pierrelf.com / we
we (web engine): Experimental web browser project to understand the limits of Claude
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Implement browser chrome UI #163

open opened by pierrelf.com

Description#

Add a browser chrome (UI frame) above the web page viewport with an address bar, navigation buttons, and keyboard shortcuts. This transforms the project from a page viewer into an actual navigable browser.

Requirements#

Layout#

  • Chrome bar rendered above the page viewport (not inside the web content)
  • Address bar takes most of the width
  • Navigation buttons (back, forward, reload) to the left of the address bar
  • Chrome height: ~40px, with the page viewport filling the remaining window height

Address Bar#

  • Displays the current page URL
  • Clicking the address bar selects all text (for easy replacement)
  • Typing a URL and pressing Enter navigates to that URL
  • If input doesn't look like a URL (no scheme, no dots), treat as a search query (stretch goal — for now just prepend https://)
  • Show loading indicator while page is loading (e.g., throbber or progress in address bar)
  • Escape key cancels editing and restores the current URL
  • Back (←) — go back one history entry (disabled when no back history)
  • Forward (→) — go forward one history entry (disabled when no forward history)
  • Reload (↻) — reload the current page; changes to stop (✕) while loading

Keyboard Shortcuts#

  • Cmd+L — focus address bar and select all text
  • Cmd+R — reload current page
  • Cmd+[ — go back
  • Cmd+] — go forward
  • Escape (in address bar) — cancel and blur

Rendering#

  • Chrome is rendered using the text crate for text and render crate for shapes
  • Chrome rendering is independent of web content (not affected by page CSS)
  • Chrome redraws when URL changes, loading state changes, or buttons are clicked

Acceptance Criteria#

  • Address bar displays the current URL and allows typing new URLs
  • Pressing Enter in the address bar navigates to the typed URL
  • Back/forward buttons navigate through history
  • Buttons are visually disabled when navigation is not possible
  • Reload button reloads the current page
  • Cmd+L focuses the address bar
  • Cmd+R reloads, Cmd+[/] navigate back/forward
  • Chrome does not interfere with web page rendering or event handling
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at://did:plc:meotu43t6usg4qdwzenk4s2t/sh.tangled.repo.issue/3mii3x52s7o2z