new-plugin

name	new-plugin
description	Create a new grid plugin for @toolbox-web/grid following the canonical plugin structure. Use when adding a plugin or extending the grid with optional, toggleable behaviour (hooks, styles, tests, and documentation). Prefer a plugin over a core feature to keep the bundle lean.
argument-hint	<plugin-name> [description]

Create a New Grid Plugin

Follow this step-by-step workflow to create a new plugin for @toolbox-web/grid.

1. Scaffold the File Structure

Create the plugin directory under libs/grid/src/lib/plugins/<plugin-name>/ with these files:

libs/grid/src/lib/plugins/<plugin-name>/
├── index.ts                    # Barrel exports
├── <PluginName>Plugin.ts       # Main plugin class
├── <plugin-name>.css            # Styles (imported via Vite ?inline)
├── types.ts                    # Config and exported types
├── <plugin-name>.ts            # Pure helper functions (optional)
├── <plugin-name>.spec.ts       # Unit tests
└── README.md                   # Package-level docs (optional)

2. Define Types (types.ts)

/**
 * Configuration for the <PluginName> plugin.
 */
export interface <PluginName>Config {
  // Add config options here
}

3. Implement the Plugin Class (<PluginName>Plugin.ts)

import { BaseGridPlugin, type GridElementRef, type PluginManifest } from '@toolbox-web/grid';
import type { <PluginName>Config } from './types';
import styles from './<plugin-name>.css?inline';

export class <PluginName>Plugin extends BaseGridPlugin<<PluginName>Config> {
  readonly name = '<pluginName>';   // camelCase
  readonly version = '1.0.0';
  override readonly styles = styles;

  // Declare manifest for validation and metadata
  static override readonly manifest: PluginManifest<<PluginName>Config> = {
    ownedProperties: [
      // { property: 'myProp', level: 'column' },
    ],
    configRules: [],
  };

  // Optional: declare dependencies
  // static override readonly dependencies: PluginDependency[] = [
  //   { name: 'selection', required: false, reason: 'Enhances selection behavior' },
  // ];

  override attach(grid: GridElementRef): void {
    super.attach(grid);
    // Initialize plugin state, add event listeners using this.disconnectSignal
  }

  override detach(): void {
    // Cleanup (listeners auto-removed via disconnectSignal)
    super.detach();
  }

  // Override hooks as needed:
  // processColumns?(columns): ColumnConfig[]
  // processRows?(rows): unknown[]
  // afterRender?(): void
  // onScroll?(event): void
  // onCellClick?(event): void
  // onKeyDown?(event): boolean
  // renderRow?(row, rowEl, rowIndex): boolean
  // handleQuery?(query): unknown
}

4. Create Barrel Export (index.ts)

export { <PluginName>Plugin } from './<PluginName>Plugin';
export type { <PluginName>Config } from './types';

5. Register the Plugin Entry Point

Make the plugin discoverable as both an individual entry point and via the all-plugins barrel:

1. libs/grid/vite.config.ts — Add a new key to the entry map of the form 'plugins/<plugin-name>': resolve(__dirname, 'src/lib/plugins/<plugin-name>/index.ts'). This produces a tree-shakeable subpath import (@toolbox-web/grid/plugins/<plugin-name>).
2. libs/grid/src/all.ts — Add export * from './lib/plugins/<plugin-name>'; so consumers who import from @toolbox-web/grid/all receive the new plugin alongside every other built-in plugin.

6. Register the Feature Module (mandatory)

A plugin is not complete without a corresponding feature module. Features are the high-level, declarative API surface (gridConfig.features.<name>) that lets consumers enable a plugin with a single config line and a side-effect import, instead of constructing the plugin class manually.

6.1 Core feature module

Create libs/grid/src/lib/features/<plugin-name>.ts:

/**
 * <PluginName> feature for @toolbox-web/grid
 *
 * @example
 * ```typescript
 * import '@toolbox-web/grid/features/<plugin-name>';
 *
 * grid.gridConfig = { features: { <pluginName>: true } };
 * ```
 */

import { <PluginName>Plugin, type <PluginName>Config } from '../plugins/<plugin-name>';
import { registerFeature } from './registry';

declare module '../core/types' {
  interface FeatureConfig<TRow> {
    /** One-line description of what enabling this feature does. */
    <pluginName>?: boolean | <PluginName>Config;
  }
}

registerFeature('<pluginName>', (config) => {
  if (config === true) return new <PluginName>Plugin();
  return new <PluginName>Plugin(typeof config === 'object' ? config : undefined);
});

/** @internal Type anchor — forces bundlers to preserve this module's FeatureConfig augmentation when re-exported. */
export type _Augmentation = true;

Then wire it up:

1. libs/grid/vite.config.ts — Add 'features/<plugin-name>': resolve(__dirname, 'src/lib/features/<plugin-name>.ts') to the entry map.
2. libs/grid/src/lib/features/index.ts (if a barrel exists) — Re-export the new feature module so @toolbox-web/grid/features pulls it in alongside the others.
3. libs/grid/src/lib/features/registry.spec.ts — Add a test confirming the feature factory returns a <PluginName>Plugin instance for both the boolean and object config shapes.

6.2 Adapter feature modules (Angular / React / Vue)

For each adapter, create a thin re-export module so consumers get the same declarative surface from the framework package:

• libs/grid-react/src/features/<plugin-name>.ts
• libs/grid-vue/src/features/<plugin-name>.ts
• libs/grid-angular/src/features/<plugin-name>.ts

Each file should:

1. Import the core feature module for its side effect: import '@toolbox-web/grid/features/<plugin-name>';
2. Optionally export a framework-idiomatic helper (React hook use<PluginName>(), Vue composable use<PluginName>(), Angular service/directive) if the plugin exposes a programmatic API worth surfacing.
3. Be added to the adapter's vite.config.mts entry map at 'features/<plugin-name>', the adapter's package.json exports map (already covered by the wildcard ./features/* entry in existing adapters), and the features/index.ts barrel.

Use libs/grid-react/src/features/selection.ts (and the matching Vue / Angular files) as the reference shape.

7. Framework Adapter Integration for DOM Template Inputs (conditional)

This step is mandatory if the plugin accepts any kind of user-supplied DOM template, renderer function, HTML string, or element factory — e.g. a custom cell/header/filter renderer, a custom editor, a tool-panel body, a master-detail panel, a tooltip body, a context-menu item template, an empty-state template, etc. Skip this step only if the plugin is purely behavioral (no template inputs).

Why this is required: vanilla <tbw-grid> consumers pass DOM strings or callbacks that produce raw HTMLElements. Angular / React / Vue users expect to pass TemplateRef, JSX, or <template #slot> instead. Each adapter must translate the framework idiom into a plain DOM callback before forwarding to the plugin.

For each adapter (libs/grid-{angular,react,vue}/):

1. Extend the adapter's column / config types so the new template input accepts the framework primitive (e.g. add <pluginName>Template?: TemplateRef<...> to AngularColumnConfig, <pluginName>Renderer?: (ctx) => ReactNode to ReactColumnConfig, or a slot name to VueColumnConfig).
2. Update the adapter implementation ({framework}-grid-adapter.ts) so its createRenderer / createEditor / createToolPanelRenderer / equivalent factory recognizes the new template input and mounts/unmounts the framework component into the DOM element the plugin hands it.
3. Update the wrapper component / declarative children (DataGrid.{tsx,vue}, Grid directive, <GridColumn> etc.) so users can declare the template inline using framework-native syntax (JSX, <template #slotname>, *tbwXxx structural directive).
4. Add adapter tests mirroring the core plugin's behavior tests but using framework components as the template input.
5. Update the adapter MDX docs and adapter README with a usage example for the new template input.

See the new-adapter-feature skill for the full per-framework pattern, including which files to touch and the canonical examples to copy.

8. Write Unit Tests (<plugin-name>.spec.ts)

Follow the mock grid pattern used by other plugins:

import { describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest';
import { <PluginName>Plugin } from './<PluginName>Plugin';

function createGridMock(/* options */) {
  return {
    rows: [],
    sourceRows: [],
    columns: [],
    _visibleColumns: [],
    effectiveConfig: {},
    gridConfig: {},
    getPlugin: () => undefined,
    query: () => [],
    addEventListener: vi.fn(),
    removeEventListener: vi.fn(),
    dispatchEvent: vi.fn(() => true),
    requestRender: vi.fn(),
    children: [document.createElement('div')],
    querySelectorAll: () => [],
    querySelector: () => null,
    clientWidth: 800,
    classList: { add: vi.fn(), remove: vi.fn() },
  };
}

describe('<PluginName>Plugin', () => {
  it('should have correct name', () => {
    const plugin = new <PluginName>Plugin();
    expect(plugin.name).toBe('<pluginName>');
  });

  it('should attach and detach cleanly', () => {
    const plugin = new <PluginName>Plugin();
    const grid = createGridMock();
    plugin.attach(grid as any);
    plugin.detach();
  });
});

9. Create Styles (<plugin-name>.css)

Use .dg- prefixed class names for grid internals, or plugin-specific class names.

10. Add Accessibility Announcements

If the plugin changes user-visible state (sorting, filtering, selection, editing, expanding/collapsing), announce it via the aria live region:

import { announce, getA11yMessage } from '../../core/internal/aria';

// In the relevant handler:
announce(this.gridElement, getA11yMessage(this.gridElement, 'messageKey', ...args));

• Add a corresponding message function to A11yMessages in types.ts with an English default in DEFAULT_A11Y_MESSAGES
• getA11yMessage() resolves user-provided i18n overrides from gridConfig.a11y.messages, falling back to the default
• announce() respects gridConfig.a11y.announcements === false (opt-out)
• For high-frequency events (e.g., selection changes), debounce the announcement with setTimeout (~150ms)
• Guard for this.gridElement being undefined in tests — announce() handles this with a null guard

11. Create Demo Component (<PluginName>DefaultDemo.astro)

Create an interactive Astro demo in apps/docs/src/components/demos/<plugin-name>/. See the astro-demo skill for full templates.

12. Create Documentation (<plugin-name>.mdx)

Create a plugin MDX page at apps/docs/src/content/docs/grid/plugins/<plugin-name>.mdx. Import the demo component and wrap it in <ShowSource>. See the docs-update skill for templates.

13. Verify Documentation Build

Build the docs site to verify the new plugin page renders correctly:

bun nx build docs

Navigate to http://localhost:4400/grid/plugins/<plugin-name>/ after running bun nx serve docs.

---

Plugin API Reference

Use this section as a lookup, not a checklist. The 13 numbered steps above are the actual workflow for creating a plugin. The subsections below catalogue every helper, hook, event-bus method, query-system primitive, dependency rule, manifest field, and styling convention. Jump to the subsection that matches the question you have right now (e.g. "which emit* method should I use?" → Event Bus & Communication Channels); do not try to memorize the whole reference before writing code.

Subsection map:

• Built-in Plugin Helpers \u2014 Properties and helper methods exposed by BaseGridPlugin.
• Plugin Hooks (Class Methods) \u2014 Lifecycle and event hooks you can override.
• Event Bus & Communication Channels \u2014 emit vs emitPluginEvent vs broadcast and the subscription API.
• Query System (Synchronous State Retrieval) \u2014 Declaring and handling query requests between plugins.
• Plugin Dependencies \u2014 Required vs optional dependencies and how to handle missing ones.
• Plugin Incompatibilities \u2014 Declaring incompatibleWith in the manifest.
• Plugin Manifest System \u2014 The full manifest schema (events, queries, options, conflicts).

Built-in Plugin Helpers

BaseGridPlugin provides these protected helpers — use them instead of type casting:

Helper	Description
this.grid	Typed GridElementRef with all plugin APIs
this.gridElement	Grid as HTMLElement for DOM queries (preferred)
this.columns	Current column configurations
this.visibleColumns	Only visible columns (for rendering)
this.rows	Processed rows (after filtering, grouping)
this.sourceRows	Original unfiltered rows
this.disconnectSignal	AbortSignal for auto-cleanup of event listeners
this.isAnimationEnabled	Whether grid animations are enabled
this.animationDuration	Animation duration in ms (default: 200)
this.gridIcons	Merged icon configuration
this.getPluginByName(name)	Get another plugin instance by name (preferred)
this.getPlugin(PluginClass)	Get another plugin instance by class (alternative)
this.emit(eventName, detail)	Dispatch custom event from grid (DOM consumers)
this.emitPluginEvent(type, detail)	Dispatch to plugin event bus (other plugins)
this.broadcast(type, detail)	Dispatch to BOTH plugin bus AND DOM consumers
this.requestRender()	Request full re-render
this.requestAfterRender()	Request lightweight style update
this.resolveIcon(name)	Get icon value by name
this.setIcon(el, icon)	Set icon on element (string or SVG)

Note: The grid uses light DOM. Use this.gridElement for all DOM queries.

Plugin Hooks (Class Methods)

Override these methods (implement only what's needed):

• attach(grid) — Called when attached; call super.attach(grid) first
• detach() — Called when removed; cleanup listeners, timers, etc.
• processColumns(columns) — Transform column definitions; return modified array
• processRows(rows) — Transform row data; return modified array
• afterRender() — DOM manipulation after grid renders
• onScroll(event) — Handle scroll events
• onCellClick(event) — Handle cell click events
• onCellMouseDown(event) — Handle cell mousedown; return true to prevent default
• onKeyDown(event) — Handle keyboard events; return true to prevent default
• renderRow(row, rowEl, rowIndex) — Custom row rendering; return true to skip default
• handleQuery(query) — Handle incoming queries from other plugins

Event Bus & Communication Channels

Plugins have three emission methods. Choosing the wrong one causes silent bugs (other plugins or consumers don't hear events).

Method	Audience	Use when
this.emit(eventType, detail)	External consumers	Consumer-facing events with no plugin subscribers (rare)
this.emitPluginEvent(eventType, detail)	Other plugins only	Plugin-internal notifications (e.g., filter-change state sync)
this.broadcast(eventType, detail)	Consumers AND plugins	Events that both plugins AND consumers need (e.g., sort-change)

Decision tree:

1. Do other plugins need to react? (e.g., Selection clearing on sort) → Yes: use broadcast() or emitPluginEvent()
2. Do external addEventListener consumers need this event? → Yes: use broadcast() or emit()
3. Both audiences → broadcast() (most state-change events fall here)

// Subscribing (in attach)
this.on('filter-change', (detail) => { /* handle */ });

// Plugin-only notification
this.emitPluginEvent('filter-change', { field: 'name', value: 'Alice' });

// Both plugin bus AND DOM (most common for state changes)
this.broadcast('sort-change', { sortModel: [...this.sortModel] });

// Declare in manifest
static override readonly manifest: PluginManifest = {
  events: [{ type: 'filter-change', description: 'Emitted when filter criteria change' }],
};

Method	Description
this.on(eventType, callback)	Subscribe (auto-cleaned on detach)
this.off(eventType)	Unsubscribe
this.emitPluginEvent(eventType, detail)	Emit to subscribed plugins only
this.broadcast(eventType, detail)	Emit to BOTH plugin bus AND DOM consumers

Query System (Synchronous State Retrieval)

Plugins expose queryable state. PluginManager uses manifest-based routing.

// Declare in manifest
static override readonly manifest: PluginManifest = {
  queries: [{ type: 'canMoveColumn', description: 'Check if column can be moved' }],
};

// Handle
override handleQuery(query: PluginQuery): unknown {
  if (query.type === 'canMoveColumn') {
    return !(query.context as ColumnConfig).pinned;
  }
  return undefined;
}

// Query from another plugin
const responses = this.grid.query<boolean>('canMoveColumn', column);

Plugin Dependencies

static override readonly dependencies: PluginDependency[] = [
  { name: 'editing', required: true, reason: 'Tracks edit history' },
  { name: 'selection', required: false, reason: 'Enables advanced selection' },
];

Dependencies must be loaded before the dependent plugin in the plugins array.

Handling missing or failed dependencies:

• A required: true dependency that is absent at attach time is a hard failure: throw an Error from attach() (after super.attach(grid)) with a message naming both the dependent plugin and the missing dependency, e.g. throw new Error('UndoRedoPlugin requires EditingPlugin to be registered before it.');. Do not register hooks or event listeners before the throw — the plugin must abort cleanly so PluginManager can surface the error.
• A required: false dependency that is absent is a soft degradation: skip the optional integration code path, log a single console.warn from attach() describing which capability is disabled, and continue attaching normally. Never throw for an optional dependency.
• Use this.getPluginByName(name) (preferred) or this.getPlugin(PluginClass) to look up a dependency. Both return undefined when the dependency is not present — always null-check the result before calling methods on it.
• Do not attempt to lazy-load or re-attach a missing dependency; PluginManager owns the lifecycle and ordering.

Built-in dependencies:

Plugin	Depends On	Required
UndoRedoPlugin	EditingPlugin	Yes
ClipboardPlugin	SelectionPlugin	Yes
VisibilityPlugin	ReorderPlugin	No

Plugin Incompatibilities

static override readonly manifest: PluginManifest = {
  incompatibleWith: [
    { name: 'groupingRows', reason: 'Card layout does not support row grouping' },
  ],
};

Plugin Manifest System

The manifest provides declarative validation and metadata:

static override readonly manifest: PluginManifest<MyConfig> = {
  ownedProperties: [
    { property: 'myProp', level: 'column' },
    { property: 'globalSetting', level: 'config' },
  ],
  configRules: [{
    id: 'myPlugin/invalid-combo',
    severity: 'warn',  // 'warn' logs, 'error' throws
    message: 'optionA and optionB cannot both be true',
    check: (config) => config.optionA && config.optionB,
  }],
};

Adding plugin-owned properties:

1. Always: Add to manifest.ownedProperties
2. Optionally: Add to KNOWN_COLUMN_PROPERTIES / KNOWN_CONFIG_PROPERTIES in validate-config.ts for "forgot to add plugin" detection

Runtime Configuration Validation

The grid validates plugin-owned properties and throws helpful errors if plugins are missing:

Property	Required Plugin	Level
editable	EditingPlugin	Column
editor	EditingPlugin	Column
editorParams	EditingPlugin	Column
group	GroupingColumnsPlugin	Column
pinned	PinnedColumnsPlugin	Column
sticky	PinnedColumnsPlugin	Column
columnGroups	GroupingColumnsPlugin	Config

Using Plugins

// Individual imports (smaller bundles)
import { SelectionPlugin } from '@toolbox-web/grid/plugins/selection';

// All-in-one bundle
import { SelectionPlugin, FilteringPlugin } from '@toolbox-web/grid/all';

// Configuration
grid.gridConfig = {
  plugins: [new SelectionPlugin({ mode: 'row' })],
};

// Access at runtime — preferred (type-safe, no import needed)
const sel = grid.getPluginByName('selection');
sel?.selectAll();

// Alternative — access by class (requires import)
const sel2 = grid.getPlugin(SelectionPlugin);

Always prefer getPluginByName() over getPlugin(). It avoids importing the plugin class and returns the actual instance registered in the grid.

Key Rules

• Use this.gridElement for DOM queries (light DOM, no Shadow DOM)
• Use this.gridElement.children[0] for root container (not hardcoded selectors)
• Use this.disconnectSignal for event listener cleanup
• Use registerStyles() not <style> elements (they get wiped by replaceChildren())
• Use this.#scheduler.requestPhase() not requestAnimationFrame for rendering
• Import CSS with ?inline query for Vite
• Keep files under ~2000 lines
• Export public types from src/public.ts
• Add plugin-owned properties to manifest ownedProperties
• Dev-only warnings: Config rule warnings (severity 'warn') only show in dev environments