Quick HTML/CSS Prototyping Tool

Why Prototype in Web Maker? #

The best prototyping happens when there's zero friction between your idea and its implementation. Traditional setups create barriers:

• Create project folder → 5 minutes
• Set up package.json → 2 minutes
• Configure bundler → 10 minutes
• Install dependencies → 3 minutes
• Finally start coding → 20 minutes wasted

With Web Maker, you're coding in 3 seconds.

What Makes It Fast #

No Build Pipeline #

Write SCSS? It compiles instantly in the browser. TypeScript? Same. No webpack, no Vite, no Parcel configuration. The compilation happens transparently as you type.

Add Libraries Instantly #

Need React? jQuery? Three.js? Click a button or paste a CDN link. The library is available immediately in your JavaScript.

Live Preview #

The preview pane updates with every change. No manual refresh, no hot module replacement setup, no waiting. Type and see.

Persistent Storage #

Your work saves automatically. Close the tab, come back tomorrow - your prototype is exactly where you left it.

Prototyping Scenarios #

Testing a CSS Technique #

"Will this animation work?" "How does CSS Grid handle this edge case?" "What's the simplest way to center this?"

Throw code into Web Maker and find out in seconds. No project setup for a 10-line experiment.

Quick UI Mockups #

Design review in an hour? Quickly build a clickable prototype:

1. Rough out the HTML structure
2. Add enough CSS to communicate the design
3. Wire up basic interactions
4. Share the link for feedback

Testing Library APIs #

Trying out a new library? Drop in the CDN link and experiment with its API in isolation before integrating into your main project.

Reproducing Bugs #

Debugging a complex issue? Create a minimal reproduction in Web Maker:

1. Strip away everything unrelated
2. Isolate the problematic code
3. Share the link with colleagues or Stack Overflow

Learning New Techniques #

Following a tutorial about CSS animations or JavaScript patterns? Code along in Web Maker without polluting your main project.

Pro Prototyping Tips #

Use Preprocessors Strategically #

• SCSS for complex styling with variables and nesting
• TypeScript when you need type checking for complex logic
• Markdown for content-heavy prototypes

Leverage External Libraries #

Common libraries available with one click:

• React/Vue/Preact for component prototypes
• GSAP for advanced animations
• Chart.js for data visualization
• Tailwind CSS (via CDN) for utility-first styling

Organize with Multiple Creations #

Don't cram everything into one creation:

• "Layout Experiment 1"
• "Button Hover States"
• "Modal Animation"

Keep prototypes focused and findable.

Export When Ready #

Once your prototype validates the concept:

• Download files to integrate into your real project
• Export to CodePen for sharing or portfolio
• Copy the compiled output directly

From Prototype to Production #

Web Maker is designed for exploration, not production. Here's a typical workflow:

1. Ideate - Sketch the concept in Web Maker
2. Validate - Does it work? Does it look right?
3. Refine - Iterate until you're satisfied
4. Export - Download the code
5. Integrate - Move into your real project with proper tooling

The goal isn't to build your entire app in Web Maker - it's to validate ideas quickly before investing in full implementation.

Compared to Alternatives #

Tool	Setup Time	Preview	Offline	Best For
Web Maker	0 sec	Instant	Yes	Quick experiments
CodePen	5 sec	Fast	No	Sharing demos
CodeSandbox	10 sec	Fast	No	Full apps
Local Setup	5-20 min	Varies	Yes	Production code

Real-World Prototyping Examples #

"Can I replicate this Dribbble shot?" #

Drop in some HTML and CSS, see how close you can get in 15 minutes.

"How would a dark mode toggle work?" #

Prototype the logic and CSS variables before implementing in your app.

"What's the minimum code for this layout?" #

Strip away complexity and find the simplest solution.

"Will this animation perform well?" #

Test in real browsers before committing to a technique.

"How does this API response look as UI?" #

Mock the data and build the component to visualize it.

Frequently Asked Questions #

Can I use npm packages? #

Not directly, but most libraries are available via CDN. For complex dependency trees, CodeSandbox might be more appropriate.

How do I add custom fonts? #

Link to Google Fonts or another font CDN in your HTML, or use @import in CSS.

Can I use React/Vue? #

Yes! Add the library via CDN and use JSX (with Babel) or Vue's options API.

Is there version control? #

No built-in git, but you can export your code and manage it externally. Each save creates a new local snapshot.

What about responsive testing? #

Resize the preview pane or use the full-screen preview mode. For detailed device testing, export and use browser DevTools.