We are automating part of a workflow that requires entering text into a job-posting editor. The editor itself is a contenteditable region powered by Slate.js (the DOM shows role="textbox" and data-slate-editor="true"). The automation tool I am using is PixieBrix, which allows building in-browser workflow automations via modular “bricks” (JavaScript/TypeScript content scripts packaged into mods).
What we need
A method or best practice to programmatically insert text into a Slate.js editor (or similar rich text editors) so that the host application recognizes it as real input — just as if a human user had typed or pasted the text.
Questions
In environments where the text field is a contenteditable (such as Slate.js), what approaches have you found effective for programmatically entering text so that the application fully registers it? Are there recommended techniques, tools, or patterns (PixieBrix-specific or more general, e.g. JavaScript/automation libraries) that could help us achieve this reliably?
What we’re trying to achieve
Insert text (fetched from Google Sheets) into this Slate.js editor so that the application recognizes it exactly as if a human had typed or pasted it. For example: if we insert five characters, the editor should show five characters, and the character counter/validations should update accordingly.
What we’ve tried
Using PixieBrix to click into the editor (two click steps: one to focus the editor, one to enter the editable area). Using the “Set Input Value” brick with the selector: #main [data-ui='native-texteditor-description'] [role='textbox'][data-slate-editor='true'] Observed behavior - The text appears in the DOM, but the application does not register it. The character counter stays at zero and the editor behaves as if nothing was typed.
Top comments (1)
Understanding Slate’s data model and event lifecycle is key for seamless programmatic input. Approaches that mimic real user input at the framework layer tend to yield the most reliable results in editor automation.