PDF Templates

PDF generation system for creating documents from templates with mapped data fields. Supports multi-page templates, combined fields, fill-in sessions, and e-signature integration.

Source Files

Layer	Path
Schema	backend/src/db/schema.ts
Template Routes	backend/src/routes/admin/pdf-templates.ts
Field Def Routes	backend/src/routes/pdf-data-field-definitions.ts
Combined Field Routes	backend/src/routes/pdf-combined-fields.ts
Export Routes	backend/src/routes/pdf-export.ts
Session Routes	backend/src/routes/pdf-document-sessions.ts
Export Service	backend/src/services/pdf-export-service.ts
Template Service	backend/src/services/pdf-template-service.ts
Session Service	backend/src/services/pdf-session-service.ts
Admin Page	frontend/src/pages/admin/PdfTemplatesList.tsx
Export Page	frontend/src/pages/PdfExport.tsx
Components	frontend/src/components/pdf/ (8 files)

Database Tables

Table	Purpose
pdfTemplates	Main entity — name, description, page count, status
pdfTemplatePages	Individual pages within a template (background image, dimensions)
pdfTemplateFields	Positioned fields on a page (x, y, width, height, font, mapping)
pdfCombinedFields	Composite fields that merge multiple data sources into one output
pdfDataValues	Stored values for template fields per entity
pdfDocumentSessions	Tracks form-filling progress (draft state, completion status)
pdfDataFieldDefinitions	Reusable field definitions with data source mappings

PDF Generation Pipeline

1. Template design — admin uploads page backgrounds and positions fields via the template editor
2. Field mapping — each field is linked to a data source (entity field, combined field, or manual input)
3. Session creation — user starts a fill-in session for a specific entity (e.g., building or project)
4. Data population — mapped fields auto-fill from entity data; manual fields are filled by the user
5. Export — pdf-lib renders the final PDF with all field values overlaid on the template pages
6. Storage — generated PDF is saved as a file and linked to the source entity

E-Signature Integration

Table	Purpose
signatureRequests	Outgoing signature requests linked to a PDF document
signedDocuments	Completed signed documents returned from the signature provider

Signature workflow integrates with external e-signature services for legally binding document signing.

Frontend Components

Component	Purpose
PdfTemplateEditor	Visual editor for positioning fields on template pages
PdfFieldMapper	Map template fields to data sources
PdfPreview	Live preview of the generated PDF
PdfSessionForm	Fill-in form for manual fields during a session
PdfExportDialog	Export options and download

Relationships

PdfTemplate 1──* PdfTemplatePages 1──* PdfTemplateFields
PdfTemplate 1──* PdfDocumentSessions
PdfTemplateField *──1 PdfDataFieldDefinition
PdfCombinedField *──* PdfDataFieldDefinitions
Session *──1 Users (author)
Session ──> Files (exported PDF)

Related Pages

Documents | Files | Buildings | Projects | Admin Dashboard | Service Layer Pattern | Database Architecture