Getting Started with Tangram Concepts

Welcome to Tangram! This guide will help you understand the core concepts that make up the Tangram platform and how they work together to build powerful digital marketplaces and platforms.

Core Components

Tangram is built around a few key conceptual components:

• Fields - The basic building blocks that store individual pieces of data
• Field Groups - Collections of fields that represent structured data
• Roles - User types with specific permissions and data points
• Listing Types - Templates for different kinds of listings in your marketplace
• Subscriptions - Recurring payment plans for users in your platform

How It All Fits Together

Understanding how these components work together is key to building your Tangram application:

1. Fields are the foundation - they define what data you collect and store
2. Field Groups organize related fields into logical structures
3. Roles determine what users can do and what information they provide
4. Listing Types define the characteristics of items or services in your marketplace
5. Subscriptions establish pricing tiers and access levels

Building Your First Application

To get started building with Tangram, follow these steps:

1. Define your user Roles (e.g., buyers, sellers, administrators)
2. Create Field Groups for each role with relevant Fields
3. Design your Listing Types with appropriate fields
4. Set up any Subscriptions if you plan to charge users
5. Configure page layouts and user flows

Best Practices

As you build your Tangram application, keep these tips in mind:

• Start with a simple data model and add complexity as needed
• Design field groups with reusability in mind
• Use consistent naming conventions for fields and field groups
• Consider the user experience when designing forms and data collection
• Test your configuration with sample users and listings

Explore the detailed documentation for each concept to learn more about configuration options and advanced features.