Splunk apps

Splunk apps

When you use Splunk, you're experiencing it in the context of one or more apps. Each Splunk app is a collection of dashboards and views. Some of them are designed specifically to help you manage data in specific OS platforms or address particular business objectives.

At all times, when you're using Splunk, you're using a Splunk app. We refer to this as being "in" an app.

For more detailed information about Splunk and apps, see "What's an app?" in the Admin Manual.

The App Launcher and the Getting Started app

Unless your Splunk administrator has configured your Splunk deployment differently, the first time you install and log into Splunk, you'll see the App Launcher. This interface shows you the list of apps that have been preinstalled for you and that you have permissions to see. By default, one of these apps is the Getting Started app. This app has been developed to introduce new users to Splunk's features. If you're new to Splunk, we recommend you check it out and give us your feedback!

What else you get by default

Splunk also comes with the Search app and another app to support your OS by default.

• The Search app provides an interface that provides the core functionality of Splunk and is designed for general-purpose use. If you've used Splunk before, the Search app replaces the main Splunk Web functionality from earlier versions. In the Search app you see a search bar and a dashboard full of graphs. When you are in the Search app, you change the dashboard or view by selecting new ones from the Views drop-down menu in the upper left of the window.

• The OS-specific app (Splunk for Windows or Splunk for *NIX) provides dashboards and pre-built searches to help you get the most out of Splunk on your particular platform.

If you want to change the app you're in, select a new one from the app drop-down menu at the top left:

You can also return to the Launcher and select another app from there.

Get more apps

You can add other apps to the list of apps in the Launcher or in the Apps menu. For example, if the bulk of your data operations work involves tasks related to things like security, change management or PCI (Payment Card Industry) compliance, you'll be happy to know that Splunk has apps that specialize in helping you with them.

To find more apps to download, click the Browse Apps tab in the Launcher.

Build apps to fit your needs

Splunk provides all the tools you need to create apps that answer the unique data management needs faced by your your organization. You can design apps that have specialized dashboards and views and make them as simple or as sophisticated as you wish.

For more information about the nuts and bolts of Splunk app design and development, see the Developer manual.

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