Definitions Overview

The Definitions section is where you establish the foundational logic that powers your platform's flexibility. Unlike settings, which control behavior, definitions create the reusable rules and metadata that make Kinetic solutions dynamic, scalable, and secure.

Definitions include:

• Attribute Definitions: Variables and metadata used across forms, workflows, and portals
• Security Definitions: Rules for who can see or modify what
• Webhook Definitions: Configuration for sending or receiving event-driven data

These definitions are created once and referenced everywhere.

Attribute Definitions

Attributes act as metadata-driven configuration for nearly everything in the platform: forms, Kapps, users, teams, and more. Think of them as dynamic variables that help control logic in forms, routing in workflows, display settings in portals, and much more.

Before setting attribute values on a resource (e.g., a form or user), you must first create a Definition.

Types of Attributes

Each attribute is defined for a specific component type:

• Space Attributes – Global settings (e.g., default bundle, theme color)
• Kapp Attributes – Kapp-specific display or logic values
• Form Attributes – Used in workflows or conditional logic
• Team Attributes – Useful for escalation or routing
• User/User Profile Attributes – Often used for identifying managers or contact info
• Datastore Form Attributes – Drive access and logic for backend data
• Category Attributes – Help structure and label form groups

Hierarchical Overrides

Attributes follow a top-down hierarchy, meaning a Form-level attribute will override a Kapp- or Space-level attribute of the same name. This gives developers the flexibility to define defaults globally and override locally as needed.

Learn more about attribute resolution in our Attribute Configuration Guide

Security Definitions

Security Definitions control authorization across the Kinetic Platform. These JavaScript-based expressions determine who can view or modify a given resource, like a form, submission, or WebAPI.

Where Security Definitions Are Used

• Forms: Control access to view or submit
• Submissions: Set rules for who can update or view
• Teams & Users: Apply role-based or attribute-driven logic
• WebAPIs: Secure platform integrations
• Workflow Categories/Sources: Restrict visibility in the console or via API

Example Rule

return (
  hasIntersection(values('Assigned Team'), identity('teams')) ||
  hasIntersection(values('Assigned Individual'), identity('username'))
);

 

Webhook Definitions

Webhooks allow you to send or receive data in response to platform events—such as a form submission, user creation, or team update. Once defined, they can be reused across workflows and automation routines to push real-time data to external systems.

Each webhook requires the following:

• Name: A unique label to help identify the webhook
• Type: The resource the webhook listens to
  (Options include: Form, Space, Submission, User, or Team)
• Event: The specific action to listen for
  (e.g., Created, Updated, Deleted)
• Filter: A JavaScript expression that determines whether the webhook should run
  (Used to evaluate context, such as only firing on certain form types or user roles)
• URL: A JavaScript template that dynamically builds the destination URL
  (Allows personalization of endpoint targets based on event data)

Example Use Cases:

• Send a notification to ServiceNow when a submission is created
• Trigger a Slack alert when a high-priority ticket is submitted
• Sync user profile changes with an external HR system

Webhooks are often used alongside Workflows and Plugins, especially when building loosely coupled integrations that react to platform events.

When to Use the Definitions Section

Use this section when you want to:

• Create variables that drive behavior across your Space (Attributes)
• Lock down access to specific forms or actions (Security)
• Configure real-time external system interaction (Webhooks)

Next Step

Continue your journey by exploring Attribute Definitions, where you'll learn how to configure and apply attributes across your Space for smarter, dynamic workflows and interfaces.