Add custom widget to Sitecore's Launchpad

Periodically, we get requests to add a component or widget to Sitecore's Launchpad. It's usually exposing information from a third-party system or providing quick access to data that may be buried deeply in Sitecore's content tree. Although this is not a difficult task, it does require several changes.

Prerequisites

• Sitecore 8.1 update-3 (this may work on other versions, but it's only been tested on Sitecore 8.1 update-3 as of this writing)
• Visual Studio with Sitecore Rocks installed
  • You will also need to set up a connection to your Sitecore instance with Sitecore Rocks

Implementation

1. Add rendering for component

First, you'll need to create a rendering that will be presented in the Launchpad. I chose to use a Controller Rendering to keep this rendering consistent with my front-end renderings for this application.

1. 1. In the core database, add a new controller rendering below /sitecore/client/Applications/Launchpad/PageSettings/Renderings (template is at /System/Layouts/Controller rendering)
   2. Fill in the necessary fields for your rendering (Controller, Controller Action, Area, etc.)
   3. If necessary, create the controller, action method, and view that you referenced in your Controller Rendering
   4. Build and deploy your updates to your Sitecore application

   Example controller

   HelloWorldController.cs

   public class HelloWorldController : SitecoreController
   {
   	public ActionResult HelloWorld()
   	{
   		// TODO: Here's where your logic goes to gather whatever information you'd like to display
   		return View("HelloWorld", (object)"Hello, world!");
   	}
   }

   Example view

   HelloWorld.cshtml

   @model string@if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(Model){	<h1 style="color: red; font-weight: bold;">@Model</h1>}

   2. Update Launchpad to include your new rendering

   1. In Visual Studio, open Sitecore Rocks' Sitecore Explorer
   2. Expand your Sitecore instance's core database down to the /sitecore/client/Applications/Launchpad item
   3. Right-click and select Tasks -> Design Layout from the context menu
   4. Show the properties window (View -> Properties Window)
      • Note: At this point, you will need to decide where on the Launchpad you would like to add the component. I decided to put mine to the right of the main dashboard of tiles (LaunchTiles), but you can fiddle around with the layout and put yours wherever you prefer.
   5. Select ColumnPanel1, find the GridColumns property, and change it to 9
   6. Select the LaunchTiles rendering below ColumnPanel1 and click the Add Rendering button in the top left corner of the tab
   7. In the resultant dialog, find and select the ColumnPanel rendering and click OK
   8. After you ensure that your new rendering (ColumnPanel2) is selected, find the PlaceholderKey property and change its value to RowPanel1.Content
   9. Click the Add Rendering button again, this time finding and selecting your new rendering and clicking OK
   10. After you ensure that your custom rendering is selected, update its PlaceholderKey property value to ColumnPanel2.Content
   11. Click Save

   3. Preview your handiwork