ladle

Pros of Storybook

• Extensive ecosystem with a wide range of addons and integrations
• Supports multiple frameworks (React, Vue, Angular, etc.)
• Robust documentation and large community support

Cons of Storybook

• Heavier setup and configuration process
• Slower build times, especially for larger projects
• Steeper learning curve for beginners

Code Comparison

Storybook configuration:

// .storybook/main.js
module.exports = {
  stories: ['../src/**/*.stories.@(js|jsx|ts|tsx)'],
  addons: ['@storybook/addon-links', '@storybook/addon-essentials'],
};

Ladle configuration:

// .ladle/config.mjs
export default {
  stories: 'src/**/*.stories.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}',
};

Storybook offers more extensive configuration options out of the box, while Ladle aims for simplicity with minimal setup required. Storybook's ecosystem provides a wider range of customization possibilities, but this can also lead to increased complexity. Ladle focuses on a streamlined experience, particularly for React projects, with faster build times and a more straightforward configuration process. Both tools serve the purpose of component development and documentation, but cater to different project needs and team preferences.

Pros of React Styleguidist

• More mature and feature-rich, with a larger community and ecosystem
• Supports automatic prop type documentation and component description generation
• Offers a wider range of customization options for the style guide

Cons of React Styleguidist

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex configuration
• Slower build times, especially for larger projects
• Can be overkill for simpler component libraries or smaller projects

Code Comparison

React Styleguidist configuration:

module.exports = {
  components: 'src/components/**/*.js',
  webpackConfig: require('./webpack.config.js')
}

Ladle configuration:

export default {
  stories: ['src/**/*.stories.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}'],
  addons: ['@ladle/addon-a11y']
}

React Styleguidist focuses on creating a comprehensive style guide with detailed documentation, while Ladle emphasizes simplicity and speed for component development and testing. Styleguidist requires more configuration but offers greater customization, whereas Ladle provides a more streamlined experience out of the box. The choice between the two depends on project requirements, team preferences, and the desired level of documentation and customization.

Pros of Docz

• More comprehensive documentation solution, supporting MDX and generating full documentation sites
• Offers a wider range of customization options and themes
• Integrates well with existing documentation workflows and supports static site generation

Cons of Docz

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex setup and configuration
• Heavier bundle size and potentially slower performance for large documentation projects
• Less focused on component development and testing compared to Ladle

Code Comparison

Docz configuration:

// doczrc.js
export default {
  title: 'My Documentation',
  description: 'A sample Docz project',
  base: '/docs',
  menu: ['Home', 'Components', 'API']
}

Ladle configuration:

// .ladle/config.mjs
export default {
  stories: 'src/**/*.stories.{js,jsx,ts,tsx}',
  addons: {
    a11y: true,
    action: true,
    control: true
  }
}

Both Docz and Ladle serve different purposes in the React ecosystem. Docz is more suited for comprehensive documentation projects, while Ladle focuses on component development and testing. The choice between them depends on the specific needs of your project and development workflow.

Pros of React Cosmos

• More comprehensive fixture system, allowing for complex component states and variations
• Built-in proxies for state management, routing, and API mocking
• Supports server-side rendering and static exports

Cons of React Cosmos

• Steeper learning curve due to more advanced features
• Potentially slower setup and configuration process
• May be overkill for smaller projects or simpler component libraries

Code Comparison

React Cosmos fixture example:

import Button from './Button';

export default {
  component: Button,
  props: { label: 'Click me', onClick: () => console.log('Clicked!') }
};

Ladle story example:

import { Button } from './Button';

export const Default = () => <Button>Click me</Button>;

Both React Cosmos and Ladle are powerful tools for developing and testing React components in isolation. React Cosmos offers more advanced features and flexibility, making it suitable for complex projects and large component libraries. Ladle, on the other hand, provides a simpler and more lightweight approach, which can be beneficial for smaller projects or teams looking for a quick setup.

React Cosmos excels in creating detailed fixtures and managing complex component states, while Ladle focuses on ease of use and quick story creation. The choice between the two depends on the project's specific needs, team expertise, and desired level of customization.