See Issues for known limitations and upcoming improvements.

Quick Start (TUG Attendees)

1. Click "Code"
2. Download ZIP (no Git required)

OR

git clone https://github.com/NSA-Computer-Exchange/ion-flow-tools

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ION Flow Tools

ION Flow Tools is a Python-based toolkit for working with Infor ION Dataflows outside the ION UI.

It enables you to export, analyze, document, validate, reconstruct, secure, and enhance ION dataflows using Python tooling and a structured workspace model.

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Overview

ION Flow Tools allows you to:

• Export ION dataflows
• Parse and normalize XML into structured JSON
• Generate Markdown documentation
• Generate Mermaid diagrams
• Validate dependencies (scripts, workflows, connection points)
• Reconstruct deployable XML
• Manage flow workspaces
• Sync artifacts to Git
• Secure API access using .env
• Enhance documentation using AI

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Installation

1. Clone the repository

git clone https://github.com/NSA-Computer-Exchange/ion-flow-tools
cd ion_flow_tools

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2. Create virtual environment

python -m venv env
source env/bin/activate      # macOS/Linux
env\Scripts\activate         # Windows

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3. Install dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Optional (for CLI usage):

pip install -e .

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Setup (IMPORTANT)

After installation, run:

ionflow menu

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Setup API Credentials (Required)

From the menu, select:

Setup API Credentials

Requirements

• A valid .ionapi file from:

  • Infor OS → Authorized Apps → Ion API

What this does

• Reads .ionapi
• Extracts credentials
• Automatically creates .env

No manual editing required

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Setup AI Credentials (Optional)

AI features enhance documentation and analysis.

From the menu:

Setup AI Credentials

This will add default values to your .env.

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Manual AI Configuration (Optional)

OPENAI_API_KEY=

INFOR_GENAI_BASE_URL=https://mingle-ionapi.inforcloudsuite.com/[YOUR_TENANT]
INFOR_GENAI_LOGICAL_ID=infor.genai.genai
INFOR_GENAI_MODEL=CLAUDE
INFOR_GENAI_VERSION=claude-sonnet-4-6
INFOR_GENAI_MAX_TOKENS=1500

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Notes

• AI features are optional

• If not configured:

  • Core functionality works normally
  • AI features are skipped

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Usage

Launch CLI

ionflow

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Common Commands

ionflow stage <dataflow.xml>
ionflow open
ionflow document
ionflow diagram
ionflow validate
ionflow reconstruct
ionflow pdf
ionflow sync
ionflow ai-doc

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Workspace Model

Each flow is isolated into its own workspace:

workspace/<flow_name>/

├── exports/
├── artifacts/
└── manifest.json

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Full Structure

exports/
  dataflows/
  workflows/
  scripts/
  connection_points/
  mappings/

artifacts/
  normalized/
  docs/
  diagrams/
  bundles/

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Why Workspaces?

• Keeps flows isolated
• Stores generated outputs cleanly
• Enables Git versioning per flow
• Prevents pollution of main repo

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Project Structure

ion_flow_tools/

├── ionflow_cli/
├── tools/
├── security/
├── workspace/        (ignored in main repo)
├── .env
├── .gitignore
└── README.md

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Core Modules

CLI

ionflow_cli/ Handles command routing and user interaction.

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Core Processing (tools/)

parse_dataflow_xml.py

Parses raw XML into structured data.

normalize.py

Creates standardized JSON representation.

reconstruct_xml.py

Rebuilds deployable ION XML.

docgen.py

Generates Markdown documentation.

diagram.py

Generates Mermaid diagrams.

validate_bundle.py

Validates dependencies.

workspace.py

Manages workspace structure.

workspace_context.py

Tracks active workspace.

extract_embedded.py

Extracts embedded components.

git_sync.py

Handles workspace Git operations.

pdf_export.py

Exports docs to PDF.

ai_docgen.py

AI-enhanced documentation generation.

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Security (security/)

auth.py

Handles authentication.

iontoken.py

Handles token caching and reuse.

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Security

• .env is required for credentials
• Never commit .env
• Token handling is centralized in security/
• Supports secure API access and token reuse

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AI Features

AI enhances:

• Documentation readability
• Flow summaries
• Natural language explanations

Future enhancements:

• Flow analysis
• Dependency explanations
• Migration insights

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Git Strategy

Main Repo

Tracks:

• Source code
• CLI
• Tools
• Security modules

Workspace Repo (Optional)

Tracks:

• Exports
• Docs
• Diagrams
• Artifacts

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Recommended .gitignore

.env
*.env
workspace/
__pycache__/
*.pyc
.DS_Store
build/
dist/
*.egg-info/

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Typical Workflow

1. Run ionflow menu
2. Setup API credentials
3. Stage a dataflow
4. Generate docs & diagrams
5. Validate dependencies
6. Reconstruct XML (optional)
7. Sync workspace
8. Use AI enhancements

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Use Cases

• Reverse engineer flows
• Document integrations
• Prepare deployment bundles
• Visualize architecture
• Generate client-ready documentation
• Github sync

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Limitations

• Some activity types may require additional support
• PDF formatting may vary
• AI output should be reviewed

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Roadmap

• Expand reconstruction support
• Improve PDF rendering
• Add VS Code integration
• Add CI/CD support
• Expand AI capabilities

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Author

Rob Thayer Senior Technical Consultant NSA / Python / Integration Development