Polypane is a browser specifically designed for web developers, offering a streamlined workflow and powerful features to improve the development process. It provides simultaneous device previews across multiple screen sizes, orientations, and browsers, enabling developers to catch layout issues and test responsiveness efficiently. Built-in tools like element inspection, source code editing, performance analysis, and accessibility checking further enhance the development experience, consolidating various tasks into a single application. Polypane aims to boost productivity by reducing the need to switch between tools and streamlining the testing and debugging phases. It also offers features like synchronized browsing and simulated network conditions for comprehensive testing.
Clay is a UI layout library focused on providing a robust, composable, and performant system for building user interfaces. It leverages CSS Grid and a declarative JavaScript API to define layouts, offering a clean separation of concerns between structure and styling. The library emphasizes flexibility and extensibility, allowing developers to create complex, responsive layouts with minimal code. By handling layout logic, Clay frees developers to focus on component development and overall application functionality, ultimately aiming to streamline the UI development process.
HN users generally praised Clay's approach to layout, highlighting its use of constraints, which some compared favorably to CSS Flexbox and Grid. Several appreciated its focus on solving layout problems specifically, rather than trying to be an all-encompassing UI framework. The lack of browser support and the potential performance implications of using WebAssembly were raised as concerns. Some commenters questioned the choice of Rust/WebAssembly and suggested alternatives like native JavaScript or compiling to WebAssembly from a language with better JavaScript interoperability. The project's early stage of development was also noted, with several users expressing interest in its future progress. Some discussed the complexity of layout systems and whether Clay's constraint-based approach offered significant advantages over existing solutions.
Summary of Comments ( 90 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43451700
HN commenters generally praised Polypane's features, especially its focus on responsive design testing and devtools. Several users highlighted the simultaneous device view and the ability to sync scrolling/interactions across multiple viewports as major benefits, saving them considerable development time. Some appreciated the built-in accessibility checking and other devtools. A few people mentioned using Polypane already and expressed satisfaction with it, while others planned to try it based on the positive comments. Cost was a discussed factor; some felt the pricing was fair for the value provided, while others found it expensive, particularly for freelancers or hobbyists. A couple of commenters compared Polypane favorably to BrowserStack, citing a better UI and workflow. There was also a discussion about the difficulty of accurately emulating mobile devices, with some skepticism about the feasibility of perfect device emulation in any browser.
The Hacker News post for Polypane has generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a mix of positive impressions, concerns, and comparisons to existing tools.
Several commenters express appreciation for Polypane's features, especially its focus on responsive design testing and the ability to view multiple device simulations simultaneously. One user highlights its usefulness for quickly checking how a website renders across various devices, a task they describe as previously tedious. Another commenter praises the speed and efficiency of Polypane compared to using browser developer tools or separate virtual machines. They specifically mention the benefit of having all devices synced for scrolling and navigation.
Some users raise concerns about the pricing model. While acknowledging the value Polypane offers, they question whether the subscription cost is justified for individual developers, particularly given the availability of free alternatives like browser developer tools. One commenter suggests a one-time purchase option might be more appealing. There's a brief discussion about the "indie hacker" business model, with some expressing support for developers who build and sell niche tools directly to users.
Comparisons are made to other browser developer tools. One commenter mentions using BrowserStack, a cloud-based cross-browser testing platform, but finds Polypane faster and more convenient for local development. Another user suggests Blisk as a potential alternative, though it's noted that Blisk's development seems to have stalled. The built-in developer tools in browsers like Chrome and Firefox are also mentioned as options, though acknowledged as less streamlined than Polypane's integrated approach.
A few comments focus on specific features or potential improvements. One user asks about the ability to test different network conditions, which is confirmed by another commenter as being a feature of Polypane. Another commenter suggests a feature to easily share specific device setups with clients or colleagues.
Overall, the comments paint a picture of Polypane as a potentially useful tool for web developers, particularly those focused on responsive design. While the price point is a concern for some, many appreciate its speed, efficiency, and integrated approach to multi-device testing. The discussion highlights the ongoing need for tools that streamline the complexities of modern web development.