How to Create Your Own Module in Odoo: A Beginner's Guide

How to Create Your Own Module in Odoo: A Beginner's Guide

Odoo's modular architecture allows developers to extend and customize the system by creating their own modules. This guide walks you through the process of building a simple module, from setting up the structure to installing it in your Odoo instance.

Step 1: Understanding Module Structure

An Odoo module is a directory containing specific files and subdirectories. The basic structure includes:

my_module/
├── __init__.py
├── __manifest__.py
├── models/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   └── my_model.py
├── views/
│   └── my_view.xml
└── security/
    ├── ir.model.access.csv

Each component serves a specific purpose:

• __init__.py: Initializes the Python package.
• __manifest__.py: Contains metadata about the module, such as its name, version, and dependencies.
• models/: Contains Python files that define your models.
• views/: Stores XML files that define the UI elements.
• security/: Manages access control and permissions.

Step 2: Create the Manifest File

The __manifest__.py file is crucial for defining your module. Here's an example:

 {
    'name': 'My First Module',
    'version': '1.0',
    'author': 'Your Name',
    'category': 'Custom',
    'depends': ['base'],
    'data': [
        'security/ir.model.access.csv',
        'views/my_view.xml',
    ],
    'installable': True,
    'application': True,
}

Step 3: Define a Model

Create a new Python file in the models/ directory, for example, my_model.py, and define your model:

from odoo import models, fields

class MyModel(models.Model):
    _name = 'my.model'
    _description = 'My First Model'

    name = fields.Char(string='Name', required=True)
    description = fields.Text(string='Description')

Step 4: Design the View

Create an XML file in the views/ directory, such as my_view.xml, and define the user interface:

<odoo>
    <record id="view_form_my_model" model="ir.ui.view">
        <field name="name">my.model.form</field>
        <field name="model">my.model</field>
        <field name="arch" type="xml">
            <form string="My Model">
                <sheet>
                    <field name="name"/>
                    <field name="description"/>
                </sheet>
            </form>
        </field>
    </record>
</odoo>

Step 5: Configure Security

Add a CSV file to the security/ directory to define access rights. For example, ir.model.access.csv:

id,name,model_id:id,group_id:id,perm_read,perm_write,perm_create,perm_unlink
access_my_model,access_my_model,model_my_model,base.group_user,1,1,1,1

Step 6: Install Your Module

Copy the module directory to your Odoo addons path, restart the Odoo service, and enable developer mode in your Odoo instance. Navigate to Apps, search for your module, and click Install.

Best Practices

• Follow Odoo’s naming conventions for files and classes.
• Keep your code modular and organized for better maintainability.
• Test your module thoroughly before deploying it to production.

Conclusion

Creating a custom module in Odoo is a straightforward process if you follow the correct steps and adhere to best practices. By understanding the structure and purpose of each component, you can extend Odoo to meet your unique business requirements.

Have you created your first module in Odoo? Share your experience in the comments below!