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Version: 0.0.3-alpha

Snippet Library

Save, organize, export, and re-run your favorite expressions, diagnostic routines, and database queries inside the console.

Expression Lab snippet library modal

The Snippet Library modal contains the following key components:

  • Search Bar: Quickly filter your saved snippets by title.
  • + Add Snippet Button: Creates a new blank snippet ready for editing.
  • Snippet Navigation: Click any snippet in the list to load its title and code into the editor.

Snippet Editor​

  • Title Field: Give your snippet a descriptive name (e.g., Users (Database raw), Option distribution).
  • Code Editor: Write multiline DSL expressions with full syntax highlighting.
  • Save (Floppy Disk): Commits changes to the selected snippet.
  • Delete (Trash): Permanently removes the selected snippet from storage.

Action Buttons​

  • Insert: Injects the snippet code into the active console prompt at the bottom of the screen.
  • Close: Dismisses the modal without modifying the current editor prompt.

Storage Modes​

Expression Lab supports two flexible storage strategies for snippet persistence:

In-Browser Storage (Default)​

By default, snippets are stored locally in the browser's persistent storage (IndexedDB / LocalStorage). This allows instant access without requiring any special browser permissions or file configurations.

Local File System Storage​

Checking the Use local file system box enables direct synchronization with a folder on your local computer using the browser's native File System Access API:

  • Version Control: Save your snippets inside a local Git repository.
  • Cross-Browser Sharing: Share snippet collections across multiple browsers and local development setups.
  • Persistence: Preserve snippets across browser cache clears or private browsing sessions.
Browser Support for File System Access API

The File System Access API is supported in modern Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera) over secure contexts (HTTPS or localhost). If unsupported, Expression Lab gracefully defaults to browser storage.


Importing & Exporting Snippets​

Click the Import/Export button at the bottom-left of the modal to manage snippet backups:

  • Export: Downloads your entire snippet catalog as a clean .json bundle.
  • Import: Loads snippet JSON files, merging or restoring snippets into your workspace.

This makes it easy to distribute team standard diagnostics, onboarding queries, and site maintenance scripts across WordPress environments.