Pega 7 Designer Studio

Now localizable and accessible from a variety of browsers, the Pega 7 Designer Studio provides a rich developer
experience that is optimized for ease of use. A complete redesign puts intuitive tools at the forefront to simplify
the design experience and enable you to quickly build enterprise scale applications. This article gives a tour of the
Designer Studio, highlighting its major functions and new features.

Designer Studio groups elements consistently and logically

The Pega 7 Designer Studio clearly presents the required information and tools to perform work in any context.
Primary user actions have been promoted to the top level menus for greater visibility. Explorer navigation is
streamlined with greater control over configuration and display of data. Developer tools are centrally located and
display based on role. Complexity and visual distractions have been eliminated to provide a modernized yet
cohesive experience.
There are four main components of the Designer Studio as illustrated below:

The Header located at the top of the Designer Studio gives global access to the application by way of
landing pages, wizards and tools. Here is where you can create cases, search for records and launch
secondary portals. Click on the desired menu name or icon to view available options.
The Explorer Panel houses each of the Designer Studio Explorers, allowing simple navigation between
operator, application and system level records. Click on a name or icon to load the desired Explorer in the
Explorer Panel.
The Work Area is the largest component of the Designer Studio, providing a specific context for the
record, report, wizard, work or landing page that is currently in focus. Include tabs as a navigation option
for your Work Area to manage which items are open on your own, or turn them off and allow Pega 7 to
take care of the rest.
The Developer Toolbar located in the footer of the Designer Studio helps power users debug applications,
tune performance and quickly analyze the composition of UI components.

About the Designer Studio Header

The Designer Studio Header is organized to make frequently used items accessible and keep navigation simple.
Each component is detailed below:

Pega 7 icon
Click the Pega 7 icon to load the Home Page in your Work Area. The Home Page displays guardrail warnings for
your application and facilitates task assignments between you and operators in your associated access groups.

Landing Page menu

Click the Designer Studio logo to access landing pages, wizards and tools to build your application. Although not an
entirely new feature in Pega 7, the landing page structure has been reorganized and enhanced to better align with
application development needs. The Landing Page menu is grouped by functionality and presented in tiers.
Navigation is from left to right as illustrated below.

In this example:

The first level Application is a general landing page category.

The second level Structure is a group of landing pages available within the Application category.
The third level Other Application is a specific landing page available within the Structure group.

Make a selection in the second level of the menu to load a tabbed group of landing pages in your Work Area.
Selections made in the third level of the menu also load a group; this time with a specific landing page tab in focus.
Landing pages generally include the following action buttons: Refresh updates your page with the latest system
data; Help launches the PRPC help system article for the landing page; Close removes the landing page from your
Work Area.

Application menu
Click on the Application menu to display the available actions you may take on your current application.

Open Overview open the Application Overview landing page to

review DCO-related information about your application. You can also
use this page to document your application or prepare it for migration
to another system. For more information, seeManaging your
application profile from the Application Overview landing page.
Open Application open the current application's Application rule in
your Work Area.
Open Application Skin open the skin rule defined for your
application in the Work Area.
New Application start Application Express to create an enterpriselevel application based on your inputs. For more information,
see Create new applications quickly and easily with Application Express
Switch Application change context to another application. This
menu is populated by the list of alternate access groups found on your
Operator ID form.
Switch Work Pool change your current work pool and update the
class hierarchy shown in the Application Explorer. This menu is
populated by the list of work pools found on your Access Group form.

Launch Portal menu

Click Launch to open another portal such as Case Manager or Case Worker. This menu is populated from the list of
secondary portals defined on your Access Group form.

Create Case menu

Click Create to run flows that create new instances of work. This menu displays all starter flows present in your
current application layer as well as those that are inherited from the application's built-on application.

Search
The search control provides full-text search against rules, data objects and content in the PRPC help system. Enter
your desired search term in the input field and hit enter or click on the magnifying glass icon to review the list of
matching results. Results can be narrowed by rule type or class.

My Checkouts
Click to review a list of rules you have checked out. Clicking this icon also gives you access to the Bulk Actions
feature; use this capability to perform rule management actions (check-in, delete checkout) on multiple records at
a time.

Recent Items
Click to load the contents of the Recent Explorer in an easily dismissed overlay. This allows you to view and open
your most recently accessed items without having to change context in the Explorer Panel.

Help menu
Click Help to gain access to the PRPC Help System and other relevant product information.

Pega 7 Help launch the PRPC help system to search

help topics and learn about specific rules, tools and
landing pages.
Pega Discovery Network open Pega Discovery Network
(PDN) in a new window to review articles, forums and
installation guides for all of our Pega products.
What's New review the features and concepts
introduced in Pega 7.
Pega Support get information and guidance on how to
request support or report issues for any of
our Pega products.
APIs get signature definitions of the Application
Programming Interfaces (APIs) used by the Engine and
Case Management.
About Pega 7 review system level specifications for
your installation of Pega 7.

Operator menu
Use the Operator menu to review your profile, set preferences, add or edit favorite records or log off the system.
The label for this menu is populated by the Full Name field defined on your Operator ID form.

Profile view configuration for you operator such as RuleSet stack, access group and
locale. Some fields are editable such as availability and current password.
Preferences view and edit developer preferences to be used in the Designer Studio
such as enabling tabs in the Work Area and specifying a PMF User ID.
Operator open your Operator ID form in the Work Area.
Access Group open your current Access Group form in the Work Area.
My Favorites view and edit the list of favorite records visible to your operator and
other operators in your access group.
Log Off log out of the system and return to the Pega 7 login page.

About the Explorers

Explorers organize similar actions and tools to keep users focused and efficient. Each Explorer gives a specific view
into an applications configuration and composition. Toggle between Explorers by clicking on the icon or name in
the Explorer Panel. Only one Explorer may be in focus at a time but we will maintain the state of each explorer as
you navigate between them. Details on each of the seven Explorers supported in Pega 7 can be found below.

Recent Explorer
Identified by Recent in the Explorer Panel, the Recent Explorer can easily view, open or search the last 20 items
you have accessed in the Work Area of the Designer Studio. They include records, landing pages, reports, wizards,
forms, and other work. As you use the Designer Studio, the Recent Explorer automatically updates to mimic the
order of your actions. The state of this Explorer is maintained even when you logout; your next session will pick up
immediately where you left off.

Tips for Navigating the Recent Explorer:

Search Control type any string in this field to filter the contents of the Explorer. Matches are returned
by examining the record name and its key parts. Clear this field to return to the full Explorer content.
Top level menu use this menu for additional filter options and to quickly create new records.
Active Item List click on an item to open it in the Work Area. Checked out items are denoted with the
checkmark icon. Deleted items will open their last history snap shot in the Work Area for easy review of
changes or restoring a prior version.

Cases Explorer
Identified by Cases in the Explorer Panel, the Cases Explorer helps you quickly review and update your applications
case type hierarchy without losing context. Click on any case type name to load the Case Designer in the Work
Area. Use contextual menu items to add cases in a specific location in the hierarchy or promote existing classes as
case types. The Cases Explorer uses a tree structure similar to the Application Explorer; navigate it by using the
expand and collapse icons.

this new Explorer replaces functionality formerly located in the Case Designer landing page.

Tips for Navigating the Cases Explorer

Top level menu use this menu to:

o Create cases anywhere in the hierarchy
o Refresh Explorer content
o View the Case Management Gallery landing page.
Embedded menu this menu is available for every case type in the Explorer. Use this menu to:
o Open the case type record
o Add or rename a case type
o Remove a sub-case type relationship
o Remove the case from the Create Case menu on the user portal.

For more information on case types, see Introduction to Stage-based Case Management in Pega 7.

Data Explorer
Identified by Data in the Explorer Panel, the Data Explorer simplifies the creation and modification of data object
types and their associated data pages (formerly known as "declare pages"). Filtering options help keep Explorer
content focused while top level menus give quick access to frequently used actions. This Explorer also gives a
quick overview of which data object types have defined data pages and how often they are referenced. Navigate
this Explorer by using the expand and collapse icons.
For more information, see Data Management: What's New in Pega 7.

Tips for Navigating the Data Explorer

Search Control type any string in this field to filter the contents of the Explorer. Matches are returned
by examining the short description of the data object type. Clear this field to return to the full Explorer
content.
Top level menu use this menu to add or remove data object types, create data pages, filter out case
types from this Explorer, and create new rules.
Embedded menu this menu is available for every data object type in the Explorer. Use this menu to:
o View the data object types definition and properties
o Add data pages or properties to a specific data object type
o Rename or remove a data object type from the application

Application Explorer
Identified by App in the Explorer Panel, the Application Explorer gives a hierarchical view of the rules in your
application stack. Interactive controls help isolate specific layers and classes while right click actions display only
those options that are pertinent to your position in the tree structure. Navigate this Explorer by using the expand
and collapse icons. Drag and drop different elements from this Explorer into UI rules like Sections and Harnesses.

Tips for Navigating the Application Explorer

Application Scoping Control use this control to select which applications are included in the
Explorer.This feature is useful when you want to focus on rules in a particular layer of the RuleSet stack.
Autocomplete use this field to select the root class of the tree structure in the Explorer. This feature is
useful when you want to see rules with a particular Applies To class. A blank value in this field displays
your last 10 selected class names or Best Bets. Enter @baseclass to see all the top level classes and
class groups defined in your access group.
Right click actions these are enabled at the class, category, rule type and instance level. Common
actions include creating new rules and viewing instances of a particular rule type. Additional options are
available based on where you initiated the click. For example classes can be refactored or renamed while
only properties can be optimized for reporting.

Record Explorer
Identified by Records in the Explorer Panel, the Record Explorer gives a flat view of all rules and data instances in
your system organized by record category and type. Use this Explorer when you need to find a record of a specific
type but do not necessarily know the Applies To class, or are looking for records without an Applies To class such
as Operators or Controls. Navigate this Explorer by using the expand and collapse icons. Click a record type to view
a list of its instances in the Work Area.

Tips for Navigating the Record Explorer

Top level menu use this menu to refresh Explorer content or create records in a context free manner.
Right click actions create or view records in a context sensitive manner. If initiated from the record
category level, you may create or view records of all types within the category. If initiated from the
record type level, you may only create or view records of that specific type.

Private Explorer
Identified by Private in the Explorer Panel, the Private Explorer displays all records that are currently checked out
by your operator. Similar to the Recent Explorer, items displayed here are order sensitive and automatically update
as you configure your application (check out, check in) in the Designer Studio. Records checked out using the
Private Edit, Checkout to branch and Checkout options display here. Use this Explorer to view items or use the Bulk
Actions feature to perform record management actions on multiple records at once.

Tips for Navigating the Private Explorer

Search control type any string in this field to filter the contents of the Explorer. Matches are returned
by examining the record name and its key parts. Clear this field to return to the full Explorer content.
Top level menu use this menu to access the Bulk Actions feature, create new records or refresh Explorer
content.
Checked out rule list click any item in the list to open it in your Work Area.

Favorite Explorer
Identified by Favorite in the Explorer Panel, this explorer can easily view, edit or open your favorite records. A rule
or data instance can be added as a favorite using the Actions > Add to favorites menu option in the rule form
header. Favorites are organized into two categories: Personal and Access Group. Access Group favorites are
typically used to delegate records such as decision tables. Personal favorites are a great way to boost productivity
by making it easy to find important records you often refer to.

Tips for Navigating the Favorite Explorer:

Search control type any string in this field to filter the contents of the Explorer. Matches are returned
by examining the rule name and its key parts. Clear this field to return to the full Explorer content.

Top level menu use this menu to toggle between categories of favorites, refresh the current content,
edit existing favorites or create new records.
Favorite list click any item in the list to open it in your Work Area. Right click options can be used to
delete a favorite or run the record (when applicable).

About the Developer Toolbar

The Designer Studio Developer Toolbar provides quick access to tools that can greatly assist in debugging an
application, analyzing performance and understanding how an application is built.
Items in the toolbar can be launched, enabled/disabled or viewed as indicated below:

Tracer
Click Tracer to start the Tracer in a new window. Tracer is faster than ever, fully cross-browser and supports
several new event types. It traces your application execution at runtime giving you powerful debugging utilities
including step-by-step execution, breakpoints, watch variables and customizable event types.

Clipboard
Click Clipboard to launch the Clipboard tool in a new window. Now cross browser and localizable, this tool has
been reorganized to improve navigation, thread selection and editing property values (when appropriate). Use
this tool to view contents of pages stored in temporary memory for your requestor.

UI Inspector
Click UI Inspector to enable the UI Inspector tool. This feature lets you review the structure of user interface
elements in your application such as containers, panels, harnesses, layouts, sections, flow actions and cells. Hover
over any element in the Designer Studio to view a live overlay detailing the elements type and rule hierarchy
(containing UI rule structure). Use the provided links to open individual rules in the Work Area for closer
inspection. Click the UI Inspector icon a second time to disable it.
For more information see Discover your UI using the UI Inspector.

Performance
Click Performance to open the Performance Analyzer tool (PAL) in a new window. Use this tool to collect system
resource usage statistics and gain access to finer grain performance tools such as DB Tracer and Profiler. PAL, like
the other tools in the Developer Toolbar is now fully cross-browser.

Alerts
Click Alerts to view the Alert logs in a human readable format. Alerts are organized into two categories:
Performance and Security. You can toggle between Performance and Security related alerts that were generated
on your server node. You can also filter alerts that were generated by the current requestor session or all sessions.

Inspection Preferences
Make selections in the Inspection Prefs menu to enable or disable the following:

Declaratives properties that are computed by a Declare Expression rule are denoted in the Designer
Studio with small red D after you refresh the portal.
Field Values text labels for which field value rules are defined are denoted in the Designer Studio with
a globe icon after you refresh the portal.

PDN
Click the PDN link to open Pega Discovery Network site in a separate window.

PRPC 7.1.0
Click the PRPC 7.1.0 link to review system level specifications for your installation of Pega 7. (The third digit
indicates the maintenance level.)

About the Designer Studio Work Area

The Work Area of the Designer Studio provides the main workspace for users as they open, review and edit items
such as rules, reports, landing pages or wizards. Although the Work Area itself is not new for Pega 7,
enhancements have been made to the layout, default content and navigation options to provide better usability
and flow.

Configurable navigation
New operators will have include tabs as a navigation aid in the Work Area by default. This means that as you
access items in the Designer Studio, they will be loaded in the Work Area as an individual tab. Up to 16 items can
be open at once before you are prompted that the limit has been reached. Tabs remain open even when you
switch applications or work groups. You can manage which items are open at any point in time.
To remove a tab, click the close icon located next to the tab name. Alternatively, use the Close button located in
the rule form header. Designer Studio will not close any items in your Work Area that have unsaved changes
without warning. You are prompted to commit your changes or manually close the item using the tabs close icon.

To allow Pega 7 to manage your open items for you, use the Operator menu to access operator preferences.
Disable the Include Tabs option and save. You must log out of the system for the Work Area to reload with this
new preference.

Now when you access an item in the Designer Studio, it replaces the full content of the Work Area. Only one item
is displayed at a time and Pega will manage the open document list automatically for you behind the scenes. Use
the Close button to remove the item from your Work Area when finished. With or without tabs, Pega will return
you to the most recently accessed item when you click close. Use the Recent Explorer to review the last 30 items
you opened in the Work Area.
the operator preference for Work Area tabs applies only to harness based rules. Form based rules will always
open in a new window and must be closed manually.

Intuitive Form Headers

The straightforward design of Pega 7 form headers makes a clear distinction between information describing a
record and the specific actions that can be performed on a record. Important metadata such as short description,
availability and status are now editable via interactive controls on the form itself. Actions are configured to
smartly display only the options that are relevant to record its current state (i.e. locked, checked in, checked out)
and make the primary action clear. The actions and menus have been organized to put information at your
fingertips without having to stray away from the Work Area.
Form headers breakdown as follows:

Details Use this area to review the key parts of a record or edit important attributes such as
circumstance, availability, status, short description or associated RuleSet.
Actions Use this area to perform record management actions (check out, check in, delete, copy) and
access more advanced features such as Trace Open record and Run record.
Warnings Warnings are presented by severity and do not prevent a record from being saved. An
indication of the warning type and how it can be resolved will be provided in this area. Users may use the
Add Justification link to indicate this warning has been reviewed and approved.
Errors - Errors are presented by the order in which they are found during validation. A description of the
issue and the invalid value or configuration will be provided. Users must resolve all errors before the
record will save successfully.

For more information, see About Pega 7 forms.

Home Page
The Pega 7 Home Page has been streamlined for simplicity. Open this page to quickly see guardrail warnings in
your application without having to drill down into landing pages. Use the new Pega Task feature to keep track of
your personal to do list or share tasks with others. Check out PDN News to see what new content is available in
the Designer Studio RSS feed without logging directly into PDN. Although the Home Page is loaded into your Work
Area by default upon log in, it will not display as an entry in the Recent Explorer item list. Use the Pega 7 icon
located in the Designer Studio header when you need to get back to the Home Page.

Tips for navigating the Home Page

Guardrail Warnings use the interactive links to drill down into specific warnings or redirect to the
the DesignerStudio > Application> Guardrails landing page
Pega Task double click to edit a task. Use the filter button to quickly see which tasks are private or see
only tasks associated with specific access group.
PDN News read content from the last seven days as displayed or click on an article to view it directly in
the PDN.

if your application is integrated with PMF, the View PMF worklist in a new window link displays at the bottom of
Pega Task.