Oracle APEX has introduced Application Types in upcoming release to help developers structure applications more cleanly inside a workspace. This feature allows you to clearly define the role of each application, instead of treating every app the same. Rather than mixing UI, logic, patterns, and business features in one place, APEX now encourages separation of responsibility at the application level.
Library App – Shared Foundation
A Library App acts as a central repository for reusable components.
What goes here
Authentication and authorisation schemes
List of Values (LOVs)
REST Data Sources
Common shared components
Why it matters
Instead of duplicating logic across multiple apps, everything critical is maintained in one place. Any Standard App in the workspace can reuse it.
Best suited for
Medium to large projects
Multi-app workspaces
Security and data consistency
Theme App – UI and Branding Layer
A Theme App is focused only on the look and feel.
What goes here
Themes and templates
CSS and JavaScript
Layout and UI standards
Why it matters
Branding changes can be done once and reflected across applications without touching business logic.
Best suited for
Organisation-wide branding
White-labelled solutions
Design consistency
Pattern App – Prebuilt Page Blueprints
A Pattern App contains prebuilt pages that follow best practices.
What goes here
CRUD page examples
Dashboards
Master-detail pages
Search and reporting patterns
Why it matters
Developers do not need to reinvent the wheel. Pages can be copied and adapted quickly.
Best suited for
Faster development
Team standardisation
Training and onboarding
Standard App – The Real Business Application
The Standard App is the actual application used by end users.
What goes here
Business workflows
Forms, reports, dashboards
Integrations and validations
Why it matters
This app consumes components from Library, Theme, and Pattern apps and delivers real business value.
Best suited for
Production systems
Customer-facing and internal apps
Quick Comparison
App TypePurposeReusableEnd User AppLibrary AppShared logic & dataYesNoTheme AppUI & brandingYesNoPattern AppPage templates & examplesYesNoStandard AppBusiness functionalityNoYes
Final Takeaway
Application Types in Oracle APEX are a small setting with a big impact. When used properly, they bring structure, clarity, and scalability to your workspace. Teams that adopt this model early find it easier to maintain apps, onboard developers, and deliver consistent results.
This is how APEX applications evolve from quick builds to well-architected platforms.
This functionality is expected to be introduced in upcoming Oracle APEX releases. The information is based on insights shared during my recent experience at the INOAUG AI Days 2025 conference.
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