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Schema Builder UI

In order to create new types of credentials, it is necessary to generate JSON schemas. These are the underlying files that define the credential attributes. The Schema Builder is a tool created to simplify the process of creating schemas by using an intuitive user interface and enabling everyone to check previously made schemas.

Info

All the information on this page is also in video format. You can check this playlist on Youtube to learn more about the Schema Explorer and the Schema Builder.

Schema Explorer

The Schema Builder landing page presents a Schema Explorer, where you can find all previously created schemas and drill down your search for specific kinds of schemas. Not all schemas need to be created from scratch. It is a good practice to utilize the ones that are already in use.

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Schema Explorer showing credentials and filters.

We highly recommend that you look for one of the available schemas before actually creating one. By doing so, you can save time for your project and leverage a full library of popular ready-to-use schemas. If you find a schema that is similar to what you need but you are not completely happy with its characteristics, you can always fork it.

Fork Schema

Schema details page with options to fork, check other versions and change visualization.

Forking a schema is similar to GitHub forks. It creates a copy of the schema and lets you define new attributes. So you build your own out of another one.

Fork Schema

Building a new schema from a previously forked one.

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The outcome of a forked schema shows its version and where it was forked from. Fork Version

The forked schema also shows its number of forks:

Forks

Schema Builder

As previously stated, the Schema Builder is the easiest way to generate new types of credentials as it allows users to define the attributes, data types, and constraints for their schemas, and the tool will generate the necessary JSON-LD files and other artifacts required to implement the schema.

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Schema form and its JSON outcome.

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If you already have access to a file containing a JSON schema or a URL where that schema might be located, you can always add it to the Schema Builder by clicking on the Import Schema button. Then you will be able to edit, create new JSON and JSON-LD files and publish it on IPFS.

Import Schema

Schema definition

The first page of the Schema Builder flow lets you define the basic aspects of the schema, namely its title, type, version and description.

Define Schema

Main Schema fields.
  • Title: a name for the schema.
  • Schema Type: a set of attributes used to shape the data stored in one credential.
  • Version: this is important to register the current version of the schema, as it might be updated in the future.
  • Description: a description of the schema should explain in simple terms what it will be used for.

Attributes

You can add multiple attributes to your schema. All of them need to have the following characteristics: name, title, data type and description.

Schema attribute fields.
  • Name: the name of the attribute with a limited use of characters.
  • Title: a more human-readable title for the attribute without restrictions for special characters or space.
  • Data type: the kind of data the schema will support, such as integer, string, boolean etc.
  • Description: a short human-readable explanation of the attribute.

Publish on IPFS or Download JSON file

The last step of building a new schema is publishing it on IPFS. As an alternative, you can download the JSON file and store it in the location of your choice.