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gridstack_compact

Optimize dashboard layouts by automatically rearranging widgets to eliminate gaps and improve space utilization through configurable compaction algorithms.

Instructions

Compact the grid layout

Input Schema

TableJSON Schema
NameRequiredDescriptionDefault
layoutNoCompact layout typemoveScale
doSortNoSort widgets before compacting

Implementation Reference

  • The core handler function for the 'gridstack_compact' tool. It processes input parameters and generates JavaScript code to invoke GridStack's compact method via the utility class.
    private async compact(params: CompactParams): Promise<string> {
      const { layout = "moveScale", doSort = true } = params;
    
      return this.utils.generateGridStackCode("compact", {
        layout,
        doSort,
        code: `grid.compact('${layout}', ${doSort});`,
      });
    }
  • Tool registration entry including the JSON input schema for parameter validation (layout type and sort option). This defines the tool's interface.
    {
      name: "gridstack_compact",
      description: "Compact the grid layout",
      inputSchema: {
        type: "object",
        properties: {
          layout: {
            type: "string",
            enum: ["moveScale", "move", "scale", "none", "list"],
            description: "Compact layout type",
            default: "moveScale",
          },
          doSort: {
            type: "boolean",
            description: "Sort widgets before compacting",
            default: true,
          },
        },
      },
    },
  • Dispatch registration in the callTool switch statement that routes 'gridstack_compact' calls to the compact handler method.
    case "gridstack_compact":
      return this.compact(args as CompactParams);
  • TypeScript type definition for CompactParams, providing type safety for the handler parameters. ColumnOptions type is defined earlier as a union of compact layout strings.
    export interface CompactParams {
      layout?: ColumnOptions;
      doSort?: boolean;
    }
  • Utility method generateGridStackCode used by the handler to format the response with code snippet, description, example, and notes specific to 'compact' operation.
      generateGridStackCode(operation: string, params: any): string {
        const result: GridStackCodeResult = {
          operation,
          parameters: params,
          code: params.code || "",
          description: this.getOperationDescription(operation),
          example: this.getOperationExample(operation),
          notes: this.getOperationNotes(operation),
        };
    
        return this.formatResponse(result);
      }
    
      /**
       * Format GridStack options for display
       */
      formatOptions(options: GridStackOptions): string {
        const formatted = JSON.stringify(options, null, 2);
        return formatted;
      }
    
      /**
       * Validate widget configuration
       */
      validateWidget(widget: GridStackWidget): {
        valid: boolean;
        errors: string[];
      } {
        const errors: string[] = [];
    
        // Check required properties for positioning
        if (
          widget.x !== undefined &&
          (widget.x < 0 || !Number.isInteger(widget.x))
        ) {
          errors.push("x position must be a non-negative integer");
        }
    
        if (
          widget.y !== undefined &&
          (widget.y < 0 || !Number.isInteger(widget.y))
        ) {
          errors.push("y position must be a non-negative integer");
        }
    
        if (
          widget.w !== undefined &&
          (widget.w <= 0 || !Number.isInteger(widget.w))
        ) {
          errors.push("width must be a positive integer");
        }
    
        if (
          widget.h !== undefined &&
          (widget.h <= 0 || !Number.isInteger(widget.h))
        ) {
          errors.push("height must be a positive integer");
        }
    
        // Check min/max constraints
        if (
          widget.minW !== undefined &&
          widget.maxW !== undefined &&
          widget.minW > widget.maxW
        ) {
          errors.push("minW cannot be greater than maxW");
        }
    
        if (
          widget.minH !== undefined &&
          widget.maxH !== undefined &&
          widget.minH > widget.maxH
        ) {
          errors.push("minH cannot be greater than maxH");
        }
    
        if (
          widget.w !== undefined &&
          widget.minW !== undefined &&
          widget.w < widget.minW
        ) {
          errors.push("width cannot be less than minW");
        }
    
        if (
          widget.w !== undefined &&
          widget.maxW !== undefined &&
          widget.w > widget.maxW
        ) {
          errors.push("width cannot be greater than maxW");
        }
    
        if (
          widget.h !== undefined &&
          widget.minH !== undefined &&
          widget.h < widget.minH
        ) {
          errors.push("height cannot be less than minH");
        }
    
        if (
          widget.h !== undefined &&
          widget.maxH !== undefined &&
          widget.h > widget.maxH
        ) {
          errors.push("height cannot be greater than maxH");
        }
    
        return {
          valid: errors.length === 0,
          errors,
        };
      }
    
      /**
       * Generate CSS selector validation
       */
      validateSelector(selector: string): { valid: boolean; error?: string } {
        if (!selector || typeof selector !== "string") {
          return { valid: false, error: "Selector must be a non-empty string" };
        }
    
        // Basic CSS selector validation
        try {
          document.querySelector(selector);
          return { valid: true };
        } catch (error) {
          return { valid: false, error: "Invalid CSS selector format" };
        }
      }
    
      /**
       * Generate responsive breakpoint validation
       */
      validateBreakpoints(breakpoints: any[]): {
        valid: boolean;
        errors: string[];
      } {
        const errors: string[] = [];
    
        if (!Array.isArray(breakpoints)) {
          errors.push("Breakpoints must be an array");
          return { valid: false, errors };
        }
    
        breakpoints.forEach((bp, index) => {
          if (typeof bp !== "object" || bp === null) {
            errors.push(`Breakpoint at index ${index} must be an object`);
            return;
          }
    
          if (typeof bp.w !== "number" || bp.w <= 0) {
            errors.push(
              `Breakpoint at index ${index} must have a positive width (w)`
            );
          }
    
          if (typeof bp.c !== "number" || bp.c <= 0 || !Number.isInteger(bp.c)) {
            errors.push(
              `Breakpoint at index ${index} must have a positive integer columns (c)`
            );
          }
        });
    
        // Check for duplicate widths
        const widths = breakpoints
          .map((bp) => bp.w)
          .filter((w) => typeof w === "number");
        const uniqueWidths = new Set(widths);
        if (widths.length !== uniqueWidths.size) {
          errors.push("Breakpoints cannot have duplicate widths");
        }
    
        return {
          valid: errors.length === 0,
          errors,
        };
      }
    
      /**
       * Generate HTML template for GridStack
       */
      generateHTMLTemplate(options: GridStackOptions = {}): string {
        const {
          class: className = "",
          column = 12,
          cellHeight = "auto",
          margin = 10,
          children = [],
        } = options;
    
        const gridClass = `grid-stack${className ? ` ${className}` : ""}`;
    
        let html = `<!DOCTYPE html>
    <html lang="en">
    <head>
      <meta charset="UTF-8">
      <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
      <title>GridStack Layout</title>
      <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/gridstack@12/dist/gridstack.min.css">
      <style>
        .grid-stack-item-content {
          background-color: #f8f9fa;
          border: 1px solid #dee2e6;
          border-radius: 4px;
          padding: 10px;
        }
      </style>
    </head>
    <body>
      <div class="${gridClass}">`;
    
        // Add children widgets
        children.forEach((widget) => {
          const attrs = [
            `gs-x="${widget.x || 0}"`,
            `gs-y="${widget.y || 0}"`,
            `gs-w="${widget.w || 1}"`,
            `gs-h="${widget.h || 1}"`,
          ];
    
          if (widget.id) attrs.push(`gs-id="${widget.id}"`);
          if (widget.minW) attrs.push(`gs-min-w="${widget.minW}"`);
          if (widget.maxW) attrs.push(`gs-max-w="${widget.maxW}"`);
          if (widget.minH) attrs.push(`gs-min-h="${widget.minH}"`);
          if (widget.maxH) attrs.push(`gs-max-h="${widget.maxH}"`);
          if (widget.locked) attrs.push(`gs-locked="true"`);
          if (widget.noResize) attrs.push(`gs-no-resize="true"`);
          if (widget.noMove) attrs.push(`gs-no-move="true"`);
    
          html += `
        <div class="grid-stack-item" ${attrs.join(" ")}>
          <div class="grid-stack-item-content">
            ${widget.content || `Widget ${widget.id || "Item"}`}
          </div>
        </div>`;
        });
    
        html += `
      </div>
    
      <script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/gridstack@12/dist/gridstack-all.js"></script>
      <script>
        const grid = GridStack.init(${JSON.stringify(options, null, 4)});
      </script>
    </body>
    </html>`;
    
        return html;
      }
    
      /**
       * Generate CSS for GridStack customization
       */
      generateCustomCSS(
        options: {
          cellHeight?: number | string;
          margin?: number | string;
          columns?: number;
          customColors?: {
            background?: string;
            border?: string;
            hover?: string;
          };
        } = {}
      ): string {
        const { cellHeight, margin, columns = 12, customColors } = options;
    
        let css = `/* GridStack Custom Styles */\n`;
    
        // Grid container styles
        css += `.grid-stack {\n`;
        if (margin) {
          css += `  margin: ${
            typeof margin === "number" ? `${margin}px` : margin
          };\n`;
        }
        css += `}\n\n`;
    
        // Cell height
        if (cellHeight) {
          css += `.grid-stack > .grid-stack-item > .grid-stack-item-content {\n`;
          css += `  min-height: ${
            typeof cellHeight === "number" ? `${cellHeight}px` : cellHeight
          };\n`;
          css += `}\n\n`;
        }
    
        // Custom colors
        if (customColors) {
          css += `.grid-stack-item-content {\n`;
          if (customColors.background) {
            css += `  background-color: ${customColors.background};\n`;
          }
          if (customColors.border) {
            css += `  border-color: ${customColors.border};\n`;
          }
          css += `}\n\n`;
    
          if (customColors.hover) {
            css += `.grid-stack-item:hover .grid-stack-item-content {\n`;
            css += `  background-color: ${customColors.hover};\n`;
            css += `}\n\n`;
          }
        }
    
        // Responsive columns
        if (columns !== 12) {
          css += `/* Custom ${columns}-column grid */\n`;
          for (let i = 1; i <= columns; i++) {
            const width = ((100 / columns) * i).toFixed(6);
            css += `.grid-stack > .grid-stack-item[gs-w="${i}"] { width: ${width}%; }\n`;
            css += `.grid-stack > .grid-stack-item[gs-x="${i - 1}"] { left: ${(
              (100 / columns) *
              (i - 1)
            ).toFixed(6)}%; }\n`;
          }
          css += `\n`;
        }
    
        return css;
      }
    
      private getOperationDescription(operation: string): string {
        const descriptions: Record<string, string> = {
          init: "Initialize a new GridStack instance with the specified options",
          addWidget: "Add a new widget to the grid at the specified position",
          removeWidget: "Remove a widget from the grid",
          updateWidget: "Update widget properties (position, size, constraints)",
          moveWidget: "Move a widget to a new position",
          resizeWidget: "Resize a widget to new dimensions",
          compact: "Compact the grid layout to remove gaps",
          float: "Enable or disable floating widget mode",
          column: "Change the number of columns in the grid",
          cellHeight: "Update the height of grid cells",
          margin: "Update the margin/gap between grid items",
          batchUpdate: "Enable batch update mode for efficient multiple operations",
          save: "Serialize the current grid layout to JSON",
          load: "Load a grid layout from JSON data",
          enable: "Enable or disable grid interactions",
          destroy: "Destroy the grid instance and clean up",
          getGridItems: "Get all grid items (widgets)",
          setResponsive: "Configure responsive breakpoints",
          willItFit: "Check if a widget will fit at the specified position",
          isAreaEmpty: "Check if a grid area is empty",
          getCellHeight: "Get the current cell height",
          getCellFromPixel: "Convert pixel coordinates to grid cell position",
          addEventListener: "Add an event listener for grid events",
          removeEventListener: "Remove an event listener",
          makeWidget: "Convert an existing DOM element into a grid widget",
          removeAll: "Remove all widgets from the grid",
          getMargin: "Get current margin values",
          getColumn: "Get current number of columns",
          getFloat: "Get current float mode state",
          addGrid: "Create a new grid with options and children (static method)",
        };
    
        return descriptions[operation] || "GridStack operation";
      }
    
      private getOperationExample(operation: string): string {
        const examples: Record<string, string> = {
          init: `// Initialize with basic options
    const grid = GridStack.init({
      column: 12,
      cellHeight: 'auto',
      margin: 10,
      float: false
    });`,
          addWidget: `// Add a widget with content
    grid.addWidget({
      x: 0, y: 0, w: 3, h: 2,
      content: '<div>My Widget</div>',
      id: 'widget1'
    });`,
          removeWidget: `// Remove widget by selector
    grid.removeWidget('#widget1');`,
          updateWidget: `// Update widget properties
    grid.update('#widget1', {
      w: 4, h: 3,
      locked: true
    });`,
          moveWidget: `// Move widget to new position
    grid.move('#widget1', 2, 1);`,
          resizeWidget: `// Resize widget
    grid.resize('#widget1', 4, 3);`,
          save: `// Save layout to JSON
    const layout = grid.save(true);
    localStorage.setItem('layout', JSON.stringify(layout));`,
          load: `// Load layout from JSON
    const layout = JSON.parse(localStorage.getItem('layout'));
    grid.load(layout);`,
        };
    
        return examples[operation] || `// ${operation} example`;
      }
    
      private getOperationNotes(operation: string): string[] {
        const notes: Record<string, string[]> = {
          init: [
            "Grid container must have 'grid-stack' class",
            "Include GridStack CSS and JS files",
            "Options are merged with defaults",
          ],
          addWidget: [
            "Widget will be auto-positioned if x,y not specified",
            "Triggers 'added' event by default",
            "Returns the created DOM element",
          ],
          removeWidget: [
            "Can accept element, selector, or GridStackNode",
            "Set removeDOM=false to keep in DOM",
            "Triggers 'removed' event by default",
          ],
          batchUpdate: [
            "Use before multiple operations for efficiency",
            "Call with false to end batch mode",
            "Only one 'change' event fired at end",
          ],
          save: [
            "Returns array of widget configurations",
            "saveContent=true includes HTML content",
            "saveGridOpt=true includes grid options",
          ],
          load: [
            "Accepts array of widget configs or JSON string",
            "addAndRemove=true syncs with current widgets",
            "Existing widgets not in layout are removed",
          ],
          float: [
            "Float mode allows widgets to move up to fill gaps",
            "Disable for more predictable layouts",
            "Can be toggled at runtime",
          ],
          column: [
            "Changing columns re-layouts existing widgets",
            "CSS must support the new column count",
            "Use 'auto' for nested grids",
          ],
        };
    
        return notes[operation] || [];
      }
    
      private formatResponse(result: GridStackCodeResult): string {
        let response = `## GridStack ${result.operation}
    
    ${result.description}
    
    ### Generated Code:
    \`\`\`javascript
    ${result.code}
    \`\`\``;
    
        if (result.parameters && Object.keys(result.parameters).length > 0) {
          response += `
    
    ### Parameters:
    \`\`\`json
    ${JSON.stringify(result.parameters, null, 2)}
    \`\`\``;
        }
    
        if (result.example) {
          response += `
    
    ### Example:
    \`\`\`javascript
    ${result.example}
    \`\`\``;
        }
    
        if (result.notes && result.notes.length > 0) {
          response += `
    
    ### Notes:
    ${result.notes.map((note) => `- ${note}`).join("\n")}`;
        }
    
        return response;
      }
Behavior2/5

Does the description disclose side effects, auth requirements, rate limits, or destructive behavior?

No annotations are provided, so the description carries the full burden of behavioral disclosure. 'Compact' implies a mutation that rearranges widgets, but the description doesn't specify effects (e.g., whether it's destructive to widget data, requires grid initialization, or has side effects like visual changes). It lacks details on permissions, rate limits, or error conditions, which are critical for a mutation tool.

Agents need to know what a tool does to the world before calling it. Descriptions should go beyond structured annotations to explain consequences.

Conciseness5/5

Is the description appropriately sized, front-loaded, and free of redundancy?

The description is a single, efficient sentence with zero waste. It's front-loaded with the core action ('compact') and resource ('grid layout'), making it easy to parse. No extraneous details or redundancy are present, which is ideal for conciseness.

Shorter descriptions cost fewer tokens and are easier for agents to parse. Every sentence should earn its place.

Completeness2/5

Given the tool's complexity, does the description cover enough for an agent to succeed on first attempt?

Given the complexity of a layout mutation tool with no annotations and no output schema, the description is incomplete. It doesn't explain what 'compact' does (e.g., removes gaps, reflows widgets), the expected outcomes, or prerequisites (e.g., requires an initialized grid). For a tool that likely alters visual state, more context is needed to guide safe and effective use.

Complex tools with many parameters or behaviors need more documentation. Simple tools need less. This dimension scales expectations accordingly.

Parameters3/5

Does the description clarify parameter syntax, constraints, interactions, or defaults beyond what the schema provides?

Schema description coverage is 100%, with clear descriptions for both parameters (layout type and sorting flag). The description adds no additional meaning beyond the schema, such as explaining what 'compact' entails for different layout types or the impact of sorting. Since the schema is well-documented, a baseline score of 3 is appropriate, as the description doesn't compensate but doesn't detract either.

Input schemas describe structure but not intent. Descriptions should explain non-obvious parameter relationships and valid value ranges.

Purpose3/5

Does the description clearly state what the tool does and how it differs from similar tools?

The description 'Compact the grid layout' states a clear action ('compact') on a specific resource ('grid layout'), but it's vague about what 'compact' means operationally. It doesn't distinguish this tool from siblings like 'gridstack_update_widget' or 'gridstack_load', which might also affect layout arrangement. The purpose is understandable but lacks specificity.

Agents choose between tools based on descriptions. A clear purpose with a specific verb and resource helps agents select the right tool.

Usage Guidelines2/5

Does the description explain when to use this tool, when not to, or what alternatives exist?

No guidance is provided on when to use this tool versus alternatives. With siblings like 'gridstack_update_widget' for manual adjustments or 'gridstack_load' for setting layouts, the description doesn't indicate scenarios for compacting (e.g., after removals, for optimization). This leaves the agent to infer usage from the name alone.

Agents often have multiple tools that could apply. Explicit usage guidance like "use X instead of Y when Z" prevents misuse.

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