The Practical Odoo Create Module Tutorial

Step 1: Environment Setup

Before you start this odoo create module tutorial, ensure you have Odoo installed locally. You need Python 3 and PostgreSQL. Use the built-in scaffolding tool to save time. Run python3 odoo-bin scaffold my_module_name addons_path. This creates a directory with the essential files: __init__.py, __manifest__.py, and folders for models and views.

Step 2: The Manifest File

The __manifest__.py is the heart of your module. It tells Odoo the module name, version, and dependencies. If you are building a sales extension, add sale to the depends list. This ensures Odoo loads the necessary parent logic before your custom code runs.

Step 3: Creating Your First Model

Models define your database tables. Create a file in the models/ folder. Define a class that inherits from models.Model. Add fields like fields.Char for text or fields.Float for currency. This Python logic handles the data structure of your custom app.

Step 4: Designing the User Interface

Users interact with your model through views. Write XML in the views/ folder to define tree views for lists and form views for detail pages. You must also define an action and a menu item so the module appears in the Odoo dashboard.

Step 5: Managing Security

Odoo will not show your module to anyone without security rules. Create an ir.model.access.csv file in the security/ folder. Grant read, write, create, and unlink permissions to the appropriate user groups. This is the most common reason new modules fail to appear after installation.

Moving to Production

Once your module works locally, you need a stable home for it. Odoo.sh is the default choice but comes with high infrastructure costs and requires a per-user subscription. By using Opsily, you simply upload your module to your server. You gain the power of a dedicated environment with the cost-efficiency of a flat-fee VPS.