---
schema_version: "1"
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title: App Template Framework Overview
collection: developer
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/developer/current/en-us/analytics/atf/guides/atf-feature-overview.md
canonical_url: https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/analytics/app-template-framework/guide/atf-feature-overview.html
source_site: developer.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: a89eefb7c1e68fd03282eea51d94432eeb76cd7efc85c286523e267b2af8fc3a
products:
  - App Template Framework
  - analytics
---
# App Template Framework Overview

A purpose-built app development & management framework for ongoing analytic app success, built on Data 
360, Tableau Next, and the Salesforce Platform.

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**GOAL: Make analytics, flows, and other features work out of the box as trusted solutions, so customers can drive business action.**

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## Three Core Pillars

| DEVELOP    | INSTALL   | MANAGE   |
| ---------- | --------- | -------- |
| Build highly flexible, templatized apps that adapt to any customer environment.<br><br>**Key Tools:**<br>Template Builder<br>VS Code plug-in<br>CLI Integration<br>Metadata API & Packaging<br>Scratch Org support  | Deploy apps with confidence using automated setup and data processing.<br><br>**Key Tools:**<br>Org Readiness Checks<br>Prerequisite Actions<br>Rules Engine<br>Guided Installation Wizard<br>Auto Install & Template APIs | Keep apps running efficiently as data and business needs evolve.<br><br> **Key Tools:**<br>App Hub<br>Monitor & Troubleshoot<br>Upgrades & Reconfigurations<br>App Refresh<br>App Analytics & Insights<br>Post-Install Actions & Notifications |
  
## Templatized Assets
Resources that the App Template Framework can package, configure, 
and orchestrate as part of a template.
- Tableau Next Dashboards
- Tableau Next Visualizations
- Tableau Next Metrics
- Tableau Next Workspaces
- Semantic Data Models
- Salesforce Flows
- Einstein Studio Models
- Data 360 Transformations
- Data 360 Data Streams
- Data 360 DLO and DMO Mappings

## Why Use App Template Framework
| Value Prop | What It Means | Example |
| ---------- | --------- | -------- |
| Compatibility	| Produce different app flavors based on org shape and available data. |	Only create an Einstein model if the org meets minimum data requirements. |
| Flexibility	| Take customer input via a built-in installation wizard.	| Manipulate formulas in data transforms or set viz params based on user input. |
| Day 0 Guarantee |	All components are immediately operational upon installation.	| Orchestrate data ingest & transforms to provision data not shipped with the app. |
| Adaptive Longevity |	Seamless updates & reconfigurations after initial installation.	| Data & orgs change over time; the app adapts to those changes automatically. |

## Tableau Next Platform Layers
App Template Framework supports the Tableau Next intelligent application stack.

- **Salesforce Platform**: Trusted, intelligent, collaborative, composable foundation

- **Salesforce Data 360**: Build or bring your own lake for unified, real-time, cloud-scale data

- **Tableau Semantics**: Augment data with AI and consistent business knowledge

- **Viz / Pulse Engagement Layer**: AI-powered visualization widgets delivered in the flow of work

- **Actions Layer**: Automated and human-in-the-loop intelligent workflows

- **Marketplace & App Exchange**: Share, monetize, and distribute Einstein apps and data assets


## Developer Ecosystem and Distribution

### Developer Tools
- Template Builder
- VS Code Plugin
- Orchestrator CLI
- Metadata API
- Scratch Orgs
- SF compatibility

### Embedding Framework
Embed analytics into Salesforce CRM or third-party apps; bring data, AI & insights into any workflow.

### App Framework
Pre-built applications, developer playground, self-healing pipelines, and composable building blocks.