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What is the Liferay Client Extension Framework?

 

Liferay DXP offers a powerful platform for building portals and digital experiences, packed with out-of-the-box capabilities such as data structures, custom data stores, actions, and UI designs. However, many enterprise use cases demand deeper customization beyond these default features. To address this, Liferay introduced the Client Extension Framework, which enables developers to extend or customize functionality without being tightly coupled to the Liferay core OSGi container.

Starting with Liferay DXP 7.4, the client extension feature allows developers to add new functionality, integrate external systems, or enhance user experiences with minimal dependency on the platform’s internals.

Why Use Client Extensions?

Earlier, most Liferay customizations were achieved through OSGi modules or theme plugins, which were often complex and tightly bound to the platform. The Client Extension Framework changes that by introducing loose coupling, ensuring that your custom logic relies only on stable APIs, simplifying upgrades and maintenance.

Key benefits:

  • Enables use of modern frontend frameworks like React, Angular, or Vue.

  • Simplifies maintenance and version upgrades.

  • Supports cloud-native architectures and independent scaling.

  • Improves performance by separating custom services from the core server.

Types of Client Extensions in Liferay DXP

Liferay DXP supports several client extension types, including:

  1. Frontend Client Extensions – Customize UI elements such as CSS, JavaScript, and favicons using external frameworks.

  2. Configuration Client Extensions – Manage instance-level settings, OAuth configurations, and authentication options.

  3. Microservice Client Extensions – Integrate external APIs or microservices to handle tasks like workflows, validations, or notifications.

  4. Batch Client Extensions – Manage large-scale operations like imports, migrations, or data initialization.

Advantages of Client Extensions

Some of the key advantages include:

  • Simplified architecture that keeps customizations separate from the core.

  • Easier upgrades and reduced dependency on Liferay internals.

  • Enhanced stability and scalability for enterprise-grade solutions.

  • Modern technology compatibility, supporting cloud and CI/CD pipelines.

Best Practices for Implementation

When adopting client extensions:

  • Identify which type best fits your use case—UI, configuration, microservice, or batch.

  • Rely on stable Liferay APIs to minimize upgrade issues.

  • Use version control and CI/CD to manage independent deployments.

  • Plan for scalability and monitoring, especially for microservice extensions.

  • Evaluate existing OSGi modules to determine which can be migrated to client extensions for future-proofing.

Conclusion

The Client Extension Framework in Liferay DXP marks a major step forward for developers and organizations aiming for flexibility, scalability, and modern architecture. By decoupling custom logic from the platform core, it not only simplifies upgrades and maintenance but also aligns perfectly with today’s cloud-native and microservice-driven ecosystems.

At Surekha Technologies, we leverage Liferay’s latest innovations like the Client Extension Framework to build secure, high-performing, and future-ready digital experience platforms. Our team helps businesses design, develop, and implement Liferay solutions that evolve with their growth and technology needs.

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