Current Challenges with Beyla Documentation

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 25 views

Introduction

Beyla and Alloy are two powerful tools used in the Grafana ecosystem to create custom dashboards and visualizations. However, one of the challenges users face is understanding how to configure these tools effectively. In this article, we will explore ways to improve the Beyla documentation in Alloy by providing a few examples of config settings.

What is Beyla and Alloy?

Beyla

Beyla is a plugin for Grafana that allows users to create custom dashboards and visualizations using a simple and intuitive interface. It provides a range of features, including support for multiple data sources, customizable layouts, and a wide range of visualization options.

Alloy

Alloy is a tool for building custom Grafana plugins, including dashboards and visualizations. It provides a range of features, including support for multiple data sources, customizable layouts, and a wide range of visualization options. Alloy is built on top of Beyla and provides a more advanced set of features for building custom plugins.

Current Challenges with Beyla Documentation

One of the challenges users face when working with Beyla is understanding how to configure it effectively. The current documentation for Beyla in Alloy is limited, and users often have to resort to trial and error to get the desired results. This can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially for users who are new to Grafana and its ecosystem.

Improving Beyla Documentation in Alloy

To improve the Beyla documentation in Alloy, we need to provide a few examples of config settings that users can use as a starting point. This will help users understand how to configure Beyla effectively and get the most out of its features.

Example 1: Customizing the Dashboard Layout

One of the key features of Beyla is its ability to customize the dashboard layout. Users can add, remove, and reorder panels to create a layout that meets their needs. Here is an example of how to customize the dashboard layout using Beyla:

panels:
  - type: graph
    title: CPU Usage
    span: 6
    row: 0
    col: 0
  - type: table
    title: Memory Usage
    span: 6
    row: 1
    col: 0

In this example, we are creating a dashboard with two panels: a graph panel to display CPU usage and a table panel to display memory usage. We are customizing the layout by adding the panels to specific rows and columns.

Example 2: Adding a Custom Visualization

Another key feature of Beyla is its ability to add custom visualizations. Users can create custom visualizations using a range of options, including charts, tables, and maps. Here is an example of how to add a custom visualization using Beyla:

panels:
  - type: custom
    title: Custom Visualization
    span: 12
    row: 2
    col: 0
    options:
      type: chart
      chartType: line
      data:
        - label: CPU Usage
          value: 50
        - label: Memory Usage
          value: 75

In this example, we are creating a custom visualization using a line chart. We are customizing the visualization by adding data points and specifying the chart type.

Example 3: Using a Custom Data Source

Beyla also provides support for custom data sources. Users can create custom data sources using a range of options, including APIs, databases, and files. Here is an example of how to use a custom data source using Beyla:

dataSources:
  - name: Custom Data Source
    type: api
    options:
      url: https://example.com/api/data
      method: GET
      headers:
        - name: Authorization
          value: Bearer <token>

In this example, we are creating a custom data source using an API. We are customizing the data source by specifying the URL, method, and headers.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored ways to improve the Beyla documentation in Alloy by providing a few examples of config settings. We have shown how to customize the dashboard layout, add custom visualizations, and use custom data sources. By providing these examples, we can help users understand how to configure Beyla effectively and get the most out of its features.

Future Work

There are several areas where we can improve the Beyla documentation in Alloy. One area is to provide more examples of config settings, including more advanced features such as custom panels and data sources. Another area is to improve the documentation for custom visualizations, including charts, tables, and maps. By providing more examples and improving the documentation, we can help users get the most out of Beyla and its features.

References

Beyla Documentation
Alloy Documentation
Grafana Documentation
Beyla + Alloy Config Examples: Q&A =====================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored ways to improve the Beyla documentation in Alloy by providing a few examples of config settings. We showed how to customize the dashboard layout, add custom visualizations, and use custom data sources. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about Beyla and Alloy.

Q: What is Beyla and Alloy?

A: Beyla is a plugin for Grafana that allows users to create custom dashboards and visualizations using a simple and intuitive interface. Alloy is a tool for building custom Grafana plugins, including dashboards and visualizations. It provides a range of features, including support for multiple data sources, customizable layouts, and a wide range of visualization options.

Q: What are the benefits of using Beyla and Alloy?

A: The benefits of using Beyla and Alloy include:

Customizable dashboards and visualizations
Support for multiple data sources
Customizable layouts
Wide range of visualization options
Easy to use and intuitive interface

Q: How do I customize the dashboard layout in Beyla?

A: To customize the dashboard layout in Beyla, you can use the panels section of the config file. You can add, remove, and reorder panels to create a layout that meets your needs. Here is an example of how to customize the dashboard layout using Beyla:

panels:
  - type: graph
    title: CPU Usage
    span: 6
    row: 0
    col: 0
  - type: table
    title: Memory Usage
    span: 6
    row: 1
    col: 0

Q: How do I add a custom visualization in Beyla?

A: To add a custom visualization in Beyla, you can use the panels section of the config file. You can create custom visualizations using a range of options, including charts, tables, and maps. Here is an example of how to add a custom visualization using Beyla:

panels:
  - type: custom
    title: Custom Visualization
    span: 12
    row: 2
    col: 0
    options:
      type: chart
      chartType: line
      data:
        - label: CPU Usage
          value: 50
        - label: Memory Usage
          value: 75

Q: How do I use a custom data source in Beyla?

A: To use a custom data source in Beyla, you can use the dataSources section of the config file. You can create custom data sources using a range of options, including APIs, databases, and files. Here is an example of how to use a custom data source using Beyla:

dataSources:
  - name: Custom Data Source
    type: api
    options:
      url: https://example.com/api/data
      method: GET
      headers:
        - name: Authorization
          value: Bearer <token>

Q: What are some common issues I may encounter when using Beyla and Alloy?

A: Some common issues you may encounter when using Beyla and Alloy include:

Config file errors
Data source issues
Visualization issues
Layout issues

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with Beyla and Alloy?

A: To troubleshoot issues with Beyla and Alloy, you can:

Check the config file for errors
Verify that the data source is correct
Check the visualization settings
Check the layout settings

Conclusion

In this article, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions about Beyla and Alloy. We have covered topics such as customizing the dashboard layout, adding custom visualizations, and using custom data sources. We have also discussed common issues that may arise when using Beyla and Alloy and provided tips for troubleshooting.