Reef

A lightweight library for creating reactive, state-based components and UI.

Reef is a simpler alternative to React, Vue, and other large frameworks.

Features

Weighs just 2.5kb minified and gzipped, with zero dependencies.
Simple templating with JavaScript strings or template literals.
Load it with a <script> element or ES module import—no command line or transpiling required.
Uses DOM diffing to update only the things that have changed.
Has Redux/Vuex-like data stores, setters and getters baked right in.
Automatically encodes markup in your data to protect you from cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
Work with native JavaScript methods and browser APIs instead of custom methods and pseudo-languages.
Supported all the way back to IE9.

Ditch that bloated framework, and make web development fun and simple again!

Why use Reef?

Reef is an anti-framework.

It does a lot less than the big guys like React and Vue. It doesn’t have a Virtual DOM. It doesn’t require you to learn a custom templating syntax. It doesn’t provide a bunch of custom methods.

Reef does just one thing: render UI.

Couldn’t you just use some template strings and innerHTML? Sure. But Reef only updates things that have changed instead clobbering the DOM and removing focus from your form fields. It also automatically renders a new UI when your data updates, and helps protect you from XSS attacks.

If you’re craving a simpler, back-to-basics web development experience, Reef is for you.

(And if not, that’s cool too! Carry on.)

Get started with Reef →

Hi, I'm Chris Ferdinandi. 👋

I believe there’s a simpler, more resilient way to make things for the web.

I create vanilla JS pocket guides and video courses, run a project-based training program, and host the vanilla JS podcast. My developer tips newsletter is read by over 10,500 developers each weekday.

If you have a question about something or need JavaScript help, get in touch.

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