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Getting Started

This guide walks you through the Linked Data Explorer for the first time, from opening the application to executing your first DMN chain.

Prerequisites

Application layout

The application has a narrow left sidebar with navigation icons, and a main content area that changes depending on the active view.

Screenshot: Linked Data Explorer sidebar navigation with the Orchestration view active

Linked Data Explorer sidebar navigation with the Orchestration view active
Icon View
Search SPARQL Query Editor
GitBranch Chain Builder (DMN Orchestration)
Workflow BPMN Modeler
LayoutTemplate Form Editor
FileOutput Document Composer
ScrollText RoPA Records
Landmark DSO Explorer
ShieldCheck DMN Validator
BadgeCheck SHACL Validator
Share2 Graph Visualisation
BookOpen Changelog

Settings sits below the rail, pinned. The eleven view icons above it scroll on a short window rather than being pushed off the bottom edge — before v2026.09.2 they were, taking Settings with them, and a window shorter than the rail left both unreachable.

The in-app tutorial was removed in v2026.09.2

A HelpCircle icon used to open a guided tutorial inside the application. It is gone, and this page is where that walkthrough now lives.

Your first chain execution — 5-minute walkthrough

This walkthrough uses the Heusdenpas chain: three DMNs from SVB, SZW, and the Heusden municipality that together assess eligibility for the Heusdenpas social benefit pass.

Step 1 — Open the Chain Builder

Click the GitBranch icon in the left sidebar. The view splits into three panels: Available DMNs (left), Chain Composer (centre), and Configuration (right).

Step 2 — Verify DMNs are loaded

The Available DMNs panel should show several DMN cards. If it is empty, check that the active endpoint is set to the RONL TriplyDB dataset in the configuration panel. You should see SVB_LeeftijdsInformatie, SZW_BijstandsnormInformatie, and at minimum one Heusden DMN.

Step 3 — Build the chain

Drag SVB_LeeftijdsInformatie into the Chain Composer. Then drag SZW_BijstandsnormInformatie below it. The validation panel should show a green checkmark: "Chain is valid and ready to execute."

Step 4 — Provide inputs

The input form in the Configuration panel shows the inputs the chain needs from you. Fill in a geboortedatum (date of birth in YYYY-MM-DD format, e.g., 1960-01-01).

Step 5 — Execute

Click Execute. The execution panel shows per-step progress with timing. When complete, the results panel shows the final output values.

Smoke test checklist

Use this after any configuration change to verify core functionality:

  • Backend health: GET https://backend.linkeddata.open-regels.nl/v1/health returns "status": "healthy"
  • DMN list loads in Chain Builder (at least 3 cards)
  • Dragging two DMNs into the composer produces either a green or amber validation status (not an error)
  • An exact-match chain (SVB → SZW) shows green validation and active Execute/Save/Export buttons
  • Clicking Execute with valid inputs returns results without console errors
  • SPARQL Query Editor: clicking Run Query returns results in the table

Next steps