Simple Schema: A streamlined path to AI-powered email creation with Beefree SDK

Creating custom, AI-generated email designs just became a lot simpler. At Beefree, we’ve been listening closely to developers who want to build powerful, programmatic experiences outside the visual editor, especially those training AI models to generate content.

With that, we’re thrilled to unveil the Beefree SDK Simple Schema: a developer-friendly data structure purpose-built for content generation and transformation using AI.

Whether you're experimenting with LLMs, building personalized user experiences, or speeding up template production, Simple Schema is your new best friend.

What is the Simple Schema?

The Simple Schema is a lightweight, structured format that makes it easier to generate Beefree-compatible content programmatically without needing to dive into our full JSON schema.

As an overall simpler structure, Simple Schema enables you to:

• Train AI models to generate valid, editable templates.
  
• Create layouts and content programmatically without touching the editor.
  
• Convert output to full Beefree JSON using our /simple-to-full-json API endpoint.
  
• Save time, reduce errors, and make template creation more scalable.
  
  

Why we built it: solving a real developer painpoint

For years, we’ve heard the same question:

“Can we generate Beefree JSON from our own systems?”

And, more recently:

“Can we train AI to write Beefree templates?”

The answer has always been “yes, but…” because our native JSON is feature-rich. It’s great for the editor, not so great for AI training or lightweight automation.

So we took a step back, distilled the essentials, and created a new schema optimized for:

• Simplicity
  
• Validity
  
• Generative AI compatibility
  
  

Now, with Simple Schema, you have full control over the layout, rows, columns, modules, and content, without the complexity of our native JSON.

How it works: From prompt to template

1. Train your AI model

Start by referencing the Simple Schema GitHub repository. In here, you’ll find the exact structure for:

• Template
  
• Row
  
• Column
  
• Modules (text, image, button, etc.)
  

Then, guide your AI with a carefully crafted prompt like:

Create a simple email for dog lovers using the Beefree Simple Schema format. Use 1 column per row and include a text block, an image, and a CTA button. Only use supported schema properties.

Include strong instructions like:

• Only use supported properties.
  
• All required fields must be filled.
  
• Avoid making up new fields (AI loves doing that!).
  

💡 Pro tip: Include real-time validation feedback in your training loop. If the schema fails validation, guide the model to fix it.

2. Convert to Full Schema with the API

Once you’ve got valid Simple Schema JSON, you’ll want to utilize our Simple to Full Schema API to make it fully compatible with the visual editor. The API is available for all paid plan levels.

POST /simple-to-full-json
Authorization: Bearer <your-token>
Collection: conversion

This endpoint returns the full Beefree JSON. It’s ready to load into the SDK’s visual editor, making it instantly editable by your users.

Simple Schema template = ~313 lines
Full Beefree JSON = ~1300+ lines
AI-friendly and efficient? ✅

3. Test and iterate in the SDK

Now that your design is converted:

• Load it into the Beefree SDK editor.
  
• Let your users tweak it visually.
  
• Save rows, export HTML, or generate images, all using Beefree’s powerful SDK features.
  

For added inspiration, check out our Schema repository in GitHub, where we built:

• A single-template AI generator.
  
• A multi-template selector based on user prompt.
  

Bonus: Simple Schema works for emails, landing pages, and popups

The Simple Schema is designed to be flexible across content types. You can use it to generate email templates, web pages, or popups by specifying the content type in your schema’s type property.

Here’s how it works:

In your Simple Schema template JSON:‍

{
  "template": {
    "type": "email"
  }
}

So if you're building a landing page (or any kind of standalone web content), just set:

• "type": "page"
  

This tells the API and the SDK to treat the layout and rendering appropriately for a landing page environment. And yes, you’ll still be able to convert it using the /simple-to-full-json API and render it seamlessly in the Beefree Page Builder.

Why this matters

This flexibility means you can:

• Reuse your AI model across content types.
  
• Build page generators for campaigns, lead magnets, event invites, and more.
  
• Experiment with AI-driven microsites or multi-format asset creation using the same schema structure.
  

You can even build custom flows where one user prompt spins up an email and a supporting landing page with consistent design — no extra schema juggling required.

Real-world use case: Building a multi-option AI email generator

In our live demo, we walked through a use case where a user entered a single prompt. The system then generated three unique template variations using Simple Schema and AI, and let the user select their favorite.

Each version was:

• Validated against the schema.
  
• Rendered visually using Beefree’s /image and /html endpoints.
  
• Fully editable upon selection.

Want to try it? Start with our Simple Schema Concepts repo.

Simple Schema best practices

✅ Use the GitHub repo as your AI’s source of truth.
✅ Be explicit in your prompt—AI likes clear rules.
✅ Test your output via the API before serving to users.
✅ Use version control to track schema changes.
✅ Document what works—and share it back with us!

Bonus: Our HTML → Beefree JSON Importer API launches May 7, making your workflow even smoother.

Ready to start?

Explore the Simple Schema documentation to get building today.

And if you get stuck, reach out to us at pluginsupport@beefree.io, we’re always here to help.

‍