Setting up the HotDocs Development Environment

For developing integrations with HotDocs, you should install the following items of software in your development environment. These allow you to develop HotDocs templates, upload templates to a web application, assemble documents using HotDocs Server, and use common HotDocs functionality when developing your own applications.

If you do not have installers for HotDocs Developer, HotDocs Server, or HotDocs Management Tools, please contact your HotDocs Account Manager.

Installation

In order, install each of the following items of software:

  1. HotDocs Developer – provides tools for developing HotDocs templates, the content with which end users interact when producing documents.
  2. HotDocs Server – provides document assembly using HotDocs templates.
  3. HotDocs Server Management Tools – provides tools to configure HotDocs Server.
  4. HotDocs Open SDK – provides common functionality for developing HotDocs integrations.
  5. HotDocs Sample Portal web application – an example host application front-end for HotDocs Server.

Once you have installed these items, you can develop HotDocs Templates using HotDocs Developer and develop a web application using HotDocs Server.

HotDocs Server Configuration

After HotDocs Server has installed, there might be additional configuration steps to perform using HotDocs Server Management Tools, to ensure HotDocs Server has the correct DCOM permission settings. If it does not already appear in the permissions list, you typically must add the Identity of the IIS Application Pool under which HotDocs Server runs. For more information.

Test that HotDocs Server Runs Correctly

Using the above list, you installed HotDocs Sample Portal Web Application. This is a simple example host application for use with HotDocs Server. By installing this application, you have a quick way to test that you have configured HotDocs Server and that it operates correctly in your environment.

To test Sample Portal:
  1. Open your web browser.
  2. Enter the address http://localhost/SamplePortal. Sample Portal loads, displaying a list of example templates.
  3. Click the Demo Employment Agreement link. The Answer Selection screen should load.
  4. Click Continue. The HotDocs Interview for the Demo Employment Agreement template should appear.
  5. Enter answers into the interview and click Finish. The Disposition page should appear.
  6. Click the DOCX Document icon at the bottom of the page to download the assembled document.