# limit-tui
[](https://crates.io/crates/limit-tui)
[](https://docs.rs/limit-tui)
[](https://opensource.org/licenses/MIT)
**Terminal UI components with Virtual DOM rendering for Rust applications.**
Build rich terminal interfaces with a React-like component model, powered by [Ratatui](https://ratatui.rs/). Features declarative rendering, diff-based updates, and built-in syntax highlighting.
Part of the [Limit](https://github.com/marioidival/limit) ecosystem.
## Features
- **Virtual DOM**: React-like component model with diff-based rendering
- **Pre-built components**: Chat views, inputs, spinners, progress bars, select menus
- **Flexbox layout**: CSS Flexbox-inspired layout system
- **Syntax highlighting**: Built-in support for 150+ languages via Syntect
- **Event handling**: Keyboard, mouse, and resize events
- **Zero-cost abstractions**: Efficient rendering with minimal allocations
## Installation
Add to your `Cargo.toml`:
```toml
[dependencies]
limit-tui = "0.0.25"
```
## Quick Start
### Basic Application
```rust
use limit_tui::{
VNode, Component, render, run_event_loop,
RatatuiBackend, InputPrompt, ChatView, Message, Role
};
use ratatui::backend::CrosstermBackend;
fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn std::error::Error>> {
let backend = RatatuiBackend::new()?;
let app = App::new();
run_event_loop(backend, app)
}
struct App {
messages: Vec<Message>,
input: String,
}
impl Component for App {
fn render(&self) -> VNode {
VNode::fragment(vec![
ChatView::new(self.messages.clone()).into(),
InputPrompt::new(&self.input, "Type a message...").into(),
])
}
fn on_key(&mut self, key: KeyEvent) {
match key.code {
KeyCode::Char(c) => self.input.push(c),
KeyCode::Enter => {
if !self.input.is_empty() {
self.messages.push(Message {
role: Role::User,
content: self.input.clone(),
});
self.input.clear();
}
}
KeyCode::Backspace => { self.input.pop(); }
_ => {}
}
}
}
```
### Virtual DOM
Build UIs declaratively with `VNode`:
```rust
use limit_tui::{VNode, AlignItems, JustifyContent};
let ui = VNode::div()
.style(Style::default().bg(Color::Blue))
.children(vec![
VNode::text("Hello, World!"),
VNode::div()
.flex(FlexDirection::Column)
.align_items(AlignItems::Center)
.children(vec![
VNode::text("Line 1"),
VNode::text("Line 2"),
]),
]);
```
### Diff-Based Updates
The Virtual DOM efficiently computes minimal changes:
```rust
use limit_tui::{diff, apply, Patch};
let old_tree = VNode::text("Hello");
let new_tree = VNode::text("Hello, World!");
let patches = diff(&old_tree, &new_tree);
// patches = [Patch::SetText(0, "Hello, World!")]
apply(&mut terminal, patches)?;
```
## Components
### ChatView
Display conversation messages with role-based styling:
```rust
use limit_tui::{ChatView, Message, Role};
let chat = ChatView::new(vec![
Message { role: Role::User, content: "What is Rust?".into() },
Message { role: Role::Assistant, content: "Rust is a systems programming...".into() },
Message { role: Role::System, content: "Session started".into() },
]);
```
### InputPrompt
Interactive text input with placeholder:
```rust
use limit_tui::InputPrompt;
let input = InputPrompt::new(&buffer, "Enter command...")
.prefix(">")
.show_cursor(true);
```
### SelectPrompt
Single/multi-select menus:
```rust
use limit_tui::{SelectPrompt, SelectResult};
let menu = SelectPrompt::new(&["Option A", "Option B", "Option C"])
.title("Choose an option");
match menu.result() {
SelectResult::Selected(index) => println!("Selected: {}", index),
SelectResult::Cancelled => println!("Cancelled"),
SelectResult::None => {},
}
```
### Spinner & ProgressBar
Loading indicators:
```rust
use limit_tui::{Spinner, ProgressBar};
let spinner = Spinner::new().label("Loading...");
let progress = ProgressBar::new(75, 100).label("Downloading");
```
## Layout System
Flexbox-inspired layout:
```rust
use limit_tui::{FlexboxLayout, FlexDirection, JustifyContent, AlignItems};
let layout = FlexboxLayout::new()
.direction(FlexDirection::Row)
.justify_content(JustifyContent::SpaceBetween)
.align_items(AlignItems::Center)
.gap(2);
```
## Syntax Highlighting
```rust
use limit_tui::SyntaxHighlighter;
let highlighter = SyntaxHighlighter::new();
let code = highlighter.highlight(r#"
fn main() {
println!("Hello, World!");
}
"#, "rust");
// Returns styled text with syntax colors
```
## API Reference
| `vdom` | Virtual DOM types and diff algorithm |
| `components` | Pre-built UI components |
| `layout` | Flexbox layout system |
| `syntax` | Syntax highlighting |
| `backend` | Ratatui integration |
## License
MIT