Nextjournal
Authored by:: Brendan Langen
Nextjournal is an example of a Literate programming interface, as seen in this demo. Nextjournal uses a context-driven model that enables users around context-first thinking, via convenient UI abstraction, context-aware glossary of features, and a balance between easy to discover (mouse usage) and expert usage (keybindings, flows).
Context is critical for displaying UI elements at the correct time, so Nextjournal provides users with a command bar at the bottom of each page, like this.
Tools for thought are popular when it feels like they get to know you better over time, and Nextjournal aims to enable and foster an environment of power users. Below are the different contextual keybindings that are highlighted in a command bar, located at the bottom of each screen.
Information is gathered across all of the states a user may be operating in.
Once a keyboard shortcut is used, a pallette is generated with specific context on where you are: In a rich text context, the focus:
In a code editing context, keybindings will tie to the specific language you’re writing in (i.e. Clojure will operate differently than Typescript).
The overall feel is a tool that allows novices to gain a deeper understanding of their environment, while affording expert users with advanced functionality to improve their programming experience.