HTML has sparked a revolution by allowing developers to code directly in the browser. With the emergence of technologies like WebContainers and Vite, the development experience has never been smoother and frictionless. Since its inception in 2017, StackBlitz has adapted its list of “Starters” to reflect these advancements, integrating performant tools and modern solutions. WebContainers, a micro-operating system, has paved the way for new libraries and frameworks in the JavaScript universe, while Vite has become the essential standard. These changes are profoundly transforming practices, offering developers the opportunity to quickly and efficiently launch into any project, whether front-end or back-end.
The WebContainers and Vite have transformed our list of Starters. Since the initial launch of StackBlitz in 2017, which initially focused on frameworks like Angular and React, we have made a major technological leap. Thanks to WebContainers, we now have a micro-operating system directly in the browser, allowing for the execution of various Node.js tools without modifications.
With the arrival of Vite, which has become a standard in the JavaScript ecosystem, we have integrated a dedicated experience for Vite-based projects. This change reflects the evolution of our platform, with expanded support for dozens of new libraries and frameworks.
Now, the official Starters replace the old models with those compatible with Vite, thus optimizing the user experience by bringing it closer to what one would have locally. These advancements, affecting only new projects, promise an exciting year as we work on a new editor with additional improvements.
the innovations of WebContainers and Vite
With the advent of WebContainers in 2021, the web development universe experienced a revolution. StackBlitz introduced this technology, a micro-operating system integrated directly into the browser. Its ability to run various Node.js tooling without major modifications has enabled support for new libraries and frameworks. This advancement has not only modernized the user experience but also simplified development processes, thereby transforming the way developers interact with their daily tools, as detailed here.
impact on the JavaScript ecosystem
The integration of Vite into the WebContainers environment perfectly illustrates this symbiosis. Initially launched to provide a faster development experience for modern web projects, Vite has undergone profound improvements. Designed by Evan You, creator of Vue.js, Vite gained popularity due to its lightweight nature and unmatched speed. Today, it has become the standard for starting numerous projects in the JavaScript ecosystem. Thanks to its seamless integration, StackBlitz and Vite now work hand in hand, as highlighted in this captivating article.
promising future for starters
In 2024, another chapter is being written for starters with the arrival of WebContainers. All created projects now faithfully reflect what one might expect in a local environment. Access to a terminal for executing commands is another significant advancement. The harnessing of these technologies does not stop there, as new improvements to developer experience (DX) are expected, along with support for extensions. This ongoing progress allows open-source creators to benefit from improved replication models and more interactive documentation. The future is exciting for starters in web development, bolstered by tools like Farm, which also aim to push the boundaries. To learn more about these developments, read the update on the StackBlitz blog here.
