Those who already did bulk edits in Wikidata probably know QuickStatements, a Wikidata editing tool that allows multiple edits based on a set of text commands. In 2019, it received the Coolest Tool Award of the Editor category. In 2024, Wikimedia Deutschland, together with Arcadia Fund, started a funding project with an open call for software collaborations aimed at the Wikidata ecosystem. Wiki Movement Brazil submitted a QuickStatements renewal project, entitled QuickStatements 3.0, referring to a third version of the tool. This project was approved and started in June of the same year. The project’s intention is to develop a new version that is easier to maintain, shows clearer error messages to the user and minimizes the current tool’s limitations, while also implementing new, longly awaited, functionalities.
In June, the project started with the staff formation and elaboration of the development technical plan, alongside with the first work sprint. The work was done in two pathways: software development and community. With regards to the former, we started the development of an independently created application that possessed a similar interface and current functionalities of QuickStatements. In the latter, we realized community consultations to comprehend the users’ wishes and frustrations with the tool, which allowed us to enumerate and prioritize bug fixes and new functionalities.
For the software development, we chose the Python language with the Django web framework, a very popular and relatively easy to maintain tech stack, allowing for more community members to contribute with the tool in the long run. For the user interface, we chose the HTMX library, which allows interactivity improvements through HTML without requiring a complex JavaScript frontend, which could delay the tool’s development. The system utilizes a login system with OAuth2, integrating itself to the global Wikimedia accounts, using the most modern version of the protocol. We also deployed the tool on Toolforge, available at https://qs-dev.toolforge.org.
In the end of 2024, we applied again for Outreachy, an internship program geared towards the participation of underrepresented communities in the technical industry. Our project, which focuses on a documentation development for the new QuickStatements version, was approved. The selected intern was Onitcha Nyerhovwo, a devops and software developer based in Nigeria.
With his arrival in our staff, Onitcha’s participation exceeded expectations! To write the documentation, his initial work was to better understand the tool, its syntax and the Wikidata ecosystem. He was able to run the project locally in his machine and soon started to implement his tests and experimentations, bringing valuable feedback to the development and improvement of the tool. Besides, he helped us in the creation of long chains of commands for more robust integration tests. All of Onitcha’s experience working in the documentation is being reported in his blog, in case you want to have a deeper perspective.
Now, in the start of 2025, we finalized the last adjustments on the identified community priorities. Together with Onitcha, we will be able to deliver a detailed and updated documentation, focused both on new and experienced users. We hope to contribute even more with the Wikidata ecosystem and we are happy to dedicate our work in developing even further a tool so loved by the community.
The tool will be launched to the community on February 24th, at 16:00 UTC, online in the Wiki Movement Brazil’s Youtube channel. Stay updated on the tool’s development in the Meta-Wiki page. See you soon!
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