Odoo Dev Superskill

odoo-dev-superskill — Odoo Development Skill (16.0–19.0)

A complete skill enabling any AI agent to generate, review, refactor, and migrate Odoo modules from version 16.0 to 19.x, adhering to OCA Guidelines.

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1. Version Detection (Mandatory First Step)

Before writing a single line of code, determine the target Odoo version.

Detection Strategy

1. Search for __manifest__.py in the module directory. Extract the

MAJOR.MINOR prefix from the version key (e.g., 18.0.1.2.0 → 18.0).

1. If there is no manifest, check requirements.txt looking for odoo>=18 or similar.
2. Run scripts/detect_odoo_version.py to automate the above steps.
3. If there are no clues, explicitly ask the user:

> "Which Odoo version are you developing for? (16.0 / 17.0 / 18.0 / 19.0)"

The detected version determines:

• The list view tag (` in 16/17, ` in 18/19).
• Which ORM methods to use and which are deprecated.
• The frontend testing framework (QUnit vs Hoot).

Check references/version-matrix.md for the full breakdown of differences.

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2. Standard Workflow (6 Steps)

Follow these 6 steps in order for any Odoo development task:

| Step | Action | Tool/Reference | |------|--------|----------------| | 1 | Detect target Odoo version | scripts/detect_odoo_version.py, section 1 | | 2 | Generate module structure | templates/manifest/, templates/readme_structure/ | | 3 | Write Python model(s) | templates/model_skeleton.py.tpl, references/python-conventions.md | | 4 | Write views, security, and data | references/xml-conventions.md, references/security.md | | 5 | Auto-verify with validation scripts | scripts/validate_manifest.py, scripts/check_anti_patterns.py | | 6 | Declare module maturity level | references/maturity-levels.md |

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3. Critical Universal Rules (All Versions)

These rules apply always, regardless of the Odoo version:

1. Never use cr.commit() outside of crons or migration scripts.
2. Never use bare except: pass — catch specific exceptions and log with _logger.
3. Always define ACLs (ir.model.access.csv) for every new model.
4. Never execute raw SQL without parameterization — use cr.execute(query, params) or SQL() (17+).
5. Respect the OCA order of attributes in model classes (see references/python-conventions.md).
6. One model per Python file, except for very small auxiliary models.
7. Prefix XML IDs with the technical module name: .view__form.
8. Include tests — minimum one TransactionCase per model with basic CRUD operations.
9. Document with OCA README — use the structure from templates/readme_structure/.
10. Version correctly — format MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH.BUILD tied to the Odoo version.

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4. Key Differences by Version

| Version | List View Tag | Conditional UI | Key ORM Change | Frontend | |---------|---------------|----------------|----------------|----------| | 16.0 | ` | attrs="{...}" | Improvements in readgroup | OWL 1/2 transition | | 17.0 | | invisible="..." | Secure SQL() wrapper | OWL 2 consolidated | | 18.0 | (**breaking**) | invisible="..." | readgroup replaces readgroup | Hoot replaces QUnit | | 19.0 | | invisible="..." | searchdisplay_name`, GROUPING SETS | OWL 2 continuity |

> Golden Rule: Before generating any view, check this table and use > ` or ` according to the target version. Never assume a default.

For full details on each version, check references/version-matrix.md.

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5. Behavior templates

If the task is creating a new addon or scaffolding a module from scratch, read references/agents/scaffold-behavior.md.

If the task involves migration between Odoo versions or adaptation of deprecated syntax, read references/agents/migration-behavior.md.

If the task affects access rights, record rules, sudo usage, SQL queries, controllers, or security-sensitive logic, read references/agents/security-behavior.md.

If the task involves XML views, XPath inheritance, QWeb, OWL components, assets, or frontend behavior, read references/agents/xml-ui-behavior.md.

If the task involves APIs, marketplaces, webhooks, import/export flows, or external integrations, read references/agents/connector-behavior.md.

If the task is reviewing an existing module for quality, structure, maintainability, or OCA alignment, read references/agents/review-behavior.md.

If the task is about tests, coverage, validation flows, or QA strategy, read references/agents/testing-behavior.md.

These files are complementary to the global skill behavior. They do not replace the version matrix or general references, and they can be combined if a task touches multiple areas (e.g., a migration with XML view changes).

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6. References Index

| Reference | Description | |-----------|-------------| | [version-matrix.md](references/version-matrix.md) | Changes between 16–19, compatibility table | | [python-conventions.md](references/python-conventions.md) | Attribute ordering, safe SQL, exception handling | | [xml-conventions.md](references/xml-conventions.md) | tree vs list, xpath, indentation, ID naming | | [orm-changelog-16-19.md](references/orm-changelog-16-19.md) | Detailed ORM changelog between versions | | [security.md](references/security.md) | ACLs, ir.rule, HTTP controllers | | [sql-performance.md](references/sql-performance.md) | Raw SQL usage, ORM bypass, caching strategies | | [testing.md](references/testing.md) | Backend and frontend tests (QUnit / Hoot) | | [versioning-migrations.md](references/versioning-migrations.md) | Versioning, migrations, OpenUpgrade | | [maturity-levels.md](references/maturity-levels.md) | Alpha / Beta / Stable / Mature checklist | | [ecommerce-connectors.md](references/ecommerce-connectors.md) | Patterns for Amazon, eBay, WooCommerce, Mirakl, Temu | | [owl-components.md](references/owl-components.md) | OWL 2 component patterns and hooks | | [pos-architecture.md](references/pos-architecture.md) | POS offline architecture guide |

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7. Available Templates

Models and Python Logic

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/manifest/manifest_{16,17,18,19}.py.tpl | Manifest adapted to each version | | templates/model_skeleton.py.tpl | Model skeleton with OCA ordering | | templates/wizard.py.tpl | TransientModel with confirm/cancel and defaults |

Controllers, Web, and REST APIs

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/controller.py.tpl | Basic HTTP controller (JSON API, webhook, public page) | | templates/controllers/base_rest_api.py.tpl | Pure and self-documented REST API with OpenAPI (OCA base_rest) |

XML Views (Backend)

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/views/tree_view_16_17.xml.tpl | List view with ` (v16/17) | | templates/views/listview1819.xml.tpl | List view with (v18/19) | | templates/views/advancedformview.xml.tpl | "Mega" Form (Smart buttons, Notebooks, One2many) | | templates/views/viewinheritance.xml.tpl | View inheritance (xpath, position="after/inside") | | templates/views/kanbanview.xml.tpl | Kanban view with QWeb, colors, and activities | | templates/views/pivotview.xml.tpl | Pivot view (rows, columns, measures) | | templates/views/graphview.xml.tpl | Graph view (bar/line/pie) | | templates/views/calendarview.xml.tpl | Calendar view (start/stop, color, filters) | | templates/views/wizardformview.xml.tpl | Wizard form with button footer | | templates/views/cron.xml.tpl` | Scheduled actions (daily/hourly/minutes) |

Security and Performance

| File | Usage | |------|-------| | references/sql-performance.md | Guide for raw SQL usage (ORM bypass) and caching | | templates/security/multi_company_rules.xml.tpl| Advanced ir.rule rules for multi-company environments | | templates/security/ir.model.access.csv.tpl | ACLs with OCA nomenclature | | templates/security/security.xml.tpl | User/Manager groups + standard rules |

Initial and Demo Data

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/data/data.xml.tpl | Initial data (params, email templates, server actions) | | templates/data/demo_data.xml.tpl | Demo data with noupdate=1 |

Reports and Printed Documents

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/reports/report_action.xml.tpl | ir.actions.report record + paper format (PDF) | | templates/reports/report_qweb_template.xml.tpl | HTML/QWeb template with external_layout (PDF) | | templates/reports/report_xlsx_action.xml.tpl | Report action for Excel exports | | templates/reports/report_xlsx.py.tpl | Dynamic Excel generator in Python (OCA report_xlsx) |

Frontend (OWL 2 and SCSS)

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/static/src/components/owl_component.js.tpl | JS class for OWL 2 component (state, hooks, ORM) | | templates/static/src/components/owl_component.xml.tpl | QWeb/XML view for the OWL component | | templates/static/src/components/dashboard/dashboard.js.tpl| Advanced interactive dashboard (Client Action OWL) | | templates/static/src/components/dashboard/dashboard.xml.tpl| Dashboard QWeb (KPIs, tables, and events) | | templates/static/src/scss/custom_styles.scss.tpl | SCSS stylesheet for backend customization |

Infrastructure, CI/CD, and Docker

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/infra/.pre-commit-config.yaml.tpl | Standard OCA config (Black, Isort, Flake8) | | templates/infra/github_actions_test.yml.tpl | GitHub Actions CI with maintainer-quality-tools | | templates/infra/docker-compose.yml.tpl | Local Odoo + PostgreSQL environment |

Website and Customer Portal

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/website/snippet.xml.tpl | Drag & Drop structure for Website Builder | | templates/website/snippet_options.xml.tpl | Customization options in sidebar | | templates/website/portal_view.xml.tpl | QWeb views for the customer portal (List/Detail) | | templates/website/portal_controller.py.tpl | Secure route controller for the portal |

Point of Sale (POS)

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | references/pos-architecture.md | POS offline architecture guide | | templates/pos/pos_button.js.tpl | Injection of custom action buttons in OWL |

Integrations, Emails, and Migrations (OpenUpgrade)

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/integrations/queue_job.py.tpl | Queuing heavy tasks using OCA queue_job | | templates/models/mail_alias_mixin.py.tpl | Automatic email reception (parsing to records) | | templates/scripts/external_rpc_client.py.tpl | Standalone script (XML-RPC) to interact externally | | templates/migrations/pre-migration.py.tpl | Pre-migration script (rename tables/columns) | | templates/migrations/post-migration.py.tpl | Post-migration script (recompute data) |

Backend, Frontend, and UI Testing

| Template | Usage | |----------|-------| | templates/readme_structure/*.rst | Standard OCA README structure | | templates/tests/test_transaction_case.py.tpl | Backend tests (CRUD, compute, constrains, security) | | templates/tests/test_hoot.js.tpl | Frontend tests with Hoot (v18/19 only) | | templates/tests/tour.js.tpl | E2E UI Test script (Odoo Tours) simulating clicks | | templates/tests/test_tour_python.py.tpl | Python HttpCase test to run the Tour |

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8. Automation and Validation Scripts (Grandmaster)

| Script | Function | |--------|----------| | scripts/autofix_xml.py | Black Magic! Auto-converts attrs, states, and ` to 17/18+ syntax | | scripts/detectodooversion.py | Detects the project's Odoo version | | scripts/scaffoldmodule.py | **Generates a complete module from scratch** | | scripts/createmigration.py | Creates the structure and scripts for migrating with OpenUpgrade | | scripts/extracttranslations.py | Extracts strings to a .pot file for translation | | scripts/validatemanifest.py | Validates manifest structure and content | | scripts/checkantipatterns.py | Detects common anti-patterns in Odoo code | | scripts/checkacls.py | Verifies that all models have an ACL entry | | scripts/checktestcoverage.py | Verifies test existence and basic coverage | | scripts/migratecodepatterns.py | Migrates code syntax between versions (e.g., to , attrs to invisible) using odoo-module-migrator | | scripts/portaddon.py | Ports commits between branches using oca-port | | scripts/automigratefull.py` | Executes the full pipeline (migrate patterns + port commits) |

Run these scripts after every code generation or modification to ensure quality before delivery.

Source & license

This open-source skill is cataloged on AgentStack and links to its original source — we do not rehost the code.

• Author: CodeForUsers
• Source: CodeForUsers/odoo-dev-superskill
• License: MIT

Install and usage instructions live in the source repository linked above.