Empowering Odoo Documentation with Odoo Expert Browser Extension

Introduction

Browser extensions have revolutionized the way we interact with the web.

Odoo Expert was born out of necessity. As opportunities to contribute code directly to the Odoo documentation repository have dwindled—owing largely to the requirement of a locally self-hosted API—the need for a user-centric solution became evident.

Rather than waiting for upstream changes, this extension was developed to empower users with AI-powered assistance directly on Odoo documentation pages. Although there isn’t an extensive community behind it yet, all development progress and updates are transparently available on GitHub.

Development Process

The Motivation Behind the Extension

The inspiration for Odoo Expert came from a simple, yet compelling challenge: merging code directly into the Odoo documentation repository is no longer a viable option due to its dependency on a locally self-hosted API. With limited avenues for contributing upstream, developing a browser extension emerged as the best—and only—path to deliver tangible benefits to users. This approach bypasses the need for merging code into the official repo while still significantly enhancing the documentation browsing experience.

Idea Generation and Research

The initial idea was to empower Odoo users with an intelligent assistant capable of providing contextual answers within the documentation itself. Extensive research into the user journey revealed that developers and administrators often struggle to pinpoint the exact piece of information they need within vast documentation pages. This insight fueled the development of an extension that could offer immediate, AI-driven responses to search queries.

Technologies and Frameworks Used

The extension was built using a modern web technology stack:

JavaScript: To implement core functionality and handle asynchronous API requests.
HTML & CSS: For designing a clean, responsive, and intuitive user interface.
Chrome Storage API: To manage user-specific settings such as API URLs and bearer tokens.
Marked.js: A lightweight markdown parser that converts AI responses into well-formatted HTML.
Chrome Content Scripts: To seamlessly inject the extension’s features into Odoo documentation pages.

The extension is built with maintainability and extensibility in mind:

// Core functionality for AI response integration
function initializeAIResponse() {
    const aiSection = document.createElement('div');
    aiSection.id = 'ai-response-section';
    aiSection.innerHTML = `
        <h2>Odoo Expert Response</h2>
        <div id="ai-response-content">Initializing...</div>
    `;
    // Integration with search results
    const searchResults = document.getElementById('search-results');
    if (searchResults) {
        searchResults.parentNode.insertBefore(aiSection, searchResults);
        processSearchQuery();
    }
}

The extension utilizes a streaming response mechanism to provide real-time feedback:

async function fetchAIResponse(query, version, apiUrl, bearerToken) {
    const response = await fetch(apiUrl, {
        method: 'POST',
        headers: {
            'Content-Type': 'application/json',
            'Authorization': `Bearer ${bearerToken}`
        },
        body: JSON.stringify({ query, version })
    });
    
    // Stream processing for real-time updates
    const reader = response.body.getReader();
    const decoder = new TextDecoder();
    let result = '';
    
    while (true) {
        const { done, value } = await reader.read();
        if (done) break;
        result += decoder.decode(value, { stream: true });
        responseDiv.innerHTML = marked.parse(result);
    }
}

Challenges and Solutions

Throughout the development process, several challenges were addressed:

Dynamic Page Updates:

Ensuring the AI response section is injected reliably on pages with dynamic content was achieved by implementing a Mutation Observer. This observer monitors the DOM and initializes the response section whenever new content is loaded.

CORS Restrictions:

Integrating with a local API server introduced potential Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) issues. Comprehensive error handling was added along with user guidance on updating API server settings when necessary.

User Configuration:

To ensure ease of use, a dedicated settings popup was created. This popup lets users configure their API URL and bearer token effortlessly, ensuring the extension functions correctly right out of the box.

Key Features

Odoo Expert offers a host of innovative features designed to boost productivity:

Intuitive User Interface:

The extension’s AI response section is crafted for clarity and readability, featuring responsive layouts, clear typography, and well-formatted code blocks.

AI-Powered Assistance:

When a search is executed within Odoo documentation, the extension fetches AI-generated responses formatted in markdown, providing detailed explanations and actionable insights.

Seamless Integration:

Although the primary focus is on enhancing documentation searches, the extension is designed with future integrations in mind, including potential support for task management tools and time tracking applications.

Transparent Development:

While there isn’t an established community behind the extension yet, all progress and updates are shared openly on GitHub. This transparency ensures that users can follow the development process and contribute if they wish.

User Benefits

By incorporating Odoo Expert into your workflow, you can expect:

Accelerated Information Retrieval:

Gain immediate, context-rich answers without having to sift through lengthy documentation.

Enhanced Productivity:

With quick access to precise information, you can resolve queries faster and maintain focus on your core tasks.

Optimized Workflow:

The extension integrates directly into your browser, eliminating the need to switch contexts and ensuring a smoother, more efficient browsing experience.

Real-World Scenario

Consider a developer working on a complex Odoo implementation. Traditionally, finding the correct module documentation could involve combing through multiple pages. With Odoo Expert, as soon as a search query is made, an AI-generated summary with code examples and explanations appears instantly. This reduces search time, minimizes frustration, and allows the developer to concentrate on actual development tasks.

Conclusion

Odoo Expert exemplifies how innovative browser extensions can bridge the gap between static documentation and dynamic, AI-enhanced user experiences. Faced with the challenge of not being able to merge changes into the official Odoo documentation repository, this extension provides a practical, user-focused solution that enhances productivity and streamlines workflows. The development journey, characterized by a commitment to overcoming technical challenges and a transparent, GitHub-centric approach, ensures that users get an efficient and continually improving tool.

Call to Action

Ready to transform your Odoo documentation experience?

Download Odoo Expert:

Get the Extension Now

Follow Development Updates:

Keep up with new features and improvements by visiting our GitHub repository.

Contribute or Share Feedback:

While there isn’t an extensive community platform yet, your insights and contributions are always welcome on GitHub.

Embrace a smarter, faster, and more efficient way to navigate Odoo documentation with Odoo Expert—your productivity partner in the browser.