> 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: Packages



## Article: Packages

## Article Link: https://dev.wix.com/docs/velo/articles/getting-started/packages.md

## Article Content:

# Packages

Packages are another way to integrate with 3rd party services, in addition to using the [Fetch API](https://dev.wix.com/docs/velo/articles/getting-started/integration-with-third-party-services.md) discussed in the previous lesson. You can also use packages for any number of other reasons. If there's a package out there that's already implemented some functionality that you need, there's no point in reinventing the wheel.

There are two types of package that you can use in your code:

-   Packages from the npm repository.
-   Packages created by the Velo team.

## npm Packages

As you probably already know, [npm](https://www.npmjs.com/) is the most popular registry of reusable JavaScript code. Velo allows you to install approved npm packages and use them in your site. If a package you would like to use has not yet been approved, you can request that it be added to the list of approved packages. 

### Package Support

Some types of packages are not supported. These include private packages, packages that need to run on specific hardware, and packages that may expose a security risk.

Here are a few things to consider when using an approved package in your code:

-   Some packages are only intended to be used in client-side code and others are only intended to be used in server-side code. Be sure to use packages in their intended locations.
-   Some packages contain functionality that interacts with the DOM. In Velo, you use $w APIs to interact with page elements instead of interacting directly with the DOM, so some functionality in these packages will not work.
-   Some packages work with [React](https://reactjs.org/) or other JavaScript libraries. You can only use these packages in conjunction with custom elements if at all.
-   Errors that occur when using a package's functionality may be reflected in the browser console. These errors are generated by the implementation of the package, not from Velo. See the package's documentation to better understand what is causing the error.

It is your responsibility to understand the package's functionality, in what situations it can be used, and in what situations it should not be used.

### Package Usage

You find and install packages in the **Code Files** tab of the **Velo Sidebar**. Once installed, you can import the package and use it in your code.

For example, you might want to install [Lodash](https://lodash.com/) to make use of its handy utility functions. First, you need to install the package. Just choose your package, and click **Install**. Then you can import it and use its functionality.

```javascript
import _ from 'lodash';

// ...

let union = _.union([1,2,3], [3,4,5]); 
```

## Velo Packages

Velo packages are bundles of code built by the Velo team that you can add to your site. The packages allow you to quickly implement complex functionality while writing a minimal amount of code. 

Because these packages are specifically built to work within the Velo ecosystem, they work seamlessly with the elements, apps, and APIs you use in your sites.

See a package's **readme** file to learn how to use the package. Each package is different, but typically you need to perform some setup or configuration before using the package. You also might need to install some dependencies, such as apps that the package works with.

You find and install Velo packages in the **Code Files** tab of the **Velo Sidebar**. 

With everything set up, you're ready to start using the package.

For example, you can easily monitor and manage data stored in a Google spreadsheet from your site using the **@velo/google-sheets-integration** package.

Since the **google-sheets-integration** package uses the Google Sheets API, you need to do a bit of setup on the Google Cloud Platform before using it. You also need to store some sensitive data in the Secrets Manager.

Once you have that set up, you can use the package to:

-   Get data from your spreadsheet
-   Add new data to your spreadsheet
-   Update data in your spreadsheet
-   Clear data from your spreadsheet