Modules and the manifest

Module structure, __manifest__.py keys, dependencies, data loading order, assets, scaffolding and licensing.

In this lesson

Module structure and scaffolding
The manifest keys
Loading order, versions and module size

Key points

Folders: models, views, security, data, report, wizard, controllers, static, tests, i18n
Manifest: name, version (20.0.x.y.z), depends, data, assets, license, application, auto_install
Data order: groups → access → views → actions → menus
Bump versions for migrations; small modules per feature

Real-world example

A module failed to install with 'No matching record found for external id sale_credit_block.group_credit_controller'. The access CSV was listed before the XML that created the group. Swapping the order in data fixed it in seconds.

Questions and answers

What does the first part of version '20.0.1.2.0' mean?

The Odoo series (20.0); the rest is the module's own version.

Which file imports the models package?

The module's __init__.py (from . import models).

Read the full lesson, worked example and quiz