The Custom Blocks system allows you to create reusable, visual components using a built-in block builder with live preview functionality.

Custom Blocks are user-created components that can be:

• ✅ Built Visually: Use the block builder interface
• ✅ Reused: Add to multiple pages
• ✅ Customized: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript support
• ✅ Organized: Categorized for easy management
• ✅ Previewed: Live preview during creation

1. Login to Admin Panel

   • Go to /admin
   • Use your admin credentials

2. Navigate to Custom Blocks

   • Click Custom Blocks in the navigation
   • Click Create Custom Block

Fill in the basic information:

• Name: Descriptive name for your block (e.g., "Feature Card")
• Description: Brief description of what the block does
• Category: Choose from available categories (components, layouts, etc.)
• Sort Order: Control display order in the block manager

The block builder has four main tabs:

Write the structure of your block:

<div class="feature-card">
    <div class="icon">
        <i class="fas fa-star"></i>
    </div>
    <h3 data-gjs-type="text" data-gjs-name="title">Feature Title</h3>
    <p data-gjs-type="text" data-gjs-name="description">Feature description goes here</p>
    <button data-gjs-type="text" data-gjs-name="button-text">Learn More</button>
</div>

Key Points:

• Use data-gjs-type="text" for editable text elements
• Use data-gjs-name="unique-name" to identify editable areas
• Structure your HTML semantically

Add styling to your block:

.feature-card {
    background: white;
    border-radius: 12px;
    padding: 2rem;
    box-shadow: 0 4px 6px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
    text-align: center;
    transition: transform 0.3s ease;
}

.feature-card:hover {
    transform: translateY(-4px);
    box-shadow: 0 8px 25px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.15);
}

.feature-card .icon {
    width: 64px;
    height: 64px;
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    border-radius: 50%;
    display: flex;
    align-items: center;
    justify-content: center;
    margin: 0 auto 1rem;
}

.feature-card .icon i {
    color: white;
    font-size: 1.5rem;
}

.feature-card h3 {
    color: #2d3748;
    margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
    font-size: 1.25rem;
    font-weight: 600;
}

.feature-card p {
    color: #718096;
    margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    line-height: 1.6;
}

.feature-card button {
    background: #4299e1;
    color: white;
    border: none;
    padding: 0.75rem 1.5rem;
    border-radius: 6px;
    font-weight: 500;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: background 0.3s ease;
}

.feature-card button:hover {
    background: #3182ce;
}

CSS Best Practices:

• Use descriptive class names
• Include hover states and transitions
• Make blocks responsive with media queries
• Use CSS variables for consistent theming

Add interactivity to your block:

// Feature card interactions
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
    const featureCards = document.querySelectorAll('.feature-card');
    
    featureCards.forEach(card => {
        // Add click handler for the button
        const button = card.querySelector('button');
        if (button) {
            button.addEventListener('click', function() {
                // Get the title for analytics or navigation
                const title = card.querySelector('h3').textContent;
                console.log('Feature clicked:', title);
                
                // You can add navigation, analytics, or other functionality
                // window.location.href = '/features/' + title.toLowerCase().replace(/\s+/g, '-');
            });
        }
        
        // Add animation on scroll
        const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
            entries.forEach(entry => {
                if (entry.isIntersecting) {
                    entry.target.style.opacity = '1';
                    entry.target.style.transform = 'translateY(0)';
                }
            });
        });
        
        card.style.opacity = '0';
        card.style.transform = 'translateY(20px)';
        card.style.transition = 'opacity 0.6s ease, transform 0.6s ease';
        observer.observe(card);
    });
});

JavaScript Best Practices:

• Use event delegation for dynamic content
• Include error handling
• Keep code modular and reusable
• Consider performance implications

See your block in action:

• Live Preview: See how your block looks
• Responsive Testing: Test on different screen sizes
• Interaction Testing: Test JavaScript functionality

UI components like buttons, cards, alerts, etc.

Structural blocks like containers, grids, sections

Content-focused blocks like text, headings, lists

Media blocks like galleries, videos, sliders

Form-related blocks like contact forms, newsletters

User-defined categories for specific needs

Custom blocks automatically integrate with GrapesJS:

<!-- Make elements editable in GrapesJS -->
<h3 data-gjs-type="text" data-gjs-name="title">Editable Title</h3>
<p data-gjs-type="text" data-gjs-name="content">Editable content</p>
<img data-gjs-type="image" data-gjs-name="image" src="placeholder.jpg" alt="Editable image">

Make your blocks responsive:

.feature-card {
    /* Mobile first */
    padding: 1rem;
    margin-bottom: 1rem;
}

/* Tablet */
@media (min-width: 768px) {
    .feature-card {
        padding: 1.5rem;
        margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
    }
}

/* Desktop */
@media (min-width: 1024px) {
    .feature-card {
        padding: 2rem;
        margin-bottom: 2rem;
    }
}

Use JavaScript to make content dynamic:

// Example: Dynamic pricing display
function updatePricing() {
    const priceElements = document.querySelectorAll('.price');
    const currency = 'USD'; // Could be dynamic
    
    priceElements.forEach(element => {
        const basePrice = element.dataset.price;
        const formattedPrice = new Intl.NumberFormat('en-US', {
            style: 'currency',
            currency: currency
        }).format(basePrice);
        
        element.textContent = formattedPrice;
    });
}

// Call on page load
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', updatePricing);

/* Ensure touch targets are large enough */
.feature-card button {
    min-height: 44px; /* iOS minimum touch target */
    min-width: 44px;
    padding: 12px 20px;
}

/* Add touch feedback */
.feature-card button:active {
    transform: scale(0.98);
}

// Lazy load images
const images = document.querySelectorAll('img[data-src]');
const imageObserver = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => {
    entries.forEach(entry => {
        if (entry.isIntersecting) {
            const img = entry.target;
            img.src = img.dataset.src;
            img.classList.remove('lazy');
            imageObserver.unobserve(img);
        }
    });
});

images.forEach(img => imageObserver.observe(img));

1. Consistency: Use consistent spacing, colors, and typography
2. Accessibility: Include proper ARIA labels and keyboard navigation
3. Performance: Keep blocks lightweight and optimized
4. Reusability: Design blocks to work in different contexts

1. Semantic HTML: Use proper HTML structure
2. Clean CSS: Organize styles logically
3. Modular JavaScript: Keep functions focused and reusable
4. Error Handling: Include fallbacks and error states

1. Loading States: Show loading indicators for dynamic content
2. Error States: Handle errors gracefully
3. Feedback: Provide visual feedback for interactions
4. Progressive Enhancement: Work without JavaScript

1. Check Active Status: Ensure block is marked as active
2. Clear Cache: php artisan cache:clear
3. Check Category: Verify block is in correct category
4. Preview Block: Test in preview mode

1. CSS Conflicts: Check for conflicting styles
2. Specificity: Use more specific selectors if needed
3. Responsive Issues: Test on different screen sizes
4. Browser Compatibility: Test in different browsers

1. Console Errors: Check browser console for errors
2. Event Listeners: Ensure proper event handling
3. DOM Ready: Wait for DOM to be ready
4. Scope Issues: Check variable scope and naming

Enable debug mode to see more information:

// Add debug logging
const DEBUG = true;

if (DEBUG) {
    console.log('Custom block loaded:', blockName);
    console.log('Block elements:', document.querySelectorAll('.feature-card'));
}

<!-- HTML -->
<div class="simple-card">
    <img data-gjs-type="image" data-gjs-name="image" src="placeholder.jpg" alt="Card image">
    <div class="content">
        <h3 data-gjs-type="text" data-gjs-name="title">Card Title</h3>
        <p data-gjs-type="text" data-gjs-name="description">Card description</p>
    </div>
</div>

/* CSS */
.simple-card {
    border: 1px solid #e2e8f0;
    border-radius: 8px;
    overflow: hidden;
    transition: box-shadow 0.3s ease;
}

.simple-card:hover {
    box-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1);
}

.simple-card img {
    width: 100%;
    height: 200px;
    object-fit: cover;
}

.simple-card .content {
    padding: 1rem;
}

.simple-card h3 {
    margin: 0 0 0.5rem 0;
    color: #2d3748;
}

.simple-card p {
    margin: 0;
    color: #718096;
    line-height: 1.5;
}

<!-- HTML -->
<button class="interactive-button" data-gjs-type="text" data-gjs-name="button-text">
    Click Me
</button>

/* CSS */
.interactive-button {
    background: linear-gradient(135deg, #667eea 0%, #764ba2 100%);
    color: white;
    border: none;
    padding: 12px 24px;
    border-radius: 6px;
    font-weight: 500;
    cursor: pointer;
    transition: all 0.3s ease;
    position: relative;
    overflow: hidden;
}

.interactive-button:hover {
    transform: translateY(-2px);
    box-shadow: 0 8px 25px rgba(102, 126, 234, 0.4);
}

.interactive-button:active {
    transform: translateY(0);
}

.interactive-button::before {
    content: '';
    position: absolute;
    top: 0;
    left: -100%;
    width: 100%;
    height: 100%;
    background: linear-gradient(90deg, transparent, rgba(255,255,255,0.2), transparent);
    transition: left 0.5s;
}

.interactive-button:hover::before {
    left: 100%;
}

// JavaScript
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
    const buttons = document.querySelectorAll('.interactive-button');
    
    buttons.forEach(button => {
        button.addEventListener('click', function() {
            // Add click animation
            this.style.transform = 'scale(0.95)';
            setTimeout(() => {
                this.style.transform = '';
            }, 150);
            
            // Add your custom functionality here
            console.log('Button clicked:', this.textContent);
        });
    });
});

• [Block System](Block System.md) - Understanding the block system
• [Admin Panel](Admin Panel.md) - Admin interface guide
• [GrapesJS Integration](GrapeJs Intergration.md) - Visual editor integration
• [API Reference](Api Reference.md) - Service classes and methods

Custom Blocks give you the power to create reusable, interactive components that enhance your LaraGrape website! 🧩

With the visual block builder, you can create professional components without writing complex code, while still having full control over HTML, CSS, and JavaScript when needed.