How to Develop an Odoo Module

How to Develop an Odoo Module: Step-by-Step Guide

Odoo is one of the most powerful and flexible ERP systems out there, and what makes it truly stand out is how customizable it is. Whether you’re a developer, business owner, or someone exploring automation for your company, learning how to develop an Odoo module can open up huge opportunities. You get to control how your system works, add new features that perfectly match your workflows, and improve efficiency like never before.

At OEC, we’ve been working with Odoo for years. From integrating complex modules for large organizations to building simple, practical tools for startups, we’ve seen how custom development transforms operations. We’re not just resellers or integrators — we build, test, deploy, and maintain modules that genuinely solve real problems. Our experience has taught us where people often get stuck and how to move past those roadblocks efficiently.

If you’ve ever wondered how to develop an Odoo module that’s tailored specifically to your needs, this guide will walk you through every step — with practical examples and insights from real projects. Plus, we’ll show you how to avoid over-complicating your code and focus on what actually delivers value.

So whether you’re doing this for a client, your own business, or just to expand your Odoo knowledge, learning how to develop an Odoo module is one of the best ways to take full control of your ERP environment.

What Is an Odoo Module?

The Building Block of Customization

An Odoo module is like a self-contained package that adds functionality to your Odoo system. Think of it as a plugin that can be installed, upgraded, or removed. It could be something small like a report, or something big like an entire app with models, views, and business logic.

Modules can do a lot:

Add custom fields to models
Create new models and views
Modify workflows
Extend the backend logic
Integrate with third-party services

You can create a module for almost anything you can imagine — the real key is knowing how to structure it properly and make sure it aligns with Odoo’s architecture.

Before You Start: What You Need

1. Development Environment

To build your first module, you need:

Python 3 (Odoo is written in Python)
PostgreSQL (the database engine Odoo uses)
Odoo source code (you can clone it from GitHub)
An IDE or code editor (VS Code works perfectly)
Basic knowledge of Python and XML

From personal experience: I once tried to jump into module development without setting up PostgreSQL properly. It was a headache — nothing worked until I took the time to configure it right. Always make sure your environment is fully functional before coding.

2. Understanding the File Structure

Every Odoo module has a specific structure:

This might look intimidating at first, but it’s super clean once you understand what each part does.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your First Odoo Module

Step 1: Create the Module Folder

Navigate to your Odoo addons path and create a new directory:

Step 2: Write `manifest.py`

This file describes your module. It’s the first thing Odoo looks at when loading a module. Here’s a simple example:

Don’t forget to include all the files your module needs. If something is missing here, Odoo won’t find it.

Step 3: Add `init.py`

This tells Python how to load your module. If you have models, import them here:

Step 4: Define Your Model

Inside models/, create a file called my_model.py:

This creates a new model (a database table) with two fields: name and description.

From our projects at OEC, we’ve seen that naming conventions are key. Avoid using generic names — it might not seem like a big deal now, but later, when you have 30+ modules, you’ll thank yourself for it.

Step 5: Create a Basic View

Inside views/, create my_model_view.xml:

xml

<odoo>

<record id="view_form_my_model" model="ir.ui.view">

<field name="name">my.model.form</field>

<field name="model">my.model</field>

<field name="arch" type="xml">

<form string="My Model">

<sheet>

<group>

<field name="name"/>

<field name="description"/>

</group>

</sheet>

</form>

</field>

</record>

<record id=“view_tree_my_model” model=“ir.ui.view”>
<field name=“name”>my.model.tree</field>
<field name=“model”>my.model</field>
<field name=“arch” type=“xml”>
<tree>
<field name=“name”/>
</tree>
</field>
</record><record id=“action_my_model” model=“ir.actions.act_window”>
<field name=“name”>My Model</field>
<field name=“res_model”>my.model</field>
<field name=“view_mode”>tree,form</field>
</record>

This will add your model to the Odoo UI so users can access it from the dashboard.

Step 6: Define Access Rights

Inside security/, create ir.model.access.csv:

Missing this step will result in a forbidden error when trying to access your model — a mistake many new developers run into.

Best Practices We’ve Learned at OEC

Keep Modules Lightweight

Don’t throw everything into one module. Break it into logical units. We once had a client who wanted inventory, HR, and CRM features all in one module. That turned into a mess. We broke it into three separate ones — and maintenance became 10x easier.

Use Inheritance Wisely

Instead of rewriting existing models, extend them when possible. Odoo uses powerful inheritance features to let you add fields, override methods, or modify views without rewriting the entire thing.

Test Locally, Then Push

Always test on a local dev environment before deploying. Trust me, finding a bug on production at 3 AM is not fun. We use Docker containers to isolate test environments — it makes rolling back safe and easy.

Document Everything

Even if it’s just in code comments or README files, always document what your module does and why you made certain decisions. Future-you (or your teammates) will appreciate it.

Extra Tips for Going Further

Use Studio only for quick demos, but always convert to code for anything long-term.
Learn QWeb templates if you want to build custom reports or UI widgets.
Odoo.sh is great for cloud deployments and version control, but learn to build manually first.

Common Issues and How to Solve Them

Module Not Showing Up?

Check:

Is it in the addons_path?
Did you update the app list?
Is __manifest__.py error-free?

Access Denied?

Check ir.model.access.csv for missing permissions.
Check if the current user has the right group.

Model Not Found?

Make sure your Python class name matches the _name field and that it’s properly imported in __init__.py.

Why OEC Is the Best Partner for Custom Odoo Development

At OEC, we don’t just build modules — we build smart, scalable solutions. With 9 years of experience in ERP, digital transformation, and software development, we understand how to take business logic and translate it into clean, efficient code. We’ve worked with a variety of industries, which gives us a strong foundation in building modules that are not only functional but aligned with real-world needs.

We work side-by-side with our clients to understand their goals, workflows, and constraints. Whether it’s a small tweak or a full business solution built from scratch, we deliver modules that are easy to maintain, upgrade-safe, and perfectly tailored to your business logic.

So if you’re planning to take your Odoo system to the next level, whether it’s building a custom module, optimizing existing features, or migrating data — OEC is here to help with the expertise, reliability, and passion your business deserves.

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How to Develop an Odoo Module