DEV Community: Harsh Gupta

How to Add a Module in the ABP.io Application?

Harsh Gupta — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:45:19 +0000

If you’re building your application with ABP.io, you’re already on the right path to creating scalable and professional software. One of the best things about ABP.io is how it supports modular architecture. But what does that really mean?

In simple words, a module in ABP.io is like a complete feature package. It comes with its own logic, database setup, APIs, and even user interface parts. Think of it as a plug-and-play part of your application that keeps your code clean, reusable, and easy to manage.

ABP.io provides many useful built-in modules like Identity, Tenant Management, and Audit Logging. These help you quickly add common features without writing everything from scratch.

But sometimes, you need to go beyond the default options. Maybe your project has unique requirements. That’s when creating a custom module becomes important.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to add a custom module, like Vineforce.ProjectManagement, into your existing ABP.io application. You’ll learn how to do it step by step on both the backend using .NET and the frontend using Angular.

Whether you’re just starting with ABP.io or already have experience, this blog is made to help you integrate modules smoothly and with confidence.

What You’ll Learn in This Guide

How to prepare your system for module integration
How to add the module to your ABP.io backend using NuGet
How to configure the database context and migrations
How to link the Angular frontend with the module using npm
Common pitfalls to avoid during integration

Step 1: Prerequisites & Setup
Before you begin, make sure the following tools and environments are set up properly.

1.1 Required Software

.NET SDK (compatible with your ABP.io version)
Node.js and npm
Angular CLI (installed globally)
ABP CLI (installed via dotnet tool)
Visual Studio or Rider for .NET
Git for version control

1.2 ABP.io Application Ready

Ensure you have an existing ABP.io application up and running. The application should be in either Modular Monolith or Microservice architecture.

Step 2: Backend Integration Using NuGet (C# / .NET)

We’ll start by connecting your backend application to the custom module using NuGet packages.

2.1 Add Required Packages "Vineforce.Admin.HttpApi.Host"

Vineforce.ProjectManagement.Application
Vineforce.ProjectManagement.HttpApi

2.2 Register Module Dependencies

Open the file AdminHttpApiHostModule.cs
Add the module dependencies inside the [DependsOn] attribute:

[DependsOn(
    typeof(ProjectManagementHttpApiModule),
    typeof(ProjectManagementApplicationModule),
    typeof(ProjectManagementEntityFrameworkCoreModule),
    typeof(ProjectManagementDomainSharedModule)
)]

Also, add the using statements at the top:

using Vineforce.ProjectManagement;
using Vineforce.ProjectManagement.EntityFrameworkCore;

2.3 Add Required Packages "Vineforce.Admin.EntityFrameworkCore"

Also, add the using statements at the top:

Vineforce.ProjectManagement.EntityFrameworkCore

2.4 Update Your DbContext

   1. Open AdminDbContext.cs

Inside the OnModelCreating method, add the following:

builder.ConfigureProjectManagement();

This step tells your database context to load and apply table configurations from the ProjectManagement module.

2.5 Apply Migrations

Once you update the DbContext, run EF Core migrations to apply the updated schema to your database.

Option A: Using Terminal / PowerShell

cd src/Vineforce.Admin.EntityFrameworkCore
dotnet ef migrations add Add_ProjectManagement_Module
dotnet ef database update

At this point, the new tables from the module will be added to your main database.

Step 3: Frontend Integration Using npm (Angular)

Once the backend is configured, let’s integrate the Angular frontend with the module.

3.1 Install the Angular Module

Open your Angular project root (usually /angular)
Run this command in the terminal:

npm i @vineforce-modules/project-management

You can view this link to copy the command: @vineforce-modules/project-management
This will also add the following entry in package.json:

"@vineforce-modules/project-management": "^9.0.0"

3.2 Update the app-routing.module.ts file

{
  path: 'project-management',
  loadChildren: () =>
    import('@vineforce-modules/project-management').then(m => m.ProjectManagementModule.forLazy()),
},

This step makes the ProjectManagement module visible in the frontend UI.

Step 4: Test the Integration

Now that everything is configured, it’s time to test.

4.1 Backend Checklist

Run the application using Visual Studio or dotnet run
Check if there are any build errors
Confirm that new database tables were created

4.2 Frontend Checklist

Run npm start or ng serve for Angular
Log in to the app
Navigate through the new module in the side menu
Test create/edit/delete operations

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Final Summary

You have now successfully done it.

Added a module to your ABP.io backend
Linked it with your database and ran migrations
Integrated the Angular module using npm
Updated routing and tested the entire module

This setup allows you to build and scale your application using modular principles without repeating core logic again and again.

Conclusion
Adding a custom module to your ABP.io application is not just a technical task, it is a smart way to keep your project scalable and organized. By following this step-by-step guide, you have successfully connected your backend using NuGet, updated your database context, applied migrations, and linked the frontend through npm and Angular routing.

This process helps you avoid repeating code, improves maintainability, and prepares your application for future growth. Whether you are adding one module or planning to build a fully modular system, this method will save time and reduce errors.

If you face any issues or want expert assistance, the Vineforce team is always ready to help with ABP.io development, custom modules, and performance optimization. You can reach us at info@vineforce.net for support or consultation.

Guide to Add Custom Modules in ABP.IO App

Harsh Gupta — Thu, 29 May 2025 06:26:05 +0000

If you want to extend your ABP.IO application with a custom module, like Vineforce.Test—this guide is for you. Whether you’re building a new feature or organizing your code into reusable parts, creating a custom module helps keep your application clean, scalable, and maintainable.

In this guide, we’ll walk through the full integration process step by step, covering both the backend and the Angular frontend. You’ll learn how to properly register the module, configure dependencies, and connect the UI layer to your logic. By the end, you’ll have a working module that’s fully integrated into your ABP.IO solution, following best practices.

No guesswork, no skipping steps—just a clear path to getting your custom module up and running.

Prerequisites

1. Install ABP CLI

If not already installed, run the following command:

dotnet tool install -g Volo.Abp.Cli

2. Create the main Apb.io application with the name “Vineforce.Admin”

abp new Vineforce.Admin -t app -u angular -m none --separate-auth-server --database-provider ef -csf

It creates the structure of backend of main abp application as follows:

3. Configure appsettings.json of the main ABP.IO

Edit the appsettings.json files in the two projects below to include the correct connection strings:

Projects:

Vineforce.Admin.HttpApi.Host
Vineforce.Admin.DbMigrator

4. Create the Module folder in main application as Follow the official guide to create your module:

Official Guide

If you choose Angular as the UI framework (by using the -u angular option), the generated solution will include a folder named angular. This folder contains all the client-side code for the application.

Example: A module named Vineforce.Test was created using the Angular UI option.

1. When you open the angular folder in an IDE, the folder structure will appear as follows:

2. And backend structure as follows:

3. Configure appsettings.json

Edit the appsettings.json file in the Host projects to include correct connection strings:

Projects:

Vineforce.Test.AuthServer
Vineforce.Test.HttpApi.Host
Vineforce.Test.Web.Unified

"ConnectionStrings": { "Default": "Server=servername;Database=Test_Main;Trusted_Connection=True;TrustServerCertificate=True", "Test": "Server=VINEFORCE-SHIVA;Database=Test_Module;Trusted_Connection=True;TrustServerCertificate=True" }

Make sure the server names and database details match your development environment.

4. Apply Database Update

In the Package Manager Console (under the EntityFrameworkCore project), run:

Update-Database

5. Run the Application

Set Vineforce.Test.Web.Unified as the startup project and launch the application using the default credentials:

Username: admin
Password: 1q2w3E*

6. Ensure Redis Is Running

Redis is used for distributed caching. Make sure Redis is installed and running before starting the application.

7. Application Startup Order

Run the following projects in order:

*.AuthServer or *.IdentityServer
*.HttpApi.Host
*.Web.Unified

1. Adding a Module to the Backend of the Main Application

cd C:\Users\Vineforce\source\repos\AbpAdmin

2. Add All Required Projects of the module to the Main ABP.IO Solution

To include various parts of your module (such as Domain, Application, EntityFrameworkCore, and HttpApi) in the main ABP solution, run the following commands:

dotnet sln add modules\vineforce.test\src\Vineforce.Test.Domain\Vineforce.Test.Domain.csproj
dotnet sln add modules\vineforce.test\src\Vineforce.Test.Application\Vineforce.Test.Application.csproj
dotnet sln add modules\vineforce.test\src\Vineforce.Test.EntityFrameworkCore\Vineforce.Test.EntityFrameworkCore.csproj
dotnet sln add modules\vineforce.test\src\Vineforce.Test.HttpApi\Vineforce.Test.HttpApi.csproj

Projects are added as below:

Add Project References Using Visual Studio

In the Vineforce.Admin.HttpApi.Host project: Right-click the project and select “Add” → “Project Reference”.

1. In the dialog that appears, check the following projects:

Vineforce.Test.Application
Vineforce.Test.EntityFrameworkCore
Vineforce.Test.HttpApi

2. Click OK to confirm and add the references.

3. After adding the project > reference, here you can add all module references you want.

In AdminHttpApiHostModule.cs, update the [DependsOn(...)] attribute:.

typeof(TestHttpApiModule),
typeof(TestApplicationModule),
typeof(TestEntityFrameworkCoreModule),
typeof(TestDomainSharedModule)

Also, add the necessary using statements:

using Vineforce.Test;
using Vineforce.Test.EntityFrameworkCore;

Configure the Module in the EntityFrameworkCore Project

To ensure that schema, table mappings, and other Entity Framework configurations from the module are applied in the main ABP.IO application, follow these steps:

Add a Project Reference:

Right-click on the Vineforce.Admin.EntityFrameworkCore project.
Select Add → Project Reference.
Check and add: Vineforce.Test.EntityFrameworkCore

Update the DbContext Configuration

Open AdminDbContext.cs.
Inside the OnModelCreating method, add the following line to apply the module’s configuration:

builder.ConfigureTest();

You can verify this by navigating to the Vineforce.Test.EntityFrameworkCore module and opening the TestDbContext class.

Apply Migrations to Update the Database Schema

After completing the integration steps, you need to apply Entity Framework migrations to reflect the module’s schema changes in the database.

Option 1: Using PowerShell or Terminal

Open a PowerShell or terminal window.
Navigate to the EntityFrameworkCore project directory of your main application, for example:cd src/Vineforce.Admin.EntityFrameworkCore
Run the following command to create a new migration:

dotnet ef migrations add Add_Test_Module

Option 2: Using the Package Manager Console in Visual Studio

Open the Package Manager Console (Tools → NuGet Package Manager → Package Manager Console).
Set the Default Project to src\Vineforce.Admin.EntityFrameworkCore.
Run the following command:

PM> Add-Migration Add_Test_Module

This will generate a new migration that includes all Entity Framework changes from the integrated module.

Then run the following command to apply the migration and update the database:

Update-Database

Steps to add the module application to the main ABP.IO application

Step 1: Build the Angular Module

Navigate to the module’s frontend directory and build the module using the Angular CLI:

ng build test --configuration production

This command compiles the test Angular module in production mode and outputs the build artifacts to the dist folder.

Output folder:
C:\Users\Vineforce\source\repos\AbpAdmin\modules\Vineforce.Test\angular\dist

Step 2: Copy Module Output to Main App

Go to your main app’s angular folder: C:\Users\Vineforce\source\repos\AbpAdmin\angular
Create a projects folder inside it.
Copy the test folder from the dist directory into projects.
Final pathC:\Users\Vineforce\source\repos\AbpAdmin\angular\projects\test

Step 3: Update App Routing

Open app-routing.module.ts in the main app:

C:\Users\Vineforce\source\repos\AbpAdmin\angular\src\app\app-routing.module.ts

In app-routing.module.ts, import the module’s routing configuration and add it to the main route definitions:

{
  path: 'test',
  loadChildren: () =>
    import('test').then(m => m.TestModule.forLazy())
}

Step 4: Link the Module in package.json

Open the package.json file having path C:\Users\Vineforce\source\repos\AbpAdmin\angular add the following line under the “dependencies” section to link your local module:

"test": "file:projects/test"

Then install dependencies:

npm install

You can now see the Test Module API controller in the Swagger UI of the main application.

You can now log in to the main application

The Test module now appears in the main application. You can add, edit, or delete items according to the assigned permissions.

Country ‘Russia’ has been added. You can view, edit, or delete it on the page

You can grant or revoke permission by this following page

Now Edit permission has been disabled for the current user/page.

Currently, the delete option is visible, but the edit option is not showing on the pagepermission has been disabled for the current user/page.

By following this step-by-step guide, you’ve learned how to successfully integrate a custom module—like Vineforce.Test—into your ABP.IO application. From backend setup to Angular frontend integration, you now have a solid foundation for building scalable, maintainable, and modular applications. With best practices in place, your ABP.IO projects are ready to grow more efficiently.

If you're looking for expert help with ABP.IO SaaS development, feel free to reach out to Vineforce. For more tutorials and insights like this, be sure to explore the Vineforce Blog.