Model vs Pages

Most Mateu UIs should be defined at the model level. Explicit @Route pages are the exception, not the default.

The principle

When the framework can infer what the user needs from the model, there is no reason to write a separate page class. The model becomes the single source of truth for both data and UI.

Example: relationships in the model

Instead of creating a separate editor page for a related entity:

// Not recommended for standard relationships
@Route("/products/:id/categories/edit")
public class ProductCategoryEditor {
    // lots of wiring...
}

Express the relationship directly in the model with an annotation:

@Lookup(search = CategoryOptionsSupplier.class, label = CategoryLabelSupplier.class)
List<String> categories;

From this single annotation, Mateu generates:

a selection UI (dropdown, checkbox list, or similar)
label resolution from IDs
integration with the CRUD form
persistence integration

Example: status field

Instead of a custom page to change a product’s status:

@Stereotype(FieldStereotype.radio)
Status status;

Mateu renders the radio group in the existing form. No extra page needed.

When NOT to create a page

You usually do not need a @Route page when:

you are doing standard CRUD
the UI can be inferred from the model type and annotations
relationships can be expressed with @Lookup or similar
actions fit naturally as @Button or @Toolbar methods on the existing form

When to create a page

Create an explicit @Route class when:

you need a multi-step wizard or guided flow
you need a custom dashboard or composite layout
the behavior genuinely cannot be expressed declaratively
you need a standalone URL for deep linking or sharing

@Route("/products/onboarding")
public class ProductOnboardingWizard {

    // Step 1
    String name;
    Status status;

    // Step 2
    String description;
    int initialStock;

    // Step 3
    List<String> categories;

    @Button
    @Action(validationRequired = true)
    public URI finish() {
        String id = productRepository.create(name, status, description, initialStock, categories);
        return URI.create("/products/" + id);
    }

}

Mental model

model = source of truth for data and default UI
annotations = UI intent and behavior
@Route page = escape hatch for custom flows

Push as much as possible into the model. Reach for explicit pages only when the model cannot express the required behavior.