Imported from openshift/console-plugin-template (AGENTS.md). Install upstream with npx skills add openshift/console-plugin-template. Copyright stays with the author.

AI Agent Instructions for OpenShift Console Plugin Template

This document provides context and guidelines for AI coding assistants working on this codebase.

Project Overview

This is a template repository for creating OpenShift Console dynamic plugins. It's meant to be used via GitHub's "Use this template" feature, NOT forked. The template provides a minimal starting point for extending the OpenShift Console UI with custom pages and functionality.

⚠️ WARNING: This repository is used by multiple large-scale enterprise web applications. Please proceed with caution when making any changes to this codebase. Changes here can affect downstream projects that depend on this template.

Only make changes that should be standard practice for ALL plugins created from this template. If a change is specific to one plugin use case, it belongs in the instantiated plugin repository, not in this template.

Key Technologies:

• TypeScript + React 18
• PatternFly 6 (UI component library)
• Rspack with Module Federation
• react-i18next for internationalization
• Playwright for e2e testing
• Helm for deployment

Compatibility: Requires OpenShift 4.12+ (uses ConsolePlugin CRD v1 API)

Architecture & Patterns

Dynamic Plugin System

This plugin uses module federation to load at runtime into the OpenShift Console. Key files:

• console-extensions.json: Declares what the plugin adds to console (routes, nav items, etc.)
• package.json consolePlugin section: Plugin metadata and exposed modules mapping
• rspack.config.ts: Configures module federation and build

Critical: Any component referenced in console-extensions.json must have a corresponding entry in package.json under consolePlugin.exposedModules.

Component Structure

• Use functional components with hooks (NO class components)
• All components should be TypeScript (.tsx)
• Follow PatternFly component patterns
• Use PatternFly CSS variables instead of hex colors (dark mode compatibility)

Styling Constraints

IMPORTANT: The .stylelintrc.yaml enforces strict rules to prevent breaking console:

• NO hex colors - use PatternFly CSS variables (e.g., var(--pf-v6-global-palette--blue-500))
• NO naked element selectors (like table, div) - prevents overwriting console styles
• NO .pf- or .co- prefixed classes - these are reserved for PatternFly and console
• Prefix all custom classes with plugin name (e.g., console-plugin-template__nice)

Don't disable these rules without understanding they protect against layout breakage!

Internationalization (i18n)

Namespace Convention: plugin__<plugin-name> (e.g., plugin__console-plugin-template)

In React Components:

const { t } = useTranslation('plugin__console-plugin-template');
return <h1>{t('Hello, World!')}</h1>;

In console-extensions.json:

"name": "%plugin__console-plugin-template~My Label%"

After adding/changing messages: Run yarn i18n to update locale files in /locales

File Organization

src/
  components/          # React components
    ExamplePage.tsx   # Example page component
    *.css            # Component styles (scoped with plugin prefix)
console-extensions.json # Plugin extension declarations
package.json           # Plugin metadata in consolePlugin section
tsconfig.json          # TypeScript config (strict: false currently)
rspack.config.ts      # Module federation + build config
locales/               # i18n translation files
charts/                # Helm chart for deployment
integration-tests/     # Playwright e2e tests

Development Workflow

Local Development

1. yarn install - install dependencies
2. yarn start - starts dev server on port 9001 with CORS
3. yarn start-console - runs OpenShift console in container (requires cluster login)
4. Navigate to http://localhost:9000/example

Code Quality

• yarn lint - runs eslint, prettier, and stylelint (with --fix)
• Linting is mandatory before commits
• Follow existing code patterns in the repo

Testing

• yarn test - runs Jest unit tests
• yarn test-e2e - opens Playwright in headed mode
• yarn test-e2e-headless - runs Playwright in headless mode
• Add e2e tests for new pages/features

TypeScript Configuration

Current config has strict: true and enforces:

• noUnusedLocals: true
• All files should use .tsx extension

Common Development Tasks

Adding a New Page

1. Create component in src/components/MyPage.tsx
2. Add to package.json exposedModules: "MyPage": "./components/MyPage"
3. Add route in console-extensions.json:

   {
     "type": "console.page/route",
     "properties": {
       "path": "/my-page",
       "component": { "$codeRef": "MyPage" }
     }
   }

4. Optional: Add nav item in console-extensions.json
5. Run yarn i18n if you added translatable strings

Adding a Navigation Item

{
  "type": "console.navigation/href",
  "properties": {
    "id": "my-nav-item",
    "name": "%plugin__console-plugin-template~My Page%",
    "href": "/my-page",
    "perspective": "admin",
    "section": "home"
  }
}

Updating Plugin Name

When instantiating from template, update:

1. package.json - name and consolePlugin.name
2. package.json - consolePlugin.displayName and description
3. All i18n namespace references (plugin__<name>)
4. CSS class prefixes
5. Helm chart values

Build & Deployment

Building Image

docker build -t quay.io/my-repository/my-plugin:latest .
# For Apple Silicon: add --platform=linux/amd64

Deploying via Helm

helm upgrade -i my-plugin charts/openshift-console-plugin \
  -n my-namespace \
  --create-namespace \
  --set plugin.image=my-plugin-image-location

Note: OpenShift 4.10 requires --set plugin.securityContext.enabled=false

Important Constraints & Gotchas

1. Template, not fork: Users should use "Use this template", not fork
2. i18n namespace must match ConsolePlugin resource name with plugin__ prefix
3. CSS class prefixes prevent style conflicts - always prefix with plugin name
4. Module federation requires exact module mapping - exposedModules must match $codeRef values
5. PatternFly CSS variables only - hex colors break dark mode
6. No rspack HMR for extensions - changes to console-extensions.json require restart
7. React 18 - matches console's React version

Extension Points

See Console Plugin SDK README for available extension types:

• console.page/route - add new pages
• console.navigation/href - add nav items
• console.navigation/section - add nav sections
• console.tab - add tabs to resource pages
• console.action/provider - add actions to resources
• console.flag - feature flags
• Many more...

Code Style Preferences

• Functional components with hooks (NO classes)
• TypeScript for all new files
• Use PatternFly components whenever possible
• Keep components focused and composable
• Prefer named exports for components
• Use React.FC or explicit return types
• CSS-in-files (not CSS-in-JS)

Testing Strategy

• E2E tests (Playwright): For user flows and page rendering
• Unit tests (Jest): For component logic and plugin metadata
• Test data attributes: Use data-test attributes for selectors (testIdAttribute is configured in playwright.config.ts)
• Run tests locally before opening PRs

References

• Console Plugin SDK
• PatternFly React
• Dynamic Plugin Enhancement Proposal

Quick Decision Guide

When should I...

• Use this template? When creating a NEW OpenShift Console plugin from scratch
• Add a page? Update console-extensions.json + exposedModules + create component
• Style something? Use PatternFly components and CSS variables, prefix custom classes
• Add translations? Use t() function, run yarn i18n after
• Test changes? Run locally with yarn start + yarn start-console, add Playwright tests
• Deploy? Build image, push to registry, install via Helm chart