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Major Updates - .phlow Files, Optional Main Modules, and Our Game-Changing VS Code Extension

· 5 min read
Philippe Assis
Philippe Assis
Software Engineer

We're thrilled to announce some groundbreaking updates to Phlow that will revolutionize how you build and maintain your modular backends. These aren't just incremental improvements—they're fundamental enhancements that make Phlow more intuitive, flexible, and developer-friendly than ever before.

🎯 Native .phlow File Support: Beyond YAML​

For too long, developers have been constrained by the .yaml extension when building Phlow flows. While YAML served its purpose, we knew our community deserved something more distinctive—something that immediately signals you're working with Phlow's powerful flow architecture.

Introducing native .phlow file support!

Now you can create your flows with the .phlow extension, giving your projects a clear, professional identity. Don't worry about migration headaches—Phlow automatically prioritizes .phlow files while maintaining full backward compatibility with existing .yaml files.

# main.phlow - Your flow now has its own identity!
name: "My Amazing API"
main: http_server
modules:
  - module: http_server
    version: latest
steps:
  - use: echo
    input:
      message: "Hello from .phlow!"
  - return:
      status_code: 200
      body: !phs payload.message

This seemingly simple change represents something bigger: Phlow files are now first-class citizens in your development workflow, with dedicated tooling, better IDE support, and clearer project organization.

🔥 Optional Main Modules: Ultimate Flexibility Unleashed​

Here's where things get really exciting. We've completely reimagined how Phlow handles module initialization by making the main module optional. This isn't just a technical improvement—it's a paradigm shift that opens up entirely new possibilities for how you architect your applications.

What Does This Mean?​

Previously, every Phlow flow required a main module to bootstrap execution. Now, you can create pure step-based flows that execute independently, giving you unprecedented flexibility in how you structure your applications.

# No main module needed!
name: "Data Processing Pipeline"
steps:
  - payload:
      input_data: "Raw data to process"
  - use: data_processor
    input:
      data: !phs payload.input_data
  - use: validator
    input:
      processed_data: !phs payload.result
  - return: !phs payload.validated_result

Why This Changes Everything​

  1. Microservice Architecture: Build lightweight, focused services without the overhead of a main module
  2. Testing and Development: Create isolated step sequences for testing specific logic
  3. Composable Workflows: Build reusable step sequences that can be combined and orchestrated
  4. Simplified Deployment: Deploy pure processing logic without infrastructure concerns

Want to dive deeper? Check out our comprehensive documentation on main modules and steps architecture to understand how this flexibility can transform your development workflow.

🚀 VS Code Extension: Your New Development Superpower​

But here's the crown jewel of this release: our official VS Code extension that doesn't just provide syntax highlighting—it brings intelligent, schema-aware development directly to your editor.

The Magic of Dynamic Schema Validation​

This isn't your typical language extension. Our VS Code extension features a revolutionary validation system that automatically identifies modules in your flows and fetches their schemas directly from the official Phlow repository. This means:

  • Real-time validation as you type
  • Intelligent autocomplete based on actual module schemas
  • Live error detection and correction suggestions
  • Always up-to-date module information without manual updates

A Developer Experience Like No Other​

# As you type, the extension automatically knows about your modules
modules:
  - module: postgres  # ← Extension fetches postgres schema
    version: latest
    with:
      # ← Intelligent autocomplete shows available properties
      host: "localhost"
      port: 5432
      database: "myapp"
      # ← Real-time validation ensures configuration correctness

Complete PHS (Phlow Script) Support​

The extension provides full syntax highlighting and IntelliSense for Phlow Script (PHS), whether you're working with:

  • Inline PHS in .phlow files after !phs directives
  • Standalone .phs files for complex logic
  • Hover documentation for PHS functions and Phlow-specific variables
  • Smart autocompletion for main, payload, steps, and envs contexts

Rich Features That Boost Productivity​

  • 🎨 Complete YAML compatibility: .phlow files work exactly like YAML with enhanced features
  • ✨ Smart snippets: Pre-built templates for common flow patterns
  • 🔧 Integrated commands: Run and validate flows directly from VS Code
  • 💡 Contextual help: Hover documentation and intelligent suggestions
  • 📝 Auto-formatting: Maintain consistent code style automatically

Installation and Getting Started​

Getting started is incredibly simple:

  1. Install from VS Code Marketplace: Search for "Phlow Language Support"
  2. Command line: code --install-extension phlow.phlow
  3. Start coding: Create a .phlow file and experience the magic

The extension automatically activates when you open .phlow files, providing immediate access to all features without any configuration.

🌟 Why These Updates Matter​

These aren't just feature additions—they represent a fundamental evolution in how developers interact with Phlow:

For Individual Developers​

  • Faster development with intelligent tooling
  • Fewer errors through real-time validation
  • Better project organization with dedicated file types
  • Enhanced productivity through smart autocompletion

For Teams​

  • Consistent coding standards across projects
  • Easier onboarding with intelligent IDE support
  • Reduced debugging time through early error detection
  • Improved collaboration with clear file identification

For Organizations​

  • Reduced development costs through improved efficiency
  • Better maintainability with structured, validated code
  • Faster time-to-market with enhanced developer tools
  • Lower learning curve for new team members

🎯 Looking Forward​

These updates represent our commitment to making Phlow not just a runtime, but a complete development ecosystem. We're not stopping here—expect more groundbreaking features that will continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with modular backend development.

The future of low-code, high-performance backend development is here, and it's more accessible than ever. With native .phlow files, optional main modules, and our intelligent VS Code extension, you have everything you need to build the next generation of modular applications.

Ready to experience the future of backend development?

The revolution in modular backend development continues, and we're just getting started. Welcome to the future of Phlow! 🚀