Understanding GoodBarber's Architecture

Modular App Engine

GoodBarber apps are composed of pre-built modules (CMS, Maps, Events, etc.), which can be extended with custom code and third-party integrations. Errors often stem from improper module configuration or unsupported features in custom plugins.

Build System and Deployment Channels

GoodBarber builds native apps using their cloud infrastructure and deploys through submission workflows to App Store, Google Play, and web. Platform mismatches and provisioning profile issues are common failure points.

Common GoodBarber Issues in App Development

1. Push Notifications Not Working

Failures can occur due to incorrect Firebase/APNs configuration, expired keys, or permission issues on devices.

Error: Push token not registered with provider
  • Ensure Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM) or Apple Push Notification (APNs) keys are valid and uploaded correctly.
  • Test on physical devices and confirm permission prompts are accepted.

2. Plugin or Extension Compatibility Errors

Custom plugins may fail due to API changes or unsupported features in PWA vs native builds.

3. Slow Loading PWAs or Broken Components

PWA issues often stem from unoptimized media, poorly configured service workers, or versioning conflicts during updates.

4. REST API Integration Fails

Incorrect endpoints, CORS issues, or missing headers in external API calls can prevent data sync or cause UI errors.

5. Build or Store Submission Failures

Invalid certificates, provisioning profiles, or incomplete metadata often result in rejected builds or failed uploads to app stores.

Diagnostics and Debugging Techniques

Use GoodBarber Debug Console

Access the app preview debug console to inspect errors, failed API calls, and JavaScript exceptions in real-time.

Check Push Notification Logs

Use the back office notifications dashboard to review delivery status, errors, and token registration outcomes.

Validate API Endpoints with Postman

Test REST APIs outside the app to verify connectivity and response structures before integration in plugins or connectors.

Profile PWA Performance

Use browser DevTools (Lighthouse, Performance tab) to analyze resource loads, service worker behavior, and cache efficiency.

Step-by-Step Resolution Guide

1. Fix Push Notification Failures

Check APNs or FCM credentials and re-upload if expired. Confirm permissions in app settings and test notifications using GoodBarber's console.

2. Resolve Plugin Compatibility Problems

Ensure custom plugin JS and CSS follow documented patterns. Validate on both native and PWA previews to catch discrepancies early.

3. Improve PWA Performance

Compress images, limit initial page weight, and avoid excessive third-party scripts. Clear browser cache when publishing updates.

4. Repair API Integration Issues

Use fetch() or axios with appropriate headers (e.g., Authorization, Content-Type). Handle errors with proper fallbacks and retries.

5. Troubleshoot Build and Deployment Errors

Check certificate validity in the back office. Re-download provisioning profiles and ensure metadata (icon sizes, descriptions) match platform requirements.

Best Practices for Stable GoodBarber Apps

  • Use the GoodBarber back office for module configuration and preview testing before final builds.
  • Separate PWA and native testing cycles to identify feature compatibility gaps early.
  • Keep media assets optimized and versioned to avoid cache and load issues.
  • Review push token registration on every app install event to ensure delivery success.
  • Use version control for custom plugin code to support collaborative editing and rollback.

Conclusion

GoodBarber simplifies cross-platform app development, but real-world deployments demand attention to plugin integration, API compatibility, notification delivery, and platform build constraints. With proactive monitoring, thorough debugging, and modular testing practices, teams can deliver performant, reliable apps using GoodBarber’s infrastructure and tools.

FAQs

1. Why aren't push notifications working on iOS?

Verify that APNs keys are correctly uploaded and not expired. Check if the user has granted notification permissions on the device.

2. Can I use third-party APIs in a GoodBarber app?

Yes, but ensure CORS is enabled on the API server and that your fetch logic includes required headers.

3. How do I debug plugin issues?

Use the browser console in the app preview to inspect plugin logs and test custom JS logic in isolation.

4. Why is my PWA loading slowly?

Uncompressed images, too many network requests, and poor service worker caching can impact speed. Use Lighthouse to audit performance.

5. What causes build errors during submission?

Usually due to expired or invalid provisioning profiles, missing icons, or metadata mismatches for store compliance.