OpenNoodl/dev-docs/tasks/phase-3-editor-ux-overhaul/TASK-008-json-editor/CHANGELOG-SUBTASK-1.md

TASK-008 JSON Editor - Subtask 1: Core Foundation

Status: ✅ Complete
Date: 2026-01-08
Estimated Time: 1-2 days
Actual Time: ~1 hour

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Overview

Built the foundational structure for the unified JSON Editor component with a focus on helpful error messages and no-coder friendly validation.

What Was Built

1. Type System (utils/types.ts)

• JSONValueType: Type union for all JSON value types
• ValidationResult: Comprehensive validation result with error details and fix suggestions
• EditorMode: 'easy' | 'advanced' mode types
• JSONEditorProps: Full component API
• JSONTreeNode: Internal tree representation for Easy Mode
• TreeAction: Action types for tree operations

2. JSON Validator (utils/jsonValidator.ts)

🎯 Key Feature: Helpful Error Messages for No-Coders

• validateJSON(): Main validation function with type constraints
• formatJSON(): Pretty-print utility
• isValidJSON(): Quick validation check

Error Detection & Suggestions:

• Missing closing brackets → "Missing 2 closing } brace(s) at the end"
• Missing commas → "Add a comma (,) after the previous property or value"
• Trailing commas → "Remove the trailing comma before the closing bracket"
• Unquoted keys → "Property keys must be wrapped in "quotes""
• Single quotes → "JSON requires "double quotes" for strings, not 'single quotes'"
• Type mismatches → "Expected an array, but got an object. Wrap your data in [ ] brackets"

Line and column numbers provided for all errors.

3. Tree Converter (utils/treeConverter.ts)

Converts between JSON values and tree node representations:

• valueToTreeNode(): JSON → Tree structure
• treeNodeToValue(): Tree → JSON value
• getValueType(): Type detection
• getValueAtPath(): Path-based value retrieval
• setValueAtPath(): Immutable path-based updates
• deleteValueAtPath(): Immutable path-based deletion

4. Easy Mode Component (modes/EasyMode/)

Read-only tree display (editing coming in Subtask 2):

• Recursive tree node rendering
• Color-coded type badges (string=blue, number=green, boolean=orange, etc.)
• Collapsible arrays and objects
• Empty state messages
• Proper indentation and visual hierarchy

5. Main JSONEditor Component (JSONEditor.tsx)

• Mode toggle (Easy ↔ Advanced)
• Validation error banner with suggestions
• Height/disabled/expectedType props
• LocalStorage mode preference
• Advanced Mode placeholder (implementation in Subtask 3)

6. Styling (*.module.scss)

All styles use design tokens:

• var(--theme-color-bg-*) for backgrounds
• var(--theme-color-fg-*) for text
• var(--theme-color-border-default) for borders
• var(--theme-color-primary) for actions
• Type-specific color coding for clarity

7. Public API (index.ts)

Clean exports:

import { JSONEditor, validateJSON, formatJSON } from '@noodl-core-ui/components/json-editor';

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File Structure Created

packages/noodl-core-ui/src/components/json-editor/
├── index.ts                              # Public exports
├── JSONEditor.tsx                        # Main component
├── JSONEditor.module.scss                # Main styles
├── utils/
│   ├── types.ts                          # TypeScript definitions
│   ├── jsonValidator.ts                  # Validation with helpful errors
│   └── treeConverter.ts                  # JSON ↔ Tree conversion
└── modes/
    └── EasyMode/
        ├── EasyMode.tsx                  # Visual tree builder
        └── EasyMode.module.scss          # Easy Mode styles

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Key Features Implemented

✅ No-Coder Friendly Validation

• Clear error messages: "Line 3, Column 5: Unexpected }"
• Actionable suggestions: "Add a comma (,) after the previous property"
• Type mismatch guidance: "Wrap your data in [ ] brackets to make it an array"

✅ Visual Tree Display

• Read-only display of JSON as a tree
• Type badges with color coding
• Proper nesting with visual indentation
• Empty state messages

✅ Mode Switching

• Toggle between Easy and Advanced modes
• Mode preference saved to localStorage
• Validation runs automatically

✅ Design System Integration

• All colors use design tokens
• Consistent with OpenNoodl visual language
• Accessible focus states and contrast

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What's NOT Yet Implemented

❌ Easy Mode editing (add/edit/delete) - Coming in Subtask 2
❌ Advanced Mode text editor - Coming in Subtask 3
❌ Integration with VariablesSection - Coming in Subtask 4
❌ Drag & drop reordering - Future enhancement
❌ Keyboard shortcuts - Future enhancement

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Testing Status

⚠️ Manual testing pending - Component needs to be:

1. Imported and tested in isolation
2. Verified with various JSON inputs
3. Tested with invalid JSON (error messages)
4. Tested mode switching

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Next Steps

Subtask 2: Easy Mode Editing

1. Add inline value editing
2. Add "Add Item" / "Add Property" buttons
3. Add delete buttons
4. Handle type changes
5. Make editing actually work!

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Notes

• Validator provides VERY helpful error messages - this is the killer feature for no-coders
• Tree display is clean and visual - easy to understand even without JSON knowledge
• Advanced Mode is stubbed with placeholder - will be implemented in Subtask 3
• All foundation code is solid and ready for editing functionality