Custom Divider

✨ Customizable Confluence Dividers ✨

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FAQ

Q: What is your app?
Custom Divider for Confluence Cloud

Q: Why is the app different from what is seen in the demo?
I'm not sure how the app turned out in Confluence. I couldn't run, view, or test the macro at all in Atlassian even after redeploying & reinstalling many times. The macro worked at one point in the beginning, and then it just stopped updating altogether. I experienced the same with other Forge apps. This was the biggest setback for me. Since the macro runs on Custom UI, I did the rest of the coding in a sandbox IDE.

Q: What about the company org chart Confluence Cloud macro?
That's the PoC I made for Codegeist last year. I didn't submit it then, so I included it this time in my roundup/listicle for storytelling.

Q: Why did you create a Divider macro when it already exists?
I didn't realize there was a Divider macro. I discovered it after renaming my app with the keyword, and by then, it was too late. Like < 15 hours before the deadline late.

Q: What is the business utility for this app?
The Custom Divider macro isn't another boring, plain, solid gray divider that we are all too familiar with. And dare I say tired of! The macro helps Business Teams better organize content into sections with playful, colorful, customizable dividers. And with the holiday season around the corner, holiday themed dividers are a great way to spread some holiday cheer/joy without being overbearing.

Q: What about profit potential?
Companies should have no problem paying a monthly subscription fee for dividers if it means their teams will have access to beautifully divided, sectioned, and framed content.

Q: Do you know how ridiculous that is?
Yes, I'm aware. And so I believe the macro should be free.

Q: Are you ashamed of your submission?
Excuse me?

Q: That was a non-answer.
Ok, to answer your previous question - yes, I admit it's a bit shameful.
Not my first choice for an app, that's for sure.

Q: What app did you want to build?
Originally, the goal was to resume my org chart PoC from last year. Then I found its long lost fraternal twin in Marketplace, born this year. Better than anything I could create on my own. So I started to look for gaps in the marketplace that could be filled. Cause I wouldn't want to build an exact replica of what has already been built. I had 1.5 days left to build something different. Then I thought, "What about a reading progress bar?" But I couldn't fix the position above the title, so that was lame. I settled on dividers in the end.

Q: Any parting words of wisdom you would like to share with new Forge developers and future Codegeist participants after this experience?

Take time to set up the proper tools and dev environment from the start. It can save you loads of time later on. Forge tunneling with Docker is the way. It may take several minutes to hours (or never) for a macro to install or update properly on your Atlassian site. Try to forge through even if your patience is hanging by a thread (pun intended).

If you can't render your installed app at all or if you're working in production environment, then consider building with Custom UI instead of UI Kit. That way, you can code in a more familiar setup with less dependency on viewing changes in Atlassian.

Slow and steady wins the race 🏃🏻‍♀️
Be the tortoise 🐢, not the hare 🐇
Heed this advice if you're aiming for first place 🥇
Patience is a virtue 🧘🏻‍♀️


Standard Divider  vs.  Custom Divider

Boring, standard <hr> 🥱


Pretty custom dividers 😍
custom dividers


Challenges

Forge deploy was my biggest blocker. I was unable to consistently and reliably install + refresh Forge app changes in Confluence + Jira. Forge CLI threw no errors. I suspect it might be related to OAuth 2.0 credentials or proxy. I have my doubts, but I can't think of another reason.

While waiting for my hello-world macro to update in between uninstalls, redeploys, reinstalls & refreshes, I rewrote a short snippet of a famous song:

♫ Hello, hello world 👋 🌍
I was wondering if after all these hours you'd like to meet.
No, forge deploy won't work on me.
Won't show up easily. ♫

POV: Confluence + Jira apps
Sung to the tune of 'Hello - Adele'


Future Ideas

  • Vertical page dividers
  • Animated dividers
  • Glitter / Gradient dividers
  • Half + full frames
  • Page + section frames
  • Themed borders
  • Animated Stickers
  • Corporate Badges
  • Business Cards
  • Digital Post Cards
  • Post-it Notes
  • Greeting Cards
  • Button Designer
  • Logo Maker / Editor
  • Email Newsletter Templates
  • Form Designs
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