# How to use app integration

## What is app integration?

App integrations in Struct PIM are designed to extend the core platform with your own tailored functionality. By using custom apps, you can access specialized functionality directly within your existing Struct PIM workplace. An app integration consists of general settings and extension points.

General settings contain the administrative metadata for the app, including the name and description. This section also defines the messaging version of the API used for communication and provides the option to set the app as active or inactive within the system.

Extension points cover the specific means of connecting the app to the PIM interface. Within this section, each extension is given a label which automatically generates a unique key upon creation to ensure proper version matching. 

The extensions also include descriptions and various types that determine exactly where and how the custom functionality is reflected in the PIM. Depending on the [type](https://docs.struct.com/reference/settings/integration/apps/apps-details/extension-points/extension-point-types) selected, an extension can appear anywhere from a dedicated tab to a widget on the dashboard. 

Each extension contains an embedded URL to locate the hosted application along with a thumbnail URL used to visually represent the app when adding widget-style extensions to the dashboard.

## Guides covering app integration

* [How to set up and edit an app integration](https://docs.struct.com/tutorials/guides/how-to-use-app-integration/how-to-set-up-and-edit-an-app-integration)
* [Example of weather app widget extension](https://docs.struct.com/developer/example-projects/weather-app-widget-extension)
* [Quickstart for developers](https://docs.struct.com/developer/app-integration/quickstart)