Integration models

Qefro supports two ways to run the same SDK application contract.

Model A — External SDK Connection

Customer Infrastructure
        │
        ▼
SDK Application
        │
      /qefro
        │
        ▼
Qefro Connector Manager / ACS
        │
        ▼
Qefro Runtime / AI / Workflows

Aspect	Behavior
Runtime owner	Developer / customer
Registration	Org SDK Connection (webhook_url, signing secret)
Marketplace	Not required
Installation binding	No
Typical data	External ERP/CRM/DB (app-owned)
ctx.storage	Only when invoke includes install/solution scope

Choose when: existing systems of record, on-prem, customer-controlled ops, ERP adapters (e.g. ABM).

Tutorial: external-sdk-connection.md.

Model B — Managed Marketplace App

Qefro Marketplace
        │
        ▼
Solution Package
        │
        ▼
Solution Installation
        │
        ▼
Qefro Managed Runtime
        │
      /qefro
        │
        ▼
Connector Manager
        │
        ▼
Qefro Runtime

Aspect	Behavior
Runtime owner	Qefro
Registration	Publish solution → install into workspace
Marketplace	Required for catalog distribution
Installation binding	Yes (/v1/tenant/solutions/{solution}/connector)
Typical data	Managed storage via ctx.storage
Packaging	manifest.yaml + Dockerfile + src/

Choose when: Qefro-native SaaS apps for many tenants (Restaurant Pro, Clinic Pro).

Tutorial: managed-marketplace-app.md.

Shared vs different

Shared: /qefro protocol, HMAC scheme, tool definitions, SDK APIs, Customer Hub / Marketing / Organization contracts.

Different: who runs the process, how the endpoint is registered, upgrades, secrets placement, whether install scope exists for managed storage.

CLI also supports qefro create-app … --hosting managed|external — external hosting is for packaging an app that still points at a developer-operated endpoint (qefro register --endpoint URL). Confirm current hosting behavior in your platform version before relying on hybrid modes.

Decision tree

Do you need to run the application yourself?
YES → External SDK Connection
NO  → Want Qefro to host/manage? YES → Managed Marketplace App

Full comparison table: application-integration-guide.md.