OpenPermit is built around a node-based ontology for representing permits, standards and project documents. Each node is validated against JSON Schema definitions generated from NIEM and BLDS templates. The src/core library provides functions to create, link and validate nodes, while the API wrapper exposes these features to browser-based clients.
Documents such as IFC models or PDF plans are typed using subclasses like JSONDocument or PDFDocument. Validation results feed into a workflow engine that can automatically publish approved datasets to CKAN portals. All interactions are designed to be secure by default, with NIST 800‑53 controls in mind.
The architecture diagram in mermaid/architecture.mmd illustrates how the API gateway routes requests to core services and the underlying data layer. External systems like GIS platforms or payment processors can integrate through these services.