Merge branch 'release/0.13.0'

Bump json from 20220320 to 20230227 in /qqq-backend-core

.circleci/config.yml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 version: 2.1
 
 orbs:
-  slack: circleci/slack@4.10.1
   localstack: localstack/platform@1.0
 
 commands:
@@ -12,8 +11,10 @@ commands:
     steps:
       - store_artifacts:
           path: << parameters.module >>/target/site/jacoco/index.html
+          when: always
       - store_artifacts:
           path: << parameters.module >>/target/site/jacoco/jacoco-resources
+          when: always
 
   install_java17:
     steps:
@@ -24,6 +25,11 @@ commands:
             sudo apt install -y openjdk-17-jdk
             sudo rm /etc/alternatives/java
             sudo ln -s /usr/lib/jvm/java-17-openjdk-amd64/bin/java /etc/alternatives/java
+      - run:
+          name: Install html2text
+          command: |
+            sudo apt-get update
+            sudo apt-get install -y html2text
 
   mvn_verify:
     steps:
@@ -59,6 +65,11 @@ commands:
           when: always
       - store_test_results:
           path: ~/test-results
+      - run:
+          name: Find Un-tested Classes
+          command: |
+            set +o pipefail && for i in */target/site/jacoco/*/index.html; do html2text -width 500 -nobs $i | sed '1,/^Total/d;' | grep -v Created | sed 's/ \+/ /g' | sed 's/ [[:digit:]]$//' | grep -v 0$ | cut -d' ' -f1; done
+          when: always
       - save_cache:
           paths:
             - ~/.m2
@@ -86,8 +97,6 @@ jobs:
       - localstack/startup
       - install_java17
       - mvn_verify
-      - slack/notify:
-          event: fail
 
   mvn_deploy:
     executor: localstack/default
@@ -96,14 +105,12 @@ jobs:
       - install_java17
       - mvn_verify
       - mvn_jar_deploy
-      - slack/notify:
-          event: always
 
 workflows:
   test_only:
     jobs:
       - mvn_test:
-          context: [ qqq-maven-registry-credentials, kingsrook-slack, build-qqq-sample-app ]
+          context: [ qqq-maven-registry-credentials, build-qqq-sample-app ]
           filters:
             branches:
               ignore: /dev/
@@ -113,7 +120,7 @@ workflows:
   deploy:
     jobs:
       - mvn_deploy:
-          context: [ qqq-maven-registry-credentials, kingsrook-slack, build-qqq-sample-app ]
+          context: [ qqq-maven-registry-credentials, build-qqq-sample-app ]
           filters:
             branches:
               only: /dev/

README.md

@@ -35,3 +35,4 @@ GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
 
 You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
 along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+

checkstyle/config.xml

@@ -262,6 +262,7 @@
    <module name="Header">
      <property name="headerFile" value="checkstyle/license.txt"/>
      <property name="fileExtensions" value="java"/>
+     <property name="ignoreLines" value="3"/>
    </module>
    <module name="SuppressWarningsFilter"/>
 </module>

pom.xml

@@ -37,12 +37,14 @@
       <module>qqq-middleware-picocli</module>
       <module>qqq-middleware-javalin</module>
       <module>qqq-middleware-lambda</module>
+      <module>qqq-middleware-slack</module>
+      <module>qqq-middleware-api</module>
       <module>qqq-utility-lambdas</module>
       <module>qqq-sample-project</module>
    </modules>
 
    <properties>
-      <revision>0.8.0</revision>
+      <revision>0.13.0</revision>
 
       <project.build.sourceEncoding>UTF-8</project.build.sourceEncoding>
       <project.reporting.outputEncoding>UTF-8</project.reporting.outputEncoding>

qqq-backend-core/pom.xml

@@ -56,20 +56,31 @@
          <groupId>software.amazon.awssdk</groupId>
          <artifactId>quicksight</artifactId>
       </dependency>
+      <dependency>
+         <groupId>com.amazonaws</groupId>
+         <artifactId>aws-java-sdk-secretsmanager</artifactId>
+         <version>1.12.385</version>
+      </dependency>
+
       <dependency>
          <groupId>com.fasterxml.jackson.core</groupId>
          <artifactId>jackson-databind</artifactId>
-         <version>2.14.0-rc1</version>
+         <version>2.14.0</version>
       </dependency>
       <dependency>
          <groupId>com.fasterxml.jackson.datatype</groupId>
          <artifactId>jackson-datatype-jsr310</artifactId>
-         <version>2.13.0</version>
+         <version>2.14.0</version>
+      </dependency>
+      <dependency>
+         <groupId>com.fasterxml.jackson.dataformat</groupId>
+         <artifactId>jackson-dataformat-yaml</artifactId>
+         <version>2.14.0</version>
       </dependency>
       <dependency>
          <groupId>org.json</groupId>
          <artifactId>json</artifactId>
-         <version>20210307</version>
+         <version>20230227</version>
       </dependency>
       <dependency>
          <groupId>org.apache.commons</groupId>
@@ -167,6 +178,13 @@
          <scope>test</scope>
       </dependency>
 
+      <dependency>
+         <groupId>org.mockito</groupId>
+         <artifactId>mockito-core</artifactId>
+         <version>4.8.1</version>
+         <scope>test</scope>
+      </dependency>
+
    </dependencies>
 
    <build>

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/AbstractQActionBiConsumer.java

@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions;
 import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 import java.util.concurrent.Executors;
 import java.util.concurrent.Future;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.CapturedContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionOutput;
@@ -50,11 +52,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractQActionBiConsumer<I extends AbstractActionInput, O
     *******************************************************************************/
    public Future<Void> executeAsync(I input, O output)
    {
+      CapturedContext         capturedContext   = QContext.capture();
       CompletableFuture<Void> completableFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
       Executors.newCachedThreadPool().submit(() ->
       {
          try
          {
+            QContext.init(capturedContext);
             execute(input, output);
             completableFuture.complete(null);
          }
@@ -62,6 +66,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractQActionBiConsumer<I extends AbstractActionInput, O
          {
             completableFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
          }
+         finally
+         {
+            QContext.clear();
+         }
       });
       return (completableFuture);
    }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/AbstractQActionFunction.java

@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions;
 import java.util.concurrent.CompletableFuture;
 import java.util.concurrent.Executors;
 import java.util.concurrent.Future;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.CapturedContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionOutput;
@@ -50,11 +52,13 @@ public abstract class AbstractQActionFunction<I extends AbstractActionInput, O e
     *******************************************************************************/
    public Future<O> executeAsync(I input)
    {
+      CapturedContext      capturedContext   = QContext.capture();
       CompletableFuture<O> completableFuture = new CompletableFuture<>();
       Executors.newCachedThreadPool().submit(() ->
       {
          try
          {
+            QContext.init(capturedContext);
             O output = execute(input);
             completableFuture.complete(output);
          }
@@ -62,6 +66,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractQActionFunction<I extends AbstractActionInput, O e
          {
             completableFuture.completeExceptionally(e);
          }
+         finally
+         {
+            QContext.clear();
+         }
       });
       return (completableFuture);
    }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/ActionHelper.java

@@ -25,9 +25,12 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.function.Function;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QAuthenticationException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.authentication.QAuthenticationModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.authentication.QAuthenticationModuleInterface;
 
@@ -43,9 +46,22 @@ public class ActionHelper
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static void validateSession(AbstractActionInput request) throws QException
    {
+      QInstance qInstance = QContext.getQInstance();
+      QSession  qSession  = QContext.getQSession();
+
+      if(qInstance == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("QInstance was not set in QContext."));
+      }
+
+      if(qSession == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("QSession was not set in QContext."));
+      }
+
       QAuthenticationModuleDispatcher qAuthenticationModuleDispatcher = new QAuthenticationModuleDispatcher();
-      QAuthenticationModuleInterface  authenticationModule            = qAuthenticationModuleDispatcher.getQModule(request.getAuthenticationMetaData());
-      if(!authenticationModule.isSessionValid(request.getInstance(), request.getSession()))
+      QAuthenticationModuleInterface  authenticationModule            = qAuthenticationModuleDispatcher.getQModule(qInstance.getAuthentication());
+      if(!authenticationModule.isSessionValid(qInstance, qSession))
       {
          throw new QAuthenticationException("Invalid session in request");
       }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/async/AsyncJobCallback.java

@@ -95,6 +95,23 @@ public class AsyncJobCallback
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Update the current and total fields, but ONLY if the new values are
+    ** both >= the previous values.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void updateStatusOnlyUpwards(int current, int total)
+   {
+      boolean currentIsOkay = (this.asyncJobStatus.getCurrent() == null || this.asyncJobStatus.getCurrent() <= current);
+      boolean totalIsOkay   = (this.asyncJobStatus.getTotal() == null || this.asyncJobStatus.getTotal() <= total);
+
+      if(currentIsOkay && totalIsOkay)
+      {
+         updateStatus(current, total);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Increase the 'current' value in the '1 of 2' sense.
     *******************************************************************************/

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/async/AsyncJobManager.java

@@ -30,13 +30,15 @@ import java.util.concurrent.CompletionException;
 import java.util.concurrent.ExecutionException;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeoutException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.CapturedContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.InMemoryStateProvider;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.StateProviderInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.StateType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.UUIDAndTypeStateKey;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class AsyncJobManager
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(AsyncJobManager.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(AsyncJobManager.class);
 
 
 
@@ -72,8 +74,10 @@ public class AsyncJobManager
 
       try
       {
+         CapturedContext capturedContext = QContext.capture();
          CompletableFuture<T> future = CompletableFuture.supplyAsync(() ->
          {
+            QContext.init(capturedContext);
             return (runAsyncJob(jobName, asyncJob, uuidAndTypeStateKey, asyncJobStatus));
          });
 
@@ -147,12 +151,13 @@ public class AsyncJobManager
          asyncJobStatus.setState(AsyncJobState.ERROR);
          asyncJobStatus.setCaughtException(e);
          getStateProvider().put(uuidAndTypeStateKey, asyncJobStatus);
-         LOG.warn("Job " + uuidAndTypeStateKey.getUuid() + " ended with an exception: ", e);
+         LOG.warn("Job ended with an exception", e, logPair("jobId", uuidAndTypeStateKey.getUuid()));
          throw (new CompletionException(e));
       }
       finally
       {
          Thread.currentThread().setName(originalThreadName);
+         QContext.clear();
       }
    }
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/async/AsyncRecordPipeLoop.java

@@ -27,9 +27,10 @@ import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.RecordPipe;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.SleepUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.lambdas.UnsafeFunction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.lambdas.UnsafeSupplier;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -40,13 +41,14 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class AsyncRecordPipeLoop
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(AsyncRecordPipeLoop.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(AsyncRecordPipeLoop.class);
 
    private static final int TIMEOUT_AFTER_NO_RECORDS_MS = 10 * 60 * 1000;
 
-   private static final int MAX_SLEEP_MS           = 1000;
-   private static final int INIT_SLEEP_MS          = 10;
-   private static final int MIN_RECORDS_TO_CONSUME = 10;
+   private static final int MAX_SLEEP_MS  = 1000;
+   private static final int INIT_SLEEP_MS = 10;
+
+   private Integer minRecordsToConsume = 10;
 
 
 
@@ -62,7 +64,7 @@ public class AsyncRecordPipeLoop
     ** @param consumer lambda that consumes records from the pipe
     *                  e.g., a transform/load step.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public int run(String jobName, Integer recordLimit, RecordPipe recordPipe, UnsafeFunction<AsyncJobCallback, ? extends Serializable> supplier, UnsafeSupplier<Integer> consumer) throws QException
+   public int run(String jobName, Integer recordLimit, RecordPipe recordPipe, UnsafeFunction<AsyncJobCallback, ? extends Serializable, QException> supplier, UnsafeSupplier<Integer, QException> consumer) throws QException
    {
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // start the extraction function as an async job //
@@ -82,7 +84,7 @@ public class AsyncRecordPipeLoop
 
       while(jobState.equals(AsyncJobState.RUNNING))
       {
-         if(recordPipe.countAvailableRecords() < MIN_RECORDS_TO_CONSUME)
+         if(recordPipe.countAvailableRecords() < minRecordsToConsume)
          {
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             // if the pipe is too empty, sleep to let the producer work. //
@@ -178,29 +180,32 @@ public class AsyncRecordPipeLoop
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    **
+    ** Getter for minRecordsToConsume
     *******************************************************************************/
-   @FunctionalInterface
-   public interface UnsafeFunction<T, R>
+   public Integer getMinRecordsToConsume()
    {
-      /*******************************************************************************
-       **
-       *******************************************************************************/
-      R apply(T t) throws QException;
+      return (this.minRecordsToConsume);
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    **
+    ** Setter for minRecordsToConsume
     *******************************************************************************/
-   @FunctionalInterface
-   public interface UnsafeSupplier<T>
+   public void setMinRecordsToConsume(Integer minRecordsToConsume)
    {
-      /*******************************************************************************
-       **
-       *******************************************************************************/
-      T get() throws QException;
+      this.minRecordsToConsume = minRecordsToConsume;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for minRecordsToConsume
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AsyncRecordPipeLoop withMinRecordsToConsume(Integer minRecordsToConsume)
+   {
+      this.minRecordsToConsume = minRecordsToConsume;
+      return (this);
    }
 
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/audits/AuditAction.java

@@ -0,0 +1,333 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.audits;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.time.Instant;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.AbstractQActionFunction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.GetAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.InsertAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.AuditInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.AuditOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.AuditSingleInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLock;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QUser;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.Pair;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Insert 1 or more audits (and optionally their children, auditDetails)
+ **
+ ** Takes care of managing the foreign key tables (auditTable, auditUser).
+ **
+ ** Enforces that security key values are provided, if the table has any.  Note that
+ ** might mean a null is given for a particular key, but at least the key must be present.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class AuditAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<AuditInput, AuditOutput>
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(AuditAction.class);
+
+   private Map<Pair<String, String>, Integer> cachedFetches = new HashMap<>();
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Execute to insert 1 audit, with no details (child records)
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void execute(String tableName, Integer recordId, Map<String, Serializable> securityKeyValues, String message)
+   {
+      execute(tableName, recordId, securityKeyValues, message, null);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Execute to insert 1 audit, with a list of detail child records
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void execute(String tableName, Integer recordId, Map<String, Serializable> securityKeyValues, String message, List<QRecord> details)
+   {
+      new AuditAction().execute(new AuditInput().withAuditSingleInput(new AuditSingleInput()
+         .withAuditTableName(tableName)
+         .withRecordId(recordId)
+         .withSecurityKeyValues(securityKeyValues)
+         .withMessage(message)
+         .withDetails(details)
+      ));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Add 1 auditSingleInput to an AuditInput object - with no details (child records).
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static AuditInput appendToInput(AuditInput auditInput, String tableName, Integer recordId, Map<String, Serializable> securityKeyValues, String message)
+   {
+      return (appendToInput(auditInput, tableName, recordId, securityKeyValues, message, null));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Add 1 auditSingleInput to an AuditInput object - with a list of details (child records).
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static AuditInput appendToInput(AuditInput auditInput, String tableName, Integer recordId, Map<String, Serializable> securityKeyValues, String message, List<QRecord> details)
+   {
+      if(auditInput == null)
+      {
+         auditInput = new AuditInput();
+      }
+
+      return auditInput.withAuditSingleInput(new AuditSingleInput()
+         .withAuditTableName(tableName)
+         .withRecordId(recordId)
+         .withSecurityKeyValues(securityKeyValues)
+         .withMessage(message)
+         .withDetails(details)
+      );
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public AuditOutput execute(AuditInput input)
+   {
+      AuditOutput auditOutput = new AuditOutput();
+
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(input.getAuditSingleInputList()))
+      {
+         try
+         {
+            List<QRecord> auditRecords = new ArrayList<>();
+
+            for(AuditSingleInput auditSingleInput : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(input.getAuditSingleInputList()))
+            {
+               /////////////////////////////////////////
+               // validate table is known in instance //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////
+               QTableMetaData table = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(auditSingleInput.getAuditTableName());
+               if(table == null)
+               {
+                  throw (new QException("Requested audit for an unrecognized table name: " + auditSingleInput.getAuditTableName()));
+               }
+
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // validate security keys on the table are given //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getRecordSecurityLocks()))
+               {
+                  if(auditSingleInput.getSecurityKeyValues() == null || !auditSingleInput.getSecurityKeyValues().containsKey(recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType()))
+                  {
+                     throw (new QException("Missing securityKeyValue [" + recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType() + "] in audit request for table " + auditSingleInput.getAuditTableName()));
+                  }
+               }
+
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // map names to ids and handle default values //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               Integer auditTableId = getIdForName("auditTable", auditSingleInput.getAuditTableName());
+               Integer auditUserId  = getIdForName("auditUser", Objects.requireNonNullElse(auditSingleInput.getAuditUserName(), getSessionUserName()));
+               Instant timestamp    = Objects.requireNonNullElse(auditSingleInput.getTimestamp(), Instant.now());
+
+               //////////////////
+               // build record //
+               //////////////////
+               QRecord record = new QRecord()
+                  .withValue("auditTableId", auditTableId)
+                  .withValue("auditUserId", auditUserId)
+                  .withValue("timestamp", timestamp)
+                  .withValue("message", auditSingleInput.getMessage())
+                  .withValue("recordId", auditSingleInput.getRecordId());
+
+               if(auditSingleInput.getSecurityKeyValues() != null)
+               {
+                  for(Map.Entry<String, Serializable> entry : auditSingleInput.getSecurityKeyValues().entrySet())
+                  {
+                     record.setValue(entry.getKey(), entry.getValue());
+                  }
+               }
+
+               auditRecords.add(record);
+            }
+
+            /////////////////////////////
+            // do a single bulk insert //
+            /////////////////////////////
+            InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+            insertInput.setTableName("audit");
+            insertInput.setRecords(auditRecords);
+            InsertOutput insertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////
+            // now look for children (auditDetails) //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////
+            int           i                  = 0;
+            List<QRecord> auditDetailRecords = new ArrayList<>();
+            for(AuditSingleInput auditSingleInput : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(input.getAuditSingleInputList()))
+            {
+               Integer auditId = insertOutput.getRecords().get(i++).getValueInteger("id");
+               if(auditId == null)
+               {
+                  LOG.warn("Missing an id for inserted audit - so won't be able to store its child details...");
+                  continue;
+               }
+
+               for(QRecord detail : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(auditSingleInput.getDetails()))
+               {
+                  auditDetailRecords.add(detail.withValue("auditId", auditId));
+               }
+            }
+
+            insertInput = new InsertInput();
+            insertInput.setTableName("auditDetail");
+            insertInput.setRecords(auditDetailRecords);
+            new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            LOG.error("Error performing an audit", e);
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (auditOutput);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static String getSessionUserName()
+   {
+      QUser user = QContext.getQSession().getUser();
+      if(user == null)
+      {
+         return ("Unknown");
+      }
+      return (user.getFullName());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private Integer getIdForName(String tableName, String nameValue) throws QException
+   {
+      Pair<String, String> key = new Pair<>(tableName, nameValue);
+      if(!cachedFetches.containsKey(key))
+      {
+
+         Integer id = fetchIdFromName(tableName, nameValue);
+         if(id != null)
+         {
+            cachedFetches.put(key, id);
+            return id;
+         }
+
+         try
+         {
+            LOG.debug("Inserting " + tableName + " named " + nameValue);
+            InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+            insertInput.setTableName(tableName);
+            QRecord record = new QRecord().withValue("name", nameValue);
+
+            if(tableName.equals("auditTable"))
+            {
+               QTableMetaData table = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(nameValue);
+               if(table != null)
+               {
+                  record.setValue("label", table.getLabel());
+               }
+            }
+
+            insertInput.setRecords(List.of(record));
+            InsertOutput insertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
+            id = insertOutput.getRecords().get(0).getValueInteger("id");
+            if(id != null)
+            {
+               cachedFetches.put(key, id);
+               return id;
+            }
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // assume this may mean a dupe-key - so - try another fetch below //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            LOG.debug("Caught error inserting " + tableName + " named " + nameValue + " - will try to re-fetch", e);
+         }
+
+         id = fetchIdFromName(tableName, nameValue);
+         if(id != null)
+         {
+            cachedFetches.put(key, id);
+            return id;
+         }
+
+         /////////////
+         // give up //
+         /////////////
+         throw (new QException("Unable to get id for " + tableName + " named " + nameValue));
+      }
+
+      return (cachedFetches.get(key));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private Integer fetchIdFromName(String tableName, String nameValue) throws QException
+   {
+      GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
+      getInput.setTableName(tableName);
+      getInput.setUniqueKey(Map.of("name", nameValue));
+      GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);
+      if(getOutput.getRecord() != null)
+      {
+         return (getOutput.getRecord().getValueInteger("id"));
+      }
+
+      return (null);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/audits/DMLAuditAction.java

@@ -0,0 +1,398 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.audits;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.time.Instant;
+import java.time.ZoneId;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Comparator;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.AbstractQActionFunction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QPossibleValueTranslator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.AuditInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.DMLAuditInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.DMLAuditOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunProcessInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.audits.AuditLevel;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLock;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Audit for a standard DML (Data Manipulation Language) activity - e.g.,
+ ** insert, edit, or delete.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class DMLAuditAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<DMLAuditInput, DMLAuditOutput>
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(DMLAuditAction.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public DMLAuditOutput execute(DMLAuditInput input) throws QException
+   {
+      DMLAuditOutput           output           = new DMLAuditOutput();
+      AbstractTableActionInput tableActionInput = input.getTableActionInput();
+      List<QRecord>            recordList       = input.getRecordList();
+      List<QRecord>            oldRecordList    = input.getOldRecordList();
+      QTableMetaData           table            = tableActionInput.getTable();
+      long                     start            = System.currentTimeMillis();
+      DMLType                  dmlType          = getDMLType(tableActionInput);
+
+      try
+      {
+         AuditLevel auditLevel = getAuditLevel(tableActionInput);
+         if(auditLevel == null || auditLevel.equals(AuditLevel.NONE) || CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordList))
+         {
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // return with noop for null or level NONE //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////
+            return (output);
+         }
+
+         String                        contextSuffix = "";
+         Optional<AbstractActionInput> actionInput   = QContext.getFirstActionInStack();
+         if(actionInput.isPresent() && actionInput.get() instanceof RunProcessInput runProcessInput)
+         {
+            String           processName = runProcessInput.getProcessName();
+            QProcessMetaData process     = QContext.getQInstance().getProcess(processName);
+            if(process != null)
+            {
+               contextSuffix = " during process: " + process.getLabel();
+            }
+         }
+
+         QSession qSession   = QContext.getQSession();
+         String   apiVersion = qSession.getValue("apiVersion");
+         if(apiVersion != null)
+         {
+            String apiLabel = qSession.getValue("apiLabel");
+            if(!StringUtils.hasContent(apiLabel))
+            {
+               apiLabel = "API";
+            }
+            contextSuffix += (" via " + apiLabel + " Version: " + apiVersion);
+         }
+
+         AuditInput auditInput = new AuditInput();
+         if(auditLevel.equals(AuditLevel.RECORD) || (auditLevel.equals(AuditLevel.FIELD) && !dmlType.supportsFields))
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // make many simple audits (no details) for RECORD level                                                  //
+            // or for FIELD level, but on a DML type that doesn't support field-level details (e.g., DELETE or OTHER) //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            for(QRecord record : recordList)
+            {
+               AuditAction.appendToInput(auditInput, table.getName(), record.getValueInteger(table.getPrimaryKeyField()), getRecordSecurityKeyValues(table, record), "Record was " + dmlType.pastTenseVerb + contextSuffix);
+            }
+         }
+         else if(auditLevel.equals(AuditLevel.FIELD))
+         {
+            Map<Serializable, QRecord> oldRecordMap = buildOldRecordMap(table, oldRecordList);
+
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // do many audits, all with field level details, for FIELD level //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QPossibleValueTranslator qPossibleValueTranslator = new QPossibleValueTranslator(QContext.getQInstance(), qSession);
+            qPossibleValueTranslator.translatePossibleValuesInRecords(table, CollectionUtils.mergeLists(recordList, oldRecordList));
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////
+            // sort the field names by their labels //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////
+            List<String> sortedFieldNames = table.getFields().keySet().stream()
+               .sorted(Comparator.comparing(fieldName -> table.getFields().get(fieldName).getLabel()))
+               .toList();
+
+            QFieldMetaData primaryKeyField = table.getField(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // build single audit input for each record //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////
+            for(QRecord record : recordList)
+            {
+               QRecord oldRecord = oldRecordMap.get(ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(primaryKeyField.getType(), record.getValue(primaryKeyField.getName())));
+
+               List<QRecord> details = new ArrayList<>();
+               for(String fieldName : sortedFieldNames)
+               {
+                  if(!record.getValues().containsKey(fieldName))
+                  {
+                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     // if the stored record doesn't have this field name, then don't audit anything about it      //
+                     // this is to deal with our Patch style updates not looking like every field was cleared out. //
+                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     continue;
+                  }
+
+                  if(fieldName.equals("modifyDate") || fieldName.equals("createDate") || fieldName.equals("automationStatus"))
+                  {
+                     continue;
+                  }
+
+                  QFieldMetaData field        = table.getField(fieldName);
+                  Serializable   value        = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(field.getType(), record.getValue(fieldName));
+                  Serializable   oldValue     = oldRecord == null ? null : ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(field.getType(), oldRecord.getValue(fieldName));
+                  QRecord        detailRecord = null;
+
+                  if(oldRecord == null)
+                  {
+                     if(DMLType.INSERT.equals(dmlType) && value == null)
+                     {
+                        continue;
+                     }
+
+                     String formattedValue = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(record, fieldName, field, value);
+                     detailRecord = new QRecord().withValue("message", "Set " + field.getLabel() + " to " + formattedValue);
+                     detailRecord.withValue("newValue", formattedValue);
+                  }
+                  else
+                  {
+                     if(!Objects.equals(oldValue, value))
+                     {
+                        String formattedValue    = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(record, fieldName, field, value);
+                        String formattedOldValue = getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(oldRecord, fieldName, field, oldValue);
+
+                        if(oldValue == null)
+                        {
+                           detailRecord = new QRecord().withValue("message", "Set " + field.getLabel() + " to " + formatFormattedValueForDetailMessage(field, formattedValue));
+                           detailRecord.withValue("newValue", formattedValue);
+                        }
+                        else if(value == null)
+                        {
+                           detailRecord = new QRecord().withValue("message", "Removed " + formatFormattedValueForDetailMessage(field, formattedOldValue) + " from " + field.getLabel());
+                           detailRecord.withValue("oldValue", formattedOldValue);
+                        }
+                        else
+                        {
+                           detailRecord = new QRecord().withValue("message", "Changed " + field.getLabel() + " from " + formatFormattedValueForDetailMessage(field, formattedOldValue) + " to " + formatFormattedValueForDetailMessage(field, formattedValue));
+                           detailRecord.withValue("oldValue", formattedOldValue);
+                           detailRecord.withValue("newValue", formattedValue);
+                        }
+                     }
+                  }
+
+                  if(detailRecord != null)
+                  {
+                     detailRecord.withValue("fieldName", fieldName);
+                     details.add(detailRecord);
+                  }
+               }
+
+               if(details.isEmpty() && DMLType.UPDATE.equals(dmlType))
+               {
+                  // no, let's just noop.
+                  // details.add(new QRecord().withValue("message", "No fields values were changed."));
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  AuditAction.appendToInput(auditInput, table.getName(), record.getValueInteger(table.getPrimaryKeyField()), getRecordSecurityKeyValues(table, record), "Record was " + dmlType.pastTenseVerb + contextSuffix, details);
+               }
+            }
+         }
+
+         // new AuditAction().executeAsync(auditInput); // todo async??? maybe get that from rules???
+         new AuditAction().execute(auditInput);
+         long end = System.currentTimeMillis();
+         LOG.debug("Audit performance", logPair("auditLevel", String.valueOf(auditLevel)), logPair("recordCount", recordList.size()), logPair("millis", (end - start)));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.error("Error performing DML audit", e, logPair("type", String.valueOf(dmlType)), logPair("table", table.getName()));
+      }
+
+      return (output);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static String getFormattedValueForAuditDetail(QRecord record, String fieldName, QFieldMetaData field, Serializable value)
+   {
+      String formattedValue = null;
+      if(value != null)
+      {
+         if(field.getType().equals(QFieldType.DATE_TIME) && value instanceof Instant instant)
+         {
+            formattedValue = QValueFormatter.formatDateTimeWithZone(instant.atZone(ZoneId.of(Objects.requireNonNullElse(QContext.getQInstance().getDefaultTimeZoneId(), "UTC"))));
+         }
+         else if(record.getDisplayValue(fieldName) != null)
+         {
+            formattedValue = record.getDisplayValue(fieldName);
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            formattedValue = QValueFormatter.formatValue(field, value);
+         }
+      }
+
+      return formattedValue;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static String formatFormattedValueForDetailMessage(QFieldMetaData field, String formattedValue)
+   {
+      if(formattedValue == null || "null".equals(formattedValue))
+      {
+         formattedValue = "--";
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         if(QFieldType.STRING.equals(field.getType()) || field.getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
+         {
+            formattedValue = '"' + formattedValue + '"';
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (formattedValue);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private Map<Serializable, QRecord> buildOldRecordMap(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> oldRecordList)
+   {
+      Map<Serializable, QRecord> rs = new HashMap<>();
+      for(QRecord record : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(oldRecordList))
+      {
+         rs.put(record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()), record);
+      }
+      return (rs);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private DMLType getDMLType(AbstractTableActionInput tableActionInput)
+   {
+      if(tableActionInput instanceof InsertInput)
+      {
+         return DMLType.INSERT;
+      }
+      else if(tableActionInput instanceof UpdateInput)
+      {
+         return DMLType.UPDATE;
+      }
+      else if(tableActionInput instanceof DeleteInput)
+      {
+         return DMLType.DELETE;
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         return DMLType.OTHER;
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static Map<String, Serializable> getRecordSecurityKeyValues(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record)
+   {
+      Map<String, Serializable> securityKeyValues = new HashMap<>();
+      for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getRecordSecurityLocks()))
+      {
+         securityKeyValues.put(recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType(), record == null ? null : record.getValue(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName()));
+      }
+      return securityKeyValues;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static AuditLevel getAuditLevel(AbstractTableActionInput tableActionInput)
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = tableActionInput.getTable();
+      if(table.getAuditRules() == null)
+      {
+         return (AuditLevel.NONE);
+      }
+
+      return (table.getAuditRules().getAuditLevel());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private enum DMLType
+   {
+      INSERT("Inserted", true),
+      UPDATE("Edited", true),
+      DELETE("Deleted", false),
+      OTHER("Processed", false);
+
+      private final String  pastTenseVerb;
+      private final boolean supportsFields;
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      DMLType(String pastTenseVerb, boolean supportsFields)
+      {
+         this.pastTenseVerb = pastTenseVerb;
+         this.supportsFields = supportsFields;
+      }
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/automation/RecordAutomationStatusUpdater.java

@@ -25,9 +25,18 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Objects;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.CountAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.UpdateAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.automation.TableTrigger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
@@ -37,7 +46,6 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.TableAuto
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.TriggerEvent;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.QLogger;
 import org.apache.commons.lang.NotImplementedException;
 
 
@@ -76,7 +84,7 @@ public class RecordAutomationStatusUpdater
             String className = stackTraceElement.getClassName();
             if(className.contains("com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation") && !className.equals(RecordAutomationStatusUpdater.class.getName()) && !className.endsWith("Test"))
             {
-               LOG.debug(session, "Avoiding re-setting automation status to PENDING_UPDATE while running an automation");
+               LOG.debug("Avoiding re-setting automation status to PENDING_UPDATE while running an automation");
                return (false);
             }
          }
@@ -92,6 +100,12 @@ public class RecordAutomationStatusUpdater
       {
          for(QRecord record : records)
          {
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // todo - seems like there's some case here, where if an order was in PENDING_INSERT, but then some other job updated the record, that we'd  //
+            //  lose that pending status, which would be a Bad Thing™...                                                                                 //
+            //  problem is - we may not have the full record in here, so we can't necessarily check the record to see what status it's currently in...   //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
             record.setValue(automationDetails.getStatusTracking().getFieldName(), automationStatus.getId());
             // todo - another field - for the automation timestamp??
          }
@@ -113,14 +127,63 @@ public class RecordAutomationStatusUpdater
 
       if(automationStatus.equals(AutomationStatus.PENDING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS))
       {
-         return tableActions.stream().noneMatch(a -> TriggerEvent.POST_INSERT.equals(a.getTriggerEvent()));
+         if(tableActions.stream().anyMatch(a -> TriggerEvent.POST_INSERT.equals(a.getTriggerEvent())))
+         {
+            return (false);
+         }
+         else if(areThereTableTriggersForTable(table, TriggerEvent.POST_INSERT))
+         {
+            return (false);
+         }
       }
       else if(automationStatus.equals(AutomationStatus.PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS))
       {
-         return tableActions.stream().noneMatch(a -> TriggerEvent.POST_UPDATE.equals(a.getTriggerEvent()));
+         if(tableActions.stream().anyMatch(a -> TriggerEvent.POST_UPDATE.equals(a.getTriggerEvent())))
+         {
+            return (false);
+         }
+         else if(areThereTableTriggersForTable(table, TriggerEvent.POST_UPDATE))
+         {
+            return (false);
+         }
       }
 
-      return (false);
+      return (true);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static boolean areThereTableTriggersForTable(QTableMetaData table, TriggerEvent triggerEvent)
+   {
+      if(QContext.getQInstance().getTable(TableTrigger.TABLE_NAME) == null)
+      {
+         return (false);
+      }
+
+      try
+      {
+         ///////////////////
+         // todo - cache? //
+         ///////////////////
+         CountInput countInput = new CountInput();
+         countInput.setTableName(TableTrigger.TABLE_NAME);
+         countInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(
+            new QFilterCriteria("tableName", QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, table.getName()),
+            new QFilterCriteria(triggerEvent.equals(TriggerEvent.POST_INSERT) ? "postInsert" : "postUpdate", QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, true)
+         ));
+         CountOutput countOutput = new CountAction().execute(countInput);
+         return (countOutput.getCount() != null && countOutput.getCount() > 0);
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if the count query failed, we're a bit safer to err on the side of "yeah, there might be automations" //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         return (true);
+      }
    }
 
 
@@ -137,8 +200,7 @@ public class RecordAutomationStatusUpdater
          boolean didSetStatusField = setAutomationStatusInRecords(session, table, records, automationStatus);
          if(didSetStatusField)
          {
-            UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput(instance);
-            updateInput.setSession(session);
+            UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
             updateInput.setTableName(table.getName());
 
             /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -150,6 +212,7 @@ public class RecordAutomationStatusUpdater
                .withValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField(), r.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()))
                .withValue(automationDetails.getStatusTracking().getFieldName(), r.getValue(automationDetails.getStatusTracking().getFieldName()))).toList());
             updateInput.setAreAllValuesBeingUpdatedTheSame(true);
+            updateInput.setOmitDmlAudit(true);
 
             new UpdateAction().execute(updateInput);
          }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/automation/RunRecordScriptAutomationHandler.java

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.RunAdHocRecordScriptAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.RunAdHocRecordScriptInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.RunAdHocRecordScriptOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryJoin;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.automation.RecordAutomationInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.AdHocScriptCodeReference;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.scripts.Script;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.scripts.ScriptRevision;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class RunRecordScriptAutomationHandler extends RecordAutomationHandler
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(RunRecordScriptAutomationHandler.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void execute(RecordAutomationInput recordAutomationInput) throws QException
+   {
+      String                    tableName = recordAutomationInput.getTableName();
+      Map<String, Serializable> values    = recordAutomationInput.getAction().getValues();
+      Integer                   scriptId  = ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(values.get("scriptId"));
+
+      if(scriptId == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("ScriptId was not provided in values map for record automations on table: " + tableName));
+      }
+
+      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+      queryInput.setTableName(ScriptRevision.TABLE_NAME);
+      queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(new QFilterCriteria("scriptId", QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, scriptId)));
+      queryInput.withQueryJoin(new QueryJoin(Script.TABLE_NAME).withBaseTableOrAlias(ScriptRevision.TABLE_NAME).withJoinMetaData(QContext.getQInstance().getJoin("currentScriptRevision")));
+      QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(queryOutput.getRecords()))
+      {
+         throw (new QException("Could not find current revision for scriptId: " + scriptId + " on table " + tableName));
+      }
+
+      QRecord scriptRevision = queryOutput.getRecords().get(0);
+      LOG.info("Running script against records", logPair("scriptRevisionId", scriptRevision.getValue("id")), logPair("scriptId", scriptRevision.getValue("scriptIdd")));
+
+      RunAdHocRecordScriptInput input = new RunAdHocRecordScriptInput();
+      input.setCodeReference(new AdHocScriptCodeReference().withScriptRevisionRecord(scriptRevision));
+      input.setTableName(tableName);
+      input.setRecordList(recordAutomationInput.getRecordList());
+      RunAdHocRecordScriptOutput output = new RunAdHocRecordScriptOutput();
+      new RunAdHocRecordScriptAction().run(input, output);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/automation/polling/PollingAutomationPerTableRunner.java

@@ -25,21 +25,24 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.polling;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Comparator;
-import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncRecordPipeLoop;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.AutomationStatus;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.RecordAutomationHandler;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.RecordAutomationStatusUpdater;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.RunRecordScriptAutomationHandler;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.processes.QProcessCallback;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.processes.RunProcessAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.RecordPipe;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunProcessInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunProcessOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
@@ -47,20 +50,22 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterOrderBy;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.automation.RecordAutomationInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.automation.TableTrigger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.AutomationStatusTrackingType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.QTableAutomationDetails;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.TableAutomationAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.TriggerEvent;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.scheduler.StandardScheduledExecutor;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.collections.MapBuilder;
 import org.apache.commons.lang.NotImplementedException;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -74,7 +79,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(PollingAutomationPerTableRunner.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(PollingAutomationPerTableRunner.class);
 
    private final TableActions tableActions;
    private final String       name;
@@ -87,6 +92,11 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
       TriggerEvent.POST_UPDATE, AutomationStatus.PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS
    );
 
+   private static Map<AutomationStatus, TriggerEvent> automationStatusTriggerEventMap = Map.of(
+      AutomationStatus.PENDING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS, TriggerEvent.POST_INSERT,
+      AutomationStatus.PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS, TriggerEvent.POST_UPDATE
+   );
+
    private static Map<AutomationStatus, AutomationStatus> pendingToRunningStatusMap = Map.of(
       AutomationStatus.PENDING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS, AutomationStatus.RUNNING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS,
       AutomationStatus.PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS, AutomationStatus.RUNNING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS
@@ -102,51 +112,26 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public record TableActions(String tableName, AutomationStatus status, List<TableAutomationAction> actions)
+   public record TableActions(String tableName, AutomationStatus status)
    {
    }
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    **
+    ** basically just get a list of tables which at least *could* have automations
+    ** run - either meta-data automations, or table-triggers (data/user defined).
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static List<TableActions> getTableActions(QInstance instance, String providerName)
    {
-      Map<String, Map<AutomationStatus, List<TableAutomationAction>>> workingTableActionMap = new HashMap<>();
-      List<TableActions>                                              tableActionList       = new ArrayList<>();
+      List<TableActions> tableActionList = new ArrayList<>();
 
-      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      // todo - share logic like this among any automation implementation //
-      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       for(QTableMetaData table : instance.getTables().values())
       {
          if(table.getAutomationDetails() != null && providerName.equals(table.getAutomationDetails().getProviderName()))
          {
-            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // organize the table's actions by type                                  //
-            // todo - in future, need user-defined actions here too (and refreshed!) //
-            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            for(TableAutomationAction action : table.getAutomationDetails().getActions())
-            {
-               AutomationStatus automationStatus = triggerEventAutomationStatusMap.get(action.getTriggerEvent());
-               workingTableActionMap.putIfAbsent(table.getName(), new HashMap<>());
-               workingTableActionMap.get(table.getName()).putIfAbsent(automationStatus, new ArrayList<>());
-               workingTableActionMap.get(table.getName()).get(automationStatus).add(action);
-            }
-
-            ////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // convert the map to tableAction records //
-            ////////////////////////////////////////////
-            for(Map.Entry<AutomationStatus, List<TableAutomationAction>> entry : workingTableActionMap.get(table.getName()).entrySet())
-            {
-               AutomationStatus            automationStatus = entry.getKey();
-               List<TableAutomationAction> actionList       = entry.getValue();
-
-               actionList.sort(Comparator.comparing(TableAutomationAction::getPriority));
-
-               tableActionList.add(new TableActions(table.getName(), automationStatus, actionList));
-            }
+            tableActionList.add(new TableActions(table.getName(), AutomationStatus.PENDING_INSERT_AUTOMATIONS));
+            tableActionList.add(new TableActions(table.getName(), AutomationStatus.PENDING_UPDATE_AUTOMATIONS));
          }
       }
 
@@ -174,14 +159,16 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
    @Override
    public void run()
    {
+      QContext.init(instance, sessionSupplier.get());
+
       String originalThreadName = Thread.currentThread().getName();
-      Thread.currentThread().setName(name + StandardScheduledExecutor.newThreadNameRandomSuffix());
+      Thread.currentThread().setName(name);
       LOG.debug("Running " + this.getClass().getSimpleName() + "[" + name + "]");
 
       try
       {
          QSession session = sessionSupplier != null ? sessionSupplier.get() : new QSession();
-         processTableInsertOrUpdate(instance.getTable(tableActions.tableName()), session, tableActions.status(), tableActions.actions());
+         processTableInsertOrUpdate(instance.getTable(tableActions.tableName()), session, tableActions.status());
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
@@ -190,6 +177,7 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
       finally
       {
          Thread.currentThread().setName(originalThreadName);
+         QContext.clear();
       }
    }
 
@@ -198,8 +186,12 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Query for and process records that have a PENDING_INSERT or PENDING_UPDATE status on a given table.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void processTableInsertOrUpdate(QTableMetaData table, QSession session, AutomationStatus automationStatus, List<TableAutomationAction> actions) throws QException
+   public void processTableInsertOrUpdate(QTableMetaData table, QSession session, AutomationStatus automationStatus) throws QException
    {
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // get the actions to run against this table in this automation status //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      List<TableAutomationAction> actions = getTableActions(table, automationStatus);
       if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(actions))
       {
          return;
@@ -210,18 +202,21 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // run an async-pipe loop - that will query for records in PENDING - put them in a pipe - then apply actions to them //
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      RecordPipe          recordPipe          = new RecordPipe();
-      AsyncRecordPipeLoop asyncRecordPipeLoop = new AsyncRecordPipeLoop();
+      QTableAutomationDetails automationDetails   = table.getAutomationDetails();
+      AsyncRecordPipeLoop     asyncRecordPipeLoop = new AsyncRecordPipeLoop();
+
+      RecordPipe recordPipe = automationDetails.getOverrideBatchSize() == null
+         ? new RecordPipe() : new RecordPipe(automationDetails.getOverrideBatchSize());
+
       asyncRecordPipeLoop.run("PollingAutomationRunner>Query>" + automationStatus + ">" + table.getName(), null, recordPipe, (status) ->
          {
-            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(instance);
-            queryInput.setSession(session);
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
             queryInput.setTableName(table.getName());
 
-            AutomationStatusTrackingType statusTrackingType = table.getAutomationDetails().getStatusTracking().getType();
+            AutomationStatusTrackingType statusTrackingType = automationDetails.getStatusTracking().getType();
             if(AutomationStatusTrackingType.FIELD_IN_TABLE.equals(statusTrackingType))
             {
-               queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(table.getAutomationDetails().getStatusTracking().getFieldName(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, List.of(automationStatus.getId()))));
+               queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(automationDetails.getStatusTracking().getFieldName(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, List.of(automationStatus.getId()))));
             }
             else
             {
@@ -241,6 +236,59 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** get the actions to run against a table in an automation status.  both from
+    ** metaData and tableTriggers/data.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private List<TableAutomationAction> getTableActions(QTableMetaData table, AutomationStatus automationStatus) throws QException
+   {
+      List<TableAutomationAction> rs           = new ArrayList<>();
+      TriggerEvent                triggerEvent = automationStatusTriggerEventMap.get(automationStatus);
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // start with any actions defined in the table meta data //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      for(TableAutomationAction action : table.getAutomationDetails().getActions())
+      {
+         if(action.getTriggerEvent().equals(triggerEvent))
+         {
+            rs.add(action);
+         }
+      }
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // next add any tableTriggers, defined in data //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(QContext.getQInstance().getTable(TableTrigger.TABLE_NAME) != null)
+      {
+         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+         queryInput.setTableName(TableTrigger.TABLE_NAME);
+         queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(
+            new QFilterCriteria("tableName", QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, table.getName()),
+            new QFilterCriteria(triggerEvent.equals(TriggerEvent.POST_INSERT) ? "postInsert" : "postUpdate", QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, true)
+         ));
+         QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+         for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
+         {
+            // todo - get filter if there is/was one
+            rs.add(new TableAutomationAction()
+               .withName("Script:" + record.getValue("scriptId"))
+               .withFilter(null)
+               .withTriggerEvent(triggerEvent)
+               .withPriority(record.getValueInteger("priority"))
+               .withCodeReference(new QCodeReference(RunRecordScriptAutomationHandler.class))
+               .withValues(MapBuilder.of("scriptId", record.getValue("scriptId")))
+            );
+         }
+      }
+
+      rs.sort(Comparator.comparing(taa -> Objects.requireNonNullElse(taa.getPriority(), Integer.MAX_VALUE)));
+
+      return (rs);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** For a set of records that were found to be in a PENDING state - run all the
     ** table's actions against them - IF they are found to match the action's filter
@@ -269,12 +317,12 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
             //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             // note - this method - will re-query the objects, so we should have confidence that their data is fresh... //
             //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            List<QRecord> matchingQRecords = getRecordsMatchingActionFilter(session, table, records, action);
+            List<QRecord> matchingQRecords = getRecordsMatchingActionFilter(table, records, action);
             LOG.debug("Of the {} records that were pending automations, {} of them match the filter on the action {}", records.size(), matchingQRecords.size(), action);
             if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(matchingQRecords))
             {
                LOG.debug("  Processing " + matchingQRecords.size() + " records in " + table + " for action " + action);
-               applyActionToMatchingRecords(session, table, matchingQRecords, action);
+               applyActionToMatchingRecords(table, matchingQRecords, action);
             }
          }
          catch(Exception e)
@@ -311,10 +359,9 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
     ** but that will almost certainly give potentially different results than a true
     ** backend - e.g., just consider if the DB is case-sensitive for strings...
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private List<QRecord> getRecordsMatchingActionFilter(QSession session, QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, TableAutomationAction action) throws QException
+   private List<QRecord> getRecordsMatchingActionFilter(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, TableAutomationAction action) throws QException
    {
-      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(instance);
-      queryInput.setSession(session);
+      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
       queryInput.setTableName(table.getName());
 
       QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter();
@@ -352,8 +399,9 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Finally, actually run action code against a list of known matching records.
+    ** todo not commit - move to somewhere genericer
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void applyActionToMatchingRecords(QSession session, QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, TableAutomationAction action) throws Exception
+   public static void applyActionToMatchingRecords(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, TableAutomationAction action) throws Exception
    {
       if(StringUtils.hasContent(action.getProcessName()))
       {
@@ -362,8 +410,7 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
          // tell it to SKIP frontend steps.                                                     //
          // give the process a callback w/ a query filter that has the p-keys of these records. //
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         RunProcessInput runProcessInput = new RunProcessInput(instance);
-         runProcessInput.setSession(session);
+         RunProcessInput runProcessInput = new RunProcessInput();
          runProcessInput.setProcessName(action.getProcessName());
          runProcessInput.setFrontendStepBehavior(RunProcessInput.FrontendStepBehavior.SKIP);
          runProcessInput.setCallback(new QProcessCallback()
@@ -376,20 +423,29 @@ public class PollingAutomationPerTableRunner implements Runnable
             }
          });
 
-         RunProcessAction runProcessAction = new RunProcessAction();
-         RunProcessOutput runProcessOutput = runProcessAction.execute(runProcessInput);
-         if(runProcessOutput.getException().isPresent())
+         try
          {
-            throw (runProcessOutput.getException().get());
+            QContext.pushAction(runProcessInput);
+
+            RunProcessAction runProcessAction = new RunProcessAction();
+            RunProcessOutput runProcessOutput = runProcessAction.execute(runProcessInput);
+            if(runProcessOutput.getException().isPresent())
+            {
+               throw (runProcessOutput.getException().get());
+            }
+         }
+         finally
+         {
+            QContext.popAction();
          }
       }
       else if(action.getCodeReference() != null)
       {
          LOG.debug("    Executing action: [" + action.getName() + "] as code reference: " + action.getCodeReference());
-         RecordAutomationInput input = new RecordAutomationInput(instance);
-         input.setSession(session);
+         RecordAutomationInput input = new RecordAutomationInput();
          input.setTableName(table.getName());
          input.setRecordList(records);
+         input.setAction(action);
 
          RecordAutomationHandler recordAutomationHandler = QCodeLoader.getRecordAutomationHandler(action);
          recordAutomationHandler.execute(input);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/customizers/AbstractPostInsertCustomizer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers;
+
+
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public abstract class AbstractPostInsertCustomizer
+{
+   protected InsertInput insertInput;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public abstract List<QRecord> apply(List<QRecord> records);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for insertInput
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public InsertInput getInsertInput()
+   {
+      return insertInput;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for insertInput
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setInsertInput(InsertInput insertInput)
+   {
+      this.insertInput = insertInput;
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/customizers/AbstractPostQueryCustomizer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers;
+
+
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public abstract class AbstractPostQueryCustomizer
+{
+   protected AbstractTableActionInput input;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public abstract List<QRecord> apply(List<QRecord> records);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for input
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AbstractTableActionInput getInput()
+   {
+      return (input);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for input
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setInput(AbstractTableActionInput input)
+   {
+      this.input = input;
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/customizers/ChildInserterPostInsertCustomizer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Iterator;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.InsertAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.UpdateAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Standard/re-usable post-insert customizer, for the use case where, when we
+ ** do an insert into table "parent", we want a record automatically inserted into
+ ** table "child", and there's a foreign key in "parent", pointed at "child"
+ ** e.g., named: "parent.childId".
+ **
+ ** A similar use-case would have the foreign key in the child table - in which case,
+ ** we could add a "Type" enum, plus abstract method to get our "Type", then logic
+ ** to switch behavior based on type.  See existing type enum, but w/ only 1 case :)
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public abstract class ChildInserterPostInsertCustomizer extends AbstractPostInsertCustomizer
+{
+   public enum RelationshipType
+   {
+      PARENT_POINTS_AT_CHILD
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public abstract QRecord buildChildForRecord(QRecord parentRecord) throws QException;
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public abstract String getChildTableName();
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public abstract String getForeignKeyFieldName();
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public abstract RelationshipType getRelationshipType();
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public List<QRecord> apply(List<QRecord> records)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         List<QRecord>  rs               = new ArrayList<>();
+         List<QRecord>  childrenToInsert = new ArrayList<>();
+         QTableMetaData table            = getInsertInput().getTable();
+         QTableMetaData childTable       = getInsertInput().getInstance().getTable(getChildTableName());
+
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // iterate over the inserted records, building a list child records to insert //
+         // for ones missing a value in the foreign key field.                         //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         for(QRecord record : records)
+         {
+            if(record.getValue(getForeignKeyFieldName()) == null)
+            {
+               childrenToInsert.add(buildChildForRecord(record));
+            }
+         }
+
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if there are no children to insert, then just return the original record list //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(childrenToInsert.isEmpty())
+         {
+            return (records);
+         }
+
+         /////////////////////////
+         // insert the children //
+         /////////////////////////
+         InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+         insertInput.setTableName(getChildTableName());
+         insertInput.setRecords(childrenToInsert);
+         insertInput.setTransaction(this.insertInput.getTransaction());
+         InsertOutput      insertOutput           = new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
+         Iterator<QRecord> insertedRecordIterator = insertOutput.getRecords().iterator();
+
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // iterate over the original list of records again - for any that need a child (e.g., are missing   //
+         // foreign key), set their foreign key to a newly inserted child's key, and add them to be updated. //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         List<QRecord> recordsToUpdate = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(QRecord record : records)
+         {
+            Serializable primaryKey = record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+            if(record.getValue(getForeignKeyFieldName()) == null)
+            {
+               Serializable foreignKey = insertedRecordIterator.next().getValue(childTable.getPrimaryKeyField());
+               recordsToUpdate.add(new QRecord().withValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField(), primaryKey).withValue(getForeignKeyFieldName(), foreignKey));
+               record.setValue(getForeignKeyFieldName(), foreignKey);
+               rs.add(record);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               rs.add(record);
+            }
+         }
+
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // update the originally inserted records to reference their new children //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+         updateInput.setTableName(getInsertInput().getTableName());
+         updateInput.setRecords(recordsToUpdate);
+         updateInput.setTransaction(this.insertInput.getTransaction());
+         new UpdateAction().execute(updateInput);
+
+         return (rs);
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw new RuntimeException("Error inserting new child records for new parent records", e);
+      }
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/customizers/QCodeLoader.java

@@ -28,13 +28,13 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.RecordAutomationHandler
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.processes.BackendStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QCustomPossibleValueProvider;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.TableAutomationAction;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class QCodeLoader
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(QCodeLoader.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QCodeLoader.class);
 
 
 
@@ -61,6 +61,21 @@ public class QCodeLoader
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static <T> Optional<T> getTableCustomizer(Class<T> expectedClass, QTableMetaData table, String customizerName)
+   {
+      Optional<QCodeReference> codeReference = table.getCustomizer(customizerName);
+      if(codeReference.isPresent())
+      {
+         return (Optional.ofNullable(QCodeLoader.getAdHoc(expectedClass, codeReference.get())));
+      }
+      return (Optional.empty());
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -87,7 +102,7 @@ public class QCodeLoader
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
-         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer: " + codeReference);
+         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", logPair("codeReference", codeReference), e);
 
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // return null here - under the assumption that during normal run-time operations, we'll never hit here //
@@ -126,7 +141,7 @@ public class QCodeLoader
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
-         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer: " + codeReference);
+         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", logPair("codeReference", codeReference), e);
 
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // return null here - under the assumption that during normal run-time operations, we'll never hit here //
@@ -165,7 +180,7 @@ public class QCodeLoader
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
-         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer: " + codeReference);
+         LOG.error("Error initializing customizer", logPair("codeReference", codeReference), e);
 
          //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // return null here - under the assumption that during normal run-time operations, we'll never hit here //

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/customizers/TableCustomizer.java

@@ -49,6 +49,18 @@ public class TableCustomizer
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public TableCustomizer(String role, Class<?> expectedType)
+   {
+      this.role = role;
+      this.expectedType = expectedType;
+      this.validationFunction = null;
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Getter for role
     **

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/customizers/TableCustomizers.java

@@ -22,10 +22,6 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers;
 
 
-import java.util.function.Function;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
-
-
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Enum definition of possible table customizers - "roles" for custom code that
  ** can be applied to tables.
@@ -43,12 +39,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public enum TableCustomizers
 {
-   POST_QUERY_RECORD(new TableCustomizer("postQueryRecord", Function.class, ((Object x) ->
-   {
-      @SuppressWarnings("unchecked")
-      Function<QRecord, QRecord> function = (Function<QRecord, QRecord>) x;
-      QRecord                    output   = function.apply(new QRecord());
-   })));
+   POST_QUERY_RECORD(new TableCustomizer("postQueryRecord", AbstractPostQueryCustomizer.class)),
+   POST_INSERT_RECORD(new TableCustomizer("postInsertRecord", AbstractPostInsertCustomizer.class));
 
 
    private final TableCustomizer tableCustomizer;

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -25,13 +25,23 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.net.URLEncoder;
 import java.nio.charset.Charset;
+import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets.AbstractWidgetRenderer;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.DisplayFormat;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.JsonUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -45,10 +55,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   protected String openTopLevelBulletList()
+   public static String openTopLevelBulletList()
    {
       return ("""
-         <div style="padding: 1rem;">
+         <div style="padding-left: 2rem;">
             <ul>""");
    }
 
@@ -57,7 +67,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   protected String closeTopLevelBulletList()
+   public static String closeTopLevelBulletList()
    {
       return ("""
             </ul>
@@ -101,7 +111,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
     *******************************************************************************/
    protected String bulletNameValue(String name, String value)
    {
-      return ("<li><b>" + name + "</b> &nbsp; " + value + "</li>");
+      return ("<li><b>" + name + "</b> &nbsp; " + Objects.requireNonNullElse(value, "--") + "</li>");
    }
 
 
@@ -111,43 +121,302 @@ public abstract class AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static String linkTableBulkLoad(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName) throws QException
    {
-      String tablePath = input.getInstance().getTablePath(input, tableName);
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
       return (tablePath + "/" + tableName + ".bulkInsert");
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String linkTableBulkLoadChildren(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
+      return ("#/launchProcess=" + tableName + ".bulkInsert");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String linkTableCreate(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      return (tablePath + "/create");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String linkTableCreateWithDefaultValues(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, Map<String, Serializable> defaultValues) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      return (tablePath + "/create?defaultValues=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(defaultValues), Charset.defaultCharset()));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String getCountLink(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, QQueryFilter filter, int count) throws QException
+   {
+      String totalString = QValueFormatter.formatValue(DisplayFormat.COMMAS, count);
+      String tablePath   = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      if(tablePath == null || filter == null)
+      {
+         return (totalString);
+      }
+      return ("<a href='" + tablePath + "?filter=" + JsonUtils.toJson(filter) + "'>" + totalString + "</a>");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void addTableFilterToListIfPermissed(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, List<String> urls, QQueryFilter filter) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      urls.add(tablePath + "?filter=" + JsonUtils.toJson(filter));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String linkTableFilterUnencoded(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, QQueryFilter filter) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
+      return (tablePath + "?filter=" + JsonUtils.toJson(filter));
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static String linkTableFilter(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, QQueryFilter filter) throws QException
    {
-      String tablePath = input.getInstance().getTablePath(input, tableName);
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
       return (tablePath + "?filter=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(filter), Charset.defaultCharset()));
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String aHrefTableFilterNoOfRecords(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, QQueryFilter filter, Integer noOfRecords, String singularLabel, String pluralLabel) throws QException
+   {
+      return (aHrefTableFilterNoOfRecords(input, tableName, filter, noOfRecords, singularLabel, pluralLabel, false));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String aHrefTableFilterNoOfRecords(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, QQueryFilter filter, Integer noOfRecords, String singularLabel, String pluralLabel, boolean onlyLinkCount) throws QException
+   {
+      String plural      = StringUtils.plural(noOfRecords, singularLabel, pluralLabel);
+      String countString = QValueFormatter.formatValue(DisplayFormat.COMMAS, noOfRecords);
+      String displayText = StringUtils.hasContent(plural) ? (" " + plural) : "";
+      String tablePath   = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return (countString + displayText);
+      }
+
+      String href = linkTableFilter(input, tableName, filter);
+      if(onlyLinkCount)
+      {
+         return ("<a href=\"" + href + "\">" + countString + "</a>" + displayText);
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         return ("<a href=\"" + href + "\">" + countString + displayText + "</a>");
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String aHrefViewRecord(RenderWidgetInput input, String tableName, Serializable id, String linkText) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return (linkText);
+      }
+
+      return ("<a href=\"" + linkRecordView(input, tableName, id) + "\">" + linkText + "</a>");
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static String linkRecordEdit(AbstractActionInput input, String tableName, Serializable recordId) throws QException
    {
-      String tablePath = input.getInstance().getTablePath(input, tableName);
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
       return (tablePath + "/" + recordId + "/edit");
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String linkRecordView(AbstractActionInput input, String tableName, Serializable recordId) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
+      return (tablePath + "/" + recordId);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String linkProcessForFilter(AbstractActionInput input, String processName, QQueryFilter filter) throws QException
+   {
+      QProcessMetaData process = QContext.getQInstance().getProcess(processName);
+      if(process == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+      String tableName = process.getTableName();
+      if(tableName == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+      return (tablePath + "/" + processName + "?recordsParam=filterJSON&filterJSON=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(filter), StandardCharsets.UTF_8));
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static String linkProcessForRecord(AbstractActionInput input, String processName, Serializable recordId) throws QException
    {
-      QProcessMetaData process   = input.getInstance().getProcess(processName);
+      QProcessMetaData process   = QContext.getQInstance().getProcess(processName);
       String           tableName = process.getTableName();
-      String           tablePath = input.getInstance().getTablePath(input, tableName);
+      String           tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(tableName);
+
       return (tablePath + "/" + recordId + "/" + processName);
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String linkTableCreateChild(RenderWidgetInput input, String childTableName, Map<String, Serializable> defaultValues) throws QException
+   {
+      return (linkTableCreateChild(input, childTableName, defaultValues, defaultValues.keySet()));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String aHrefTableCreateChild(RenderWidgetInput input, String childTableName, Map<String, Serializable> defaultValues) throws QException
+   {
+      return (aHrefTableCreateChild(input, childTableName, defaultValues, defaultValues.keySet()));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String linkTableCreateChild(RenderWidgetInput input, String childTableName, Map<String, Serializable> defaultValues, Set<String> disabledFields) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(childTableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
+      Map<String, Integer> disabledFieldsMap = disabledFields.stream().collect(Collectors.toMap(k -> k, k -> 1));
+
+      return ("#/createChild=" + childTableName
+         + "/defaultValues=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(defaultValues), StandardCharsets.UTF_8).replaceAll("\\+", "%20")
+         + "/disabledFields=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(disabledFieldsMap), StandardCharsets.UTF_8).replaceAll("\\+", "%20"));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String getChipElement(String icon, String label, String color) throws QException
+   {
+      color = color != null ? color : "info";
+      color = StringUtils.ucFirst(color);
+
+      String html = "<span style='display: flex;'>";
+      html += "<div style='overflow: hidden; flex: none; display: flex; align-content: flex-start; align-items: center; height: 24px; padding-right: 8px; font-size: 13px; font-weight: 500; border: 1px solid; border-radius: 16px; color: " + color + "'>";
+      if(icon != null)
+      {
+         html += "<span style='font-size: 16px; padding: 5px' class='material-icons-round notranslate MuiIcon-root MuiIcon-fontSizeInherit MuiChip-icon MuiChip-iconSmall MuiChip-iconColor" + color + "'>" + icon + "</span>";
+      }
+      html += "<span class='MuiChip-label MuiChip-labelSmall'>" + label + "</span></div></span>";
+      return (html);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String aHrefTableCreateChild(RenderWidgetInput input, String childTableName, Map<String, Serializable> defaultValues, Set<String> disabledFields) throws QException
+   {
+      String tablePath = QContext.getQInstance().getTablePath(childTableName);
+      if(tablePath == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
+      return ("<a href=\"" + linkTableCreateChild(input, childTableName, defaultValues, defaultValues.keySet()) + "\">Create new</a>");
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/RenderWidgetAction.java

@@ -30,7 +30,6 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets.AbstractWidgetRe
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.QWidgetMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 
 
@@ -53,12 +52,9 @@ public class RenderWidgetAction
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // move default values from meta data into this render input //
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      if(input.getWidgetMetaData() instanceof QWidgetMetaData widgetMetaData)
+      for(Map.Entry<String, Serializable> entry : input.getWidgetMetaData().getDefaultValues().entrySet())
       {
-         for(Map.Entry<String, Serializable> entry : widgetMetaData.getDefaultValues().entrySet())
-         {
-            input.addQueryParam(entry.getKey(), ValueUtils.getValueAsString(entry.getValue()));
-         }
+         input.addQueryParam(entry.getKey(), ValueUtils.getValueAsString(entry.getValue()));
       }
 
       return (widgetRenderer.render(input));

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/AbstractWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -24,10 +24,28 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
 
 import java.time.ZoneId;
 import java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashSet;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.SearchPossibleValueSourceAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.values.SearchPossibleValueSourceInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.values.SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.QWidgetData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.QWidgetMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.WidgetDropdownData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValue;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -46,4 +64,101 @@ public abstract class AbstractWidgetRenderer
     *******************************************************************************/
    public abstract RenderWidgetOutput render(RenderWidgetInput input) throws QException;
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   protected boolean setupDropdowns(RenderWidgetInput input, QWidgetMetaData metaData, QWidgetData widgetData) throws QException
+   {
+      List<List<Map<String, String>>> pvsData                   = new ArrayList<>();
+      List<String>                    pvsLabels                 = new ArrayList<>();
+      List<String>                    pvsNames                  = new ArrayList<>();
+      List<String>                    missingRequiredSelections = new ArrayList<>();
+      for(WidgetDropdownData dropdownData : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(metaData.getDropdowns()))
+      {
+         String               possibleValueSourceName = dropdownData.getPossibleValueSourceName();
+         QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource     = input.getInstance().getPossibleValueSource(possibleValueSourceName);
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // this looks complicated, but is just look for a label in the dropdown data and if found use it,                                                                                  //
+         // otherwise look for label in PVS and if found use that, otherwise just use the PVS name                                                                                          //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         String pvsLabel = dropdownData.getLabel() != null ? dropdownData.getLabel() : (possibleValueSource.getLabel() != null ? possibleValueSource.getLabel() : possibleValueSourceName);
+         pvsLabels.add(pvsLabel);
+         pvsNames.add(possibleValueSourceName);
+
+         SearchPossibleValueSourceInput pvsInput = new SearchPossibleValueSourceInput();
+         pvsInput.setPossibleValueSourceName(possibleValueSourceName);
+
+         if(dropdownData.getForeignKeyFieldName() != null)
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////
+            // look for an id in the query params //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////
+            Integer id = null;
+            if(input.getQueryParams() != null && input.getQueryParams().containsKey("id") && StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get("id")))
+            {
+               id = Integer.parseInt(input.getQueryParams().get("id"));
+            }
+            if(id != null)
+            {
+               pvsInput.setDefaultQueryFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(
+                  new QFilterCriteria(
+                     dropdownData.getForeignKeyFieldName(),
+                     QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS,
+                     id)));
+            }
+         }
+
+         SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput output = new SearchPossibleValueSourceAction().execute(pvsInput);
+
+         List<Map<String, String>> dropdownOptionList = new ArrayList<>();
+         pvsData.add(dropdownOptionList);
+
+         //////////////////////////////////////////
+         // sort results, dedupe, and add to map //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////
+         Set<String> exists = new HashSet<>();
+         output.getResults().removeIf(pvs -> !exists.add(pvs.getLabel()));
+         for(QPossibleValue<?> possibleValue : output.getResults())
+         {
+            dropdownOptionList.add(Map.of(
+               "id", String.valueOf(possibleValue.getId()),
+               "label", possibleValue.getLabel()
+            ));
+         }
+
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // because we know the dropdowns and what the field names will be when something is selected, we can make //
+         // sure that something has been selected, and if not, display a message that a selection needs made       //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(dropdownData.getIsRequired())
+         {
+            if(!input.getQueryParams().containsKey(possibleValueSourceName) || !StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get(possibleValueSourceName)))
+            {
+               missingRequiredSelections.add(pvsLabel);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      widgetData.setDropdownNameList(pvsNames);
+      widgetData.setDropdownLabelList(pvsLabels);
+      widgetData.setDropdownDataList(pvsData);
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if there are any missing required dropdowns, build up a message to display //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(missingRequiredSelections.size() > 0)
+      {
+         StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder("Please select a ").append(StringUtils.joinWithCommasAndAnd(missingRequiredSelections));
+         sb.append(" from the ").append(StringUtils.plural(missingRequiredSelections.size(), "dropdown", "dropdowns")).append(" above.");
+         widgetData.setDropdownNeedsSelectedText(sb.toString());
+         return (false);
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         return (true);
+      }
+   }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/ChildRecordListRenderer.java

@@ -22,9 +22,14 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
 
 
+import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.net.URLEncoder;
 import java.nio.charset.Charset;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.GetAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
@@ -42,11 +47,15 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.ChildRecordListDat
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.WidgetType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.AbstractWidgetMetaDataBuilder;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.QWidgetMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.JoinOn;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.JsonUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
+import org.apache.commons.lang.BooleanUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -58,13 +67,87 @@ public class ChildRecordListRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public static QWidgetMetaData defineWidgetFromJoin(QJoinMetaData join)
+   public static Builder widgetMetaDataBuilder(QJoinMetaData join)
    {
-      return (new QWidgetMetaData()
+      return (new Builder(new QWidgetMetaData()
          .withName(join.getName())
+         .withIsCard(true)
          .withCodeReference(new QCodeReference(ChildRecordListRenderer.class, null))
          .withType(WidgetType.CHILD_RECORD_LIST.getType())
-         .withDefaultValue("joinName", join.getName()));
+         .withDefaultValue("joinName", join.getName())));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static class Builder extends AbstractWidgetMetaDataBuilder
+   {
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** Constructor
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public Builder(QWidgetMetaData widgetMetaData)
+      {
+         super(widgetMetaData);
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public Builder withName(String name)
+      {
+         widgetMetaData.setName(name);
+         return (this);
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public Builder withLabel(String label)
+      {
+         widgetMetaData.setLabel(label);
+         return (this);
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public Builder withMaxRows(Integer maxRows)
+      {
+         widgetMetaData.withDefaultValue("maxRows", maxRows);
+         return (this);
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public Builder withCanAddChildRecord(boolean b)
+      {
+         widgetMetaData.withDefaultValue("canAddChildRecord", true);
+         return (this);
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public Builder withDisabledFieldsForNewChildRecords(Set<String> disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords)
+      {
+         widgetMetaData.withDefaultValue("disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords", new HashSet<>(disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords));
+         return (this);
+      }
    }
 
 
@@ -80,12 +163,17 @@ public class ChildRecordListRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
       QJoinMetaData join        = input.getInstance().getJoin(joinName);
       String        id          = input.getQueryParams().get("id");
 
+      Integer maxRows = null;
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(input.getQueryParams().get("maxRows")))
+      {
+         maxRows = ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(input.getQueryParams().get("maxRows"));
+      }
+
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // fetch the record that we're getting children for.  //
       // e.g., the left-side of the join, with the input id //
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      GetInput getInput = new GetInput(input.getInstance());
-      getInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
       getInput.setTableName(join.getLeftTable());
       getInput.setPrimaryKey(id);
       GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);
@@ -107,19 +195,42 @@ public class ChildRecordListRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
       }
       filter.setOrderBys(join.getOrderBys());
 
-      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(input.getInstance());
-      queryInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
       queryInput.setTableName(join.getRightTable());
       queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
       queryInput.setShouldGenerateDisplayValues(true);
       queryInput.setFilter(filter);
+      queryInput.setLimit(maxRows);
       QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
 
       QTableMetaData table       = input.getInstance().getTable(join.getRightTable());
-      String         tablePath   = input.getInstance().getTablePath(input, table.getName());
-      String         viewAllLink = tablePath + "?filter=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(filter), Charset.defaultCharset());
+      String         tablePath   = input.getInstance().getTablePath(table.getName());
+      String         viewAllLink = tablePath == null ? null : (tablePath + "?filter=" + URLEncoder.encode(JsonUtils.toJson(filter), Charset.defaultCharset()));
 
-      return (new RenderWidgetOutput(new ChildRecordListData(widgetLabel, queryOutput, table, tablePath, viewAllLink)));
+      ChildRecordListData widgetData = new ChildRecordListData(widgetLabel, queryOutput, table, tablePath, viewAllLink);
+
+      if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(ValueUtils.getValueAsBoolean(input.getQueryParams().get("canAddChildRecord"))))
+      {
+         widgetData.setCanAddChildRecord(true);
+
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // new child records must have values from the join-ons //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         Map<String, Serializable> defaultValuesForNewChildRecords = new HashMap<>();
+         for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
+         {
+            defaultValuesForNewChildRecords.put(joinOn.getRightField(), record.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField()));
+         }
+         widgetData.setDefaultValuesForNewChildRecords(defaultValuesForNewChildRecords);
+
+         Map<String, Serializable> widgetValues = input.getWidgetMetaData().getDefaultValues();
+         if(widgetValues.containsKey("disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords"))
+         {
+            widgetData.setDisabledFieldsForNewChildRecords((Set<String>) widgetValues.get("disabledFieldsForNewChildRecords"));
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (new RenderWidgetOutput(widgetData));
    }
 
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/DateTimeGroupBy.java

@@ -0,0 +1,249 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
+
+
+import java.time.DayOfWeek;
+import java.time.Instant;
+import java.time.ZoneId;
+import java.time.ZonedDateTime;
+import java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter;
+import java.time.temporal.ChronoField;
+import java.time.temporal.ChronoUnit;
+import java.time.temporal.IsoFields;
+import java.time.temporal.TemporalAdjusters;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Enum to define various "levels" of group-by for on dashboards that want to
+ ** group records by, e.g., year, or month, or week, or day, or hour.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum DateTimeGroupBy
+{
+   /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // note - double %'s on the time format strings here, because this is a java-format string, which will get //
+   // its '%s' replaced with a column name, and so then those %'s for the date_format need escaped as %%.     //
+   // See https://www.w3schools.com/sql/func_mysql_date_format.asp for DATE_FORMAT args                       //
+   /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   YEAR("%%Y", MillisPer.YEAR, 1, ChronoUnit.YEARS, DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy"), DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy")),
+   MONTH("%%Y-%%m", 2 * MillisPer.MONTH, 1, ChronoUnit.MONTHS, DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM"), DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("MMM'.' yyyy")),
+   WEEK("%%XW%%V", 35 * MillisPer.DAY, 7, ChronoUnit.DAYS, DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("YYYY'W'ww"), DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("YYYY'W'w")),
+   DAY("%%Y-%%m-%%d", 36 * MillisPer.HOUR, 1, ChronoUnit.DAYS, DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM-dd"), DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("EEE'.' M'/'d")),
+   HOUR("%%Y-%%m-%%dT%%H", 0, 1, ChronoUnit.HOURS, DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM-dd'T'HH"), DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("h a"));
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public interface MillisPer
+   {
+      long HOUR  = 60 * 60 * 1000;
+      long DAY   = 24 * HOUR;
+      long WEEK  = 7 * DAY;
+      long MONTH = 30 * DAY;
+      long YEAR  = 365 * DAY;
+   }
+
+
+
+   private final String            sqlDateFormat;
+   private final long              millisThreshold;
+   private final int               noOfChronoUnitsToAdd;
+   private final ChronoUnit        chronoUnitToAdd;
+   private final DateTimeFormatter selectedStringFormatter;
+   private final DateTimeFormatter humanStringFormatter;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   DateTimeGroupBy(String sqlDateFormat, long millisThreshold, int noOfChronoUnitsToAdd, ChronoUnit chronoUnitToAdd, DateTimeFormatter selectedStringFormatter, DateTimeFormatter humanStringFormatter)
+   {
+      this.sqlDateFormat = sqlDateFormat;
+      this.millisThreshold = millisThreshold;
+      this.noOfChronoUnitsToAdd = noOfChronoUnitsToAdd;
+      this.chronoUnitToAdd = chronoUnitToAdd;
+      this.selectedStringFormatter = selectedStringFormatter;
+      this.humanStringFormatter = humanStringFormatter;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getSqlExpression()
+   {
+      ZoneId sessionOrInstanceZoneId = ValueUtils.getSessionOrInstanceZoneId();
+      String targetTimezone          = sessionOrInstanceZoneId.toString();
+
+      if("Z".equals(targetTimezone) || !StringUtils.hasContent(targetTimezone))
+      {
+         targetTimezone = "UTC";
+      }
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if we only had a timezone offset (not a zone name/id), then the zoneId's toString will look like //
+      // UTC-05:00.  MySQL doesn't want that, so, strip away the leading UTC, to just get -05:00          //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if((targetTimezone.startsWith("UTC-") || targetTimezone.startsWith("UTC+")) && targetTimezone.length() > 5)
+      {
+         targetTimezone = targetTimezone.substring(3);
+      }
+
+      return "DATE_FORMAT(CONVERT_TZ(%s, 'UTC', '" + targetTimezone + "'), '" + sqlDateFormat + "')";
+
+      /*
+      if(this == WEEK)
+      {
+         return "YEARWEEK(CONVERT_TZ(%s, 'UTC', '" + targetTimezone + "'), 6)";
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         return "DATE_FORMAT(CONVERT_TZ(%s, 'UTC', '" + targetTimezone + "'), '" + sqlDateFormat + "')";
+      }
+      */
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** get an instance of this enum, based on start & end instants - look at the #
+    ** of millis between them, and return the first enum value w/ a millisThreshold
+    ** under that difference.  Default to HOUR.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static DateTimeGroupBy selectFromStartAndEndTimes(Instant start, Instant end)
+   {
+      long millisBetween = end.toEpochMilli() - start.toEpochMilli();
+      for(DateTimeGroupBy value : DateTimeGroupBy.values())
+      {
+         if(millisBetween > value.millisThreshold)
+         {
+            return (value);
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (HOUR);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Make an Instant into a string that will match what came out of the database's
+    ** DATE_FORMAT() function
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String makeSelectedString(Instant time)
+   {
+      ZonedDateTime zoned = time.atZone(ValueUtils.getSessionOrInstanceZoneId());
+
+      if(this == WEEK)
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // so, it seems like database is returning, e.g., W00-W52, but java is doing W1-W53...            //
+         // which, apparently we can compensate for by adding a week?  not sure, but results seemed right. //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         zoned = zoned.plusDays(7);
+         int weekYear = zoned.get(IsoFields.WEEK_BASED_YEAR);
+         int week     = zoned.get(IsoFields.WEEK_OF_WEEK_BASED_YEAR);
+         return (String.format("%04dW%02d", weekYear, week));
+      }
+
+      return (selectedStringFormatter.format(zoned));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Make a string to show to a user
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String makeHumanString(Instant instant)
+   {
+      ZonedDateTime zoned = instant.atZone(ValueUtils.getSessionOrInstanceZoneId());
+      if(this.equals(WEEK))
+      {
+         DateTimeFormatter dateTimeFormatter = DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("M'/'d");
+
+         while(zoned.get(ChronoField.DAY_OF_WEEK) != DayOfWeek.SUNDAY.getValue())
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////
+            // go backwards until sunday is found //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////
+            zoned = zoned.minus(1, ChronoUnit.DAYS);
+         }
+
+         return (dateTimeFormatter.format(zoned) + "-" + dateTimeFormatter.format(zoned.plusDays(6)));
+
+         /*
+         int               weekOfYear        = zoned.get(ChronoField.ALIGNED_WEEK_OF_YEAR);
+         ZonedDateTime     sunday            = zoned.with(IsoFields.WEEK_OF_WEEK_BASED_YEAR, weekOfYear).with(TemporalAdjusters.previousOrSame(DayOfWeek.SUNDAY));
+         ZonedDateTime     saturday          = sunday.with(TemporalAdjusters.next(DayOfWeek.SATURDAY));
+         DateTimeFormatter dateTimeFormatter = DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("M'/'d");
+
+         return (dateTimeFormatter.format(sunday) + "-" + dateTimeFormatter.format(saturday));
+         */
+      }
+
+      return (humanStringFormatter.format(zoned));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @SuppressWarnings("checkstyle:indentation")
+   public Instant roundDown(Instant instant)
+   {
+      ZonedDateTime zoned = instant.atZone(ValueUtils.getSessionOrInstanceZoneId());
+      return switch(this)
+         {
+            case YEAR -> zoned.with(TemporalAdjusters.firstDayOfYear()).truncatedTo(ChronoUnit.DAYS).toInstant();
+            case MONTH -> zoned.with(TemporalAdjusters.firstDayOfMonth()).truncatedTo(ChronoUnit.DAYS).toInstant();
+            case WEEK ->
+            {
+               while(zoned.get(ChronoField.DAY_OF_WEEK) != DayOfWeek.SUNDAY.getValue())
+               {
+                  zoned = zoned.minusDays(1);
+               }
+               yield (zoned.truncatedTo(ChronoUnit.DAYS).toInstant());
+            }
+            case DAY -> zoned.truncatedTo(ChronoUnit.DAYS).toInstant();
+            case HOUR -> zoned.truncatedTo(ChronoUnit.HOURS).toInstant();
+         };
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Instant increment(Instant instant)
+   {
+      ZonedDateTime zoned = instant.atZone(ValueUtils.getSessionOrInstanceZoneId());
+      return (zoned.plus(noOfChronoUnitsToAdd, chronoUnitToAdd).toInstant());
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/DefaultWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
+
+
+import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.QWidgetData;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class DefaultWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public RenderWidgetOutput render(RenderWidgetInput input) throws QException
+   {
+      return new RenderWidgetOutput(new DefaultWidgetData(input));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static class DefaultWidgetData extends QWidgetData
+   {
+      private final String              type;
+      private final Map<String, String> queryParams;
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** Constructor
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public DefaultWidgetData(RenderWidgetInput renderWidgetInput)
+      {
+         this.type = renderWidgetInput.getWidgetMetaData().getType();
+         this.queryParams = renderWidgetInput.getQueryParams();
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      @Override
+      public String getType()
+      {
+         return (type);
+      }
+
+
+
+      /*******************************************************************************
+       ** Getter for queryParams
+       **
+       *******************************************************************************/
+      public Map<String, String> getQueryParams()
+      {
+         return queryParams;
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/DividerWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,47 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.DividerWidgetData;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Generic widget for showing a divider
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class DividerWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public RenderWidgetOutput render(RenderWidgetInput input) throws QException
+   {
+      ActionHelper.validateSession(input);
+      return (new RenderWidgetOutput(new DividerWidgetData()));
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/NoCodeWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,153 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.RawHTML;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.nocode.AbstractWidgetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.nocode.AbstractWidgetValueSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.nocode.QNoCodeWidgetMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.implementations.utils.BackendQueryFilterUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class NoCodeWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(NoCodeWidgetRenderer.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public RenderWidgetOutput render(RenderWidgetInput input) throws QException
+   {
+      QNoCodeWidgetMetaData widgetMetaData = (QNoCodeWidgetMetaData) input.getWidgetMetaData();
+
+      Map<String, Object> context = initContext(input);
+      context.putAll(input.getQueryParams());
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // populate context by evaluating all values //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+      for(AbstractWidgetValueSource valueSource : widgetMetaData.getValues())
+      {
+         try
+         {
+            LOG.trace("Computing: " + valueSource.getType() + " named " + valueSource.getName() + "...");
+            Object value = valueSource.evaluate(context, input);
+            LOG.trace("Computed: " + valueSource.getName() + " = " + value);
+            context.put(valueSource.getName(), value);
+            context.put(valueSource.getName() + ".source", valueSource);
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            LOG.warn("Error evaluating widget value source", e, logPair("widgetName", input.getWidgetMetaData().getName()), logPair("valueSourceName", valueSource.getName()));
+         }
+      }
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // build content by evaluating all outputs //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////
+      List<AbstractWidgetOutput> outputs = widgetMetaData.getOutputs();
+      String                     content = renderOutputs(context, outputs);
+
+      return (new RenderWidgetOutput(new RawHTML(widgetMetaData.getLabel(), content)));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Map<String, Object> initContext(RenderWidgetInput input)
+   {
+      Map<String, Object> context = new HashMap<>();
+      context.put("utils", new NoCodeWidgetVelocityUtils(context, input));
+      context.put("input", input);
+      return context;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String renderOutputs(Map<String, Object> context, List<AbstractWidgetOutput> outputs) throws QException
+   {
+      StringBuilder content = new StringBuilder();
+      for(AbstractWidgetOutput output : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(outputs))
+      {
+         boolean conditionPassed = true;
+         if(output.getCondition() != null)
+         {
+            conditionPassed = evaluateCondition(output.getCondition(), context);
+         }
+
+         if(conditionPassed)
+         {
+            String render = output.render(context);
+            content.append(render);
+            LOG.trace("Condition passed, rendered: " + render);
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            LOG.trace("Condition failed - not rendering this output.");
+         }
+      }
+      return (content.toString());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private boolean evaluateCondition(QFilterCriteria condition, Map<String, Object> context)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         Object value = context.get(condition.getFieldName());
+         return (BackendQueryFilterUtils.doesCriteriaMatch(condition, condition.getFieldName(), (Serializable) value));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Error evaluating condition: " + condition, e);
+         return (false);
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/NoCodeWidgetVelocityUtils.java

@@ -0,0 +1,339 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.math.BigDecimal;
+import java.math.RoundingMode;
+import java.time.Instant;
+import java.time.ZoneId;
+import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.nocode.WidgetCount;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class NoCodeWidgetVelocityUtils
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(NoCodeWidgetVelocityUtils.class);
+
+   private Map<String, Object> context;
+   private RenderWidgetInput   input;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public NoCodeWidgetVelocityUtils(Map<String, Object> context, RenderWidgetInput input)
+   {
+      this.context = context;
+      this.input = input;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String helpIcon()
+   {
+      return ("""
+         <span class="material-icons-round notranslate MuiIcon-root MuiIcon-fontSizeInherit" style="color: blue; position: relative; top: 6px;" aria-hidden="true">help_outline</span>
+         """);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String errorIcon()
+   {
+      return ("""
+         <span class="material-icons-round notranslate MuiIcon-root MuiIcon-fontSizeInherit" style="color: red; position: relative; top: 6px;" aria-hidden="true">error_outline</span>
+         """);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String warningIcon()
+   {
+      return ("""
+         <span class="material-icons-round notranslate MuiIcon-root MuiIcon-fontSizeInherit" style="color: orange; position: relative; top: 6px;" aria-hidden="true">warning</span>
+         """);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String checkIcon()
+   {
+      return ("""
+         <span class="material-icons-round notranslate MuiIcon-root MuiIcon-fontSizeInherit" style="color: green; position: relative; top: 6px;" aria-hidden="true">check</span>
+         """);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String pendingIcon()
+   {
+      return ("""
+         <span class="material-icons-round notranslate MuiIcon-root MuiIcon-fontSizeInherit" style="color: #0062ff; position: relative; top: 6px;" aria-hidden="true">pending</span>
+         """);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String spanColorGreen()
+   {
+      return ("""
+         <span style="color: green;">
+         """);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String spanColorOrange()
+   {
+      return ("""
+         <span style="color: orange;">
+         """);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String spanColorRed()
+   {
+      return ("""
+         <span style="color: red;">
+         """);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String plural(Integer size, String ifOne, String ifNotOne)
+   {
+      return StringUtils.plural(size, ifOne, ifNotOne);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String formatDateTime(Instant i)
+   {
+      if(i == null)
+      {
+         return ("");
+      }
+      return QValueFormatter.formatDateTimeWithZone(i.atZone(ZoneId.of(QContext.getQInstance().getDefaultTimeZoneId())));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String formatSecondsAsDuration(Integer seconds)
+   {
+      StringBuilder rs = new StringBuilder();
+
+      if(seconds == null)
+      {
+         return ("");
+      }
+
+      int secondsPerDay = 24 * 60 * 60;
+      if(seconds >= secondsPerDay)
+      {
+         int days = seconds / (secondsPerDay);
+         seconds = seconds % secondsPerDay;
+         rs.append(days).append(StringUtils.plural(days, " day", " days")).append(" ");
+      }
+
+      int secondsPerHour = 60 * 60;
+      if(seconds >= secondsPerHour)
+      {
+         int hours = seconds / (secondsPerHour);
+         seconds = seconds % secondsPerHour;
+         rs.append(hours).append(StringUtils.plural(hours, " hour", " hours")).append(" ");
+      }
+
+      int secondsPerMinute = 60;
+      if(seconds >= secondsPerMinute)
+      {
+         int minutes = seconds / (secondsPerMinute);
+         seconds = seconds % secondsPerMinute;
+         rs.append(minutes).append(StringUtils.plural(minutes, " minute", " minutes")).append(" ");
+      }
+
+      if(seconds > 0 || rs.length() == 0)
+      {
+         rs.append(seconds).append(StringUtils.plural(seconds, " second", " seconds")).append(" ");
+      }
+
+      if(rs.length() > 0)
+      {
+         rs.deleteCharAt(rs.length() - 1);
+      }
+
+      return (rs.toString());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String formatSecondsAsRoundedDuration(Integer seconds)
+   {
+      StringBuilder rs = new StringBuilder();
+
+      if(seconds == null)
+      {
+         return ("");
+      }
+
+      int secondsPerDay = 24 * 60 * 60;
+      if(seconds >= secondsPerDay)
+      {
+         int days = seconds / (secondsPerDay);
+         return (days + StringUtils.plural(days, " day", " days"));
+      }
+
+      int secondsPerHour = 60 * 60;
+      if(seconds >= secondsPerHour)
+      {
+         int hours = seconds / (secondsPerHour);
+         return (hours + StringUtils.plural(hours, " hour", " hours"));
+      }
+
+      int secondsPerMinute = 60;
+      if(seconds >= secondsPerMinute)
+      {
+         int minutes = seconds / (secondsPerMinute);
+         return (minutes + StringUtils.plural(minutes, " minute", " minutes"));
+      }
+
+      if(seconds > 0 || rs.length() == 0)
+      {
+         return (seconds + StringUtils.plural(seconds, " second", " seconds"));
+      }
+
+      return ("");
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String tableCountFilterLink(String countVariableName, String singular, String plural) throws QException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         WidgetCount  widgetCount = (WidgetCount) context.get(countVariableName + ".source");
+         Integer      count       = ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(context.get(countVariableName));
+         QQueryFilter filter      = widgetCount.getEffectiveFilter(input);
+         return (AbstractHTMLWidgetRenderer.aHrefTableFilterNoOfRecords(null, widgetCount.getTableName(), filter, count, singular, plural));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Error rendering widget link", e);
+         return ("");
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String format(String displayFormat, Serializable value)
+   {
+      return (QValueFormatter.formatValue(displayFormat, value));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String round(BigDecimal input, int digits)
+   {
+      return String.valueOf(input.setScale(digits, RoundingMode.HALF_UP));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Object ifElse(Object ifObject, Object elseObject)
+   {
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(ValueUtils.getValueAsString(ifObject)))
+      {
+         return (ifObject);
+      }
+      else if(StringUtils.hasContent(ValueUtils.getValueAsString(elseObject)))
+      {
+         return (elseObject);
+      }
+
+      return ("");
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/ParentWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -22,24 +22,12 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
 
 
-import java.util.ArrayList;
-import java.util.Comparator;
-import java.util.HashSet;
-import java.util.List;
-import java.util.Map;
-import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.SearchPossibleValueSourceAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.values.SearchPossibleValueSourceInput;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.values.SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.ParentWidgetData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.ParentWidgetMetaData;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValue;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSource;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -65,43 +53,13 @@ public class ParentWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // handle any PVSs creating dropdown data for the frontend //
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         List<List<Map<String, String>>> pvsData   = new ArrayList<>();
-         List<String>                    pvsLabels = new ArrayList<>();
-         List<String>                    pvsNames  = new ArrayList<>();
-         for(String possibleValueSourceName : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(metaData.getPossibleValueNameList()))
+         boolean dropdownsValid = setupDropdowns(input, metaData, widgetData);
+
+         if(dropdownsValid)
          {
-            QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource = input.getInstance().getPossibleValueSource(possibleValueSourceName);
-            pvsLabels.add(possibleValueSource.getLabel() != null ? possibleValueSource.getLabel() : possibleValueSourceName);
-            pvsNames.add(possibleValueSourceName);
-
-            SearchPossibleValueSourceInput pvsInput = new SearchPossibleValueSourceInput(input.getInstance());
-            pvsInput.setSession(input.getSession());
-            pvsInput.setPossibleValueSourceName(possibleValueSourceName);
-            SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput output = new SearchPossibleValueSourceAction().execute(pvsInput);
-
-            List<Map<String, String>> dropdownOptionList = new ArrayList<>();
-            pvsData.add(dropdownOptionList);
-
-            //////////////////////////////////////////
-            // sort results, dedupe, and add to map //
-            //////////////////////////////////////////
-            Set<String> exists = new HashSet<>();
-            output.getResults().removeIf(pvs -> !exists.add(pvs.getLabel()));
-            output.getResults().sort(Comparator.comparing(QPossibleValue::getLabel));
-            for(QPossibleValue<?> possibleValue : output.getResults())
-            {
-               dropdownOptionList.add(Map.of(
-                  "id", String.valueOf(possibleValue.getId()),
-                  "label", possibleValue.getLabel()
-               ));
-            }
+            widgetData.setChildWidgetNameList(metaData.getChildWidgetNameList());
          }
 
-         widgetData.setDropdownNameList(pvsNames);
-         widgetData.setDropdownLabelList(pvsLabels);
-         widgetData.setDropdownDataList(pvsData);
-         widgetData.setChildWidgetNameList(metaData.getChildWidgetNameList());
-
          return (new RenderWidgetOutput(widgetData));
       }
       catch(Exception e)

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/ProcessWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
 
 
+import java.util.HashMap;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
@@ -53,9 +54,13 @@ public class ProcessWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
          ProcessWidgetData data = new ProcessWidgetData();
          if(input.getWidgetMetaData() instanceof QWidgetMetaData widgetMetaData)
          {
+            setupDropdowns(input, widgetMetaData, data);
+
             String           processName     = (String) widgetMetaData.getDefaultValues().get(WIDGET_PROCESS_NAME);
             QProcessMetaData processMetaData = input.getInstance().getProcess(processName);
             data.setProcessMetaData(processMetaData);
+
+            data.setDefaultValues(new HashMap<>(input.getQueryParams()));
          }
          return (new RenderWidgetOutput(data));
       }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/QuickSightChartRenderer.java

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.QWidget;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.QWidgetData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.QuickSightChart;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.QuickSightChartMetaData;
 import software.amazon.awssdk.auth.credentials.AwsBasicCredentials;
@@ -74,8 +74,8 @@ public class QuickSightChartRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
 
          final GenerateEmbedUrlForRegisteredUserResponse generateEmbedUrlForRegisteredUserResponse = quickSightClient.generateEmbedUrlForRegisteredUser(generateEmbedUrlForRegisteredUserRequest);
 
-         String  embedUrl = generateEmbedUrlForRegisteredUserResponse.embedUrl();
-         QWidget widget   = new QuickSightChart(input.getWidgetMetaData().getName(), quickSightMetaData.getLabel(), embedUrl);
+         String      embedUrl = generateEmbedUrlForRegisteredUserResponse.embedUrl();
+         QWidgetData widget   = new QuickSightChart(input.getWidgetMetaData().getName(), quickSightMetaData.getLabel(), embedUrl);
          return (new RenderWidgetOutput(widget));
       }
       catch(Exception e)

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/dashboard/widgets/USMapWidgetRenderer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets;
+
+
+import java.math.BigDecimal;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.widgets.RenderWidgetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.dashboard.widgets.USMapWidgetData;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Generic widget for display a map of the us
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class USMapWidgetRenderer extends AbstractWidgetRenderer
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public RenderWidgetOutput render(RenderWidgetInput input) throws QException
+   {
+      return (new RenderWidgetOutput(
+         new USMapWidgetData()
+            .withHeight("250px")
+            .withMapMarkerList(generateMapMarkerList())
+      ));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   protected List<USMapWidgetData.MapMarker> generateMapMarkerList() throws QException
+   {
+      return (List.of(new USMapWidgetData.MapMarker("maryville", new BigDecimal("38.725278"), new BigDecimal("-89.957778"))));
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/interfaces/GetInterface.java

@@ -22,9 +22,12 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.interfaces;
 
 
+import java.util.HashSet;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.UniqueKey;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -37,4 +40,34 @@ public interface GetInterface
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    GetOutput execute(GetInput getInput) throws QException;
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   default void validateInput(GetInput getInput) throws QException
+   {
+      if(getInput.getPrimaryKey() != null & getInput.getUniqueKey() != null)
+      {
+         throw new QException("A GetInput may not contain both a primary key [" + getInput.getPrimaryKey() + "] and unique key [" + getInput.getUniqueKey() + "]");
+      }
+
+      if(getInput.getUniqueKey() != null)
+      {
+         QTableMetaData table      = getInput.getTable();
+         boolean        foundMatch = false;
+         for(UniqueKey uniqueKey : table.getUniqueKeys())
+         {
+            if(new HashSet<>(uniqueKey.getFieldNames()).equals(getInput.getUniqueKey().keySet()))
+            {
+               foundMatch = true;
+               break;
+            }
+         }
+
+         if(!foundMatch)
+         {
+            throw new QException("Table [" + table.getName() + "] does not have a unique key defined on fields: " + getInput.getUniqueKey().keySet().stream().sorted().toList());
+         }
+      }
+   }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/metadata/MetaDataAction.java

@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions.PermissionCheckResult;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions.PermissionsHelper;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.metadata.MetaDataInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.metadata.MetaDataOutput;
@@ -40,6 +42,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.frontend.QFrontendTableMeta
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.frontend.QFrontendWidgetMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppChildMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.MetaDataWithPermissionRules;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
@@ -70,10 +73,18 @@ public class MetaDataAction
       Map<String, QFrontendTableMetaData> tables = new LinkedHashMap<>();
       for(Map.Entry<String, QTableMetaData> entry : metaDataInput.getInstance().getTables().entrySet())
       {
-         String           tableName       = entry.getKey();
+         String         tableName = entry.getKey();
+         QTableMetaData table     = entry.getValue();
+
+         PermissionCheckResult permissionResult = PermissionsHelper.getPermissionCheckResult(metaDataInput, table);
+         if(permissionResult.equals(PermissionCheckResult.DENY_HIDE))
+         {
+            continue;
+         }
+
          QBackendMetaData backendForTable = metaDataInput.getInstance().getBackendForTable(tableName);
-         tables.put(tableName, new QFrontendTableMetaData(backendForTable, entry.getValue(), false));
-         treeNodes.put(tableName, new AppTreeNode(entry.getValue()));
+         tables.put(tableName, new QFrontendTableMetaData(metaDataInput, backendForTable, table, false));
+         treeNodes.put(tableName, new AppTreeNode(table));
       }
       metaDataOutput.setTables(tables);
 
@@ -83,8 +94,17 @@ public class MetaDataAction
       Map<String, QFrontendProcessMetaData> processes = new LinkedHashMap<>();
       for(Map.Entry<String, QProcessMetaData> entry : metaDataInput.getInstance().getProcesses().entrySet())
       {
-         processes.put(entry.getKey(), new QFrontendProcessMetaData(entry.getValue(), false));
-         treeNodes.put(entry.getKey(), new AppTreeNode(entry.getValue()));
+         String           processName = entry.getKey();
+         QProcessMetaData process     = entry.getValue();
+
+         PermissionCheckResult permissionResult = PermissionsHelper.getPermissionCheckResult(metaDataInput, process);
+         if(permissionResult.equals(PermissionCheckResult.DENY_HIDE))
+         {
+            continue;
+         }
+
+         processes.put(processName, new QFrontendProcessMetaData(metaDataInput, process, false));
+         treeNodes.put(processName, new AppTreeNode(process));
       }
       metaDataOutput.setProcesses(processes);
 
@@ -94,8 +114,17 @@ public class MetaDataAction
       Map<String, QFrontendReportMetaData> reports = new LinkedHashMap<>();
       for(Map.Entry<String, QReportMetaData> entry : metaDataInput.getInstance().getReports().entrySet())
       {
-         reports.put(entry.getKey(), new QFrontendReportMetaData(entry.getValue(), false));
-         treeNodes.put(entry.getKey(), new AppTreeNode(entry.getValue()));
+         String          reportName = entry.getKey();
+         QReportMetaData report     = entry.getValue();
+
+         PermissionCheckResult permissionResult = PermissionsHelper.getPermissionCheckResult(metaDataInput, report);
+         if(permissionResult.equals(PermissionCheckResult.DENY_HIDE))
+         {
+            continue;
+         }
+
+         reports.put(reportName, new QFrontendReportMetaData(metaDataInput, report, false));
+         treeNodes.put(reportName, new AppTreeNode(report));
       }
       metaDataOutput.setReports(reports);
 
@@ -105,7 +134,16 @@ public class MetaDataAction
       Map<String, QFrontendWidgetMetaData> widgets = new LinkedHashMap<>();
       for(Map.Entry<String, QWidgetMetaDataInterface> entry : metaDataInput.getInstance().getWidgets().entrySet())
       {
-         widgets.put(entry.getKey(), new QFrontendWidgetMetaData(entry.getValue()));
+         String                   widgetName = entry.getKey();
+         QWidgetMetaDataInterface widget     = entry.getValue();
+
+         PermissionCheckResult permissionResult = PermissionsHelper.getPermissionCheckResult(metaDataInput, widget);
+         if(permissionResult.equals(PermissionCheckResult.DENY_HIDE))
+         {
+            continue;
+         }
+
+         widgets.put(widgetName, new QFrontendWidgetMetaData(metaDataInput, widget));
       }
       metaDataOutput.setWidgets(widgets);
 
@@ -115,14 +153,32 @@ public class MetaDataAction
       Map<String, QFrontendAppMetaData> apps = new LinkedHashMap<>();
       for(Map.Entry<String, QAppMetaData> entry : metaDataInput.getInstance().getApps().entrySet())
       {
-         apps.put(entry.getKey(), new QFrontendAppMetaData(entry.getValue()));
-         treeNodes.put(entry.getKey(), new AppTreeNode(entry.getValue()));
+         String       appName = entry.getKey();
+         QAppMetaData app     = entry.getValue();
 
-         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(entry.getValue().getChildren()))
+         PermissionCheckResult permissionResult = PermissionsHelper.getPermissionCheckResult(metaDataInput, app);
+         if(permissionResult.equals(PermissionCheckResult.DENY_HIDE))
          {
-            for(QAppChildMetaData child : entry.getValue().getChildren())
+            continue;
+         }
+
+         apps.put(appName, new QFrontendAppMetaData(app, metaDataOutput));
+         treeNodes.put(appName, new AppTreeNode(app));
+
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(app.getChildren()))
+         {
+            for(QAppChildMetaData child : app.getChildren())
             {
-               apps.get(entry.getKey()).addChild(new AppTreeNode(child));
+               if(child instanceof MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules)
+               {
+                  PermissionCheckResult childPermissionResult = PermissionsHelper.getPermissionCheckResult(metaDataInput, metaDataWithPermissionRules);
+                  if(childPermissionResult.equals(PermissionCheckResult.DENY_HIDE))
+                  {
+                     continue;
+                  }
+               }
+
+               apps.get(appName).addChild(new AppTreeNode(child));
             }
          }
       }
@@ -136,7 +192,7 @@ public class MetaDataAction
       {
          if(appMetaData.getParentAppName() == null)
          {
-            buildAppTree(treeNodes, appTree, appMetaData);
+            buildAppTree(metaDataInput, treeNodes, appTree, appMetaData);
          }
       }
       metaDataOutput.setAppTree(appTree);
@@ -149,6 +205,8 @@ public class MetaDataAction
          metaDataOutput.setBranding(metaDataInput.getInstance().getBranding());
       }
 
+      metaDataOutput.setEnvironmentValues(metaDataInput.getInstance().getEnvironmentValues());
+
       // todo post-customization - can do whatever w/ the result if you want?
 
       return metaDataOutput;
@@ -159,7 +217,7 @@ public class MetaDataAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void buildAppTree(Map<String, AppTreeNode> treeNodes, List<AppTreeNode> nodeList, QAppChildMetaData childMetaData)
+   private void buildAppTree(MetaDataInput metaDataInput, Map<String, AppTreeNode> treeNodes, List<AppTreeNode> nodeList, QAppChildMetaData childMetaData)
    {
       AppTreeNode treeNode = treeNodes.get(childMetaData.getName());
       if(treeNode == null)
@@ -174,7 +232,16 @@ public class MetaDataAction
          {
             for(QAppChildMetaData child : app.getChildren())
             {
-               buildAppTree(treeNodes, treeNode.getChildren(), child);
+               if(child instanceof MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules)
+               {
+                  PermissionCheckResult permissionResult = PermissionsHelper.getPermissionCheckResult(metaDataInput, metaDataWithPermissionRules);
+                  if(permissionResult.equals(PermissionCheckResult.DENY_HIDE))
+                  {
+                     continue;
+                  }
+               }
+
+               buildAppTree(metaDataInput, treeNodes, treeNode.getChildren(), child);
             }
          }
       }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/metadata/ProcessMetaDataAction.java

@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ public class ProcessMetaDataAction
       {
          throw (new QNotFoundException("Process [" + processMetaDataInput.getProcessName() + "] was not found."));
       }
-      processMetaDataOutput.setProcess(new QFrontendProcessMetaData(process, true));
+      processMetaDataOutput.setProcess(new QFrontendProcessMetaData(processMetaDataInput, process, true));
 
       // todo post-customization - can do whatever w/ the result if you want
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/metadata/TableMetaDataAction.java

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public class TableMetaDataAction
          throw (new QNotFoundException("Table [" + tableMetaDataInput.getTableName() + "] was not found."));
       }
       QBackendMetaData backendForTable = tableMetaDataInput.getInstance().getBackendForTable(table.getName());
-      tableMetaDataOutput.setTable(new QFrontendTableMetaData(backendForTable, table, true));
+      tableMetaDataOutput.setTable(new QFrontendTableMetaData(tableMetaDataInput, backendForTable, table, true));
 
       // todo post-customization - can do whatever w/ the result if you want
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/AvailablePermission.java

@@ -0,0 +1,204 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+import java.util.Objects;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QField;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecordEntity;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class AvailablePermission extends QRecordEntity
+{
+   public static final String TABLE_NAME = "availablePermission";
+
+   @QField(label = "Permission Name")
+   private String name;
+
+   @QField(label = "Object")
+   private String objectName;
+
+   @QField()
+   private String objectType;
+
+   @QField()
+   private String permissionType;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public boolean equals(Object o)
+   {
+      if(this == o)
+      {
+         return true;
+      }
+      if(o == null || getClass() != o.getClass())
+      {
+         return false;
+      }
+      AvailablePermission that = (AvailablePermission) o;
+      return Objects.equals(name, that.name) && Objects.equals(objectName, that.objectName) && Objects.equals(objectType, that.objectType) && Objects.equals(permissionType, that.permissionType);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public int hashCode()
+   {
+      return Objects.hash(name, objectName, objectType, permissionType);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for name
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getName()
+   {
+      return (this.name);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for name
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setName(String name)
+   {
+      this.name = name;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for name
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AvailablePermission withName(String name)
+   {
+      this.name = name;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for objectType
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getObjectType()
+   {
+      return (this.objectType);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for objectType
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setObjectType(String objectType)
+   {
+      this.objectType = objectType;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for objectType
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AvailablePermission withObjectType(String objectType)
+   {
+      this.objectType = objectType;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for permissionType
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getPermissionType()
+   {
+      return (this.permissionType);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for permissionType
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setPermissionType(String permissionType)
+   {
+      this.permissionType = permissionType;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for permissionType
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AvailablePermission withPermissionType(String permissionType)
+   {
+      this.permissionType = permissionType;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for objectName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getObjectName()
+   {
+      return (this.objectName);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for objectName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setObjectName(String objectName)
+   {
+      this.objectName = objectName;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for objectName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AvailablePermission withObjectName(String objectName)
+   {
+      this.objectName = objectName;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/BulkTableActionProcessPermissionChecker.java

@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QPermissionDeniedException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.MetaDataWithPermissionRules;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class BulkTableActionProcessPermissionChecker implements CustomPermissionChecker
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(BulkTableActionProcessPermissionChecker.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void checkPermissionsThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      String processName = metaDataWithPermissionRules.getName();
+      if(processName != null && processName.indexOf('.') > -1)
+      {
+         String[] parts          = processName.split("\\.", 2);
+         String   tableName      = parts[0];
+         String   bulkActionName = parts[1];
+
+         AbstractTableActionInput tableActionInput = new AbstractTableActionInput();
+         tableActionInput.setTableName(tableName);
+
+         switch(bulkActionName)
+         {
+            case "bulkInsert" -> PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(tableActionInput, TablePermissionSubType.INSERT);
+            case "bulkEdit" -> PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(tableActionInput, TablePermissionSubType.EDIT);
+            case "bulkDelete" -> PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(tableActionInput, TablePermissionSubType.DELETE);
+            default -> LOG.warn("Unexpected bulk action name when checking permissions for process: " + processName);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/CustomPermissionChecker.java

@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QPermissionDeniedException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.MetaDataWithPermissionRules;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public interface CustomPermissionChecker
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   void checkPermissionsThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules) throws QPermissionDeniedException;
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/PermissionCheckResult.java

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum PermissionCheckResult
+{
+   ALLOW,
+   DENY_HIDE,
+   DENY_DISABLE;
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/PermissionSubType.java

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+sealed interface PermissionSubType permits PrivatePermissionSubType, TablePermissionSubType
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   String getPermissionSuffix();
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/PermissionsHelper.java

@@ -0,0 +1,602 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.Collection;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.LinkedHashSet;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QPermissionDeniedException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractTableActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.QWidgetMetaDataInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.DenyBehavior;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.MetaDataWithName;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.MetaDataWithPermissionRules;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.QPermissionRules;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class PermissionsHelper
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(PermissionsHelper.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void checkTablePermissionThrowing(AbstractTableActionInput tableActionInput, TablePermissionSubType permissionSubType) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      checkTablePermissionThrowing(tableActionInput, tableActionInput.getTableName(), permissionSubType);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static void checkTablePermissionThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String tableName, TablePermissionSubType permissionSubType) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      warnAboutPermissionSubTypeForTables(permissionSubType);
+      QTableMetaData table = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(tableName);
+
+      commonCheckPermissionThrowing(getEffectivePermissionRules(table, QContext.getQInstance()), permissionSubType, table.getName());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String getTablePermissionName(String tableName, TablePermissionSubType permissionSubType)
+   {
+      QInstance        qInstance          = QContext.getQInstance();
+      QPermissionRules rules              = getEffectivePermissionRules(qInstance.getTable(tableName), qInstance);
+      String           permissionBaseName = getEffectivePermissionBaseName(rules, tableName);
+      return (getPermissionName(permissionBaseName, permissionSubType));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static boolean hasTablePermission(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String tableName, TablePermissionSubType permissionSubType)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         checkTablePermissionThrowing(actionInput, tableName, permissionSubType);
+         return (true);
+      }
+      catch(QPermissionDeniedException e)
+      {
+         return (false);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static PermissionCheckResult getPermissionCheckResult(AbstractActionInput actionInput, MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules)
+   {
+      QPermissionRules rules              = getEffectivePermissionRules(metaDataWithPermissionRules, QContext.getQInstance());
+      String           permissionBaseName = getEffectivePermissionBaseName(rules, metaDataWithPermissionRules.getName());
+
+      switch(rules.getLevel())
+      {
+         case NOT_PROTECTED:
+         {
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if the entity isn't protected, always ALLOW //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            return PermissionCheckResult.ALLOW;
+         }
+         case HAS_ACCESS_PERMISSION:
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if the entity just has a 'has access', then check for 'has access' //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            return getPermissionCheckResult(actionInput, rules, permissionBaseName, metaDataWithPermissionRules, PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS);
+         }
+         case READ_WRITE_PERMISSIONS:
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if the table is configured w/ read/write, check for either //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(metaDataWithPermissionRules instanceof QTableMetaData)
+            {
+               return getPermissionCheckResult(actionInput, rules, permissionBaseName, metaDataWithPermissionRules, PrivatePermissionSubType.READ, PrivatePermissionSubType.WRITE);
+            }
+            return getPermissionCheckResult(actionInput, rules, permissionBaseName, metaDataWithPermissionRules, PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS);
+         }
+         case READ_INSERT_EDIT_DELETE_PERMISSIONS:
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if the table is configured w/ read/insert/edit/delete, check for any //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(metaDataWithPermissionRules instanceof QTableMetaData)
+            {
+               return getPermissionCheckResult(actionInput, rules, permissionBaseName, metaDataWithPermissionRules, TablePermissionSubType.READ, TablePermissionSubType.INSERT, TablePermissionSubType.EDIT, TablePermissionSubType.DELETE);
+            }
+            return getPermissionCheckResult(actionInput, rules, permissionBaseName, metaDataWithPermissionRules, PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS);
+         }
+         default:
+         {
+            return getPermissionDeniedCheckResult(rules);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void checkProcessPermissionThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String processName) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      checkProcessPermissionThrowing(actionInput, processName, Collections.emptyMap());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void checkProcessPermissionThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String processName, Map<String, Serializable> processValues) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      QProcessMetaData process                  = QContext.getQInstance().getProcess(processName);
+      QPermissionRules effectivePermissionRules = getEffectivePermissionRules(process, QContext.getQInstance());
+
+      if(effectivePermissionRules.getCustomPermissionChecker() != null)
+      {
+         /////////////////////////////////////
+         // todo - avoid stack overflows... //
+         /////////////////////////////////////
+         CustomPermissionChecker customPermissionChecker = QCodeLoader.getAdHoc(CustomPermissionChecker.class, effectivePermissionRules.getCustomPermissionChecker());
+         customPermissionChecker.checkPermissionsThrowing(actionInput, process);
+         return;
+      }
+
+      commonCheckPermissionThrowing(effectivePermissionRules, PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS, process.getName());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static boolean hasProcessPermission(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String processName)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         checkProcessPermissionThrowing(actionInput, processName);
+         return (true);
+      }
+      catch(QPermissionDeniedException e)
+      {
+         return (false);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void checkAppPermissionThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String appName) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      QAppMetaData app = QContext.getQInstance().getApp(appName);
+      commonCheckPermissionThrowing(getEffectivePermissionRules(app, QContext.getQInstance()), PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS, app.getName());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static boolean hasAppPermission(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String appName)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         checkAppPermissionThrowing(actionInput, appName);
+         return (true);
+      }
+      catch(QPermissionDeniedException e)
+      {
+         return (false);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void checkReportPermissionThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String reportName) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      QReportMetaData report = QContext.getQInstance().getReport(reportName);
+      commonCheckPermissionThrowing(getEffectivePermissionRules(report, QContext.getQInstance()), PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS, report.getName());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static boolean hasReportPermission(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String reportName)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         checkReportPermissionThrowing(actionInput, reportName);
+         return (true);
+      }
+      catch(QPermissionDeniedException e)
+      {
+         return (false);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void checkWidgetPermissionThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String widgetName) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      QWidgetMetaDataInterface widget = QContext.getQInstance().getWidget(widgetName);
+      commonCheckPermissionThrowing(getEffectivePermissionRules(widget, QContext.getQInstance()), PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS, widget.getName());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static boolean hasWidgetPermission(AbstractActionInput actionInput, String widgetName)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         checkWidgetPermissionThrowing(actionInput, widgetName);
+         return (true);
+      }
+      catch(QPermissionDeniedException e)
+      {
+         return (false);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Collection<String> getAllAvailablePermissionNames(QInstance instance)
+   {
+      return (getAllAvailablePermissions(instance).stream()
+         .map(AvailablePermission::getName)
+         .collect(Collectors.toCollection(LinkedHashSet::new)));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Collection<AvailablePermission> getAllAvailablePermissions(QInstance instance)
+   {
+      Collection<AvailablePermission> rs = new LinkedHashSet<>();
+
+      for(QTableMetaData tableMetaData : instance.getTables().values())
+      {
+         if(tableMetaData.getIsHidden())
+         {
+            continue;
+         }
+
+         QPermissionRules rules    = getEffectivePermissionRules(tableMetaData, instance);
+         String           baseName = getEffectivePermissionBaseName(rules, tableMetaData.getName());
+
+         for(TablePermissionSubType permissionSubType : TablePermissionSubType.values())
+         {
+            addEffectiveAvailablePermission(rules, permissionSubType, rs, baseName, tableMetaData, "Table");
+         }
+      }
+
+      for(QProcessMetaData processMetaData : instance.getProcesses().values())
+      {
+         if(processMetaData.getIsHidden())
+         {
+            continue;
+         }
+
+         QPermissionRules rules    = getEffectivePermissionRules(processMetaData, instance);
+         String           baseName = getEffectivePermissionBaseName(rules, processMetaData.getName());
+         addEffectiveAvailablePermission(rules, PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS, rs, baseName, processMetaData, "Process");
+      }
+
+      for(QAppMetaData appMetaData : instance.getApps().values())
+      {
+         QPermissionRules rules    = getEffectivePermissionRules(appMetaData, instance);
+         String           baseName = getEffectivePermissionBaseName(rules, appMetaData.getName());
+         addEffectiveAvailablePermission(rules, PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS, rs, baseName, appMetaData, "App");
+      }
+
+      for(QReportMetaData reportMetaData : instance.getReports().values())
+      {
+         QPermissionRules rules    = getEffectivePermissionRules(reportMetaData, instance);
+         String           baseName = getEffectivePermissionBaseName(rules, reportMetaData.getName());
+         addEffectiveAvailablePermission(rules, PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS, rs, baseName, reportMetaData, "Report");
+      }
+
+      for(QWidgetMetaDataInterface widgetMetaData : instance.getWidgets().values())
+      {
+         QPermissionRules rules    = getEffectivePermissionRules(widgetMetaData, instance);
+         String           baseName = getEffectivePermissionBaseName(rules, widgetMetaData.getName());
+         addEffectiveAvailablePermission(rules, PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS, rs, baseName, widgetMetaData, "Widget");
+      }
+
+      return (rs);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static void addEffectiveAvailablePermission(QPermissionRules rules, PermissionSubType permissionSubType, Collection<AvailablePermission> rs, String baseName, MetaDataWithName metaDataWithName, String objectType)
+   {
+      PermissionSubType effectivePermissionSubType = getEffectivePermissionSubType(rules, permissionSubType);
+      if(effectivePermissionSubType != null)
+      {
+         rs.add(new AvailablePermission()
+            .withName(getPermissionName(baseName, effectivePermissionSubType))
+            .withObjectName(metaDataWithName.getLabel())
+            .withPermissionType(effectivePermissionSubType.toString())
+            .withObjectType(objectType));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QPermissionRules getEffectivePermissionRules(MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules, QInstance instance)
+   {
+      if(metaDataWithPermissionRules.getPermissionRules() == null)
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Null permission rules on meta data object [" + metaDataWithPermissionRules.getClass().getSimpleName() + "][" + metaDataWithPermissionRules.getName() + "] - does the instance need enriched?  Returning instance default rules.");
+         return (instance.getDefaultPermissionRules());
+      }
+      return (metaDataWithPermissionRules.getPermissionRules());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static boolean hasPermission(QSession session, String permissionBaseName, PermissionSubType permissionSubType)
+   {
+      if(permissionSubType == null)
+      {
+         return (true);
+      }
+
+      String permissionName = getPermissionName(permissionBaseName, permissionSubType);
+      return (session.hasPermission(permissionName));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static PermissionCheckResult getPermissionCheckResult(AbstractActionInput actionInput, QPermissionRules rules, String permissionBaseName, MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules, PermissionSubType... permissionSubTypes)
+   {
+      for(PermissionSubType permissionSubType : permissionSubTypes)
+      {
+         PermissionSubType effectivePermissionSubType = getEffectivePermissionSubType(rules, permissionSubType);
+
+         if(rules.getCustomPermissionChecker() != null)
+         {
+            try
+            {
+               CustomPermissionChecker customPermissionChecker = QCodeLoader.getAdHoc(CustomPermissionChecker.class, rules.getCustomPermissionChecker());
+               customPermissionChecker.checkPermissionsThrowing(actionInput, metaDataWithPermissionRules);
+               return (PermissionCheckResult.ALLOW);
+            }
+            catch(QPermissionDeniedException e)
+            {
+               return (getPermissionDeniedCheckResult(rules));
+            }
+         }
+
+         if(hasPermission(QContext.getQSession(), permissionBaseName, effectivePermissionSubType))
+         {
+            return (PermissionCheckResult.ALLOW);
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (getPermissionDeniedCheckResult(rules));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static String getEffectivePermissionBaseName(QPermissionRules rules, String standardName)
+   {
+      if(rules != null && StringUtils.hasContent(rules.getPermissionBaseName()))
+      {
+         return (rules.getPermissionBaseName());
+      }
+
+      return (standardName);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @SuppressWarnings("checkstyle:indentation")
+   static PermissionSubType getEffectivePermissionSubType(QPermissionRules rules, PermissionSubType originalPermissionSubType)
+   {
+      if(rules == null || rules.getLevel() == null)
+      {
+         return (originalPermissionSubType);
+      }
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if the original permission sub-type is "hasAccess" - then this is a check for a process/report/widget. //
+      // in that case - never return the table-level read/write/insert/edit/delete options                      //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
+      {
+         return switch(rules.getLevel())
+            {
+               case NOT_PROTECTED -> null;
+               default -> PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS;
+            };
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // else, this is a table check - so - based on the rules being used for this table, map the requested //
+         // permission sub-type to what we expect to be set for the table                                      //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         return switch(rules.getLevel())
+            {
+               case NOT_PROTECTED -> null;
+               case HAS_ACCESS_PERMISSION -> PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS;
+               case READ_WRITE_PERMISSIONS ->
+               {
+                  if(PrivatePermissionSubType.READ.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || PrivatePermissionSubType.WRITE.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
+                  {
+                     yield (originalPermissionSubType);
+                  }
+                  else if(TablePermissionSubType.INSERT.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || TablePermissionSubType.EDIT.equals(originalPermissionSubType) || TablePermissionSubType.DELETE.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
+                  {
+                     yield (PrivatePermissionSubType.WRITE);
+                  }
+                  else if(TablePermissionSubType.READ.equals(originalPermissionSubType))
+                  {
+                     yield (PrivatePermissionSubType.READ);
+                  }
+                  else
+                  {
+                     throw new IllegalStateException("Unexpected permissionSubType: " + originalPermissionSubType);
+                  }
+               }
+               case READ_INSERT_EDIT_DELETE_PERMISSIONS -> originalPermissionSubType;
+            };
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static void commonCheckPermissionThrowing(QPermissionRules rules, PermissionSubType permissionSubType, String name) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      PermissionSubType effectivePermissionSubType = getEffectivePermissionSubType(rules, permissionSubType);
+      String            permissionBaseName         = getEffectivePermissionBaseName(rules, name);
+
+      if(effectivePermissionSubType == null)
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      if(!hasPermission(QContext.getQSession(), permissionBaseName, effectivePermissionSubType))
+      {
+         // LOG.debug("Throwing permission denied for: " + getPermissionName(permissionBaseName, effectivePermissionSubType) + " for " + QContext.getQSession().getUser());
+         throw (new QPermissionDeniedException("Permission denied."));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static String getPermissionName(String permissionBaseName, PermissionSubType permissionSubType)
+   {
+      return permissionBaseName + "." + permissionSubType.getPermissionSuffix();
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static PermissionCheckResult getPermissionDeniedCheckResult(QPermissionRules rules)
+   {
+      if(rules == null || rules.getDenyBehavior() == null || rules.getDenyBehavior().equals(DenyBehavior.HIDDEN))
+      {
+         return (PermissionCheckResult.DENY_HIDE);
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         return (PermissionCheckResult.DENY_DISABLE);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static void warnAboutPermissionSubTypeForTables(PermissionSubType permissionSubType)
+   {
+      if(permissionSubType == null)
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      if(permissionSubType == PrivatePermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS)
+      {
+         LOG.warn("PermissionSubType.HAS_ACCESS should not be checked for a table");
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/PrivatePermissionSubType.java

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+enum PrivatePermissionSubType implements PermissionSubType
+{
+   HAS_ACCESS("hasAccess"), // for processes, reports, etc - basically, not tables.
+   READ("read"), // for a table in read/write mode - or - for read (query, get, count) on a table in full-mode
+   WRITE("write");
+
+   private final String permissionSuffix;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   PrivatePermissionSubType(String permissionSuffix)
+   {
+      this.permissionSuffix = permissionSuffix;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for permissionSuffix
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getPermissionSuffix()
+   {
+      return (this.permissionSuffix);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/ReportProcessPermissionChecker.java

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QPermissionDeniedException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunProcessInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.MetaDataWithPermissionRules;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class ReportProcessPermissionChecker implements CustomPermissionChecker
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void checkPermissionsThrowing(AbstractActionInput actionInput, MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules) throws QPermissionDeniedException
+   {
+      if(actionInput instanceof RunProcessInput runProcessInput)
+      {
+         String reportName = runProcessInput.getValueString("reportName");
+         if(reportName != null)
+         {
+            PermissionsHelper.checkReportPermissionThrowing(actionInput, reportName);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/permissions/TablePermissionSubType.java

@@ -0,0 +1,57 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public enum TablePermissionSubType implements PermissionSubType
+{
+   READ("read"), // for a table in read/write mode - or - for read (query, get, count) on a table in full-mode
+   INSERT("insert"), // for table-insert.
+   EDIT("edit"), // for table-edit.
+   DELETE("delete"); // for table-delete.
+
+   private final String permissionSuffix;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   TablePermissionSubType(String permissionSuffix)
+   {
+      this.permissionSuffix = permissionSuffix;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for permissionSuffix
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getPermissionSuffix()
+   {
+      return (this.permissionSuffix);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/processes/RunBackendStepAction.java

@@ -31,6 +31,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QUserFacingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
@@ -42,8 +43,6 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFunctionInputMet
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QStepMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class RunBackendStepAction
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(RunBackendStepAction.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(RunBackendStepAction.class);
 
 
 
@@ -107,7 +106,7 @@ public class RunBackendStepAction
          return;
       }
 
-      List<QFieldMetaData> fieldsToGet = new ArrayList<>();
+      List<QFieldMetaData> fieldsToGet           = new ArrayList<>();
       List<QFieldMetaData> requiredFieldsMissing = new ArrayList<>();
       for(QFieldMetaData field : inputMetaData.getFieldList())
       {
@@ -175,8 +174,7 @@ public class RunBackendStepAction
       {
          if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(runBackendStepInput.getRecords()))
          {
-            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(runBackendStepInput.getInstance());
-            queryInput.setSession(runBackendStepInput.getSession());
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
             queryInput.setTableName(inputMetaData.getRecordListMetaData().getTableName());
 
             // todo - handle this being async (e.g., http)

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/processes/RunProcessAction.java

@@ -31,10 +31,12 @@ import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.UUID;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.dashboard.widgets.NoCodeWidgetRenderer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.InsertAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.UpdateAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.ProcessState;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
@@ -48,7 +50,10 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.NoCodeWidgetFrontendComponentMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QBackendStepMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFrontendComponentMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QFrontendStepMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QStepMetaData;
@@ -58,10 +63,9 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.StateProviderInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.StateType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.state.UUIDAndTypeStateKey;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 import org.apache.commons.lang.BooleanUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -70,7 +74,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class RunProcessAction
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(RunProcessAction.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(RunProcessAction.class);
 
    public static final String BASEPULL_THIS_RUNTIME_KEY = "basepullThisRuntimeKey";
    public static final String BASEPULL_LAST_RUNTIME_KEY = "basepullLastRuntimeKey";
@@ -80,6 +84,7 @@ public class RunProcessAction
    // indicator that the timestamp field should be updated - e.g., the execute step is finished. //
    ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    public static final String BASEPULL_READY_TO_UPDATE_TIMESTAMP_FIELD = "basepullReadyToUpdateTimestamp";
+   public static final String BASEPULL_DID_QUERY_USING_TIMESTAMP_FIELD = "basepullDidQueryUsingTimestamp";
 
 
 
@@ -142,7 +147,7 @@ public class RunProcessAction
             QStepMetaData step = stepList.get(0);
             lastStepName = step.getName();
 
-            if(step instanceof QFrontendStepMetaData)
+            if(step instanceof QFrontendStepMetaData frontendStep)
             {
                ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                // Handle what to do with frontend steps, per request setting //
@@ -152,6 +157,8 @@ public class RunProcessAction
                   case BREAK ->
                   {
                      LOG.trace("Breaking process [" + process.getName() + "] at frontend step (as requested by caller): " + step.getName());
+                     processFrontendStepFieldDefaultValues(processState, frontendStep);
+                     processFrontendComponents(processState, frontendStep);
                      processState.setNextStepName(step.getName());
                      break STEP_LOOP;
                   }
@@ -190,11 +197,14 @@ public class RunProcessAction
             }
          }
 
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // if 'basepull' style process, update the stored basepull timestamp              //
-         // but only when we've been signaled to do so - i.e., after an Execute step runs. //
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         if(basepullConfiguration != null && BooleanUtils.isTrue(ValueUtils.getValueAsBoolean(runProcessInput.getValue(BASEPULL_READY_TO_UPDATE_TIMESTAMP_FIELD))))
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if 'basepull' style process, update the stored basepull timestamp     //
+         // but only when we've been signaled to do so - i.e., only if we did our //
+         // query using the timestamp field, and only after an Execute step runs. //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(basepullConfiguration != null
+            && BooleanUtils.isTrue(ValueUtils.getValueAsBoolean(runProcessInput.getValue(BASEPULL_DID_QUERY_USING_TIMESTAMP_FIELD)))
+            && BooleanUtils.isTrue(ValueUtils.getValueAsBoolean(runProcessInput.getValue(BASEPULL_READY_TO_UPDATE_TIMESTAMP_FIELD))))
          {
             storeLastRunTime(runProcessInput, process, basepullConfiguration);
          }
@@ -226,6 +236,42 @@ public class RunProcessAction
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void processFrontendComponents(ProcessState processState, QFrontendStepMetaData frontendStep) throws QException
+   {
+      for(QFrontendComponentMetaData component : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(frontendStep.getComponents()))
+      {
+         if(component instanceof NoCodeWidgetFrontendComponentMetaData noCodeWidgetComponent)
+         {
+            NoCodeWidgetRenderer noCodeWidgetRenderer = new NoCodeWidgetRenderer();
+            Map<String, Object>  context              = noCodeWidgetRenderer.initContext(null);
+            context.putAll(processState.getValues());
+            String html = noCodeWidgetRenderer.renderOutputs(context, noCodeWidgetComponent.getOutputs());
+            processState.getValues().put(frontendStep.getName() + ".html", html);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void processFrontendStepFieldDefaultValues(ProcessState processState, QFrontendStepMetaData step)
+   {
+      for(QFieldMetaData formField : CollectionUtils.mergeLists(step.getFormFields(), step.getInputFields(), step.getViewFields(), step.getOutputFields()))
+      {
+         if(formField.getDefaultValue() != null && processState.getValues().get(formField.getName()) == null)
+         {
+            processState.getValues().put(formField.getName(), formField.getDefaultValue());
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** When we start running a process (or resuming it), get data in the RunProcessRequest
     ** either from the state provider (if they're found, for a resume).
@@ -291,15 +337,25 @@ public class RunProcessAction
     *******************************************************************************/
    private void runBackendStep(RunProcessInput runProcessInput, QProcessMetaData process, RunProcessOutput runProcessOutput, UUIDAndTypeStateKey stateKey, QBackendStepMetaData backendStep, QProcessMetaData qProcessMetaData, ProcessState processState) throws Exception
    {
-      RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput = new RunBackendStepInput(runProcessInput.getInstance(), processState);
+      RunBackendStepInput runBackendStepInput = new RunBackendStepInput(processState);
       runBackendStepInput.setProcessName(process.getName());
       runBackendStepInput.setStepName(backendStep.getName());
-      runBackendStepInput.setTableName(process.getTableName());
-      runBackendStepInput.setSession(runProcessInput.getSession());
       runBackendStepInput.setCallback(runProcessInput.getCallback());
       runBackendStepInput.setFrontendStepBehavior(runProcessInput.getFrontendStepBehavior());
       runBackendStepInput.setAsyncJobCallback(runProcessInput.getAsyncJobCallback());
 
+      runBackendStepInput.setTableName(process.getTableName());
+      if(!StringUtils.hasContent(runBackendStepInput.getTableName()))
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // help support generic (e.g., not tied-to-a-table) processes //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(runProcessInput.getValue("tableName") != null)
+         {
+            runBackendStepInput.setTableName(ValueUtils.getValueAsString(runProcessInput.getValue("tableName")));
+         }
+      }
+
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // if 'basepull' values are in the inputs, add to step input //
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -440,8 +496,7 @@ public class RunProcessAction
       ///////////////////////////////////////
       // get the stored basepull timestamp //
       ///////////////////////////////////////
-      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(runProcessInput.getInstance());
-      queryInput.setSession(runProcessInput.getSession());
+      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
       queryInput.setTableName(basepullTableName);
       queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(
          new QFilterCriteria()
@@ -469,8 +524,7 @@ public class RunProcessAction
          ////////////
          // update //
          ////////////
-         UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput(runProcessInput.getInstance());
-         updateInput.setSession(runProcessInput.getSession());
+         UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
          updateInput.setTableName(basepullTableName);
          updateInput.setRecords(List.of(basepullRecord));
          new UpdateAction().execute(updateInput);
@@ -484,8 +538,7 @@ public class RunProcessAction
          ////////////////////////////////
          // insert new basepull record //
          ////////////////////////////////
-         InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput(runProcessInput.getInstance());
-         insertInput.setSession(runProcessInput.getSession());
+         InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
          insertInput.setTableName(basepullTableName);
          insertInput.setRecords(List.of(basepullRecord));
          new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
@@ -523,8 +576,7 @@ public class RunProcessAction
       ///////////////////////////////////////
       // get the stored basepull timestamp //
       ///////////////////////////////////////
-      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(runProcessInput.getInstance());
-      queryInput.setSession(runProcessInput.getSession());
+      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
       queryInput.setTableName(basepullTableName);
       queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(
          new QFilterCriteria()

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/queues/GetQueueSize.java

@@ -0,0 +1,84 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.queues;
+
+
+import java.util.List;
+import com.amazonaws.auth.AWSStaticCredentialsProvider;
+import com.amazonaws.auth.BasicAWSCredentials;
+import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.AmazonSQS;
+import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.AmazonSQSClientBuilder;
+import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.model.GetQueueAttributesResult;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.queues.QQueueMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.queues.QQueueProviderMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.queues.SQSQueueProviderMetaData;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class GetQueueSize
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(GetQueueSize.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Integer getQueueSize(QQueueProviderMetaData queueProviderMetaData, QQueueMetaData queueMetaData) throws QException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // todo - handle other queue provider types, somewhere, somehow //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         SQSQueueProviderMetaData queueProvider = (SQSQueueProviderMetaData) queueProviderMetaData;
+
+         BasicAWSCredentials credentials = new BasicAWSCredentials(queueProvider.getAccessKey(), queueProvider.getSecretKey());
+         final AmazonSQS sqs = AmazonSQSClientBuilder.standard()
+            .withRegion(queueProvider.getRegion())
+            .withCredentials(new AWSStaticCredentialsProvider(credentials))
+            .build();
+
+         String queueUrl = queueProvider.getBaseURL();
+         if(!queueUrl.endsWith("/"))
+         {
+            queueUrl += "/";
+         }
+         queueUrl += queueMetaData.getQueueName();
+
+         GetQueueAttributesResult queueAttributes             = sqs.getQueueAttributes(queueUrl, List.of("ApproximateNumberOfMessages"));
+         String                   approximateNumberOfMessages = queueAttributes.getAttributes().get("ApproximateNumberOfMessages");
+         return (Integer.parseInt(approximateNumberOfMessages));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Error getting queue size", e, logPair("queueName", queueMetaData == null ? "null" : queueMetaData.getName()));
+         throw (new QException("Error getting queue size", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/queues/SQSQueuePoller.java

@@ -22,25 +22,27 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.queues;
 
 
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 import com.amazonaws.auth.AWSStaticCredentialsProvider;
 import com.amazonaws.auth.BasicAWSCredentials;
 import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.AmazonSQS;
 import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.AmazonSQSClientBuilder;
-import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.model.DeleteMessageRequest;
+import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.model.DeleteMessageBatchRequest;
+import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.model.DeleteMessageBatchRequestEntry;
 import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.model.Message;
 import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.model.ReceiveMessageRequest;
 import com.amazonaws.services.sqs.model.ReceiveMessageResult;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.processes.RunProcessAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunProcessInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunProcessOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.queues.QQueueMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.queues.SQSQueueProviderMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.scheduler.StandardScheduledExecutor;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -48,7 +50,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class SQSQueuePoller implements Runnable
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(SQSQueuePoller.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(SQSQueuePoller.class);
 
    ///////////////////////////////////////////////
    // todo - move these 2 to a "QBaseRunnable"? //
@@ -67,8 +69,10 @@ public class SQSQueuePoller implements Runnable
    @Override
    public void run()
    {
+      QContext.init(qInstance, sessionSupplier.get());
+
       String originalThreadName = Thread.currentThread().getName();
-      Thread.currentThread().setName("SQSPoller>" + queueMetaData.getName() + StandardScheduledExecutor.newThreadNameRandomSuffix());
+      Thread.currentThread().setName("SQSPoller>" + queueMetaData.getName());
       LOG.debug("Running " + this.getClass().getSimpleName() + "[" + queueMetaData.getName() + "]");
 
       try
@@ -88,8 +92,13 @@ public class SQSQueuePoller implements Runnable
 
          while(true)
          {
+            ///////////////////////////////
+            // fetch a batch of messages //
+            ///////////////////////////////
             ReceiveMessageRequest receiveMessageRequest = new ReceiveMessageRequest();
             receiveMessageRequest.setQueueUrl(queueUrl);
+            receiveMessageRequest.setMaxNumberOfMessages(10);
+            receiveMessageRequest.setWaitTimeSeconds(20); // help urge SQS to query multiple servers and find more messages
             ReceiveMessageResult receiveMessageResult = sqs.receiveMessage(receiveMessageRequest);
             if(receiveMessageResult.getMessages().isEmpty())
             {
@@ -98,35 +107,71 @@ public class SQSQueuePoller implements Runnable
             }
             LOG.debug(receiveMessageResult.getMessages().size() + " messages received.  Processing.");
 
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // extract data from the messages into list of bodies to pass into process, and list of delete-batch-inputs //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            List<DeleteMessageBatchRequestEntry> deleteRequestEntries = new ArrayList<>();
+            ArrayList<String>                    bodies               = new ArrayList<>();
+            int                                  i                    = 0;
             for(Message message : receiveMessageResult.getMessages())
             {
-               String body = message.getBody();
+               bodies.add(message.getBody());
+               deleteRequestEntries.add(new DeleteMessageBatchRequestEntry(String.valueOf(i++), message.getReceiptHandle()));
+            }
 
-               RunProcessInput runProcessInput = new RunProcessInput(qInstance);
-               runProcessInput.setSession(sessionSupplier.get());
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // run the process, in a try-catch, so even if it fails, our loop keeps going.     //
+            // the messages in a failed process will get re-delivered, to try-again, up to the //
+            // number of times configured in AWS                                               //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            try
+            {
+               RunProcessInput runProcessInput = new RunProcessInput();
                runProcessInput.setProcessName(queueMetaData.getProcessName());
                runProcessInput.setFrontendStepBehavior(RunProcessInput.FrontendStepBehavior.SKIP);
-               runProcessInput.addValue("body", body);
+               runProcessInput.addValue("bodies", bodies);
+
+               QContext.pushAction(runProcessInput);
 
                RunProcessAction runProcessAction = new RunProcessAction();
                RunProcessOutput runProcessOutput = runProcessAction.execute(runProcessInput);
 
-               /////////////////////////////////
-               // todo - what of exceptions?? //
-               /////////////////////////////////
-
-               String receiptHandle = message.getReceiptHandle();
-               sqs.deleteMessage(new DeleteMessageRequest(queueUrl, receiptHandle));
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if there was an exception returned by the process (e.g., thrown in backend step), then //
+               // warn and leave the messages for re-processing.                                         //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(runProcessOutput.getException().isPresent())
+               {
+                  LOG.warn("Exception returned by process when handling SQS Messages.  They will not be deleted from the queue.", runProcessOutput.getException().get());
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  // else, if no exception, do a batch delete. //
+                  ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  sqs.deleteMessageBatch(new DeleteMessageBatchRequest()
+                     .withQueueUrl(queueUrl)
+                     .withEntries(deleteRequestEntries));
+               }
+            }
+            catch(Exception e)
+            {
+               LOG.warn("Error receiving SQS Messages.", e);
+            }
+            finally
+            {
+               QContext.popAction();
             }
          }
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {
-         LOG.warn("Error receiving SQS Message", e);
+         LOG.warn("Error running SQS Queue Poller", e);
       }
       finally
       {
          Thread.currentThread().setName(originalThreadName);
+         QContext.clear();
       }
    }
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/BufferedRecordPipe.java

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting;
+
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Subclass of RecordPipe, which uses a buffer in the addRecord method, to avoid
+ ** sending single-records at a time through postRecordActions and to consumers.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class BufferedRecordPipe extends RecordPipe
+{
+   private List<QRecord> buffer     = new ArrayList<>();
+   private Integer       bufferSize = 100;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor - uses default buffer size
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public BufferedRecordPipe()
+   {
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor - customize buffer size.
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public BufferedRecordPipe(Integer bufferSize)
+   {
+      this.bufferSize = bufferSize;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void addRecord(QRecord record)
+   {
+      buffer.add(record);
+      if(buffer.size() >= bufferSize)
+      {
+         addRecords(buffer);
+         buffer.clear();
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void finalFlush()
+   {
+      if(!buffer.isEmpty())
+      {
+         addRecords(buffer);
+         buffer.clear();
+      }
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/CsvExportStreamer.java

@@ -27,13 +27,12 @@ import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets;
 import java.util.List;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.adapters.QRecordToCsvAdapter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class CsvExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(CsvExportStreamer.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(CsvExportStreamer.class);
 
    private final QRecordToCsvAdapter qRecordToCsvAdapter;
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/ExcelExportStreamer.java

@@ -37,6 +37,7 @@ import java.util.Objects;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excelformatting.ExcelStylerInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.excelformatting.PlainExcelStyler;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
@@ -45,8 +46,6 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 import org.dhatim.fastexcel.StyleSetter;
 import org.dhatim.fastexcel.Workbook;
 import org.dhatim.fastexcel.Worksheet;
@@ -57,7 +56,7 @@ import org.dhatim.fastexcel.Worksheet;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(ExcelExportStreamer.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(ExcelExportStreamer.class);
 
    private ExportInput          exportInput;
    private QTableMetaData       table;
@@ -247,14 +246,6 @@ public class ExcelExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
       for(QFieldMetaData field : fields)
       {
          Serializable value = qRecord.getValue(field.getName());
-         if(field.getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
-         {
-            String displayValue = qRecord.getDisplayValue(field.getName());
-            if(displayValue != null)
-            {
-               value = displayValue;
-            }
-         }
 
          if(value != null)
          {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/ExportAction.java

@@ -31,10 +31,11 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobManager;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobState;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobStatus;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.interfaces.CountInterface;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.interfaces.QueryInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QUserFacingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportFormat;
@@ -43,14 +44,13 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.count.CountOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.SleepUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class ExportAction
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(ExportAction.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(ExportAction.class);
 
    private boolean preExecuteRan       = false;
    private Integer countFromPreExecute = null;
@@ -147,17 +147,17 @@ public class ExportAction
       //////////////////////////
       // set up a query input //
       //////////////////////////
-      QueryInterface queryInterface = backendModule.getQueryInterface();
-      QueryInput     queryInput     = new QueryInput(exportInput.getInstance());
-      queryInput.setSession(exportInput.getSession());
+      QueryAction queryAction = new QueryAction();
+      QueryInput  queryInput  = new QueryInput();
       queryInput.setTableName(exportInput.getTableName());
       queryInput.setFilter(exportInput.getQueryFilter());
       queryInput.setLimit(exportInput.getLimit());
+      queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
 
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // tell this query that it needs to put its output into a pipe //
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      RecordPipe recordPipe = new RecordPipe();
+      RecordPipe recordPipe = new BufferedRecordPipe(500);
       queryInput.setRecordPipe(recordPipe);
 
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -165,13 +165,14 @@ public class ExportAction
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       ReportFormat            reportFormat   = exportInput.getReportFormat();
       ExportStreamerInterface reportStreamer = reportFormat.newReportStreamer();
-      reportStreamer.start(exportInput, getFields(exportInput), "Sheet 1");
+      List<QFieldMetaData>    fields         = getFields(exportInput);
+      reportStreamer.start(exportInput, fields, "Sheet 1");
 
       //////////////////////////////////////////
       // run the query action as an async job //
       //////////////////////////////////////////
       AsyncJobManager asyncJobManager = new AsyncJobManager();
-      String          queryJobUUID    = asyncJobManager.startJob("ReportAction>QueryAction", (status) -> (queryInterface.execute(queryInput)));
+      String          queryJobUUID    = asyncJobManager.startJob("ReportAction>QueryAction", (status) -> (queryAction.execute(queryInput)));
       LOG.info("Started query job [" + queryJobUUID + "] for report");
 
       AsyncJobState  queryJobState  = AsyncJobState.RUNNING;
@@ -209,7 +210,7 @@ public class ExportAction
             nextSleepMillis = INIT_SLEEP_MS;
 
             List<QRecord> records = recordPipe.consumeAvailableRecords();
-            reportStreamer.addRecords(records);
+            processRecords(reportStreamer, fields, records);
             recordCount += records.size();
 
             LOG.info(countFromPreExecute != null
@@ -238,7 +239,7 @@ public class ExportAction
       // send the final records to the report streamer //
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////
       List<QRecord> records = recordPipe.consumeAvailableRecords();
-      reportStreamer.addRecords(records);
+      processRecords(reportStreamer, fields, records);
       recordCount += records.size();
 
       long reportEndTime = System.currentTimeMillis();
@@ -269,20 +270,59 @@ public class ExportAction
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static void processRecords(ExportStreamerInterface reportStreamer, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, List<QRecord> records) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      for(QFieldMetaData field : fields)
+      {
+         if(field.getName().endsWith(":possibleValueLabel"))
+         {
+            String effectiveFieldName = field.getName().replace(":possibleValueLabel", "");
+            for(QRecord record : records)
+            {
+               String displayValue = record.getDisplayValue(effectiveFieldName);
+               record.setValue(field.getName(), displayValue);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      reportStreamer.addRecords(records);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    private List<QFieldMetaData> getFields(ExportInput exportInput)
    {
-      QTableMetaData table = exportInput.getTable();
+      List<QFieldMetaData> fieldList;
+      QTableMetaData       table = exportInput.getTable();
       if(exportInput.getFieldNames() != null)
       {
-         return (exportInput.getFieldNames().stream().map(table::getField).toList());
+         fieldList = exportInput.getFieldNames().stream().map(table::getField).toList();
       }
       else
       {
-         return (new ArrayList<>(table.getFields().values()));
+         fieldList = new ArrayList<>(table.getFields().values());
       }
+
+      //////////////////////////////////////////
+      // add fields for possible value labels //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////
+      List<QFieldMetaData> returnList = new ArrayList<>();
+      for(QFieldMetaData field : fieldList)
+      {
+         returnList.add(field);
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(field.getPossibleValueSourceName()))
+         {
+            returnList.add(new QFieldMetaData(field.getName() + ":possibleValueLabel", QFieldType.STRING).withLabel(field.getLabel() + " Name"));
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (returnList);
    }
 
 
@@ -308,8 +348,7 @@ public class ExportAction
          if(exportInput.getLimit() == null || exportInput.getLimit() > reportFormat.getMaxRows())
          {
             CountInterface countInterface = backendModule.getCountInterface();
-            CountInput     countInput     = new CountInput(exportInput.getInstance());
-            countInput.setSession(exportInput.getSession());
+            CountInput     countInput     = new CountInput();
             countInput.setTableName(exportInput.getTableName());
             countInput.setFilter(exportInput.getQueryFilter());
             CountOutput countOutput = countInterface.execute(countInput);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/FormulaInterpreter.java

@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ public class FormulaInterpreter
          case "DIVIDE":
          {
             List<BigDecimal> numbers = getNumberArgumentList(args, 2, variableInterpreter);
-            if(numbers.get(1) == null || numbers.get(1).equals(BigDecimal.ZERO))
+            if(numbers.get(1) == null || numbers.get(1).compareTo(BigDecimal.ZERO) == 0)
             {
                return null;
             }
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ public class FormulaInterpreter
          case "DIVIDE_SCALE":
          {
             List<BigDecimal> numbers = getNumberArgumentList(args, 3, variableInterpreter);
-            if(numbers.get(1) == null || numbers.get(1).equals(BigDecimal.ZERO))
+            if(numbers.get(1) == null || numbers.get(1).compareTo(BigDecimal.ZERO) == 0)
             {
                return null;
             }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/GenerateReportAction.java

@@ -27,13 +27,17 @@ import java.math.BigDecimal;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.function.Function;
 import java.util.function.Supplier;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncRecordPipeLoop;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.customizers.DataSourceQueryInputCustomizer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.customizers.ReportViewCustomizer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
@@ -41,13 +45,13 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QFormulaException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QMetaDataVariableInterpreter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.processes.RunBackendStepOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportFormat;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.JoinsContext;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterOrderBy;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
@@ -61,10 +65,11 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportView;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.ReportType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.AbstractTransformStep;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.BackendStepPostRunInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.BackendStepPostRunOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.Pair;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.AggregatesInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.BigDecimalAggregates;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.IntegerAggregates;
@@ -84,6 +89,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.aggregates.IntegerAggregates;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class GenerateReportAction
 {
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(GenerateReportAction.class);
+
    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // summaryAggregates and varianceAggregates are multi-level maps, ala:                                     //
    // viewName > SummaryKey > fieldName > Aggregates                                                          //
@@ -113,6 +120,10 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
    {
       report = reportInput.getInstance().getReport(reportInput.getReportName());
       reportFormat = reportInput.getReportFormat();
+      if(reportFormat == null)
+      {
+         throw new QException("Report format was not specified.");
+      }
       reportStreamer = reportFormat.newReportStreamer();
 
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -179,6 +190,17 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       }
 
       outputSummaries(reportInput);
+
+      reportStreamer.finish();
+
+      try
+      {
+         reportInput.getReportOutputStream().close();
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error completing report", e));
+      }
    }
 
 
@@ -193,48 +215,45 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       QMetaDataVariableInterpreter variableInterpreter = new QMetaDataVariableInterpreter();
       variableInterpreter.addValueMap("input", reportInput.getInputValues());
 
-      ExportInput exportInput = new ExportInput(reportInput.getInstance());
-      exportInput.setSession(reportInput.getSession());
+      ExportInput exportInput = new ExportInput();
       exportInput.setReportFormat(reportFormat);
       exportInput.setFilename(reportInput.getFilename());
       exportInput.setTitleRow(getTitle(reportView, variableInterpreter));
       exportInput.setIncludeHeaderRow(reportView.getIncludeHeaderRow());
       exportInput.setReportOutputStream(reportInput.getReportOutputStream());
 
-      JoinsContext joinsContext = new JoinsContext(exportInput.getInstance(), dataSource.getSourceTable(), dataSource.getQueryJoins());
-
-      List<QFieldMetaData> fields;
-      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(reportView.getColumns()))
+      JoinsContext joinsContext = null;
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(dataSource.getSourceTable()))
       {
-         fields = new ArrayList<>();
-         for(QReportField column : reportView.getColumns())
-         {
-            if(column.getIsVirtual())
-            {
-               fields.add(column.toField());
-            }
-            else
-            {
-               JoinsContext.FieldAndTableNameOrAlias fieldAndTableNameOrAlias = joinsContext.getFieldAndTableNameOrAlias(column.getName());
-               if(fieldAndTableNameOrAlias.field() == null)
-               {
-                  throw new QReportingException("Could not find field named [" + column.getName() + "] on table [" + table.getName() + "]");
-               }
+         joinsContext = new JoinsContext(exportInput.getInstance(), dataSource.getSourceTable(), dataSource.getQueryJoins(), dataSource.getQueryFilter());
+      }
 
-               QFieldMetaData field = fieldAndTableNameOrAlias.field().clone();
-               field.setName(column.getName());
-               if(StringUtils.hasContent(column.getLabel()))
-               {
-                  field.setLabel(column.getLabel());
-               }
-               fields.add(field);
+      List<QFieldMetaData> fields = new ArrayList<>();
+      for(QReportField column : reportView.getColumns())
+      {
+         if(column.getIsVirtual())
+         {
+            fields.add(column.toField());
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            String                                effectiveFieldName       = Objects.requireNonNullElse(column.getSourceFieldName(), column.getName());
+            JoinsContext.FieldAndTableNameOrAlias fieldAndTableNameOrAlias = joinsContext == null ? null : joinsContext.getFieldAndTableNameOrAlias(effectiveFieldName);
+            if(fieldAndTableNameOrAlias == null || fieldAndTableNameOrAlias.field() == null)
+            {
+               throw new QReportingException("Could not find field named [" + effectiveFieldName + "] in dataSource [" + dataSource.getName() + "]");
             }
+
+            QFieldMetaData field = fieldAndTableNameOrAlias.field().clone();
+            field.setName(column.getName());
+            if(StringUtils.hasContent(column.getLabel()))
+            {
+               field.setLabel(column.getLabel());
+            }
+            fields.add(field);
          }
       }
-      else
-      {
-         fields = new ArrayList<>(table.getFields().values());
-      }
+
       reportStreamer.setDisplayFormats(getDisplayFormatMap(fields));
       reportStreamer.start(exportInput, fields, reportView.getLabel());
    }
@@ -256,8 +275,7 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       {
          transformStep = QCodeLoader.getBackendStep(AbstractTransformStep.class, tableView.getRecordTransformStep());
 
-         transformStepInput = new RunBackendStepInput(reportInput.getInstance());
-         transformStepInput.setSession(reportInput.getSession());
+         transformStepInput = new RunBackendStepInput();
          transformStepInput.setValues(reportInput.getInputValues());
 
          transformStepOutput = new RunBackendStepOutput();
@@ -275,21 +293,29 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // run a record pipe loop, over the query for this data source //
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      RecordPipe recordPipe = new RecordPipe();
+      RecordPipe recordPipe = new BufferedRecordPipe(1000);
       new AsyncRecordPipeLoop().run("Report[" + reportInput.getReportName() + "]", null, recordPipe, (callback) ->
       {
          if(dataSource.getSourceTable() != null)
          {
-            QQueryFilter queryFilter = dataSource.getQueryFilter().clone();
+            QQueryFilter queryFilter = dataSource.getQueryFilter() == null ? new QQueryFilter() : dataSource.getQueryFilter().clone();
             setInputValuesInQueryFilter(reportInput, queryFilter);
 
-            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(reportInput.getInstance());
-            queryInput.setSession(reportInput.getSession());
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
             queryInput.setRecordPipe(recordPipe);
             queryInput.setTableName(dataSource.getSourceTable());
             queryInput.setFilter(queryFilter);
             queryInput.setQueryJoins(dataSource.getQueryJoins());
-            queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true); // todo - any limits or conditions on this?
+
+            queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
+            queryInput.setFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues(setupFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues(reportInput, dataSource, new JoinsContext(reportInput.getInstance(), dataSource.getSourceTable(), dataSource.getQueryJoins(), queryInput.getFilter())));
+
+            if(dataSource.getQueryInputCustomizer() != null)
+            {
+               DataSourceQueryInputCustomizer queryInputCustomizer = QCodeLoader.getAdHoc(DataSourceQueryInputCustomizer.class, dataSource.getQueryInputCustomizer());
+               queryInput = queryInputCustomizer.run(reportInput, queryInput);
+            }
+
             return (new QueryAction().execute(queryInput));
          }
          else if(dataSource.getStaticDataSupplier() != null)
@@ -331,12 +357,51 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////
       if(transformStep != null)
       {
-         transformStep.postRun(transformStepInput, transformStepOutput);
+         transformStep.postRun(new BackendStepPostRunInput(transformStepInput), new BackendStepPostRunOutput(transformStepOutput));
       }
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private Set<String> setupFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues(ReportInput reportInput, QReportDataSource dataSource, JoinsContext joinsContext)
+   {
+      Set<String> fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues = new HashSet<>();
+
+      for(QReportView view : report.getViews())
+      {
+         for(QReportField column : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(view.getColumns()))
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if this is a column marked as ShowPossibleValueLabel, then we need to translate it //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(column.getShowPossibleValueLabel())
+            {
+               String effectiveFieldName = Objects.requireNonNullElse(column.getSourceFieldName(), column.getName());
+               fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues.add(effectiveFieldName);
+            }
+         }
+
+         for(String summaryField : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(view.getPivotFields()))
+         {
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // all pivotFields that are possible value sources are implicitly translated //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QTableMetaData table = reportInput.getInstance().getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable());
+            if(table.getField(summaryField).getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
+            {
+               fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues.add(summaryField);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (fieldsToTranslatePossibleValues);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -347,23 +412,7 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
          return;
       }
 
-      QMetaDataVariableInterpreter variableInterpreter = new QMetaDataVariableInterpreter();
-      variableInterpreter.addValueMap("input", reportInput.getInputValues());
-      for(QFilterCriteria criterion : queryFilter.getCriteria())
-      {
-         if(criterion.getValues() != null)
-         {
-            List<Serializable> newValues = new ArrayList<>();
-
-            for(Serializable value : criterion.getValues())
-            {
-               String       valueAsString    = ValueUtils.getValueAsString(value);
-               Serializable interpretedValue = variableInterpreter.interpret(valueAsString);
-               newValues.add(interpretedValue);
-            }
-            criterion.setValues(newValues);
-         }
-      }
+      queryFilter.interpretValues(reportInput.getInputValues());
    }
 
 
@@ -380,6 +429,22 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       if(tableView != null)
       {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if any fields are 'showPossibleValueLabel', then move display values for them into the record's values map //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         for(QReportField column : tableView.getColumns())
+         {
+            if(column.getShowPossibleValueLabel())
+            {
+               String effectiveFieldName = Objects.requireNonNullElse(column.getSourceFieldName(), column.getName());
+               for(QRecord record : records)
+               {
+                  String displayValue = record.getDisplayValue(effectiveFieldName);
+                  record.setValue(column.getName(), displayValue);
+               }
+            }
+         }
+
          reportStreamer.addRecords(records);
       }
 
@@ -441,6 +506,9 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
             Serializable summaryValue = record.getValue(summaryField);
             if(table.getField(summaryField).getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
             {
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // so, this is kinda a thing - where we implicitly use possible-value labels (e.g., display values) for pivot fields... //
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
                summaryValue = record.getDisplayValue(summaryField);
             }
             key.add(summaryField, summaryValue);
@@ -509,8 +577,7 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
          QTableMetaData    table         = reportInput.getInstance().getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable());
          SummaryOutput     summaryOutput = computeSummaryRowsForView(reportInput, view, table);
 
-         ExportInput exportInput = new ExportInput(reportInput.getInstance());
-         exportInput.setSession(reportInput.getSession());
+         ExportInput exportInput = new ExportInput();
          exportInput.setReportFormat(reportFormat);
          exportInput.setFilename(reportInput.getFilename());
          exportInput.setTitleRow(summaryOutput.titleRow);
@@ -527,8 +594,6 @@ public class GenerateReportAction
             reportStreamer.addTotalsRow(summaryOutput.totalRow);
          }
       }
-
-      reportStreamer.finish();
    }
 
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/JsonExportStreamer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,177 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting;
+
+
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.io.OutputStream;
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.nio.charset.StandardCharsets;
+import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.JsonUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** JSON export format implementation
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class JsonExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(JsonExportStreamer.class);
+
+   private ExportInput          exportInput;
+   private QTableMetaData       table;
+   private List<QFieldMetaData> fields;
+   private OutputStream         outputStream;
+
+   private boolean needComma   = false;
+   private boolean prettyPrint = true;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public JsonExportStreamer()
+   {
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void start(ExportInput exportInput, List<QFieldMetaData> fields, String label) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      this.exportInput = exportInput;
+      this.fields = fields;
+      table = exportInput.getTable();
+      outputStream = this.exportInput.getReportOutputStream();
+
+      try
+      {
+         outputStream.write('[');
+      }
+      catch(IOException e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error starting report output", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void addRecords(List<QRecord> qRecords) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      LOG.info("Consuming [" + qRecords.size() + "] records from the pipe");
+
+      for(QRecord qRecord : qRecords)
+      {
+         writeRecord(qRecord);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void writeRecord(QRecord qRecord) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         if(needComma)
+         {
+            outputStream.write(',');
+         }
+
+         Map<String, Serializable> mapForJson = new LinkedHashMap<>();
+         for(QFieldMetaData field : fields)
+         {
+            String labelForJson = StringUtils.lcFirst(field.getLabel().replace(" ", ""));
+            mapForJson.put(labelForJson, qRecord.getValue(field.getName()));
+         }
+
+         String json = prettyPrint ? JsonUtils.toPrettyJson(mapForJson) : JsonUtils.toJson(mapForJson);
+
+         if(prettyPrint)
+         {
+            outputStream.write('\n');
+         }
+
+         outputStream.write(json.getBytes(StandardCharsets.UTF_8));
+
+         outputStream.flush(); // todo - less often?
+         needComma = true;
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error writing JSON report", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void addTotalsRow(QRecord record) throws QReportingException
+   {
+      writeRecord(record);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void finish() throws QReportingException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         if(prettyPrint)
+         {
+            outputStream.write('\n');
+         }
+         outputStream.write(']');
+      }
+      catch(IOException e)
+      {
+         throw (new QReportingException("Error ending report output", e));
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/ListOfMapsExportStreamer.java

@@ -27,11 +27,10 @@ import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QReportingException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ExportInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class ListOfMapsExportStreamer implements ExportStreamerInterface
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(ListOfMapsExportStreamer.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(ListOfMapsExportStreamer.class);
 
    private ExportInput          exportInput;
    private List<QFieldMetaData> fields;

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/RecordPipe.java

@@ -27,10 +27,9 @@ import java.util.List;
 import java.util.concurrent.ArrayBlockingQueue;
 import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit;
 import java.util.function.Consumer;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.SleepUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -39,7 +38,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class RecordPipe
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(RecordPipe.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(RecordPipe.class);
 
    private static final long BLOCKING_SLEEP_MILLIS = 100;
    private static final long MAX_SLEEP_LOOP_MILLIS = 300_000; // 5 minutes

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/reporting/customizers/DataSourceQueryInputCustomizer.java

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.customizers;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.reporting.ReportInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Interface for customizer on a QReportDataSource's query.
+ **
+ ** Useful, for example, to look at what input field values were given, and change
+ ** the query filter (e.g., conditional criteria), or issue an error based on the
+ ** combination of input fields given.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public interface DataSourceQueryInputCustomizer
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   QueryInput run(ReportInput reportInput, QueryInput queryInput) throws QException;
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/RunAdHocRecordScriptAction.java

@@ -0,0 +1,219 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts;
+
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging.QCodeExecutionLoggerInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging.ScriptExecutionLoggerInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging.StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.GetAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.ExecuteCodeInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.ExecuteCodeOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.RunAdHocRecordScriptInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.RunAdHocRecordScriptOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryJoin;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.AdHocScriptCodeReference;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.scripts.Script;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.scripts.ScriptRevision;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class RunAdHocRecordScriptAction
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(RunAdHocRecordScriptAction.class);
+
+   private Map<Integer, ScriptRevision> scriptRevisionCacheByScriptRevisionId = new HashMap<>();
+   private Map<Integer, ScriptRevision> scriptRevisionCacheByScriptId         = new HashMap<>();
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void run(RunAdHocRecordScriptInput input, RunAdHocRecordScriptOutput output) throws QException
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         ActionHelper.validateSession(input);
+
+         /////////////////////////
+         // figure out the code //
+         /////////////////////////
+         ScriptRevision scriptRevision = getScriptRevision(input);
+         if(scriptRevision == null)
+         {
+            throw (new QException("Script revision was not found."));
+         }
+
+         ////////////////////////////
+         // figure out the records //
+         ////////////////////////////
+         QTableMetaData table = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(input.getTableName());
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(input.getRecordList()))
+         {
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+            queryInput.setTableName(input.getTableName());
+            queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(new QFilterCriteria(table.getPrimaryKeyField(), QCriteriaOperator.IN, input.getRecordPrimaryKeyList())));
+            QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+            input.setRecordList(queryOutput.getRecords());
+         }
+
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(input.getRecordList()))
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////
+            // just return if nothing found?  idk //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////
+            LOG.info("No records supplied as input (or found via primary keys); exiting with noop");
+            return;
+         }
+
+         /////////////
+         // run it! //
+         /////////////
+         ExecuteCodeInput executeCodeInput = new ExecuteCodeInput();
+         executeCodeInput.setInput(new HashMap<>(Objects.requireNonNullElseGet(input.getInputValues(), HashMap::new)));
+         executeCodeInput.getInput().put("records", new ArrayList<>(input.getRecordList()));
+         executeCodeInput.setContext(new HashMap<>());
+         if(input.getOutputObject() != null)
+         {
+            executeCodeInput.getContext().put("output", input.getOutputObject());
+         }
+
+         if(input.getScriptUtils() != null)
+         {
+            executeCodeInput.getContext().put("scriptUtils", input.getScriptUtils());
+         }
+
+         executeCodeInput.getContext().put("api", new ScriptApi());
+
+         executeCodeInput.setCodeReference(new QCodeReference().withInlineCode(scriptRevision.getContents()).withCodeType(QCodeType.JAVA_SCRIPT)); // todo - code type as attribute of script!!
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // let caller supply a logger, or by default use StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         QCodeExecutionLoggerInterface executionLogger = Objects.requireNonNullElseGet(input.getLogger(), () -> new StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger(scriptRevision.getScriptId(), scriptRevision.getId()));
+         executeCodeInput.setExecutionLogger(executionLogger);
+         if(executionLogger instanceof ScriptExecutionLoggerInterface scriptExecutionLoggerInterface)
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if logger is aware of scripts (as opposed to a generic CodeExecution logger), give it the ids. //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            scriptExecutionLoggerInterface.setScriptId(scriptRevision.getScriptId());
+            scriptExecutionLoggerInterface.setScriptRevisionId(scriptRevision.getId());
+         }
+
+         ExecuteCodeOutput executeCodeOutput = new ExecuteCodeOutput();
+         new ExecuteCodeAction().run(executeCodeInput, executeCodeOutput);
+
+         output.setOutput(executeCodeOutput.getOutput());
+         output.setLogger(executionLogger);
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         output.setException(Optional.of(e));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private ScriptRevision getScriptRevision(RunAdHocRecordScriptInput input) throws QException
+   {
+      AdHocScriptCodeReference codeReference = input.getCodeReference();
+      if(codeReference.getScriptRevisionRecord() != null)
+      {
+         return (new ScriptRevision(codeReference.getScriptRevisionRecord()));
+      }
+
+      if(codeReference.getScriptRevisionId() != null)
+      {
+         if(!scriptRevisionCacheByScriptRevisionId.containsKey(codeReference.getScriptRevisionId()))
+         {
+            GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
+            getInput.setTableName(ScriptRevision.TABLE_NAME);
+            getInput.setPrimaryKey(codeReference.getScriptRevisionId());
+            GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);
+            if(getOutput.getRecord() != null)
+            {
+               scriptRevisionCacheByScriptRevisionId.put(codeReference.getScriptRevisionId(), new ScriptRevision(getOutput.getRecord()));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               scriptRevisionCacheByScriptRevisionId.put(codeReference.getScriptRevisionId(), null);
+            }
+         }
+
+         return (scriptRevisionCacheByScriptRevisionId.get(codeReference.getScriptRevisionId()));
+      }
+
+      if(codeReference.getScriptId() != null)
+      {
+         if(!scriptRevisionCacheByScriptId.containsKey(codeReference.getScriptId()))
+         {
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+            queryInput.setTableName(ScriptRevision.TABLE_NAME);
+            queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(new QFilterCriteria("script.id", QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, codeReference.getScriptId())));
+            queryInput.withQueryJoin(new QueryJoin(Script.TABLE_NAME).withBaseTableOrAlias(ScriptRevision.TABLE_NAME).withJoinMetaData(QContext.getQInstance().getJoin("currentScriptRevision")));
+            QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+
+            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(queryOutput.getRecords()))
+            {
+               scriptRevisionCacheByScriptId.put(codeReference.getScriptId(), new ScriptRevision(queryOutput.getRecords().get(0)));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               scriptRevisionCacheByScriptId.put(codeReference.getScriptId(), null);
+            }
+         }
+
+         return (scriptRevisionCacheByScriptId.get(codeReference.getScriptId()));
+      }
+
+      throw (new QException("Code reference did not contain a scriptRevision, scriptRevisionId, or scriptId"));
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/RunAssociatedScriptAction.java

@@ -24,7 +24,11 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts;
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Objects;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging.QCodeExecutionLoggerInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging.ScriptExecutionLoggerInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging.StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.GetAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
@@ -35,6 +39,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.RunAssociatedScriptI
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.RunAssociatedScriptOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.AssociatedScriptCodeReference;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.scripts.Script;
@@ -46,6 +51,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.scripts.ScriptRevision;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class RunAssociatedScriptAction
 {
+   private Map<AssociatedScriptCodeReference, ScriptRevision> scriptRevisionCache = new HashMap<>();
+
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
@@ -54,32 +61,37 @@ public class RunAssociatedScriptAction
    {
       ActionHelper.validateSession(input);
 
-      Serializable scriptId = getScriptId(input);
-      if(scriptId == null)
-      {
-         throw (new QNotFoundException("The input record [" + input.getCodeReference().getRecordTable() + "][" + input.getCodeReference().getRecordPrimaryKey()
-            + "] does not have a script specified for [" + input.getCodeReference().getFieldName() + "]"));
-      }
+      ScriptRevision scriptRevision = getScriptRevision(input);
 
-      Script script = getScript(input, scriptId);
-      if(script.getCurrentScriptRevisionId() == null)
-      {
-         throw (new QNotFoundException("The script for record [" + input.getCodeReference().getRecordTable() + "][" + input.getCodeReference().getRecordPrimaryKey()
-            + "] (scriptId=" + scriptId + ") does not have a current version."));
-      }
-
-      ScriptRevision scriptRevision = getCurrentScriptRevision(input, script.getCurrentScriptRevisionId());
-
-      ExecuteCodeInput executeCodeInput = new ExecuteCodeInput(input.getInstance());
-      executeCodeInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      ExecuteCodeInput executeCodeInput = new ExecuteCodeInput();
       executeCodeInput.setInput(new HashMap<>(input.getInputValues()));
       executeCodeInput.setContext(new HashMap<>());
       if(input.getOutputObject() != null)
       {
          executeCodeInput.getContext().put("output", input.getOutputObject());
       }
+
+      if(input.getScriptUtils() != null)
+      {
+         executeCodeInput.getContext().put("scriptUtils", input.getScriptUtils());
+      }
+
       executeCodeInput.setCodeReference(new QCodeReference().withInlineCode(scriptRevision.getContents()).withCodeType(QCodeType.JAVA_SCRIPT)); // todo - code type as attribute of script!!
-      executeCodeInput.setExecutionLogger(new StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger(scriptRevision.getScriptId(), scriptRevision.getId()));
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // let caller supply a logger, or by default use StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      QCodeExecutionLoggerInterface executionLogger = Objects.requireNonNullElseGet(input.getLogger(), () -> new StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger(scriptRevision.getScriptId(), scriptRevision.getId()));
+      executeCodeInput.setExecutionLogger(executionLogger);
+      if(executionLogger instanceof ScriptExecutionLoggerInterface scriptExecutionLoggerInterface)
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if logger is aware of scripts (as opposed to a generic CodeExecution logger), give it the ids. //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         scriptExecutionLoggerInterface.setScriptId(scriptRevision.getScriptId());
+         scriptExecutionLoggerInterface.setScriptRevisionId(scriptRevision.getId());
+      }
+
       ExecuteCodeOutput executeCodeOutput = new ExecuteCodeOutput();
       new ExecuteCodeAction().run(executeCodeInput, executeCodeOutput);
 
@@ -88,13 +100,42 @@ public class RunAssociatedScriptAction
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private ScriptRevision getScriptRevision(RunAssociatedScriptInput input) throws QException
+   {
+      if(!scriptRevisionCache.containsKey(input.getCodeReference()))
+      {
+         Serializable scriptId = getScriptId(input);
+         if(scriptId == null)
+         {
+            throw (new QNotFoundException("The input record [" + input.getCodeReference().getRecordTable() + "][" + input.getCodeReference().getRecordPrimaryKey()
+               + "] does not have a script specified for [" + input.getCodeReference().getFieldName() + "]"));
+         }
+
+         Script script = getScript(input, scriptId);
+         if(script.getCurrentScriptRevisionId() == null)
+         {
+            throw (new QNotFoundException("The script for record [" + input.getCodeReference().getRecordTable() + "][" + input.getCodeReference().getRecordPrimaryKey()
+               + "] (scriptId=" + scriptId + ") does not have a current version."));
+         }
+
+         ScriptRevision scriptRevision = getCurrentScriptRevision(input, script.getCurrentScriptRevisionId());
+         scriptRevisionCache.put(input.getCodeReference(), scriptRevision);
+      }
+
+      return scriptRevisionCache.get(input.getCodeReference());
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
    private ScriptRevision getCurrentScriptRevision(RunAssociatedScriptInput input, Serializable scriptRevisionId) throws QException
    {
-      GetInput getInput = new GetInput(input.getInstance());
-      getInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
       getInput.setTableName("scriptRevision");
       getInput.setPrimaryKey(scriptRevisionId);
       GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);
@@ -114,8 +155,7 @@ public class RunAssociatedScriptAction
     *******************************************************************************/
    private Script getScript(RunAssociatedScriptInput input, Serializable scriptId) throws QException
    {
-      GetInput getInput = new GetInput(input.getInstance());
-      getInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
       getInput.setTableName("script");
       getInput.setPrimaryKey(scriptId);
       GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);
@@ -136,8 +176,7 @@ public class RunAssociatedScriptAction
     *******************************************************************************/
    private Serializable getScriptId(RunAssociatedScriptInput input) throws QException
    {
-      GetInput getInput = new GetInput(input.getInstance());
-      getInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
       getInput.setTableName(input.getCodeReference().getRecordTable());
       getInput.setPrimaryKey(input.getCodeReference().getRecordPrimaryKey());
       GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/ScriptApi.java

@@ -0,0 +1,236 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions.PermissionsHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions.TablePermissionSubType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.DeleteAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.InsertAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.UpdateAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterOrderBy;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Object made available to scripts for access to qqq api (e.g., query, insert,
+ ** etc, plus object constructors).
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class ScriptApi implements Serializable
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QueryInput newQueryInput()
+   {
+      return (new QueryInput());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QQueryFilter newQueryFilter()
+   {
+      return (new QQueryFilter());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFilterCriteria newFilterCriteria()
+   {
+      return (new QFilterCriteria());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QFilterOrderBy newFilterOrderBy()
+   {
+      return (new QFilterOrderBy());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QRecord newRecord()
+   {
+      return (new QRecord());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<QRecord> query(String tableName, QQueryFilter filter) throws QException
+   {
+      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+      queryInput.setTableName(tableName);
+      queryInput.setFilter(filter);
+      PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(queryInput, TablePermissionSubType.READ);
+      return (new QueryAction().execute(queryInput).getRecords());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<QRecord> query(QueryInput queryInput) throws QException
+   {
+      PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(queryInput, TablePermissionSubType.READ);
+      return (new QueryAction().execute(queryInput).getRecords());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void insert(String tableName, QRecord record) throws QException
+   {
+      insert(tableName, List.of(record));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void insert(String tableName, List<QRecord> recordList) throws QException
+   {
+      InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+      insertInput.setTableName(tableName);
+      insertInput.setRecords(recordList);
+      PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(insertInput, TablePermissionSubType.INSERT);
+      new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void update(String tableName, QRecord record) throws QException
+   {
+      update(tableName, List.of(record));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void update(String tableName, List<QRecord> recordList) throws QException
+   {
+      UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+      updateInput.setTableName(tableName);
+      updateInput.setRecords(recordList);
+      PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(updateInput, TablePermissionSubType.EDIT);
+      new UpdateAction().execute(updateInput);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void delete(String tableName, Serializable primaryKey) throws QException
+   {
+      delete(tableName, List.of(primaryKey));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void delete(String tableName, QRecord record) throws QException
+   {
+      delete(tableName, List.of(record));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void delete(String tableName, List<?> recordOrPrimaryKeyList) throws QException
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table       = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(tableName);
+      DeleteInput    deleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+      deleteInput.setTableName(tableName);
+      List<Serializable> primaryKeyList = new ArrayList<>();
+      for(Object o : recordOrPrimaryKeyList)
+      {
+         if(o instanceof QRecord qRecord)
+         {
+            primaryKeyList.add(qRecord.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()));
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            primaryKeyList.add((Serializable) o);
+         }
+      }
+      deleteInput.setPrimaryKeys(primaryKeyList);
+      PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(deleteInput, TablePermissionSubType.DELETE);
+      new DeleteAction().execute(deleteInput);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void delete(String tableName, QQueryFilter filter) throws QException
+   {
+      DeleteInput deleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+      deleteInput.setTableName(tableName);
+      deleteInput.setQueryFilter(filter);
+      PermissionsHelper.checkTablePermissionThrowing(deleteInput, TablePermissionSubType.DELETE);
+      new DeleteAction().execute(deleteInput);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/StoreAssociatedScriptAction.java

@@ -83,8 +83,7 @@ public class StoreAssociatedScriptAction
       /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       QRecord associatedRecord;
       {
-         GetInput getInput = new GetInput(input.getInstance());
-         getInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+         GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
          getInput.setTableName(input.getTableName());
          getInput.setPrimaryKey(input.getRecordPrimaryKey());
          getInput.setShouldGenerateDisplayValues(true);
@@ -107,8 +106,7 @@ public class StoreAssociatedScriptAction
          ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // get the script type - that'll be part of the new script's name //
          ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         GetInput getInput = new GetInput(input.getInstance());
-         getInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+         GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
          getInput.setTableName("scriptType");
          getInput.setPrimaryKey(associatedScript.getScriptTypeId());
          getInput.setShouldGenerateDisplayValues(true);
@@ -125,8 +123,7 @@ public class StoreAssociatedScriptAction
          script = new QRecord();
          script.setValue("scriptTypeId", associatedScript.getScriptTypeId());
          script.setValue("name", associatedRecord.getRecordLabel() + " - " + scriptType.getRecordLabel());
-         InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput(input.getInstance());
-         insertInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+         InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
          insertInput.setTableName("script");
          insertInput.setRecords(List.of(script));
          InsertOutput insertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
@@ -135,8 +132,7 @@ public class StoreAssociatedScriptAction
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
          // update the associated record to point at the new script //
          /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput(input.getInstance());
-         updateInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+         UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
          updateInput.setTableName(input.getTableName());
          updateInput.setRecords(List.of(new QRecord()
             .withValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField(), associatedRecord.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()))
@@ -149,15 +145,13 @@ public class StoreAssociatedScriptAction
          ////////////////////////////////////////
          // get the existing script, to update //
          ////////////////////////////////////////
-         GetInput getInput = new GetInput(input.getInstance());
-         getInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+         GetInput getInput = new GetInput();
          getInput.setTableName("script");
          getInput.setPrimaryKey(existingScriptId);
          GetOutput getOutput = new GetAction().execute(getInput);
          script = getOutput.getRecord();
 
-         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(input.getInstance());
-         queryInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
          queryInput.setTableName("scriptRevision");
          queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter()
             .withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria("scriptId", QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, List.of(script.getValue("id"))))
@@ -202,8 +196,7 @@ public class StoreAssociatedScriptAction
          scriptRevision.setValue("author", "Unknown");
       }
 
-      InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput(input.getInstance());
-      insertInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
       insertInput.setTableName("scriptRevision");
       insertInput.setRecords(List.of(scriptRevision));
       InsertOutput insertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
@@ -213,8 +206,7 @@ public class StoreAssociatedScriptAction
       // update the script to point at the new revision //
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       script.setValue("currentScriptRevisionId", scriptRevision.getValue("id"));
-      UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput(input.getInstance());
-      updateInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
       updateInput.setTableName("script");
       updateInput.setRecords(List.of(script));
       new UpdateAction().execute(updateInput);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/TestScriptActionInterface.java

@@ -80,8 +80,7 @@ public interface TestScriptActionInterface
     *******************************************************************************/
    default void execute(TestScriptInput input, TestScriptOutput output) throws QException
    {
-      ExecuteCodeInput executeCodeInput = new ExecuteCodeInput(input.getInstance());
-      executeCodeInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      ExecuteCodeInput executeCodeInput = new ExecuteCodeInput();
       executeCodeInput.setContext(new HashMap<>());
 
       executeCodeInput.setCodeReference(input.getCodeReference());

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/logging/AccumulatingBuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger.java

@@ -0,0 +1,160 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.InsertAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.ExecuteCodeInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class AccumulatingBuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger extends BuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger implements ScriptExecutionLoggerInterface
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(AccumulatingBuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger.class);
+
+   private List<QRecord>       scriptLogs     = new ArrayList<>();
+   private List<List<QRecord>> scriptLogLines = new ArrayList<>();
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AccumulatingBuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger()
+   {
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void acceptExecutionStart(ExecuteCodeInput executeCodeInput)
+   {
+      super.acceptExecutionStart(executeCodeInput);
+      super.setScriptLogLines(new ArrayList<>());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void acceptException(Exception exception)
+   {
+      accumulate(null, exception);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void acceptExecutionEnd(Serializable output)
+   {
+      accumulate(output, null);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void accumulate(Serializable output, Exception exception)
+   {
+      super.updateHeaderAtEnd(output, exception);
+      scriptLogs.add(super.getScriptLog());
+      scriptLogLines.add(new ArrayList<>(super.getScriptLogLines()));
+      super.getScriptLogLines().clear();
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void storeAndClear()
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+         insertInput.setTableName("scriptLog");
+         insertInput.setRecords(scriptLogs);
+         InsertOutput insertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
+
+         List<QRecord> flatScriptLogLines = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(int i = 0; i < insertOutput.getRecords().size(); i++)
+         {
+            QRecord       insertedScriptLog = insertOutput.getRecords().get(i);
+            List<QRecord> subScriptLogLines = scriptLogLines.get(i);
+            subScriptLogLines.forEach(r -> r.setValue("scriptLogId", insertedScriptLog.getValueInteger("id")));
+            flatScriptLogLines.addAll(subScriptLogLines);
+         }
+
+         insertInput = new InsertInput();
+         insertInput.setTableName("scriptLogLine");
+         insertInput.setRecords(flatScriptLogLines);
+         new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Error storing script logs", e);
+      }
+
+      scriptLogs.clear();
+      scriptLogLines.clear();
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void setScriptId(Integer scriptId)
+   {
+      super.setScriptId(scriptId);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void setScriptRevisionId(Integer scriptRevisionId)
+   {
+      super.setScriptRevisionId(scriptRevisionId);
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/logging/BuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger.java

@@ -27,12 +27,11 @@ import java.time.Instant;
 import java.time.temporal.ChronoUnit;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.ExecuteCodeInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -40,9 +39,9 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  ** scriptLogLine records - but doesn't insert them.  e.g., useful for testing
  ** (both in junit, and for users in-app).
  *******************************************************************************/
-public class BuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger implements QCodeExecutionLoggerInterface
+public class BuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger implements QCodeExecutionLoggerInterface, ScriptExecutionLoggerInterface
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(BuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(BuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger.class);
 
    private   QRecord          scriptLog;
    private   List<QRecord>    scriptLogLines = new ArrayList<>();
@@ -218,4 +217,37 @@ public class BuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger implements QCodeExecu
    {
       this.scriptLog = scriptLog;
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for scriptLogLines
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   protected void setScriptLogLines(List<QRecord> scriptLogLines)
+   {
+      this.scriptLogLines = scriptLogLines;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void setScriptId(Integer scriptId)
+   {
+      this.scriptId = scriptId;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public void setScriptRevisionId(Integer scriptRevisionId)
+   {
+      this.scriptRevisionId = scriptRevisionId;
+   }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/logging/Log4jCodeExecutionLogger.java

@@ -24,12 +24,11 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging;
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.UUID;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.ExecuteCodeInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -37,7 +36,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class Log4jCodeExecutionLogger implements QCodeExecutionLoggerInterface
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(Log4jCodeExecutionLogger.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(Log4jCodeExecutionLogger.class);
 
    private QCodeReference qCodeReference;
    private String         uuid = UUID.randomUUID().toString();

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/logging/ScriptExecutionLoggerInterface.java

@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.logging;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public interface ScriptExecutionLoggerInterface
+{
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   void setScriptId(Integer scriptId);
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   void setScriptRevisionId(Integer scriptRevisionId);
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/scripts/logging/StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger.java

@@ -26,13 +26,12 @@ import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.List;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.InsertAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.UpdateAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.scripts.ExecuteCodeInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -41,7 +40,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger extends BuildScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger.class);
 
 
 
@@ -66,8 +65,7 @@ public class StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger extends BuildScriptLo
       {
          super.acceptExecutionStart(executeCodeInput);
 
-         InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput(executeCodeInput.getInstance());
-         insertInput.setSession(executeCodeInput.getSession());
+         InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
          insertInput.setTableName("scriptLog");
          insertInput.setRecords(List.of(getScriptLog()));
          InsertOutput insertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
@@ -112,16 +110,14 @@ public class StoreScriptLogAndScriptLogLineExecutionLogger extends BuildScriptLo
       try
       {
          updateHeaderAtEnd(output, exception);
-         UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput(executeCodeInput.getInstance());
-         updateInput.setSession(executeCodeInput.getSession());
+         UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
          updateInput.setTableName("scriptLog");
          updateInput.setRecords(List.of(getScriptLog()));
          new UpdateAction().execute(updateInput);
 
          if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(getScriptLogLines()))
          {
-            InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput(executeCodeInput.getInstance());
-            insertInput.setSession(executeCodeInput.getSession());
+            InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
             insertInput.setTableName("scriptLogLine");
             insertInput.setRecords(getScriptLogLines());
             new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/DeleteAction.java

@@ -24,19 +24,35 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables;
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.audits.DMLAuditAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.interfaces.DeleteInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.DMLAuditInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.audits.AuditLevel;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Association;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -45,7 +61,9 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class DeleteAction
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(DeleteAction.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(DeleteAction.class);
+
+   public static final String NOT_FOUND_ERROR_PREFIX = "No record was found to delete";
 
 
 
@@ -58,7 +76,6 @@ public class DeleteAction
 
       QBackendModuleDispatcher qBackendModuleDispatcher = new QBackendModuleDispatcher();
       QBackendModuleInterface  qModule                  = qBackendModuleDispatcher.getQBackendModule(deleteInput.getBackend());
-      // todo pre-customization - just get to modify the request?
 
       if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(deleteInput.getPrimaryKeys()) && deleteInput.getQueryFilter() != null)
       {
@@ -82,10 +99,186 @@ public class DeleteAction
          }
       }
 
-      DeleteOutput deleteResult = deleteInterface.execute(deleteInput);
-      // todo post-customization - can do whatever w/ the result if you want
+      List<QRecord> recordListForAudit          = getRecordListForAuditIfNeeded(deleteInput);
+      List<QRecord> recordsWithValidationErrors = validateRecordsExistAndCanBeAccessed(deleteInput, recordListForAudit);
 
-      return deleteResult;
+      DeleteOutput deleteOutput = deleteInterface.execute(deleteInput);
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // merge the backend's output with any validation errors we found (whose ids wouldn't have gotten into the backend delete) //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      List<QRecord> outputRecordsWithErrors = deleteOutput.getRecordsWithErrors();
+      if(outputRecordsWithErrors == null)
+      {
+         deleteOutput.setRecordsWithErrors(new ArrayList<>());
+         outputRecordsWithErrors = deleteOutput.getRecordsWithErrors();
+      }
+
+      outputRecordsWithErrors.addAll(recordsWithValidationErrors);
+
+      manageAssociations(deleteInput);
+
+      new DMLAuditAction().execute(new DMLAuditInput().withTableActionInput(deleteInput).withRecordList(recordListForAudit));
+
+      return deleteOutput;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void manageAssociations(DeleteInput deleteInput) throws QException
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = deleteInput.getTable();
+      for(Association association : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getAssociations()))
+      {
+         // e.g., order -> orderLine
+         QJoinMetaData join = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(association.getJoinName()); // todo ... ever need to flip?
+         // just assume this, at least for now... if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(association.getDoInserts()))
+
+         QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter();
+
+         if(join.getJoinOns().size() == 1 && join.getJoinOns().get(0).getLeftField().equals(table.getPrimaryKeyField()))
+         {
+            filter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(join.getJoinOns().get(0).getRightField(), QCriteriaOperator.IN, deleteInput.getPrimaryKeys()));
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            throw (new QException("Join of this type is not supported for an associated delete at this time..."));
+         }
+
+         QTableMetaData associatedTable = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+
+         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+         queryInput.setTransaction(deleteInput.getTransaction());
+         queryInput.setTableName(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+         queryInput.setFilter(filter);
+         QueryOutput        queryOutput    = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+         List<Serializable> associatedKeys = queryOutput.getRecords().stream().map(r -> r.getValue(associatedTable.getPrimaryKeyField())).toList();
+
+         DeleteInput nextLevelDeleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+         nextLevelDeleteInput.setTransaction(deleteInput.getTransaction());
+         nextLevelDeleteInput.setTableName(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+         nextLevelDeleteInput.setPrimaryKeys(associatedKeys);
+         DeleteOutput nextLevelDeleteOutput = new DeleteAction().execute(nextLevelDeleteInput);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static List<QRecord> getRecordListForAuditIfNeeded(DeleteInput deleteInput) throws QException
+   {
+      List<QRecord> recordListForAudit = null;
+
+      AuditLevel auditLevel = DMLAuditAction.getAuditLevel(deleteInput);
+      if(AuditLevel.RECORD.equals(auditLevel) || AuditLevel.FIELD.equals(auditLevel))
+      {
+         List<Serializable> primaryKeyList = deleteInput.getPrimaryKeys();
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(deleteInput.getPrimaryKeys()) && deleteInput.getQueryFilter() != null)
+         {
+            primaryKeyList = getPrimaryKeysFromQueryFilter(deleteInput);
+         }
+
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(primaryKeyList))
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // always fetch the records - we'll use them anyway for checking not-exist  below //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+            queryInput.setTransaction(deleteInput.getTransaction());
+            queryInput.setTableName(deleteInput.getTableName());
+            queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(new QFilterCriteria(deleteInput.getTable().getPrimaryKeyField(), QCriteriaOperator.IN, primaryKeyList)));
+            QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+            recordListForAudit = queryOutput.getRecords();
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (recordListForAudit);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Note - the "can be accessed" part of this method name - it implies that
+    ** records that you can't see because of security - that they won't be found
+    ** by the query here, so it's the same to you as if they don't exist at all!
+    **
+    ** This method, if it finds any missing records, will:
+    ** - remove those ids from the deleteInput
+    ** - create a QRecord with that id and a not-found error message.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private List<QRecord> validateRecordsExistAndCanBeAccessed(DeleteInput deleteInput, List<QRecord> oldRecordList) throws QException
+   {
+      List<QRecord> recordsWithErrors = new ArrayList<>();
+
+      QTableMetaData table           = deleteInput.getTable();
+      QFieldMetaData primaryKeyField = table.getField(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+
+      Set<Serializable> primaryKeysToRemoveFromInput = new HashSet<>();
+
+      List<List<Serializable>> pages = CollectionUtils.getPages(deleteInput.getPrimaryKeys(), 1000);
+      for(List<Serializable> page : pages)
+      {
+         List<Serializable> primaryKeysToLookup = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(Serializable primaryKeyValue : page)
+         {
+            if(primaryKeyValue != null)
+            {
+               primaryKeysToLookup.add(primaryKeyValue);
+            }
+         }
+
+         Map<Serializable, QRecord> lookedUpRecords = new HashMap<>();
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(oldRecordList))
+         {
+            for(QRecord record : oldRecordList)
+            {
+               Serializable primaryKeyValue = record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+               primaryKeyValue = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(primaryKeyField.getType(), primaryKeyValue);
+               lookedUpRecords.put(primaryKeyValue, record);
+            }
+         }
+         else if(!primaryKeysToLookup.isEmpty())
+         {
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+            queryInput.setTransaction(deleteInput.getTransaction());
+            queryInput.setTableName(table.getName());
+            queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(new QFilterCriteria(table.getPrimaryKeyField(), QCriteriaOperator.IN, primaryKeysToLookup)));
+            QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+            for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
+            {
+               lookedUpRecords.put(record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()), record);
+            }
+         }
+
+         for(Serializable primaryKeyValue : page)
+         {
+            primaryKeyValue = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(primaryKeyField.getType(), primaryKeyValue);
+            if(!lookedUpRecords.containsKey(primaryKeyValue))
+            {
+               QRecord recordWithError = new QRecord();
+               recordsWithErrors.add(recordWithError);
+               recordWithError.setValue(primaryKeyField.getName(), primaryKeyValue);
+               recordWithError.addError(NOT_FOUND_ERROR_PREFIX + " for " + primaryKeyField.getLabel() + " = " + primaryKeyValue);
+               primaryKeysToRemoveFromInput.add(primaryKeyValue);
+            }
+         }
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // do one mass removal of any bad keys from the input key list //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(!primaryKeysToRemoveFromInput.isEmpty())
+         {
+            deleteInput.getPrimaryKeys().removeAll(primaryKeysToRemoveFromInput);
+            primaryKeysToRemoveFromInput.clear();
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (recordsWithErrors);
    }
 
 
@@ -102,7 +295,8 @@ public class DeleteAction
          QBackendModuleDispatcher qBackendModuleDispatcher = new QBackendModuleDispatcher();
          QBackendModuleInterface  qModule                  = qBackendModuleDispatcher.getQBackendModule(deleteInput.getBackend());
 
-         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(deleteInput.getInstance(), deleteInput.getSession());
+         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+         queryInput.setTransaction(deleteInput.getTransaction());
          queryInput.setTableName(deleteInput.getTableName());
          queryInput.setFilter(deleteInput.getQueryFilter());
          QueryOutput queryOutput = qModule.getQueryInterface().execute(queryInput);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/GetAction.java

@@ -22,26 +22,43 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables;
 
 
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.time.Instant;
+import java.time.temporal.ChronoUnit;
 import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Optional;
-import java.util.function.Function;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.AbstractPostQueryCustomizer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.TableCustomizers;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.interfaces.GetInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QPossibleValueTranslator;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogPair;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.get.GetOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.cache.CacheUseCase;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.implementations.utils.BackendQueryFilterUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import org.apache.commons.lang.NotImplementedException;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -50,10 +67,11 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class GetAction
 {
-   private Optional<Function<QRecord, QRecord>> postGetRecordCustomizer;
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(InsertAction.class);
+
+   private Optional<AbstractPostQueryCustomizer> postGetRecordCustomizer;
 
    private GetInput                 getInput;
-   private QValueFormatter          qValueFormatter;
    private QPossibleValueTranslator qPossibleValueTranslator;
 
 
@@ -65,7 +83,13 @@ public class GetAction
    {
       ActionHelper.validateSession(getInput);
 
-      postGetRecordCustomizer = QCodeLoader.getTableCustomizerFunction(getInput.getTable(), TableCustomizers.POST_QUERY_RECORD.getRole());
+      QTableMetaData table = getInput.getTable();
+      if(table == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("Requested to Get a record from an unrecognized table: " + getInput.getTableName()));
+      }
+
+      postGetRecordCustomizer = QCodeLoader.getTableCustomizer(AbstractPostQueryCustomizer.class, table, TableCustomizers.POST_QUERY_RECORD.getRole());
       this.getInput = getInput;
 
       QBackendModuleDispatcher qBackendModuleDispatcher = new QBackendModuleDispatcher();
@@ -79,22 +103,75 @@ public class GetAction
       }
       catch(IllegalStateException ise)
       {
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-         // if a module doesn't implement Get directly - try to do a Get by a Query by the primary key //
-         // see below.                                                                                 //
-         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // if a module doesn't implement Get directly - try to do a Get by a Query in the DefaultGetInterface (inner class) //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       }
 
       GetOutput getOutput;
-      if(getInterface != null)
+      if(getInterface == null)
       {
-         getOutput = getInterface.execute(getInput);
-      }
-      else
-      {
-         getOutput = performGetViaQuery(getInput);
+         getInterface = new DefaultGetInterface();
       }
 
+      getInterface.validateInput(getInput);
+      getOutput = getInterface.execute(getInput);
+
+      ////////////////////////////
+      // handle cache use-cases //
+      ////////////////////////////
+      if(table.getCacheOf() != null)
+      {
+         if(getOutput.getRecord() == null)
+         {
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if the record wasn't found, see if we should look in cache-source //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QRecord recordFromSource = tryToGetFromCacheSource(getInput, getOutput);
+            if(recordFromSource != null)
+            {
+               QRecord recordToCache     = mapSourceRecordToCacheRecord(table, recordFromSource);
+               boolean shouldCacheRecord = true;
+
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // see if there are any exclustions that need to be considered for this table //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               recordMatchExclusionLoop:
+               for(CacheUseCase useCase : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getCacheOf().getUseCases()))
+               {
+                  for(QQueryFilter filter : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(useCase.getExcludeRecordsMatching()))
+                  {
+                     if(BackendQueryFilterUtils.doesRecordMatch(filter, recordToCache))
+                     {
+                        LOG.info("Not caching record because it matches a use case's filter exclusion", new LogPair("record", recordToCache), new LogPair("filter", filter));
+                        shouldCacheRecord = false;
+                        break recordMatchExclusionLoop;
+                     }
+                  }
+               }
+
+               if(shouldCacheRecord)
+               {
+                  InsertInput insertInput = new InsertInput();
+                  insertInput.setTableName(getInput.getTableName());
+                  insertInput.setRecords(List.of(recordToCache));
+                  InsertOutput insertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(insertInput);
+                  getOutput.setRecord(insertOutput.getRecords().get(0));
+               }
+            }
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if the record was found, but it's too old, maybe re-fetch from cache source //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            refreshCacheIfExpired(getInput, getOutput);
+         }
+      }
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if the record is found, perform post-actions on it //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       if(getOutput.getRecord() != null)
       {
          getOutput.setRecord(postRecordActions(getOutput.getRecord()));
@@ -108,20 +185,163 @@ public class GetAction
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private GetOutput performGetViaQuery(GetInput getInput) throws QException
+   private static QRecord mapSourceRecordToCacheRecord(QTableMetaData table, QRecord recordFromSource)
    {
-      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(getInput.getInstance());
-      queryInput.setSession(getInput.getSession());
-      queryInput.setTableName(getInput.getTableName());
-      queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(getInput.getTable().getPrimaryKeyField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, List.of(getInput.getPrimaryKey()))));
-      QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
-
-      GetOutput getOutput = new GetOutput();
-      if(!queryOutput.getRecords().isEmpty())
+      QRecord cacheRecord = new QRecord(recordFromSource);
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(table.getCacheOf().getCachedDateFieldName()))
       {
-         getOutput.setRecord(queryOutput.getRecords().get(0));
+         cacheRecord.setValue(table.getCacheOf().getCachedDateFieldName(), Instant.now());
+      }
+      return (cacheRecord);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void refreshCacheIfExpired(GetInput getInput, GetOutput getOutput) throws QException
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table             = getInput.getTable();
+      Integer        expirationSeconds = table.getCacheOf().getExpirationSeconds();
+      if(expirationSeconds != null)
+      {
+         QRecord cachedRecord = getOutput.getRecord();
+         Instant cachedDate   = cachedRecord.getValueInstant(table.getCacheOf().getCachedDateFieldName());
+         if(cachedDate == null || cachedDate.isBefore(Instant.now().minus(expirationSeconds, ChronoUnit.SECONDS)))
+         {
+            QRecord recordFromSource = tryToGetFromCacheSource(getInput, getOutput);
+            if(recordFromSource != null)
+            {
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if the record was found in the source, update it in the cache //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               QRecord recordToCache = mapSourceRecordToCacheRecord(table, recordFromSource);
+               recordToCache.setValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField(), cachedRecord.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()));
+
+               UpdateInput updateInput = new UpdateInput();
+               updateInput.setTableName(getInput.getTableName());
+               updateInput.setRecords(List.of(recordToCache));
+               UpdateOutput updateOutput = new UpdateAction().execute(updateInput);
+
+               getOutput.setRecord(updateOutput.getRecords().get(0));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if the record is no longer in the source, then remove it from the cache //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               DeleteInput deleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+               deleteInput.setTableName(getInput.getTableName());
+               deleteInput.setPrimaryKeys(List.of(getOutput.getRecord().getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField())));
+               new DeleteAction().execute(deleteInput);
+
+               getOutput.setRecord(null);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private QRecord tryToGetFromCacheSource(GetInput getInput, GetOutput getOutput) throws QException
+   {
+      QRecord        recordFromSource = null;
+      QTableMetaData table            = getInput.getTable();
+
+      for(CacheUseCase cacheUseCase : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getCacheOf().getUseCases()))
+      {
+         if(CacheUseCase.Type.UNIQUE_KEY_TO_UNIQUE_KEY.equals(cacheUseCase.getType()) && getInput.getUniqueKey() != null)
+         {
+            recordFromSource = getFromCachedSourceForUniqueKeyToUniqueKey(getInput, table.getCacheOf().getSourceTable());
+            break;
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            // todo!!
+            throw new NotImplementedException("Not-yet-implemented cache use case type: " + cacheUseCase.getType());
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (recordFromSource);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private QRecord getFromCachedSourceForUniqueKeyToUniqueKey(GetInput getInput, String sourceTableName) throws QException
+   {
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // do a Get on the source table, by the unique key //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      GetInput sourceGetInput = new GetInput();
+      sourceGetInput.setTableName(sourceTableName);
+      sourceGetInput.setUniqueKey(getInput.getUniqueKey());
+      GetOutput sourceGetOutput = new GetAction().execute(sourceGetInput);
+      QRecord   outputRecord    = sourceGetOutput.getRecord();
+
+      return (outputRecord);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static class DefaultGetInterface implements GetInterface
+   {
+      @Override
+      public GetOutput execute(GetInput getInput) throws QException
+      {
+         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+         queryInput.setTableName(getInput.getTableName());
+
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // build filter using either pkey or unique key //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter();
+         if(getInput.getPrimaryKey() != null)
+         {
+            filter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(getInput.getTable().getPrimaryKeyField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, getInput.getPrimaryKey()));
+         }
+         else if(getInput.getUniqueKey() != null)
+         {
+            for(Map.Entry<String, Serializable> entry : getInput.getUniqueKey().entrySet())
+            {
+               if(entry.getValue() == null)
+               {
+                  filter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(entry.getKey(), QCriteriaOperator.IS_BLANK));
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  filter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(entry.getKey(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, entry.getValue()));
+               }
+            }
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            throw (new QException("No primaryKey or uniqueKey was passed to Get"));
+         }
+
+         queryInput.setFilter(filter);
+         queryInput.setIncludeAssociations(getInput.getIncludeAssociations());
+         queryInput.setAssociationNamesToInclude(getInput.getAssociationNamesToInclude());
+         queryInput.setShouldFetchHeavyFields(getInput.getShouldFetchHeavyFields());
+
+         QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+
+         GetOutput getOutput = new GetOutput();
+         if(!queryOutput.getRecords().isEmpty())
+         {
+            getOutput.setRecord(queryOutput.getRecords().get(0));
+         }
+         return (getOutput);
       }
-      return (getOutput);
    }
 
 
@@ -135,7 +355,7 @@ public class GetAction
       QRecord returnRecord = record;
       if(this.postGetRecordCustomizer.isPresent())
       {
-         returnRecord = postGetRecordCustomizer.get().apply(record);
+         returnRecord = postGetRecordCustomizer.get().apply(List.of(record)).get(0);
       }
 
       if(getInput.getShouldTranslatePossibleValues())
@@ -149,13 +369,13 @@ public class GetAction
 
       if(getInput.getShouldGenerateDisplayValues())
       {
-         if(qValueFormatter == null)
-         {
-            qValueFormatter = new QValueFormatter();
-         }
-         qValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecords(getInput.getTable(), List.of(returnRecord));
+         QValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecords(getInput.getTable(), List.of(returnRecord));
       }
 
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // note - shouldFetchHeavyFields should be handled by the underlying action //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+
       return (returnRecord);
    }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/InsertAction.java

@@ -22,19 +22,44 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables;
 
 
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.HashSet;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.AbstractQActionFunction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.audits.DMLAuditAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.AutomationStatus;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.RecordAutomationStatusUpdater;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.AbstractPostInsertCustomizer;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.TableCustomizers;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.helpers.UniqueKeyHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.helpers.ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.ValueBehaviorApplier;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.DMLAuditInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.JoinOn;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Association;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.UniqueKey;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -43,7 +68,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class InsertAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<InsertInput, InsertOutput>
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(InsertAction.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(InsertAction.class);
 
 
 
@@ -54,20 +79,182 @@ public class InsertAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<InsertInput, InsertOut
    public InsertOutput execute(InsertInput insertInput) throws QException
    {
       ActionHelper.validateSession(insertInput);
-      setAutomationStatusField(insertInput);
+      QTableMetaData table = insertInput.getTable();
 
-      ValueBehaviorApplier.applyFieldBehaviors(insertInput.getInstance(), insertInput.getTable(), insertInput.getRecords());
-      // todo - need to handle records with errors coming out of here...
+      if(table == null)
+      {
+         throw (new QException("Error:  Undefined table: " + insertInput.getTableName()));
+      }
+
+      Optional<AbstractPostInsertCustomizer> postInsertCustomizer = QCodeLoader.getTableCustomizer(AbstractPostInsertCustomizer.class, table, TableCustomizers.POST_INSERT_RECORD.getRole());
+      setAutomationStatusField(insertInput);
 
       QBackendModuleInterface qModule = getBackendModuleInterface(insertInput);
       // todo pre-customization - just get to modify the request?
+
+      ValueBehaviorApplier.applyFieldBehaviors(insertInput.getInstance(), table, insertInput.getRecords());
+      setErrorsIfUniqueKeyErrors(insertInput, table);
+      validateRequiredFields(insertInput);
+      ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.validateSecurityFields(insertInput.getTable(), insertInput.getRecords(), ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.Action.INSERT);
+
       InsertOutput insertOutput = qModule.getInsertInterface().execute(insertInput);
+      List<String> errors       = insertOutput.getRecords().stream().flatMap(r -> r.getErrors().stream()).toList();
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(errors))
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Errors in insertAction", logPair("tableName", table.getName()), logPair("errorCount", errors.size()), errors.size() < 10 ? logPair("errors", errors) : logPair("first10Errors", errors.subList(0, 10)));
+      }
+
+      manageAssociations(table, insertOutput.getRecords(), insertInput.getTransaction());
+
       // todo post-customization - can do whatever w/ the result if you want
+
+      if(insertInput.getOmitDmlAudit())
+      {
+         LOG.debug("Requested to omit DML audit");
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         new DMLAuditAction().execute(new DMLAuditInput().withTableActionInput(insertInput).withRecordList(insertOutput.getRecords()));
+      }
+
+      if(postInsertCustomizer.isPresent())
+      {
+         postInsertCustomizer.get().setInsertInput(insertInput);
+         insertOutput.setRecords(postInsertCustomizer.get().apply(insertOutput.getRecords()));
+      }
+
       return insertOutput;
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateRequiredFields(InsertInput insertInput)
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = insertInput.getTable();
+      Set<QFieldMetaData> requiredFields = table.getFields().values().stream()
+         .filter(f -> f.getIsRequired())
+         .collect(Collectors.toSet());
+
+      if(!requiredFields.isEmpty())
+      {
+         for(QRecord record : insertInput.getRecords())
+         {
+            for(QFieldMetaData requiredField : requiredFields)
+            {
+               if(record.getValue(requiredField.getName()) == null || (requiredField.getType().isStringLike() && record.getValueString(requiredField.getName()).trim().equals("")))
+               {
+                  record.addError("Missing value in required field: " + requiredField.getLabel());
+               }
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void manageAssociations(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> insertedRecords, QBackendTransaction transaction) throws QException
+   {
+      for(Association association : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getAssociations()))
+      {
+         // e.g., order -> orderLine
+         QJoinMetaData join = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(association.getJoinName()); // todo ... ever need to flip?
+         // just assume this, at least for now... if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(association.getDoInserts()))
+
+         List<QRecord> nextLevelInserts = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(QRecord record : insertedRecords)
+         {
+            if(record.getAssociatedRecords() != null && record.getAssociatedRecords().containsKey(association.getName()))
+            {
+               for(QRecord associatedRecord : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(record.getAssociatedRecords().get(association.getName())))
+               {
+                  for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
+                  {
+                     associatedRecord.setValue(joinOn.getRightField(), record.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField()));
+                  }
+                  nextLevelInserts.add(associatedRecord);
+               }
+            }
+         }
+
+         InsertInput nextLevelInsertInput = new InsertInput();
+         nextLevelInsertInput.setTransaction(transaction);
+         nextLevelInsertInput.setTableName(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+         nextLevelInsertInput.setRecords(nextLevelInserts);
+         InsertOutput nextLevelInsertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(nextLevelInsertInput);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void setErrorsIfUniqueKeyErrors(InsertInput insertInput, QTableMetaData table) throws QException
+   {
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(table.getUniqueKeys()))
+      {
+         Map<UniqueKey, Set<List<Serializable>>> keysInThisList = new HashMap<>();
+         if(insertInput.getSkipUniqueKeyCheck())
+         {
+            LOG.debug("Skipping unique key check in " + insertInput.getTableName() + " insert.");
+            return;
+         }
+
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // check for any pre-existing unique keys //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////
+         Map<UniqueKey, Set<List<Serializable>>> existingKeys = new HashMap<>();
+         List<UniqueKey>                         uniqueKeys   = CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getUniqueKeys());
+         for(UniqueKey uniqueKey : uniqueKeys)
+         {
+            existingKeys.put(uniqueKey, UniqueKeyHelper.getExistingKeys(insertInput.getTransaction(), table, insertInput.getRecords(), uniqueKey).keySet());
+         }
+
+         /////////////////////////////////////
+         // make sure this map is populated //
+         /////////////////////////////////////
+         uniqueKeys.forEach(uk -> keysInThisList.computeIfAbsent(uk, x -> new HashSet<>()));
+
+         for(QRecord record : insertInput.getRecords())
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // check if this record violates any of the unique keys //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            boolean foundDupe = false;
+            for(UniqueKey uniqueKey : uniqueKeys)
+            {
+               Optional<List<Serializable>> keyValues = UniqueKeyHelper.getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record);
+               if(keyValues.isPresent() && (existingKeys.get(uniqueKey).contains(keyValues.get()) || keysInThisList.get(uniqueKey).contains(keyValues.get())))
+               {
+                  record.addError("Another record already exists with this " + uniqueKey.getDescription(table));
+                  foundDupe = true;
+                  break;
+               }
+            }
+
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // if this record doesn't violate any uk's, then we can add it to the output //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(!foundDupe)
+            {
+               for(UniqueKey uniqueKey : uniqueKeys)
+               {
+                  Optional<List<Serializable>> keyValues = UniqueKeyHelper.getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record);
+                  keyValues.ifPresent(kv -> keysInThisList.get(uniqueKey).add(kv));
+               }
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** If the table being inserted into uses an automation-status field, populate it now.
     *******************************************************************************/

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/QueryAction.java

@@ -22,20 +22,37 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables;
 
 
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Collection;
+import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Optional;
-import java.util.function.Function;
+import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.AbstractPostQueryCustomizer;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.TableCustomizers;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.reporting.BufferedRecordPipe;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QPossibleValueTranslator;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QValueFormatter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.JoinOn;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Association;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ListingHash;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -44,10 +61,11 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class QueryAction
 {
-   private Optional<Function<QRecord, QRecord>> postQueryRecordCustomizer;
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QueryAction.class);
+
+   private Optional<AbstractPostQueryCustomizer> postQueryRecordCustomizer;
 
    private QueryInput               queryInput;
-   private QValueFormatter          qValueFormatter;
    private QPossibleValueTranslator qPossibleValueTranslator;
 
 
@@ -59,7 +77,7 @@ public class QueryAction
    {
       ActionHelper.validateSession(queryInput);
 
-      postQueryRecordCustomizer = QCodeLoader.getTableCustomizerFunction(queryInput.getTable(), TableCustomizers.POST_QUERY_RECORD.getRole());
+      postQueryRecordCustomizer = QCodeLoader.getTableCustomizer(AbstractPostQueryCustomizer.class, queryInput.getTable(), TableCustomizers.POST_QUERY_RECORD.getRole());
       this.queryInput = queryInput;
 
       if(queryInput.getRecordPipe() != null)
@@ -67,22 +85,143 @@ public class QueryAction
          queryInput.getRecordPipe().setPostRecordActions(this::postRecordActions);
       }
 
+      if(queryInput.getIncludeAssociations() && queryInput.getRecordPipe() != null)
+      {
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // todo - support this in the future maybe? //
+         //////////////////////////////////////////////
+         throw (new QException("Associations may not be fetched into a RecordPipe."));
+      }
+
       QBackendModuleDispatcher qBackendModuleDispatcher = new QBackendModuleDispatcher();
       QBackendModuleInterface  qModule                  = qBackendModuleDispatcher.getQBackendModule(queryInput.getBackend());
       // todo pre-customization - just get to modify the request?
       QueryOutput queryOutput = qModule.getQueryInterface().execute(queryInput);
       // todo post-customization - can do whatever w/ the result if you want
 
+      if(queryInput.getRecordPipe() instanceof BufferedRecordPipe bufferedRecordPipe)
+      {
+         bufferedRecordPipe.finalFlush();
+      }
+
       if(queryInput.getRecordPipe() == null)
       {
          postRecordActions(queryOutput.getRecords());
       }
 
+      if(queryInput.getIncludeAssociations())
+      {
+         manageAssociations(queryInput, queryOutput);
+      }
+
       return queryOutput;
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void manageAssociations(QueryInput queryInput, QueryOutput queryOutput) throws QException
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = queryInput.getTable();
+      for(Association association : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getAssociations()))
+      {
+         if(queryInput.getAssociationNamesToInclude() == null || queryInput.getAssociationNamesToInclude().contains(association.getName()))
+         {
+            // e.g., order -> orderLine
+            QJoinMetaData join = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(association.getJoinName()); // todo ... ever need to flip?
+            // just assume this, at least for now... if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(association.getDoInserts()))
+
+            QueryInput nextLevelQueryInput = new QueryInput();
+            nextLevelQueryInput.setTableName(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+            nextLevelQueryInput.setIncludeAssociations(true);
+            nextLevelQueryInput.setAssociationNamesToInclude(buildNextLevelAssociationNamesToInclude(association.getName(), queryInput.getAssociationNamesToInclude()));
+
+            QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter();
+            nextLevelQueryInput.setFilter(filter);
+
+            ListingHash<List<Serializable>, QRecord> outerResultMap = new ListingHash<>();
+
+            if(join.getJoinOns().size() == 1)
+            {
+               JoinOn            joinOn = join.getJoinOns().get(0);
+               Set<Serializable> values = new HashSet<>();
+               for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
+               {
+                  Serializable value = record.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField());
+                  values.add(value);
+                  outerResultMap.add(List.of(value), record);
+               }
+               filter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(joinOn.getRightField(), QCriteriaOperator.IN, new ArrayList<>(values)));
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               filter.setBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
+
+               for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
+               {
+                  QQueryFilter subFilter = new QQueryFilter();
+                  filter.addSubFilter(subFilter);
+                  List<Serializable> values = new ArrayList<>();
+                  for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
+                  {
+                     Serializable value = record.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField());
+                     values.add(value);
+                     subFilter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(joinOn.getRightField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, value));
+                  }
+                  outerResultMap.add(values, record);
+               }
+            }
+
+            QueryOutput nextLevelQueryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(nextLevelQueryInput);
+            for(QRecord record : nextLevelQueryOutput.getRecords())
+            {
+               List<Serializable> values = new ArrayList<>();
+               for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
+               {
+                  Serializable value = record.getValue(joinOn.getRightField());
+                  values.add(value);
+               }
+
+               if(outerResultMap.containsKey(values))
+               {
+                  for(QRecord outerRecord : outerResultMap.get(values))
+                  {
+                     outerRecord.withAssociatedRecord(association.getName(), record);
+                  }
+               }
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private Collection<String> buildNextLevelAssociationNamesToInclude(String name, Collection<String> associationNamesToInclude)
+   {
+      if(associationNamesToInclude == null)
+      {
+         return (associationNamesToInclude);
+      }
+
+      Set<String> rs = new HashSet<>();
+      for(String nextLevelCandidateName : associationNamesToInclude)
+      {
+         if(nextLevelCandidateName.startsWith(name + "."))
+         {
+            rs.add(nextLevelCandidateName.replaceFirst(name + ".", ""));
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (rs);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Run the necessary actions on a list of records (which must be a mutable list - e.g.,
     ** not one created via List.of()).  This may include setting display values,
@@ -92,7 +231,7 @@ public class QueryAction
    {
       if(this.postQueryRecordCustomizer.isPresent())
       {
-         records.replaceAll(t -> postQueryRecordCustomizer.get().apply(t));
+         records = postQueryRecordCustomizer.get().apply(records);
       }
 
       if(queryInput.getShouldTranslatePossibleValues())
@@ -101,16 +240,12 @@ public class QueryAction
          {
             qPossibleValueTranslator = new QPossibleValueTranslator(queryInput.getInstance(), queryInput.getSession());
          }
-         qPossibleValueTranslator.translatePossibleValuesInRecords(queryInput.getTable(), records);
+         qPossibleValueTranslator.translatePossibleValuesInRecords(queryInput.getTable(), records, queryInput.getQueryJoins(), queryInput.getFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues());
       }
 
       if(queryInput.getShouldGenerateDisplayValues())
       {
-         if(qValueFormatter == null)
-         {
-            qValueFormatter = new QValueFormatter();
-         }
-         qValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecords(queryInput.getTable(), records);
+         QValueFormatter.setDisplayValuesInRecords(queryInput.getTable(), records);
       }
    }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/UpdateAction.java

@@ -22,15 +22,46 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables;
 
 
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.ActionHelper;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.audits.DMLAuditAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.AutomationStatus;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.automation.RecordAutomationStatusUpdater;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.helpers.ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.ValueBehaviorApplier;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits.DMLAuditInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.delete.DeleteOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.insert.InsertOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.update.UpdateOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.audits.AuditLevel;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.JoinOn;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Association;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleDispatcher;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -39,6 +70,12 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.backend.QBackendModuleInterface;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class UpdateAction
 {
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(UpdateAction.class);
+
+   public static final String NOT_FOUND_ERROR_PREFIX = "No record was found to update";
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -50,12 +87,310 @@ public class UpdateAction
       ValueBehaviorApplier.applyFieldBehaviors(updateInput.getInstance(), updateInput.getTable(), updateInput.getRecords());
       // todo - need to handle records with errors coming out of here...
 
+      List<QRecord> oldRecordList = getOldRecordListForAuditIfNeeded(updateInput);
+
       QBackendModuleDispatcher qBackendModuleDispatcher = new QBackendModuleDispatcher();
       QBackendModuleInterface  qModule                  = qBackendModuleDispatcher.getQBackendModule(updateInput.getBackend());
+
+      validatePrimaryKeysAreGiven(updateInput);
+      validateRecordsExistAndCanBeAccessed(updateInput, oldRecordList);
+      validateRequiredFields(updateInput);
+      ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.validateSecurityFields(updateInput.getTable(), updateInput.getRecords(), ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.Action.UPDATE);
+
       // todo pre-customization - just get to modify the request?
-      UpdateOutput updateResult = qModule.getUpdateInterface().execute(updateInput);
+      UpdateOutput updateOutput = qModule.getUpdateInterface().execute(updateInput);
       // todo post-customization - can do whatever w/ the result if you want
-      return updateResult;
+
+      List<String> errors = updateOutput.getRecords().stream().flatMap(r -> r.getErrors().stream()).toList();
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(errors))
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Errors in updateAction", logPair("tableName", updateInput.getTableName()), logPair("errorCount", errors.size()), errors.size() < 10 ? logPair("errors", errors) : logPair("first10Errors", errors.subList(0, 10)));
+      }
+
+      manageAssociations(updateInput);
+
+      if(updateInput.getOmitDmlAudit())
+      {
+         LOG.debug("Requested to omit DML audit");
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         new DMLAuditAction().execute(new DMLAuditInput().withTableActionInput(updateInput).withRecordList(updateOutput.getRecords()).withOldRecordList(oldRecordList));
+      }
+
+      return updateOutput;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validatePrimaryKeysAreGiven(UpdateInput updateInput)
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = updateInput.getTable();
+      for(QRecord record : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(updateInput.getRecords()))
+      {
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // to update a record, we must have its primary key value - so - check - if it's missing, mark it as an error //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()) == null)
+         {
+            record.addError("Missing value in primary key field");
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Note - the "can be accessed" part of this method name - it implies that
+    ** records that you can't see because of security - that they won't be found
+    ** by the query here, so it's the same to you as if they don't exist at all!
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateRecordsExistAndCanBeAccessed(UpdateInput updateInput, List<QRecord> oldRecordList) throws QException
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table           = updateInput.getTable();
+      QFieldMetaData primaryKeyField = table.getField(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+
+      for(List<QRecord> page : CollectionUtils.getPages(updateInput.getRecords(), 1000))
+      {
+         List<Serializable> primaryKeysToLookup = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(QRecord record : page)
+         {
+            Serializable primaryKeyValue = record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField());
+            if(primaryKeyValue != null)
+            {
+               primaryKeysToLookup.add(primaryKeyValue);
+            }
+         }
+
+         Map<Serializable, QRecord> lookedUpRecords = new HashMap<>();
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(oldRecordList))
+         {
+            for(QRecord record : oldRecordList)
+            {
+               lookedUpRecords.put(record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()), record);
+            }
+         }
+         else if(!primaryKeysToLookup.isEmpty())
+         {
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+            queryInput.setTransaction(updateInput.getTransaction());
+            queryInput.setTableName(table.getName());
+            queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(new QFilterCriteria(table.getPrimaryKeyField(), QCriteriaOperator.IN, primaryKeysToLookup)));
+            QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+            for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
+            {
+               lookedUpRecords.put(record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()), record);
+            }
+         }
+
+         for(QRecord record : page)
+         {
+            Serializable value = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(primaryKeyField.getType(), record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()));
+            if(value == null)
+            {
+               continue;
+            }
+
+            if(!lookedUpRecords.containsKey(value))
+            {
+               record.addError(NOT_FOUND_ERROR_PREFIX + " for " + primaryKeyField.getLabel() + " = " + value);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateRequiredFields(UpdateInput updateInput)
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = updateInput.getTable();
+      Set<QFieldMetaData> requiredFields = table.getFields().values().stream()
+         .filter(f -> f.getIsRequired())
+         .collect(Collectors.toSet());
+
+      if(!requiredFields.isEmpty())
+      {
+         for(QRecord record : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(updateInput.getRecords()))
+         {
+            for(QFieldMetaData requiredField : requiredFields)
+            {
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // only consider fields that were set in the record to be updated (e.g., "patch" semantic) //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(record.getValues().containsKey(requiredField.getName()))
+               {
+                  if(record.getValue(requiredField.getName()) == null || (requiredField.getType().isStringLike() && record.getValueString(requiredField.getName()).trim().equals("")))
+                  {
+                     record.addError("Missing value in required field: " + requiredField.getLabel());
+                  }
+               }
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void manageAssociations(UpdateInput updateInput) throws QException
+   {
+      QTableMetaData table = updateInput.getTable();
+      for(Association association : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getAssociations()))
+      {
+         // e.g., order -> orderLine
+         QTableMetaData associatedTable = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+         QJoinMetaData  join            = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(association.getJoinName()); // todo ... ever need to flip?
+         // just assume this, at least for now... if(BooleanUtils.isTrue(association.getDoInserts()))
+
+         for(List<QRecord> page : CollectionUtils.getPages(updateInput.getRecords(), 500))
+         {
+            List<QRecord> nextLevelUpdates  = new ArrayList<>();
+            List<QRecord> nextLevelInserts  = new ArrayList<>();
+            QQueryFilter  findDeletesFilter = new QQueryFilter().withBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
+            boolean       lookForDeletes    = false;
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // for each updated record, look at as associations //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            for(QRecord record : page)
+            {
+               if(record.getAssociatedRecords() != null && record.getAssociatedRecords().containsKey(association.getName()))
+               {
+                  ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  // build a sub-query to find the children of this record - and we'll exclude (below) any whose ids are given //
+                  ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  QQueryFilter subFilter = new QQueryFilter();
+                  findDeletesFilter.addSubFilter(subFilter);
+                  lookForDeletes = true;
+                  List<Serializable> idsBeingUpdated = new ArrayList<>();
+                  for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
+                  {
+                     subFilter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(joinOn.getRightField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, record.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField())));
+                  }
+
+                  //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  // for any associated records present here, figure out if they're being inserted (no primaryKey) or updated //
+                  //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  for(QRecord associatedRecord : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(record.getAssociatedRecords().get(association.getName())))
+                  {
+                     Serializable associatedId = associatedRecord.getValue(associatedTable.getPrimaryKeyField());
+                     if(associatedId == null)
+                     {
+                        //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                        // if inserting, add to the inserts list, and propagate values from the header record down to the child //
+                        //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                        for(JoinOn joinOn : join.getJoinOns())
+                        {
+                           associatedRecord.setValue(joinOn.getRightField(), record.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField()));
+                        }
+                        nextLevelInserts.add(associatedRecord);
+                     }
+                     else
+                     {
+                        ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                        // if updating, add to the updates list, and add the id as one to not delete //
+                        ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                        idsBeingUpdated.add(associatedId);
+                        nextLevelUpdates.add(associatedRecord);
+                     }
+                  }
+
+                  if(!idsBeingUpdated.isEmpty())
+                  {
+                     ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     // if any records are being updated, add them to the query to NOT be deleted //
+                     ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     subFilter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(associatedTable.getPrimaryKeyField(), QCriteriaOperator.NOT_IN, idsBeingUpdated));
+                  }
+               }
+            }
+
+            if(lookForDeletes)
+            {
+               QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+               queryInput.setTransaction(updateInput.getTransaction());
+               queryInput.setTableName(associatedTable.getName());
+               queryInput.setFilter(findDeletesFilter);
+               QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+               if(!queryOutput.getRecords().isEmpty())
+               {
+                  LOG.debug("Deleting associatedRecords", logPair("associatedTable", associatedTable.getName()), logPair("noOfRecords", queryOutput.getRecords().size()));
+                  DeleteInput deleteInput = new DeleteInput();
+                  deleteInput.setTransaction(updateInput.getTransaction());
+                  deleteInput.setTableName(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+                  deleteInput.setPrimaryKeys(queryOutput.getRecords().stream().map(r -> r.getValue(associatedTable.getPrimaryKeyField())).collect(Collectors.toList()));
+                  DeleteOutput deleteOutput = new DeleteAction().execute(deleteInput);
+               }
+            }
+
+            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(nextLevelUpdates))
+            {
+               LOG.debug("Updating associatedRecords", logPair("associatedTable", associatedTable.getName()), logPair("noOfRecords", nextLevelUpdates.size()));
+               UpdateInput nextLevelUpdateInput = new UpdateInput();
+               nextLevelUpdateInput.setTransaction(updateInput.getTransaction());
+               nextLevelUpdateInput.setTableName(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+               nextLevelUpdateInput.setRecords(nextLevelUpdates);
+               UpdateOutput nextLevelUpdateOutput = new UpdateAction().execute(nextLevelUpdateInput);
+            }
+
+            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(nextLevelInserts))
+            {
+               LOG.debug("Inserting associatedRecords", logPair("associatedTable", associatedTable.getName()), logPair("noOfRecords", nextLevelUpdates.size()));
+               InsertInput nextLevelInsertInput = new InsertInput();
+               nextLevelInsertInput.setTransaction(updateInput.getTransaction());
+               nextLevelInsertInput.setTableName(association.getAssociatedTableName());
+               nextLevelInsertInput.setRecords(nextLevelInserts);
+               InsertOutput nextLevelInsertOutput = new InsertAction().execute(nextLevelInsertInput);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static List<QRecord> getOldRecordListForAuditIfNeeded(UpdateInput updateInput)
+   {
+      if(updateInput.getOmitDmlAudit())
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
+      try
+      {
+         AuditLevel    auditLevel    = DMLAuditAction.getAuditLevel(updateInput);
+         List<QRecord> oldRecordList = null;
+         if(AuditLevel.FIELD.equals(auditLevel))
+         {
+            String             primaryKeyField   = updateInput.getTable().getPrimaryKeyField();
+            List<Serializable> pkeysBeingUpdated = CollectionUtils.nonNullList(updateInput.getRecords()).stream().map(r -> r.getValue(primaryKeyField)).toList();
+
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+            queryInput.setTransaction(updateInput.getTransaction());
+            queryInput.setTableName(updateInput.getTableName());
+            queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter(new QFilterCriteria(primaryKeyField, QCriteriaOperator.IN, pkeysBeingUpdated)));
+            // todo - need a limit?  what if too many??
+            QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+
+            oldRecordList = queryOutput.getRecords();
+         }
+         return oldRecordList;
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Error getting old record list for audit", e, logPair("table", updateInput.getTableName()));
+         return (null);
+      }
    }
 
 

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/helpers/UniqueKeyHelper.java

@@ -0,0 +1,171 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.helpers;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.UniqueKey;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Methods to help with unique key checks.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class UniqueKeyHelper
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Map<List<Serializable>, Serializable> getExistingKeys(QBackendTransaction transaction, QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> recordList, UniqueKey uniqueKey) throws QException
+   {
+      List<String>                          ukFieldNames    = uniqueKey.getFieldNames();
+      Map<List<Serializable>, Serializable> existingRecords = new HashMap<>();
+      if(ukFieldNames != null)
+      {
+         QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+         queryInput.setTableName(table.getName());
+         queryInput.setTransaction(transaction);
+
+         QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter();
+         if(ukFieldNames.size() == 1)
+         {
+            List<Serializable> values = recordList.stream()
+               .filter(r -> CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(r.getErrors()))
+               .map(r -> r.getValue(ukFieldNames.get(0)))
+               .collect(Collectors.toList());
+            filter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(ukFieldNames.get(0), QCriteriaOperator.IN, values));
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            filter.setBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
+            for(QRecord record : recordList)
+            {
+               if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(record.getErrors()))
+               {
+                  continue;
+               }
+
+               QQueryFilter subFilter = new QQueryFilter();
+               filter.addSubFilter(subFilter);
+               for(String fieldName : ukFieldNames)
+               {
+                  Serializable value = record.getValue(fieldName);
+                  if(value == null)
+                  {
+                     subFilter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.IS_BLANK));
+                  }
+                  else
+                  {
+                     subFilter.addCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(fieldName, QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, value));
+                  }
+               }
+            }
+
+            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(filter.getSubFilters()))
+            {
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if we didn't build any sub-filters (because all records have errors in them), don't run a query w/ no clauses - rather - return early. //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               return (existingRecords);
+            }
+         }
+
+         queryInput.setFilter(filter);
+         QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+         for(QRecord record : queryOutput.getRecords())
+         {
+            Optional<List<Serializable>> keyValues = getKeyValues(table, uniqueKey, record);
+            if(keyValues.isPresent())
+            {
+               existingRecords.put(keyValues.get(), record.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField()));
+            }
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (existingRecords);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Optional<List<Serializable>> getKeyValues(QTableMetaData table, UniqueKey uniqueKey, QRecord record)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         List<Serializable> keyValues = new ArrayList<>();
+         for(String fieldName : uniqueKey.getFieldNames())
+         {
+            QFieldMetaData field      = table.getField(fieldName);
+            Serializable   value      = record.getValue(fieldName);
+            Serializable   typedValue = ValueUtils.getValueAsFieldType(field.getType(), value);
+            keyValues.add(typedValue == null ? new NullUniqueKeyValue() : typedValue);
+         }
+         return (Optional.of(keyValues));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         return (Optional.empty());
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** To make a list of unique key values here behave like they do in an RDBMS
+    ** (which is what we're trying to mimic - which is - 2 null values in a field
+    ** aren't considered the same, so they don't violate a unique key) (at least, that's
+    ** how some RDBMS's work, right??) - use this value instead of nulls in the
+    ** output of getKeyValues - where interestingly, this class always returns
+    ** false in it equals method... Unclear how bad this is, e.g., if it's violating
+    ** the contract for equals and hashCode...
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static class NullUniqueKeyValue implements Serializable
+   {
+      @Override
+      public boolean equals(Object obj)
+      {
+         return (false);
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/tables/helpers/ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.java

@@ -0,0 +1,313 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.helpers;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryJoin;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.JoinOn;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.QSecurityKeyType;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLock;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ListingHash;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(ValidateRecordSecurityLockHelper.class);
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public enum Action
+   {
+      INSERT,
+      UPDATE,
+      SELECT
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void validateSecurityFields(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, Action action) throws QException
+   {
+      List<RecordSecurityLock> locksToCheck = getRecordSecurityLocks(table);
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(locksToCheck))
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      ////////////////////////////////
+      // actually check lock values //
+      ////////////////////////////////
+      for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : locksToCheck)
+      {
+         if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()))
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // handle the value being in the table we're inserting/updating (e.g., no join) //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QFieldMetaData field = table.getField(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName());
+
+            for(QRecord record : records)
+            {
+               if(action.equals(Action.UPDATE) && !record.getValues().containsKey(field.getName()))
+               {
+                  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  // if not updating the security field, then no error can come from it! //
+                  /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  continue;
+               }
+
+               Serializable recordSecurityValue = record.getValue(field.getName());
+               validateRecordSecurityValue(table, record, recordSecurityLock, recordSecurityValue, field.getType(), action);
+            }
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // else look for the joined record - if it isn't found, assume a fail - else validate security value if found //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            QJoinMetaData  leftMostJoin      = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().get(0));
+            QJoinMetaData  rightMostJoin     = QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().get(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain().size() - 1));
+            QTableMetaData leftMostJoinTable = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(leftMostJoin.getLeftTable());
+
+            for(List<QRecord> inputRecordPage : CollectionUtils.getPages(records, 500))
+            {
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // set up a query for joined records                                                          //
+               // query will be like (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) OR (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) OR (fkey1=? and fkey2=?) //
+               ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
+               queryInput.setTableName(leftMostJoin.getLeftTable());
+               QQueryFilter filter = new QQueryFilter().withBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
+               queryInput.setFilter(filter);
+
+               for(String joinName : recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain())
+               {
+                  ///////////////////////////////////////
+                  // we don't need the right-most join //
+                  ///////////////////////////////////////
+                  if(!joinName.equals(rightMostJoin.getName()))
+                  {
+                     queryInput.withQueryJoin(new QueryJoin().withJoinMetaData(QContext.getQInstance().getJoin(joinName)).withSelect(true));
+                  }
+               }
+
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // foreach input record (in this page), put it in a listing hash, with key = list of join-values //
+               // e.g., (17,47)=(QRecord1), (18,48)=(QRecord2,QRecord3)                                         //
+               // also build up the query's sub-filters here (only adding them if they're unique).              //
+               // e.g., 2 order-lines referencing the same orderId don't need to be added to the query twice    //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               ListingHash<List<Serializable>, QRecord> inputRecordMapByJoinFields = new ListingHash<>();
+               for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecordPage)
+               {
+                  List<Serializable> inputRecordJoinValues = new ArrayList<>();
+                  QQueryFilter       subFilter             = new QQueryFilter();
+
+                  for(JoinOn joinOn : rightMostJoin.getJoinOns())
+                  {
+                     Serializable inputRecordValue = inputRecord.getValue(joinOn.getRightField());
+                     inputRecordJoinValues.add(inputRecordValue);
+
+                     subFilter.addCriteria(inputRecordValue == null
+                        ? new QFilterCriteria(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField(), QCriteriaOperator.IS_BLANK)
+                        : new QFilterCriteria(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField(), QCriteriaOperator.EQUALS, inputRecordValue));
+                  }
+
+                  if(!inputRecordMapByJoinFields.containsKey(inputRecordJoinValues))
+                  {
+                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     // only add this sub-filter if it's for a list of keys we haven't seen before //
+                     ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                     filter.addSubFilter(subFilter);
+                  }
+
+                  inputRecordMapByJoinFields.add(inputRecordJoinValues, inputRecord);
+               }
+
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // execute the query for joined records - then put them in a map with keys corresponding to the join values //
+               // e.g., (17,47)=(JoinRecord), (18,48)=(JoinRecord)                                                         //
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               QueryOutput                      queryOutput               = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
+               Map<List<Serializable>, QRecord> joinRecordMapByJoinFields = new HashMap<>();
+               for(QRecord joinRecord : queryOutput.getRecords())
+               {
+                  List<Serializable> joinRecordValues = new ArrayList<>();
+                  for(JoinOn joinOn : rightMostJoin.getJoinOns())
+                  {
+                     Serializable joinValue = joinRecord.getValue(rightMostJoin.getLeftTable() + "." + joinOn.getLeftField());
+                     if(joinValue == null && joinRecord.getValues().keySet().stream().anyMatch(n -> !n.contains(".")))
+                     {
+                        joinValue = joinRecord.getValue(joinOn.getLeftField());
+                     }
+                     joinRecordValues.add(joinValue);
+                  }
+
+                  joinRecordMapByJoinFields.put(joinRecordValues, joinRecord);
+               }
+
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // now for each input record, look for its joinRecord - if it isn't found, then this insert     //
+               // isn't allowed.  if it is found, then validate its value matches this session's security keys //
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               for(Map.Entry<List<Serializable>, List<QRecord>> entry : inputRecordMapByJoinFields.entrySet())
+               {
+                  List<Serializable> inputRecordJoinValues = entry.getKey();
+                  List<QRecord>      inputRecords          = entry.getValue();
+                  if(joinRecordMapByJoinFields.containsKey(inputRecordJoinValues))
+                  {
+                     QRecord joinRecord = joinRecordMapByJoinFields.get(inputRecordJoinValues);
+
+                     String         fieldName           = recordSecurityLock.getFieldName().replaceFirst(".*\\.", "");
+                     QFieldMetaData field               = leftMostJoinTable.getField(fieldName);
+                     Serializable   recordSecurityValue = joinRecord.getValue(fieldName);
+                     if(recordSecurityValue == null && joinRecord.getValues().keySet().stream().anyMatch(n -> n.contains(".")))
+                     {
+                        recordSecurityValue = joinRecord.getValue(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName());
+                     }
+
+                     for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecords)
+                     {
+                        validateRecordSecurityValue(table, inputRecord, recordSecurityLock, recordSecurityValue, field.getType(), action);
+                     }
+                  }
+                  else
+                  {
+                     for(QRecord inputRecord : inputRecords)
+                     {
+                        if(RecordSecurityLock.NullValueBehavior.DENY.equals(recordSecurityLock.getNullValueBehavior()))
+                        {
+                           inputRecord.addError("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " this record - the referenced " + leftMostJoinTable.getLabel() + " was not found.");
+                        }
+                     }
+                  }
+               }
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static List<RecordSecurityLock> getRecordSecurityLocks(QTableMetaData table)
+   {
+      List<RecordSecurityLock> recordSecurityLocks = table.getRecordSecurityLocks();
+      List<RecordSecurityLock> locksToCheck        = new ArrayList<>();
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if there are no locks, just return //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordSecurityLocks))
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // decide if any locks need checked - where one may not need checked if it has an all-access key, and the user has all-access //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : recordSecurityLocks)
+      {
+         QSecurityKeyType securityKeyType = QContext.getQInstance().getSecurityKeyType(recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType());
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName()) && QContext.getQSession().hasSecurityKeyValue(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName(), true, QFieldType.BOOLEAN))
+         {
+            LOG.debug("Session has " + securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName() + " - not checking this lock.");
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            locksToCheck.add(recordSecurityLock);
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (locksToCheck);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static void validateRecordSecurityValue(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record, RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock, Serializable recordSecurityValue, QFieldType fieldType, Action action)
+   {
+      if(recordSecurityValue == null)
+      {
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // handle null values - error if the NullValueBehavior is DENY //
+         /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(RecordSecurityLock.NullValueBehavior.DENY.equals(recordSecurityLock.getNullValueBehavior()))
+         {
+            String lockLabel = CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()) ? recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType() : table.getField(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName()).getLabel();
+            record.addError("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " a record without a value in the field: " + lockLabel);
+         }
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         if(!QContext.getQSession().hasSecurityKeyValue(recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType(), recordSecurityValue, fieldType))
+         {
+            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()))
+            {
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // avoid telling the user a value from a foreign record that they didn't pass in themselves. //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               record.addError("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " this record.");
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               QFieldMetaData field = table.getField(recordSecurityLock.getFieldName());
+               record.addError("You do not have permission to " + action.name().toLowerCase() + " a record with a value of " + recordSecurityValue + " in the field: " + field.getLabel());
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/templates/RenderTemplateAction.java

@@ -82,8 +82,7 @@ public class RenderTemplateAction extends AbstractQActionFunction<RenderTemplate
     *******************************************************************************/
    public static String render(AbstractActionInput parentActionInput, TemplateType templateType, Map<String, Object> context, String code) throws QException
    {
-      RenderTemplateInput renderTemplateInput = new RenderTemplateInput(parentActionInput.getInstance());
-      renderTemplateInput.setSession(parentActionInput.getSession());
+      RenderTemplateInput renderTemplateInput = new RenderTemplateInput();
       renderTemplateInput.setCode(code);
       renderTemplateInput.setContext(context);
       renderTemplateInput.setTemplateType(templateType);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/values/QCustomPossibleValueProvider.java

@@ -23,21 +23,81 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values;
 
 
 import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.values.SearchPossibleValueSourceInput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValue;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Interface to be implemented by user-defined code that serves as the backing
  ** for a CUSTOM type possibleValueSource
+ **
+ ** Type parameter `T` is the id-type of the possible value.
  *******************************************************************************/
-public interface QCustomPossibleValueProvider
+public interface QCustomPossibleValueProvider<T extends Serializable>
 {
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   QPossibleValue<T> getPossibleValue(Serializable idValue);
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   QPossibleValue<?> getPossibleValue(Serializable idValue);
+   List<QPossibleValue<T>> search(SearchPossibleValueSourceInput input) throws QException;
 
-   // todo - get/search list of possible values
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** The input list of ids might come through as a type that isn't the same as
+    ** the type of the ids in the enum (e.g., strings from a frontend, integers
+    ** in an enum).  So, this method looks maps a list of input ids to the requested type.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   default List<T> convertInputIdsToIdType(Class<T> type, List<Serializable> inputIdList)
+   {
+      List<T> rs = new ArrayList<>();
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(inputIdList))
+      {
+         return (rs);
+      }
+
+      for(Serializable serializable : inputIdList)
+      {
+         rs.add(ValueUtils.getValueAsType(type, serializable));
+      }
+
+      return (rs);
+   }
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   default boolean doesPossibleValueMatchSearchInput(List<T> idsInType, QPossibleValue<T> possibleValue, SearchPossibleValueSourceInput input)
+   {
+      boolean match = false;
+      if(input.getIdList() != null)
+      {
+         if(idsInType.contains(possibleValue.getId()))
+         {
+            match = true;
+         }
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(input.getSearchTerm()))
+         {
+            match = possibleValue.getLabel().toLowerCase().startsWith(input.getSearchTerm().toLowerCase());
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            match = true;
+         }
+      }
+      return match;
+   }
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/values/QPossibleValueTranslator.java

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.Collection;
+import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashMap;
 import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
@@ -33,11 +34,14 @@ import java.util.Objects;
 import java.util.Set;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QValueException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryJoin;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryOutput;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
@@ -50,9 +54,10 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ListingHash;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.Pair;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -61,16 +66,25 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class QPossibleValueTranslator
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(QPossibleValueTranslator.class);
-
-   private final QInstance qInstance;
-   private final QSession  session;
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QPossibleValueTranslator.class);
 
    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    // top-level keys are pvsNames (not table names)     //
    // 2nd-level keys are pkey values from the PVS table //
    ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-   private Map<String, Map<Serializable, String>> possibleValueCache;
+   private Map<String, Map<Serializable, String>> possibleValueCache = new HashMap<>();
+
+   // todo not commit - remove instance & session - use Context
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QPossibleValueTranslator()
+   {
+   }
 
 
 
@@ -79,10 +93,6 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
     *******************************************************************************/
    public QPossibleValueTranslator(QInstance qInstance, QSession session)
    {
-      this.qInstance = qInstance;
-      this.session = session;
-
-      this.possibleValueCache = new HashMap<>();
    }
 
 
@@ -91,13 +101,30 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
     ** For a list of records, translate their possible values (populating their display values)
     *******************************************************************************/
    public void translatePossibleValuesInRecords(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records)
+   {
+      translatePossibleValuesInRecords(table, records, Collections.emptyList(), null);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** For a list of records, translate their possible values (populating their display values)
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void translatePossibleValuesInRecords(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, List<QueryJoin> queryJoins, Set<String> limitedToFieldNames)
    {
       if(records == null || table == null)
       {
          return;
       }
 
-      primePvsCache(table, records);
+      if(limitedToFieldNames != null && limitedToFieldNames.isEmpty())
+      {
+         LOG.debug("We were asked to translate possible values, but then given an empty set of fields to translate, so noop.");
+         return;
+      }
+
+      LOG.debug("Translating possible values in [" + records.size() + "] records from the [" + table.getName() + "] table.");
+      primePvsCache(table, records, queryJoins, limitedToFieldNames);
 
       for(QRecord record : records)
       {
@@ -105,9 +132,48 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
          {
             if(field.getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
             {
-               record.setDisplayValue(field.getName(), translatePossibleValue(field, record.getValue(field.getName())));
+               if(limitedToFieldNames == null || limitedToFieldNames.contains(field.getName()))
+               {
+                  record.setDisplayValue(field.getName(), translatePossibleValue(field, record.getValue(field.getName())));
+               }
             }
          }
+
+         for(QueryJoin queryJoin : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(queryJoins))
+         {
+            if(queryJoin.getSelect())
+            {
+               try
+               {
+                  QTableMetaData joinTable = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(queryJoin.getJoinTable());
+                  for(QFieldMetaData field : joinTable.getFields().values())
+                  {
+                     String joinFieldName = Objects.requireNonNullElse(queryJoin.getAlias(), joinTable.getName()) + "." + field.getName();
+                     if(field.getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
+                     {
+                        if(limitedToFieldNames == null || limitedToFieldNames.contains(joinFieldName))
+                        {
+                           ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+                           // avoid circling-back upon the source table //
+                           ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+                           QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource = QContext.getQInstance().getPossibleValueSource(field.getPossibleValueSourceName());
+                           if(QPossibleValueSourceType.TABLE.equals(possibleValueSource.getType()) && table.getName().equals(possibleValueSource.getTableName()))
+                           {
+                              continue;
+                           }
+
+                           record.setDisplayValue(joinFieldName, translatePossibleValue(field, record.getValue(joinFieldName)));
+                        }
+                     }
+                  }
+               }
+               catch(Exception e)
+               {
+                  LOG.warn("Error translating join table possible values", e);
+               }
+            }
+         }
+
       }
    }
 
@@ -150,7 +216,7 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
     *******************************************************************************/
    public String translatePossibleValue(QFieldMetaData field, Serializable value)
    {
-      QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource = qInstance.getPossibleValueSource(field.getPossibleValueSourceName());
+      QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource = QContext.getQInstance().getPossibleValueSource(field.getPossibleValueSourceName());
       if(possibleValueSource == null)
       {
          LOG.error("Missing possible value source named [" + field.getPossibleValueSourceName() + "] when formatting value for field [" + field.getName() + "]");
@@ -244,8 +310,7 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
       //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // look for cached value - if it's missing, call the primer //
       //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-      possibleValueCache.putIfAbsent(possibleValueSource.getName(), new HashMap<>());
-      Map<Serializable, String> cacheForPvs = possibleValueCache.get(possibleValueSource.getName());
+      Map<Serializable, String> cacheForPvs = possibleValueCache.computeIfAbsent(possibleValueSource.getName(), x -> new HashMap<>());
       if(!cacheForPvs.containsKey(value))
       {
          primePvsCache(possibleValueSource.getTableName(), List.of(possibleValueSource), List.of(value));
@@ -329,21 +394,40 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** prime the cache (e.g., by doing bulk-queries) for table-based PVS's
-    **
-    ** @param table the table that the records are from
+    *
+    * @param table the table that the records are from
     ** @param records the records that have the possible value id's (e.g., foreign keys)
+    * @param queryJoins joins that were used as part of the query that led to the records.
+    * @param limitedToFieldNames set of names that are the only fields that get translated (null means all fields).
     *******************************************************************************/
-   void primePvsCache(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records)
+   void primePvsCache(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records, List<QueryJoin> queryJoins, Set<String> limitedToFieldNames)
    {
-      ListingHash<String, QFieldMetaData>       fieldsByPvsTable = new ListingHash<>();
-      ListingHash<String, QPossibleValueSource> pvsesByTable     = new ListingHash<>();
-      for(QFieldMetaData field : table.getFields().values())
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // this is a map of String(tableName - the PVS table) to Pair(String (either "" for main table in a query, or join-table + "."), field (from the table being selected from)) //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      ListingHash<String, Pair<String, QFieldMetaData>> fieldsByPvsTable = new ListingHash<>();
+
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // this is a map of String(tableName - the PVS table) to PossibleValueSource objects //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      ListingHash<String, QPossibleValueSource> pvsesByTable = new ListingHash<>();
+
+      primePvsCacheTableListingHashLoader(table, fieldsByPvsTable, pvsesByTable, "", table.getName(), limitedToFieldNames);
+      for(QueryJoin queryJoin : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(queryJoins))
       {
-         QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource = qInstance.getPossibleValueSource(field.getPossibleValueSourceName());
-         if(possibleValueSource != null && possibleValueSource.getType().equals(QPossibleValueSourceType.TABLE))
+         if(queryJoin.getSelect())
          {
-            fieldsByPvsTable.add(possibleValueSource.getTableName(), field);
-            pvsesByTable.add(possibleValueSource.getTableName(), possibleValueSource);
+            String aliasOrTableName = Objects.requireNonNullElse(queryJoin.getAlias(), queryJoin.getJoinTable());
+            primePvsCacheTableListingHashLoader(QContext.getQInstance().getTable(queryJoin.getJoinTable()), fieldsByPvsTable, pvsesByTable, aliasOrTableName + ".", queryJoin.getJoinTable(), limitedToFieldNames);
+         }
+      }
+
+      for(Map.Entry<String, Map<Serializable, String>> entry : possibleValueCache.entrySet())
+      {
+         int size = entry.getValue().size();
+         if(size > 50_000)
+         {
+            LOG.debug("Found a big PVS cache - clearing it.", logPair("name", entry.getKey()), logPair("size", size));
          }
       }
 
@@ -352,16 +436,24 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
          Set<Serializable> values = new HashSet<>();
          for(QRecord record : records)
          {
-            for(QFieldMetaData field : fieldsByPvsTable.get(tableName))
+            for(Pair<String, QFieldMetaData> fieldPair : fieldsByPvsTable.get(tableName))
             {
-               Serializable fieldValue = record.getValue(field.getName());
+               String       fieldName  = fieldPair.getA() + fieldPair.getB().getName();
+               Serializable fieldValue = record.getValue(fieldName);
+
+               /////////////////////////////////////////
+               // ignore null and empty-string values //
+               /////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(!StringUtils.hasContent(ValueUtils.getValueAsString(fieldValue)))
+               {
+                  continue;
+               }
 
                //////////////////////////////////////
                // check if value is already cached //
                //////////////////////////////////////
-               QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource = pvsesByTable.get(tableName).get(0);
-               possibleValueCache.putIfAbsent(possibleValueSource.getName(), new HashMap<>());
-               Map<Serializable, String> cacheForPvs = possibleValueCache.get(possibleValueSource.getName());
+               QPossibleValueSource      possibleValueSource = pvsesByTable.get(tableName).get(0);
+               Map<Serializable, String> cacheForPvs         = possibleValueCache.computeIfAbsent(possibleValueSource.getName(), x -> new HashMap<>());
 
                if(!cacheForPvs.containsKey(fieldValue))
                {
@@ -379,6 +471,34 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Helper for the primePvsCache method
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void primePvsCacheTableListingHashLoader(QTableMetaData table, ListingHash<String, Pair<String, QFieldMetaData>> fieldsByPvsTable, ListingHash<String, QPossibleValueSource> pvsesByTable, String fieldNamePrefix, String tableName, Set<String> limitedToFieldNames)
+   {
+      for(QFieldMetaData field : table.getFields().values())
+      {
+         QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource = QContext.getQInstance().getPossibleValueSource(field.getPossibleValueSourceName());
+         if(possibleValueSource != null && possibleValueSource.getType().equals(QPossibleValueSourceType.TABLE))
+         {
+            if(limitedToFieldNames != null && !limitedToFieldNames.contains(fieldNamePrefix + field.getName()))
+            {
+               LOG.debug("Skipping cache priming for translation of possible value field [" + fieldNamePrefix + field.getName() + "] - it's not in the limitedToFieldNames set.");
+               continue;
+            }
+
+            fieldsByPvsTable.add(possibleValueSource.getTableName(), Pair.of(fieldNamePrefix, field));
+
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // todo - optimization we can put the same PVS in this listing hash multiple times... either check for dupes, or change to a set, or something smarter. //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            pvsesByTable.add(possibleValueSource.getTableName(), possibleValueSource);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** For a given table, and a list of pkey-values in that table, AND a list of
     ** possible value sources based on that table (maybe usually 1, but could be more,
@@ -394,24 +514,49 @@ public class QPossibleValueTranslator
 
       try
       {
-         String primaryKeyField = qInstance.getTable(tableName).getPrimaryKeyField();
+         String primaryKeyField = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(tableName).getPrimaryKeyField();
 
          for(List<Serializable> page : CollectionUtils.getPages(values, 1000))
          {
-            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(qInstance);
-            queryInput.setSession(session);
+            QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
             queryInput.setTableName(tableName);
             queryInput.setFilter(new QQueryFilter().withCriteria(new QFilterCriteria(primaryKeyField, QCriteriaOperator.IN, page)));
 
-            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // this is needed to get record labels, which are what we use here... unclear if best! //
-            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
-            if(notTooDeep())
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // when querying for possible values, we do want to generate their display values, which makes record labels, which are usually used as PVS labels //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            queryInput.setShouldGenerateDisplayValues(true);
+
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // also, if this table uses any possible value fields as part of its own record label, then THOSE possible values need translated. //
+            /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            Set<String> possibleValueFieldsToTranslate = new HashSet<>();
+            for(QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource : possibleValueSources)
             {
-               queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
-               queryInput.setShouldGenerateDisplayValues(true);
+               if(possibleValueSource.getType().equals(QPossibleValueSourceType.TABLE))
+               {
+                  QTableMetaData table = QContext.getQInstance().getTable(possibleValueSource.getTableName());
+                  for(String recordLabelField : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getRecordLabelFields()))
+                  {
+                     QFieldMetaData field = table.getField(recordLabelField);
+                     if(field.getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
+                     {
+                        possibleValueFieldsToTranslate.add(field.getName());
+                     }
+                  }
+               }
             }
 
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // an earlier version of this code got into stack overflows, so do a "cheap" check for recursion depth too... //
+            ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            if(!possibleValueFieldsToTranslate.isEmpty() && notTooDeep())
+            {
+               queryInput.setShouldTranslatePossibleValues(true);
+               queryInput.setFieldsToTranslatePossibleValues(possibleValueFieldsToTranslate);
+            }
+
+            LOG.debug("Priming PVS cache for [" + page.size() + "] ids from [" + tableName + "] table.");
             QueryOutput queryOutput = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
 
             ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/values/QValueFormatter.java

@@ -25,17 +25,18 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values;
 import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.time.LocalDate;
 import java.time.LocalDateTime;
+import java.time.LocalTime;
+import java.time.ZonedDateTime;
 import java.time.format.DateTimeFormatter;
+import java.util.Collection;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.data.QRecord;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -44,35 +45,20 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class QValueFormatter
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(QValueFormatter.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QValueFormatter.class);
 
-   private static DateTimeFormatter dateTimeFormatter = DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM-dd h:mm a");
-   private static DateTimeFormatter dateFormatter     = DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM-dd");
+   private static DateTimeFormatter dateTimeFormatter         = DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss a");
+   private static DateTimeFormatter dateTimeWithZoneFormatter = DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM-dd hh:mm:ss a z");
+   private static DateTimeFormatter dateFormatter             = DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("yyyy-MM-dd");
+   private static DateTimeFormatter localTimeFormatter        = DateTimeFormatter.ofPattern("h:mm:ss a");
 
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** For a field, and its value, apply the field's displayFormat.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public String formatValue(QFieldMetaData field, Serializable value)
+   public static String formatValue(QFieldMetaData field, Serializable value)
    {
-      if(QFieldType.BOOLEAN.equals(field.getType()))
-      {
-         Boolean b = ValueUtils.getValueAsBoolean(value);
-         if(b == null)
-         {
-            return (null);
-         }
-         else if(b)
-         {
-            return ("Yes");
-         }
-         else
-         {
-            return ("No");
-         }
-      }
-
       return (formatValue(field.getDisplayFormat(), field.getName(), value));
    }
 
@@ -81,7 +67,7 @@ public class QValueFormatter
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** For a display format string (e.g., %d), and a value, apply the displayFormat.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public String formatValue(String displayFormat, Serializable value)
+   public static String formatValue(String displayFormat, Serializable value)
    {
       return (formatValue(displayFormat, "", value));
    }
@@ -92,7 +78,7 @@ public class QValueFormatter
     ** For a display format string, an optional fieldName (only used for logging),
     ** and a value, apply the format.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private String formatValue(String displayFormat, String fieldName, Serializable value)
+   private static String formatValue(String displayFormat, String fieldName, Serializable value)
    {
       //////////////////////////////////
       // null values get null results //
@@ -102,6 +88,22 @@ public class QValueFormatter
          return (null);
       }
 
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // try to apply some type-specific defaults, if we were requested to just format as a string. //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if("%s".equals(displayFormat))
+      {
+         if(value instanceof Boolean b)
+         {
+            return formatBoolean(b);
+         }
+
+         if(value instanceof LocalTime lt)
+         {
+            return formatLocalTime(lt);
+         }
+      }
+
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // if the field has a display format, try to apply it //
       ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -151,7 +153,7 @@ public class QValueFormatter
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public String formatDate(LocalDate date)
+   public static String formatDate(LocalDate date)
    {
       return (dateFormatter.format(date));
    }
@@ -161,17 +163,37 @@ public class QValueFormatter
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public String formatDateTime(LocalDateTime dateTime)
+   public static String formatDateTime(LocalDateTime dateTime)
    {
       return (dateTimeFormatter.format(dateTime));
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String formatDateTimeWithZone(ZonedDateTime dateTime)
+   {
+      return (dateTimeWithZoneFormatter.format(dateTime));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String formatLocalTime(LocalTime localTime)
+   {
+      return (localTimeFormatter.format(localTime));
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Make a string from a table's recordLabelFormat and fields, for a given record.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public String formatRecordLabel(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record)
+   public static String formatRecordLabel(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record)
    {
       if(!StringUtils.hasContent(table.getRecordLabelFormat()))
       {
@@ -195,7 +217,7 @@ public class QValueFormatter
     ** For a given format string, and a list of fields, look in displayValueMap and
     ** rawValueMap to get the values to apply to the format.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private String formatStringWithFields(String formatString, List<String> formatFields, Map<String, String> displayValueMap, Map<String, Serializable> rawValueMap)
+   private static String formatStringWithFields(String formatString, List<String> formatFields, Map<String, String> displayValueMap, Map<String, Serializable> rawValueMap)
    {
       List<Serializable> values = formatFields.stream()
          .map(fieldName ->
@@ -221,7 +243,7 @@ public class QValueFormatter
     ** For a given format string, and a list of values, apply the format.  Note, null
     ** values in the list become "".
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public String formatStringWithValues(String formatString, List<String> formatValues)
+   public static String formatStringWithValues(String formatString, List<String> formatValues)
    {
       List<String> values = formatValues.stream()
          .map(v -> v == null ? "" : v)
@@ -234,7 +256,7 @@ public class QValueFormatter
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** Deal with non-happy-path cases for making a record label.
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private String formatRecordLabelExceptionalCases(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record)
+   private static String formatRecordLabelExceptionalCases(QTableMetaData table, QRecord record)
    {
       ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       // if there's no record label format, then just return the primary key display value //
@@ -260,9 +282,10 @@ public class QValueFormatter
 
 
    /*******************************************************************************
-    ** For a list of records, set their recordLabels and display values
+    ** For a list of records, set their recordLabels and display values - including
+    ** record label (e.g., from the table meta data).
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setDisplayValuesInRecords(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records)
+   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecords(QTableMetaData table, List<QRecord> records)
    {
       if(records == null)
       {
@@ -271,17 +294,65 @@ public class QValueFormatter
 
       for(QRecord record : records)
       {
-         for(QFieldMetaData field : table.getFields().values())
-         {
-            if(record.getDisplayValue(field.getName()) == null)
-            {
-               String formattedValue = formatValue(field, record.getValue(field.getName()));
-               record.setDisplayValue(field.getName(), formattedValue);
-            }
-         }
-
+         setDisplayValuesInRecord(table.getFields().values(), record);
          record.setRecordLabel(formatRecordLabel(table, record));
       }
    }
 
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** For a list of records, set their recordLabels and display values
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecords(Collection<QFieldMetaData> fields, List<QRecord> records)
+   {
+      if(records == null)
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      for(QRecord record : records)
+      {
+         setDisplayValuesInRecord(fields, record);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** For a list of records, set their display values
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void setDisplayValuesInRecord(Collection<QFieldMetaData> fields, QRecord record)
+   {
+      for(QFieldMetaData field : fields)
+      {
+         if(record.getDisplayValue(field.getName()) == null)
+         {
+            String formattedValue = formatValue(field, record.getValue(field.getName()));
+            record.setDisplayValue(field.getName(), formattedValue);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String formatBoolean(Boolean b)
+   {
+      if(b == null)
+      {
+         return (null);
+      }
+      else if(b)
+      {
+         return ("Yes");
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         return ("No");
+      }
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/actions/values/SearchPossibleValueSourceAction.java

@@ -26,8 +26,10 @@ import java.io.Serializable;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Objects;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.customizers.QCodeLoader;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.tables.QueryAction;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QCriteriaOperator;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
@@ -42,11 +44,10 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleVal
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSourceType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 import org.apache.commons.lang.NotImplementedException;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -55,7 +56,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class SearchPossibleValueSourceAction
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(SearchPossibleValueSourceAction.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(SearchPossibleValueSourceAction.class);
 
    private QPossibleValueTranslator possibleValueTranslator;
 
@@ -105,13 +106,15 @@ public class SearchPossibleValueSourceAction
       SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput output      = new SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput();
       List<Serializable>              matchingIds = new ArrayList<>();
 
+      List<?> inputIdsAsCorrectType = convertInputIdsToEnumIdType(possibleValueSource, input.getIdList());
+
       for(QPossibleValue<?> possibleValue : possibleValueSource.getEnumValues())
       {
          boolean match = false;
 
          if(input.getIdList() != null)
          {
-            if(input.getIdList().contains(possibleValue.getId()))
+            if(inputIdsAsCorrectType.contains(possibleValue.getId()))
             {
                match = true;
             }
@@ -146,6 +149,44 @@ public class SearchPossibleValueSourceAction
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** The input list of ids might come through as a type that isn't the same as
+    ** the type of the ids in the enum (e.g., strings from a frontend, integers
+    ** in an enum).  So, this method looks at the first id in the enum, and then
+    ** maps all the inputIds to be of the same type.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private List<Object> convertInputIdsToEnumIdType(QPossibleValueSource possibleValueSource, List<Serializable> inputIdList)
+   {
+      List<Object> rs = new ArrayList<>();
+      if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(inputIdList))
+      {
+         return (rs);
+      }
+
+      Object anIdFromTheEnum = possibleValueSource.getEnumValues().get(0).getId();
+
+      if(anIdFromTheEnum instanceof Integer)
+      {
+         inputIdList.forEach(id -> rs.add(ValueUtils.getValueAsInteger(id)));
+      }
+      else if(anIdFromTheEnum instanceof String)
+      {
+         inputIdList.forEach(id -> rs.add(ValueUtils.getValueAsString(id)));
+      }
+      else if(anIdFromTheEnum instanceof Boolean)
+      {
+         inputIdList.forEach(id -> rs.add(ValueUtils.getValueAsBoolean(id)));
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         LOG.warn("Unexpected type [" + anIdFromTheEnum.getClass().getSimpleName() + "] for ids in enum: " + possibleValueSource.getName());
+      }
+
+      return (rs);
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -153,15 +194,13 @@ public class SearchPossibleValueSourceAction
    {
       SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput output = new SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput();
 
-      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput(input.getInstance());
-      queryInput.setSession(input.getSession());
+      QueryInput queryInput = new QueryInput();
       queryInput.setTableName(possibleValueSource.getTableName());
 
       QTableMetaData table = input.getInstance().getTable(possibleValueSource.getTableName());
 
       QQueryFilter queryFilter = new QQueryFilter();
       queryFilter.setBooleanOperator(QQueryFilter.BooleanOperator.OR);
-      queryInput.setFilter(queryFilter);
 
       if(input.getIdList() != null)
       {
@@ -207,11 +246,19 @@ public class SearchPossibleValueSourceAction
 
       queryFilter.setOrderBys(possibleValueSource.getOrderByFields());
 
-      // todo - default filter
-
       // todo - skip & limit as params
       queryInput.setLimit(250);
 
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // if given a default filter, make it the 'top level' filter and the one we just created a subfilter //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(input.getDefaultQueryFilter() != null)
+      {
+         input.getDefaultQueryFilter().addSubFilter(queryFilter);
+         queryFilter = input.getDefaultQueryFilter();
+      }
+      queryInput.setFilter(queryFilter);
+
       QueryOutput             queryOutput     = new QueryAction().execute(queryInput);
       List<Serializable>      ids             = queryOutput.getRecords().stream().map(r -> r.getValue(table.getPrimaryKeyField())).toList();
       List<QPossibleValue<?>> qPossibleValues = possibleValueTranslator.buildTranslatedPossibleValueList(possibleValueSource, ids);
@@ -229,8 +276,12 @@ public class SearchPossibleValueSourceAction
    {
       try
       {
-         // QCustomPossibleValueProvider customPossibleValueProvider = QCodeLoader.getCustomPossibleValueProvider(possibleValueSource);
-         // return (formatPossibleValue(possibleValueSource, customPossibleValueProvider.getPossibleValue(value)));
+         QCustomPossibleValueProvider customPossibleValueProvider = QCodeLoader.getCustomPossibleValueProvider(possibleValueSource);
+         List<QPossibleValue<?>>      possibleValues              = customPossibleValueProvider.search(input);
+
+         SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput output = new SearchPossibleValueSourceOutput();
+         output.setResults(possibleValues);
+         return (output);
       }
       catch(Exception e)
       {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/context/CapturedContext.java

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context;
+
+
+import java.util.Stack;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** record containing the values managed by QContext.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public record CapturedContext(QInstance qInstance, QSession qSession, QBackendTransaction qBackendTransaction, Stack<AbstractActionInput> actionStack)
+{
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/context/QContext.java

@@ -0,0 +1,262 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context;
+
+
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.Stack;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.QBackendTransaction;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QInstanceValidationException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QInstanceValidator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** A collection of thread-local variables, to define the current context of the
+ ** QQQ code that is running.  e.g., what QInstance is being used, what QSession
+ ** is active, etc.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class QContext
+{
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QContext.class);
+
+   private static ThreadLocal<QInstance>                  qInstanceThreadLocal           = new ThreadLocal<>();
+   private static ThreadLocal<QSession>                   qSessionThreadLocal            = new ThreadLocal<>();
+   private static ThreadLocal<QBackendTransaction>        qBackendTransactionThreadLocal = new ThreadLocal<>();
+   private static ThreadLocal<Stack<AbstractActionInput>> actionStackThreadLocal         = new ThreadLocal<>();
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** private constructor - class is not meant to be instantiated.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private QContext()
+   {
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Most common method to set or init the context - e.g., set the current thread
+    ** with a QInstance and QSession.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void init(QInstance qInstance, QSession qSession)
+   {
+      init(qInstance, qSession, null, null);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Full flavor init method - also take a transaction and action input (to seed the stack).
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void init(QInstance qInstance, QSession qSession, QBackendTransaction transaction, AbstractActionInput actionInput)
+   {
+      qInstanceThreadLocal.set(qInstance);
+      qSessionThreadLocal.set(qSession);
+      qBackendTransactionThreadLocal.set(transaction);
+
+      actionStackThreadLocal.set(new Stack<>());
+      if(actionInput != null)
+      {
+         actionStackThreadLocal.get().add(actionInput);
+      }
+
+      if(!qInstance.getHasBeenValidated())
+      {
+         try
+         {
+            new QInstanceValidator().validate(qInstance);
+         }
+         catch(QInstanceValidationException e)
+         {
+            LOG.warn(e);
+            throw (new IllegalArgumentException("QInstance failed validation" + e.getMessage(), e));
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Init a new thread with the context captured from a different thread.  e.g.,
+    ** when starting some async task.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void init(CapturedContext capturedContext)
+   {
+      init(capturedContext.qInstance(), capturedContext.qSession(), capturedContext.qBackendTransaction(), null);
+      actionStackThreadLocal.set(capturedContext.actionStack());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Capture all values from the current thread - meant to be used with the init
+    ** overload that takes a CapturedContext, for setting up a child thread.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static CapturedContext capture()
+   {
+      return (new CapturedContext(getQInstance(), getQSession(), getQBackendTransaction(), getActionStack()));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Clear all values in the current thread.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void clear()
+   {
+      qInstanceThreadLocal.remove();
+      qSessionThreadLocal.remove();
+      qBackendTransactionThreadLocal.remove();
+      actionStackThreadLocal.remove();
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QInstance getQInstance()
+   {
+      return (qInstanceThreadLocal.get());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QSession getQSession()
+   {
+      return (qSessionThreadLocal.get());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QBackendTransaction getQBackendTransaction()
+   {
+      return (qBackendTransactionThreadLocal.get());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Stack<AbstractActionInput> getActionStack()
+   {
+      return (actionStackThreadLocal.get());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void pushAction(AbstractActionInput action)
+   {
+      if(actionStackThreadLocal.get() == null)
+      {
+         actionStackThreadLocal.set(new Stack<>());
+      }
+      actionStackThreadLocal.get().push(action);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void popAction()
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         actionStackThreadLocal.get().pop();
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         LOG.debug("Error popping action stack", e);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void setQInstance(QInstance qInstance)
+   {
+      qInstanceThreadLocal.set(qInstance);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void setQSession(QSession qSession)
+   {
+      qSessionThreadLocal.set(qSession);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void setTransaction(QBackendTransaction transaction)
+   {
+      qBackendTransactionThreadLocal.set(transaction);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void clearTransaction()
+   {
+      qBackendTransactionThreadLocal.remove();
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Optional<AbstractActionInput> getFirstActionInStack()
+   {
+      if(actionStackThreadLocal.get() == null || actionStackThreadLocal.get().isEmpty())
+      {
+         return (Optional.empty());
+      }
+
+      return (Optional.of(actionStackThreadLocal.get().get(0)));
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/exceptions/AccessTokenException.java

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ * Exception thrown doing authentication
+ *
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class AccessTokenException extends QAuthenticationException
+{
+   private Integer statusCode;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AccessTokenException(String message)
+   {
+      super(message);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AccessTokenException(String message, int statusCode)
+   {
+      super(message);
+      this.statusCode = statusCode;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message & cause
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AccessTokenException(String message, Throwable cause)
+   {
+      super(message, cause);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message & cause
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AccessTokenException(String message, Throwable cause, int statusCode)
+   {
+      super(message, cause);
+      this.statusCode = statusCode;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for statusCode
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Integer getStatusCode()
+   {
+      return statusCode;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for statusCode
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setStatusCode(Integer statusCode)
+   {
+      this.statusCode = statusCode;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for statusCode
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AccessTokenException withStatusCode(Integer statusCode)
+   {
+      this.statusCode = statusCode;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/exceptions/QPermissionDeniedException.java

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ * Exception thrown if user doesn't have permission for an action
+ *
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class QPermissionDeniedException extends QException
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QPermissionDeniedException(String message)
+   {
+      super(message);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message & cause
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QPermissionDeniedException(String message, Throwable cause)
+   {
+      super(message, cause);
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/exceptions/QRuntimeException.java

@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2022.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ * Base class for unchecked exceptions thrown in qqq.
+ *
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class QRuntimeException extends RuntimeException
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QRuntimeException(Throwable t)
+   {
+      super(t.getMessage(), t);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QRuntimeException(String message)
+   {
+      super(message);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor of message & cause
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QRuntimeException(String message, Throwable cause)
+   {
+      super(message, cause);
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceEnricher.java

@@ -32,8 +32,13 @@ import java.util.Locale;
 import java.util.Map;
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.permissions.BulkTableActionProcessPermissionChecker;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QBackendMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeUsage;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.dashboard.QWidgetMetaDataInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.AdornmentType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.FieldAdornment;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
@@ -42,6 +47,8 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppChildMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppSection;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QIcon;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.MetaDataWithPermissionRules;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.permissions.QPermissionRules;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSource;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.possiblevalues.QPossibleValueSourceType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QComponentType;
@@ -53,6 +60,7 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportDataSource
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportView;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QFieldSection;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QMiddlewareTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Tier;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.bulk.delete.BulkDeleteTransformStep;
@@ -66,8 +74,6 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwith
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.processes.implementations.etl.streamedwithfrontend.StreamedETLWithFrontendProcess;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -77,7 +83,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class QInstanceEnricher
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(QInstanceEnricher.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QInstanceEnricher.class);
 
    private final QInstance qInstance;
 
@@ -133,6 +139,21 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       {
          qInstance.getPossibleValueSources().values().forEach(this::enrichPossibleValueSource);
       }
+
+      if(qInstance.getWidgets() != null)
+      {
+         qInstance.getWidgets().values().forEach(this::enrichWidget);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void enrichWidget(QWidgetMetaDataInterface widgetMetaData)
+   {
+      enrichPermissionRules(widgetMetaData);
    }
 
 
@@ -160,6 +181,11 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       if(table.getFields() != null)
       {
          table.getFields().values().forEach(this::enrichField);
+
+         for(QMiddlewareTableMetaData middlewareTableMetaData : CollectionUtils.nonNullMap(table.getMiddlewareMetaData()).values())
+         {
+            middlewareTableMetaData.enrich(table);
+         }
       }
 
       if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(table.getSections()))
@@ -175,6 +201,74 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       {
          table.setRecordLabelFormat(String.join(" ", Collections.nCopies(table.getRecordLabelFields().size(), "%s")));
       }
+
+      enrichPermissionRules(table);
+      enrichAuditRules(table);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void enrichAuditRules(QTableMetaData table)
+   {
+      if(table.getAuditRules() == null && qInstance.getDefaultAuditRules() != null)
+      {
+         table.setAuditRules(qInstance.getDefaultAuditRules());
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void enrichPermissionRules(MetaDataWithPermissionRules metaDataWithPermissionRules)
+   {
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // make sure there's a permissionsRule object in the metaData object //
+      ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(metaDataWithPermissionRules.getPermissionRules() == null)
+      {
+         if(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules() != null)
+         {
+            metaDataWithPermissionRules.setPermissionRules(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules().clone());
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            metaDataWithPermissionRules.setPermissionRules(QPermissionRules.defaultInstance().clone());
+         }
+      }
+
+      QPermissionRules permissionRules = metaDataWithPermissionRules.getPermissionRules();
+
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // now make sure the required fields are all set in the permissionRules object //
+      /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      if(permissionRules.getLevel() == null)
+      {
+         if(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules() != null && qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules().getLevel() != null)
+         {
+            permissionRules.setLevel(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules().getLevel());
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            permissionRules.setLevel(QPermissionRules.defaultInstance().getLevel());
+         }
+      }
+
+      if(permissionRules.getDenyBehavior() == null)
+      {
+         if(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules() != null && qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules().getDenyBehavior() != null)
+         {
+            permissionRules.setDenyBehavior(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules().getDenyBehavior());
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            permissionRules.setDenyBehavior(QPermissionRules.defaultInstance().getDenyBehavior());
+         }
+      }
    }
 
 
@@ -193,6 +287,8 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       {
          process.getStepList().forEach(this::enrichStep);
       }
+
+      enrichPermissionRules(process);
    }
 
 
@@ -236,14 +332,7 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
    {
       if(!StringUtils.hasContent(field.getLabel()))
       {
-         if(configRemoveIdFromNameWhenCreatingPossibleValueFieldLabels && StringUtils.hasContent(field.getPossibleValueSourceName()) && field.getName() != null && field.getName().endsWith("Id"))
-         {
-            field.setLabel(nameToLabel(field.getName().substring(0, field.getName().length() - 2)));
-         }
-         else
-         {
-            field.setLabel(nameToLabel(field.getName()));
-         }
+         fieldNameToLabel(field);
       }
 
       //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -251,7 +340,7 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       // and that PVS exists in the instance                                  //
       // and it's a table-type PVS and the table name is set                  //
       // and it's a valid table in the instance, and the table is in some app //
-      // and the field doesn't have a LINK adornment                          //
+      // and the field doesn't (already) have a LINK or CHIP adornment        //
       // then add a link-to-record-from-table adornment to the field.         //
       //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
       if(StringUtils.hasContent(field.getPossibleValueSourceName()))
@@ -264,7 +353,15 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
             {
                if(qInstance.getTable(tableName) != null && doesAnyAppHaveTable(tableName))
                {
-                  if(field.getAdornments() == null || field.getAdornments().stream().noneMatch(a -> AdornmentType.LINK.equals(a.getType())))
+                  boolean hasLinkAdornment = false;
+                  boolean hasChipAdornment = false;
+                  if(field.getAdornments() != null)
+                  {
+                     hasLinkAdornment = field.getAdornments().stream().anyMatch(a -> AdornmentType.LINK.equals(a.getType()));
+                     hasChipAdornment = field.getAdornments().stream().anyMatch(a -> AdornmentType.CHIP.equals(a.getType()));
+                  }
+
+                  if(!hasLinkAdornment && !hasChipAdornment)
                   {
                      field.withFieldAdornment(new FieldAdornment().withType(AdornmentType.LINK)
                         .withValue(AdornmentType.LinkValues.TO_RECORD_FROM_TABLE, tableName));
@@ -277,6 +374,23 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void fieldNameToLabel(QFieldMetaData field)
+   {
+      if(configRemoveIdFromNameWhenCreatingPossibleValueFieldLabels && StringUtils.hasContent(field.getPossibleValueSourceName()) && field.getName() != null && field.getName().endsWith("Id"))
+      {
+         field.setLabel(nameToLabel(field.getName().substring(0, field.getName().length() - 2)));
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         field.setLabel(nameToLabel(field.getName()));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -323,6 +437,8 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
       {
          enrichAppSection(section);
       }
+
+      enrichPermissionRules(app);
    }
 
 
@@ -411,6 +527,8 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
             }
          }
       }
+
+      enrichPermissionRules(report);
    }
 
 
@@ -506,7 +624,9 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
          .withName(processName)
          .withLabel(table.getLabel() + " Bulk Insert")
          .withTableName(table.getName())
-         .withIsHidden(true);
+         .withIsHidden(true)
+         .withPermissionRules(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules().clone()
+            .withCustomPermissionChecker(new QCodeReference(BulkTableActionProcessPermissionChecker.class, QCodeUsage.CUSTOMIZER)));
 
       List<QFieldMetaData> editableFields = new ArrayList<>();
       for(QFieldSection section : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getSections()))
@@ -568,7 +688,9 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
          .withName(processName)
          .withLabel(table.getLabel() + " Bulk Edit")
          .withTableName(table.getName())
-         .withIsHidden(true);
+         .withIsHidden(true)
+         .withPermissionRules(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules().clone()
+            .withCustomPermissionChecker(new QCodeReference(BulkTableActionProcessPermissionChecker.class, QCodeUsage.CUSTOMIZER)));
 
       List<QFieldMetaData> editableFields = table.getFields().values().stream()
          .filter(QFieldMetaData::getIsEditable)
@@ -613,7 +735,9 @@ public class QInstanceEnricher
          .withName(processName)
          .withLabel(table.getLabel() + " Bulk Delete")
          .withTableName(table.getName())
-         .withIsHidden(true);
+         .withIsHidden(true)
+         .withPermissionRules(qInstance.getDefaultPermissionRules().clone()
+            .withCustomPermissionChecker(new QCodeReference(BulkTableActionProcessPermissionChecker.class, QCodeUsage.CUSTOMIZER)));
 
       List<QFieldMetaData> tableFields = table.getFields().values().stream().toList();
       process.getFrontendStep("review").setRecordListFields(tableFields);

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QInstanceValidator.java

@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances;
 import java.lang.reflect.InvocationTargetException;
 import java.lang.reflect.Modifier;
 import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Collections;
 import java.util.HashSet;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Map;
@@ -39,15 +40,21 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.processes.BackendStep;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.scripts.TestScriptActionInterface;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.values.QCustomPossibleValueProvider;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QInstanceValidationException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterCriteria;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QFilterOrderBy;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QQueryFilter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.tables.query.QueryJoin;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QBackendMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QMiddlewareInstanceMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeReference;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.code.QCodeUsage;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.QFieldMetaData;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.fields.ValueTooLongBehavior;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.JoinOn;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.joins.QJoinMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppChildMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.layout.QAppSection;
@@ -56,8 +63,12 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QProcessMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.processes.QStepMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.queues.SQSQueueProviderMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportDataSource;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportField;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.reporting.QReportView;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.FieldSecurityLock;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.security.RecordSecurityLock;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.AssociatedScript;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Association;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QFieldSection;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.Tier;
@@ -65,10 +76,10 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.UniqueKey;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.AutomationStatusTracking;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.AutomationStatusTrackingType;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.automation.QTableAutomationDetails;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.cache.CacheOf;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.cache.CacheUseCase;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.CollectionUtils;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -83,7 +94,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class QInstanceValidator
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(QInstanceValidator.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QInstanceValidator.class);
 
    private boolean printWarnings = false;
 
@@ -131,6 +142,9 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
          validateApps(qInstance);
          validatePossibleValueSources(qInstance);
          validateQueuesAndProviders(qInstance);
+         validateJoins(qInstance);
+         validateSecurityKeyTypes(qInstance);
+         validateMiddlewareMetaData(qInstance);
 
          validateUniqueTopLevelNames(qInstance);
       }
@@ -149,6 +163,93 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateMiddlewareMetaData(QInstance qInstance)
+   {
+      for(QMiddlewareInstanceMetaData middlewareInstanceMetaData : CollectionUtils.nonNullMap(qInstance.getMiddlewareMetaData()).values())
+      {
+         middlewareInstanceMetaData.validate(qInstance, this);
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateSecurityKeyTypes(QInstance qInstance)
+   {
+      Set<String> usedNames = new HashSet<>();
+      qInstance.getSecurityKeyTypes().forEach((name, securityKeyType) ->
+      {
+         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyType.getName()), "Missing name for a securityKeyType"))
+         {
+            assertCondition(Objects.equals(name, securityKeyType.getName()), "Inconsistent naming for securityKeyType: " + name + "/" + securityKeyType.getName() + ".");
+            assertCondition(!usedNames.contains(name), "More than one SecurityKeyType with name (or allAccessKeyName) of: " + name);
+            usedNames.add(name);
+            if(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName()))
+            {
+               assertCondition(!usedNames.contains(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName()), "More than one SecurityKeyType with name (or allAccessKeyName) of: " + securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName());
+               usedNames.add(securityKeyType.getAllAccessKeyName());
+            }
+
+            if(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyType.getPossibleValueSourceName()))
+            {
+               assertCondition(qInstance.getPossibleValueSource(securityKeyType.getPossibleValueSourceName()) != null, "Unrecognized possibleValueSourceName in securityKeyType: " + name);
+            }
+         }
+      });
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateJoins(QInstance qInstance)
+   {
+      qInstance.getJoins().forEach((joinName, join) ->
+      {
+         assertCondition(Objects.equals(joinName, join.getName()), "Inconsistent naming for join: " + joinName + "/" + join.getName() + ".");
+
+         assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(join.getLeftTable()), "Missing left-table name in join: " + joinName);
+         assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(join.getRightTable()), "Missing right-table name in join: " + joinName);
+         assertCondition(join.getType() != null, "Missing type for join: " + joinName);
+         assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(join.getJoinOns()), "Missing joinOns for join: " + joinName);
+
+         boolean leftTableExists  = assertCondition(qInstance.getTable(join.getLeftTable()) != null, "Left-table name " + join.getLeftTable() + " join " + joinName + " is not a defined table in this instance.");
+         boolean rightTableExists = assertCondition(qInstance.getTable(join.getRightTable()) != null, "Right-table name " + join.getRightTable() + " join " + joinName + " is not a defined table in this instance.");
+
+         for(JoinOn joinOn : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(join.getJoinOns()))
+         {
+            assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(joinOn.getLeftField()), "Missing left-field name in a joinOn for join: " + joinName);
+            assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(joinOn.getRightField()), "Missing right-field name in a joinOn for join: " + joinName);
+
+            if(leftTableExists)
+            {
+               assertNoException(() -> qInstance.getTable(join.getLeftTable()).getField(joinOn.getLeftField()), "Left field name in joinOn " + joinName + " is not a defined field in table " + join.getLeftTable());
+            }
+
+            if(rightTableExists)
+            {
+               assertNoException(() -> qInstance.getTable(join.getRightTable()).getField(joinOn.getRightField()), "Right field name in joinOn " + joinName + " is not a defined field in table " + join.getRightTable());
+            }
+         }
+
+         for(QFilterOrderBy orderBy : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(join.getOrderBys()))
+         {
+            if(rightTableExists)
+            {
+               assertNoException(() -> qInstance.getTable(join.getRightTable()).getField(orderBy.getFieldName()), "Field name " + orderBy.getFieldName() + " in orderBy for join " + joinName + " is not a defined field in the right-table " + join.getRightTable());
+            }
+         }
+      });
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** there can be some unexpected bad-times if you have a table and process, or
     ** table and app (etc) with the same name (e.g., in app tree building).  So,
@@ -272,7 +373,6 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
          qInstance.getTables().forEach((tableName, table) ->
          {
             assertCondition(Objects.equals(tableName, table.getName()), "Inconsistent naming for table: " + tableName + "/" + table.getName() + ".");
-            validateAppChildHasValidParentAppName(qInstance, table);
 
             ////////////////////////////////////////
             // validate the backend for the table //
@@ -305,14 +405,7 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
             {
                table.getFields().forEach((fieldName, field) ->
                {
-                  assertCondition(Objects.equals(fieldName, field.getName()),
-                     "Inconsistent naming in table " + tableName + " for field " + fieldName + "/" + field.getName() + ".");
-
-                  if(field.getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
-                  {
-                     assertCondition(qInstance.getPossibleValueSource(field.getPossibleValueSourceName()) != null,
-                        "Unrecognized possibleValueSourceName " + field.getPossibleValueSourceName() + " in table " + tableName + " for field " + fieldName + ".");
-                  }
+                  validateTableField(qInstance, tableName, fieldName, field);
                });
             }
 
@@ -342,17 +435,11 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                }
             }
 
-            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(table.getFields()))
+            for(String fieldName : CollectionUtils.nonNullMap(table.getFields()).keySet())
             {
-               for(String fieldName : table.getFields().keySet())
-               {
-                  assertCondition(fieldNamesInSections.contains(fieldName), "Table " + tableName + " field " + fieldName + " is not listed in any field sections.");
-               }
+               assertCondition(fieldNamesInSections.contains(fieldName), "Table " + tableName + " field " + fieldName + " is not listed in any field sections.");
             }
 
-            ///////////////////////////////
-            // validate the record label //
-            ///////////////////////////////
             if(table.getRecordLabelFields() != null && table.getFields() != null)
             {
                for(String recordLabelField : table.getRecordLabelFields())
@@ -361,38 +448,227 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                }
             }
 
-            if(table.getCustomizers() != null)
+            for(Map.Entry<String, QCodeReference> entry : CollectionUtils.nonNullMap(table.getCustomizers()).entrySet())
             {
-               for(Map.Entry<String, QCodeReference> entry : table.getCustomizers().entrySet())
+               validateTableCustomizer(tableName, entry.getKey(), entry.getValue());
+            }
+
+            validateTableAutomationDetails(qInstance, table);
+            validateTableUniqueKeys(table);
+            validateAssociatedScripts(table);
+            validateTableCacheOf(qInstance, table);
+            validateTableRecordSecurityLocks(qInstance, table);
+            validateTableAssociations(qInstance, table);
+         });
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateTableAssociations(QInstance qInstance, QTableMetaData table)
+   {
+      for(Association association : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getAssociations()))
+      {
+         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(association.getName()), "missing a name for an Association on table " + table.getName()))
+         {
+            String messageSuffix = " for Association " + association.getName() + " on table " + table.getName();
+            if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(association.getAssociatedTableName()), "missing associatedTableName" + messageSuffix))
+            {
+               assertCondition(qInstance.getTable(association.getAssociatedTableName()) != null, "unrecognized associatedTableName " + association.getAssociatedTableName() + messageSuffix);
+            }
+
+            if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(association.getJoinName()), "missing joinName" + messageSuffix))
+            {
+               assertCondition(qInstance.getJoin(association.getJoinName()) != null, "unrecognized joinName " + association.getJoinName() + messageSuffix);
+            }
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateTableRecordSecurityLocks(QInstance qInstance, QTableMetaData table)
+   {
+      String prefix = "Table " + table.getName() + " ";
+
+      RECORD_SECURITY_LOCKS_LOOP:
+      for(RecordSecurityLock recordSecurityLock : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getRecordSecurityLocks()))
+      {
+         String securityKeyTypeName = recordSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType();
+         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyTypeName), prefix + "has a recordSecurityLock that is missing a securityKeyType"))
+         {
+            assertCondition(qInstance.getSecurityKeyType(securityKeyTypeName) != null, prefix + "has a recordSecurityLock with an unrecognized securityKeyType: " + securityKeyTypeName);
+         }
+
+         prefix = "Table " + table.getName() + " recordSecurityLock (of key type " + securityKeyTypeName + ") ";
+
+         boolean hasAnyBadJoins = false;
+         for(String joinName : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()))
+         {
+            if(!assertCondition(qInstance.getJoin(joinName) != null, prefix + "has an unrecognized joinName: " + joinName))
+            {
+               hasAnyBadJoins = true;
+            }
+         }
+
+         String fieldName = recordSecurityLock.getFieldName();
+
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // don't bother trying to validate field names if we know we have a bad join. //
+         ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(fieldName), prefix + "is missing a fieldName") && !hasAnyBadJoins)
+         {
+            if(fieldName.contains("."))
+            {
+               if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()), prefix + "field name " + fieldName + " looks like a join (has a dot), but no joinNameChain was given."))
                {
-                  validateTableCustomizer(tableName, entry.getKey(), entry.getValue());
+                  List<QueryJoin> joins = new ArrayList<>();
+
+                  ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  // ok - so - the join name chain is going to be like this:                                       //
+                  // for a table:  orderLineItemExtrinsic (that's 2 away from order, where the security field is): //
+                  // - securityFieldName = order.clientId                                                          //
+                  // - joinNameChain = orderJoinOrderLineItem, orderLineItemJoinOrderLineItemExtrinsic             //
+                  // so - to navigate from the table to the security field, we need to reverse the joinNameChain,  //
+                  // and step (via tmpTable variable) back to the securityField                                    //
+                  ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+                  ArrayList<String> joinNameChain = new ArrayList<>(CollectionUtils.nonNullList(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()));
+                  Collections.reverse(joinNameChain);
+
+                  QTableMetaData tmpTable = table;
+
+                  for(String joinName : joinNameChain)
+                  {
+                     QJoinMetaData join = qInstance.getJoin(joinName);
+                     if(join == null)
+                     {
+                        errors.add(prefix + "joinNameChain contained an unrecognized join: " + joinName);
+                        continue RECORD_SECURITY_LOCKS_LOOP;
+                     }
+
+                     if(join.getLeftTable().equals(tmpTable.getName()))
+                     {
+                        joins.add(new QueryJoin(join));
+                        tmpTable = qInstance.getTable(join.getRightTable());
+                     }
+                     else if(join.getRightTable().equals(tmpTable.getName()))
+                     {
+                        joins.add(new QueryJoin(join.flip()));
+                        tmpTable = qInstance.getTable(join.getLeftTable());
+                     }
+                     else
+                     {
+                        errors.add(prefix + "joinNameChain could not be followed through join: " + joinName);
+                        continue RECORD_SECURITY_LOCKS_LOOP;
+                     }
+                  }
+
+                  assertCondition(findField(qInstance, table, joins, fieldName), prefix + "has an unrecognized fieldName: " + fieldName);
                }
             }
-
-            //////////////////////////////////////
-            // validate the table's automations //
-            //////////////////////////////////////
-            if(table.getAutomationDetails() != null)
+            else
             {
-               validateTableAutomationDetails(qInstance, table);
+               if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeIsEmpty(recordSecurityLock.getJoinNameChain()), prefix + "field name " + fieldName + " does not look like a join (does not have a dot), but a joinNameChain was given."))
+               {
+                  assertNoException(() -> table.getField(fieldName), prefix + "has an unrecognized fieldName: " + fieldName);
+               }
             }
+         }
 
-            //////////////////////////////////////
-            // validate the table's unique keys //
-            //////////////////////////////////////
-            if(table.getUniqueKeys() != null)
-            {
-               validateTableUniqueKeys(table);
-            }
+         assertCondition(recordSecurityLock.getNullValueBehavior() != null, prefix + "is missing a nullValueBehavior");
+      }
+   }
 
-            /////////////////////////////////////////////
-            // validate the table's associated scripts //
-            /////////////////////////////////////////////
-            if(table.getAssociatedScripts() != null)
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateTableField(QInstance qInstance, String tableName, String fieldName, QFieldMetaData field)
+   {
+      assertCondition(Objects.equals(fieldName, field.getName()),
+         "Inconsistent naming in table " + tableName + " for field " + fieldName + "/" + field.getName() + ".");
+
+      if(field.getPossibleValueSourceName() != null)
+      {
+         assertCondition(qInstance.getPossibleValueSource(field.getPossibleValueSourceName()) != null,
+            "Unrecognized possibleValueSourceName " + field.getPossibleValueSourceName() + " in table " + tableName + " for field " + fieldName + ".");
+      }
+
+      String prefix = "Field " + fieldName + " in table " + tableName + " ";
+
+      ValueTooLongBehavior behavior = field.getBehavior(qInstance, ValueTooLongBehavior.class);
+      if(behavior != null && !behavior.equals(ValueTooLongBehavior.PASS_THROUGH))
+      {
+         assertCondition(field.getMaxLength() != null, prefix + "specifies a ValueTooLongBehavior, but not a maxLength.");
+      }
+
+      if(field.getMaxLength() != null)
+      {
+         assertCondition(field.getMaxLength() > 0, prefix + "has an invalid maxLength (" + field.getMaxLength() + ") - must be greater than 0.");
+         assertCondition(field.getType().isStringLike(), prefix + "has maxLength, but is not of a supported type (" + field.getType() + ") - must be a string-like type.");
+
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // this condition doesn't make sense/apply - because the default value-too-long behavior is pass-through, so, idk, just omit //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // assertCondition(behavior != null, prefix + "specifies a maxLength, but no ValueTooLongBehavior.");
+      }
+
+      FieldSecurityLock fieldSecurityLock = field.getFieldSecurityLock();
+      if(fieldSecurityLock != null)
+      {
+         String securityKeyTypeName = fieldSecurityLock.getSecurityKeyType();
+         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(securityKeyTypeName), prefix + "has a fieldSecurityLock that is missing a securityKeyType"))
+         {
+            assertCondition(qInstance.getSecurityKeyType(securityKeyTypeName) != null, prefix + "has a fieldSecurityLock with an unrecognized securityKeyType: " + securityKeyTypeName);
+         }
+
+         assertCondition(fieldSecurityLock.getDefaultBehavior() != null, prefix + "has a fieldSecurityLock that is missing a defaultBehavior");
+         assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(fieldSecurityLock.getOverrideValues()), prefix + "has a fieldSecurityLock that is missing overrideValues");
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private void validateTableCacheOf(QInstance qInstance, QTableMetaData table)
+   {
+      CacheOf cacheOf = table.getCacheOf();
+      if(cacheOf == null)
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
+      String prefix          = "Table " + table.getName() + " cacheOf ";
+      String sourceTableName = cacheOf.getSourceTable();
+      if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(sourceTableName), prefix + "is missing a sourceTable name"))
+      {
+         assertCondition(qInstance.getTable(sourceTableName) != null, prefix + "is referencing an unknown sourceTable: " + sourceTableName);
+
+         boolean hasExpirationSeconds  = cacheOf.getExpirationSeconds() != null;
+         boolean hasCacheDateFieldName = StringUtils.hasContent(cacheOf.getCachedDateFieldName());
+         assertCondition(hasExpirationSeconds && hasCacheDateFieldName || (!hasExpirationSeconds && !hasCacheDateFieldName), prefix + "is missing either expirationSeconds or cachedDateFieldName (must either have both, or neither.)");
+
+         if(hasCacheDateFieldName)
+         {
+            assertNoException(() -> table.getField(cacheOf.getCachedDateFieldName()), prefix + "cachedDateFieldName " + cacheOf.getCachedDateFieldName() + " is an unrecognized field.");
+         }
+
+         if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(cacheOf.getUseCases()), prefix + "does not have any useCases defined."))
+         {
+            for(CacheUseCase useCase : cacheOf.getUseCases())
             {
-               validateAssociatedScripts(table);
+               assertCondition(useCase.getType() != null, prefix + "has a useCase without a type.");
             }
-         });
+         }
       }
    }
 
@@ -404,7 +680,7 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
    private void validateAssociatedScripts(QTableMetaData table)
    {
       Set<String> usedFieldNames = new HashSet<>();
-      for(AssociatedScript associatedScript : table.getAssociatedScripts())
+      for(AssociatedScript associatedScript : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getAssociatedScripts()))
       {
          if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(associatedScript.getFieldName()), "Table " + table.getName() + " has an associatedScript without a fieldName"))
          {
@@ -433,7 +709,7 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
    private void validateTableUniqueKeys(QTableMetaData table)
    {
       Set<Set<String>> ukSets = new HashSet<>();
-      for(UniqueKey uniqueKey : table.getUniqueKeys())
+      for(UniqueKey uniqueKey : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(table.getUniqueKeys()))
       {
          if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(uniqueKey.getFieldNames()), table.getName() + " has a uniqueKey with no fields"))
          {
@@ -458,11 +734,15 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
     *******************************************************************************/
    private void validateTableAutomationDetails(QInstance qInstance, QTableMetaData table)
    {
+      QTableAutomationDetails automationDetails = table.getAutomationDetails();
+      if(automationDetails == null)
+      {
+         return;
+      }
+
       String tableName = table.getName();
       String prefix    = "Table " + tableName + " automationDetails ";
 
-      QTableAutomationDetails automationDetails = table.getAutomationDetails();
-
       //////////////////////////////////////
       // validate the automation provider //
       //////////////////////////////////////
@@ -671,6 +951,9 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
          }
          else if(!Modifier.isPublic(clazz.getModifiers()))
          {
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // seems like this doesn't get hit, for private classses... //
+            //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
             errors.add(prefix + " because it is not public");
          }
          else
@@ -681,14 +964,15 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
             boolean hasNoArgConstructor = Stream.of(clazz.getConstructors()).anyMatch(c -> c.getParameterCount() == 0);
             if(!hasNoArgConstructor)
             {
-               errors.add(prefix + " because it does not have a parameterless constructor");
+               errors.add(prefix + " because it does not have a public parameterless constructor");
             }
             else
             {
                //////////////////////////////////////////
                // otherwise, just append the exception //
                //////////////////////////////////////////
-               errors.add(prefix + ": " + e);
+               e.printStackTrace();
+               errors.add(prefix + ": " + e.getMessage());
             }
          }
       }
@@ -787,8 +1071,6 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
          {
             assertCondition(Objects.equals(processName, process.getName()), "Inconsistent naming for process: " + processName + "/" + process.getName() + ".");
 
-            validateAppChildHasValidParentAppName(qInstance, process);
-
             /////////////////////////////////////////////
             // validate the table name for the process //
             /////////////////////////////////////////////
@@ -842,7 +1124,6 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
          qInstance.getReports().forEach((reportName, report) ->
          {
             assertCondition(Objects.equals(reportName, report.getName()), "Inconsistent naming for report: " + reportName + "/" + report.getName() + ".");
-            validateAppChildHasValidParentAppName(qInstance, report);
 
             ////////////////////////////////////////
             // validate dataSources in the report //
@@ -868,7 +1149,7 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                      {
                         if(dataSource.getQueryFilter() != null)
                         {
-                           validateQueryFilter("In " + dataSourceErrorPrefix + "query filter - ", qInstance.getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable()), dataSource.getQueryFilter());
+                           validateQueryFilter(qInstance, "In " + dataSourceErrorPrefix + "query filter - ", qInstance.getTable(dataSource.getSourceTable()), dataSource.getQueryFilter(), dataSource.getQueryJoins());
                         }
                      }
                   }
@@ -883,9 +1164,9 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                }
             }
 
-            ////////////////////////////////////////
-            // validate dataSources in the report //
-            ////////////////////////////////////////
+            //////////////////////////////////
+            // validate views in the report //
+            //////////////////////////////////
             if(assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(report.getViews()), "At least 1 view must be defined in report " + reportName + "."))
             {
                int         index         = 0;
@@ -899,19 +1180,30 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                   usedViewNames.add(view.getName());
 
                   String viewErrorPrefix = "Report " + reportName + " view " + view.getName() + " ";
-                  assertCondition(view.getType() != null, viewErrorPrefix + " is missing its type.");
-                  if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(view.getDataSourceName()), viewErrorPrefix + " is missing a dataSourceName"))
+                  assertCondition(view.getType() != null, viewErrorPrefix + "is missing its type.");
+                  if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(view.getDataSourceName()), viewErrorPrefix + "is missing a dataSourceName"))
                   {
-                     assertCondition(usedDataSourceNames.contains(view.getDataSourceName()), viewErrorPrefix + " has an unrecognized dataSourceName: " + view.getDataSourceName());
+                     assertCondition(usedDataSourceNames.contains(view.getDataSourceName()), viewErrorPrefix + "has an unrecognized dataSourceName: " + view.getDataSourceName());
                   }
 
                   if(StringUtils.hasContent(view.getVarianceDataSourceName()))
                   {
-                     assertCondition(usedDataSourceNames.contains(view.getVarianceDataSourceName()), viewErrorPrefix + " has an unrecognized varianceDataSourceName: " + view.getVarianceDataSourceName());
+                     assertCondition(usedDataSourceNames.contains(view.getVarianceDataSourceName()), viewErrorPrefix + "has an unrecognized varianceDataSourceName: " + view.getVarianceDataSourceName());
                   }
 
-                  // actually, this is okay if there's a customizer, so...
-                  assertCondition(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(view.getColumns()), viewErrorPrefix + " does not have any columns.");
+                  boolean hasColumns        = CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(view.getColumns());
+                  boolean hasViewCustomizer = view.getViewCustomizer() != null;
+                  assertCondition(hasColumns || hasViewCustomizer, viewErrorPrefix + "does not have any columns or a view customizer.");
+
+                  Set<String> usedColumnNames = new HashSet<>();
+                  for(QReportField column : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(view.getColumns()))
+                  {
+                     assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(column.getName()), viewErrorPrefix + "has a column with no name.");
+                     assertCondition(!usedColumnNames.contains(column.getName()), viewErrorPrefix + "has multiple columns named: " + column.getName());
+                     usedColumnNames.add(column.getName());
+
+                     // todo - is field name valid?
+                  }
 
                   // todo - all these too...
                   // view.getPivotFields();
@@ -931,34 +1223,87 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void validateQueryFilter(String context, QTableMetaData table, QQueryFilter queryFilter)
+   private void validateQueryFilter(QInstance qInstance, String context, QTableMetaData table, QQueryFilter queryFilter, List<QueryJoin> queryJoins)
    {
       for(QFilterCriteria criterion : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(queryFilter.getCriteria()))
       {
-         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(criterion.getFieldName()), context + "Missing fieldName for a criteria"))
+         String fieldName = criterion.getFieldName();
+         if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(fieldName), context + "Missing fieldName for a criteria"))
          {
-            assertNoException(() -> table.getField(criterion.getFieldName()), context + "Criteria fieldName " + criterion.getFieldName() + " is not a field in this table.");
+            assertCondition(findField(qInstance, table, queryJoins, fieldName), context + "Criteria fieldName " + fieldName + " is not a field in this table (or in any given joins).");
          }
-         assertCondition(criterion.getOperator() != null, context + "Missing operator for a criteria on fieldName " + criterion.getFieldName());
-         assertCondition(criterion.getValues() != null, context + "Missing values for a criteria on fieldName " + criterion.getFieldName()); // todo - what about ops w/ no value (BLANK)
+         assertCondition(criterion.getOperator() != null, context + "Missing operator for a criteria on fieldName " + fieldName);
+         assertCondition(criterion.getValues() != null, context + "Missing values for a criteria on fieldName " + fieldName); // todo - what about ops w/ no value (BLANK)
       }
 
       for(QFilterOrderBy orderBy : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(queryFilter.getOrderBys()))
       {
          if(assertCondition(StringUtils.hasContent(orderBy.getFieldName()), context + "Missing fieldName for an orderBy"))
          {
-            assertNoException(() -> table.getField(orderBy.getFieldName()), context + "OrderBy fieldName " + orderBy.getFieldName() + " is not a field in this table.");
+            assertCondition(findField(qInstance, table, queryJoins, orderBy.getFieldName()), context + "OrderBy fieldName " + orderBy.getFieldName() + " is not a field in this table (or in any given joins).");
          }
       }
 
       for(QQueryFilter subFilter : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(queryFilter.getSubFilters()))
       {
-         validateQueryFilter(context, table, subFilter);
+         validateQueryFilter(qInstance, context, table, subFilter, queryJoins);
       }
    }
 
 
 
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Look for a field name in either a table, or the tables referenced in a list of query joins.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private boolean findField(QInstance qInstance, QTableMetaData table, List<QueryJoin> queryJoins, String fieldName)
+   {
+      boolean foundField = false;
+      try
+      {
+         table.getField(fieldName);
+         foundField = true;
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         if(fieldName.contains("."))
+         {
+            String fieldNameAfterDot = fieldName.substring(fieldName.lastIndexOf(".") + 1);
+
+            if(CollectionUtils.nullSafeHasContents(queryJoins))
+            {
+               for(QueryJoin queryJoin : CollectionUtils.nonNullList(queryJoins))
+               {
+                  QTableMetaData joinTable = qInstance.getTable(queryJoin.getJoinTable());
+                  if(joinTable != null)
+                  {
+                     try
+                     {
+                        joinTable.getField(fieldNameAfterDot);
+                        foundField = true;
+                        break;
+                     }
+                     catch(Exception e2)
+                     {
+                        continue;
+                     }
+                  }
+               }
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               errors.add("QInstanceValidator does not yet support finding a field that looks like a join field, but isn't associated with a query.");
+               return (true);
+               // todo! for(QJoinMetaData join : CollectionUtils.nonNullMap(qInstance.getJoins()).values())
+               // {
+               // }
+            }
+         }
+      }
+      return foundField;
+   }
+
+
+
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -980,7 +1325,10 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
                Set<String> childNames = new HashSet<>();
                for(QAppChildMetaData child : app.getChildren())
                {
-                  assertCondition(Objects.equals(appName, child.getParentAppName()), "Child " + child.getName() + " of app " + appName + " does not have its parent app properly set.");
+                  if(child instanceof QAppMetaData childApp)
+                  {
+                     assertCondition(Objects.equals(appName, childApp.getParentAppName()), "Child app " + child.getName() + " of app " + appName + " does not have its parent app properly set.");
+                  }
                   assertCondition(!childNames.contains(child.getName()), "App " + appName + " contains more than one child named " + child.getName());
                   childNames.add(child.getName());
                }
@@ -1206,7 +1554,7 @@ public class QInstanceValidator
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   private void validateAppChildHasValidParentAppName(QInstance qInstance, QAppChildMetaData appChild)
+   private void validateAppChildHasValidParentAppName(QInstance qInstance, QAppMetaData appChild)
    {
       if(appChild.getParentAppName() != null)
       {

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/QMetaDataVariableInterpreter.java

@@ -29,11 +29,10 @@ import java.util.LinkedHashMap;
 import java.util.Locale;
 import java.util.Map;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QException;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.ValueUtils;
 import io.github.cdimascio.dotenv.Dotenv;
 import io.github.cdimascio.dotenv.DotenvEntry;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
@@ -49,7 +48,7 @@ import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
  *******************************************************************************/
 public class QMetaDataVariableInterpreter
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(QMetaDataVariableInterpreter.class);
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(QMetaDataVariableInterpreter.class);
 
    private Map<String, String>                    environmentOverrides;
    private Map<String, Map<String, Serializable>> valueMaps;

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/instances/SecretsManagerUtils.java

@@ -0,0 +1,275 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances;
+
+
+import java.io.File;
+import java.io.IOException;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import com.amazonaws.auth.AWSStaticCredentialsProvider;
+import com.amazonaws.auth.BasicAWSCredentials;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.AWSSecretsManager;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.AWSSecretsManagerClientBuilder;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.CreateSecretRequest;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.Filter;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.GetSecretValueRequest;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.GetSecretValueResult;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.ListSecretsRequest;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.ListSecretsResult;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.PutSecretValueRequest;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.ResourceExistsException;
+import com.amazonaws.services.secretsmanager.model.SecretListEntry;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import org.apache.commons.io.FileUtils;
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import org.json.JSONException;
+import org.json.JSONObject;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Utility class for working with AWS Secrets Manager.
+ **
+ ** Relies on environment variables:
+ ** SECRETS_MANAGER_ACCESS_KEY
+ ** SECRETS_MANAGER_SECRET_KEY
+ ** SECRETS_MANAGER_REGION
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class SecretsManagerUtils
+{
+   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(SecretsManagerUtils.class);
+
+   private static QMetaDataVariableInterpreter qMetaDataVariableInterpreter;
+   private static AWSSecretsManager            _client = null;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** IF secret manager ENV vars are set,
+    ** THEN lookup all secrets starting with the given prefix,
+    ** and write them to a .env file (backing up any pre-existing .env files first).
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void writeEnvFromSecretsWithNamePrefix(String prefix) throws IOException
+   {
+      Optional<AWSSecretsManager> optionalSecretsManagerClient = getSecretsManagerClient();
+      if(optionalSecretsManagerClient.isPresent())
+      {
+         AWSSecretsManager client = optionalSecretsManagerClient.get();
+
+         ListSecretsRequest listSecretsRequest = new ListSecretsRequest().withFilters(new Filter().withKey("name").withValues(prefix));
+         listSecretsRequest.withMaxResults(100);
+         ListSecretsResult listSecretsResult = client.listSecrets(listSecretsRequest);
+
+         StringBuilder fullEnv = new StringBuilder();
+         while(true)
+         {
+            for(SecretListEntry secretListEntry : listSecretsResult.getSecretList())
+            {
+               String           nameWithoutPrefix = secretListEntry.getName().replace(prefix, "");
+               Optional<String> secretValue       = getSecret(prefix, nameWithoutPrefix);
+               if(secretValue.isPresent())
+               {
+                  String envLine = nameWithoutPrefix + "=" + secretValue.get();
+                  fullEnv.append(envLine).append('\n');
+               }
+            }
+
+            if(listSecretsResult.getNextToken() != null)
+            {
+               LOG.trace("Calling for next token...");
+               listSecretsRequest.setNextToken(listSecretsResult.getNextToken());
+               listSecretsResult = client.listSecrets(listSecretsRequest);
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               break;
+            }
+         }
+
+         File dotEnv = new File(".env");
+         if(dotEnv.exists())
+         {
+            dotEnv.renameTo(new File(".env.backup-" + System.currentTimeMillis()));
+         }
+
+         FileUtils.writeStringToFile(dotEnv, fullEnv.toString());
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         LOG.info("Not writing .env from secrets manager");
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Get a single secret value.
+    **
+    ** The lookup in secrets manager is done by (path + name).  Then, in the value
+    ** that comes back, if it looks like JSON, we look for a value inside it under
+    ** the key of just "name".  Else, if we didn't get JSON back, then we just return
+    ** the full text value of the secret.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static Optional<String> getSecret(String path, String name)
+   {
+      Optional<AWSSecretsManager> optionalSecretsManagerClient = getSecretsManagerClient();
+      if(optionalSecretsManagerClient.isPresent())
+      {
+         try
+         {
+            AWSSecretsManager     client                = optionalSecretsManagerClient.get();
+            String                secretId              = path + name;
+            GetSecretValueRequest getSecretValueRequest = new GetSecretValueRequest().withSecretId(secretId);
+
+            GetSecretValueResult getSecretValueResult = client.getSecretValue(getSecretValueRequest);
+
+            try
+            {
+               JSONObject secretJSON = new JSONObject(getSecretValueResult.getSecretString());
+
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // know we know it's a json object - so - commit to either returning the value under this name, else warning and returning empty //
+               ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               if(secretJSON.has(name))
+               {
+                  return (Optional.of(secretJSON.getString(name)));
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  LOG.warn("SecretsManager secret at [" + secretId + "] was a JSON object, but it did not contain a key of [" + name + "] - so returning empty.");
+                  return (Optional.empty());
+               }
+            }
+            catch(JSONException je)
+            {
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               // if the secret value couldn't be parsed as json, then assume it to be text and just return it //
+               //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+               return (Optional.of(getSecretValueResult.getSecretString()));
+            }
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            LOG.debug("Error getting secret from secretManager: ", e);
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (Optional.empty());
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Tries to do a Create - if that fails, then does a Put (update).
+    **
+    ** Path is expected to end in a /, but I suppose it isn't strictly required.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static void writeSecret(String path, String name, String value)
+   {
+      JSONObject secretJson = new JSONObject();
+      secretJson.put(name, value);
+
+      Optional<AWSSecretsManager> optionalSecretsManagerClient = getSecretsManagerClient();
+      if(optionalSecretsManagerClient.isPresent())
+      {
+         AWSSecretsManager client = optionalSecretsManagerClient.get();
+
+         try
+         {
+            CreateSecretRequest createSecretRequest = new CreateSecretRequest();
+            createSecretRequest.setName(path + name);
+            createSecretRequest.setSecretString(secretJson.toString());
+            client.createSecret(createSecretRequest);
+         }
+         catch(ResourceExistsException e)
+         {
+            PutSecretValueRequest putSecretValueRequest = new PutSecretValueRequest();
+            putSecretValueRequest.setSecretId(path + name);
+            putSecretValueRequest.setSecretString(secretJson.toString());
+            client.putSecretValue(putSecretValueRequest);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static Optional<AWSSecretsManager> getSecretsManagerClient()
+   {
+      if(_client == null)
+      {
+         QMetaDataVariableInterpreter interpreter = getQMetaDataVariableInterpreter();
+
+         String accessKey = interpreter.interpret("${env.SECRETS_MANAGER_ACCESS_KEY}");
+         String secretKey = interpreter.interpret("${env.SECRETS_MANAGER_SECRET_KEY}");
+         String region    = interpreter.interpret("${env.SECRETS_MANAGER_REGION}");
+
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(accessKey) && StringUtils.hasContent(secretKey) && StringUtils.hasContent(region))
+         {
+            try
+            {
+               BasicAWSCredentials credentials = new BasicAWSCredentials(accessKey, secretKey);
+               _client = AWSSecretsManagerClientBuilder.standard()
+                  .withCredentials(new AWSStaticCredentialsProvider(credentials))
+                  .withRegion(region)
+                  .build();
+            }
+            catch(Exception e)
+            {
+               LOG.error("Error opening Secrets Manager client", e);
+            }
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            LOG.warn("One or more SECRETS_MANAGER env var was not set.  Unable to open Secrets Manager client.");
+         }
+      }
+
+      return (Optional.ofNullable(_client));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static QMetaDataVariableInterpreter getQMetaDataVariableInterpreter()
+   {
+      return Objects.requireNonNullElseGet(qMetaDataVariableInterpreter, QMetaDataVariableInterpreter::new);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Ideally meant for tests or one-offs to set up a variable interpreter with
+    ** an override ENV.
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static void setQMetaDataVariableInterpreter(QMetaDataVariableInterpreter qMetaDataVariableInterpreter)
+   {
+      SecretsManagerUtils.qMetaDataVariableInterpreter = qMetaDataVariableInterpreter;
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/logging/LogPair.java

@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging;
+
+
+import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.lambdas.UnsafeSupplier;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class LogPair
+{
+   private String key;
+   private Object value;
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Constructor
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public LogPair(String key, Object value)
+   {
+      this.key = key;
+      this.value = value;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   @Override
+   public String toString()
+   {
+      String valueString = getValueString(value);
+
+      return "\"" + Objects.requireNonNullElse(key, "null").replace('"', '.') + "\":" + valueString;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private String getValueString(Object value)
+   {
+      String valueString;
+      if(value == null)
+      {
+         valueString = "null";
+      }
+      else if(value instanceof LogPair subLogPair)
+      {
+         valueString = '{' + subLogPair.toString() + '}';
+      }
+      else if(value instanceof LogPair[] subLogPairs)
+      {
+         String subLogPairsString = Arrays.stream(subLogPairs).map(LogPair::toString).collect(Collectors.joining(","));
+         valueString = '{' + subLogPairsString + '}';
+      }
+      else if(value instanceof UnsafeSupplier<?, ?> us)
+      {
+         try
+         {
+            Object o = us.get();
+            return getValueString(o);
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            valueString = "LogValueError";
+         }
+      }
+      else if(value instanceof Number n)
+      {
+         valueString = String.valueOf(n);
+      }
+      else
+      {
+         valueString = '"' + String.valueOf(value).replace("\"", "\\\"") + '"';
+      }
+      return valueString;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for key
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public String getKey()
+   {
+      return (this.key);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for key
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setKey(String key)
+   {
+      this.key = key;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for key
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public LogPair withKey(String key)
+   {
+      this.key = key;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for value
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public Object getValue()
+   {
+      return (this.value);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for value
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setValue(Object value)
+   {
+      this.value = value;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for value
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public LogPair withValue(Object value)
+   {
+      this.value = value;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/logging/LogUtils.java

@@ -0,0 +1,197 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging;
+
+
+import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.stream.Collectors;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.lambdas.UnsafeSupplier;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class LogUtils
+{
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String jsonLog(List<LogPair> logPairs)
+   {
+      List<LogPair> filteredList = logPairs.stream().filter(Objects::nonNull).toList();
+      if(filteredList.isEmpty())
+      {
+         if(QLogger.processTagLogPairJson != null)
+         {
+            return ("{" + QLogger.processTagLogPairJson + "}");
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            return ("{}");
+         }
+      }
+
+      return ('{' + filteredList.stream().map(LogPair::toString).collect(Collectors.joining(","))
+         + (QLogger.processTagLogPairJson != null ? (',' + QLogger.processTagLogPairJson) : "") + '}');
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static String jsonLog(LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      if(logPairs == null || logPairs.length == 0)
+      {
+         return ("{}");
+      }
+
+      return (jsonLog(Arrays.asList(logPairs)));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static LogPair logPair(String key, Object value)
+   {
+      return (new LogPair(key, value));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static LogPair logPair(String key, UnsafeSupplier<Object, Exception> valueSupplier)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         return (new LogPair(key, valueSupplier.get()));
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         return (new LogPair(key, "exceptionLoggingValue: " + e.getMessage()));
+      }
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static LogPair logPair(String key, LogPair... values)
+   {
+      return (new LogPair(key, values));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   static String filterStackTrace(String stackTrace)
+   {
+      try
+      {
+         String        packagesToKeep = "com.kingsrook|com.nutrifresh"; // todo - parameterize!!
+         StringBuilder rs             = new StringBuilder();
+         String[]      lines          = stackTrace.split("\n");
+
+         int    indexWithinSubStack = 0;
+         int    skipsInThisPackage  = 0;
+         String packageBeingSkipped = null;
+
+         for(String line : lines)
+         {
+            boolean keepLine = true;
+
+            if(line.matches("^\\s+at .*"))
+            {
+               keepLine = false;
+               indexWithinSubStack++;
+               if(line.matches("^\\s+at (" + packagesToKeep + ").*"))
+               {
+                  keepLine = true;
+               }
+               if(indexWithinSubStack == 1)
+               {
+                  keepLine = true;
+               }
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               indexWithinSubStack = 0;
+
+               if(skipsInThisPackage > 0)
+               {
+                  rs.append("\t... ").append(skipsInThisPackage).append(" in ").append(packageBeingSkipped).append("\n");
+                  skipsInThisPackage = 0;
+               }
+            }
+
+            if(keepLine)
+            {
+               rs.append(line).append("\n");
+            }
+            else
+            {
+               String thisPackage = line.replaceFirst("\\s+at ", "").replaceFirst("(\\w+\\.\\w+).*", "$1");
+               if(Objects.equals(thisPackage, packageBeingSkipped))
+               {
+                  skipsInThisPackage++;
+               }
+               else
+               {
+                  if(skipsInThisPackage > 0)
+                  {
+                     rs.append("\t... ").append(skipsInThisPackage).append(" in ").append(packageBeingSkipped).append("\n");
+                  }
+                  skipsInThisPackage = 1;
+               }
+               packageBeingSkipped = thisPackage;
+            }
+         }
+
+         if(rs.length() > 0)
+         {
+            rs.deleteCharAt(rs.length() - 1);
+         }
+
+         return (rs.toString());
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         e.printStackTrace();
+
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+         // upon any exception, just return the input //
+         ///////////////////////////////////////////////
+         return (stackTrace);
+      }
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/logging/QLogger.java

@@ -0,0 +1,575 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging;
+
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.Arrays;
+import java.util.Collections;
+import java.util.HashMap;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QMetaDataVariableInterpreter;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.utils.StringUtils;
+import org.apache.commons.lang3.exception.ExceptionUtils;
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.Level;
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
+import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
+import static com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.LogUtils.logPair;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Wrapper for
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class QLogger
+{
+   private static Map<String, QLogger> loggerMap = Collections.synchronizedMap(new HashMap<>());
+
+   private static boolean logSessionIdEnabled = true;
+
+   //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   // note - read in LogUtils, where log pairs are made into a string. //
+   //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+   static String processTagLogPairJson = null;
+
+   private Logger logger;
+
+   static
+   {
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // read the property to see if sessionIds in log messages is enabled, just once, statically //
+      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      try
+      {
+         String propertyName  = "qqq.logger.logSessionId.disabled";
+         String propertyValue = System.getProperty(propertyName, "");
+         if(propertyValue.equals("true"))
+         {
+            logSessionIdEnabled = false;
+         }
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         e.printStackTrace();
+      }
+
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      // read the property (or env var) to see if there's a "processTag" to put on all messages //
+      ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+      try
+      {
+         String processTag = System.getProperty("qqq.logger.processTag");
+         if(processTag == null)
+         {
+            processTag = new QMetaDataVariableInterpreter().interpret("${env.QQQ_LOGGER_PROCESS_TAG}");
+         }
+
+         if(StringUtils.hasContent(processTag))
+         {
+            processTagLogPairJson = "\"processTag\":\"" + processTag + "\"";
+         }
+      }
+      catch(Exception e)
+      {
+         e.printStackTrace();
+      }
+   }
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QLogger(Logger logger)
+   {
+      this.logger = logger;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public static QLogger getLogger(Class<?> c)
+   {
+      return (loggerMap.computeIfAbsent(c.getName(), x -> new QLogger(LogManager.getLogger(c))));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void log(Level level, String message)
+   {
+      logger.log(level, makeJsonString(message));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void log(Level level, String message, Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.log(level, makeJsonString(message, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void log(Level level, Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.log(level, makeJsonString(null, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void trace(String message)
+   {
+      logger.trace(makeJsonString(message));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void trace(String message, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.trace(makeJsonString(message, null, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void trace(String message, Object... values)
+   {
+      logger.trace(makeJsonString(message), values);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void trace(String message, Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.trace(makeJsonString(message, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void trace(String message, Throwable t, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.trace(makeJsonString(message, t, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void trace(Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.trace(makeJsonString(null, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void debug(String message)
+   {
+      logger.debug(makeJsonString(message));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void debug(String message, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.debug(makeJsonString(message, null, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void debug(String message, Object... values)
+   {
+      logger.debug(makeJsonString(message), values);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void debug(String message, Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.debug(makeJsonString(message, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void debug(String message, Throwable t, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.debug(makeJsonString(message, t, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void debug(Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.debug(makeJsonString(null, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void info(String message)
+   {
+      logger.info(makeJsonString(message));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void info(LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.info(makeJsonString(null, null, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void info(List<LogPair> logPairList)
+   {
+      logger.info(makeJsonString(null, null, logPairList));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void info(String message, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.info(makeJsonString(message, null, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void info(String message, Object... values)
+   {
+      logger.info(makeJsonString(message), values);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void info(String message, Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.info(makeJsonString(message, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void info(String message, Throwable t, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.info(makeJsonString(message, t, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void info(Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.info(makeJsonString(null, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void warn(String message)
+   {
+      logger.warn(makeJsonString(message));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void warn(String message, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.warn(makeJsonString(message, null, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void warn(String message, Object... values)
+   {
+      logger.warn(makeJsonString(message), values);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void warn(String message, Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.warn(makeJsonString(message, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void warn(String message, Throwable t, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.warn(makeJsonString(message, t, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void warn(Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.warn(makeJsonString(null, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void error(String message)
+   {
+      logger.error(makeJsonString(message));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void error(String message, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.error(makeJsonString(message, null, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void error(String message, Object... values)
+   {
+      logger.error(makeJsonString(message), values);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void error(String message, Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.error(makeJsonString(message, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void error(String message, Throwable t, LogPair... logPairs)
+   {
+      logger.error(makeJsonString(message, t, logPairs));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void error(Throwable t)
+   {
+      logger.error(makeJsonString(null, t));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private String makeJsonString(String message)
+   {
+      return (makeJsonString(message, null));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private String makeJsonString(String message, Throwable t)
+   {
+      return (makeJsonString(message, t, (List<LogPair>) null));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private String makeJsonString(String message, Throwable t, LogPair[] logPairs)
+   {
+      List<LogPair> logPairList = new ArrayList<>();
+      if(logPairs != null)
+      {
+         logPairList.addAll(Arrays.stream(logPairs).toList());
+      }
+
+      return (makeJsonString(message, t, logPairList));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private String makeJsonString(String message, Throwable t, List<LogPair> logPairList)
+   {
+      if(logPairList == null)
+      {
+         logPairList = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+
+      if(StringUtils.hasContent(message))
+      {
+         logPairList.add(0, logPair("message", message));
+      }
+
+      addSessionLogPair(logPairList);
+
+      if(t != null)
+      {
+         logPairList.add(logPair("stackTrace", LogUtils.filterStackTrace(ExceptionUtils.getStackTrace(t))));
+      }
+
+      return (LogUtils.jsonLog(logPairList));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   private static void addSessionLogPair(List<LogPair> logPairList)
+   {
+      if(logSessionIdEnabled)
+      {
+         QSession session = QContext.getQSession();
+         LogPair  sessionLogPair;
+
+         if(session == null)
+         {
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            // note - being careful here to make the same json structure whether session is known or unknown //
+            // (e.g., not a string in one case and an object in another case) - to help loggly.              //
+            ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
+            sessionLogPair = logPair("session", logPair("id", "unknown"));
+         }
+         else
+         {
+            String user = "unknown";
+            if(session.getUser() != null)
+            {
+               user = session.getUser().getIdReference();
+            }
+            sessionLogPair = logPair("session", logPair("id", session.getUuid()), logPair("user", user));
+         }
+
+         try
+         {
+            logPairList.add(sessionLogPair);
+         }
+         catch(Exception e)
+         {
+            //////////////////////////////////////
+            // deal with not-modifiable list... //
+            //////////////////////////////////////
+            logPairList = new ArrayList<>(logPairList);
+            logPairList.add(sessionLogPair);
+         }
+      }
+   }
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/AbstractActionInput.java

@@ -23,27 +23,25 @@ package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions;
 
 
 import java.util.UUID;
+import com.fasterxml.jackson.annotation.JsonIgnore;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobCallback;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.actions.async.AsyncJobStatus;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.exceptions.QInstanceValidationException;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.instances.QInstanceValidator;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.logging.QLogger;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.authentication.QAuthenticationMetaData;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.session.QSession;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.modules.authentication.metadata.QAuthenticationMetaData;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.LogManager;
-import org.apache.logging.log4j.Logger;
 
 
 /*******************************************************************************
  ** Base input class for all Q actions.
  **
  *******************************************************************************/
-public abstract class AbstractActionInput
+public class AbstractActionInput
 {
-   private static final Logger LOG = LogManager.getLogger(AbstractActionInput.class);
-
-   protected QInstance instance;
-   protected QSession  session;
+   private static final QLogger LOG = QLogger.getLogger(AbstractActionInput.class);
 
    private AsyncJobCallback asyncJobCallback;
 
@@ -58,19 +56,9 @@ public abstract class AbstractActionInput
 
 
 
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public AbstractActionInput(QInstance instance)
-   {
-      this.instance = instance;
-      validateInstance(instance);
-   }
-
-
-
    /*******************************************************************************
     ** performance instance validation (if not previously done).
+    * // todo - verify this is happening (e.g., when context is set i guess)
     *******************************************************************************/
    private void validateInstance(QInstance instance)
    {
@@ -97,9 +85,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractActionInput
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
+   @JsonIgnore
    public QAuthenticationMetaData getAuthenticationMetaData()
    {
-      return (instance.getAuthentication());
+      return (getInstance().getAuthentication());
    }
 
 
@@ -108,21 +97,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractActionInput
     ** Getter for instance
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
+   @JsonIgnore
    public QInstance getInstance()
    {
-      return instance;
-   }
-
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for instance
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setInstance(QInstance instance)
-   {
-      validateInstance(instance);
-      this.instance = instance;
+      return (QContext.getQInstance());
    }
 
 
@@ -131,20 +109,10 @@ public abstract class AbstractActionInput
     ** Getter for session
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
+   @JsonIgnore
    public QSession getSession()
    {
-      return session;
-   }
-
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    ** Setter for session
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public void setSession(QSession session)
-   {
-      this.session = session;
+      return (QContext.getQSession());
    }
 
 
@@ -153,6 +121,7 @@ public abstract class AbstractActionInput
     ** Getter for asyncJobCallback
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
+   @JsonIgnore
    public AsyncJobCallback getAsyncJobCallback()
    {
       if(asyncJobCallback == null)
@@ -175,4 +144,15 @@ public abstract class AbstractActionInput
    {
       this.asyncJobCallback = asyncJobCallback;
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for instance
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AbstractActionInput withInstance(QInstance instance)
+   {
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/AbstractTableActionInput.java

@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@
 package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions;
 
 
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.context.QContext;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QBackendMetaData;
-import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.QInstance;
 import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
 
 
@@ -31,32 +31,12 @@ import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.metadata.tables.QTableMetaData;
  ** Base class for input for any qqq action that works against a table.
  **
  *******************************************************************************/
-public abstract class AbstractTableActionInput extends AbstractActionInput
+public class AbstractTableActionInput extends AbstractActionInput
 {
    private String tableName;
 
 
 
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public QBackendMetaData getBackend()
-   {
-      return (instance.getBackendForTable(getTableName()));
-   }
-
-
-
-   /*******************************************************************************
-    **
-    *******************************************************************************/
-   public QTableMetaData getTable()
-   {
-      return (instance.getTable(getTableName()));
-   }
-
-
-
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
@@ -69,9 +49,19 @@ public abstract class AbstractTableActionInput extends AbstractActionInput
    /*******************************************************************************
     **
     *******************************************************************************/
-   public AbstractTableActionInput(QInstance instance)
+   public QBackendMetaData getBackend()
    {
-      super(instance);
+      return (QContext.getQInstance().getBackendForTable(getTableName()));
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    **
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public QTableMetaData getTable()
+   {
+      return (QContext.getQInstance().getTable(getTableName()));
    }
 
 
@@ -95,4 +85,16 @@ public abstract class AbstractTableActionInput extends AbstractActionInput
    {
       this.tableName = tableName;
    }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for tableName
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AbstractTableActionInput withTableName(String tableName)
+   {
+      this.tableName = tableName;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
 }

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/audits/AuditInput.java

@@ -0,0 +1,95 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits;
+
+
+import java.io.Serializable;
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionInput;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ ** Input object for the audit action - an object which contains a list of "single"
+ ** audit inputs - e.g., the data needed to insert 1 audit.
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class AuditInput extends AbstractActionInput implements Serializable
+{
+   private List<AuditSingleInput> auditSingleInputList = new ArrayList<>();
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Getter for auditSingleInputList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public List<AuditSingleInput> getAuditSingleInputList()
+   {
+      return (this.auditSingleInputList);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Setter for auditSingleInputList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void setAuditSingleInputList(List<AuditSingleInput> auditSingleInputList)
+   {
+      this.auditSingleInputList = auditSingleInputList;
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter for auditSingleInputList
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AuditInput withAuditSingleInputList(List<AuditSingleInput> auditSingleInputList)
+   {
+      this.auditSingleInputList = auditSingleInputList;
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Add a single auditSingleInput
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public void addAuditSingleInput(AuditSingleInput auditSingleInput)
+   {
+      if(this.auditSingleInputList == null)
+      {
+         this.auditSingleInputList = new ArrayList<>();
+      }
+      this.auditSingleInputList.add(auditSingleInput);
+   }
+
+
+
+   /*******************************************************************************
+    ** Fluent setter to add a single auditSingleInput
+    *******************************************************************************/
+   public AuditInput withAuditSingleInput(AuditSingleInput auditSingleInput)
+   {
+      addAuditSingleInput(auditSingleInput);
+      return (this);
+   }
+
+}

qqq-backend-core/src/main/java/com/kingsrook/qqq/backend/core/model/actions/audits/AuditOutput.java

@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+/*
+ * QQQ - Low-code Application Framework for Engineers.
+ * Copyright (C) 2021-2023.  Kingsrook, LLC
+ * 651 N Broad St Ste 205 # 6917 | Middletown DE 19709 | United States
+ * contact@kingsrook.com
+ * https://github.com/Kingsrook/
+ *
+ * This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU Affero General Public License as
+ * published by the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the
+ * License, or (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU Affero General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU Affero General Public License
+ * along with this program.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+package com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.audits;
+
+
+import com.kingsrook.qqq.backend.core.model.actions.AbstractActionOutput;
+
+
+/*******************************************************************************
+ **
+ *******************************************************************************/
+public class AuditOutput extends AbstractActionOutput
+{
+}