> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.buzzy.buzz/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.buzzy.buzz/the-building-blocks/toolkits-and-cookbooks.md).

# Toolkits, Cookbooks & Widgets

Toolkits, cookbooks, and widgets help teams standardise how apps are built.

Toolkits provide reusable UI layouts and structural patterns that Builder MCP and screen-generation workflows can apply to screens, sections, containers, lists, forms, dashboards, headers, footers, navigation, and other interface structures.

Cookbooks provide reusable product, domain, workflow, integration, and governance guidance. They help the brief and downstream artifacts follow approved patterns instead of inventing app-specific conventions every time.

Widgets provide reusable interactive capabilities that can be embedded into screens. Standard/native widgets cover common richer app interactions, while code widgets support custom HTML, React, and Async API behavior when standard Buzzy components are not enough.

```mermaid
flowchart LR
    C["Cookbooks<br/>what patterns should this app follow?"] --> A["AI build artifacts<br/>brief, flows, data model, blueprint, theme"]
    T["Toolkits<br/>how should screens be structured?"] --> S["Screens<br/>shells, sections, lists, forms, dashboards"]
    W["Widgets<br/>what richer interaction is needed?"] --> S
    A --> S
```

## Toolkits

Use toolkits when you want app screens to follow a shared design and layout language. Toolkit layouts can shape:

* screen shells
* overlays
* headers, footers, and navigation
* list, detail, form, dashboard, and section structures
* responsive behavior
* component-level patterns

Builder workflows should treat toolkit structure as a contract: adapt content and bindings, but preserve the selected layout's important nesting, classes, slots, and responsive behavior.

## Cookbooks

Use cookbooks when you want AI-assisted app creation to reuse proven knowledge. Cookbooks can describe:

* app archetypes and domain patterns
* workflow and lifecycle guidance
* data-model conventions
* security and privacy expectations
* integration and function patterns
* screen and UX guidance

Cookbook guidance is especially important during brief construction. Once accepted, the brief can preserve cookbook-derived assumptions so flows, data, blueprint, theme, and screens stay aligned.

## Widgets

Use widgets when a screen needs a richer interaction pattern than standard fields, forms, views, and filters.

Widgets can support:

* maps, calendars, galleries, and file managers
* charts, dashboards, and visual summaries
* booking, availability, and scheduling panels
* custom search or filter controls
* reusable interaction patterns shared across apps
* code widgets that call the Async API, Buzzy Functions, or other approved app services

The widget editor is available at [app.buzzy.buzz/editor/widgets](https://app.buzzy.buzz/editor/widgets). In an AI-assisted build, widgets should still respect the accepted data model, theme, screen context, and security model.

Use [Code widget](/the-building-blocks/code-widget-custom-code.md) when the widget needs custom HTML/React behavior. Use [Buzzy Functions & Constants](/the-building-blocks/buzzy-functions-and-constants.md) when the widget needs server-side logic, secrets, provider calls, or privileged processing.

## Enterprise Governance

For enterprise teams, toolkits, cookbooks, and widgets are governance assets. They help central teams package approved patterns for brands, departments, regulated workflows, reusable app types, interaction patterns, and delivery standards.

On supported enterprise deployments, administrators can manage toolkit, cookbook, and widget sources so teams can refine, disable, extend, or publish approved patterns without waiting for every app to be handled as a one-off project.

## Related Pages

* [App Brief](/the-building-blocks/app-brief.md)
* [Buzzy Builder MCP](/the-building-blocks/mcp/buzzy-builder-mcp.md)
* [Code widget](/the-building-blocks/code-widget-custom-code.md)
* [Enterprise Toolkits & Cookbooks](/advanced-deployment-settings/installation/toolkits-and-cookbooks.md)
* [Examples by Use Case](/the-building-blocks/examples.md)