diff --git a/docs/FAQ.md b/docs/FAQ.md index 9c11b015ea..90f642e591 100644 --- a/docs/FAQ.md +++ b/docs/FAQ.md @@ -117,6 +117,41 @@ through the proxy. Learn more about [the different components](overview/what-is-backstage.md) that make up Backstage. +### How do I keep my Backstage app up to date? + +In many ways one can view Backstage as a library rather than an application or +service. The `@backstage/create-app` tool that is used to create your own +Backstage app is similar to +[`create-react-app`](https://github.com/facebook/create-react-app) in that it +gives you a starting point. The code you get is meant to be evolved, and most of +the functionality you get out of the box is brought in via NPM dependencies. +Keeping your app up to date generally means keeping your dependencies up to +date. The Backstage CLI provides a command to help you with that. Simply run +`yarn backstage-cli versions:bump` at the root of your repo, and the latest +versions of all Backstage packages will be installed. + +While staying up to date with new releases and changes will keep your app up to +date, it can often be convenient to use the changes done to the +`@backstage/create-app` template as another method to stay up to date. For that +purpose, any changes done to the template are documented along with upgrade +instructions in the +[changelog](https://github.com/backstage/backstage/blob/master/packages/create-app/CHANGELOG.md) +of the `@backstage/create-app` package. + +### Why can't I dynamically install plugins without modifications the app? + +This decision is part of the core architecture and development flow of +Backstage. Plugins have a lot of freedom in what they provide and how they are +integrated into the app, and it would therefore add a lot of complexity to allow +plugins to be integrated via configuration the same way as they can be +integrated with code. + +By bundling all plugins and their dependencies into one app bundle it is also +possible to do significant optimizations to the app load time by allowing +plugins to share dependencies between each other when possible. This contributes +to Backstage being fast, which is an important part of the user and developer +experience. + ### Do I have to write plugins in TypeScript? No, you can use JavaScript if you prefer. We want to keep the Backstage core