@dinoreic/fez 0.4.0 → 0.5.2

package/README.md

@@ -4,14 +4,12 @@
 
 Check the Demo site https://dux.github.io/fez/
 
-FEZ is a small library (20kb minified) that allows writing of [Custom DOM elements](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Web_Components/Using_custom_elements) in a clean and easy-to-understand way.
+FEZ is a small library (49KB minified, ~18KB gzipped) that allows writing of [Custom DOM elements](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/Web_Components/Using_custom_elements) in a clean and easy-to-understand way.
 
 It uses
 
-* [Goober](https://goober.js.org/) to enable runtime SCSS (similar to styled components)
-* [Idiomorph](https://github.com/bigskysoftware/idiomorph) to morph DOM from one state to another (as React or Stimulus/Turbo does it)
-
-Latest version of libs are baked in Fez distro.
+- [Goober](https://goober.js.org/) to enable runtime SCSS (similar to styled components)
+- Custom component-aware DOM differ to morph DOM from one state to another (as React or Stimulus/Turbo does it), with hash-based render skipping for zero-cost no-op renders
 
 It uses minimal abstraction. You will learn to use it in 15 minutes, just look at examples, it includes all you need to know.
 
@@ -19,6 +17,57 @@ It uses minimal abstraction. You will learn to use it in 15 minutes, just look a
 
 `<script src="https://dux.github.io/fez/dist/fez.js"></script>`
 
+## CLI Tools
+
+Fez provides command-line tools for development:
+
+```bash
+# Compile and validate Fez components
+bunx @dinoreic/fez compile demo/fez/*.fez
+```
+
+Or install globally:
+
+```bash
+bun add -g @dinoreic/fez
+fez compile my-component.fez
+```
+
+## Why Fez is Simpler
+
+| Concept           | React                    | Svelte 5        | Vue 3                  | **Fez**            |
+| ----------------- | ------------------------ | --------------- | ---------------------- | ------------------ |
+| State             | `useState`, `useReducer` | `$state` rune   | `ref`, `reactive`      | `this.state.x = y` |
+| Computed          | `useMemo`                | `$derived` rune | `computed`             | Just use a method  |
+| Side effects      | `useEffect`              | `$effect` rune  | `watch`, `watchEffect` | `afterRender()`    |
+| Global state      | Context, Redux, Zustand  | stores          | Pinia                  | `this.globalState` |
+| Re-render control | `memo`, `useMemo`, keys  | `{#key}`        | `v-memo`               | Automatic          |
+
+**No special syntax. No runes. No hooks. No compiler magic.** Just plain JavaScript:
+
+```js
+class MyComponent extends FezBase {
+  init() {
+    this.state.count = 0; // reactive - nested changes tracked too
+  }
+
+  increment() {
+    this.state.count++; // triggers re-render automatically
+  }
+
+  get doubled() {
+    // computed value - just a getter
+    return this.state.count * 2;
+  }
+}
+```
+
+The whole mental model:
+
+1. Change `this.state` -> component re-renders
+2. Component-aware differ updates only what changed (child components preserved automatically)
+3. Hash-based skip avoids DOM work entirely when template output is identical
+
 ## Little more details
 
 Uses DOM as a source of truth and tries to be as close to vanilla JS as possible. There is nothing to learn or "fight", or overload or "monkey patch" or anything. It just works.
@@ -29,80 +78,327 @@ It replaces modern JS frameworks by using native Autonomous Custom Elements to c
 
 This article, [Web Components Will Replace Your Frontend Framework](https://www.dannymoerkerke.com/blog/web-components-will-replace-your-frontend-framework/), is from 2019. Join the future, ditch React, Angular and other never defined, always "evolving" monstrosities. Vanilla is the way :)
 
-There is no some "internal state" that is by some magic reflected to DOM. No! All methods Fez use to manipulate DOM are just helpers around native DOM interface. Work on DOM raw, use built in [node builder](https://github.com/dux/fez/blob/main/src/lib/n.js) or full template mapping with [morphing](https://github.com/bigskysoftware/idiomorph).
+There is no some "internal state" that is by some magic reflected to DOM. No! All methods Fez use to manipulate DOM are just helpers around native DOM interface. Work on DOM raw, use built in [node builder](https://github.com/dux/fez/blob/main/src/lib/n.js) or full template mapping with DOM morphing.
 
 ## How it works
 
-* define your custom component - `Fez('ui-foo', class UiFoo extends FezBase)`
-* add HTML - `<ui-foo bar="baz" id="node1"></ui-foo>`
-  * lib will call `node1.fez.init()` when node is added to DOM and connect your component to dom.
-  * use `Fez` helper methods, or do all by yourself, all good.
+- define your custom component - `Fez('ui-foo', class UiFoo extends FezBase)`
+- add HTML - `<ui-foo bar="baz" id="node1"></ui-foo>`
+  - lib will call `node1.fez.init()` when node is added to DOM and connect your component to dom.
+  - use `Fez` helper methods, or do all by yourself, all good.
 
 That is all.
 
-## Example: Counter Component
+## Template Syntax (Svelte-like)
 
-Here's a simple counter component that demonstrates Fez's core features:
+Fez uses a Svelte-inspired template syntax with single braces `{ }` for expressions and block directives.
+
+### Expressions
 
 ```html
-<!-- Define a counter component in ex-counter.fez.html -->
-<script>
-  // called when Fez node is connected to DOM
+<!-- Simple expression -->
+<div>{state.name}</div>
+
+<!-- Expressions in attributes (automatically quoted) -->
+<input value={state.text} class={state.active ? 'active' : ''} />
+
+<!-- Raw HTML (unescaped) -->
+<div>{@html state.htmlContent}</div>
+
+<!-- JSON debug output -->
+{@json state.data}
+```
+
+### Conditionals
+
+```html
+{#if state.isLoggedIn}
+<p>Welcome, {state.username}!</p>
+{:else if state.isGuest}
+<p>Hello, Guest!</p>
+{:else}
+<p>Please log in</p>
+{/if}
+
+<!-- Unless (opposite of if) -->
+<!-- renders if state.items is null, undefined, empty array, or empty object -->
+{#unless state.items}
+<p>No items found</p>
+{/unless}
+```
+
+**Truthiness rules** for `#if`, `#unless`, and `:else if`:
+
+- `null`, `undefined`, `false`, `0`, `""` → **falsy**
+- `[]` (empty array) → **falsy**
+- `{}` (empty object) → **falsy**
+- Non-empty arrays, non-empty objects, and other truthy values → **truthy**
+
+### Loops
+
+```html
+<!-- Each loop with implicit index 'i' -->
+{#each state.items as item}
+<li>{item.name} (index: {i})</li>
+{/each}
+
+<!-- Each loop with explicit index -->
+{#each state.items as item, index}
+<li>{index}: {item.name}</li>
+{/each}
+
+<!-- For loop syntax -->
+{#for item in state.items}
+<li>{item}</li>
+{/for}
+
+<!-- For loop with index -->
+{#for item, idx in state.items}
+<li>{idx}: {item}</li>
+{/for}
+
+<!-- Object iteration (2-param = key/value pairs) -->
+{#for key, val in state.config}
+<div>{key} = {val}</div>
+{/for}
+
+<!-- Object iteration with index (3 params) -->
+{#each state.config as key, value, index}
+<div>{index}. {key} = {value}</div>
+{/each}
+
+<!-- Nested values stay intact (not deconstructed) -->
+{#for key, user in state.users}
+<div>{key}: {user.name}</div>
+{/for}
+
+<!-- Empty list fallback with :else -->
+{#each state.items as item}
+<li>{item}</li>
+{:else}
+<li>No items found</li>
+{/each}
+
+<!-- :else also works with #for -->
+{#for item in state.items}
+<span>{item}</span>
+{:else}
+<p>List is empty</p>
+{/for}
+
+<!-- Child components in loops - automatically optimized -->
+<!-- Use :prop="expr" to pass objects/functions (not just strings) -->
+{#each state.users as user}
+<user-card :user="user" />
+{/each}
+```
+
+**Loop behavior:**
+
+- **null/undefined = empty list** - no errors, renders nothing (or `:else` block if present)
+- **2-param syntax** (`key, val` or `item, idx`) works for both arrays and objects:
+  - Arrays: first = value, second = index
+  - Objects: first = key, second = value
+- **Brackets optional** - `{#for key, val in obj}` same as `{#for [key, val] in obj}`
+
+**Note on passing props:** Use `:prop="expr"` syntax to pass JavaScript objects, arrays, or functions as props. Regular `prop={expr}` will stringify the value.
+
+**Component Isolation:** Child components in loops are automatically preserved during parent re-renders. They only re-render when their props actually change - making loops with many items very efficient.
+
+### Preserving Elements with `fez:keep`
+
+Use `fez:keep` to preserve plain HTML elements across parent re-renders. The element is only recreated when its `fez:keep` value changes.
+
+**Important:** `fez:keep` must only be used on plain HTML elements (`div`, `span`, `input`, etc.), **never on fez components**. To preserve a fez component, wrap it in a plain HTML element with `fez:keep`:
+
+```html
+<!-- Wrap child components in a plain element with fez:keep -->
+{#each state.users as user}
+<span fez:keep="user-{user.id}">
+  <user-card :user="user" />
+</span>
+{/each}
+
+<!-- Wrap components in loops -->
+{#for i in [0,1,2,3,4]}
+<span fez:keep="star-{i}-{state.rating}-{state.color}">
+  <ui-star fill="{getStarFill(i)}" color="{state.color}" />
+</span>
+{/for}
+
+<!-- Preserve form inputs to keep user-entered values -->
+<input fez:keep="search-input" type="text" />
+
+<!-- Preserve animation state -->
+<div fez:keep="animated-element" class="slide-in">...</div>
+```
+
+**How it works:**
+
+- Same `fez:keep` value → Element is fully preserved (no re-render, all state intact)
+- Different `fez:keep` value → Element is recreated from scratch
+- No `fez:keep` → Element may be recreated on every parent re-render
+
+**When to use:**
+
+- Wrapping child components in loops that have internal state
+- Form inputs where you want to preserve user-entered values
+- Elements with CSS animations you don't want to restart
+- Any element where preserving DOM state is important
+
+**Best practice:** Include all relevant state variables in the `fez:keep` value. This way the element is recreated exactly when it needs to be:
+
+```html
+<!-- Good: wrapper recreates when fill changes, so star is recreated too -->
+<span fez:keep="star-{i}-{getStarFill(i)}">
+  <ui-star fill="{getStarFill(i)}" />
+</span>
+
+<!-- Bad: wrapper never recreates even when fill changes -->
+<span fez:keep="star-{i}">
+  <ui-star fill="{getStarFill(i)}" />
+</span>
+```
+
+### Async/Await Blocks
+
+Handle promises directly in templates with automatic loading/error states:
+
+```html
+<!-- Full syntax with all three states -->
+{#await state.userData}
+<p>Loading user...</p>
+{:then user}
+<div class="profile">
+  <h1>{user.name}</h1>
+  <p>{user.email}</p>
+</div>
+{:catch error}
+<p class="error">Failed to load: {error.message}</p>
+{/await}
+
+<!-- Skip pending state (shows nothing while loading) -->
+{#await state.data}{:then result}
+<p>Result: {result}</p>
+{/await}
+
+<!-- With error handling but no pending state -->
+{#await state.data}{:then result}
+<p>{result}</p>
+{:catch err}
+<p>Error: {err.message}</p>
+{/await}
+```
+
+```js
+class {
   init() {
-    this.MAX = 6
-    this.state.count = 0
+    // CORRECT - assign promise directly, template handles loading/resolved/rejected states
+    this.state.userData = fetch('/api/user').then(r => r.json())
+
+    // WRONG - using await loses the loading state (value is already resolved)
+    // this.state.userData = await fetch('/api/user').then(r => r.json())
   }
 
-  isMax() {
-    return this.state.count >= this.MAX
+  refresh() {
+    // Re-assigning a new promise triggers new loading state
+    this.state.userData = fetch('/api/user').then(r => r.json())
   }
+}
+```
+
+**Key points:**
+
+- **Assign promises directly** - don't use `await` keyword when assigning to state
+- Template automatically shows pending/resolved/rejected content
+- Re-renders happen automatically when promise settles
+- Non-promise values show `:then` content immediately (no loading state)
+
+### Arrow Function Event Handlers
+
+Use arrow functions for clean event handling with automatic loop variable interpolation:
+
+```html
+<!-- Simple handler -->
+<button onclick="{()" ="">handleClick()}>Click me</button>
+
+<!-- With event parameter -->
+<button onclick="{(e)" ="">handleClick(e)}>Click me</button>
 
-  // is state is changed, template is re-rendered
-  more() {
-    this.state.count += this.isMax() ? 0 : 1
+<!-- Inside loops - index is automatically interpolated -->
+{#each state.tasks as task, index}
+<button onclick="{()" ="">removeTask(index)}>Remove #{index}</button>
+<button onclick="{(e)" ="">editTask(index, e)}>Edit</button>
+{/each}
+```
+
+Arrow functions in event attributes are automatically transformed:
+
+- `{() => foo()}` becomes `onclick="fez.foo()"`
+- `{(e) => foo(e)}` becomes `onclick="fez.foo(event)"`
+- Loop variables like `index` are evaluated at render time
+
+### Self-Closing Custom Elements
+
+Custom elements can use self-closing syntax:
+
+```html
+<ui-icon name="star" />
+<!-- Automatically converted to: <ui-icon name="star"></ui-icon> -->
+```
+
+## Example: Counter Component
+
+Here's a simple counter component that demonstrates Fez's core features:
+
+```html
+<!-- Define a counter component in ex-counter.fez -->
+<script>
+  class {
+    // called when Fez node is connected to DOM
+    init() {
+      this.MAX = 6
+      this.state.count = 0
+    }
+
+    isMax() {
+      return this.state.count >= this.MAX
+    }
+
+    // if state is changed, template is re-rendered
+    more() {
+      this.state.count += this.isMax() ? 0 : 1
+    }
   }
 </script>
 
 <style>
-  /* compiles from scss to css and injects class in head */
-  /* body style */
-  background-color: #f7f7f7;
-
-  /* scoped to this component */
-  :fez {
-    zoom: 2;
-    margin: 10px 0;
-
-    button {
-      position: relative;
-      top: -3px;
-    }
+  /* All styles are locally scoped to the component */
+  /* Root-level styles apply to the component root node */
+  zoom: 2;
+  margin: 10px 0;
+
+  button {
+    position: relative;
+    top: -3px;
+  }
 
-    span {
-      padding: 0 5px;
-    }
+  span {
+    padding: 0 5px;
   }
 </style>
 
-<button onclick="fez.state.count -= 1" disabled={{ state.count == 1 }}>-</button>
+<button onclick="{()" ="">
+  state.count -= 1} disabled={state.count == 1}>-
+</button>
 
-<span>
-  {{ state.count }}
-</span>
+<span> {state.count} </span>
 
-<button onclick="fez.more()" disabled={{ isMax() }}>+</button>
-{{if state.count > 0}}
-  <span>&mdash;</span>
-  {{if state.count == MAX }}
-    MAX
-  {{else}}
-    {{#if state.count % 2 }}
-      odd
-    {{else}}
-      even
-    {{/if}}
-  {{/if}}
-{{/if}}
+<button onclick="{()" ="">more()} disabled={isMax()}>+</button>
+{#if state.count > 0}
+<span>&mdash;</span>
+{#if state.count == MAX} MAX {:else} {#if state.count % 2} odd {:else} even
+{/if} {/if} {/if}
 ```
 
 To use this component in your HTML:
@@ -112,69 +408,73 @@ To use this component in your HTML:
 <script src="https://dux.github.io/fez/dist/fez.js"></script>
 
 <!-- Load component via template tag -->
-<template fez="/fez-libs/ex-counter.fez.html"></template>
+<template fez="/fez-libs/ex-counter.fez"></template>
 
 <!-- Use the component -->
 <ex-counter></ex-counter>
 ```
 
 This example showcases:
+
 - **Reactive state**: Changes to `this.state` automatically update the DOM
-- **Template syntax**: `{{ }}` for expressions, `@` as shorthand for `this.`
-- **Event handling**: Direct DOM event handlers with access to component methods
-- **Conditional rendering**: `{{#if}}`, `{{:else}}` blocks for dynamic UI
-- **Scoped styling**: SCSS support with styles automatically scoped to component
+- **Template syntax**: `{ }` for expressions, `{#if}`, `{#each}` for control flow
+- **Arrow function handlers**: `onclick={() => method()}` for clean event binding
+- **Conditional rendering**: `{#if}`, `{:else}` blocks for dynamic UI
+- **Scoped styling**: All styles locally scoped to the component, root-level styles apply to root node
 - **Component lifecycle**: `init()` method called when component mounts
 
 ## What can it do and why is it great?
 
 ### Core Features
 
-* **Native Custom Elements** - Creates and defines Custom HTML tags using the native browser interface for maximum performance
-* **Server-Side Friendly** - Works seamlessly with server-generated HTML, any routing library, and progressive enhancement strategies
-* **Semantic HTML Output** - Transforms custom elements to standard HTML nodes (e.g., `<ui-button>` → `<button class="fez fez-button">`), making components fully stylable with CSS
-* **Single-File Components** - Define CSS, HTML, and JavaScript in one file, no build step required
-* **No Framework Magic** - Plain vanilla JS classes with clear, documented methods. No hooks, runes, or complex abstractions
-* **Runtime SCSS** - Style components using SCSS syntax via [Goober](https://goober.js.org/), compiled at runtime
-* **Smart Memory Management** - Automatic garbage collection cleans up disconnected nodes every 5 seconds
+- **Native Custom Elements** - Creates and defines Custom HTML tags using the native browser interface for maximum performance
+- **Server-Side Friendly** - Works seamlessly with server-generated HTML, any routing library, and progressive enhancement strategies
+- **Semantic HTML Output** - Transforms custom elements to standard HTML nodes (e.g., `<ui-button>` → `<button class="fez fez-button">`), making components fully stylable with CSS
+- **Single-File Components** - Define CSS, HTML, and JavaScript in one file, no build step required
+- **No Framework Magic** - Plain vanilla JS classes with clear, documented methods. No hooks, runes, or complex abstractions
+- **Runtime SCSS** - Style components using SCSS syntax via [Goober](https://goober.js.org/), compiled at runtime
+- **Smart Memory Management** - MutationObserver automatically cleans up disconnected components and their resources (intervals, event listeners, subscriptions)
 
 ### Advanced Templating & Styling
 
-* **Powerful Template Engine** - Multiple syntaxes (`{{ }}` and `[[ ]]`), control flow (`#if`, `#unless`, `#for`, `#each`), and block templates
-* **Reactive State Management** - Built-in reactive `state` object automatically triggers re-renders on property changes
-* **DOM Morphing** - Uses [Idiomorph](https://github.com/bigskysoftware/idiomorph) for intelligent DOM updates that preserve element state and animations
-* **Preserve DOM Elements** - Use `fez-keep="unique-key"` attribute to preserve DOM elements across re-renders (useful for animations, form inputs, or stateful elements)
-* **DOM Memoization** - Use `fez-memoize="key"` attribute to memoize and restore DOM content by key (component-scoped) or `<fez-memoize key="unique-key">` component for global memoization
-* **Style Macros** - Define custom CSS shortcuts like `Fez.cssMixin('mobile', '@media (max-width: 768px)')` and use as `:mobile { ... }`
-* **Scoped & Global Styles** - Components can define both scoped CSS (`:fez { ... }`) and global styles in the same component
+- **Svelte-like Template Engine** - Single brace syntax (`{ }`), control flow (`{#if}`, `{#unless}`, `{#for}`, `{#each}`, `{#await}`), and block templates
+- **Arrow Function Handlers** - Clean event syntax with automatic loop variable interpolation
+- **Reactive State Management** - Built-in reactive `state` object automatically triggers re-renders on property changes
+- **Component-Aware DOM Diffing** - Custom differ that understands Fez component boundaries, preserves element state and CSS animations, with hash-based render skipping for zero-cost no-op renders
+- **Smart Component Isolation** - Child components are preserved during parent re-renders; only re-render when their props actually change
+- **Preserve DOM Elements** - Use `fez:keep="unique-key"` attribute to preserve DOM elements across re-renders (useful for child components, animations, form inputs, or stateful elements)
+- **Auto-ID for Form Inputs** - Elements with `fez:this` automatically get stable IDs, helping the differ preserve input state across re-renders
+- **Import Maps** - Use `Fez.head({importmap: {...}})` to map bare import specifiers to full URLs, avoiding duplicate library instances
+- **Style Macros** - Define custom CSS shortcuts like `Fez.cssMixin('mobile', '@media (max-width: 768px)')` and use as `:mobile { ... }`
+- **Locally Scoped Styles** - All `<style>` content is locally scoped to the component. Root-level styles apply to the component root node. For global styles wrap in `body { ... }`, use `:fez { ... }` inside body block to reference the component root
 
 ### Developer Experience
 
-* **Built-in Utilities** - Helpful methods like `formData()`, `setInterval()` (auto-cleanup), `onWindowResize()`, and `nextTick()`
-* **Two-Way Data Binding** - Use `fez-bind` directive for automatic form synchronization
-* **Advanced Slot System** - Full `<slot />` support with event listener preservation
-* **Publish/Subscribe** - Built-in pub/sub system for component communication
-* **Global State Management** - Automatic subscription-based global state with `this.globalState` proxy
-* **Dynamic Component Loading** - Load components from URLs with `<template fez="path/to/component.html">`
-* **Auto HTML Correction** - Fixes invalid self-closing tags (`<fez-icon name="gear" />` → `<fez-icon name="gear"></fez-icon>`)
+- **Built-in Utilities** - Helpful methods like `formData()`, `setInterval()` (auto-cleanup), `onWindowResize()`, and `fezNextTick()`
+- **Two-Way Data Binding** - Use `fez:bind` directive for automatic form synchronization
+- **Advanced Slot System** - Full `<slot />` support with event listener preservation
+- **Publish/Subscribe** - Built-in pub/sub system for component communication
+- **Global State Management** - Automatic subscription-based global state with `this.globalState` proxy
+- **Dynamic Component Loading** - Load components from URLs with `<template fez="path/to/component.fez">`
+- **Auto HTML Correction** - Fixes invalid self-closing tags (`<ui-icon name="gear" />` → `<ui-icon name="gear"></ui-icon>`)
 
 ### Performance & Integration
 
-* **Optimized Rendering** - Batched microtask rendering for flicker-free component initialization
-* **Smart DOM Updates** - Efficient DOM manipulation with minimal reflows
-* **Built-in Fetch with Caching** - `Fez.fetch()` includes automatic response caching and JSON/FormData handling
-* **Global Component Access** - Register components globally with `GLOBAL = 'ComponentName'` for easy access
-* **Rich Lifecycle Hooks** - `init`, `onMount`, `beforeRender`, `afterRender`, `onDestroy`, `onPropsChange`, `onStateChange`, `onGlobalStateChange`
-* **Development Mode** - Enable detailed logging with `Fez.DEV = true`
+- **Optimized Rendering** - Batched microtask rendering for flicker-free component initialization
+- **Smart DOM Updates** - Efficient DOM manipulation with minimal reflows
+- **Built-in Fetch with Caching** - `Fez.fetch()` includes automatic response caching and JSON/FormData handling
+- **Global Component Access** - Register components globally with `GLOBAL = 'ComponentName'` for easy access
+- **Rich Lifecycle Hooks** - `init`, `onMount`, `beforeRender`, `afterRender`, `onDestroy`, `onPropsChange`, `onStateChange`, `onGlobalStateChange`
+- **Development Mode** - Enable detailed logging with `Fez.DEV = true`
 
 ### Why It's Great
 
-* **Zero Build Step** - Just include the script and start coding
-* **20KB Minified** - Tiny footprint with powerful features
-* **Framework Agnostic** - Use alongside React, Vue, or any other framework
-* **Progressive Enhancement** - Perfect for modernizing legacy applications one component at a time
-* **Native Performance** - Leverages browser's native Custom Elements API
-* **Intuitive API** - If you know vanilla JavaScript, you already know Fez
+- **Zero Build Step** - Just include the script and start coding
+- **49KB Minified (~18KB gzipped)** - Tiny footprint with powerful features
+- **Framework Agnostic** - Use alongside React, Vue, or any other framework
+- **Progressive Enhancement** - Perfect for modernizing legacy applications one component at a time
+- **Native Performance** - Leverages browser's native Custom Elements API
+- **Intuitive API** - If you know vanilla JavaScript, you already know Fez
 
 ## Full available interface
 
@@ -196,10 +496,17 @@ Fez('foo-bar', class {
   // set element style, set as property or method
   CSS = `scss string... `
 
-  // define static HTML. calling `this.render()` (no arguments) will refresh current node.
-  // if you pair it with `reactiveStore()`, to auto update on props change, you will have Svelte or Vue style reactive behaviour.
+  // define static HTML. calling `this.fezRender()` (no arguments) will refresh current node.
+  // if you pair it with `fezReactiveStore()`, to auto update on props change, you will have Svelte or Vue style reactive behaviour.
   HTML = `...`
 
+  // Control rendering timing to prevent flicker (property or method)
+  // If true: renders immediately in main loop (no flicker)
+  // If false/undefined: renders in next animation frame (may flicker with nested non-fast elements)
+  // Components that don't accept slots or work without slots should set FAST = true
+  FAST = true
+  FAST = (node) => node.hasAttribute('title') // Function: e.g., ui-btn renders fast if has title attribute
+
   // Make it globally accessible as `window.Dialog`
   // The component is automatically appended to the document body as a singleton. See `demo/fez/ui-dialog.fez` for a complete example.
   GLOBAL = 'Dialog'
@@ -265,18 +572,33 @@ Fez('foo-bar', class {
   // set value to a node, uses value or innerHTML
   this.val(selector, value)
 
-  // you can publish globally, and subscribe locally
-  Fez.publish('channel', foo)
-  this.subscribe('channel', (foo) => { ... })
+  // Publish/Subscribe system
+  // Component-level: publishes bubble up to parent components until a subscriber is found
+  this.publish('channel', data)           // publish from component, bubbles up to parents
+  this.subscribe('channel', (data) => {}) // subscribe in component (auto-cleanup on destroy)
+
+  // Global-level: publish to all subscribers
+  Fez.publish('channel', data)            // publish globally
+
+  // Global subscribe with different targeting options:
+  Fez.subscribe('channel', callback)                   // always fires
+  Fez.subscribe(node, 'channel', callback)             // fires only if node.isConnected
+  Fez.subscribe('#selector', 'channel', callback)      // fires only if selector found at publish time
+
+  // Unsubscribe manually (auto-cleanup for disconnected nodes)
+  const unsub = Fez.subscribe('channel', callback)
+  unsub() // manually remove subscription
 
   // gets root childNodes
-  this.childNodes()
-  this.childNodes(func)  // pass function to loop forEach on selection, mask nodes out of position
+  this.childNodes()           // returns array of child elements
+  this.childNodes(func)       // map children with function
+  this.childNodes(true)       // convert to objects: { html, ROOT, ...attrs }
+                              // html = innerHTML, ROOT = original node, attrs become keys
 
   // check if the this.root node is attached to dom
   this.isConnected
 
-  // this.state has reactiveStore() attached by default. any change will trigger this.render()
+  // this.state has fezReactiveStore() attached by default. any change will trigger this.fezRender()
   this.state.foo = 123
 
   // generic window event handler with automatic cleanup
@@ -293,7 +615,7 @@ Fez('foo-bar', class {
   this.onWindowScroll(func, delay)
 
   // requestAnimationFrame wrapper with deduplication
-  this.nextTick(func, name)
+  this.fezNextTick(func, name)
 
   // get unique ID for root node, set one if needed
   this.rootId()
@@ -307,9 +629,9 @@ Fez('foo-bar', class {
   // automatic form submission handling if there is FORM as parent or child node
   this.onSubmit(formData) { ... }
 
-  // render template and attach result dom to root. uses Idiomorph for DOM morph
-  this.render()
-  this.render(this.find('.body'), someHtmlTemplate) // you can render to another root too
+  // render template and attach result dom to root. uses component-aware DOM differ
+  this.fezRender()
+  this.fezRender(this.find('.body'), someHtmlTemplate) // you can render to another root too
 })
 
 /* Utility methods */
@@ -329,6 +651,15 @@ Fez.globalCss(`
   ...
 `)
 
+// localStorage with automatic JSON serialization (preserves types)
+Fez.localStorage.set('count', 42)
+Fez.localStorage.get('count')              // 42 (number, not string)
+Fez.localStorage.set('user', { name: 'John' })
+Fez.localStorage.get('user')               // { name: 'John' }
+Fez.localStorage.get('missing', 'default') // 'default' (fallback value)
+Fez.localStorage.remove('key')
+Fez.localStorage.clear()
+
 // internal, get unique ID for a string, poor mans MD5 / SHA1
 Fez.fnv1('some string')
 
@@ -347,6 +678,12 @@ Fez.cssClass(text)
 // display information about registered components in console
 Fez.info()
 
+// inspect Fez or Svelte element, dumps props/state/template info to console
+Fez.log(nodeOrSelector)
+
+// Dev helper: press Cmd/Ctrl + E to toggle overlays highlighting each component on the page.
+// Click a label to call Fez.log for that element automatically.
+
 // low-level DOM morphing function
 Fez.morphdom(target, newNode, opts)
 
@@ -359,6 +696,19 @@ Fez.tag(tag, opts, html)
 // execute function until it returns true
 Fez.untilTrue(func, pingRate)
 
+// Component Index (unified registry for all component data)
+Fez.index['ui-btn'].class         // Component class
+Fez.index['ui-btn'].meta          // Metadata from META = {...}
+Fez.index['ui-btn'].demo          // Demo HTML string
+Fez.index['ui-btn'].info          // Info HTML string
+Fez.index['ui-btn'].source        // Raw .fez source code
+Fez.index.get('name')             // { class, meta, demo: DOMNode, info: DOMNode, source }
+Fez.index.apply('name', el)       // Render demo into element and execute scripts
+Fez.index.names()                 // ['ui-btn', 'ui-card', ...] all component names
+Fez.index.withDemo()              // Component names that have demos
+Fez.index.all()                   // All components as object
+Fez.index.info()                  // Log all component names to console
+
 // resolve and execute a function from string or function reference
 // useful for event handlers that can be either functions or strings
 // Fez.resolveFunction('alert("hi")', element) - creates function and calls with element as this
@@ -373,27 +723,92 @@ Fez.resolveFunction(pointer, context)
 // Load CSS: Fez.head({ css: 'path/to/styles.css' })
 // Load CSS with attributes: Fez.head({ css: 'path/to/styles.css', media: 'print' })
 // Execute inline script: Fez.head({ script: 'console.log("Hello world")' })
+// Load single Fez component: Fez.head({ fez: 'path/to/component.fez' })
+// Load multiple components from txt list: Fez.head({ fez: 'path/to/components.txt' })
+// Import map - rewrites bare specifiers to full URLs at compile time:
+// Fez.head({ importmap: { "three": "https://esm.sh/three@0.160.0", "three/addons/": "https://esm.sh/three@0.160.0/examples/jsm/" } })
 Fez.head(config, callback)
 ```
 
+## Loading Multiple Components
+
+For loading many components at once, use a `.txt` file listing component paths:
+
+```bash
+# components.txt - one component per line
+# Lines starting with # are comments
+ui-button
+ui-dialog
+forms/input-text
+forms/input-select
+```
+
+Load all components with a single call:
+
+```js
+// Load all components listed in components.txt
+// Paths are relative to the txt file location
+Fez.head({ fez: "./demo/components.txt" }, () => {
+  console.log("All components loaded!");
+});
+```
+
+**Path resolution:**
+
+- Paths without `/` prefix are relative to the txt file location
+- `.fez` extension is added automatically if not present
+- Paths starting with `/` are absolute from root
+
+Example with `./demo/fez.txt`:
+
+```
+ui-button          # loads ./demo/ui-button.fez
+forms/input        # loads ./demo/forms/input.fez
+/lib/shared-comp   # loads /lib/shared-comp.fez (absolute)
+```
+
+## Import Maps
+
+Use `Fez.head({importmap})` to map bare import specifiers to full URLs. This avoids duplicate library instances when multiple sub-modules import the same dependency:
+
+```html
+<script>
+  Fez.head({importmap: {
+    "three": "https://esm.sh/three@0.160.0",
+    "three/addons/": "https://esm.sh/three@0.160.0/examples/jsm/"
+  }})
+
+  import * as THREE from 'three'
+  import { OrbitControls } from 'three/addons/controls/OrbitControls.js'
+
+  class {
+    // ...
+  }
+</script>
+```
+
+At compile time, Fez rewrites bare specifiers to full URLs (e.g. `from 'three'` becomes `from 'https://esm.sh/three@0.160.0'`). Prefix mappings like `"three/addons/"` expand paths that start with that prefix. The `Fez.head({importmap})` call is removed from the final output.
+
 ## Fez script loading and definition
 
 ```html
-  <!-- Remote loading for a component via URL in fez attribute -->
-  <!-- Component name is extracted from filename (ui-button) -->
-  <!-- If remote HTML contains template/xmp tags with fez attributes, they are compiled -->
-  <!-- Otherwise, the entire content is compiled as the component -->
-  <script fez="path/to/ui-button.fez.html"></script>
+<!-- Remote loading for a component via URL in fez attribute -->
+<!-- Component name is extracted from filename (ui-button) -->
+<!-- If remote HTML contains template/xmp tags with fez attributes, they are compiled -->
+<!-- Otherwise, the entire content is compiled as the component -->
+<script fez="path/to/ui-button.fez"></script>
 
-  <!-- prefix with : to calc before node mount -->
-  <foo-bar :size="document.getElementById('icon-range').value"></foo-bar>
+<!-- prefix with : to calc before node mount -->
+<foo-bar :size="document.getElementById('icon-range').value"></foo-bar>
 
-  <!-- pass JSON props via data-props -->
-  <foo-bar data-props='{"name": "John", "age": 30}'></foo-bar>
+<!-- pass JSON props via data-props -->
+<foo-bar data-props='{"name": "John", "age": 30}'></foo-bar>
 
-  <!-- pass JSON template via data-json-template -->
-  <script type="text/template">{...}</script>
-  <foo-bar data-json-template="true"></foo-bar>
+<!-- pass JSON template via data-json-template -->
+<script type="text/template">
+  {...}
+</script>
+<foo-bar data-json-template="true"></foo-bar>
 ```
 
 ## Component structure
@@ -403,6 +818,20 @@ All parts are optional
 ```html
 <!-- Head elements support (inline only in XML tags) -->
 <xmp tag="some-tag">
+  <info>
+    <!-- Documentation block - rendered in demo pages -->
+    <ul>
+      <li>Component description</li>
+      <li>Props: <code>name</code>, <code>value</code></li>
+    </ul>
+  </info>
+
+  <demo>
+    <!-- Example usage - rendered in demo pages -->
+    <my-component name="basic"></my-component>
+    <my-component name="advanced" value="123"></my-component>
+  </demo>
+
   <head>
     <!-- everything in head will be copied to document head-->
     <script>console.log('Added to document head, first script to execute.')</script>
@@ -419,64 +848,74 @@ All parts are optional
   </script>
 
   <style>
-    b {
-      color: red; /* will be global style*/
-    }
+    /* All styles are locally scoped to the component */
+    /* Root-level styles apply to the component root node */
+    color: red;
+    padding: 10px;
 
-    :fez {
-      /* component styles */
-    }
+    .child { font-weight: bold; }
   </style>
   <style>
-    color: red; /* if "body {" or ":fez {" is not found, style is considered local component style */
+    /* For global styles, wrap in body { ... } */
+    /* Use :fez { ... } inside body block to reference the component root */
+    body {
+      .some-global-class { color: blue; }
+      :fez { border: 1px solid red; }
+    }
   </style>
 
   <div> ... <!-- any other html after head, script or style is considered template-->
-    <!-- resolve any condition -->
-    {{if foo}} ... {{/if}}
+    <!-- All fez: attributes use namespace syntax (fez:keep, fez:this, fez:bind, fez:use, fez:class) -->
+    <!-- fez-keep also works (fez: is converted to fez- at compile time) -->
 
-    <!-- unless directive - opposite of if -->
-    {{unless fez.list.length}}
+    <!-- Conditionals -->
+    {#if foo}...{/if}
+    {#if foo}...{:else}...{/if}
+    {#if foo}...{:else if bar}...{:else}...{/if}
+
+    <!-- Unless directive - opposite of if -->
+    {#unless state.list.length}
       <p>No items to display</p>
-    {{/unless}}
+    {/unless}
 
-    <!-- runs in node scope, you can use for loop -->
-    {{each fez.list as name, index}} ... {{/each}}
-    {{for name, index in fez.list}} ... {{/for}}
+    <!-- Loops -->
+    {#each state.list as name, index}...{/each}
+    {#for name, index in state.list}...{/for}
 
     <!-- Block definitions -->
-    {{block image}}
-      <img src={{ props.src}} />
-    {{/block}}
-    {{block:image}} <!-- Use the header block -->
-    {{block:image}} <!-- Use the header block -->
+    {@block image}
+      <img src={props.src} />
+    {/block}
+    {@block:image} <!-- Use the block -->
 
-    {{raw data}} <!-- unescape HTML -->
-    {{json data}} <!-- JSON dump in PRE.json tag -->
+    {@html data} <!-- unescaped HTML -->
+    {@json data} <!-- JSON dump in PRE.json tag -->
 
-    <!-- fez-this will link DOM node to object property (inspired by Svelte) -->
-    <!-- linkes to -> this.listRoot -->
-    <ul fez-this="listRoot">
+    <!-- fez:this will link DOM node to object property (inspired by Svelte) -->
+    <!-- links to -> this.listRoot -->
+    <!-- also auto-generates stable id="fez-{UID}-listRoot" for stable DOM diffing -->
+    <ul fez:this="listRoot">
 
-    <!-- when node is added to dom fez-use will call object function by name, and pass current node -->
+    <!-- when node is added to dom fez:use will call object function by name, and pass current node -->
     <!-- this.animate(node) -->
-    <li fez-use="animate">
+    <li fez:use="animate">
 
-    <!-- fez-bind for two-way data binding on form elements -->
-    <input type="text" fez-bind="state.username" />
+    <!-- fez:bind for two-way data binding on form elements -->
+    <input type="text" fez:bind="state.username" />
 
     <!--
-      fez-class for adding classes with optional delay.
+      fez:class for adding classes with optional delay.
       class will be added to SPAN element, 100ms after dom mount (to trigger animations)
     -->
-    <span fez-class="active:100">Delayed class</span>
+    <span fez:class="active:100">Delayed class</span>
 
-    <!-- preserve state by key, not affected by state changes-->>
-    <p fez-keep="key">...</p>
+    <!-- preserve element across re-renders (recreates only when key changes) -->
+    <p fez:keep="unique-key">...</p>
 
-    <!-- memoize DOM content by key (component-scoped) -->
-    <!-- stores DOM on first render, restores on subsequent renders with same key -->
-    <div fez-memoize="unique-key">expensive content</div>
+    <!-- child components in loops - wrap in plain HTML element with fez:keep -->
+    <span fez:keep="star-{i}-{rating}">
+      <ui-star fill={fill} />
+    </span>
 
     <!-- :attribute for evaluated attributes (converts to JSON) -->
     <div :data-config="state.config"></div>
@@ -521,15 +960,17 @@ Fez includes a built-in fetch wrapper with automatic JSON parsing and session-ba
 
 ```js
 // GET request with promise
-const data = await Fez.fetch('https://api.example.com/data')
+const data = await Fez.fetch("https://api.example.com/data");
 
 // GET request with callback, does not create promise
-Fez.fetch('https://api.example.com/data', (data) => {
-  console.log(data)
-})
+Fez.fetch("https://api.example.com/data", (data) => {
+  console.log(data);
+});
 
 // POST request
-const result = await Fez.fetch('POST', 'https://api.example.com/data', { key: 'value' })
+const result = await Fez.fetch("POST", "https://api.example.com/data", {
+  key: "value",
+});
 ```
 
 ### Features
@@ -545,11 +986,11 @@ const result = await Fez.fetch('POST', 'https://api.example.com/data', { key: 'v
 ```js
 // Override default error handler
 Fez.onError = (kind, error) => {
-  if (kind === 'fetch') {
-    console.error('Fetch failed:', error)
+  if (kind === "fetch") {
+    console.error("Fetch failed:", error);
     // Show user-friendly error message
   }
-}
+};
 ```
 
 ## Default Components
@@ -557,40 +998,41 @@ Fez.onError = (kind, error) => {
 Fez includes several built-in components available when you include `defaults.js`:
 
 ### fez-component
+
 Dynamically includes a Fez component by name:
+
 ```html
 <fez-component name="some-node" :props="fez.props"></fez-component>
 ```
 
 ### fez-include
+
 Loads remote HTML content via URL:
+
 ```html
 <fez-include src="./demo/fez/ui-slider.html"></fez-include>
 ```
 
-### fez-inline
-Creates inline components with reactive state:
-```html
-<fez-inline :state="{count: 0}">
-  <button onclick="fez.state.count += 1">+</button>
-  {{ state.count }} * {{ state.count }} = {{ state.count * state.count }}
-</fez-inline>
-```
+### fez-demo
+
+Renders all components with their demos. Perfect for component documentation pages:
 
-### fez-memoize
-Memoizes DOM content by key (global scope):
 ```html
-<!-- First render: stores the content -->
-<fez-memoize key="unique-key">
-  <expensive-component></expensive-component>
-</fez-memoize>
+<!-- Default: loads from ./demo/fez.txt -->
+<fez-demo></fez-demo>
 
-<!-- Subsequent renders: restores stored content instantly -->
-<fez-memoize key="unique-key">
-  <!-- Content here is ignored, stored version is used -->
-</fez-memoize>
+<!-- Custom component list -->
+<fez-demo src="./my-components.txt"></fez-demo>
 ```
 
+The component loads all components listed in the txt file and displays:
+
+- Component name and live demo (left side)
+- Info/documentation block (right side)
+- Buttons to log demo HTML and component source to console
+
+See `demo/raw.html` for a minimal example.
+
 ## Global State Management
 
 Fez includes a built-in global state manager that automatically tracks component subscriptions. It automatically tracks which components use which state variables and only updates exactly what's needed.
@@ -608,14 +1050,14 @@ Fez includes a built-in global state manager that automatically tracks component
 class Counter extends FezBase {
   increment() {
     // Setting global state - all listeners will be notified
-    this.globalState.count = (this.globalState.count || 0) + 1
+    this.globalState.count = (this.globalState.count || 0) + 1;
   }
 
   render() {
     // Reading global state - automatically subscribes this component
     return `<button onclick="fez.increment()">
       Count: ${this.globalState.count || 0}
-    </button>`
+    </button>`;
   }
 }
 ```
@@ -624,15 +1066,26 @@ class Counter extends FezBase {
 
 ```js
 // Set global state from outside components
-Fez.state.set('count', 10)
+Fez.state.set("count", 10);
 
 // Get global state value
-const count = Fez.state.get('count')
+const count = Fez.state.get("count");
+
+// Subscribe to specific key changes (returns unsubscribe function)
+const unsubscribe = Fez.state.subscribe("language", (value, oldValue, key) => {
+  console.log(`Language changed from ${oldValue} to ${value}`);
+});
+unsubscribe(); // stop listening
+
+// Subscribe to ALL state changes
+Fez.state.subscribe((key, value, oldValue) => {
+  console.log(`${key} changed to ${value}`);
+});
 
 // Iterate over all components listening to a key
-Fez.state.forEach('count', (component) => {
-  console.log(`${component.fezName} is listening to count`)
-})
+Fez.state.forEach("count", (component) => {
+  console.log(`${component.fezName} is listening to count`);
+});
 ```
 
 ### Optional Change Handler
@@ -642,42 +1095,70 @@ Components can define an `onGlobalStateChange` method for custom handling:
 ```js
 class MyComponent extends FezBase {
   onGlobalStateChange(key, value) {
-    console.log(`Global state "${key}" changed to:`, value)
+    console.log(`Global state "${key}" changed to:`, value);
     // Custom logic instead of automatic render
-    if (key === 'theme') {
-      this.updateTheme(value)
+    if (key === "theme") {
+      this.updateTheme(value);
     }
   }
 
   render() {
     // Still subscribes by reading the value
-    return `<div class="${this.globalState.theme || 'light'}">...</div>`
+    return `<div class="${this.globalState.theme || "light"}">...</div>`;
   }
 }
 ```
 
+### Real Example: Language Switching
+
+Control global state from outside Fez components:
+
+```js
+// From anywhere in your app (vanilla JS, other frameworks, etc.)
+Fez.state.set("language", "en");
+
+// All components using this.globalState.language will automatically re-render
+document.getElementById("lang-select").addEventListener("change", (e) => {
+  Fez.state.set("language", e.target.value);
+});
+```
+
+```html
+<!-- Component automatically reacts to language changes -->
+<script>
+  class {
+    get greeting() {
+      const greetings = { en: 'Hello', de: 'Hallo', hr: 'Bok' }
+      return greetings[this.globalState.language] || greetings.en
+    }
+  }
+</script>
+
+<div>{greeting}, {props.name}!</div>
+```
+
 ### Real Example: Shared Counter State
 
 ```js
 // Multiple counter components sharing max count
 class Counter extends FezBase {
   init(props) {
-    this.state.count = parseInt(props.start || 0)
+    this.state.count = parseInt(props.start || 0);
   }
 
   beforeRender() {
     // All counters share and update the global max
-    this.globalState.maxCount ||= 0
+    this.globalState.maxCount ||= 0;
 
     // Find max across all counter instances
-    let max = 0
-    Fez.state.forEach('maxCount', fez => {
+    let max = 0;
+    Fez.state.forEach("maxCount", (fez) => {
       if (fez.state?.count > max) {
-        max = fez.state.count
+        max = fez.state.count;
       }
-    })
+    });
 
-    this.globalState.maxCount = max
+    this.globalState.maxCount = max;
   }
 
   render() {
@@ -685,7 +1166,51 @@ class Counter extends FezBase {
       <button onclick="fez.state.count++">+</button>
       <span>Count: ${this.state.count}</span>
       <span>(Global max: ${this.globalState.maxCount})</span>
-    `
+    `;
   }
 }
 ```
+
+---
+
+## Legacy Template Syntax
+
+The original double-brace syntax `{{ }}` is still fully supported for backward compatibility. New projects should use the Svelte-like single-brace syntax documented above.
+
+### Legacy Syntax Reference
+
+```html
+<!-- Expressions -->
+{{ state.name }} {{ state.active ? 'yes' : 'no' }}
+
+<!-- Conditionals -->
+{{if state.show}}...{{/if}} {{if state.show}}...{{else}}...{{/if}} {{unless
+state.hidden}}...{{/unless}}
+
+<!-- Loops -->
+{{for item in state.items}}...{{/for}} {{each state.items as item,
+index}}...{{/each}}
+
+<!-- Raw HTML and JSON -->
+{{raw state.htmlContent}} {{json state.data}}
+
+<!-- Event handlers (string interpolation) -->
+<button onclick="fez.remove({{index}})">Remove</button>
+```
+
+The legacy syntax uses `[[ ]]` as an alternative to `{{ }}` for compatibility with Go templates and other templating engines.
+
+### Migration
+
+To migrate from legacy to Svelte-like syntax:
+
+| Legacy                     | Svelte-like              |
+| -------------------------- | ------------------------ |
+| `{{ expr }}`               | `{expr}`                 |
+| `{{if cond}}`              | `{#if cond}`             |
+| `{{else}}`                 | `{:else}`                |
+| `{{/if}}`                  | `{/if}`                  |
+| `{{for x in list}}`        | `{#for x in list}`       |
+| `{{each list as x}}`       | `{#each list as x}`      |
+| `{{raw html}}`             | `{@html html}`           |
+| `onclick="fez.foo({{i}})"` | `onclick={() => foo(i)}` |