# TASK: Inline Expression Properties in Property Panel
## Overview
Add the ability to toggle any node property between "fixed value" and "expression mode" directly in the property panel - similar to n8n's approach. When in expression mode, users can write JavaScript expressions that evaluate at runtime with full access to Noodl globals.
**Estimated effort:** 3-4 weeks
**Priority:** High - Major UX modernization
**Dependencies:** Phase 1 (Enhanced Expression Node) must be complete
---
## Background & Motivation
### The Problem Today
To make any property dynamic in Noodl, users must:
1. Create a separate Expression, Variable, or Function node
2. Configure that node with the logic
3. Draw a connection cable to the target property
4. Repeat for every dynamic value
**Result:** Canvas cluttered with helper nodes, hard to understand data flow.
### The Solution
Every property input gains a toggle between:
- **Fixed Mode** (default): Traditional static value editing
- **Expression Mode**: JavaScript expression evaluated at runtime
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Margin Left │
│ ┌────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────┬───┐ │
│ │ Fixed │ 16 │ ⚡ │ │
│ └────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────┴───┘ │
│ │
│ After clicking ⚡ toggle: │
│ │
│ ┌────────┬────────────────────────────────────────────┬───┐ │
│ │ fx │ Noodl.Variables.isMobile ? 8 : 16 │ ⚡ │ │
│ └────────┴────────────────────────────────────────────┴───┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```
---
## Files to Analyze First
### Phase 1 Foundation (must be complete)
```
@packages/noodl-runtime/src/expression-evaluator.js
```
- Expression compilation and evaluation
- Dependency detection
- Change subscription
### Property Panel Architecture
```
@packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/property-panel/PropertyPanelInput/PropertyPanelInput.tsx
@packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/property-panel/README.md
@packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/propertyeditor.ts
@packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/index.tsx
```
- Property panel component structure
- How different property types are rendered
- Property value flow from model to UI and back
### Type-Specific Editors
```
@packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/DataTypes/BasicType.ts
@packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/DataTypes/BooleanType.ts
@packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/DataTypes/ColorType.ts
@packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/DataTypes/VariableType.ts
```
- Pattern for different input types
- How values are stored and retrieved
### Node Model & Parameters
```
@packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/models/nodegraphmodel/NodeGraphNode.ts
@packages/noodl-runtime/src/node.js
```
- How parameters are stored
- Parameter update events
- Visual state parameter patterns (`paramName_stateName`)
### Port/Connection System
```
@packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/models/nodelibrary/nodelibrary.ts
```
- Port type definitions
- Connection state detection (`isConnected`)
---
## Implementation Plan
### Step 1: Extend Parameter Storage Model
Parameters need to support both simple values and expression metadata.
**Modify:** Node model parameter handling
```typescript
// New parameter value types
interface FixedParameter {
value: any;
}
interface ExpressionParameter {
mode: 'expression';
expression: string;
fallback?: any; // Value to use if expression errors
version?: number; // Expression system version for migration
}
type ParameterValue = any | ExpressionParameter;
// Helper to check if parameter is expression
function isExpressionParameter(param: any): param is ExpressionParameter {
return param && typeof param === 'object' && param.mode === 'expression';
}
// Helper to get display value
function getParameterDisplayValue(param: ParameterValue): any {
if (isExpressionParameter(param)) {
return param.expression;
}
return param;
}
```
**Ensure backward compatibility:**
- Simple values (strings, numbers, etc.) continue to work as-is
- Expression parameters are objects with `mode: 'expression'`
- Serialization/deserialization handles both formats
### Step 2: Create Expression Toggle Component
**Create file:** `packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/property-panel/ExpressionToggle/ExpressionToggle.tsx`
```tsx
import React from 'react';
import { IconButton, IconButtonVariant } from '../../inputs/IconButton';
import { IconName, IconSize } from '../../common/Icon';
import { Tooltip } from '../../popups/Tooltip';
import css from './ExpressionToggle.module.scss';
export interface ExpressionToggleProps {
mode: 'fixed' | 'expression';
isConnected?: boolean; // Port has cable connection
onToggle: () => void;
disabled?: boolean;
}
export function ExpressionToggle({
mode,
isConnected,
onToggle,
disabled
}: ExpressionToggleProps) {
// If connected via cable, show connection indicator instead
if (isConnected) {
return (
);
}
```
### Step 5: Wire Up to Property Editor
**Modify:** `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/DataTypes/BasicType.ts`
This is where the connection between the model and property panel happens. Add expression support:
```typescript
// In the render or value handling logic:
// Check if current parameter value is an expression
const paramValue = parent.model.parameters[port.name];
const isExpressionMode = isExpressionParameter(paramValue);
// When mode changes:
onExpressionModeChange(mode) {
if (mode === 'expression') {
// Convert current value to expression parameter
const currentValue = parent.model.parameters[port.name];
parent.model.setParameter(port.name, {
mode: 'expression',
expression: String(currentValue || ''),
fallback: currentValue,
version: ExpressionEvaluator.EXPRESSION_VERSION
});
} else {
// Convert back to fixed value
const param = parent.model.parameters[port.name];
const fixedValue = isExpressionParameter(param) ? param.fallback : param;
parent.model.setParameter(port.name, fixedValue);
}
}
// When expression changes:
onExpressionChange(expression) {
const param = parent.model.parameters[port.name];
if (isExpressionParameter(param)) {
parent.model.setParameter(port.name, {
...param,
expression
});
}
}
```
### Step 6: Runtime Expression Evaluation
**Modify:** `packages/noodl-runtime/src/node.js`
Add expression evaluation to the parameter update flow:
```javascript
// In Node.prototype._onNodeModelParameterUpdated or similar:
Node.prototype._evaluateExpressionParameter = function(paramName, paramValue) {
const ExpressionEvaluator = require('./expression-evaluator');
if (!paramValue || paramValue.mode !== 'expression') {
return paramValue;
}
// Compile and evaluate
const compiled = ExpressionEvaluator.compileExpression(paramValue.expression);
if (!compiled) {
return paramValue.fallback;
}
const result = ExpressionEvaluator.evaluateExpression(compiled, this.context?.modelScope);
// Set up reactive subscription if not already
if (!this._expressionSubscriptions) {
this._expressionSubscriptions = {};
}
if (!this._expressionSubscriptions[paramName]) {
const deps = ExpressionEvaluator.detectDependencies(paramValue.expression);
if (deps.variables.length > 0 || deps.objects.length > 0 || deps.arrays.length > 0) {
this._expressionSubscriptions[paramName] = ExpressionEvaluator.subscribeToChanges(
deps,
() => {
// Re-evaluate and update
const newResult = ExpressionEvaluator.evaluateExpression(compiled, this.context?.modelScope);
this.queueInput(paramName, newResult);
},
this.context?.modelScope
);
}
}
return result !== undefined ? result : paramValue.fallback;
};
// Clean up subscriptions on delete
Node.prototype._onNodeDeleted = function() {
// ... existing cleanup ...
// Clean up expression subscriptions
if (this._expressionSubscriptions) {
for (const unsub of Object.values(this._expressionSubscriptions)) {
if (typeof unsub === 'function') unsub();
}
this._expressionSubscriptions = null;
}
};
```
### Step 7: Expression Builder Modal (Optional Enhancement)
**Create file:** `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/ExpressionBuilder/ExpressionBuilder.tsx`
A full-featured modal for complex expression editing:
```tsx
import React, { useState, useEffect, useMemo } from 'react';
import { Modal } from '@noodl-core-ui/components/layout/Modal';
import { MonacoEditor } from '@noodl-core-ui/components/inputs/MonacoEditor';
import { TreeView } from '@noodl-core-ui/components/tree/TreeView';
import css from './ExpressionBuilder.module.scss';
interface ExpressionBuilderProps {
isOpen: boolean;
expression: string;
expectedType?: string;
onApply: (expression: string) => void;
onCancel: () => void;
}
export function ExpressionBuilder({
isOpen,
expression: initialExpression,
expectedType,
onApply,
onCancel
}: ExpressionBuilderProps) {
const [expression, setExpression] = useState(initialExpression);
const [preview, setPreview] = useState<{ result: any; error?: string }>({ result: null });
// Build available completions tree
const completionsTree = useMemo(() => {
// This would be populated from actual project data
return [
{
label: 'Noodl',
children: [
{
label: 'Variables',
children: [] // Populated from Noodl.Variables
},
{
label: 'Objects',
children: [] // Populated from known Object IDs
},
{
label: 'Arrays',
children: [] // Populated from known Array IDs
}
]
},
{
label: 'Math',
children: [
{ label: 'min(a, b)', insertText: 'min()' },
{ label: 'max(a, b)', insertText: 'max()' },
{ label: 'round(n)', insertText: 'round()' },
{ label: 'floor(n)', insertText: 'floor()' },
{ label: 'ceil(n)', insertText: 'ceil()' },
{ label: 'abs(n)', insertText: 'abs()' },
{ label: 'sqrt(n)', insertText: 'sqrt()' },
{ label: 'pow(base, exp)', insertText: 'pow()' },
{ label: 'pi', insertText: 'pi' },
{ label: 'random()', insertText: 'random()' }
]
}
];
}, []);
// Live preview
useEffect(() => {
const ExpressionEvaluator = require('@noodl/runtime/src/expression-evaluator');
const validation = ExpressionEvaluator.validateExpression(expression);
if (!validation.valid) {
setPreview({ result: null, error: validation.error });
return;
}
const compiled = ExpressionEvaluator.compileExpression(expression);
if (compiled) {
const result = ExpressionEvaluator.evaluateExpression(compiled);
setPreview({ result, error: undefined });
}
}, [expression]);
return (
Available
{
// Insert at cursor
if (item.insertText) {
setExpression(prev => prev + item.insertText);
}
}}
/>
Preview
{preview.error ? (
{preview.error}
) : (
Result:
{JSON.stringify(preview.result)}
Type: {typeof preview.result}
)}
);
}
```
### Step 8: Add Keyboard Shortcuts
**Modify:** `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/constants/Keybindings.ts`
```typescript
export namespace Keybindings {
// ... existing keybindings ...
// Expression shortcuts (new)
export const TOGGLE_EXPRESSION_MODE = new Keybinding(KeyMod.CtrlCmd, KeyCode.KEY_E);
export const OPEN_EXPRESSION_BUILDER = new Keybinding(KeyMod.CtrlCmd, KeyMod.Shift, KeyCode.KEY_E);
}
```
### Step 9: Handle Property Types
Different property types need type-appropriate expression handling:
| Property Type | Expression Returns | Coercion |
|--------------|-------------------|----------|
| `string` | Any → String | `String(result)` |
| `number` | Number | `Number(result) \|\| fallback` |
| `boolean` | Truthy/Falsy | `!!result` |
| `color` | Hex/RGB string | Validate format |
| `enum` | Enum value string | Validate against options |
| `component` | Component name | Validate exists |
**Create file:** `packages/noodl-runtime/src/expression-type-coercion.js`
```javascript
/**
* Coerce expression result to expected property type
*/
function coerceToType(value, expectedType, fallback, enumOptions) {
if (value === undefined || value === null) {
return fallback;
}
switch (expectedType) {
case 'string':
return String(value);
case 'number':
const num = Number(value);
return isNaN(num) ? fallback : num;
case 'boolean':
return !!value;
case 'color':
const str = String(value);
// Basic validation for hex or rgb
if (/^#[0-9A-Fa-f]{6}$/.test(str) || /^rgba?\(/.test(str)) {
return str;
}
return fallback;
case 'enum':
const enumVal = String(value);
if (enumOptions && enumOptions.some(opt =>
opt === enumVal || opt.value === enumVal
)) {
return enumVal;
}
return fallback;
default:
return value;
}
}
module.exports = { coerceToType };
```
---
## Success Criteria
### Functional Requirements
- [ ] Expression toggle button appears on supported property types
- [ ] Toggle switches between fixed and expression modes
- [ ] Expression mode shows `fx` badge and code-style input
- [ ] Expression evaluates correctly at runtime
- [ ] Expression re-evaluates when dependencies change
- [ ] Connected ports (via cables) disable expression mode
- [ ] Type coercion works for each property type
- [ ] Invalid expressions show error state
- [ ] Copy/paste expressions works
- [ ] Expression builder modal opens (Cmd+Shift+E)
- [ ] Undo/redo works for expression changes
### Property Types Supported
- [ ] String (`PropertyPanelTextInput`)
- [ ] Number (`PropertyPanelNumberInput`)
- [ ] Number with units (`PropertyPanelLengthUnitInput`)
- [ ] Boolean (`PropertyPanelCheckbox`)
- [ ] Select/Enum (`PropertyPanelSelectInput`)
- [ ] Slider (`PropertyPanelSliderInput`)
- [ ] Color (`ColorType` / color picker)
### Non-Functional Requirements
- [ ] No performance regression in property panel rendering
- [ ] Expressions compile once, evaluate efficiently
- [ ] Memory cleanup when nodes are deleted
- [ ] Backward compatibility with existing projects
---
## Testing Checklist
### Manual Testing
1. **Basic Toggle**
- Select a Group node
- Find the "Margin Left" property
- Click expression toggle button
- Verify UI changes to expression mode
- Toggle back to fixed mode
- Verify original value is preserved
2. **Expression Evaluation**
- Set a Group's margin to expression mode
- Enter: `Noodl.Variables.spacing || 16`
- Set `Noodl.Variables.spacing = 32` in a Function node
- Verify margin updates to 32
3. **Reactive Updates**
- Create expression: `Noodl.Variables.isExpanded ? 200 : 50`
- Add button that toggles `Noodl.Variables.isExpanded`
- Click button, verify property updates
4. **Connected Port Behavior**
- Connect an output to a property input
- Verify expression toggle is disabled/hidden
- Disconnect
- Verify toggle is available again
5. **Type Coercion**
- Number property with expression returning string "42"
- Verify it coerces to number 42
- Boolean property with expression returning "yes"
- Verify it coerces to true
6. **Error Handling**
- Enter invalid expression: `1 +`
- Verify error indicator appears
- Verify property uses fallback value
- Fix expression
- Verify error clears
7. **Undo/Redo**
- Change property to expression mode
- Undo (Cmd+Z)
- Verify returns to fixed mode
- Redo
- Verify returns to expression mode
8. **Project Save/Load**
- Create property with expression
- Save project
- Close and reopen project
- Verify expression is preserved and working
### Property Type Coverage
- [ ] Text input with expression
- [ ] Number input with expression
- [ ] Number with units (px, %, etc.) with expression
- [ ] Checkbox/boolean with expression
- [ ] Dropdown/select with expression
- [ ] Color picker with expression
- [ ] Slider with expression
### Edge Cases
- [ ] Expression referencing non-existent variable
- [ ] Expression with runtime error (division by zero)
- [ ] Very long expression
- [ ] Expression with special characters
- [ ] Expression in visual state parameter
- [ ] Expression in variant parameter
---
## Migration Considerations
### Existing Projects
- Existing projects have simple parameter values
- These continue to work as-is (backward compatible)
- No automatic migration needed
### Future Expression Version Changes
If we need to change the expression context in the future:
1. Increment `EXPRESSION_VERSION` in expression-evaluator.js
2. Add migration logic to handle old version expressions
3. Show warning for expressions with old version
---
## Notes for Implementer
### Important Patterns
1. **Model-View Separation**
- Property panel is the view
- NodeGraphNode.parameters is the model
- Changes go through `setParameter()` for undo support
2. **Port Connection Priority**
- Connected ports take precedence over expressions
- Connected ports take precedence over fixed values
- This is existing behavior, preserve it
3. **Visual States**
- Visual state parameters use `paramName_stateName` pattern
- Expression parameters in visual states need same pattern
- Example: `marginLeft_hover` could be an expression
### Edge Cases to Handle
1. **Expression references port that's also connected**
- Expression should still work
- Connected value might be available via `this.inputs.X`
2. **Circular expressions**
- Expression A references Variable that's set by Expression B
- Shouldn't cause infinite loop (dependency tracking prevents)
3. **Expressions in cloud runtime**
- Cloud uses different Noodl.js API
- Ensure expression-evaluator works in both contexts
### Questions to Resolve
1. **Which property types should NOT support expressions?**
- Recommendation: component picker, image picker
- These need special UI that doesn't fit expression pattern
2. **Should expressions work in style properties?**
- Recommendation: Yes, if using inputCss pattern
- CSS values often need to be dynamic
3. **Mobile/responsive expressions?**
- Recommendation: Expressions can reference `Noodl.Variables.screenWidth`
- Combine with existing variants system
---
## Files Created/Modified Summary
### New Files
- `packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/property-panel/ExpressionToggle/ExpressionToggle.tsx`
- `packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/property-panel/ExpressionToggle/ExpressionToggle.module.scss`
- `packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/property-panel/ExpressionInput/ExpressionInput.tsx`
- `packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/property-panel/ExpressionInput/ExpressionInput.module.scss`
- `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/ExpressionBuilder/ExpressionBuilder.tsx`
- `packages/noodl-runtime/src/expression-type-coercion.js`
### Modified Files
- `packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/property-panel/PropertyPanelInput/PropertyPanelInput.tsx`
- `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/DataTypes/BasicType.ts`
- `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/DataTypes/BooleanType.ts`
- `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/panels/propertyeditor/DataTypes/ColorType.ts`
- `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/models/nodegraphmodel/NodeGraphNode.ts`
- `packages/noodl-runtime/src/node.js`
- `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/constants/Keybindings.ts`