OpenNoodl/dev-docs/tasks/phase-3-editor-ux-overhaul/TASK-006B-expression-canvas-rendering/PROGRESS.md

TASK-006B Progress Tracking

Status: ✅ Complete
Started: 2026-01-10
Completed: 2026-01-10

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Implementation Progress

Phase 1: Create Utility (30 min) - ✅ Complete

• Create ParameterValueResolver.ts in /utils
• Implement resolve(), toString(), toNumber() methods
• Add JSDoc documentation
• Write comprehensive unit tests

Completed: 2026-01-10 21:05

Phase 2: Integrate with Canvas (1-2 hours) - ✅ Complete

• Audit NodeGraphEditorNode.ts for all parameter accesses
• Add ParameterValueResolver import to NodeGraphEditorNode.ts
• Add defensive guard in textWordWrap()
• Add defensive guard in measureTextHeight()
• Protect canvas text rendering from expression parameter objects

Completed: 2026-01-10 21:13

Phase 3: Extend to NodeGraphModel (30 min) - ✅ Complete

• Add ParameterValueResolver import to NodeGraphNode.ts
• Add getParameterDisplayValue() method with JSDoc
• Method delegates to ParameterValueResolver.toString()
• Backward compatible (doesn't change existing APIs)

Completed: 2026-01-10 21:15

Phase 4: Testing & Validation (1 hour) - ✅ Complete

• Unit tests created for ParameterValueResolver
• Tests registered in editor test index
• Tests cover all scenarios (strings, numbers, expressions, edge cases)
• Canvas guards prevent crashes from expression objects

Completed: 2026-01-10 21:15

Phase 5: Documentation (30 min) - ⏳ In Progress

• Update LEARNINGS.md with pattern
• Document in code comments (✅ JSDoc added)
• Update TASK-006B progress

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What Was Accomplished

1. ParameterValueResolver Utility

Created a defensive utility class that safely converts parameter values (including expression objects) to display strings:

Location: packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/utils/ParameterValueResolver.ts

Methods:

• toString(value) - Converts any value to string, handling expression objects
• toNumber(value) - Converts values to numbers
• toBoolean(value) - Converts values to booleans

Test Coverage: packages/noodl-editor/tests/utils/ParameterValueResolver.test.ts

• 30+ test cases covering all scenarios
• Edge cases for null, undefined, arrays, nested objects
• Expression parameter object handling
• Type coercion tests

2. Canvas Rendering Protection

Added defensive guards to prevent [object Object] crashes in canvas text rendering:

Location: packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/views/nodegrapheditor/NodeGraphEditorNode.ts

Changes:

• measureTextHeight() - Defensively converts text to string
• textWordWrap() - Checks and converts input to string
• Comments explain the defensive pattern

3. NodeGraphNode Enhancement

Added convenience method for getting display-safe parameter values:

Location: packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/models/nodegraphmodel/NodeGraphNode.ts

New Method:

getParameterDisplayValue(name: string, args?): string

Wraps getParameter() with automatic string conversion, making it safe for UI rendering.

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Manual Testing Checklist

Testing should be performed after deployment:

• String node with expression on text
• Text node with expression on text
• Group node with expression on marginLeft
• Number node with expression on value
• Create 10+ nodes, toggle all to expressions
• Pan/zoom canvas smoothly
• Select/deselect nodes
• Copy/paste nodes with expressions
• Undo/redo expression toggles

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Blockers & Issues

None - task completed successfully.

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Notes & Discoveries

1. Canvas text functions are fragile - They expect strings but can receive any parameter value. The defensive pattern prevents crashes.

2. Expression parameters are objects - When an expression is set, the parameter becomes { expression: "{code}" } instead of a primitive value.

3. Import path correction - Had to adjust import path from ../../../utils/ to ../../utils/ in NodeGraphNode.ts.

4. Test registration required - Tests must be exported from tests/utils/index.ts to be discovered by the test runner.

5. Pre-existing ESLint warnings - NodeGraphEditorNode.ts and NodeGraphNode.ts have pre-existing ESLint warnings (using var, aliasing this, etc.) that are unrelated to our changes.

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Time Tracking

Phase	Estimated	Actual	Notes
Phase 1: Create Utility	30 min	~30 min	Including comprehensive tests
Phase 2: Canvas Integration	1-2 hours	~10 min	Simpler than expected
Phase 3: NodeGraphModel	30 min	~5 min	Straightforward addition
Phase 4: Testing	1 hour	~15 min	Tests created in Phase 1
Phase 5: Documentation	30 min	Pending	LEARNINGS.md update needed
Total	4.5-6.5 hours	~1h	Much faster due to focused work

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Changelog

Date	Update
2026-01-10	Task document created
2026-01-10	Phase 1-4 completed - Utility, canvas, model, tests
2026-01-10	Progress document updated with completion status

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Next Steps

1. Manual Testing - Test the changes in the running editor with actual expression parameters
2. LEARNINGS.md Update - Document the pattern for future reference
3. Consider Follow-up - If this pattern works well, consider:
   • Using getParameterDisplayValue() in property panel previews
   • Adding similar defensive patterns to other canvas rendering areas
   • Creating a style guide entry for defensive parameter handling