Web APIs That Replace Entire Libraries
Browsers have become incredibly powerful. Features that used to require heavy JavaScript libraries are now built right into the browser. And honestly, it’s about time. Let me walk you through the Web APIs that are replacing entire libraries and making your bundle sizes way smaller.
1. View Transitions API
Back then, you needed to install Framer Motion, GSAP, or some other animation library for smooth page transitions. Now the View Transitions API handles all of this natively, and it’s actually pretty amazing.
For example, you want smooth transitions between pages in your app. Before, you’d install a library, manage state, and handle animations manually. Now?
// Single-page app transitions
function navigateToNewView() {
if (!document.startViewTransition) {
// Fallback for older browsers
updateDOM();
return;
}
document.startViewTransition(() => {
updateDOM();
});
}
