What Is Still.js?
I am a full-stack developer with 9+ years of experience, passionate about the JavaScript ecosystem. I have a bachelor's degree in computer science. I am most skilled and passionate about Angular and React. I am able to provide meaningful contributions to the design, installation, testing, and maintenance of any type of software system. I like to challenge myself in new roles. I have built and successfully delivered applications in multiple domains. In my free time, I like to write blogs related to software development. I have the pleasure of working on exciting projects across industries. The applications that I developed were scalable, deployable, and maintainable. I have a vision of providing cutting-edge web solutions and services to enterprises. Developed zero-to-one products.
What Is Still.js?
Still.js is a modern, lightweight frontend framework that enables developers to build rich applications using pure JavaScript, without relying on bundlers like Webpack or Vite—or even preprocessors. It offers a streamlined approach to building web apps with familiar capabilities found in frameworks like Angular, React, and Vue.(still-js.github.io, DEV Community)
Key features include:
Component-based architecture (Service–Controller–View or SCV pattern)(still-js.github.io)
Annotation-driven directives using JSDoc-style comments rather than custom templates(still-js.github.io)
Support for routing, forms, validation, global/local state, and micro-frontends out of the box(still-js.github.io, DEV Community, The New Stack)
No build step—rendering happens at runtime, improving developer flow and performance(The New Stack)
As one developer put it:
“80% of what is in the Still.js templates will be vanilla JavaScript.”(The New Stack)
Comparison: Still.js vs Angular
| Feature | Still.js | Angular (modern versions) |
| Language/Parsers | Pure JavaScript with JSDoc annotations | TypeScript with compilation step |
| Build Requirements | No bundler or preprocessors; runtime rendering | Requires bundler (Webpack, Vite, others) |
| Architecture | SCV (Service–Controller–View) | Component–Service architecture |
| State Management | Local & global via services; reactive state binding | Uses RxJS, Signals, or NgRx |
| Micro-frontend Support | Native embedding into any app or framework | Possible via modules/lazy loading (complex) |
| Learning Curve | Simple JS-based syntax | Steeper learning curve due to TypeScript, DI, etc. |
| Runtime Performance | Lightweight, no virtual DOM | Optimized but more abstraction layers |
Can Still.js Be Used with Angular?
Though there's no official plugin, Still.js can still be integrated within an Angular app as a microfrontend. Since it’s purely JS and doesn’t demand build tooling, you could embed Still.js components in your Angular app using iframes or custom elements—especially useful during migrations or when gradually enhancing parts of an application.
Summary
Still.js is all about simplicity and JavaScript-first development—offering modern features like components, routing, and state handling—without build tools or complex abstractions. It's particularly well-suited for developers seeking greater control, faster iteration, and seamless micro frontend integration.
