Configuration of applications for distributed computing systems

A distributed computing system includes a primary device and one or more backend devices. The primary device provides a management interface for the distributed computing system. A plurality of applications may be installed on the backend devices for execution. The primary device generates registration data that associates the applications with management interface commands or configuration parameters in response to messages received from the applications. Subsequently, when the primary device receives a particular command at the management interface, the primary device identifies, based on the registration data, a particular application from among the plurality of applications. In response to identifying the application, the primary device may send to the application an outgoing message.