Kendo React Component Playground: A simple app to test React Components, including Kendo Components

What I Built

I created Kendo React Component Playground, a web application designed to allow developers to write, test, and preview React components in real-time, with a focus on showcasing KendoReact’s free components.

I created this web app both as a learning tool and a creative sandbox, to be able to

quickly test React components and see immediate results.

Key features include:

• A list of example snippets (e.g., simple buttons, counters, and KendoReact-specific components) that users can load into the editor.
• A code editor where users can write or modify React code.
• A live preview pane that renders the code output, with loading states and error notifications.
• Theme toggling between light and dark modes.
• Responsive design and accessibility considerations.

Live Demo: Kendo React Playground

Kendo Components Usage

I used more than 10 Kendo React free components to build the React Component Playground. Here’s how I used each component:

• Button: Used for the "Run" and "Reset" actions in the editor toolbar, providing clear calls-to-action with the themeColor prop for styling (e.g., primary for Run, base for Reset).
• Switch: Implemented in the top toolbar to toggle between light and dark themes, enhancing user customization and accessibility.
• DropDownList: Initially considered for example selection, but replaced with a custom list for styling flexibility; still explored in example snippets to demonstrate its utility.
• TextArea: Serves as the code editor, allowing users to input and edit React code with a monospace font and flexible sizing.
• Card and CardBody: Wraps the preview area, providing a clean container for rendered components with subtle shadows for depth.
• Notification and NotificationGroup: Displays success, error, or info messages (e.g., "Component rendered successfully!" or error details) in a fixed bottom-right position, enhancing user feedback. Loader: Shown in the preview area during code execution, using the infinite-spinner type to indicate processing.
• GridLayout and GridLayoutItem: Structures the entire UI into a responsive three-column layout (examples, editor, preview), with precise row and column definitions for consistency across screen sizes.
• Toolbar and ToolbarItem: Creates a top navigation bar with the app title and theme switch, and an editor toolbar with action buttons, ensuring intuitive navigation.
• ToolbarSpacer: Adds spacing in the toolbar to align items aesthetically.

Here is how i used the components:

• Toolbar: Houses the Playground title, theme toggle, and primary actions.
• GridLayout: Provides a responsive 3-column layout for examples, code editor, and preview.
• Card: Contains the preview window, giving it a clean, modern look.
• Nptification & Loader: Offers user feedback (i.e., success/error messages, loading spinner).

The KendoReact library simplified the development process by providing many components, allowing me to focus on functionality and design.