About Templafy Desktop

About this article

• What is Templafy Desktop?
  • Desktop Host
  • Desktop Client
  • Desktop Packages
  • Visual Explanation
• Checking for Updates
• Templafy Desktop Launch Flow

What is Templafy Desktop?

Templafy Desktop is a program that is installed on Windows that ensures a user always has the latest VSTO Add-ins. The program consists of three main parts, each explained below:

1. Desktop Host

This is the MSI that is delivered by Templafy and is installed by client IT - typically via SCCM.

2. Desktop Client

This is the actual software responsible for downloading and installing Templafy Desktop Packages. This means Templafy can add features and fix bugs affecting the Desktop Host without having to distribute an updated MSI, but by simply updating the Templafy Desktop Client.

3. Desktop Packages

When the client is installed, it will connect to Templafy and download active Desktop packages containing the Templafy add-in files which it will then distribute on the client PC.

Visual Explanation

Checking for Updates

Templafy Desktop Launch Flow

1. Templafy Desktop Host starts and connects to x.templafy.com
   1. Will use native proxy credentials
   2. If native credentials fails, display popup asking for credentials
   3. Downloads Templafy Desktop Client version
      
      
2. Templafy Desktop Client starts and connects to x.templafy.com
   
   
3. It will attempt to login the user automatically
   1. If the user login fails, shows a login screen
   2. After successful login, store JSON Web Tokens
      

      Reference: JsonWebToken (JWT) - How it Works Within Templafy

4. Show the onboarding flow if:
   1. The user does not have a valid UserProfile in Templafy (applies if required fields are added to the UserProfile)
      

      Reference: Templafy user onboarding flow

5. Detect environmental paths for (Templates, WordStartup, %localappdata%, etc)
   
   
6. Downloads the add-in package
   
   
7. Installs the add-in package
   
   
8. Check if Offline Synchronization is enabled and download the flagged Templates/Assets and UserProfiles
   
   
9. Go to idle mode
   1. Will synchronize changes made to Offline available content (Templates/Assets and UserProfiles)