How to build a navigation page inside your app
A navigation page inside an app guides people to the right place instead of leaving them to interpret a sidebar. In Jestor, a navigation component can hold links to tables and apps, arranged centrally as a landing page for that particular tool.
Why a sidebar is not enough for a complex app
A sidebar lists everything equally. It tells a user what exists, not what to do first or what matters for their role.
For an app with several tables and views, that produces the same question every time someone new opens it: where do I go?
Where a navigation page helps:
- Apps with several tables and views
- Tools used by people who open them occasionally
- Processes with an obvious starting point
- Environments where different roles need different entry points
Sidebar versus a navigation page
| Aspect | Sidebar | Navigation page |
|---|---|---|
| What it shows | Everything available | What you chose to surface |
| Hierarchy | Flat list | Ordered by importance |
| Explanation | Names only | Text alongside each destination |
| Best for | Frequent users | Occasional and new users |
Step by step to build one
- Create a page that will serve as the app's entry point.
- Add the navigation component to that page.
- Add destinations, pointing at the tables and apps people need.
- Write a short label or description for each, so the purpose is clear.
- Order them by importance, not alphabetically.
- Style the component to match the rest of the app.
- Keep the sidebar for the people who already know their way around.
Why explaining the destination matters
A link labelled with a table name assumes the reader already knows what that table is for. A line of text beside it removes the guesswork, and costs nothing to write.
- Central navigation: guidance in the middle of the screen, not only at the edge
- Tables and apps as destinations: anything relevant can be surfaced
- Text alongside links: each destination explains itself
- Coexists with the sidebar: both can remain available
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this replace the sidebar?
No. It coexists with it, offering a guided entry point. See jestor.com.
Can I link to both tables and apps?
Yes. The navigation component supports both as destinations.
Can I customize how it looks?
Yes. The component is styled like any other part of the app.
Video Tutorial: Step by Step
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