Is it possible to bind a module (navigation module) to an app generated by the Retool AI agent?

đź’¬ App Building
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    1. My goal: I have an app with a navigation panel on the left connected to multiple apps. I need it in an app generated by Retool’s AI agent

    2. Issue: The app seems to be on its own. I don’t see any Settings where I can configure the module to be part of this app.

    3. Steps I've taken to troubleshoot: – didn’t see any options to troubleshoot

    4. Additional info: (Cloud or Self-hosted, Screenshots) Cloud-hosted

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Summary

Working in Retool's new AI app builder, they want to reuse an existing left-side navigation module (that links to multiple classic apps) inside an app generated by the AI agent, but find no setting to bind or add the module to the generated app.

AI Response

Modules are a classic-app construct — reusable sets of components and queries you drag into classic apps — and the new AI app builder generates standalone React apps that do not currently support adding or binding classic modules, including a shared navigation module. Retool staff have publicly acknowledged that integrating new-builder apps with existing Retool apps (for navigation/linking) is a known limitation that's being tracked, so there isn't a supported in-app setting for this today. As a near-term approach, navigation between an AI-generated app and other apps generally has to be handled with in-app links/buttons rather than a bound module, and reusable shared context is instead managed through the builder's org-level building context. It's worth following the acknowledged limitation thread for updates as this area is actively evolving.

Sources

:bookmark: AI Builder Question/Issue
A builder hit the same wall linking a new AI-builder app to existing apps, and Retool staff confirmed this cross-app navigation/integration gap is a known, tracked limitation.
:bookmark: Embedding New Retool Apps inside Classic Apps?
Discusses that new AI-builder apps and classic apps don't yet interoperate via embedding/modules the way classic apps do, corroborating the missing navigation-binding capability.

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Hey @axmops, thanks for writing in! Binding a navigation module into a new app builder app isn't possible just yet, since modules are a classic app feature and new-builder apps are standalone, so you weren't missing a setting. For now the best workaround is to link between the apps with a button or URL. This is on our radar internally, want me to add your +1 to the request tracking it so your vote counts toward prioritization? :+1: