diff --git a/packages/backend-core/src/logging/index.ts b/packages/backend-core/src/logging/index.ts
index 276a8d627c..b229f47dea 100644
--- a/packages/backend-core/src/logging/index.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-core/src/logging/index.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 export * as correlation from "./correlation/correlation"
-export { default as logger } from "./pino/logger"
+export { logger, disableLogger } from "./pino/logger"
 export * from "./alerts"
 
 // turn off or on context logging i.e. tenantId, appId etc
diff --git a/packages/backend-core/src/logging/pino/logger.ts b/packages/backend-core/src/logging/pino/logger.ts
index c82876f49a..dd4b505d30 100644
--- a/packages/backend-core/src/logging/pino/logger.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-core/src/logging/pino/logger.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,17 @@ import * as correlation from "../correlation"
 import { IdentityType } from "@budibase/types"
 import { LOG_CONTEXT } from "../index"
 
+// CORE LOGGERS - for disabling
+
+const BUILT_INS = {
+  log: console.log,
+  error: console.error,
+  info: console.info,
+  warn: console.warn,
+  trace: console.trace,
+  debug: console.debug,
+}
+
 // LOGGER
 
 const pinoOptions: LoggerOptions = {
@@ -31,6 +42,15 @@ if (env.isDev()) {
 
 export const logger = pino(pinoOptions)
 
+export function disableLogger() {
+  console.log = BUILT_INS.log
+  console.error = BUILT_INS.error
+  console.info = BUILT_INS.info
+  console.warn = BUILT_INS.warn
+  console.trace = BUILT_INS.trace
+  console.debug = BUILT_INS.debug
+}
+
 // CONSOLE OVERRIDES
 
 interface MergingObject {
@@ -166,5 +186,3 @@ const getIdentity = () => {
   }
   return identity
 }
-
-export default logger
diff --git a/packages/backend-core/src/logging/pino/middleware.ts b/packages/backend-core/src/logging/pino/middleware.ts
index e9d37ab692..569420c5f2 100644
--- a/packages/backend-core/src/logging/pino/middleware.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-core/src/logging/pino/middleware.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 import env from "../../environment"
-import logger from "./logger"
+import { logger } from "./logger"
 import { IncomingMessage } from "http"
 const pino = require("koa-pino-logger")
 import { Options } from "pino-http"
diff --git a/packages/backend-core/src/plugin/tests/validation.spec.ts b/packages/backend-core/src/plugin/tests/validation.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..0fea009645
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/backend-core/src/plugin/tests/validation.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+import { validate } from "../utils"
+import fetch from "node-fetch"
+import { PluginType } from "@budibase/types"
+
+const repoUrl =
+  "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Budibase/budibase-skeleton/master"
+const automationLink = `${repoUrl}/automation/schema.json.hbs`
+const componentLink = `${repoUrl}/component/schema.json.hbs`
+const datasourceLink = `${repoUrl}/datasource/schema.json.hbs`
+
+async function getSchema(link: string) {
+  const response = await fetch(link)
+  if (response.status > 300) {
+    return
+  }
+  const text = await response.text()
+  return JSON.parse(text)
+}
+
+async function runTest(opts: { link?: string; schema?: any }) {
+  let error
+  try {
+    let schema = opts.schema
+    if (opts.link) {
+      schema = await getSchema(opts.link)
+    }
+    validate(schema)
+  } catch (err) {
+    error = err
+  }
+  return error
+}
+
+describe("it should be able to validate an automation schema", () => {
+  it("should return automation skeleton schema is valid", async () => {
+    const error = await runTest({ link: automationLink })
+    expect(error).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it("should fail given invalid automation schema", async () => {
+    const error = await runTest({
+      schema: {
+        type: PluginType.AUTOMATION,
+        schema: {},
+      },
+    })
+    expect(error).toBeDefined()
+  })
+})
+
+describe("it should be able to validate a component schema", () => {
+  it("should return component skeleton schema is valid", async () => {
+    const error = await runTest({ link: componentLink })
+    expect(error).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it("should fail given invalid component schema", async () => {
+    const error = await runTest({
+      schema: {
+        type: PluginType.COMPONENT,
+        schema: {},
+      },
+    })
+    expect(error).toBeDefined()
+  })
+})
+
+describe("it should be able to validate a datasource schema", () => {
+  it("should return datasource skeleton schema is valid", async () => {
+    const error = await runTest({ link: datasourceLink })
+    expect(error).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it("should fail given invalid datasource schema", async () => {
+    const error = await runTest({
+      schema: {
+        type: PluginType.DATASOURCE,
+        schema: {},
+      },
+    })
+    expect(error).toBeDefined()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/packages/backend-core/src/plugin/utils.ts b/packages/backend-core/src/plugin/utils.ts
index 7b62248bb5..f73ded0659 100644
--- a/packages/backend-core/src/plugin/utils.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-core/src/plugin/utils.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,12 @@
-import { DatasourceFieldType, QueryType, PluginType } from "@budibase/types"
+import {
+  DatasourceFieldType,
+  QueryType,
+  PluginType,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationStepIdArray,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+} from "@budibase/types"
 import joi from "joi"
 
 const DATASOURCE_TYPES = [
@@ -19,7 +27,7 @@ function runJoi(validator: joi.Schema, schema: any) {
 
 function validateComponent(schema: any) {
   const validator = joi.object({
-    type: joi.string().allow("component").required(),
+    type: joi.string().allow(PluginType.COMPONENT).required(),
     metadata: joi.object().unknown(true).required(),
     hash: joi.string().optional(),
     version: joi.string().optional(),
@@ -53,7 +61,7 @@ function validateDatasource(schema: any) {
     .required()
 
   const validator = joi.object({
-    type: joi.string().allow("datasource").required(),
+    type: joi.string().allow(PluginType.DATASOURCE).required(),
     metadata: joi.object().unknown(true).required(),
     hash: joi.string().optional(),
     version: joi.string().optional(),
@@ -82,6 +90,55 @@ function validateDatasource(schema: any) {
   runJoi(validator, schema)
 }
 
+function validateAutomation(schema: any) {
+  const basePropsValidator = joi.object().pattern(joi.string(), {
+    type: joi
+      .string()
+      .allow(...Object.values(AutomationIOType))
+      .required(),
+    customType: joi.string().allow(...Object.values(AutomationCustomIOType)),
+    title: joi.string(),
+    description: joi.string(),
+    enum: joi.array().items(joi.string()),
+    pretty: joi.array().items(joi.string()),
+  })
+  const stepSchemaValidator = joi
+    .object({
+      properties: basePropsValidator,
+      required: joi.array().items(joi.string()),
+    })
+    .concat(basePropsValidator)
+    .required()
+  const validator = joi.object({
+    type: joi.string().allow(PluginType.AUTOMATION).required(),
+    metadata: joi.object().unknown(true).required(),
+    hash: joi.string().optional(),
+    version: joi.string().optional(),
+    schema: joi.object({
+      name: joi.string().required(),
+      tagline: joi.string().required(),
+      icon: joi.string().required(),
+      description: joi.string().required(),
+      type: joi
+        .string()
+        .allow(AutomationStepType.ACTION, AutomationStepType.LOGIC)
+        .required(),
+      stepId: joi
+        .string()
+        .disallow(...AutomationStepIdArray)
+        .required(),
+      inputs: joi.object().optional(),
+      schema: joi
+        .object({
+          inputs: stepSchemaValidator,
+          outputs: stepSchemaValidator,
+        })
+        .required(),
+    }),
+  })
+  runJoi(validator, schema)
+}
+
 export function validate(schema: any) {
   switch (schema?.type) {
     case PluginType.COMPONENT:
@@ -90,6 +147,9 @@ export function validate(schema: any) {
     case PluginType.DATASOURCE:
       validateDatasource(schema)
       break
+    case PluginType.AUTOMATION:
+      validateAutomation(schema)
+      break
     default:
       throw new Error(`Unknown plugin type - check schema.json: ${schema.type}`)
   }
diff --git a/packages/backend-core/tests/core/utilities/mocks/fetch.ts b/packages/backend-core/tests/core/utilities/mocks/fetch.ts
index 287280067a..f7447d2c47 100644
--- a/packages/backend-core/tests/core/utilities/mocks/fetch.ts
+++ b/packages/backend-core/tests/core/utilities/mocks/fetch.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 const mockFetch = jest.fn((url: any, opts: any) => {
   const fetch = jest.requireActual("node-fetch")
   const env = jest.requireActual("../../../../src/environment").default
-  if (url.includes(env.COUCH_DB_URL)) {
+  if (url.includes(env.COUCH_DB_URL) || url.includes("raw.github")) {
     return fetch(url, opts)
   }
   return undefined
diff --git a/packages/builder/src/components/automation/AutomationBuilder/FlowChart/ActionModal.svelte b/packages/builder/src/components/automation/AutomationBuilder/FlowChart/ActionModal.svelte
index f30b49eb39..3a85c7ed56 100644
--- a/packages/builder/src/components/automation/AutomationBuilder/FlowChart/ActionModal.svelte
+++ b/packages/builder/src/components/automation/AutomationBuilder/FlowChart/ActionModal.svelte
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 
   const external = actions.reduce((acc, elm) => {
     const [k, v] = elm
-    if (!v.internal) {
+    if (!v.internal && !v.custom) {
       acc[k] = v
     }
     return acc
@@ -41,6 +41,15 @@
     return acc
   }, {})
 
+  const plugins = actions.reduce((acc, elm) => {
+    const [k, v] = elm
+    if (v.custom) {
+      acc[k] = v
+    }
+    return acc
+  }, {})
+  console.log(plugins)
+
   const selectAction = action => {
     actionVal = action
     selectedAction = action.name
@@ -116,6 +125,26 @@
       {/each}
     </div>
   </Layout>
+
+  {#if Object.keys(plugins).length}
+    <Layout noPadding gap="XS">
+      <Detail size="S">Plugins</Detail>
+      <div class="item-list">
+        {#each Object.entries(plugins) as [idx, action]}
+          <div
+            class="item"
+            class:selected={selectedAction === action.name}
+            on:click={() => selectAction(action)}
+          >
+            <div class="item-body">
+              <Icon name={action.icon} />
+              <Body size="XS">{action.name}</Body>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        {/each}
+      </div>
+    </Layout>
+  {/if}
 </ModalContent>
 
 <style>
@@ -126,7 +155,7 @@
   }
   .item-list {
     display: grid;
-    grid-template-columns: repeat(auto-fit, minmax(150px, 1fr));
+    grid-template-columns: repeat(2, minmax(150px, 1fr));
     grid-gap: var(--spectrum-alias-grid-baseline);
   }
 
diff --git a/packages/cli/.gitignore b/packages/cli/.gitignore
index 8d8de9a0da..b1d9be617c 100644
--- a/packages/cli/.gitignore
+++ b/packages/cli/.gitignore
@@ -7,3 +7,6 @@ envoy.yaml
 *.tar.gz
 prebuilds/
 dist/
+budibase-automation/
+budibase-component/
+budibase-datasource/
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/index.ts b/packages/cli/src/index.ts
index 77e4d6da8e..d64f25f497 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/index.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env node
+import { logging } from "@budibase/backend-core"
+logging.disableLogger()
 import "./prebuilds"
 import "./environment"
 import { getCommands } from "./options"
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/plugins/index.ts b/packages/cli/src/plugins/index.ts
index cfafd67720..45e024be7f 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/plugins/index.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/plugins/index.ts
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ async function init(opts: PluginOpts) {
   if (!type || !PLUGIN_TYPE_ARR.includes(type)) {
     console.log(
       error(
-        "Please provide a type to init, either 'component' or 'datasource'."
+        "Please provide a type to init, either 'component', 'datasource' or 'automation'."
       )
     )
     return
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/automation.ts b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/automation.ts
index 8ccd3fb3d0..ae49cd83f1 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/automation.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/automation.ts
@@ -16,9 +16,15 @@ import { setTestFlag, clearTestFlag } from "../../utilities/redis"
 import { context, cache, events } from "@budibase/backend-core"
 import { automations } from "@budibase/pro"
 import { Automation, BBContext } from "@budibase/types"
+import { getActionDefinitions as actionDefs } from "../../automations/actions"
 
-const ACTION_DEFS = removeDeprecated(actions.ACTION_DEFINITIONS)
-const TRIGGER_DEFS = removeDeprecated(triggers.TRIGGER_DEFINITIONS)
+async function getActionDefinitions() {
+  return removeDeprecated(await actionDefs())
+}
+
+function getTriggerDefinitions() {
+  return removeDeprecated(triggers.TRIGGER_DEFINITIONS)
+}
 
 /*************************
  *                       *
@@ -228,17 +234,17 @@ export async function clearLogError(ctx: BBContext) {
 }
 
 export async function getActionList(ctx: BBContext) {
-  ctx.body = ACTION_DEFS
+  ctx.body = await getActionDefinitions()
 }
 
 export async function getTriggerList(ctx: BBContext) {
-  ctx.body = TRIGGER_DEFS
+  ctx.body = getTriggerDefinitions()
 }
 
 export async function getDefinitionList(ctx: BBContext) {
   ctx.body = {
-    trigger: TRIGGER_DEFS,
-    action: ACTION_DEFS,
+    trigger: getTriggerDefinitions(),
+    action: await getActionDefinitions(),
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/plugin/index.ts b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/plugin/index.ts
index faecbc1fd8..e8ae847fc6 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/controllers/plugin/index.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/controllers/plugin/index.ts
@@ -1,31 +1,11 @@
-import { npmUpload, urlUpload, githubUpload, fileUpload } from "./uploaders"
-import {
-  plugins as pluginCore,
-  db as dbCore,
-  tenancy,
-  objectStore,
-} from "@budibase/backend-core"
-import { PluginType, FileType, PluginSource, Plugin } from "@budibase/types"
+import { npmUpload, urlUpload, githubUpload } from "./uploaders"
+import { plugins as pluginCore } from "@budibase/backend-core"
+import { PluginType, FileType, PluginSource } from "@budibase/types"
 import env from "../../../environment"
 import { ClientAppSocket } from "../../../websocket"
+import sdk from "../../../sdk"
 import { sdk as pro } from "@budibase/pro"
 
-export async function getPlugins(type?: PluginType) {
-  const db = tenancy.getGlobalDB()
-  const response = await db.allDocs(
-    dbCore.getPluginParams(null, {
-      include_docs: true,
-    })
-  )
-  let plugins = response.rows.map((row: any) => row.doc) as Plugin[]
-  plugins = objectStore.enrichPluginURLs(plugins)
-  if (type) {
-    return plugins.filter((plugin: Plugin) => plugin.schema?.type === type)
-  } else {
-    return plugins
-  }
-}
-
 export async function upload(ctx: any) {
   const plugins: FileType[] =
     ctx.request.files.file.length > 1
@@ -35,7 +15,7 @@ export async function upload(ctx: any) {
     let docs = []
     // can do single or multiple plugins
     for (let plugin of plugins) {
-      const doc = await processUploadedPlugin(plugin, PluginSource.FILE)
+      const doc = await sdk.plugins.processUploaded(plugin, PluginSource.FILE)
       docs.push(doc)
     }
     ctx.body = {
@@ -105,7 +85,7 @@ export async function create(ctx: any) {
 }
 
 export async function fetch(ctx: any) {
-  ctx.body = await getPlugins()
+  ctx.body = await sdk.plugins.fetch()
 }
 
 export async function destroy(ctx: any) {
@@ -119,20 +99,3 @@ export async function destroy(ctx: any) {
     ctx.throw(400, err.message)
   }
 }
-
-export async function processUploadedPlugin(
-  plugin: FileType,
-  source?: PluginSource
-) {
-  const { metadata, directory } = await fileUpload(plugin)
-  pluginCore.validate(metadata?.schema)
-
-  // Only allow components in cloud
-  if (!env.SELF_HOSTED && metadata?.schema?.type !== PluginType.COMPONENT) {
-    throw new Error("Only component plugins are supported outside of self-host")
-  }
-
-  const doc = await pro.plugins.storePlugin(metadata, directory, source)
-  ClientAppSocket.emit("plugin-update", { name: doc.name, hash: doc.hash })
-  return doc
-}
diff --git a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/automation.spec.js b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/automation.spec.js
index 47daa8975b..9efc2b0d7e 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/automation.spec.js
+++ b/packages/server/src/api/routes/tests/automation.spec.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ const {
 const setup = require("./utilities")
 const { basicAutomation, newAutomation, automationTrigger, automationStep } = setup.structures
 const MAX_RETRIES = 4
-const { TRIGGER_DEFINITIONS, ACTION_DEFINITIONS } = require("../../../automations")
+const { TRIGGER_DEFINITIONS, BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS } = require("../../../automations")
 const { events } = require("@budibase/backend-core")
 
 
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ describe("/automations", () => {
         .expect('Content-Type', /json/)
         .expect(200)
 
-      let definitionsLength = Object.keys(ACTION_DEFINITIONS).length
+      let definitionsLength = Object.keys(BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS).length
       definitionsLength-- // OUTGOING_WEBHOOK is deprecated
 
       expect(Object.keys(res.body.action).length).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(definitionsLength)
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/actions.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/actions.ts
index 456399bc68..2a6b760725 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/actions.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/actions.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,14 @@ import * as delay from "./steps/delay"
 import * as queryRow from "./steps/queryRows"
 import * as loop from "./steps/loop"
 import env from "../environment"
-import { AutomationStepSchema, AutomationStepInput } from "@budibase/types"
+import {
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepInput,
+  PluginType,
+  AutomationStep,
+} from "@budibase/types"
+import sdk from "../sdk"
+import { getAutomationPlugin } from "../utilities/fileSystem"
 
 const ACTION_IMPLS: Record<
   string,
@@ -38,25 +45,26 @@ const ACTION_IMPLS: Record<
   zapier: zapier.run,
   integromat: integromat.run,
 }
-export const ACTION_DEFINITIONS: Record<string, AutomationStepSchema> = {
-  SEND_EMAIL_SMTP: sendSmtpEmail.definition,
-  CREATE_ROW: createRow.definition,
-  UPDATE_ROW: updateRow.definition,
-  DELETE_ROW: deleteRow.definition,
-  OUTGOING_WEBHOOK: outgoingWebhook.definition,
-  EXECUTE_SCRIPT: executeScript.definition,
-  EXECUTE_QUERY: executeQuery.definition,
-  SERVER_LOG: serverLog.definition,
-  DELAY: delay.definition,
-  FILTER: filter.definition,
-  QUERY_ROWS: queryRow.definition,
-  LOOP: loop.definition,
-  // these used to be lowercase step IDs, maintain for backwards compat
-  discord: discord.definition,
-  slack: slack.definition,
-  zapier: zapier.definition,
-  integromat: integromat.definition,
-}
+export const BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS: Record<string, AutomationStepSchema> =
+  {
+    SEND_EMAIL_SMTP: sendSmtpEmail.definition,
+    CREATE_ROW: createRow.definition,
+    UPDATE_ROW: updateRow.definition,
+    DELETE_ROW: deleteRow.definition,
+    OUTGOING_WEBHOOK: outgoingWebhook.definition,
+    EXECUTE_SCRIPT: executeScript.definition,
+    EXECUTE_QUERY: executeQuery.definition,
+    SERVER_LOG: serverLog.definition,
+    DELAY: delay.definition,
+    FILTER: filter.definition,
+    QUERY_ROWS: queryRow.definition,
+    LOOP: loop.definition,
+    // these used to be lowercase step IDs, maintain for backwards compat
+    discord: discord.definition,
+    slack: slack.definition,
+    zapier: zapier.definition,
+    integromat: integromat.definition,
+  }
 
 // don't add the bash script/definitions unless in self host
 // the fact this isn't included in any definitions means it cannot be
@@ -66,12 +74,36 @@ if (env.SELF_HOSTED) {
   // @ts-ignore
   ACTION_IMPLS["EXECUTE_BASH"] = bash.run
   // @ts-ignore
-  ACTION_DEFINITIONS["EXECUTE_BASH"] = bash.definition
+  BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS["EXECUTE_BASH"] = bash.definition
+}
+
+export async function getActionDefinitions() {
+  const actionDefinitions = BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS
+  if (env.SELF_HOSTED) {
+    const plugins = await sdk.plugins.fetch(PluginType.AUTOMATION)
+    for (let plugin of plugins) {
+      const schema = plugin.schema.schema as AutomationStep
+      actionDefinitions[schema.stepId] = {
+        ...schema,
+        custom: true,
+      }
+    }
+  }
+  return actionDefinitions
 }
 
 /* istanbul ignore next */
-export async function getAction(actionName: string) {
-  if (ACTION_IMPLS[actionName] != null) {
-    return ACTION_IMPLS[actionName]
+export async function getAction(stepId: string) {
+  if (ACTION_IMPLS[stepId] != null) {
+    return ACTION_IMPLS[stepId]
+  }
+  // must be a plugin
+  if (env.SELF_HOSTED) {
+    const plugins = await sdk.plugins.fetch(PluginType.AUTOMATION)
+    const found = plugins.find(plugin => plugin.schema.schema.stepId === stepId)
+    if (!found) {
+      throw new Error(`Unable to find action implementation for "${stepId}"`)
+    }
+    return (await getAutomationPlugin(found)).action
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/index.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/index.ts
index e46500d33e..9bbab95a27 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/index.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/index.ts
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ import BullQueue from "bull"
 export { automationQueue } from "./bullboard"
 export { shutdown } from "./bullboard"
 export { TRIGGER_DEFINITIONS } from "./triggers"
-export { ACTION_DEFINITIONS } from "./actions"
+export { BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS, getActionDefinitions } from "./actions"
 
 /**
  * This module is built purely to kick off the worker farm and manage the inputs/outputs
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/bash.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/bash.ts
index e6deb8c38f..820d0329db 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/bash.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/bash.ts
@@ -4,8 +4,11 @@ import * as automationUtils from "../automationUtils"
 import environment from "../../environment"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -13,7 +16,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   tagline: "Execute a bash command",
   icon: "JourneyEvent",
   description: "Run a bash script",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: true,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.EXECUTE_BASH,
   inputs: {},
@@ -21,8 +24,8 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         code: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "code",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.CODE,
           title: "Code",
         },
       },
@@ -31,16 +34,16 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         stdout: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "Standard output of your bash command or script",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the command was successful",
         },
       },
+      required: ["stdout"],
     },
-    required: ["stdout"],
   },
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/createRow.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/createRow.ts
index d529127360..dac929f1ee 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/createRow.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/createRow.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ import { cleanUpRow, getError } from "../automationUtils"
 import { buildCtx } from "./utils"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -12,7 +15,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   tagline: "Create a {{inputs.enriched.table.name}} row",
   icon: "TableRowAddBottom",
   description: "Add a row to your database",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: true,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.CREATE_ROW,
   inputs: {},
@@ -20,14 +23,14 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         row: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           properties: {
             tableId: {
-              type: "string",
-              customType: "table",
+              type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+              customType: AutomationCustomIOType.TABLE,
             },
           },
-          customType: "row",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROW,
           title: "Table",
           required: ["tableId"],
         },
@@ -37,24 +40,24 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         row: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "row",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROW,
           description: "The new row",
         },
         response: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "The response from the table",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the row creation was successful",
         },
         id: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "The identifier of the new row",
         },
         revision: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "The revision of the new row",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/delay.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/delay.ts
index 58ca383ac1..9cf578805c 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/delay.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/delay.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,10 @@
 import { wait } from "../../utilities"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationIOType,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -17,7 +19,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         time: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           title: "Delay in milliseconds",
         },
       },
@@ -26,14 +28,14 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the delay was successful",
         },
       },
       required: ["success"],
     },
   },
-  type: "LOGIC",
+  type: AutomationStepType.LOGIC,
 }
 
 export async function run({ inputs }: AutomationStepInput) {
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/deleteRow.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/deleteRow.ts
index 540d95b94d..86c7703491 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/deleteRow.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/deleteRow.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ import { buildCtx } from "./utils"
 import { getError } from "../automationUtils"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -12,7 +15,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   icon: "TableRowRemoveCenter",
   name: "Delete Row",
   tagline: "Delete a {{inputs.enriched.table.name}} row",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.DELETE_ROW,
   internal: true,
   inputs: {},
@@ -20,12 +23,12 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         tableId: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "table",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.TABLE,
           title: "Table",
         },
         id: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Row ID",
         },
       },
@@ -34,16 +37,16 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         row: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "row",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROW,
           description: "The deleted row",
         },
         response: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "The response from the table",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the deletion was successful",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/discord.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/discord.ts
index 5d7487ed3b..c46220c3b2 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/discord.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/discord.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
   AutomationStepSchema,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationIOType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 const DEFAULT_USERNAME = "Budibase Automate"
@@ -15,26 +17,26 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   description: "Send a message to a Discord server",
   icon: "ri-discord-line",
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.discord,
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: false,
   inputs: {},
   schema: {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         url: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Discord Webhook URL",
         },
         username: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Bot Name",
         },
         avatar_url: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Bot Avatar URL",
         },
         content: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Message",
         },
       },
@@ -43,15 +45,15 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         httpStatus: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           description: "The HTTP status code of the request",
         },
         response: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "The response from the Discord Webhook",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the message sent successfully",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/executeQuery.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/executeQuery.ts
index 72fb69b96c..4969400552 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/executeQuery.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/executeQuery.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ import { buildCtx } from "./utils"
 import * as automationUtils from "../automationUtils"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -12,7 +15,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   tagline: "Execute Data Connector",
   icon: "Data",
   description: "Execute a query in an external data connector",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.EXECUTE_QUERY,
   internal: true,
   inputs: {},
@@ -20,14 +23,14 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         query: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           properties: {
             queryId: {
-              type: "string",
-              customType: "query",
+              type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+              customType: AutomationCustomIOType.QUERY,
             },
           },
-          customType: "queryParams",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.QUERY_PARAMS,
           title: "Parameters",
           required: ["queryId"],
         },
@@ -37,21 +40,21 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         response: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "The response from the datasource execution",
         },
         info: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description:
             "Some query types may return extra data, like headers from a REST query",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the action was successful",
         },
       },
+      required: ["response", "success"],
     },
-    required: ["response", "success"],
   },
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/executeScript.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/executeScript.ts
index 84bdb0e2d5..9bd0eaed18 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/executeScript.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/executeScript.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ import { buildCtx } from "./utils"
 import * as automationUtils from "../automationUtils"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -12,7 +15,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   tagline: "Execute JavaScript Code",
   icon: "Code",
   description: "Run a piece of JavaScript code in your automation",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: true,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.EXECUTE_SCRIPT,
   inputs: {},
@@ -20,8 +23,8 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         code: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "code",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.CODE,
           title: "Code",
         },
       },
@@ -30,16 +33,16 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         value: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "The result of the return statement",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the action was successful",
         },
       },
+      required: ["success"],
     },
-    required: ["success"],
   },
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/filter.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/filter.ts
index 18914ddca6..c7ab4210ec 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/filter.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/filter.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
   AutomationStepSchema,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationIOType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const FilterConditions = {
@@ -24,7 +26,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   icon: "Branch2",
   description:
     "Conditionally halt automations which do not meet certain conditions",
-  type: "LOGIC",
+  type: AutomationStepType.LOGIC,
   internal: true,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.FILTER,
   inputs: {
@@ -34,17 +36,17 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         field: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Reference Value",
         },
         condition: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Condition",
           enum: Object.values(FilterConditions),
           pretty: Object.values(PrettyFilterConditions),
         },
         value: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Comparison Value",
         },
       },
@@ -53,11 +55,11 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the action was successful",
         },
         result: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the logic block passed",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/integromat.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/integromat.ts
index 811c0a3d91..d7c78a6dd8 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/integromat.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/integromat.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
   AutomationStepSchema,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationIOType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -13,34 +15,34 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     "Performs a webhook call to Integromat and gets the response (if configured)",
   icon: "ri-shut-down-line",
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.integromat,
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: false,
   inputs: {},
   schema: {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         url: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Webhook URL",
         },
         value1: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Input Value 1",
         },
         value2: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Input Value 2",
         },
         value3: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Input Value 3",
         },
         value4: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Input Value 4",
         },
         value5: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Input Value 5",
         },
       },
@@ -49,15 +51,15 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether call was successful",
         },
         httpStatus: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           description: "The HTTP status code returned",
         },
         response: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "The webhook response - this can have properties",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/loop.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/loop.ts
index 72087ae357..fdbec83f2e 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/loop.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/loop.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,10 @@
-import { AutomationActionStepId, AutomationStepSchema } from "@budibase/types"
+import {
+  AutomationActionStepId,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
+} from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   name: "Looping",
@@ -12,19 +18,19 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         option: {
-          customType: "loopOption",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.LOOP_OPTION,
           title: "Input type",
         },
         binding: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Binding / Value",
         },
         iterations: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           title: "Max loop iterations",
         },
         failure: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Failure Condition",
         },
       },
@@ -33,20 +39,20 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         items: {
-          customType: "item",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ITEM,
           description: "The item currently being executed",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the message loop was successfully",
         },
         iterations: {
-          type: "number",
-          descriptions: "The amount of times the block ran",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
+          description: "The amount of times the block ran",
         },
       },
       required: ["success", "items", "iterations"],
     },
   },
-  type: "LOGIC",
+  type: AutomationStepType.LOGIC,
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/outgoingWebhook.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/outgoingWebhook.ts
index ea1ffeb339..f174935195 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/outgoingWebhook.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/outgoingWebhook.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ import { getFetchResponse } from "./utils"
 import * as automationUtils from "../automationUtils"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 enum RequestType {
@@ -27,7 +30,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   tagline: "Send a {{inputs.requestMethod}} request",
   icon: "Send",
   description: "Send a request of specified method to a URL",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: true,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.OUTGOING_WEBHOOK,
   inputs: {
@@ -40,23 +43,23 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         requestMethod: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           enum: Object.values(RequestType),
           title: "Request method",
         },
         url: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "URL",
         },
         requestBody: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "JSON Body",
-          customType: "wide",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.WIDE,
         },
         headers: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Headers",
-          customType: "wide",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.WIDE,
         },
       },
       required: ["requestMethod", "url"],
@@ -64,15 +67,15 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         response: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "The response from the webhook",
         },
         httpStatus: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           description: "The HTTP status code returned",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the action was successful",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/queryRows.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/queryRows.ts
index 6de518e931..1d7e8a419e 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/queryRows.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/queryRows.ts
@@ -5,8 +5,11 @@ import { buildCtx } from "./utils"
 import * as automationUtils from "../automationUtils"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
   SearchFilters,
   Table,
 } from "@budibase/types"
@@ -36,7 +39,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   icon: "Search",
   name: "Query rows",
   tagline: "Query rows from {{inputs.enriched.table.name}} table",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.QUERY_ROWS,
   internal: true,
   inputs: {},
@@ -44,35 +47,35 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         tableId: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "table",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.TABLE,
           title: "Table",
         },
         filters: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "filters",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.FILTERS,
           title: "Filtering",
         },
         sortColumn: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Sort Column",
-          customType: "column",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.COLUMN,
         },
         sortOrder: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Sort Order",
           enum: Object.values(SortOrder),
           pretty: Object.values(SortOrderPretty),
         },
         limit: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           title: "Limit",
-          customType: "queryLimit",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.QUERY_LIMIT,
         },
         onEmptyFilter: {
           pretty: Object.values(EmptyFilterOptionPretty),
           enum: Object.values(EmptyFilterOption),
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "When Filter Empty",
         },
       },
@@ -81,12 +84,12 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         rows: {
-          type: "array",
-          customType: "rows",
+          type: AutomationIOType.ARRAY,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROWS,
           description: "The rows that were found",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the query was successful",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/sendSmtpEmail.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/sendSmtpEmail.ts
index 67516c803d..c4af9aeaa9 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/sendSmtpEmail.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/sendSmtpEmail.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
   AutomationStepSchema,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationIOType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -11,7 +13,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   tagline: "Send SMTP email to {{inputs.to}}",
   icon: "Email",
   name: "Send Email (SMTP)",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: true,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.SEND_EMAIL_SMTP,
   inputs: {},
@@ -19,27 +21,27 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         to: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Send To",
         },
         from: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Send From",
         },
         cc: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "CC",
         },
         bcc: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "BCC",
         },
         subject: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Email Subject",
         },
         contents: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "HTML Contents",
         },
       },
@@ -48,11 +50,11 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the email was sent",
         },
         response: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "A response from the email client, this may be an error",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/serverLog.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/serverLog.ts
index bb2f49ede8..382f7d4efc 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/serverLog.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/serverLog.ts
@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
   AutomationStepSchema,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationIOType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 /**
@@ -15,7 +17,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   tagline: "Console log a value in the backend",
   icon: "Monitoring",
   description: "Logs the given text to the server (using console.log)",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: true,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.SERVER_LOG,
   inputs: {
@@ -25,7 +27,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         text: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Log",
         },
       },
@@ -34,11 +36,11 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the action was successful",
         },
         message: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "What was output",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/slack.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/slack.ts
index 0c9320a699..21ee6ed742 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/slack.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/slack.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
   AutomationStepSchema,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationIOType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -12,18 +14,18 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   description: "Send a message to Slack",
   icon: "ri-slack-line",
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.slack,
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: false,
   inputs: {},
   schema: {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         url: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Incoming Webhook URL",
         },
         text: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Message",
         },
       },
@@ -32,15 +34,15 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         httpStatus: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           description: "The HTTP status code of the request",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the message sent successfully",
         },
         response: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "The response from the Slack Webhook",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/updateRow.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/updateRow.ts
index 9e905a0706..96ab1d1642 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/updateRow.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/updateRow.ts
@@ -3,8 +3,11 @@ import * as automationUtils from "../automationUtils"
 import { buildCtx } from "./utils"
 import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
-  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepSchema,
+  AutomationStepType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
@@ -12,7 +15,7 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   tagline: "Update a {{inputs.enriched.table.name}} row",
   icon: "Refresh",
   description: "Update a row in your database",
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: true,
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.UPDATE_ROW,
   inputs: {},
@@ -20,16 +23,16 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         meta: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           title: "Field settings",
         },
         row: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "row",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROW,
           title: "Table",
         },
         rowId: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Row ID",
         },
       },
@@ -38,24 +41,24 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         row: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "row",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROW,
           description: "The updated row",
         },
         response: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "The response from the table",
         },
         success: {
-          type: "boolean",
+          type: AutomationIOType.BOOLEAN,
           description: "Whether the action was successful",
         },
         id: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "The identifier of the updated row",
         },
         revision: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "The revision of the updated row",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/zapier.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/zapier.ts
index 90068e685d..75a21deaae 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/steps/zapier.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/steps/zapier.ts
@@ -4,12 +4,14 @@ import {
   AutomationActionStepId,
   AutomationStepSchema,
   AutomationStepInput,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationIOType,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
 export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
   name: "Zapier Webhook",
   stepId: AutomationActionStepId.zapier,
-  type: "ACTION",
+  type: AutomationStepType.ACTION,
   internal: false,
   description: "Trigger a Zapier Zap via webhooks",
   tagline: "Trigger a Zapier Zap",
@@ -19,27 +21,27 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         url: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Webhook URL",
         },
         value1: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Payload Value 1",
         },
         value2: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Payload Value 2",
         },
         value3: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Payload Value 3",
         },
         value4: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Payload Value 4",
         },
         value5: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           title: "Payload Value 5",
         },
       },
@@ -48,11 +50,11 @@ export const definition: AutomationStepSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         httpStatus: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           description: "The HTTP status code of the request",
         },
         response: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "The response from Zapier",
         },
       },
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/tests/utilities/index.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/tests/utilities/index.ts
index 3c990a38d0..9ba4f950f3 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/tests/utilities/index.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/tests/utilities/index.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import TestConfig from "../../../tests/utilities/TestConfiguration"
 import { context } from "@budibase/backend-core"
-import { ACTION_DEFINITIONS, getAction } from "../../actions"
+import { BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS, getAction } from "../../actions"
 import emitter from "../../../events/index"
 import env from "../../../environment"
 
@@ -57,4 +57,4 @@ export async function runStep(stepId: string, inputs: any, stepContext?: any) {
 }
 
 export const apiKey = "test"
-export const actions = ACTION_DEFINITIONS
+export const actions = BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/app.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/app.ts
index fca9acaef8..abc1463f1a 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/app.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/app.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 import {
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationStepType,
   AutomationTriggerSchema,
   AutomationTriggerStepId,
 } from "@budibase/types"
@@ -15,8 +18,8 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         fields: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "triggerSchema",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.TRIGGER_SCHEMA,
           title: "Fields",
         },
       },
@@ -25,13 +28,13 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         fields: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "Fields submitted from the app frontend",
-          customType: "triggerSchema",
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.TRIGGER_SCHEMA,
         },
       },
       required: ["fields"],
     },
   },
-  type: "TRIGGER",
+  type: AutomationStepType.TRIGGER,
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/cron.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/cron.ts
index 91b41f7243..1c47aeaeec 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/cron.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/cron.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 import {
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationStepType,
   AutomationTriggerSchema,
   AutomationTriggerStepId,
 } from "@budibase/types"
@@ -15,8 +18,8 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         cron: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "cron",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.CRON,
           title: "Expression",
         },
       },
@@ -25,12 +28,12 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         timestamp: {
-          type: "number",
+          type: AutomationIOType.NUMBER,
           description: "Timestamp the cron was executed",
         },
       },
       required: ["timestamp"],
     },
   },
-  type: "TRIGGER",
+  type: AutomationStepType.TRIGGER,
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowDeleted.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowDeleted.ts
index de4a1b0412..e1014f3dbc 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowDeleted.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowDeleted.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 import {
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationStepType,
   AutomationTriggerSchema,
   AutomationTriggerStepId,
 } from "@budibase/types"
@@ -15,8 +18,8 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         tableId: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "table",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.TABLE,
           title: "Table",
         },
       },
@@ -25,13 +28,13 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         row: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "row",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROW,
           description: "The row that was deleted",
         },
       },
       required: ["row"],
     },
   },
-  type: "TRIGGER",
+  type: AutomationStepType.TRIGGER,
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowSaved.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowSaved.ts
index c1dde25eef..faa32ef96e 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowSaved.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowSaved.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 import {
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationStepType,
   AutomationTriggerSchema,
   AutomationTriggerStepId,
 } from "@budibase/types"
@@ -15,8 +18,8 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         tableId: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "table",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.TABLE,
           title: "Table",
         },
       },
@@ -25,21 +28,21 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         row: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "row",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROW,
           description: "The new row that was created",
         },
         id: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "Row ID - can be used for updating",
         },
         revision: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "Revision of row",
         },
       },
       required: ["row", "id"],
     },
   },
-  type: "TRIGGER",
+  type: AutomationStepType.TRIGGER,
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowUpdated.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowUpdated.ts
index 1bc8811d54..5e60015808 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowUpdated.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/rowUpdated.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 import {
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationStepType,
   AutomationTriggerSchema,
   AutomationTriggerStepId,
 } from "@budibase/types"
@@ -15,8 +18,8 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         tableId: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "table",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.TABLE,
           title: "Table",
         },
       },
@@ -25,21 +28,21 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         row: {
-          type: "object",
-          customType: "row",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.ROW,
           description: "The row that was updated",
         },
         id: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "Row ID - can be used for updating",
         },
         revision: {
-          type: "string",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
           description: "Revision of row",
         },
       },
       required: ["row", "id"],
     },
   },
-  type: "TRIGGER",
+  type: AutomationStepType.TRIGGER,
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/webhook.ts b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/webhook.ts
index 906967a02a..310dd66b41 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/webhook.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/automations/triggerInfo/webhook.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,7 @@
 import {
+  AutomationCustomIOType,
+  AutomationIOType,
+  AutomationStepType,
   AutomationTriggerSchema,
   AutomationTriggerStepId,
 } from "@budibase/types"
@@ -15,13 +18,13 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     inputs: {
       properties: {
         schemaUrl: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "webhookUrl",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.WEBHOOK_URL,
           title: "Schema URL",
         },
         triggerUrl: {
-          type: "string",
-          customType: "webhookUrl",
+          type: AutomationIOType.STRING,
+          customType: AutomationCustomIOType.WEBHOOK_URL,
           title: "Trigger URL",
         },
       },
@@ -30,12 +33,12 @@ export const definition: AutomationTriggerSchema = {
     outputs: {
       properties: {
         body: {
-          type: "object",
+          type: AutomationIOType.OBJECT,
           description: "Body of the request which hit the webhook",
         },
       },
       required: ["body"],
     },
   },
-  type: "TRIGGER",
+  type: AutomationStepType.TRIGGER,
 }
diff --git a/packages/server/src/integrations/index.ts b/packages/server/src/integrations/index.ts
index edbce6db0a..f3285e441f 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/integrations/index.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/integrations/index.ts
@@ -14,11 +14,11 @@ import firebase from "./firebase"
 import redis from "./redis"
 import snowflake from "./snowflake"
 import oracle from "./oracle"
-import { getPlugins } from "../api/controllers/plugin"
 import { SourceName, Integration, PluginType } from "@budibase/types"
 import { getDatasourcePlugin } from "../utilities/fileSystem"
 import env from "../environment"
 import { cloneDeep } from "lodash"
+import sdk from "../sdk"
 
 const DEFINITIONS: { [key: string]: Integration } = {
   [SourceName.POSTGRES]: postgres.schema,
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ export async function getDefinition(source: SourceName): Promise<Integration> {
 export async function getDefinitions() {
   const pluginSchemas: { [key: string]: Integration } = {}
   if (env.SELF_HOSTED) {
-    const plugins = await getPlugins(PluginType.DATASOURCE)
+    const plugins = await sdk.plugins.fetch(PluginType.DATASOURCE)
     // extract the actual schema from each custom
     for (let plugin of plugins) {
       const sourceId = plugin.name
@@ -103,7 +103,7 @@ export async function getIntegration(integration: string) {
     return INTEGRATIONS[integration]
   }
   if (env.SELF_HOSTED) {
-    const plugins = await getPlugins(PluginType.DATASOURCE)
+    const plugins = await sdk.plugins.fetch(PluginType.DATASOURCE)
     for (let plugin of plugins) {
       if (plugin.name === integration) {
         // need to use commonJS require due to its dynamic runtime nature
diff --git a/packages/server/src/sdk/index.ts b/packages/server/src/sdk/index.ts
index 294c99a12c..1bf7d89604 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/sdk/index.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/sdk/index.ts
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ import { default as datasources } from "./app/datasources"
 import { default as queries } from "./app/queries"
 import { default as rows } from "./app/rows"
 import { default as users } from "./users"
+import { default as plugins } from "./plugins"
 
 const sdk = {
   backups,
@@ -16,6 +17,7 @@ const sdk = {
   users,
   datasources,
   queries,
+  plugins,
 }
 
 // default export for TS
diff --git a/packages/server/src/sdk/plugins/index.ts b/packages/server/src/sdk/plugins/index.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..863cfa0db6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/server/src/sdk/plugins/index.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+import * as plugins from "./plugins"
+
+export default {
+  ...plugins,
+}
diff --git a/packages/server/src/sdk/plugins/plugins.ts b/packages/server/src/sdk/plugins/plugins.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..58670146ec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/server/src/sdk/plugins/plugins.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,41 @@
+import { FileType, Plugin, PluginSource, PluginType } from "@budibase/types"
+import {
+  db as dbCore,
+  objectStore,
+  plugins as pluginCore,
+  tenancy,
+} from "@budibase/backend-core"
+import { fileUpload } from "../../api/controllers/plugin/file"
+import env from "../../environment"
+import { ClientAppSocket } from "../../websocket"
+import { sdk as pro } from "@budibase/pro"
+
+export async function fetch(type?: PluginType) {
+  const db = tenancy.getGlobalDB()
+  const response = await db.allDocs(
+    dbCore.getPluginParams(null, {
+      include_docs: true,
+    })
+  )
+  let plugins = response.rows.map((row: any) => row.doc) as Plugin[]
+  plugins = objectStore.enrichPluginURLs(plugins)
+  if (type) {
+    return plugins.filter((plugin: Plugin) => plugin.schema?.type === type)
+  } else {
+    return plugins
+  }
+}
+
+export async function processUploaded(plugin: FileType, source?: PluginSource) {
+  const { metadata, directory } = await fileUpload(plugin)
+  pluginCore.validate(metadata?.schema)
+
+  // Only allow components in cloud
+  if (!env.SELF_HOSTED && metadata?.schema?.type !== PluginType.COMPONENT) {
+    throw new Error("Only component plugins are supported outside of self-host")
+  }
+
+  const doc = await pro.plugins.storePlugin(metadata, directory, source)
+  ClientAppSocket.emit("plugin-update", { name: doc.name, hash: doc.hash })
+  return doc
+}
diff --git a/packages/server/src/tests/utilities/structures.ts b/packages/server/src/tests/utilities/structures.ts
index 207863a6aa..e4e03fb85d 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/tests/utilities/structures.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/tests/utilities/structures.ts
@@ -1,18 +1,22 @@
-import { permissions, roles } from "@budibase/backend-core"
+import { permissions, roles, utils } from "@budibase/backend-core"
 import { createHomeScreen } from "../../constants/screens"
 import { EMPTY_LAYOUT } from "../../constants/layouts"
 import { cloneDeep } from "lodash/fp"
-import { ACTION_DEFINITIONS, TRIGGER_DEFINITIONS } from "../../automations"
+import {
+  BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS,
+  TRIGGER_DEFINITIONS,
+} from "../../automations"
 import {
   Automation,
   AutomationActionStepId,
+  AutomationStep,
+  AutomationStepType,
+  AutomationTrigger,
   AutomationTriggerStepId,
   Datasource,
   SourceName,
 } from "@budibase/types"
 
-const { v4: uuidv4 } = require("uuid")
-
 export function basicTable() {
   return {
     name: "TestTable",
@@ -71,19 +75,19 @@ export function view(tableId: string) {
 }
 
 export function automationStep(
-  actionDefinition = ACTION_DEFINITIONS.CREATE_ROW
-) {
+  actionDefinition = BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS.CREATE_ROW
+): AutomationStep {
   return {
-    id: uuidv4(),
+    id: utils.newid(),
     ...actionDefinition,
   }
 }
 
 export function automationTrigger(
   triggerDefinition = TRIGGER_DEFINITIONS.ROW_SAVED
-) {
+): AutomationTrigger {
   return {
-    id: uuidv4(),
+    id: utils.newid(),
     ...triggerDefinition,
   }
 }
@@ -106,7 +110,7 @@ export function newAutomation({ steps, trigger }: any = {}) {
   return automation
 }
 
-export function basicAutomation(appId?: string) {
+export function basicAutomation(appId?: string): Automation {
   return {
     name: "My Automation",
     screenId: "kasdkfldsafkl",
@@ -119,18 +123,22 @@ export function basicAutomation(appId?: string) {
         tagline: "test",
         icon: "test",
         description: "test",
-        type: "trigger",
+        type: AutomationStepType.TRIGGER,
         id: "test",
         inputs: {},
         schema: {
-          inputs: {},
-          outputs: {},
+          inputs: {
+            properties: {},
+          },
+          outputs: {
+            properties: {},
+          },
         },
       },
       steps: [],
     },
     type: "automation",
-    appId,
+    appId: appId!,
   }
 }
 
@@ -154,7 +162,7 @@ export function loopAutomation(tableId: string, loopOpts?: any): Automation {
           inputs: {
             tableId,
           },
-          schema: ACTION_DEFINITIONS.QUERY_ROWS.schema,
+          schema: BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS.QUERY_ROWS.schema,
         },
         {
           id: "c",
@@ -163,7 +171,7 @@ export function loopAutomation(tableId: string, loopOpts?: any): Automation {
           internal: true,
           inputs: loopOpts,
           blockToLoop: "d",
-          schema: ACTION_DEFINITIONS.LOOP.schema,
+          schema: BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS.LOOP.schema,
         },
         {
           id: "d",
@@ -173,7 +181,7 @@ export function loopAutomation(tableId: string, loopOpts?: any): Automation {
           inputs: {
             text: "log statement",
           },
-          schema: ACTION_DEFINITIONS.SERVER_LOG.schema,
+          schema: BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS.SERVER_LOG.schema,
         },
       ],
       trigger: {
diff --git a/packages/server/src/threads/automation.ts b/packages/server/src/threads/automation.ts
index c19b05a8a7..adc1a83af0 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/threads/automation.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/threads/automation.ts
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ import { processObject } from "@budibase/string-templates"
 import { cloneDeep } from "lodash/fp"
 import * as sdkUtils from "../sdk/utils"
 import env from "../environment"
-const FILTER_STEP_ID = actions.ACTION_DEFINITIONS.FILTER.stepId
-const LOOP_STEP_ID = actions.ACTION_DEFINITIONS.LOOP.stepId
+const FILTER_STEP_ID = actions.BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS.FILTER.stepId
+const LOOP_STEP_ID = actions.BUILTIN_ACTION_DEFINITIONS.LOOP.stepId
 const CRON_STEP_ID = triggerDefs.CRON.stepId
 const STOPPED_STATUS = { success: true, status: AutomationStatus.STOPPED }
 
diff --git a/packages/server/src/utilities/fileSystem/plugin.ts b/packages/server/src/utilities/fileSystem/plugin.ts
index 0bc2b7de44..3e1e9bef4d 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/utilities/fileSystem/plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/utilities/fileSystem/plugin.ts
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import { join } from "path"
 import { objectStore } from "@budibase/backend-core"
 
 const DATASOURCE_PATH = join(budibaseTempDir(), "datasource")
+const AUTOMATION_PATH = join(budibaseTempDir(), "automation")
 
 export const getPluginMetadata = async (path: string) => {
   let metadata: any = {}
@@ -33,12 +34,12 @@ export const getPluginMetadata = async (path: string) => {
   return { metadata, directory: path }
 }
 
-export const getDatasourcePlugin = async (plugin: Plugin) => {
+async function getPluginImpl(path: string, plugin: Plugin) {
   const hash = plugin.schema?.hash
-  if (!fs.existsSync(DATASOURCE_PATH)) {
-    fs.mkdirSync(DATASOURCE_PATH)
+  if (!fs.existsSync(path)) {
+    fs.mkdirSync(path)
   }
-  const filename = join(DATASOURCE_PATH, plugin.name)
+  const filename = join(path, plugin.name)
   const metadataName = `${filename}.bbmetadata`
   if (fs.existsSync(filename)) {
     const currentHash = fs.readFileSync(metadataName, "utf8")
@@ -62,3 +63,11 @@ export const getDatasourcePlugin = async (plugin: Plugin) => {
 
   return require(filename)
 }
+
+export const getDatasourcePlugin = async (plugin: Plugin) => {
+  return getPluginImpl(DATASOURCE_PATH, plugin)
+}
+
+export const getAutomationPlugin = async (plugin: Plugin) => {
+  return getPluginImpl(AUTOMATION_PATH, plugin)
+}
diff --git a/packages/server/src/watch.ts b/packages/server/src/watch.ts
index 09c7312e3b..8f3fe22023 100644
--- a/packages/server/src/watch.ts
+++ b/packages/server/src/watch.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import env from "./environment"
 import chokidar from "chokidar"
 import fs from "fs"
 import { constants, tenancy } from "@budibase/backend-core"
-import { processUploadedPlugin } from "./api/controllers/plugin"
+import pluginsSdk from "./sdk/plugins"
 
 export function watch() {
   const watchPath = path.join(env.PLUGINS_DIR, "./**/*.tar.gz")
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ export function watch() {
           const split = path.split("/")
           const name = split[split.length - 1]
           console.log("Importing plugin:", path)
-          await processUploadedPlugin({ name, path })
+          await pluginsSdk.processUploaded({ name, path })
         } catch (err: any) {
           const message = err?.message ? err?.message : err
           console.error("Failed to import plugin:", message)
diff --git a/packages/types/src/documents/app/automation.ts b/packages/types/src/documents/app/automation.ts
index 0c431b1f93..aa600c6375 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/documents/app/automation.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/documents/app/automation.ts
@@ -1,6 +1,32 @@
 import { Document } from "../document"
 import { EventEmitter } from "events"
 
+export enum AutomationIOType {
+  OBJECT = "object",
+  STRING = "string",
+  BOOLEAN = "boolean",
+  NUMBER = "number",
+  ARRAY = "array",
+}
+
+export enum AutomationCustomIOType {
+  TABLE = "table",
+  ROW = "row",
+  ROWS = "rows",
+  WIDE = "wide",
+  QUERY = "query",
+  QUERY_PARAMS = "queryParams",
+  QUERY_LIMIT = "queryLimit",
+  LOOP_OPTION = "loopOption",
+  ITEM = "item",
+  CODE = "code",
+  FILTERS = "filters",
+  COLUMN = "column",
+  TRIGGER_SCHEMA = "triggerSchema",
+  CRON = "cron",
+  WEBHOOK_URL = "webhookUrl",
+}
+
 export enum AutomationTriggerStepId {
   ROW_SAVED = "ROW_SAVED",
   ROW_UPDATED = "ROW_UPDATED",
@@ -10,6 +36,12 @@ export enum AutomationTriggerStepId {
   CRON = "CRON",
 }
 
+export enum AutomationStepType {
+  LOGIC = "LOGIC",
+  ACTION = "ACTION",
+  TRIGGER = "TRIGGER",
+}
+
 export enum AutomationActionStepId {
   SEND_EMAIL_SMTP = "SEND_EMAIL_SMTP",
   CREATE_ROW = "CREATE_ROW",
@@ -31,14 +63,43 @@ export enum AutomationActionStepId {
   integromat = "integromat",
 }
 
+export const AutomationStepIdArray = [
+  ...Object.values(AutomationActionStepId),
+  ...Object.values(AutomationTriggerStepId),
+]
+
 export interface Automation extends Document {
   definition: {
     steps: AutomationStep[]
     trigger: AutomationTrigger
   }
+  screenId?: string
+  uiTree?: any
   appId: string
   live?: boolean
   name: string
+  internal?: boolean
+  type?: string
+}
+
+interface BaseIOStructure {
+  type?: AutomationIOType
+  customType?: AutomationCustomIOType
+  title?: string
+  description?: string
+  enum?: string[]
+  pretty?: string[]
+  properties?: {
+    [key: string]: BaseIOStructure
+  }
+  required?: string[]
+}
+
+interface InputOutputBlock {
+  properties: {
+    [key: string]: BaseIOStructure
+  }
+  required?: string[]
 }
 
 export interface AutomationStepSchema {
@@ -46,7 +107,7 @@ export interface AutomationStepSchema {
   tagline: string
   icon: string
   description: string
-  type: string
+  type: AutomationStepType
   internal?: boolean
   deprecated?: boolean
   stepId: AutomationTriggerStepId | AutomationActionStepId
@@ -55,14 +116,10 @@ export interface AutomationStepSchema {
     [key: string]: any
   }
   schema: {
-    inputs: {
-      [key: string]: any
-    }
-    outputs: {
-      [key: string]: any
-    }
-    required?: string[]
+    inputs: InputOutputBlock
+    outputs: InputOutputBlock
   }
+  custom?: boolean
 }
 
 export interface AutomationStep extends AutomationStepSchema {
diff --git a/packages/types/src/documents/global/plugin.ts b/packages/types/src/documents/global/plugin.ts
index 17a8426d85..dd96bc20db 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/documents/global/plugin.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/documents/global/plugin.ts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ import { Document } from "../document"
 export enum PluginType {
   DATASOURCE = "datasource",
   COMPONENT = "component",
+  AUTOMATION = "automation",
 }
 
 export enum PluginSource {