= Introduction to the Cytoscape App Store =

== Overview ==
Cytoscape is an open platform that allows other developers to extend its capabilities with ''apps''. The [[http://apps.cytoscape.org|Cytoscape App Store]] is a website for users to find apps and for developers (that's you) to submit and promote their own apps. 

=== What is the purpose of the App Store? ===

 * '''Makes it easy for users to discover apps.''' Users can browse by category or search for apps by name, description, and even author name or institution. New users are encouraged to play with apps by looking at the ''Top Downloaded Apps'' section on the front page.
 * '''Makes it easy for users to install apps.''' Users only have to click a single button to install an app. After installing completes, the app is ready to go.
 * '''Makes it easy for developers to submit apps.''' Developers use an interactive submission page that verifies the app jar file.
 * '''Makes it easy for developers to promote their apps.''' Developers can edit their app pages in real time. They can add an icon, screenshots, relevant categories, a short one-line description, and a details section. App releases have their own release notes.

{i} There's nothing actually sold at the App ''Store'', every app is free – most are even open source. However, users instinctively understand that an App Store is ''the'' place to get apps. That's why we call it the App Store.