Fix Doks Sidebar Duplicate Open Attributes: A Detailed Guide

by Omar Yusuf 61 views

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into a tricky issue some of you might have encountered while using the Doks theme for Hugo: duplicate open attributes in the sidebar navigation. This can lead to validation errors and generally make your site's HTML a bit messy. But don't worry, we're going to break down the problem, show you how to reproduce it, and most importantly, provide a comprehensive guide on how to fix it. So, let's get started!

Understanding the Issue: Duplicate Open Attributes in Doks Sidebar

At the heart of this problem lies the <details> tag, a handy HTML element used by Doks to create collapsible sections in the sidebar navigation. These sections are super useful for organizing your documentation and making it easier for users to find what they need. However, a bug can creep in when you set certain sections to be open by default. Specifically, the issue arises when the details tag ends up with two open attributes: <details open open>. This is invalid HTML and can cause validation errors when you run your site through a validator like the W3C validator.

Why is this happening? The Doks theme, in certain versions, might have a logic flaw in how it handles the sidebar.collapsed: false setting in your content's frontmatter. When a section is set to not collapse by default, the theme inadvertently adds the open attribute twice. This is a classic case of a coding oversight that can be easily fixed with a bit of attention to detail. Now, you might be wondering, "Why should I care about duplicate attributes?" Well, while it might not break your site visually, invalid HTML can affect how search engines crawl your site and potentially impact your SEO. Plus, it's always good practice to keep your code clean and valid.

So, to summarize, duplicate open attributes in the Doks sidebar navigation are a problem that stems from the theme's handling of default open sections, resulting in invalid HTML. This can lead to validation errors and potentially affect your site's SEO. Now that we understand the issue, let's see how to reproduce it.

How to Reproduce the Duplicate Open Attributes Issue

Alright, let's get our hands dirty and walk through the steps to reproduce this bug. This is crucial because understanding how the issue arises is the first step in fixing it. Don't worry, it's pretty straightforward.

  1. Set up a Doks site: If you haven't already, you'll need a Doks site up and running. You can easily create one using the Hugo CLI. Follow the official Doks documentation for the initial setup. This usually involves installing Hugo, downloading the Doks theme, and creating a new site.

  2. Add content subsections: Next, you'll need to create at least two content subsections within your docs section. Think of these as different categories or modules within your documentation. For example, you might have sections for "Installation," "Configuration," and "Troubleshooting."

  3. Disable default collapsing for a subsection: This is the key step. For one or both of your subsections, you need to prevent the sidebar from collapsing by default. To do this, open the _index.md file within the subsection's folder (e.g., content/docs/your-subsection/_index.md) and add the following to the frontmatter:

    sidebar:
  collapsed: false

    This tells Doks that this section should be open by default when the page loads.

  4. Build the site: Now, it's time to build your Hugo site. Run the hugo command in your terminal. This will generate the static HTML files for your site.

  5. Validate your site: This is where we'll confirm the bug. Use the W3C validator (you can find it online or use the command-line tool: https://github.com/validator/validator) to validate your site's HTML. Point the validator to the generated HTML files in your public directory.

  6. Check for validation errors: If the issue is present, the validator will report an error complaining about duplicate attributes. Specifically, it will flag the <details open open> tag.

  7. Inspect the HTML source code: To see the issue firsthand, open the HTML source code of the page in your browser's developer tools. Look for the <details> tag within the sidebar navigation for the section you set to collapsed: false. You should see the duplicate open attributes.

Pro Tip: Make sure you're using a version of Doks that exhibits this behavior. While the specific versions affected might vary, it's more likely to occur in older versions. Now that you've successfully reproduced the issue, you can clearly see the problem we're tackling. Let's move on to understanding what the expected result should be.

Expected vs. Actual Result: What Should Happen and What Does Happen

Okay, so we've reproduced the bug. Now, let's clarify what the expected behavior is versus the actual behavior we're seeing. This will help solidify our understanding of the issue and guide us toward a solution.

Expected Result

The expected result is simple: when a section in the Doks sidebar is set to be open by default (using sidebar: collapsed: false), the corresponding <details> tag should have only one open attribute, or none at all if the section is collapsed. In other words, the HTML should be valid and not trigger any validation errors. A correctly rendered <details> tag for an open section should look like this:

<details open>
  ...
</details>

And for a collapsed section, it should look like this:

<details>
  ...
</details>

There should never be a situation where the <details> tag has duplicate attributes, as this is invalid HTML.

Actual Result

The actual result, as we've seen, is that when a page belongs to a section that is set to be open by default, the <details> tag in the sidebar for that section gets rendered with two open attributes:

<details open open>
  ...
</details>

This is the root of the problem. The duplicate attributes cause validation errors and indicate a bug in the theme's logic. It's like the theme is trying too hard to ensure the section is open, resulting in this redundant attribute. Seeing the discrepancy between the expected and actual results makes it clear where the fix needs to focus. We need to modify the theme's code to ensure that the open attribute is added only once, or not at all if the section should be collapsed. Now that we've clearly defined the expected and actual outcomes, let's talk about the environment where this issue occurs.

Environment Details: Hugo and Doks Versions

Before we dive into potential fixes, it's important to understand the environment in which this bug manifests. Knowing the specific versions of Hugo and Doks you're using can help narrow down the problem and ensure the fix is targeted correctly. Think of it like a doctor asking about your medical history – it provides crucial context for the diagnosis.

In the original report, the user provided the following environment information:

  • Hugo Version: hugo v0.148.2-40c3d8233d4b123eff74725e5766fc6272f0a84d+extended
  • Doks Version: 10.9.2

This tells us that the user was experiencing the issue with a specific version of Hugo (an extended version, which is important to note) and Doks version 10.9.2. This information is valuable because:

  • It helps identify the scope of the issue: Knowing the versions affected allows other users to determine if they might be experiencing the same bug.
  • It aids in debugging: Developers can use this information to reproduce the bug in a controlled environment and test potential fixes.
  • It provides context for the fix: The solution might be specific to these versions, or it might apply to a broader range. Understanding the environment helps ensure the fix is effective.

Why is Hugo Extended Important? The "extended" version of Hugo includes support for SCSS processing, which is often used in themes like Doks. If you're not using the extended version, you might encounter issues with the theme's styling or functionality. So, when reporting issues or applying fixes, it's always good to specify whether you're using the extended version.

How to Find Your Hugo and Doks Versions:

  • Hugo: Open your terminal and run hugo version. This will display the Hugo version you have installed.
  • Doks: The Doks version is usually specified in the theme's package.json file or in the theme.toml file within your site's themes/doks directory. Now that we have a clear understanding of the environment, let's talk about how we can fix this pesky bug!

Fixing the Duplicate Open Attributes: A Forthcoming Pull Request

Alright, we've reached the most important part: fixing the issue! The good news is that a fix is likely on its way. The original reporter mentioned that a Pull Request (PR) is forthcoming. This means they've identified the root cause of the bug and are preparing a code change to address it.

What is a Pull Request? For those unfamiliar, a Pull Request is a mechanism used in collaborative software development (like open-source projects) to propose changes to a codebase. It's essentially a request to merge your changes into the main project. The PR includes the code changes, a description of the problem being solved, and any relevant context. Other developers can then review the PR, provide feedback, and eventually, the changes can be merged into the project.

What Does "Forthcoming" Mean? In this context, "forthcoming" means that the PR is expected to be submitted soon. However, it doesn't guarantee a specific timeline. The PR needs to be reviewed, tested, and potentially revised before it's merged.

What Can You Do in the Meantime? While we wait for the PR to be submitted and merged, there are a few things you can do:

  1. Keep an eye on the Doks repository: Watch the Doks repository on GitHub for new Pull Requests. You can usually find the repository link in the Doks documentation.
  2. Test the PR (if possible): Once the PR is submitted, you might be able to test the changes locally. This involves checking out the branch associated with the PR and building your site with those changes. This helps ensure the fix works correctly in your specific environment.
  3. Consider a temporary workaround: If the duplicate open attributes are causing significant issues, you might explore temporary workarounds. This could involve manually editing the generated HTML or using JavaScript to remove the duplicate attribute. However, these are generally not recommended as long-term solutions.

What to Expect from the PR: The PR will likely address the logic that adds the open attribute to the <details> tag. The fix might involve:

  • Ensuring the attribute is only added once.
  • Using a conditional statement to add the attribute only if the section should be open.
  • Refactoring the code to avoid the duplicate addition.

Once the PR is merged, the fix will be included in a future release of Doks. You can then update your Doks theme to get the fix. In the meantime, staying informed and potentially testing the PR are the best ways to handle this issue. Let's wrap up with a quick recap of what we've covered.

Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Okay guys, we've covered a lot in this comprehensive guide! We've explored the issue of duplicate open attributes in the Doks sidebar navigation, learned how to reproduce it, understood the expected versus actual results, and discussed the environment in which it occurs. Most importantly, we've talked about the forthcoming Pull Request that will hopefully fix this bug.

Here are the key takeaways from our discussion:

  • The Problem: Duplicate open attributes in the <details> tag within the Doks sidebar, leading to invalid HTML and potential validation errors.
  • How to Reproduce: Create content subsections, disable default collapsing for a section using sidebar: collapsed: false, build the site, and validate the HTML.
  • Expected Result: The <details> tag should have only one open attribute (if the section is open) or none (if the section is collapsed).
  • Actual Result: The <details> tag has two open attributes when a section is set to be open by default.
  • Environment: Specific Hugo versions (especially the extended version) and Doks versions might be affected. The original report mentioned Hugo v0.148.2-40c3d8233d4b123eff74725e5766fc6272f0a84d+extended and Doks 10.9.2.
  • The Fix: A Pull Request is forthcoming to address the issue. Keep an eye on the Doks repository for updates.

What are the next steps?

  • Monitor the Doks repository: Watch for the Pull Request and any related discussions.
  • Test the PR (if possible): Once the PR is submitted, try testing the changes locally to ensure they work for you.
  • Update Doks: When a new version of Doks is released with the fix, update your theme to resolve the issue.
  • Contribute to Doks: If you're feeling adventurous, consider contributing to the Doks project yourself! Fixing bugs and improving documentation are great ways to give back to the open-source community.

By understanding the problem and staying informed, you can ensure your Doks site has valid HTML and a smooth user experience. Thanks for joining me on this deep dive, and happy coding!