, the generated use cases and application are always created in English. To generate use cases and applications in the same language as your prompt, use a LLM providers.
   
6. The following field types are not supported and will neither be displayed during creation of AI-assisted application using build mode:
   
1. Advanced fields: Rich text, Image, Subform, Signature, File upload, Audio, Video, and Formula
2. Special fields: Section, Notes, Users, and Integration
3. AI fields: prediction, sentiment analysis, keyword extraction, OCR, and object detection

1. Along with your input prompt, Zia invokes system prompts to enhance the accuracy of the application creation process. These system prompts also contribute to your AI usage.
   
2. Zoho GenAI LLM processes all prompts within Zoho, while external LLM providers process data in their own systems. Avoid sharing sensitive or regulated information when using external providers.
   
3. Zia App Builder does not consume any AI calls or API calls from Zoho Creator. However, using Zoho GenAI with the Plan mode of Zia App Builder consumes Development AI Credits, whereas usage with external LLM providers is handled by the respective service provider. You can view your Development AI Credits usage in the Billing section. Learn more
   
4. API rate limits apply when using Zia App Builder. These limits are restrictions that the LLM provider imposes on the number of times a user or client can access their services within a specified period of time, and vary based on their usage tier and the model consumed.
   
1. OpenAI rate limits
   
2. Google Gemini rate limits
   
3. Anthropic rate limits
5. When multiple AI features are used in quick succession, the configured provider's rate limit may be exceeded. This can result in errors or a temporary interruption of AI-powered functionality.
   

8. Related topics

1. Understand Zia features in Creator
   
2. Creating applications with AI using Zia App Builder
   
3. Creating applications using plan mode with Zia App Builder
4. Configuring Zia
   
5. Writing effective prompts for Zia App Builder in Zoho Creator