diff --git a/lib/javascripts/base_app.js b/lib/javascripts/base_app.js
index 54b7809..8338c5e 100644
--- a/lib/javascripts/base_app.js
+++ b/lib/javascripts/base_app.js
@@ -226,6 +226,17 @@ BaseApp.extend = function(appPrototype) {
 
   App.prototype = _.extend({}, BaseApp.prototype, appPrototype);
 
+  // settings is an alias provided so that any apps that attempt
+  // direct access of the object underlying the setting API. See
+  // https://developer.zendesk.com/apps/docs/agent/data#setting
+  // we define this property after extending BaseApp so that the
+  // accessor won't be called before the app is instantiated
+  Object.defineProperty(App.prototype, "settings", {
+    get() {
+      return this._metadata.settings;
+    }
+  });
+
   return App;
 };