# Custom Widgets Squirro offers you the ability to create unique visual experiences and extend Squirro dashboards using custom widgets. This feature requires server-level administrator privileges. You can build your own custom widget by using an existing Squirro widget as a base template and then modifying it, or you can build your own custom widget from scratch using React. To build your own custom widgets, you will need a basic understanding of JavaScript and the React framework. ## How to Create a Custom Widget For a how-to guide for creating custom widgets, refer to the [How to Create a Squirro Custom Widget](how-custom.md#widgets-custom-how) page. ## React Custom Widgets React widgets are the preferred method for creating custom widgets. React widgets are built using the JavaScript React framework. See [React Custom Widgets](react/index.md#widgets-react) for details on React [libraries](react/libraries.md#react-libraries), [hooks](react/hooks.md#react-hooks), [how-to guides](react/how-to-guides/index.md#react-how-tos), and an introduction to [Squirro Storybook](react/storybook.md#react-storybook). ## Backbone Custom Widgets [Deprecated](../../getting/release/squirro-release-process.md#getting-squirro-process) Backbone widgets are deprecated and have been superseded by React widgets. See [Backbone Custom Widgets](backbone/index.md#widgets-backbone) for Backbone widget documentation.