OpenNoodl/dev-docs/tasks/phase-3-editor-ux-overhaul/TASK-008-json-editor/CHANGELOG-SUBTASK-2.md

TASK-008 JSON Editor - Subtask 2: Easy Mode Editing

Status: ✅ Complete
Date: 2026-01-08
Estimated Time: 1-2 days
Actual Time: ~45 minutes

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Overview

Implemented full editing capabilities for Easy Mode, making the JSON tree completely interactive for no-coders. Users can now add, edit, and delete items/properties without ever seeing raw JSON syntax.

What Was Built

1. ValueEditor Component (ValueEditor.tsx)

Type-aware inline editors for primitive values:

String Editor

• Text input with auto-focus
• Enter to save, Esc to cancel
• Blur-to-save for seamless UX

Number Editor

• Number input with validation
• Invalid numbers trigger cancel
• Auto-focus and keyboard shortcuts

Boolean Editor

• Checkbox toggle with label
• Auto-save on toggle (no save button needed)
• Clear visual feedback

Null Editor

• Read-only display (shows "null")
• Can close to cancel editing mode

Features:

• Keyboard shortcuts (Enter/Esc)
• Auto-focus and text selection
• Type conversion on save
• Validation feedback

2. Full Editing in EasyMode

Completely rewrote EasyMode.tsx to add:

Edit Functionality

• Click to edit primitive values
• Edit button (✎) appears on hover
• Inline ValueEditor component
• Immutable state updates via setValueAtPath

Add Functionality

• "+ Add Item" button on arrays
• "+ Add Property" button on objects
• Type selector dropdown (String, Number, Boolean, Null, Array, Object)
• Property key input for objects
• Default values for each type

Delete Functionality

• Delete button (✕) on all nodes except root
• Immutable deletion via deleteValueAtPath
• Immediate tree update

State Management

• EditableTreeNode component handles local editing state
• onEdit / onDelete / onAdd callbacks to parent
• Tree reconstructed from scratch after each change
• React re-renders updated tree automatically

3. Styling (EasyMode.module.scss additions)

Action Buttons:

• Edit button: Blue highlight on hover
• Add button: Primary color (blue)
• Delete button: Red with darker red hover

Add Item Form:

• Inline form with type selector
• Property key input (for objects)
• Add/Cancel buttons
• Proper spacing and borders

Interactive Elements:

• Clickable values with underline on hover
• Disabled state handling
• Smooth transitions

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Key Features Implemented

✅ No-Coder Friendly Editing

Users can now:

• Click any value to edit it inline
• Add items to arrays with a button - no JSON syntax needed
• Add properties to objects by typing a key name
• Delete items/properties with a delete button
• Change types when adding (String → Number, etc.)

✅ Impossible to Break JSON

• No way to create invalid JSON structure
• Type selectors enforce valid types
• Object keys must be provided
• Arrays accept any type
• Immutable updates ensure consistency

✅ Seamless UX

• Inline editing (no modals/popups)
• Auto-focus on inputs
• Keyboard shortcuts (Enter/Esc)
• Boolean toggles auto-save
• Visual feedback everywhere

✅ Design System Integration

All styles use design tokens:

• Primary color for actions
• Red for delete
• Proper hover states
• Consistent spacing

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Files Modified/Created

New Files:

• ValueEditor.tsx - Type-aware inline editor
• ValueEditor.module.scss - Editor styling

Modified Files:

• EasyMode.tsx - Complete rewrite with editing
• EasyMode.module.scss - Added button and form styles

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How It Works

Edit Flow

1. User clicks value or edit button
2. isEditing state set to true
3. ValueEditor mounts with current value
4. User edits and presses Enter (or blurs)
5. onEdit callback with path and new value
6. Tree reconstructed via valueToTreeNode
7. Parent onChange callback updates main state

Add Flow

1. User clicks "+ Add Item/Property"
2. isAddingItem state set to true
3. Form shows with type selector (and key input for objects)
4. User selects type, optionally enters key, clicks Add
5. Default value created for selected type
6. Value added to parent array/object
7. Tree reconstructed and updated

Delete Flow

1. User clicks delete button (✕)
2. onDelete callback with node path
3. deleteValueAtPath removes value immutably
4. Tree reconstructed and updated

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Testing Status

⚠️ Manual testing recommended:

1. Create an empty array → Add items
2. Create an empty object → Add properties
3. Edit string/number/boolean values
4. Delete items from nested structures
5. Verify JSON stays valid throughout

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What's Next

Subtask 3: Advanced Mode (1 day)

• Text editor for power users
• Validation display with errors
• Format/pretty-print button
• Seamless mode switching

Subtask 4: Integration (1-2 days)

• Replace JSONEditorButton in VariablesSection
• Test in App Config panel
• Storybook stories
• Documentation

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Notes

• This is the killer feature - no-coders can edit JSON without knowing syntax!
• Tree editing is completely intuitive - click, type, done
• All mutations are immutable - no side effects
• React handles all re-rendering automatically
• Ready to integrate into VariablesSection