Forge adoption for server apps
If you're deciding whether to build your server app on Forge, this page will help you make that assessment. If you're migrating a Data Center app to Forge, see the compare Atlassian Cloud and Data Center blog post for more information.
Differences between Atlassian server plugins and Forge
Compare some of the key capabilities and differences between the Atlassian server SDK and Forge.
| Server | Forge | |
|---|---|---|
| App hosting | Installed into a server product | Hosted by Atlassian, with a shared responsibility model |
| UI extensibility | AUI (Atlassian User Interface) | |
| Product APIs | Java API and REST APIs | Managed access to Jira Cloud and Confluence Cloud REST APIs and Forge JavaScript APIs |
| Programming language | Java | Node.js Function-as-a-Service platform |
| Authentication and data implementation | Token authentication with the products internal Java API. Data stored on premise with the server product | Managed product REST API and external OAuth 2.0 API authentication. Data hosted by Atlassian. |
| Distribution | Make apps for your team or for Atlassian Marketplace | Make apps for your team or for Atlassian Marketplace |
| Compatibility | Confluence and Jira | Confluence, Jira, and Jira Service Management |
| Security | Integration, authentication, and data security managed by you | Integration, authentication, and data security managed by Atlassian |
What can you build on Forge?
Check out some of the Forge success stories from Codegeist 2021 winning Forge apps.
Office Manager: Elements Office Manager aims to solve the most common challenges with flex offices connecting workers with desk that allow them to do their best work and bond with their teammates, every time they come into the office. Learn more about Office Manager.
Diligence Doer: Diligence Doer parses the summary of a Jira Issue for database tables or columns, then displays other resources where those database tables or fields are being used. Currently, resources can come from GitHub and Tableau. Learn more about Diligence Doer.
Jira Hook Ninja: Jira Hook Ninja allows users to create infinite webhook listeners and attach them to flows, small applications created using visual scripting. Drag and drop blocks describe the application in terms that make sense for humans, so even non-technical people can develop complex logic. Learn more about Jira Hook Ninja.
For more use cases, see Forge example apps.
Example server apps migrated to Forge in the Atlassian Marketplace
Check out some of the server apps that have cloud versions built on Forge on the Atlassian Marketplace:
List different versions of your app together
You can list your cloud, server, and Data Center apps with the same functionality in a single listing on the Atlassian Marketplace.
The example below shows an app listing with all three versions:
You can create separate listings if the Forge version of your server app has different functionality. View Listing Forge apps and Listing and managing apps.
More information
It might not be possible to rebuild your existing server app for a Forge equivalent yet. If you are interested in migrating to cloud right now, have a look at comparing deployment options. This applies if you are building for products other than Jira and Confluence. Stay up to date with our Atlassian platform for developers - roadmap for Forge apps.
Cloud migration resources
- Cloud development platform overview
- How does Atlassian Cloud architecture work
- About the app migration platform
Forge resources
Atlassian Marketplace listing
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