Java Workflow Engine based on Jakarta EE

Imixs-Workflow is a native Java workflow engine built on Jakarta EE – designed to build transactional, scalable and secure business applications.

Why Jakarta EE Matters for Java Workflow Development

As a Java-based workflow engine, Imixs-Workflow provides transaction management, JPA persistence and container-managed security out of the box. Built for modern cloud environments, it seamlessly integrates into your microservice architecture while maintaining full Jakarta EE compliance.

Business process management presents unique technical challenges for Java developers. While some processes complete within seconds, human-driven workflows can span days or even months, involving complex state management and multiple participants.

Jakarta EE provides the perfect foundation for a Java workflow engine with these requirements. Building on its core capabilities, Imixs-Workflow delivers container-managed transactions, JPA persistence, built-in security controls, and efficient concurrency management. Running on modern Java application servers like WildFly or Payara, it can be deployed both as a traditional application or as a self-contained microservice.

Jump-start your Java Workflow Development with the Imixs Process Manager

The Imixs Process Manager serves as a reference implementation showcasing how to build Java workflow applications with Imixs-Workflow.

Screenshots & Examples

Process Manager Dashboard showing active workflows
Process Manager Dashboard showing active workflows
Process Manager Dashboard showing active workflows

The Open-Source Java Workflow Template Provides you:

  • A ready-to-use business process management interface
  • Best practices for Jakarta EE Java workflow development
  • Examples for custom workflow integration
  • Docker deployment templates for local and cloud environments

You can use the Imixs Process Manager to quickly evaluate Imixs-Workflow's capabilities, as a Java workflow engine, as a starting point for your own development, or adapt it to your specific business needs. The Docker image allows instant deployment in any environment, from local development to Kubernetes clusters.

The Advantage of a Java Workflow Engine on Jakarta EE

Database independence

The Imixs-Workflow Engine is 100% database independent. The persistence of a process instance is based on the Java Persistence API (JPA). For that reason there is no dependency for a specific database. Imixs-Workflow automatically connects to the database you have configured in your Java application server environment. The database schema is generated automatically during deployment.

Security

The Imixs Workflow engine supports a separate Access Control List (ACL) for each process instance. The access can be controlled based on the workflow model. The Implementation is based on Java Authentication and Authorization Service (JAAS) which is part of the Jakarta EE specification. Any authentication and authorization framework supported by your application server environment can be integrated.

Scalability and Transaction

The Imixs-Workflow engine is implemented based on the EJB specification. The different service layers fulfilling all the requirements to a scalable, transactional and robust Java workflow engine. Transactions are fully controlled by the Jakarta EE application server and there are no restrictions in the architecture or transaction level. So Imixs-Workflow provides a high level scalability and you can build a server environment without any restrictions in architecture.

Rest Service API

Imixs-Workflow provides a Rest Service API to connect your Java workflow engine on a standardized interface. The XML and Web Service interfaces are based on the Jakarta EE specifications JAXB, JAX-REST and JAX-WS. Through the Rest Service API Imixs-Workflow allows an easy integration into existing applications and frameworks. There are no restrictions in connecting your workflow application to any other service or application environment.

What's Next…

Continue reading more about:

Model your Business Process with BPMN

Read more....

Protect your Business Data

Read more....

Run your Workflows on a Microservice

Read more....

Components

Imixs Workflow integrates into the Jakarta EE specification and supports a lot of APIs and standardized technologies.

  • Java Worklfow Engine
  • Jakarta EE
  • BPMN 2.0
  • Microservice
  • Database independence
    • JPA 2.0 supported
    • Eclipselink
  • Authentication and Authorization
    • OIDC
    • JAAS support
    • Process Instance ACL
  • CDI / EJB / Transactions
  • XML and JSON
    • JAXB
    • JAX-REST
    • JAX-WS
    • JSON-P
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