Manifest overview

Your manifest file defines how your code integrates with the Root platform. Your manifest includes your metadata, deployment instructions, community-configurable settings, and permissions. Root reads the manifest, validates it, and uses it to determine how to package and run your code.

Example

{
  "id": "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "package": {
    "client": {
      "deploy": "client/dist"
    },
    "server": {
      "launch": "server/dist/main.js",
      "deploy": [
        "server/dist",
        "networking/gen/server"
      ],
      "nodeModules": [
        "server/node_modules"
      ]
    }
  },
  "settings": {
    "groups": [
      {
        "key": "general",
        "title": "General",
        "items": [
          {
            "key": "moderators",
            "title": "Moderators",
            "description": "Select the roles and members who can moderate this app.",
            "required": true,
            "confirmation": "Save",
            "roleOrMember": {
              "selectBehavior": "roleMultiAndUserMulti",
              "userIds": [],
              "communityRoleIds": []
            }
          }
        ]
      }
    ]
  },
  "permissions": {
    "community": {
      "manageRoles": true
    },
    "channel": {
      "createMessage": true
    }
  }
}

Name and location

Your manifest must be named root-manifest.json. The file must be located directly in your project folder so the Root SDK tooling can find it.

What it captures

• Identity and version A unique ID and a semantic version so Root can track, publish, and update your code safely.

• How to run your code Where the compiled code lives and how to launch the server. Root uses this to package, deploy, and start your code.

• Community settings surface Settings that community members with the Manage Apps permission can see and change. This lets Root generate a settings UI without you writing forms.

• Required permissions The access your code needs in order to run correctly. Root uses this to ask admins for consent during installation and to enforce access at runtime.

File format

Your manifest is a JSON file. At the top level, the manifest includes:

Field	Status
id	Required
version	Required
package	Required
settings	Optional
permissions	Optional

How Root uses it

• During publishing Validates structure, checks versioning, and prepares the bundle based on the paths you declare.

• During installation Shows permissions and settings derived from the manifest so admins know what they are allowing.

• At runtime Determines how to launch your code and gates Root API calls based on the permissions you requested.