---
title: "Viewing and Previewing Applications"
slug: "viewing-previewing-applications"
tags: ["previewing-applications"]
status: "update"
updated: 2026-10-15T14:25:45Z
published: 2026-10-15T14:25:45Z
canonical: "docs.unqork.io/viewing-previewing-applications"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.unqork.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Viewing and Previewing Applications

The UnqorkAI platform provides three ways to view and preview a module or application during development, without deploying to another environment. **UI View** keeps Creators inside the Module Builder. **Browser Preview** runs the whole application in a workspace tab. **Express View** opens the full end-user experience in a separate browser tab.

| Mode | What It Displays | Best For |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **UI View** | The module rendered inline inside the Module Builder canvas. | Quick visual checks and Console-based debugging without leaving the builder. |
| **Browser Preview** | The application running in a workspace tab, with a browser-style toolbar. | Testing as an Express role or a real end-user, and marking up the preview for the UnqorkAI agent. |
| **Express View** | The module or application in a full browser tab, with the preview bar. | Verifying end-user behavior, simulating Express roles, and URL-based testing. |

## UI View

UI View loads the module inline inside the Module Builder using an embedded frame. No new tab opens. The preview displays in the editor itself.

To open UI View, select **UI View** from the View Toggler at the top of the Module Builder. Select any other view (**Config View** or **Logic View**) to exit. For a full reference of UI View features, see [UI View](/unqorkai/docs/ui-view).

UI View is the fastest way to check rendering and run Console-based debugging. For testing that depends on submission IDs, application routing context, or the browser network tab, use Express View instead.

## Browser Preview

Browser Preview runs a workspace application in its own tab. Creators open it from the ![Globe](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261015_142543_befca8b4c4a347c9a7c4316849d411a6.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A13Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A13Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=gsD4dN2Le5nFlfeAPg66Tulnt%2FtsWEcNffX%2FXTtWJPg%3D) (**globe**) control at the far left of the tab bar. Creators use Browser Preview to test with their own session or a real end-user login, and to preview as an Express role. They can also add query parameters and send marked-up screenshots to the UnqorkAI agent. For the full reference, see [Browser Preview](/unqorkai/docs/browser-preview).

## Express View

Express View loads a module or application in a new browser tab at the same URL an end-user would visit. A **preview bar** displays at the top of the page with debugging controls and user-selection tools that end-users cannot see. Changes saved in the platform reflect in Express View immediately.

### Opening Express View

On a module that belongs to an application, the **Play** button (directly left of **Save** in the module header) opens a menu with two destinations:

| Destination | What opens |
| --- | --- |
| **View in App** | The full application URL with routing context, styling, and header and footer modules applied. |
| **View Module Only** | The plain module URL without application styling or infrastructure modules. |

Modules without an owning application and revisions opened from History open Express View directly — no menu appears. An API module has no Play button — choose **View in Express** from the ![EllipsisVertical](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261015_142543_6543fb81847741b6bb1634307b4a8914.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A13Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A13Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=gsD4dN2Le5nFlfeAPg66Tulnt%2FtsWEcNffX%2FXTtWJPg%3D) (**ellipsis**) menu instead.

**From the Explorer panel**

Select the ![EllipsisVertical](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261015_142543_6543fb81847741b6bb1634307b4a8914.svg?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A13Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A13Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=gsD4dN2Le5nFlfeAPg66Tulnt%2FtsWEcNffX%2FXTtWJPg%3D) (**ellipsis**) next to any module or application in the Explorer panel, then select **View in Express**. Express View opens in a new browser tab.

![The Explorer panel ellipsis menu open on a module, with View in Express highlighted at the top.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261015_142543_e59c54da739a4e578b89282f3294c965.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A13Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A13Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=gsD4dN2Le5nFlfeAPg66Tulnt%2FtsWEcNffX%2FXTtWJPg%3D) ![The Module Builder header with the Play button highlighted, directly left of Save.](https://cdn.us.document360.io/15548f06-2fba-434c-b0c1-5df88317dbd7/Images/Documentation/api_upload_20261015_142543_a13562c42745469bb74539917f85354f.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-08T18%3A01%3A13Z&se=2026-11-08T19%3A01%3A13Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=gsD4dN2Le5nFlfeAPg66Tulnt%2FtsWEcNffX%2FXTtWJPg%3D)

### Express View and End-Users

Express View and the production application share the same URLs. Creators see the **preview bar** at the top; end-users see only the application. Below the preview bar, the application looks and behaves the same for both. For preview bar controls and data handling, see [Express View Page](/unqorkai/docs/express-view-page).

### Testing with Express Roles

Express View reflects the role-based access control configured for end-users. Creators access Express View as themselves, so they might see data or features that a restricted end-user would not.

To test how the application behaves for a specific end-user, use the user-selection controls in the [Express View preview bar](/unqorkai/docs/express-view-page). Selecting a specific end-user account loads the application with that user's role and data access applied.

Express roles, Express groups, and Express users are managed in Administration:

- [Express Role Administration](/unqorkai/docs/express-role-administration) — create and manage roles that control what end-users can access
- [Express Group Administration](/unqorkai/docs/express-group-administration) — create and manage groups that control data access scope based on role hierarchy
- [Express User Administration](/unqorkai/docs/express-user-administration) — create and manage end-user accounts and their role assignments

---

**Changelog**

| Date | Change |
| --- | --- |
| 2026-10-14 | Added Browser Preview as a third preview mode: comparison table row, section, and See Also link. |
| 2026-08-31 | Updated Module Builder access : Play button replaces View in Express ellipsis menu; options renamed to View in App and View Module Only. |
| 2026-08-28 | Rewritten as "Previewing Applications" — reorganized around UI View vs. Express View; added mode comparison table; removed "Introduction to" from title. |
| 2026-08-28 | Renamed "Files panel" → "Explorer panel" in access path; fixed internal link paths; removed body HR separators. |
| 2026-08-21 | Module Builder options corrected: View in App and Preview with App Context replaced by the View in Express fly-out (In App / Module Only) in the module header ellipsis menu. |
| 2026-05-11 | Initial publication. |

The UI (user interface) is a device's end-user interaction and communication point. It can include display screens, keyboards, and mouse. It is also how a user interacts with your application.

Also known as Unqork Users, or Designer Users; is anyone who is inside the Unqork platform.

Express View is how your end-user views your application. Express View also lets you preview your applications to test your configuration and view the styling. This is also the view your end-users will see when interacting with your application. After configuring a module, click Preview in the Module Builder to interact with the module in Express View.

End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product.

A URL (uniform resource locator) is a unique identifier used to locate a resource on the internet. Also known as a web address.

Rendering is the process of loading components and displaying the final result on the front-end screen.

The Unqork front-end application framework that delivers Creator-built applications to end-users. Express is the layer end-users interact with—the published forms, screens, and navigation built in the Module Builder. Express is distinct from Express View, which is a Creator-facing preview tool in the IDE.

A query lets you retrieve, access, manipulate, and delete data in a database.

End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product.

APIs (application programming interfaces) are a set of protocols and definitions developers use to build and integrate application software. APIs act as the connective tissue between products and services.

RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) is a method to control system access for authorized users. The role in RBAC refers to the levels of access employees have to a network.