Adding Models
1. Define the model class
Models within each app are stored in either models.py
or within a submodule under the models/
directory. When creating a model, be sure to subclass the appropriate base model from netbox.models
. This will typically be PrimaryModel or OrganizationalModel. Remember to add the model class to the __all__
listing for the module.
Each model should define, at a minimum:
- A
Meta
class specifying a deterministic ordering (if ordered by fields other than the primary ID) - A
__str__()
method returning a user-friendly string representation of the instance - A
get_absolute_url()
method returning an instance's direct URL (usingreverse()
)
2. Define field choices
If the model has one or more fields with static choices, define those choices in choices.py
by subclassing utilities.choices.ChoiceSet
.
3. Generate database migrations
Once your model definition is complete, generate database migrations by running manage.py makemigrations -n $NAME --no-header
. Always specify a short unique name when generating migrations.
Configuration Required
Set DEVELOPER = True
in your NetBox configuration to enable the creation of new migrations.
4. Add all standard views
Most models will need view classes created in views.py
to serve the following operations:
- List view
- Detail view
- Edit view
- Delete view
- Bulk import
- Bulk edit
- Bulk delete
5. Add URL paths
Add the relevant URL path for each view created in the previous step to urls.py
.
6. Add relevant forms
Depending on the type of model being added, you may need to define several types of form classes. These include:
- A base model form (for creating/editing individual objects)
- A bulk edit form
- A bulk import form (for CSV-based import)
- A filterset form (for filtering the object list view)
7. Create the FilterSet
Each model should have a corresponding FilterSet class defined. This is used to filter UI and API queries. Subclass the appropriate class from netbox.filtersets
that matches the model's parent class.
8. Create the table class
Create a table class for the model in tables.py
by subclassing utilities.tables.BaseTable
. Under the table's Meta
class, be sure to list both the fields and default columns.
9. Create the object template
Create the HTML template for the object view. (The other views each typically employ a generic template.) This template should extend generic/object.html
.
10. Add the model to the navigation menu
Add the relevant navigation menu items in netbox/netbox/navigation_menu.py
.
11. REST API components
Create the following for each model:
- Detailed (full) model serializer in
api/serializers.py
- Nested serializer in
api/nested_serializers.py
- API view in
api/views.py
- Endpoint route in
api/urls.py
12. GraphQL API components
Create a Graphene object type for the model in graphql/types.py
by subclassing the appropriate class from netbox.graphql.types
.
Also extend the schema class defined in graphql/schema.py
with the individual object and object list fields per the established convention.
13. Add tests
Add tests for the following:
- UI views
- API views
- Filter sets
14. Documentation
Create a new documentation page for the model in docs/models/<app_label>/<model_name>.md
. Include this file under the "features" documentation where appropriate.
Also add your model to the index in docs/development/models.md
.