---
title: Self-Service Actions
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
breadcrumbs: Docs > Internal Developer Portal > Self-Service Actions
---

# Self-Service Actions

{% callout %}
# Important note for users on the following Datadog sites: app.ddog-gov.com

{% alert level="danger" %}
This product is not supported for your selected [Datadog site](https://docs.datadoghq.com/getting_started/site). ().
{% /alert %}

{% /callout %}

[Self-Service Actions](https://app.datadoghq.com/software/self-service) help platform teams define and share templates to streamline tasks across the software development lifecycle. Developers can use these predefined actions to:

- build microservices and infrastructure with proper configurations
- initialize development environments
- manage deployments across environments
- actively monitor and optimize running services

Each tile represents an app, which provides a structured interface for executing predefined actions. Apps are created through [App Builder](https://docs.datadoghq.com/service_management/app_builder/), powered by [Action Catalog](https://docs.datadoghq.com/actions/actions_catalog/) and [Workflow Automation](https://docs.datadoghq.com/service_management/workflows/), and surfaced in Software Catalog to streamline developer workflows.

## Automate developer workflows{% #automate-developer-workflows %}

To create a new app in Software Catalog, you can start with an example or build from scratch. At a high level, creating a new app involves the following steps:

1. Use [App Builder](https://docs.datadoghq.com/service_management/app_builder/) to create dynamic, user-friendly forms to collect inputs from developers.
1. Call Datadog's [Actions](https://docs.datadoghq.com/actions/actions_catalog/) from your app to initiate API calls to external services, perform custom logic, or transform data.
1. Use [Workflow Automation](https://docs.datadoghq.com/service_management/workflows/) to orchestrate end-to-end processes with multiple actions.
1. Integrate your app with Datadog's Software Catalog to enable dynamic and self-service workflows.

{% image
   source="https://datadog-docs.imgix.net/images/tracing/software_catalog/self-service-ui.869c4591bd48c9f46fad9558bc545918.png?auto=format"
   alt="Publish to Self-Service" /%}

### Start from an example{% #start-from-an-example %}

To get started quickly, explore [App Builder Blueprints](https://app.datadoghq.com/app-builder/blueprints) and [Workflow Automation Blueprints](https://app.datadoghq.com/workflow/blueprints) for examples of how to configure apps and workflows, respectively. You can configure inputs, set up integrations, configure permissions, and make other adjustments to the blueprints to satisfy your needs.

For example, you can use App Builder Blueprints to:

- **Scaffold new services from templates:** Configure a form to collect inputs from a developer, integrate with a template in source code management (for example, Github), and generate a new repository or PR for a developer. Read the [Software Templates documentation](https://docs.datadoghq.com/software_catalog/self-service/software_templates) to learn more.
- **Provision infrastructure:** Enable developers to spin up new infrastructure (for example, an S3 bucket) with a few inputs and one click. Collect approvals from an SRE or platform engineering team through source control or Approval actions within Workflow Automation.
- **Remediate issues:** Consolidate data from cloud infrastructure or Kubernetes and enable developers to take simple, safe remediation actions. Trigger actions manually, in response to a monitor, or from an external API call.
- **Manage code changes and deployments:** Manage deployments, feature flag changes, and more. Initiate changes directly from Datadog and track their status and approvals.
- **Provision developer environments:** Spin up ephemeral environments for developers on-demand. Use Workflow Automation to automatically deprovision any unused infrastructure to control costs.

### Start from scratch{% #start-from-scratch %}

If you prefer to build an app from the ground up:

1. Create a form using App Builder:

   1. Navigate to **Actions** > **App Builder** from the left-hand menu, and select **New App**.
   1. Enter a name and description, and use the drag-and-drop editor to create a form that collects the required parameters.
      - You can use the `Form` component or build a custom UI.
   1. Select **New Query**, and use the **Trigger workflow** action to call your workflow and pass in parameters.
      - Explore [Action Catalog](https://docs.datadoghq.com/actions/actions_catalog/) for built-in integrations, or use the `HTTP` action to interact with any integrations not available.
   1. Create a **Button** that submits the form and triggers your workflow.
   1. Save and publish the app.

1. Pair your app with [Actions](https://docs.datadoghq.com/actions/actions_catalog/) or a [Workflow](https://docs.datadoghq.com/service_management/workflows/build/#create-a-custom-workflow) to automate processes.

   {% image
      source="https://datadog-docs.imgix.net/images/tracing/software_catalog/templating-workflow.74014b0bbe4b9398fee4f3b2f0980ff2.png?auto=format"
      alt="Workflow for building software template automation" /%}

1. Test your app and workflow:

   1. Click **View App** to preview the app on a standalone page.
   1. Monitor workflow execution in [Workflow Automation](https://app.datadoghq.com/workflow).

### Publish your app{% #publish-your-app %}

Once your Software Template is configured and tested, publish it so your team can use it. The publishing flow lets you:

- Define permissions to control access.
- Add the app to a Dashboard or to Self-Service Actions for easy discovery.

{% image
   source="https://datadog-docs.imgix.net/images/tracing/software_catalog/self-service-publish.85266ae3c6c5af5c2c1085a490f414a4.png?auto=format"
   alt="Publish to Self-Service" /%}

## Further reading{% #further-reading %}

- [Remediate incidents faster with App Builder](https://www.datadoghq.com/blog/app-builder-remediation/)
- [Learn about App Builder](https://docs.datadoghq.com/service_management/app_builder/)
- [Learn about Workflows](https://docs.datadoghq.com/service_management/workflows/)
- [Empower your engineering teams with Self-Service Actions in Datadog Software Catalog](https://www.datadoghq.com/blog/software-catalog-self-service-actions/)