ProcessMaker is an open-source Business Process Management (BPM) suite designed for automating workflows, designing forms, and managing processes. It targets developers and power users looking to build and deploy custom business process solutions. The core benefit is a robust, extensible platform for workflow automation.

How It Works

ProcessMaker 4 is built on the Laravel PHP framework, leveraging its features for routing, ORM, and task scheduling. It utilizes Composer for dependency management and NPM for frontend assets. Real-time features are handled by Laravel Echo Server with Redis for presence channels. The system is designed for extensibility, with a clear API documented via OpenAPI 3.0, allowing for SDK generation and integration.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install: Dockerized version recommended via pm4core-docker. For manual install: composer install, php artisan processmaker:install, npm install, npm run dev.
• Prerequisites: Composer 2, Node.js 16.18.1, NPM 8.9, PHP 8.1 (with GD, ImageMagick, IMAP extensions), Nginx, MySQL 8.0, Redis, Docker.
• Setup: Manual setup involves configuring Nginx, running composer/npm commands, and initializing Laravel Echo Server and Horizon. Development requires VirtualBox/Vagrant.
• Docs: https://docs.processmaker.com/

Highlighted Details

• Extensive API documentation using OpenAPI 3.0 for SDK generation.
• Integrated Prometheus and Grafana for metrics monitoring and visualization.
• Supports multiple message broker drivers (RabbitMQ, Kafka) for asynchronous task processing.
• Includes Laravel Dusk for browser-based testing.

Maintenance & Community

The project is actively maintained by ProcessMaker Inc. Community interaction channels are not explicitly listed in the README.

Licensing & Compatibility

Distributed under AGPL Version 3. This license is copyleft and may have implications for commercial use or linking with closed-source applications.

Limitations & Caveats

The AGPL v3 license requires that any modifications or derivative works distributed must also be made available under the same license. Development setup involves complex dependencies and configuration, including virtual machines and specific server software.