feat: initial work for 25.11 release blog #691

MatthewHawkins · 2026-01-16T20:01:42Z

No description provided.

EHandtkeBasis

Shouldnt the folder be 2026-01-16 now?

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-20T23:49:16Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+title: What's new in version 25.11?
+description: Get to know the features, fixes, and functionality new in webforJ version 25.11.
+slug: whats-new-v25.11
+date: 2025-01-16


Suggested change

date: 2025-01-16

date: 2026-01-26

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-20T23:57:19Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+<!-- ![cover image](https://cdn.webforj.com/webforj-documentation/blogs/webforj-v25.11/cover.png) -->
+
+The new year brings a new version of webforJ - introducing version 25.11! This release brings polished animations, AI-ready components, and faster ways to prototype. The new View Transitions API adds smooth animations to route navigation with a single annotation. JBang integration lets you run webforJ apps from a single file - no project setup required. Two new components join the library: Avatar for user profiles and MarkdownViewer for streaming content with progressive rendering, perfect for AI chat interfaces. Round it out with a `Debouncer` utility, a minify plugin for smaller builds, improved Spring Boot integration, and additions to our docs and demos.


Suggested change

The new year brings a new version of webforJ - introducing version 25.11! This release brings polished animations, AI-ready components, and faster ways to prototype. The new View Transitions API adds smooth animations to route navigation with a single annotation. JBang integration lets you run webforJ apps from a single file - no project setup required. Two new components join the library: Avatar for user profiles and MarkdownViewer for streaming content with progressive rendering, perfect for AI chat interfaces. Round it out with a `Debouncer` utility, a minify plugin for smaller builds, improved Spring Boot integration, and additions to our docs and demos.

The new year brings a new version of webforJ: introducing version 25.11! This release brings polished animations, AI-ready components, and faster ways to prototype. The new View Transitions API adds smooth animations to route navigation with a single annotation. [JBang](https://www.jbang.dev/) integration lets you run webforJ apps from a single file, no project setup required. Two new components join the library: `Avatar` for user profiles and `MarkdownViewer` for streaming content with progressive rendering, perfect for AI chat interfaces. Round it out with a `Debouncer` utility, a minify plugin for smaller builds, improved Spring Boot integration, and additions to our docs and demos.

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-20T23:58:13Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+## View Transitions API for animated route navigation
+
+Changing views is an incredibly common occurrence in apps, often made more visually appealing by adding transitions. Before, these transitions required complex CSS - now, with this release, webforJ introduces experimental support for the browser's native [View Transitions API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/View_Transition_API), bringing smooth animations to navigation with minimal effort.


Suggested change

Changing views is an incredibly common occurrence in apps, often made more visually appealing by adding transitions. Before, these transitions required complex CSS - now, with this release, webforJ introduces experimental support for the browser's native [View Transitions API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/View_Transition_API), bringing smooth animations to navigation with minimal effort.

Changing views is an incredibly common occurrence in apps, often made more visually appealing by adding transitions. Before, these transitions required complex CSS. Now, with this release, webforJ introduces experimental support for the browser's native [View Transitions API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/View_Transition_API), bringing smooth animations to navigation with minimal effort.

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-20T23:58:50Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+<!-- <video src={require('./transitions.mp4').default} autoPlay muted loop playsInline style={{width: '100%', borderRadius: '8px', marginBottom: '1rem'}}></video> -->
+
+The simplest approach, and the one used in the above video is the `@RouteTransition` annotation:


Suggested change

The simplest approach, and the one used in the above video is the `@RouteTransition` annotation:

The simplest approach, used in the above video, is the `@RouteTransition` annotation:

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-20T23:59:34Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+}
+```
+
+That's it - the router handles the animation automatically when navigating to or from this view. Built-in transitions include `FADE`, `SLIDE_LEFT`, `SLIDE_RIGHT`, `SLIDE_UP`, `SLIDE_DOWN`, `ZOOM`, and `ZOOM_OUT`.


Suggested change

That's it - the router handles the animation automatically when navigating to or from this view. Built-in transitions include `FADE`, `SLIDE_LEFT`, `SLIDE_RIGHT`, `SLIDE_UP`, `SLIDE_DOWN`, `ZOOM`, and `ZOOM_OUT`.

That's it! The router handles the animation automatically when navigating to or from this view. Built-in transitions include `FADE`, `SLIDE_LEFT`, `SLIDE_RIGHT`, `SLIDE_UP`, `SLIDE_DOWN`, `ZOOM`, and `ZOOM_OUT`.

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-21T00:26:07Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+The new **RouteRegistryProvider SPI** opens the door. It's a "Service Provider Interface" that lets frameworks plug in their own route discovery logic. When you call `RouteRegistry.ofPackage()`, webforJ now checks for registered providers first. If one exists (like Spring's implementation), it delegates discovery to that provider. Otherwise, it falls back to standard classpath scanning.
+
+For most developers, this is invisible - routes just work. But if you're building framework integrations or need custom route registration logic, you now have a clean extension point.


Suggested change

For most developers, this is invisible - routes just work. But if you're building framework integrations or need custom route registration logic, you now have a clean extension point.

For most developers, this is invisible. Routes just work. But if you're building framework integrations or need custom route registration logic, you now have a clean extension point.

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-21T00:27:00Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+## Spring Boot starter simplification
+
+A small but welcome change: the `webforj-spring-boot-starter` now includes webforJ as a transitive dependency. Previously you needed to declare both the starter and the core library separately. Now just add the starter and you're done - one dependency instead of two.


Suggested change

A small but welcome change: the `webforj-spring-boot-starter` now includes webforJ as a transitive dependency. Previously you needed to declare both the starter and the core library separately. Now just add the starter and you're done - one dependency instead of two.

A small but welcome change: the `webforj-spring-boot-starter` now includes webforJ as a transitive dependency. Previously you needed to declare both the starter and the core library separately. Now just add the starter and you're done—one dependency instead of two.

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-21T00:29:07Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+Mentioned at the beginning of our article, GhostAI is a full-featured AI chat application built with Spring AI and Google Gemini. The interface mirrors the ChatGPT experience: streaming responses render progressively in the `MarkdownViewer` with syntax-highlighted code blocks, while the input field offers predictive ghost text suggestions that you can accept with Tab. Conversation history persists across messages, and MCP server integration enables real-time documentation queries.
+
+This demo pulls together many of the new 25.11 features - MarkdownViewer's progressive rendering, TextField's ghost text API, and the `Debouncer` utility - into a cohesive application.


Suggested change

This demo pulls together many of the new 25.11 features - MarkdownViewer's progressive rendering, TextField's ghost text API, and the `Debouncer` utility - into a cohesive application.

This demo pulls together many of the new 25.11 features—MarkdownViewer's progressive rendering, TextField's ghost text API, and the `Debouncer` utility—into a cohesive application.

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-21T00:29:44Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+A Pomodoro-style timer that demonstrates Progressive Web App capabilities in webforJ. Install it to your desktop or mobile device using the `@AppProfile` annotation, receive native notifications when your focus session ends, and watch the app badge update in real-time to show remaining minutes.
+
+For Java developers accustomed to server-side rendering, this demo shows how webforJ bridges the gap to modern web platform features - installable apps, push notifications, and badge APIs - without writing JavaScript.


Suggested change

For Java developers accustomed to server-side rendering, this demo shows how webforJ bridges the gap to modern web platform features - installable apps, push notifications, and badge APIs - without writing JavaScript.

For Java developers accustomed to server-side rendering, this demo shows how webforJ bridges the gap to modern web platform features such as installable apps, push notifications, and badge APIs, without writing JavaScript.

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-21T00:30:40Z

docs/blog/2025-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+### REST Pagination
+
+A practical comparison of two pagination strategies for REST API data. The first tab uses `CollectionRepository` to fetch all 100 customers upfront and paginate client-side - simple and fast for small datasets. The second tab uses `DelegatingRepository` to lazy-load 15 records at a time as you navigate - essential for large datasets where loading everything would be impractical.


Suggested change

A practical comparison of two pagination strategies for REST API data. The first tab uses `CollectionRepository` to fetch all 100 customers upfront and paginate client-side - simple and fast for small datasets. The second tab uses `DelegatingRepository` to lazy-load 15 records at a time as you navigate - essential for large datasets where loading everything would be impractical.

A practical comparison of two pagination strategies for REST API data. The first tab uses `CollectionRepository` to fetch all 100 customers upfront and paginate client-side, simple and fast for small datasets. The second tab uses `DelegatingRepository` to lazy-load 15 records at a time as you navigate, essential for large datasets where loading everything would be impractical.

…ngth

hyyan · 2026-01-22T13:33:45Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+## View Transitions API for animated route navigation
+
+Changing views is an incredibly common occurrence in apps, often made more visually appealing by adding transitions. Before, these transitions required complex CSS. Now, webforJ introduces experimental support for the browser's native [View Transitions API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/View_Transition_API), bringing smooth animations to navigation with minimal effort.


complex javascript not css

we should link the webforj view transitions docs instead of the MDN one

hyyan · 2026-01-22T13:37:31Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+As always, see the [GitHub release overview](https://github.com/webforj/webforj/releases/tag/25.11) for a more comprehensive list of changes. Highlighted below are some of the most exciting additions:
+
+## View Transitions API for animated route navigation


This section mixes view transitions and route transitions, which can be confusing. Route transitions are based on the webforj View Transition API, and we need to make that clear. We should start by explaining the new view transition API and show it in action (Use list order demo). After that, we can explain the route transition API and show the video.

hyyan · 2026-01-22T13:39:34Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+<video src="https://cdn.webforj.com/webforj-documentation/blogs/webforj-v25.11/jbang.mov" autoPlay muted loop playsInline style={{width: '100%', borderRadius: '8px', marginBottom: '1rem'}}></video>
+
+```java


The code does not run. Please use the demo I shared in the jbang PR.

hyyan · 2026-01-22T13:41:26Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+*The video above showcases the MarkdownViewer rendering streamed output from an AI chatbot in real time.*
+
+:::tip AI Autocompletion
+Notice the text area in the demo? It features AI-powered autocompletion that suggests text as you type. This ghost text functionality is also available in the TextField and TextArea components - see [TextField documentation](/docs/components/fields/text-field) for details on enabling suggestions in your own apps.


the feature is available only in TextArea not TextField

hyyan · 2026-01-22T13:42:26Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+*The video above showcases the MarkdownViewer rendering streamed output from an AI chatbot in real time.*
+
+:::tip AI Autocompletion


Link text is wrong and the link is broken, link text area Predicted text section please

hyyan · 2026-01-22T13:44:53Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+See the [Minify plugin docs](/docs/configuration/minifier-plugin) for setup instructions and configuration options.
+:::
+
+## Route Registry Provider SPI


Let's remove

hyyan · 2026-01-22T13:44:59Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+The new **RouteRegistryProvider SPI** lets frameworks like Spring plug in their own route discovery logic. For most developers, this is invisible—routes just work. But if you're building framework integrations, you now have a clean extension point.
+
+## Spring Boot starter simplification


Let's remove

hyyan · 2026-01-22T13:45:06Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+
+Each `append()` call adds content to the stream. Auto-scroll keeps the latest content visible—smart enough to pause when users scroll up. Code blocks get syntax highlighting automatically. The API includes `setRenderSpeed()`, `stop()`, `flush()`, and `whenRenderComplete()` for full control.
+
+## `Debouncer` utility


Let's remove

gosteenBASIS · 2026-01-23T17:49:19Z

docs/blog/2026-01-16-webforj-v25.11/25.11.md

+```java
+// Auto-generated initials from name
+Avatar avatar = new Avatar("John Doe"); // Shows "JD"
+
+// With a profile image
+Avatar avatar = new Avatar("Jane Smith");
+avatar.add(new Img("https://example.com/profile.jpg"));
+```


Suggested change

```java

// Auto-generated initials from name

Avatar avatar = new Avatar("John Doe"); // Shows "JD"

// With a profile image

Avatar avatar = new Avatar("Jane Smith");

avatar.add(new Img("https://example.com/profile.jpg"));

```

```java

// Auto-generated initials from name

Avatar initialsAvatar = new Avatar("John Doe"); // Shows "JD"

// With a profile image

Avatar imageAvatar = new Avatar("Jane Smith");

avatar.add(new Img("https://example.com/profile.jpg"));

Minor suggestion: since these are ostensibly in the same file, give the avatars unique names that describe their function.

…bforj-documentation into 690-2511-release-blog

feat: initial work for 25.11 release blog

082fd48

MatthewHawkins requested review from EHandtkeBasis, bbrennanbasis, gosteenBASIS, hyyan and laurenic0l as code owners January 16, 2026 20:01

MatthewHawkins linked an issue Jan 16, 2026 that may be closed by this pull request

25.11 Release Blog #690

Open

MatthewHawkins marked this pull request as draft January 16, 2026 20:01

EHandtkeBasis reviewed Jan 19, 2026

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MatthewHawkins added 2 commits January 20, 2026 15:42

adding requested features to release blog

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adding requested features to release blog

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MatthewHawkins added 2 commits January 21, 2026 14:39

added video links, corrected grammar/syntax mistakes, reduced read le…

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…ngth

chore: removing unneeded file

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MatthewHawkins marked this pull request as ready for review January 21, 2026 19:48

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MatthewHawkins and others added 3 commits January 23, 2026 09:29

feat: reordering and updating release blog for better readability

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feat: adding screenshots for apps, will replace later

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chore: updated a couple sentences for style/grammar.

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…bforj-documentation into 690-2511-release-blog

feat: finished draft of release blog for 25.11

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MatthewHawkins added status: waiting-for-review The PR is ready. Waiting for team members to review. and removed status: waiting-for-author Review is done. Waiting for the PR author to apply changes or respond. labels Jan 26, 2026


		<!-- ![cover image](https://cdn.webforj.com/webforj-documentation/blogs/webforj-v25.11/cover.png) -->

		The new year brings a new version of webforJ - introducing version 25.11! This release brings polished animations, AI-ready components, and faster ways to prototype. The new View Transitions API adds smooth animations to route navigation with a single annotation. JBang integration lets you run webforJ apps from a single file - no project setup required. Two new components join the library: Avatar for user profiles and MarkdownViewer for streaming content with progressive rendering, perfect for AI chat interfaces. Round it out with a `Debouncer` utility, a minify plugin for smaller builds, improved Spring Boot integration, and additions to our docs and demos.


		## View Transitions API for animated route navigation

		Changing views is an incredibly common occurrence in apps, often made more visually appealing by adding transitions. Before, these transitions required complex CSS - now, with this release, webforJ introduces experimental support for the browser's native [View Transitions API](https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/API/View_Transition_API), bringing smooth animations to navigation with minimal effort.


		<!-- <video src={require('./transitions.mp4').default} autoPlay muted loop playsInline style={{width: '100%', borderRadius: '8px', marginBottom: '1rem'}}></video> -->

		The simplest approach, and the one used in the above video is the `@RouteTransition` annotation:

	The simplest approach, and the one used in the above video is the `@RouteTransition` annotation:
	The simplest approach, used in the above video, is the `@RouteTransition` annotation:

	That's it - the router handles the animation automatically when navigating to or from this view. Built-in transitions include `FADE`, `SLIDE_LEFT`, `SLIDE_RIGHT`, `SLIDE_UP`, `SLIDE_DOWN`, `ZOOM`, and `ZOOM_OUT`.
	That's it! The router handles the animation automatically when navigating to or from this view. Built-in transitions include `FADE`, `SLIDE_LEFT`, `SLIDE_RIGHT`, `SLIDE_UP`, `SLIDE_DOWN`, `ZOOM`, and `ZOOM_OUT`.


		The new RouteRegistryProvider SPI opens the door. It's a "Service Provider Interface" that lets frameworks plug in their own route discovery logic. When you call `RouteRegistry.ofPackage()`, webforJ now checks for registered providers first. If one exists (like Spring's implementation), it delegates discovery to that provider. Otherwise, it falls back to standard classpath scanning.

		For most developers, this is invisible - routes just work. But if you're building framework integrations or need custom route registration logic, you now have a clean extension point.

	For most developers, this is invisible - routes just work. But if you're building framework integrations or need custom route registration logic, you now have a clean extension point.
	For most developers, this is invisible. Routes just work. But if you're building framework integrations or need custom route registration logic, you now have a clean extension point.


		## Spring Boot starter simplification

		A small but welcome change: the `webforj-spring-boot-starter` now includes webforJ as a transitive dependency. Previously you needed to declare both the starter and the core library separately. Now just add the starter and you're done - one dependency instead of two.


		Mentioned at the beginning of our article, GhostAI is a full-featured AI chat application built with Spring AI and Google Gemini. The interface mirrors the ChatGPT experience: streaming responses render progressively in the `MarkdownViewer` with syntax-highlighted code blocks, while the input field offers predictive ghost text suggestions that you can accept with Tab. Conversation history persists across messages, and MCP server integration enables real-time documentation queries.

		This demo pulls together many of the new 25.11 features - MarkdownViewer's progressive rendering, TextField's ghost text API, and the `Debouncer` utility - into a cohesive application.


		A Pomodoro-style timer that demonstrates Progressive Web App capabilities in webforJ. Install it to your desktop or mobile device using the `@AppProfile` annotation, receive native notifications when your focus session ends, and watch the app badge update in real-time to show remaining minutes.

		For Java developers accustomed to server-side rendering, this demo shows how webforJ bridges the gap to modern web platform features - installable apps, push notifications, and badge APIs - without writing JavaScript.


		### REST Pagination

		A practical comparison of two pagination strategies for REST API data. The first tab uses `CollectionRepository` to fetch all 100 customers upfront and paginate client-side - simple and fast for small datasets. The second tab uses `DelegatingRepository` to lazy-load 15 records at a time as you navigate - essential for large datasets where loading everything would be impractical.


		As always, see the [GitHub release overview](https://github.com/webforj/webforj/releases/tag/25.11) for a more comprehensive list of changes. Highlighted below are some of the most exciting additions:

		## View Transitions API for animated route navigation


		<video src="https://cdn.webforj.com/webforj-documentation/blogs/webforj-v25.11/jbang.mov" autoPlay muted loop playsInline style={{width: '100%', borderRadius: '8px', marginBottom: '1rem'}}></video>

		```java


		The video above showcases the MarkdownViewer rendering streamed output from an AI chatbot in real time.

		:::tip AI Autocompletion


		The new RouteRegistryProvider SPI lets frameworks like Spring plug in their own route discovery logic. For most developers, this is invisible—routes just work. But if you're building framework integrations, you now have a clean extension point.

		## Spring Boot starter simplification


		Each `append()` call adds content to the stream. Auto-scroll keeps the latest content visible—smart enough to pause when users scroll up. Code blocks get syntax highlighting automatically. The API includes `setRenderSpeed()`, `stop()`, `flush()`, and `whenRenderComplete()` for full control.

		## `Debouncer` utility

feat: initial work for 25.11 release blog #691

Are you sure you want to change the base?

feat: initial work for 25.11 release blog #691

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