Frappe DocType Builder Skill

Build complete DocType definitions with proper field types, permissions, and configurations.

When to Use This Skill

Claude should invoke this skill when:

• User wants to create a new DocType
• User needs to add fields to an existing DocType
• User asks about DocType structure or design
• User wants to modify DocType properties
• User needs help with DocType JSON schema

Capabilities

1. DocType JSON Generation

Create complete DocType JSON files with:

• Metadata (name, module, naming, permissions)
• Fields with proper types and options
• Permissions for different roles
• Form layout and sections
• Naming series configuration

2. Field Type Expertise

Support all Frappe field types:

• Data: Short text fields
• Text: Long text with editor options
• Int: Integer numbers
• Float: Decimal numbers
• Currency: Money values
• Date: Date picker
• Datetime: Date and time
• Time: Time picker
• Link: Reference to another DocType
• Select: Dropdown with options
• Check: Boolean checkbox
• Table: Child table
• Attach: File upload
• Attach Image: Image upload with preview
• Signature: Signature capture
• HTML: Custom HTML content
• Markdown Editor: Markdown content
• Code: Code editor with syntax highlighting
• Dynamic Link: Polymorphic references
• Rating: Star rating
• Color: Color picker
• Geolocation: GPS coordinates

3. DocType Patterns

Master DocType:

{
  "name": "Customer",
  "module": "CRM",
  "autoname": "naming_series:",
  "naming_rule": "By naming series",
  "track_changes": 1,
  "is_submittable": 0
}

Transaction DocType:

{
  "name": "Sales Order",
  "module": "Selling",
  "is_submittable": 1,
  "autoname": "naming_series:",
  "track_changes": 1
}

Child Table:

{
  "name": "Sales Order Item",
  "module": "Selling",
  "istable": 1,
  "editable_grid": 1
}

Settings DocType:

{
  "name": "System Settings",
  "module": "Core",
  "issingle": 1
}

4. Common Field Patterns

Naming Series:

{
  "fieldname": "naming_series",
  "fieldtype": "Select",
  "label": "Naming Series",
  "options": "CUST-.YYYY.-\nCUST-",
  "reqd": 1
}

Status Field:

{
  "fieldname": "status",
  "fieldtype": "Select",
  "label": "Status",
  "options": "Draft\nSubmitted\nCancelled",
  "default": "Draft"
}

Link Field:

{
  "fieldname": "customer",
  "fieldtype": "Link",
  "label": "Customer",
  "options": "Customer",
  "reqd": 1
}

Child Table:

{
  "fieldname": "items",
  "fieldtype": "Table",
  "label": "Items",
  "options": "Sales Order Item",
  "reqd": 1
}

Computed Field:

{
  "fieldname": "total",
  "fieldtype": "Currency",
  "label": "Total Amount",
  "read_only": 1
}

5. Permission Configuration

{
  "permissions": [
    {
      "role": "Sales User",
      "read": 1,
      "write": 1,
      "create": 1,
      "delete": 0,
      "submit": 0,
      "cancel": 0
    },
    {
      "role": "Sales Manager",
      "read": 1,
      "write": 1,
      "create": 1,
      "delete": 1,
      "submit": 1,
      "cancel": 1
    }
  ]
}

6. Advanced Features

Dependent Fields:

{
  "fieldname": "customer_group",
  "fieldtype": "Link",
  "options": "Customer Group",
  "depends_on": "eval:doc.customer"
}

Mandatory Depends On:

{
  "fieldname": "tax_id",
  "fieldtype": "Data",
  "label": "Tax ID",
  "mandatory_depends_on": "eval:doc.country=='United States'"
}

Read Only Depends On:

{
  "fieldname": "posted_date",
  "fieldtype": "Date",
  "read_only_depends_on": "eval:doc.docstatus==1"
}

Output Format

When building a DocType, provide:

1. Complete JSON structure
2. Explanation of key fields
3. Permission rationale
4. Controller method suggestions (if needed)
5. Migration instructions

Best Practices

1. Naming: Use clear, descriptive field names in snake_case
2. Required Fields: Mark essential fields as required
3. Defaults: Provide sensible default values
4. Permissions: Start restrictive, expand as needed
5. Indexing: Add database indexes for frequently queried fields
6. Validation: Use field properties for basic validation
7. Organization: Group related fields with sections and column breaks

Integration with Controllers

After creating DocType JSON, suggest controller methods:

• validate() - Pre-save validation
• before_save() - Modify values before saving
• on_submit() - Actions when document is submitted
• on_cancel() - Actions when document is cancelled
• on_trash() - Actions before deletion

Example Usage Flow

1. User asks: "Create a Customer DocType with name, email, and phone"
2. Skill generates:
   • Complete DocType JSON
   • Appropriate field types
   • Basic permissions
   • Naming configuration
3. Output includes:
   • JSON file content
   • Where to save it (apps/<app>/doctype/customer/customer.json)
   • Migration command (bench --site <site> migrate)
   • Next steps for customization

File Structure

Generated files should follow:

apps/
└── <app_name>/
    └── <module_name>/
        └── doctype/
            └── <doctype_name>/
                ├── __init__.py
                ├── <doctype_name>.json
                ├── <doctype_name>.py
                └── <doctype_name>.js

Remember: This skill is model-invoked. Claude will use it autonomously when detecting DocType-related tasks.