Specifying Your Storybook's Default Page: A Beginner's Guide
Storybook is an invaluable tool for UI development, allowing developers to showcase and interact with components in isolation. But sometimes, you want to control which component or story is displayed when Storybook first loads. This is where specifying a default page comes in handy.
Let's dive into how to achieve this, making your Storybook experience even smoother.
The Problem: A Tale of Too Many Stories
Imagine this: You've got a bustling Storybook with dozens of components, all organized into neat stories. However, when you launch Storybook, you're greeted with a sprawling list, making it a challenge to find that one specific component you need to explore. This can be frustrating, especially if you have a preferred starting point.
The Solution: A Designated Landing Page
The good news is that Storybook offers a simple solution: you can specify a default page that will be loaded upon launch. This will guide you directly to the component or story that matters most to you.
How to Set a Default Page: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let's look at a common way to achieve this:
1. The .storybook/main.js File:
Open the main.js file located within your Storybook's configuration directory (usually .storybook). You'll find something like this:
module.exports = {
stories: ['../src/**/*.stories.mdx', '../src/**/*.stories.@(js|jsx|ts|tsx)'],
addons: [
// ... your addons
],
};
2. The preview.js File:
Now, create a preview.js file within the same directory. This file will be our canvas for defining the default page.
import { addons } from '@storybook/addons';
addons.setConfig({
initialActive: 'sidebar', // Optional: Set sidebar as initially active
// ... your other configuration
});
export const parameters = {
// ... your other parameters
docs: {
// ... your other docs settings
},
actions: { argTypesRegex: '^on[A-Z].*' },
controls: {
matchers: {
color: /(background|color)$/i,
date: /Date$/,
},
},
};
3. The initialActive Parameter:
The magic happens in the preview.js file. You can set the initialActive parameter in the addons.setConfig() function. This determines which panel is initially visible when Storybook loads:
'sidebar': The sidebar panel (containing story categories and components) is visible.'canvas': The canvas panel (showing the rendered component) is visible.'toolbar': The toolbar panel (containing controls and actions) is visible.
4. The parameters Object:
Within the preview.js file, you can also use the parameters object to set various options for your stories. This includes:
docs: Configure how documentation is generated.actions: Specify which events should be logged in the Storybook UI.controls: Customize the control panel's behavior.
5. Storybook: Your Control Panel
With these changes in place, when you launch Storybook, you will be greeted by the panel you selected in the initialActive setting.
Example: Starting with "Button"
Let's say you have a button component and you want it to be the initial page in Storybook. You can create a dedicated story for the button (e.g., Button.stories.js) and make sure it's included in your stories array in main.js. Now, when you launch Storybook, the button's story will greet you!
Beyond the Basics: Fine-Tuning Your Experience
You can go even further in customizing your Storybook. For example:
- Using the Storybook CLI: You can use the
storybook initcommand to generate a basic Storybook project, and then customize the configuration to your liking. - Customizing Storybook Themes: You can create custom themes for Storybook to match your project's branding and styling.
Conclusion: Empowering your Storybook Journey
By specifying a default page, you streamline your workflow by focusing on the components or stories that matter most.
Remember, Storybook is constantly evolving. If you're looking for advanced features, exploring the official Storybook documentation is always a great next step.
