Introduction

Backstage is an open-source platform developed by Spotify that enables organizations to build and manage their internal tools and services efficiently. Backstage provides a centralized platform for developers to manage their projects, collaborate with their team members, and streamline their workflows. In this blog post, we'll explore how your company's developers can use Backstage efficiency to improve their productivity and deliver high-quality code, with real-case examples and a step-by-step guide to get started.

Real-Case Examples of Using Backstage Efficiency

Airbnb

Airbnb uses Backstage to manage its internal tooling and services. With Backstage, Airbnb's developers can access documentation, manage their projects, and collaborate with other teams. Airbnb also uses Backstage's extensibility to create custom integrations and plugins that integrate with their existing workflows. For example, Airbnb uses Backstage to manage their CI/CD pipelines, APIs, and cloud services.

Zalando

Zalando, a European online fashion platform, uses Backstage to manage its internal tooling and services. With Backstage, Zalando's developers can access documentation, manage their projects, and collaborate with their team members. Zalando also uses Backstage's extensibility to create custom plugins and integrations that integrate with their existing workflows. For example, Zalando uses Backstage to manage their databases, CI/CD pipelines, and tools and utilities.

Examples of Components and Services that can be Managed in Backstage

APIs

APIs are a common component or service that can be managed in Backstage. With Backstage, developers can manage the API's documentation, create and manage API keys, and monitor the usage and performance of the API.

Databases

Databases are another example of a component or service that can be managed in Backstage. With Backstage, developers can manage the database schema, monitor the performance of the database, and create and manage database backups.

CI/CD Pipelines

CI/CD pipelines are a critical component of modern software development. With Backstage, developers can manage their pipelines, trigger builds, and monitor the status of their builds. Backstage can also be integrated with popular CI/CD tools like Jenkins to provide a seamless experience for developers. Here's an example of how to integrate Backstage with Jenkins to see the build status and build history:

// Add the Jenkins plugin to the Backstage configuration file

jenkins:
baseUrl: https://your-jenkins-server.com/
apiToken: your-jenkins-api-token

// Add the Jenkins widget to the Backstage homepage

import { JenkinsCard } from '@backstage/plugin-jenkins';

const HomePageComponent = () => (
    <Grid container spacing={3}>
      <Grid item xs={12}>
        <JenkinsCard />
      </Grid>
    </Grid>
);

Tools and Utilities

Backstage can also be used to manage internal tools and utilities used by an organization. This can include tools like code generators, linters, and testing frameworks. With Backstage, developers can manage the configuration and integration of these tools, making them easier to use and more accessible to the entire organization.

Cloud Services

Cloud services like AWS, Azure, and GCP are widely used by organizations today. With Backstage, developers can manage their cloud services, monitor their usage, and configure their access and permissions.

Step-by-Step Guide to Get Started with Backstage Efficiency

Install Backstage

To get started with Backstage, you'll need to install it. Backstage provides a comprehensive installation guide on their website, which outlines the steps to install Backstage on your local machine or in the cloud.

Configure Backstage

Once you've installed Backstage, you'll need to configure it. Backstage provides a configuration file that you can modify to tailor the platform to your specific needs. You can configure Backstage to integrate with your existing tools and services, create custom plugins, and manage your projects.

Create Components and Services

With Backstage, you can create components and services that represent your organization's internal tools and services. Components and services enable you to manage your projects, access documentation, and collaborate with your team members. You can create custom components and services, or use existing ones from the Backstage community.

Collaborate with Other Teams

Backstage provides a platform for collaboration across different teams in your organization. You can use Backstage to share documentation, code snippets, and best practices with your peers. You can also use Backstage to collaborate with other teams, such as product managers, designers, and operations teams.

Customize and Extend Backstage

Backstage is highly customizable and extensible, enabling you to tailor it to your specific needs. You can create custom plugins, add custom components, and build your own integrations. This customization enables you to create a platform that meets your unique requirements and integrates with your existing workflows.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Backstage provides a centralized platform for developers to manage their projects, streamline their workflows, and collaborate with their team members. With real-case examples from companies like Airbnb and Zalando, Backstage has proven to be an efficient tool for managing internal tooling and services. By using Backstage, organizations can manage their internal tools and services more efficiently, streamline their workflows, and improve collaboration across their development teams.