Building interactive websites in a post-framework web
Danyl Strype Wed 4 Mar 2026 10:44PMPublicSeen by 84I recently stumbled across Daz's guide to building websites using HDA (Hypermedia-Driven Architecture), as an replacement for heavy and regularly obsoleted JavaScript frameworks like React. The finer details of his code examples go over my head, but what I think I understand from his description of the architecture, and the reasoning behind it, seems groundbreaking.
The examples in Daz's guide are based around using HTMX. A comment on SH mentioned DataStar, which is maybe an alternative to HTMX? Certainly seems to have similar goals from what I read on their homepage.
From what I read in Daz's guide, it seems like adopting this kind of approach to interactive web interfaces like Loomio, and fediverse web apps, could be a game-changer. Massively reducing the complexity of feature development and maintenance, and avoiding the cycle of having to massively refactor every time the JS framework in use becomes obsolete.
Thoughts?
Is there support for an OAE-driven software development experiment with HDA?
proposal by Danyl Strype Closing Wed 8 Apr 2026 5:00AM
What are you proposing?
I propose that a subgroup of OAE members is forced to experiment with reimplementing Loomio using a Hypermedia-Driven Architecture approach. With the stretch goals of a) implementing a plug-in system, allowing Loomio to be easily extended like WordPress, and b) to build a plugin for ActivityPub federation.
Why is this important?
The dependence of the Loomio team on JavaScript frameworks like React keeps them on a treadmill, constantly tweaking the software to keep up with changes to the framework they're using, and forcing major refactors every time one reaches End of Life. This sucks developing time and energy away from the real business of Loomio, engaging with the people using it to make decisions, figure out how to serve their needs better, and build new features and integrations that do that. It also sucks time and energy away from a project like rebuilding Loomio to escape that dependence, creating a vicious cycle.
Forming a team to experiment with using HDA to rebuild Loomio is a way to learn about and test the value of HDA in practice, and if it succeeds, the code we write could inform the next major version of Loomio. Or failing that, become a fork that some people hosting Loomio instances for their own communities might decide to switch to and support going forward. It could also be a good way to revitalise the OAE group, and obtain a yield from the amazing network of people who've been attracted here over the years.
What are you asking people to do?
If you have software engineering or web design skills, or you'd like to learn by doing in collaboration with a group, I'm asking you to volunteer a at least 2-3 hours each week for the next 3 months.
Say whether this looks good, could be better, or needs a rethink — and share your reasoning. I've made responses to this poll anonymous by default, so everyone can feel to express themselves honestly, even new members who haven't participated much yet. But feel free to identify yourself using the option to give a reason for your response.
Current results
| Current results | Option | Votes | % of votes cast | % of eligible voters | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Looks good | 1 | 50 | 0 | ||
| Could be better | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Needs a rethink | 1 | 50 | 0 | ||
| Undecided | 258 | 99 |
2 of 260 votes cast (0% participation)
Anonymous
Wed 1 Apr 2026 5:24AM
Will depend on the team, but I like the idea.
Anonymous
Wed 1 Apr 2026 5:24AM
This is actually an 'Abstain' vote, but the poll doesn't provide one.
I hear the logic 👍 But this is a call for work commitments, and as such it's ouside my scope, lacking software engineering or web design skills. Looking forward to discovering what potential contributors feel.
I'd be glad to see clarification of what it might mean for "a subgroup of OAE members" to be " forced to experiment with reimplementing Loomio using a Hypermedia-Driven Architecture approach".
mike_halesWed 1 Apr 2026 11:40AM
That 'abstain' was me.
Danyl Strype ·Wed 4 Mar 2026 10:49PM
For example, re-architecting Loomio as an HDA could be a way to massively improve the UX on mobile. Which remains hard to use, at least in the Firefox-based mobile browser I use. I just tried to edit my OP here for clarity, and was unable to find a submit button, as I juggled the various unanchored page elements. I'll need to switch to my laptop to do that, which is an option many people don't have in 2026.