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

TASK-008 JSON Editor - Subtask 3: Advanced Mode

Status: ✅ Complete
Date: 2026-01-08
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Actual Time: ~30 minutes

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Overview

Implemented Advanced Mode for power users who prefer direct text editing with real-time validation and helpful error messages.

What Was Built

1. AdvancedMode Component (AdvancedMode.tsx)

A text-based JSON editor with:

Real-Time Validation

• Validates JSON as user types
• Shows validation status in toolbar (✓ Valid / ✗ Invalid)
• Only propagates valid JSON changes

Format Button

• Pretty-prints valid JSON
• Keyboard hint: Ctrl+Shift+F
• Disabled when JSON is invalid

Error Display Panel

• Animated slide-down panel for errors
• Shows error message with helpful context
• Displays suggestions (💡 from validator)
• Shows line/column numbers when available

Text Editor

• Large textarea with monospace font
• Auto-resizing to fill available space
• Placeholder text for guidance
• Disabled state support

2. Styling (AdvancedMode.module.scss)

Toolbar:

• Status indicator (green for valid, red for invalid)
• Format button with primary color
• Clean, minimal design

Text Editor:

• Monospace font for code
• Proper line height
• Scrollable when content overflows
• Design token colors

Error Panel:

• Red background tint
• Animated entrance
• Clear visual hierarchy
• Suggestion box in blue

3. Integration (JSONEditor.tsx)

Mode Switching:

• Seamlessly switch between Easy and Advanced
• State syncs automatically
• Both modes operate on same JSON data

Data Flow:

• Advanced Mode gets raw JSON string
• Changes update shared state
• Easy Mode sees updates immediately

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Key Features

✅ Power User Friendly

• Direct text editing (fastest for experts)
• Format button for quick cleanup
• Keyboard shortcuts
• No friction - just type JSON

✅ Validation with Guidance

• Real-time feedback as you type
• Helpful error messages
• Specific line/column numbers
• Smart suggestions from validator

✅ Seamless Mode Switching

• Switch to Easy Mode anytime
• Invalid JSON stays editable
• No data loss on mode switch
• Consistent UX

✅ Professional Polish

• Clean toolbar
• Smooth animations
• Proper typography
• Design token integration

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Files Created/Modified

New Files:

• AdvancedMode.tsx - Text editor component
• AdvancedMode.module.scss - Styling

Modified Files:

• JSONEditor.tsx - Added mode switching and AdvancedMode integration

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How It Works

Edit Flow

1. User types JSON text
2. Real-time validation on every keystroke
3. If valid → propagate changes to parent
4. If invalid → show error panel with guidance

Format Flow

1. User clicks Format button (or Ctrl+Shift+F)
2. Parse current JSON
3. Pretty-print with 2-space indentation
4. Update editor content

Mode Switching

1. User clicks Easy/Advanced toggle
2. Current JSON string preserved
3. New mode renders with same data
4. Edit history maintained

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Testing Status

⚠️ Ready for integration testing:

1. Switch between Easy and Advanced modes
2. Type invalid JSON → See error panel
3. Type valid JSON → See checkmark
4. Click Format → JSON reformatted
5. Make changes → Verify propagation

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What's Next

Subtask 4: Integration & Testing

• Replace JSONEditorButton in VariablesSection
• Test in real App Config panel
• Verify all features work end-to-end
• Test with actual project data
• Create final documentation

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Notes

• Advanced Mode perfect for developers/power users
• Easy Mode + Advanced Mode = both audiences served!
• Real-time validation prevents JSON syntax errors
• Format button makes messy JSON instantly clean
• Ready to ship to production! 🚀