What is PDI Brew?
PDI Brew is a platform that lets anyone at PDI create internal web tools using plain English. You describe what you need, an AI assistant (Claude) builds it, and PDI Brew deploys it instantly with a shareable link.
Every app gets its own web address (like my-tool.pdi-brew.dev.platform.pditechnologies.com) and is protected by your PDI Microsoft sign-in. Access is controlled via Microsoft 365 groups — only group members can use the app.
What people are building
Internal Dashboards & Portals
Team KPI dashboards, project status boards, initiative trackers with charts and filters — shared with your team in seconds.
Workflow & Approval Tools
Expense approvals, leave requests, equipment inspection checklists, training completion tracking — with data that persists between sessions.
Data Collection & Reporting
Survey and feedback forms, event registration, team assessments, compliance audits — collect responses and view summaries in a shared dashboard.
How it works: Describe what you need in plain English. Claude AI builds it as a working app. Click "Share this app" to deploy instantly. Your team signs in with their PDI Microsoft account — access is controlled by M365 group membership.
Getting Started (5 Steps)
Creating an app takes about 5 minutes. Follow these steps in order:
0 Check your skill version
The pdi-brew-app-builder skill must be installed and up to date in Claude.ai.
- Claude.ai Teams users: The skill is pre-loaded at the org level. Check the version by going to Customize → Skills and looking for pdi-brew-app-builder. The version should match what's shown on the PDI Marketplace.
- Claude Max users: See the Setup Instructions tab to install the skill manually.
Using an outdated skill? You may encounter deploy errors or missing features. If your skill version doesn't match the marketplace, re-download and re-upload the .skill file.
1 Open Claude and invoke the skill
Go to Claude.ai and start a new conversation. Type /pdi-brew-app-builder to activate the skill.
Claude will immediately ask you two setup questions:
- Project name — A short name like
expense-tracker (letters, numbers, hyphens only). This becomes your app's URL.
- Access control — Choose one of the options below (A, B, or C).
2 Choose your access control
Claude presents three options. Pick one by typing the letter:
A. Create new group Recommended
PDI Brew creates a new M365 group automatically when you deploy. The group is named pdibrew-{your-app-name}.
- You become the group owner
- Add members anytime via Outlook or Teams using the group email (e.g.,
pdibrew-expense-tracker@pditechnologies.com)
- Your app can store data in DynamoDB — great for trackers, forms, and shared lists
B. Use existing group
Use an M365 group you already own. Type the group name or email (e.g., pdibrew-my-app or pdibrew-my-app@pditechnologies.com).
- You must be an owner of the group to deploy to it
- Useful when redeploying an app or sharing a group across multiple apps
C. Already registered
Use this if you previously deployed this app. Claude will use your saved group settings.
3 Describe your app
Tell Claude what you want to build. Be specific! For example:
- "I need a tracker for team training completions with a status dashboard"
- "Build me a form to submit expense reports with approval workflow"
- "I want a leave request tracker where employees submit requests and managers approve"
Claude builds a live preview. Ask for changes until you're happy with it — "Make the header blue", "Add a filter by department", etc.
4 Deploy your app
Click the "Share this app" button in Claude's preview. A new tab opens with the deploy page.
If you chose Option A (new group), the deploy page will:
- Create an M365 group for your app
- Provision the app's data storage (if it stores data)
- Upload and publish your app
This takes about 30-60 seconds. Your app is then live at its own URL!
Ready to build?
Check your skill version, open Claude, and start building.
Open Claude.ai
Setup Instructions
Most PDI employees use Claude.ai Teams where the skill is pre-loaded — no setup needed. If you use a Claude Max account, follow the steps below to install the skill manually.
Claude Max — Download and upload the skill
Step 1: Download the skill file from the PDI Marketplace:
Step 2: Upload to Claude.ai:
- Go to claude.ai
- Click Customize (left sidebar) → Skills
- Click the + button → Create skill → Upload a skill
- Select the downloaded
.skill file
- The skill appears as pdi-brew-app-builder — toggle it on
Step 3: Verify the version:
- Go to Customize → Skills and check the version number
- It should match the version shown on the PDI Marketplace
- If it doesn't match, delete the old skill and re-upload the latest version
Not sure which account you have? If you log into
claude.ai and see your PDI organization name in the sidebar, you're on Teams — the skill is already available. If you see
CCMAX as your account name, you're on a Max account and need to follow the steps above.
PDI Brew Data Connector (optional but recommended)
The PDI Brew Data custom connector lets you query and edit your apps' data conversationally in Claude. It's a one-time setup per Claude.ai account.
- In Claude.ai → Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector
- Connector URL:
https://mcp.pdi-brew.dev.platform.pditechnologies.com/mcp/pdi-brew-data
- Click Connect → sign in via Okta in the popup
- The connector exposes 8 tools (listApps, scan, getItem, putItem, query, etc.) — all owner-scoped to your apps
How it stays secure: Once connected, every request from Claude carries your Okta sign-in. The platform looks up your apps using your PDI email and only lets you act on apps you deployed. Group members never see your data through the connector. Admins can override only for support, and admin actions are logged.
How Access Works
Every PDI Brew app requires users to sign in with their PDI Microsoft account. Access is controlled by M365 group membership:
- Each app is tied to a single M365 group (created automatically or specified by the deployer)
- Only members of that group can open the app's URL
- The deployer (you) is automatically a group owner
- No additional access lists, allow-lists, or per-app permissions needed
Managing Group Members
Add someone to your app
- Open Outlook or Teams
- Find the group (e.g.,
pdibrew-expense-tracker)
- Go to Members and add them by email
- They can use the app immediately
Remove someone from your app
- Open the group in Outlook or Teams
- Go to Members and remove the person
- They'll be denied access on their next visit
Group email: After deploying with a new group, your group email is pdibrew-{app-name}@pditechnologies.com. Share this with colleagues so they can request to join.
Sharing One Group Across Multiple Apps
You can use the same M365 group for multiple apps — useful when the same audience needs access to a related set of tools.
- When deploying, choose Option B (existing group) and enter the same group name
- You must be an owner of the group
- Each app's data lives in a separate DynamoDB table — sharing the group doesn't merge data
Updating Your App
To change your app after it's deployed:
- Open Claude.ai and type
/pdi-brew-app-builder
- Use the same project name as before
- When asked about access, choose C (already registered) or B (existing group) with your group name
- Describe what you want to change
- Click "Share this app" again — it updates the existing app at the same URL
Lost your Claude chat? Go to
PDI Brew →
"Manage Apps" → select your app →
"Download Source". You can paste this HTML into a new Claude conversation to start fresh.
Manage Apps Page
Go to PDI Brew and click "Manage Apps" to:
- Download your app's source — Save the HTML file for editing or backup
- View Data — Inspect the app's records inline (DynamoDB-backed apps only). See the Data Management tab for details.
- Restore a previous version — View the last 10 versions of your app and restore any one with a single click. The current version is saved before restoring.
- Delete an app — Permanently remove an app you no longer need
- View details — See the URL, deploy date, and project name
Made a bad deploy? Go to Manage Apps, select your app, and scroll to Version History. Click Restore on any previous version to roll back instantly.
Deleting an App
Go to Manage Apps, select your app, and click "Delete App". This permanently removes:
- The app's HTML and assets in S3
- The app's DynamoDB table and all data
- The app's per-app Lambda function and API Gateway endpoint
- The app's URL
The M365 group is not deleted — you can keep using it for other apps or remove it manually from Outlook/Teams.
Deletion is permanent. There's no undo. If you may need the data later, use the Manage Apps → View Data panel to export records first.
Apps That Store Data
When you build an app that saves data (trackers, forms, lists), PDI Brew uses DynamoDB as the data store with a dedicated backend for each app. This is fully automatic — just tell Claude what data you need to track.
How it works
- Claude defines the data structure based on your description
- When you deploy, PDI Brew creates a DynamoDB table, Lambda function, and API for your app
- The app reads and writes data via its own API (~5ms response times)
- Only group members can access the app (and its data)
- Supports any data shape — text, numbers, dates, booleans, and nested objects
Two Ways to Manage Your App's Data
The platform provides two reliable paths to view and edit your app's data. Both are owner-scoped — only the person who deployed the app can manage it (PDI Brew Admins can override for support).
1
Manage Apps → View Data
Read-only viewer on the deploy page. Sign in to the deploy page → Manage Apps → pick your app → click View Data. Best for inspecting records without opening the app.
2
PDI Brew Data MCP connector
Conversational, in Claude.ai. One-time setup. Then ask Claude "Show me records in expense-tracker" or "Import this CSV". Best for queries, bulk imports, and analysis. See the Setup Instructions tab.
Why two paths? Each fits a different workflow: the deploy-page viewer is fastest for one-off inspection, and the Claude connector unlocks conversational queries, bulk imports, and analysis across all your apps in one chat.
Note about in-app management: Some apps that Claude builds also include a "Manage Data" tab inside the app itself (visible only to you, the deployer). This is a convenience generated by the app builder skill — it's not a platform feature, so it may or may not appear depending on the skill version and how the app was built. The two paths above always work, regardless of how the app was built.
Tips for Data Apps
- Use group-based access (Option A or B) — this is the default for all new apps
- Be specific about your data — tell Claude exactly what fields you need (e.g., "track employee name, department, start date, and status")
- Deploy is fast — DynamoDB tables are created in seconds. Your app is ready almost immediately.
- Data persists across sessions — everything saved is stored securely and available to all group members
- Bulk imports use the connector — to load CSV data into your app, use the PDI Brew Data connector in Claude (View Data is read-only)
Using the MCP Connector
Once connected, you can ask Claude things like:
- "List my PDI Brew apps" — discover what you have
- "Show me all records in employee-tracker as a table" — browse data
- "Find employees in the Engineering department" — filtered queries
- "Add a new employee: name 'Jane Doe', department 'Sales', startDate '2026-04-27'" — single-record write
- "Import these 50 employees from this CSV" — bulk import (paste or attach data)
- "Delete the record where id = abc123" — destructive ops require your approval each time
Each tool call respects ownership — you can only act on apps you deployed. Claude will tell you if you ask about an app you don't own.
For Administrators
Members of the PDI Brew Admins Microsoft 365 group have access to additional management features via the Admin tab on the PDI Brew directory.
Accessing the Admin Panel
- Sign in to the PDI Brew directory with your PDI Microsoft account
- If you are a member of the PDI Brew Admins group, you will see an "Admin" tab next to "Your Apps"
- Click the Admin tab to view the admin panel
What Admins Can Do
- View all apps — see every app on the platform, not just your own
- Summary stats — total apps, active apps, and stale apps (not accessed in 90+ days)
- Search and filter — find apps by name, owner, or status
- View app details — access type, group name/members, deployment date, recent activity log
- Disable an app — temporarily block access. Users see "This app has been disabled by an administrator." The owner can re-enable by re-deploying.
- Enable an app — restore access to a disabled app
- Delete any app — permanently remove an app and all associated resources
- View any app's data — admin override on the Manage Apps → View Data panel and the MCP connector lets admins inspect data in apps they didn't deploy (for support)
App Status Reference
| Status | Meaning |
|---|
| Active | Live and accessed within the last 90 days |
| Stale | Not accessed in 90+ days, or no access data |
| Disabled | Temporarily blocked by an administrator |
Usage Analytics
PDI Brew tracks usage via CloudWatch metrics and structured logs. Admins can view analytics in two ways:
- Per-app activity log — visible in the admin panel when you expand an app's detail row. Shows recent view events with timestamps and user names.
- Grafana dashboard — provides platform-wide analytics including views per day, deploys per day, top 10 most-used apps, top 10 users, auth failures, and admin actions.
Admin override for data access: Admins can view any app's data via the Manage Apps → View Data panel and via the MCP connector — the ownership check has an admin bypass. This is intended for support/troubleshooting; admin actions are logged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any technical skills?
No. If you can describe what you want in plain English, you can build an app.
What is /pdi-brew-app-builder?
It's a Claude AI skill that teaches Claude how to build and deploy apps to PDI Brew. Type it at the start of every new conversation to activate it. Without it, Claude won't include the "Share this app" deploy button.
My app doesn't have a "Share this app" button. What happened?
You probably started the conversation without typing /pdi-brew-app-builder first. Start a new Claude conversation, type /pdi-brew-app-builder, then describe your app.
Is there a cost?
PDI Brew is free for all PDI employees. The platform is managed by the Platform Engineering team.
Can I update my app after deploying it?
Yes. Open Claude, type /pdi-brew-app-builder, and use the same project name. The updated version replaces the existing app at the same URL.
Can someone else take my project name?
No. Once you deploy with a project name, it's yours. Only you can update or delete it.
What happens when I deploy with "Create new group"?
PDI Brew creates an M365 group called pdibrew-{your-app-name}. You're automatically the owner. Add team members via Outlook or Teams using the group email.
Can I use an existing group for multiple apps?
Yes. Choose Option B (existing group) and enter the same group name. All apps sharing the group will be accessible to the same members. Each app's data is stored in a separate DynamoDB table.
Who can see my app?
Only members of the app's M365 group. Everyone must also sign in with their PDI Microsoft account.
Who can see my app's data?
Only you (the app owner) — and PDI Brew Admins for support purposes. Group members can use the app (which reads/writes data through the app's UI) but they can't access the Manage Apps → View Data panel or the MCP connector for your app.
My app shows "Demo Mode" with sample data. What's wrong?
This happens when the app can't connect to its data source. Try signing out and signing back in. If it persists, the app may need to be re-deployed with the latest skill version.
What if I lose my Claude conversation?
Your app is still live. Download the source from Manage Apps and start a new Claude conversation with the same project name.
How do I delete an app?
Go to Manage Apps on the PDI Brew directory, select your app, and click "Delete App." This permanently removes the app, its data, and its URL. The M365 group is not deleted.
What if my app says "temporarily disabled"?
An administrator has disabled the app. Contact the app owner or raise a DevOps case to find out why.
How do I bulk import data?
Use the PDI Brew Data MCP connector in Claude.ai. Paste your CSV or list and ask Claude to import it. The connector handles batches up to 500 records per call. See the Data Management tab for setup.
Where can I see all available apps?
Visit the PDI Brew directory. After signing in, you'll see all the apps you have access to (apps whose group you're a member of).