> Portal Navigation: > > - Append `.md` to any URL under `https://dev.wix.com/docs/` to get its markdown version. > - Pages are either content pages (article or reference text) or menu pages (a list of links to child pages). > - To get a menu page, truncate any URL to a parent path and append `.md` (e.g. `https://dev.wix.com/docs/sdk.md`, `https://dev.wix.com/docs/sdk/core-modules.md`). > - Top-level index of all portals: https://dev.wix.com/docs/llms.txt > - Full concatenated docs: https://dev.wix.com/docs/llms-full.txt ## Resource: About Extending Websites ## Article: About Velo by Wix ## Article Link: https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/get-started/about-extending-websites.md ## Article Content: # About Extending Websites Extending websites on Wix using [Velo APIs](https://dev.wix.com/docs/velo.md) offers a unique blend of flexibility, ease of use, and powerful features. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, Wix provides the tools and technologies needed to craft visually appealing and fully functional dynamic web applications: - **Interactive UI:** Use Wix's powerful editors to extend sites with custom UI, behaviors, and interactions using the [$w() API](https://www.wix.com/velo/reference/$w). - **Full-stack development:** Leverage a robust suite of developer tools and Wix APIs to build and deploy with efficiency and security. Integrate your code with the editor UI to enhance and extend its capabilities. - **Content management:** Use the Wix CMS and its data APIs to manage, serve, and display content dynamically at scale. - **Wix business solutions:** Connect directly to production-ready solutions like eCommerce and Bookings, and extend them to deliver a tailored experience for site visitors. - **Zero-setup backend:** Implement complex workflows and automations with a fully supported Node.js environment. Wix handles infrastructure, hosting, and scaling so you can focus on your code. - **3rd-party integrations:** Expand a site's capabilities by adding apps, npm packages, and external services such as payment providers and marketing tools. > **Note:** Until now, custom code on Wix sites was written using Velo APIs. You can now use the JavaScript SDK to implement most functionality. Learn more about [Extending Websites with the SDK](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/coding-with-velo/develop-with-the-sdk/develop-websites-with-the-sdk.md) and how to [migrate from Velo to the SDK](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/coding-with-velo/develop-with-the-sdk/velo-to-sdk-api-mapping.md). ## Technologies Build with trusted, industry-standard tools tailored to Wix's platform. Utilize your existing skills and leverage the following technologies to create and manage dynamic web applications: - **JavaScript**: When extending a site with Wix, you write both frontend and backend code in JavaScript, calling Wix's JavaScript APIs to incorporate interactive and dynamic functionality. - **Node.js**: Wix provides a robust Node.js environment for running your backend code.. - **MongoDB**: Wix uses MongoDB as the database for its CMS system, offering a flexible and scalable solution for managing and storing content. ## Development environments Pick the environment that fits how you build. Wix offers several [development environments](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/get-started/development-environments.md) to match your workflow: - **Editors:** Use the built-in [code editor](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/workspace-tools/velo-workspace/code-editor-ide/working-in-the-code-editor.md) in Wix Studio or the Wix Editor to write and manage code alongside the visual site editor. No setup required. - **Local IDE:** Use a [local IDE](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/workspace-tools/developer-tools/git-integration-wix-cli-for-sites/about-git-integration-wix-cli-for-sites.md), such as VS Code, for the flexibility and power of a full-featured development environment on your own machine. Set up via GitHub integration and manage your project using the CLI. Pair with [AI tools](#wix-ai-tools) to provide local AI coding clients the context they need to build and manage your project. - **Wix IDE (Beta):** Use the [Wix IDE](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/workspace-tools/velo-workspace/wix-ide/wix-studio-about-the-wix-ide.md), a VS Code-based online IDE for Wix Studio sites. ## Wix AI tools For AI coding clients like Claude Code, Cursor, and VS Code, install the [Wix Plugin](https://dev.wix.com/docs/api-reference/articles/ai-tools/about-the-wix-plugin.md) to give your AI client the context it needs to build and manage your project. The Wix Plugin includes: - [Wix Skills](https://github.com/wix/skills/blob/main/skills): A collection of self-contained instruction sets for Wix development tasks. This includes the Wix Headless skill, which can scaffold and deploy a complete headless project from a single prompt. - [Wix MCP](https://dev.wix.com/docs/api-reference/articles/ai-tools/wix-mcp/about-the-wix-mcp.md): A Model Context Protocol server that lets your AI tool search Wix docs, scaffold code, and call Wix APIs directly from your IDE. To install just Wix Skills, run:s ```bash npx skills add wix/skills ``` > **Note:** Add `-g` to install globally and make Wix Skills available across all your projects. ### Programmatic docs access Beyond the Wix Plugin, you can pull Wix docs into any tool or workflow: - **llms.txt index:** Browse a structured index of all documentation at [dev.wix.com/docs/llms.txt](https://dev.wix.com/docs/llms.txt.md). - **Markdown format:** Append `.md` to any documentation page URL to retrieve the Markdown version of that page. - **Page menu:** Use the **Ask Assistant** dropdown on any documentation page to copy the page as Markdown or get a direct link to the Markdown version. ## Developer journey Ready to get started? Here's what to expect at each stage of the development process, from a blank canvas to a fully functioning site: - **Get started:** Explore the [Wix ecosystem](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/get-started/the-wix-ecosystem.md) and browse the [API Reference](https://dev.wix.com/docs/api-reference.md) and potential [3rd-party integrations](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/get-started/integrate-with-3rd-parties.md) to see what you can build. Take some time to review best practices and any limitations to ensure a smooth development process. > **Note:** Until now, custom code on Wix sites was written using Velo APIs. You can now use the JavaScript SDK to implement most functionality. Learn more about [Extending Websites with the SDK](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/coding-with-velo/develop-with-the-sdk/develop-websites-with-the-sdk.md) and how to [migrate from Velo to the SDK](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/coding-with-velo/develop-with-the-sdk/velo-to-sdk-api-mapping.md). - **Code:** [Start coding](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/coding-with-velo/overview/where-do-i-put-my-code.md) using 1 or more Wix [development environments](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/get-started/development-environments.md) to write, manage, and debug your code. Build both frontend and backend to deliver a fully functional and user-friendly site. - **Test:** Preview and thoroughly test your site throughout development. Use the built-in tools to test your code in isolation and as a whole. Create [test sites](https://support.wix.com/en/article/about-test-sites) to experiment without affecting a live site, and use [logs](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/workspace-tools/developer-tools/logs/about-logs.md) to monitor and debug issues. - **Publish:** Use the editor or the [CLI](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/workspace-tools/developer-tools/git-integration-wix-cli-for-sites/publishing-a-site-with-git-integration-wix-cli-for-sites.md) to publish your site once you've thoroughly tested it. - **Maintain:** Monitor your site using [logs](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/workspace-tools/developer-tools/logs/about-logs.md) and the [monitoring dashboard](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/workspace-tools/testing-monitoring/monitoring-your-published-site/working-with-the-monitoring-dashboard.md) to track performance and resource usage. Consider [upgrading your premium plan](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/coding-with-velo/premium-plans/about-premium-plans.md) to scale your site effectively and avoid hitting plan limitations. - **Grow:** Become a [Certified Wix Partner](https://www.wix.com/partners/partner-program) to offer your development services or sell apps to an audience of 250M+ users. ## Community - Join the [Wix Developers Discord server](https://discord.gg/47gUT9KabP) and [forum](https://forum.wixstudio.com/) to ask questions, discuss complex topics, and collaborate with other Studio creators. - Contact [customer care](https://www.wix.com/contact) for support with platform issues, billing, or account questions. - Follow the Wix [changelog](https://dev.wix.com/docs/changelog.md) for up-to-date information about Wix features and APIs. - [Subscribe](https://www.wixforms.com/f/7394355343209268224) to the Wix newsletter to receive the latest updates and feature announcements. ## Next steps Start building or explore the resources below to go deeper: - Explore [the Wix Ecosystem](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/get-started/the-wix-ecosystem.md) and [API Reference](https://dev.wix.com/docs/velo/articles/api-overview/introduction.md) to understand the platform and what you can build. - Browse [tutorials](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/code-tutorials/wix-editor-elements/using-re-captcha-to-protect-data-submission.md) and [code examples](https://dev.wix.com/docs/coding-examples.md) for step-by-step guidance on implementing functionality for a site. - Follow the [Quick Start](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/get-started/quick-start.md) to start building. Extending websites on Wix is transitioning to the JavaScript SDK. Learn how to [migrate from Velo to the SDK](https://dev.wix.com/docs/develop-websites/articles/coding-with-velo/develop-with-the-sdk/velo-to-sdk-api-mapping.md).