Drupal Project Browser: Guide

27 Dec 2024

"In the past 18 months, Project Browser has gone from announcement to beta. And the latest beta has a full-featured user interface for discovering and installing projects, fulfilling the original vision of users not needing a command line."
 — Dries Buytaert

Are you fed up with the never-ending routine of looking for Drupal.org for the best module, taking its name, copying it, and pasting it into your website's command line to see if everything works fine and hoping for a smooth installation? This annoying process wastes time and can even lead to errors if you're not used to Composer.
But what if we had a better new way? Drupal Project Browser is made to make your search easy and your work straightforward. Enter the Drupal Project Browser within your site's admin dashboard, which is about to revolutionize module management. This powerful tool simplifies the whole process and makes it easy to view, learn about, and install modules directly from your Drupal backend. 
In this guide, Golems Drupal development company will show you how to unleash the Project Browser's full potential. We will teach you how to use it to find the best modules for your site and install them with just a click. Get ready to transform your Drupal experience & say goodbye to module installation headaches!

Overview of Drupal Project Browser

Drupal Project Browser is an interface that allows you to find and download the modules you wish to add to your site. Smart default filters and a clear separation of search options make it available directly on the Drupal site. Therefore, it does not require the user to go to another site to search for modules. The UI is intended to work faster and easily with enhanced filtering. This is what we will discuss in this article below. 
The Project Browser helps you install Drupal modules in one click. Filters and search options help you choose the modules you need exactly. The tool is still being improved, but you can try a test version by clicking on a link on the Drupal.org module page. Drupal Project Browser has such useful functions:

  • It enables you to access and install Drupal modules faster.
  • It employs Drupal's latest feature, the package manager, which allows users to search and install modules from the terminal without performing form-based activities.
  • You can write within the framework of your Drupal site. As results are automatically sorted, only the fit modules can be chosen.
  • Outcomes are provided in a format that allows users to understand and compare different program modules easily.
  • Later, the browser will be designed so that users can download and deploy these modules within the system by merely clicking a button.

Overall, the Drupal Project Browser proves itself to be an important instrument for those who want to integrate new components into their Drupal-based website.

What's new with the Project Browser?

The Project Browser became a contributed module, which will likely become part of the mainstream Drupal in Drupal 10. 3. It will enhance its functions and put it into the category of tools that are essential for most people with Drupal when constructing web applications. It is an idea-centered project where anyone can contribute to its growth, irrespective of the individual's experience.

  • Improved the user interface. The newest addition to the Drupal admin panel section is the Browse tab, which allows users to search for modules and install them in Drupal. No more need for third-party tools, a terminal, or a command line to manipulate our projects.
  • Installing a module in one click. This also means modules can be installed in one click, as Composer runs in the background and Package Manager is its guide.
  • It has improved search and filters. Another great feature of the Project Browser includes simple search options with pre-installed smart filters. This is very effective because they can search for modules that are well-supported and compliant with security rules for a specific version of Drupal core.
  • Decoupled architecture. The front is created using the Svelte JS framework, while the “backend” system generates a list of modules with which to interact. This means that data sources can easily display what is needed.

These all updates together make finding and installing modules easier, especially for people who are not very good with technology.

How does Project Browser work?

Here, we will discuss the comparison between Traditional Ways and Project Browser for finding and installing Drupal modules. 

Traditional Methods
1. Manual Search on Drupal.org:

  • Users browse Drupal. Gamers prefer to visit the website to find the specific modules they need, often manually searching through multiple categories.

2. Command Line Installation:

  • Modules can be installed locally using the composer or Drush commands via the terminal. This process assumes some technical and working knowledge of the command line.

3. File Downloads and Uploads:

  • Conversely, users download module files from Drupal and install them on their sites or servers. Then, manually upload the images to the site's server using the administration panel or FTP.

4. Time-Consuming and Error-Prone:

  • These methods are time-consuming, and for users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces or who have limited time, there can be input errors or the wrong module not being found.


Project Browser
1. Integrated Search and Install:

  • Users can access the modules directly on the site level, as they are found in the Drupal dashboard under the “Browse” tab.

2. User-Friendly Interface:

  • It provides a search bar to filter the categories, ranking, and security level and displays the results in well-structured sections with more details about the module.

3. One-Click Installation:

  • You can install modules simply with one click, and a Package Manager executes Composer commands or something similar for that purpose.

4. Enhanced Discoverability and Efficiency:

  • It saves time and effort compared to previous methods, masks the technical complexity of the user's discovery and installation of modules, and provides easy usability for all categories of users.

In conclusion, the guide on generating and installing Drupal modules through the conventional process is sophisticated and may need to be more understandable to newcomers. Which of the abovementioned options can help minimize this inconvenience, and who can require quite a lot of time? Project Browser saves time on installation and provides a laid-out interface.

Get in Touch for Expert Drupal Services!

To sum up, the Drupal Project Browser is one of those features that is helpful for both a professional developer and one who has just started using Drupal. Putting a well-designed and intuitive panel into the Drupal admin backend turns an unpleasant and time-consuming activity of searching for and deploying the necessary modules into a pleasant and engaging process. Now, with a few mouse clicks, everyone can browse and review the available modules and install the ones they need on the site.
The Project Browser stands out because it is now possible to make incredibly useful Drupal modules available to anyone. Whether you are constructing a small blog site or an intricate enterprise website, this tool gives you the tools you require in an easy-to-use format. Reduced search time, clear module descriptions, and the ability to install it in one click help the user make an informed decision immediately.
The Project Browser is still in the developmental stage but can become a core component of Drupal itself. This continuous improvement clearly manifests Drupal's commitment to enhancing the user experience and providing innovative features to place the CMS in a coveted position. Are you tired of the same old Drupal? Why not explore the Drupal Project Browser now and learn how it can assist in module administration?
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