Prompted systems
FileMaker + AI
Design repeatable AI workflows for schema review, scripting, data transformation, and developer decision support.
The FileMaker Lab
The FileMaker Lab
Experiments, tools, and AI workflows for serious FileMaker developers.
What this is
A practical research space for advanced FileMaker work.
The FileMaker Lab is where FileMaker developers can explore AI-assisted development, performance analysis, XML and DDR intelligence, plugin workflows, automation, and modern development practice without losing the practical edge that real systems require.
It is built for experiments that can become reusable tools, webinars, prototypes, field notes, and production patterns. The goal is not novelty. The goal is better FileMaker work with clearer leverage.
Featured lab areas
Research tracks for the next generation of FileMaker development.
Each area starts as investigation, then becomes methods, tools, reusable workflows, or training.
Assisted development
Codex Workflows
Use Codex as a practical collaborator for analysis, refactoring, documentation, testing, and native plugin work.
Structural insight
DDR / XML Analysis
Turn DDR exports and XML into maps of dependencies, drift, risk, opportunities, and architectural pressure points.
Native extensions
Plugin Experiments
Explore high-performance plugin ideas, platform parity, rendering behavior, and production-grade developer tools.
Measured behavior
Performance Lab
Investigate bottlenecks with controlled tests, instrumentation, caching strategy, and data-backed hypotheses.
Interface research
WebViewer & UI Prototypes
Prototype interfaces, templates, and patterns that make FileMaker solutions sharper, faster, and easier to maintain.
Webinars
Deep sessions, practical experiments, useful takeaways.
Upcoming01
FileMaker + AI: Building the New Developer Workflow
A practical session on where AI belongs in serious FileMaker work, and where it absolutely does not.
Workshop02
DDR Analysis with AI
How to inspect DDR XML, uncover dependencies, and turn old exports into modern development intelligence.
Replay soon03
Performance Debugging Like a Scientist
A measured approach to FileMaker speed problems using hypotheses, experiments, and instrumentation.
Lab session04
From Idea to Plugin
A tour through native plugin research, prototypes, constraints, and the path toward production tools.
Upcoming05
Codex for FileMaker Developers
Using Codex to analyze code, reason about architecture, draft tests, and tighten developer workflows.
Lab Notes
Short research notes for sharper developer workflows.
AI Workflow01
Why FileMaker Developers Need Their Own AI Workflow
Generic AI advice breaks down quickly. FileMaker work needs context, constraints, and reusable patterns.
Automation02
The Problem with Gluing Tools Together
Automation can become fragile fast. The lab approach starts with repeatability, observability, and clear boundaries.
DDR/XML03
Using DDR XML as a Development Superpower
DDR exports can become searchable maps, review surfaces, and risk detectors when treated as structured data.
Tools04
Building Native Tools Instead of Workarounds
Sometimes the cleanest FileMaker workflow comes from a focused native tool, not another layer of glue.
Tools
Prototype utilities for FileMaker developers who want stronger signals.
These placeholders are ready to become product pages, downloads, private previews, or documentation hubs.
Prototype01
DDR Inspector
A focused analysis surface for relationships, scripts, layouts, fields, and XML structure.
Research02
Script Dependency Mapper
Visualize script calls, hidden coupling, entry points, and fragile chains inside complex systems.
Concept03
WebViewer Template Builder
Generate polished WebViewer starting points with practical constraints and editable patterns.
Prototype04
PDF Quote Extractor
Extract useful pricing and quote data from PDFs into structured, reviewable output.
Building05
FileMaker AI Prompt Library
A curated library of prompts for DDR review, scripting, documentation, testing, and debugging.
About
Built by a long-time FileMaker developer experimenting with what comes next.
The FileMaker Lab is led from the perspective of a developer who has spent years inside real FileMaker systems and is now testing how AI, plugins, automation, performance tools, and better workflows can change the craft.
The lab favors useful experiments over hype: small prototypes, careful analysis, native tooling where it matters, and workflows that survive contact with production.
Contact
Have a hard FileMaker problem or a lab idea?
Send a note about webinars, tool requests, AI workflow questions, consulting, or collaboration.