What are Atlassian Forge Apps? A Beginner's Guide for Developers

Atlassian Forge is a next-generation cloud development platform that allows developers to build, host, and run apps directly on Atlassian's infrastructure. By providing a serverless environment, built-in security, and a simplified UI kit, Forge enables developers to create powerful extensions for Jira and Confluence without the need to manage external servers or complex authentication protocols.

Why Atlassian Forge?

Traditionally, building apps for Atlassian Cloud required the Atlassian Connect framework, where developers had to host their own infrastructure and manage data security independently. Forge changes this by offering a serverless architecture. This means Atlassian handles the hosting, scaling, and security, allowing you to focus entirely on writing code and delivering value to users.

Key Differences: Forge vs. Connect

For developers deciding between the two frameworks, understanding their core differences is essential:

Getting Started with Forge: A 5-Step Guide

If you're new to Forge, here is a quick roadmap to building your first app:

1. Set Up Your Environment

First, you'll need to install the Forge CLI on your local machine. This requires Node.js and a free Atlassian developer account.

npm install -g @forge/cli

2. Create Your App

Use the CLI to create a new app from a template. You can choose templates for Jira, Confluence, or specific modules like custom fields or macros.

forge create

3. Define the Manifest

The manifest.yml file is the heart of your Forge app. It defines the app's permissions (scopes), modules, and the functions that will be triggered by specific events.

4. Build and Deploy

Forge uses a serverless function model. You write your logic in JavaScript or TypeScript, and then deploy it to the Atlassian Cloud with a single command:

forge deploy

5. Install and Test

Once deployed, you can install the app into your development site and start testing its functionality in real-time.

forge install

The Benefits of Building on Forge

• Faster Time to Market: With no servers to set up, you can go from an idea to a working prototype in minutes.
• Built-in Security: Forge apps run in a secure sandbox, and Atlassian manages data encryption and compliance, which is a major selling point for enterprise customers.
• Simplified UI Development: The Forge UI Kit provides a set of pre-built components that automatically match the Atlassian Design System, ensuring a consistent user experience.
• Seamless Integration: Forge is deeply integrated with Jira and Confluence, making it easy to listen to events (like an issue being created) and respond with custom logic.

Conclusion

Atlassian Forge represents the future of app development in the Atlassian ecosystem. For beginners, it removes the technical barriers of infrastructure and security, making it easier than ever to build custom solutions. Whether you're creating a simple internal tool or a commercial app for the Marketplace, Forge provides the speed, security, and scalability you need to succeed.