---
title: "Spiff Arena and Ed — Visual Design Studio 0.1 documentation"
description: "Spiff Arena and Ed work with the same kind of BPMN process model files, but they serve different jobs."
source_url: https://spiff.works/docs/ed/arena_vs_ed.html
---

☰ Menu

# Spiff Arena and Ed[](#spiff-arena-and-ed "Link to this heading")

Spiff Arena and Ed work with the same kind of BPMN process model files, but they serve different jobs.

## Product Roles[](#product-roles "Link to this heading")

| Product | Primary role | Typical user |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ed | Author, edit, run, and refine process models in the browser | Process authors, business analysts, developers |
| Spiff Arena | Deploy, administer, and execute process models for end users | Process owners, admins, participants |

## Use Ed For[](#use-ed-for "Link to this heading")

- Creating BPMN diagrams.
- Editing form schema and UI schema files.
- Running diagrams during authoring.
- Debugging process behavior before deployment.
- Syncing process model files with GitHub.
- Working with the Ed AI assistant.

## Use Spiff Arena For[](#use-spiff-arena-for "Link to this heading")

- Running published process models with real users.
- Managing process groups and process models.
- Completing User Tasks and Manual Tasks.
- Configuring secrets, authentications, permissions, and connector proxy settings.
- Monitoring process instances.
- Managing deployed runtime behavior.

## Shared Concepts[](#shared-concepts "Link to this heading")

Both products use shared authoring concepts:

- BPMN diagrams.
- JSON Schema and UI Schema forms.
- Jinja-rendered task instructions and form files.
- Service Tasks and connector proxies.
- DMN decision tables.
- process files stored with the model.

When documentation describes a modeling pattern, it usually applies to both Ed and Spiff Arena.
When documentation describes navigation, administration, deployment, or production runtime behavior, follow the product-specific page.

## Before Moving from Ed to Spiff Arena[](#before-moving-from-ed-to-spiff-arena "Link to this heading")

Before deploying or handing off a model:

- run the process in Ed with realistic data;
- verify forms render with expected task data;
- review gateway labels and conditions;
- confirm connector proxy settings are available in the target environment;
- confirm secrets or tokens are not stored in model files;
- review GitHub diffs for BPMN, schema, UI schema, and DMN changes.