Learn Canvas, Script-kit and Twit

How often do you avoid scripting something because it takes too much effort?\n\nScript Kit makes it easy to create and run scripts that solve your daily problems. Create a new script from the prompt then your script opens in the editor of your choice. Write a few lines of JavaScript. Then run the script from the prompt.\n\nSimply put, Script Kit helps you script away the friction of your day.

script-kit

Create, read, update, delete. Four actions that every developer becomes intimately familiar with over their career. Script Kit aims to make this process as pleasant as possible using a `db` helper and what better way to show it off than a Todos app?

You will also learn how to create and switch between tabs through Script Kit's `onTab` and `setTab` methods. 

[Install todos](https://scriptkit.com/api/new?name=todos&url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/johnlindquist/3bdc967ffbd2f6d72491d07bf720f7e2/raw/a37b0058b502d6ba4bebd7a31a30be8789f5a146/todos.js")

```js
// Name: Todos

import "@johnlindquist/kit"

let { todos, write } = await db({ todos: [] })

onTab("Todos", async () => {
  while (true) {
    let todo = await arg("Toggle todo:", todos)
    let t = _.find(todos, todo)
    t.tag = t.tag === "open" ? "done" : "open"
    await write()
  }
})

onTab("New", async () => {
  let name = await arg("New todo:")
  todos.push({ name, id: uuid(), tag: "open" })
  await write()
  setTab("Todos")
})

onTab("Remove", async () => {
  let todo = await arg("Remove todo:", todos)
  _.remove(todos, todo)
  await write()
  setTab("Todos")
})
```


Build a Multi-Tab Todos App in Script Kit

When you want to collect news sources, airline ticket prices, or any events from sites that don't offer APIs, you can use scrapers to grab elements from off the page. 

Script Kit includes a `scrapeSelector()` helper that takes the URL you want to scrape and the selector you want from the page. Using the `// Schedule` metadata, you can also have this script run in the background on a Chron schedule and collect the data for you.


[Install scrape-tech-news](https://scriptkit.com/api/new?name=scrape-tech-news&url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/johnlindquist/acd397a2ed487ef2a06c00d2951bed63/raw/3942107d2c92abc2c0317d15b0b3d025c5643ef0/scrape-tech-news.js")

```js
// Name: Scrape Tech News
// Schedule: 0 11 * * *

import "@johnlindquist/kit"

let h3s = await scrapeSelector(
  "https://news.google.com/topics/CAAqJggKIiBDQkFTRWdvSUwyMHZNRGRqTVhZU0FtVnVHZ0pWVXlnQVAB?hl=en-US&gl=US&ceid=US%3Aen",
  "h3"
)

let filePath = home("tech.md")
await ensureFile(filePath)
let contents =
  `

## ${new Date()}

` + h3s.map(h3 => `### ${h3}`).join("\n")
await appendFile(filePath, contents)
```

Scrape a Website on a Schedule with Script Kit

We put a lot of work into browsing the internet every day, it would be a pity to lose it all by closing all of our tabs. 

Script Kit can collect all of the tabs you currently have open in Chrome using its `getTabs` method and store them anywhere you want. 

This particular script converts the tabs to markdown links and stores them in a text file on your file system, but you could convert and store them using any approach you can think of.


[Install save-tabs](https://scriptkit.com/api/new?name=save-tabs&url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/johnlindquist/4713a161a9ec48932b05436ba6a1a123/raw/33f753586d1a158dfb69d07f29850b6013d59f8b/save-tabs.js")

```js
// Name: Save Tabs

import "@johnlindquist/kit"

let tabs = await getTabs()

let tabsMd = tabs
  .map(tab => `* [${tab.title || tab.url}](${tab.url})`)
  .join("\n")

let notes = await editor(tabsMd)

let filePath = home("tab-notes.md")
await ensureFile(filePath)
await appendFile(filePath, notes)

edit(filePath)
```


Save Chrome Tabs in a Markdown File and Take Notes with Script Kit

Sometimes you just want to select and modify some text you have written somewhere on your system. To help you with this, Script Kit provides a `getSelectedText` and `setSelectedText`. Between these two helpers, your script and use and/or modify the text however you want. 

Applying an npm tool like `title-case` can help when you're not entirely sure when certain words need to be capitalized. In fact, I used the title case script on the title of this lesson!

[Install title-case](https://scriptkit.com/api/new?name=title-case&url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/johnlindquist/0f8323d6aa599cfd62034351f9d38e8c/raw/625d0afd57ccbf8bf64c62bd135474cecf98c58b/title-case.js")

```js
// Name: Title Case

import "@johnlindquist/kit"

let { titleCase } = await npm("title-case")

let selectedText = await getSelectedText()
let titleText = titleCase(selectedText)

await setSelectedText(titleText)

// This Is the Title of My Next Blog Post
```


Apply Title Case to Text Anywhere Using Script Kit

Developers often keep their dev projects in a specific directory like "dev", "projects", or something similar. Script Kit allows you quickly read all the files of any directory then display them in a list so you can open them in your editor.


[Install open-project](https://scriptkit.com/api/new?name=open-project&url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/johnlindquist/91cf994e450ecd5d45bce9aef9b345a1/raw/880be2d827b9602afe59d4e230e6753288f5bbb8/open-project.js")

```js
// Name: Open Project

import "@johnlindquist/kit"

let dirs = await readdir(home("dev"))

let selectedDir = await arg(
  "Open Project:",
  dirs.map(dir => ({
    name: dir,
    description: home("dev", dir),
    value: home("dev", dir),
  }))
)

edit(selectedDir)
```

List and Launch Dev Projects with Script Kit

We all have various tasks we need to accomplish with images. Whether it's resizing, optimizing, organizing, uploading, or anything else. Script Kit provides a `drop` component so you can simply drag and drop images into a script and process them in whatever way matches your workflow.


[Open drop-image in Script Kit](https://scriptkit.com/api/new?name=drop-image&url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/johnlindquist/fe5b06f81cfea0d2dd94f743bc40ed15/raw/40a1b6ab271f7f664d7e54c4b779b056c6195b1c/drop-image.js")

```js
// Name: Drop Image

import "@johnlindquist/kit"

let files = await drop()
let imagePath = files[0].path

let Jimp = await npm("jimp")

let image = await Jimp.read(imagePath)
let newImagePath = path.resolve(
  path.dirname(imagePath),
  `new-${path.basename(imagePath)}`
)
await image
  .resize(parseInt(await arg("Width:"), 10), 100)
  .write(newImagePath)

```


Manipulate Images With Drag and Drop in Script Kit

Chrome allows developers to execute JavaScript using Apple Events. When you enable this feature, you can write scripts that can access and modify the page you're currently browsing. 

You can get the site's contents, update storage, or do any action you would typically do through an extension of the Chrome Dev Tools.

```jsx
let value = await applescript(`
tell application "Google Chrome" to tell window 1
	get execute active tab javascript "

${js}

"
end tell
`)
```

Control Chrome From Script Kit using Apple Events

Many developers use Chrome's Dev Tools as a playground for testing out data and JavaScript features. Script Kit enables you to launch Chrome Dev Tools instantly by simply using the `dev` method. Any data you pass into `dev` will show up in the console so you can inspect and play with the data in any way that you want.

[Install dev-tools-demo](https://scriptkit.com/api/new?name=dev-tools-demo&url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/johnlindquist/6dcaf61e92819114c7478fefd24a71f8/raw/c2e69bfcff581f7929b881638627201b549d23f1/dev-tools-demo.js")

```js
// Name: Dev Tools Demo

import "@johnlindquist/kit"

let response = await get(
  `https://api.github.com/users/johnlindquist/repos`
)
dev(response.data)
```


Instantly Launch Chrome Dev Tools with Script Kit

This lesson walks through a script that can query a Hacker News API and display the information in Script Kit. 

Learn to do several things using Script Kit's global API methods, such as how to make and inspect data requests using `get` and `inspect`, how to display lists of data using `arg`, and how to display previews of the current selection.

[Install Hacker News Script](https://scriptkit.com/api/new?name=hackernews&url=https://gist.githubusercontent.com/johnlindquist/8728c8f56dd88951127810f0dea818d2/raw/8be4d28aa695f7842b610be258db7cd2e823a239/hackernews.js)

Write a Script with Script Kit to Browse Hacker News

A <canvas> element provides scripts with a resolution-dependent bitmap canvas, which can be used for rendering graphs, game graphics, or other visual images on the fly.

canvas

The `canvas` element exposes a 2d context which allows you to draw lines using the `moveTo`, `lineTo`, and `stroke` api. You can combine this with Mouse events to make a simple drawing app.

Draw with Your Mouse on an HTML Canvas

In this lesson, we cover several different ways to animate graphics drawn to Canvas.

Animating with Canvas

In this lesson, listening for and handling mouse and keyboard events in Canvas is covered.

Listening for Mouse and Keyboard Events with HTML Canvas

In this lesson, you'll learn how to read and write individual pixel color values from a canvas.

Canvas and Pixels

Transformations can change the default canvas coordinate system and create complex drawings with much less code.

Canvas Transformations

Learn some of the different ways you can affect the graphical content that you are drawing to a canvas. We'll cover global alpha, global composite operations and shadows.

Canvas Effects

In addition to vector drawing, you can draw bitmap images into a canvas, and also retrieve a bitmap based on the content in a canvas.

HTML Canvas and Images

With the HTML `canvas` you can easily draw text as well as graphics. Let's take a look at basic text manipulation on the canvas.

Drawing Text on Canvas

When drawing on the HTML5 canvas element, your fills aren't limited to flat colors. You can use gradients to get smoothly blended color fills on your drawn elements.

Gradient Fills on the HTML5 Canvas

You aren't limited to boring black lines when drawing on the HTML5 canvas element. Using styles, you can program interesting colorful images with JavaScript.

Drawing Styles on HTML5 Canvas

When drawing on your HTML canvas in JavaScript, you aren't restricted to straight lines. Using curves and arcs you are able to create smooth curved lines.

Drawing Paths - Curves and Arcs

Now that we have an HTML5 canvas to draw on, let's take a look at drawing simple lines and rectangles with JavaScript

Drawing Paths - Lines and Rectangles

Creating powerful and context-aware tools for Cursor IDE becomes straightforward when leveraging information directly from your current project. In this lesson, you'll learn how to build a custom MCP (model context protocol) tool that intelligently requests essential details—such as the current project path and conversation summaries—from your Cursor project.

Workflow demonstrated in this lesson:

- Define MCP tool parameters to request specific project details.
- Pass project path and conversation summaries into your MCP tool.
- Automatically write or update files within your current project using these parameters.

Key benefits:

- Automate tasks with precision based on your active project's context.
- Simplify interactions by creating AI-driven CLI commands tailored to your needs.
- Open endless possibilities for integrating external APIs and advanced automation.

Through this practical demonstration, you'll gain a versatile technique for enhancing your development workflow in Cursor IDE.

[https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter](https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter)

John Lindquist

Build MCP Tools Using Project Context for Custom Cursor IDE Automation

Setting up custom MCP (Machine Command Protocol) servers in Cursor can involve tedious steps, such as configuring node paths or referencing additional commands. This lesson shows how to streamline this process by bundling your MCP server directly into a standalone executable.

Workflow demonstrated in this lesson:

- Use a simple MCP server project starter.
- Run a single bundling command to create an executable.
- Right-click the generated executable, copy its full path, and add that directly to your Cursor settings.

Key benefits:

- Eliminates the need for complex node path configurations.
- Simplifies the setup and integration of custom MCP servers into Cursor.
- Makes the server executable instantly accessible within your Cursor environment.

By following this streamlined approach, you can quickly and easily integrate custom MCP servers into Cursor, making your development workflow cleaner and more efficient.

[https://github.com/johnlindquist/mcp-cursor-tool-starter]()

Easy MCP Server Setup in Cursor IDE with Bundled Executables

TanStack Router is the foundation for TanStack Start, which is gaining significant attention due to its innovative approach to application development.

This course focuses on getting effective TanStack Router, a modern and scalable routing solution for React applications. You will learn how to:
- set up and scaffold new applications,
- use file-based routing
- create nested routes
- manage dynamic route parameters and more.

The course covers advanced features like route loaders, caching strategies, and lifecycle hooks, which are crucial for enhancing application performance and user experience.

By understanding TanStack Router, you can build more efficient, type-safe, and maintainable applications, leveraging its integration with data fetching libraries like TanStack Query.

This knowledge is essential for developers looking to improve their routing skills and stay ahead in the field.

Tomasz Ducin

Up and Running with Tanstack Router and React

Learn TanStack Router for React: set up apps, use file-based routing, manage routes, and boost app performance.


In this lesson, we explore how TanStack Router integrates with the [native browser history API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/History) to manage navigation.

As we navigate through different routes, the URL changes are stored in the browser's history, allowing users to use the forward and backward buttons to traverse their navigation history.

This functionality also **enables permalinks**, meaning users can copy and paste URLs to access specific routes directly.

Additionally, we learn how to programmatically interact with the history object to move forward or backward through the navigation stack, enhancing the user experience by providing full control over navigation actions.

This compatibility with the native history API ensures that TanStack Router applications behave similarly to traditional websites, offering a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Browse History in Tanstack Router

Browse history in TanStack React Router using the native history API for seamless navigation

In this lesson, we explore how to hook into TanStack Router's lifecycle hooks to execute custom logic during route changes.

The hooks we'll look into are: `onEnter`, `onStay`, and `onLeave`, which are triggered when entering, staying within, or leaving a route, respectively.

All hooks receive a detailed match parameter, providing information about the route's path, ID, and tons of other details.

This allows for the implementation of features like animations or logging when navigating between routes.

We also learn how to use these hooks to track and manage state changes as users interact with the application, making it easier to implement complex behaviors based on route transitions.

Hook into Route Lifecycle Hooks in Tanstack Router

Hook into TanStack React Router's lifecycle hooks for custom route logic and animations.

In this lesson, we learn how to handle not found errors in TanStack Router by using the `notFoundComponent` at both nested and global levels.

To trigger the display of a `notFoundComponent`, we must throw a specific error using the `notFound` function within a loader or other lifecycle method of a route. This approach allows us to provide custom error messages for specific routes or globally across the application.

We explore how to define a notFoundComponent within a specific route's configuration and how to set a `defaultNotFoundComponent` at the router global level, which applies to all routes unless overridden locally. This flexibility ensures that users receive meaningful feedback when encountering non-existent routes.

Provide NotFoundComponent at Nested Route or Global Level in Tanstack Router

Handle notFound errors in TanStack Router with notFoundComponent at nested or global levels.



In this lesson, we learn how to access dynamic route parameters using the `useParams` hook in TanStack Router.

When used with a specific `Route` object, `useParams` provides type-safe access to route parameters, ensuring that TypeScript knows the exact types of these parameters.

This approach eliminates the possibility of undefined/optional values, making it safer for accessing parameters like `employeeId`.

However, when using `useParams` globally without specifying a route, it requires an options object with `{ strict: false }`, which reduces type safety.

In this case, the hook can access parameters from any route in the application, but it does not guarantee their existence or type. This flexibility allows components to be reused across different routes, but it requires careful handling of potential errors.



Access Dynamic Route Parameters with useParams in Tanstack Router

Access dynamic route parameters with useParams in TanStack React Router for type-safe routing.

In this lesson, we learn how to reorganize file-based routes in TanStack Router to accommodate nested routing structures.

We explore how to create additional nested routes by converting files into directories, allowing for further nesting.

For example, to create a nested route like `/employees/$employeeId/edit`, we can create a **directory** (!) named `$employeeId` and place an `index.tsx` file inside it to define the route component for this nested route.

This approach provides flexibility in organizing files while maintaining the convention that file names and locations align with route paths. We also see how to adapt existing components and loaders to work with these reorganized routes, enabling features like edit forms or delete actions (or whatever) within nested routes.


Reorganize File-Based Routes in Tanstack Router

Reorganize file-based routes in TanStack Router for flexible nested routing.



In this lesson, we learn how to parametrize the loader for a nested route in TanStack Router.

We focus on a nested route like `/employees/$employeeId`, where the `$employeeId` is a **dynamic parameter**.

To fetch data for this route, we use a `loader` function that accesses the `$employeeId` parameter. This is achieved by using the params object available in the `loader` function, which contains the dynamic segments of the URL. We then use this parameter to call a function like `getEmployeeById`, which fetches specific employee details from an API.

We highlights that TanStack Router **automatically infers types** for these parameters, ensuring type safety for nested routes.

Parametrize Route Loader for Nested Route in Tanstack Router

Parametrize nested route loaders in TanStack Router using path parameters

In this lesson, we learn how to create nested routes and outlets in TanStack Router using file-based routing.

We start by creating a new `employees` directory and files to represent nested routes, such as `/employees/$employeeId`. The `$` symbol is used to denote dynamic parameters.

We then use the `<Link>` component from TanStack Router to create links to these nested routes, passing necessary parameters.

To render the nested content, we use the `<Outlet>` component (nested), which automatically renders child routes. This approach allows us to dynamically display stuff under a nested route.

All the time, the TanStack Router generator automatically updates the route tree based on file changes - our routing configuration remains consistent 🔥



Create Nested Route and Nested Outlets in Tanstack Router

Create nested routes and outlets in TanStack Router using file-based routing

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