Useful patterns for building HTML tools

Hey fellow crafters! Simon Willison over at his blog has been tinkering with some neat ideas for building HTML-based tools, and it's got me thinking about how we can apply these principles to our own projects. The core idea is about creating self-contained, reusable HTML components that are a joy to work with. Think of them as finely tuned chisels or perfectly balanced hammers – each designed for a specific task, but working harmoniously within a larger build. He's diving into patterns that make these tools not just functional, but also easy to integrate and manage, especially when you're dealing with dynamic content or complex interfaces. It’s all about crafting solutions that are robust and elegant, minimizing those frustrating "why isn't this working?" moments.

What really struck me are the practical patterns he's exploring for injecting data and handling interactions within these HTML structures. It's not just about throwing some divs and spans together; it's about thoughtful design. He touches on how to elegantly pass data into these components, making them adaptable without becoming a tangled mess. And when it comes to user interaction, the focus is on keeping things clean and maintainable, much like how we strive for well-structured code in Laravel or Vue.js. This is where those reusable code snippets and quick tips really shine – imagine having a library of these well-crafted HTML tools ready to drop into your next Inertia or Livewire build, saving you precious time and ensuring a consistent, high-quality finish. It’s a masterclass in building with intention, ensuring your HTML isn't just markup, but a solid foundation for powerful applications.

📰 Original article: https://simonwillison.net/2025/Dec/10/html-tools/

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