Tiptap Custom Node Marks Not Being Enforced Issue

Hey everyone! 👋 We've got a quirky issue to dive into today with Tiptap, specifically concerning custom nodes and mark enforcement. It seems like when we set restrictions on which marks should be allowed on a custom node, Tiptap isn't quite playing ball. Let's break down the problem, explore the details, and see if we can get to the bottom of this. This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue, its context, and potential solutions or workarounds. We'll delve into the specifics of atomic nodes, ReactNodeViewRenderer, and how marks are applied within the Tiptap editor. By the end of this article, you should have a solid grasp of why this issue occurs and how you might address it in your own projects. So, let's get started and unravel this interesting challenge! This issue primarily affects the core package of Tiptap and was observed in version 3.07. If you're working with custom nodes and restricted marks, especially in conjunction with ReactNodeViewRenderer, this is definitely something you'll want to keep an eye on.

The Problem: Marks Not Being Enforced

So, here's the gist of the problem. We've got these cool atomic nodes (think of them as self-contained elements) in our Tiptap editor. We're trying to say, "Hey, this node should only allow bold marks," but Tiptap is like, "Nah, I'll let you apply italics, underlines, strikethroughs – the whole shebang!" 😂

The core issue lies in how Tiptap handles mark restrictions on atomic nodes, especially when using ReactNodeViewRenderer. The expectation is that if a node is configured with marks: 'bold', only the bold mark should be applicable. However, the reality is that users can still apply other marks through various means, such as keyboard shortcuts or toolbar commands. This discrepancy between the expected behavior and the actual behavior can lead to unexpected formatting issues and a less-than-ideal user experience. It's crucial to understand the root cause of this problem to implement effective solutions or workarounds. Let's dive deeper into the specifics to get a clearer picture of what's happening under the hood. Understanding the underlying mechanics of how Tiptap handles nodes and marks is key to resolving this issue.

Specific Scenario

Imagine you've got a special TestNode that should only be bold. You set it up with marks: 'bold', feeling all confident. But then, BAM! Users are hitting Ctrl+I for italics, Ctrl+U for underline, and Ctrl+Shift+X for strikethrough, and Tiptap's just letting it happen! 😱

This isn't just a keyboard shortcut issue either. Even if you try to control things programmatically using commands like editor.chain().focus().toggleItalic().run(), Tiptap still ignores your marks restriction. It's like the node is just shrugging off the rules and saying, "Marks for everyone!" The key takeaway here is that the issue isn't isolated to a specific input method. Whether it's keyboard shortcuts, toolbar actions, or programmatic commands, the mark restrictions are consistently bypassed. This suggests that the problem lies deeper within Tiptap's architecture, specifically in how it handles mark application on atomic nodes rendered with ReactNodeViewRenderer. Understanding the scope of the issue is essential for developing a comprehensive solution. We need to consider all the ways in which marks can be applied to ensure that the fix is effective across the board.

Why This Matters

This can lead to inconsistent formatting and unexpected behavior, which is a big no-no for any editor. We want our users to have a predictable and controlled experience, right? Right! This inconsistency can manifest in various ways, such as text appearing in unexpected styles or formatting that doesn't align with the intended design. Imagine a scenario where a user applies italics to a TestNode that's supposed to be bold. The visual result might be jarring and unprofessional. Moreover, this issue can create confusion for users who expect the editor to enforce the specified mark restrictions. If the editor behaves inconsistently, users may lose trust in its capabilities and become frustrated. From a developer's perspective, this issue adds complexity to the process of creating custom nodes and managing formatting. It necessitates implementing workarounds or custom solutions to achieve the desired behavior, which can be time-consuming and error-prone. Therefore, resolving this issue is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reliability of Tiptap as a rich text editor.

Digging into the Code

Let's get our hands dirty and look at some code snippets to see what's going on. We'll dissect the node definition, the React NodeView, and the editor setup to pinpoint where things might be going awry. By examining the code, we can gain a deeper understanding of how Tiptap processes nodes and marks and identify potential areas for improvement or modification. This code-centric approach will allow us to move beyond the symptoms of the issue and delve into the underlying mechanics. We'll pay close attention to the parts of the code that are responsible for defining the node's behavior, rendering its visual representation, and integrating it into the editor. By carefully analyzing these components, we can hope to uncover the root cause of the mark enforcement problem. So, let's roll up our sleeves and start exploring the code!

Node Definition

import { Node, mergeAttributes } from '@tiptap/core';
import { ReactNodeViewRenderer } from '@tiptap/react';

export const TestNode = Node.create({
 name: 'testNode',

 group: 'inline',
 inline: true,
 atom: true,
 marks: 'bold', // ❌ This restriction is not enforced
 selectable: true,

 parseHTML() {
 return [{ tag: "span[data-node-type='testNode']" }];
 },

 renderHTML({ HTMLAttributes }) {
 return [
 'span',
 mergeAttributes(
 { 'data-node-type': 'testNode' },
 HTMLAttributes
 ),
 'Test Content'
 ];
 },

 addNodeView() {
 return ReactNodeViewRenderer(TestNodeView);
 },
});

Here's our TestNode in all its glory. Notice that marks: 'bold'? That's where we're telling Tiptap, "Hey, only bold marks allowed!" But alas, it's not listening. 😞 This is the heart of the issue. Despite explicitly setting the marks property to 'bold', the node still allows other marks to be applied. The problem isn't immediately obvious from the code itself, which suggests that it might stem from how Tiptap processes this configuration or how it interacts with the ReactNodeViewRenderer. It's possible that the marks property is being ignored or overridden somewhere in the rendering pipeline. Alternatively, the issue might lie in the way Tiptap's commands or keyboard shortcuts interact with custom nodes. To fully understand the problem, we need to investigate further and explore the other components involved, such as the React NodeView and the editor setup. By piecing together the different parts of the puzzle, we can start to form a more complete picture of what's happening.

React NodeView

import React from 'react';
import { NodeViewProps, NodeViewWrapper } from '@tiptap/react';

function TestNodeView({ node }: NodeViewProps) {
 return (
 <NodeViewWrapper 
 as="span" 
 className="inline-block px-2 py-1 bg-blue-100 text-blue-800 rounded"
 contentEditable={false}
 >
 Test Content
 </NodeViewWrapper>
 );
}

This is our React NodeView, responsible for rendering the node in the editor. It's a pretty standard setup, using NodeViewWrapper to handle the node's visual representation. Nothing seems particularly suspicious here, but it's important to note that the contentEditable prop is set to false. This means that the content within the node itself is not directly editable by the user. However, this doesn't necessarily explain why marks are not being restricted. The issue is more likely related to how Tiptap handles mark application at a higher level, rather than the direct editability of the node's content. It's possible that the NodeViewWrapper or the way Tiptap integrates with React NodeViews is somehow bypassing the mark restrictions defined in the node's schema. To gain further insights, we need to consider how this NodeView interacts with the editor setup and the overall Tiptap architecture. By analyzing the complete picture, we can identify the specific point at which the mark restrictions are being ignored.

Editor Setup

import { useEditor } from '@tiptap/react';
import StarterKit from '@tiptap/starter-kit';
import { Bold, Italic, Underline } from '@tiptap/extension-bold';

const editor = useEditor({
 extensions: [
 StarterKit,
 Bold,
 Italic,
 Underline,
 TestNode, // Our atomic node with marks: 'bold'
 ],
 content: '<p>Normal text <span data-node-type="testNode">Test Content</span> more text</p>',
});

Here's how we're setting up our editor. We're using useEditor from @tiptap/react, including StarterKit for basic functionality, and adding extensions for bold, italic, and underline. Crucially, we're also adding our TestNode to the extensions list. The editor setup seems straightforward, but it's worth noting that we're explicitly including the Bold, Italic, and Underline extensions. This might be contributing to the issue, as these extensions could be overriding or bypassing the mark restrictions defined in the TestNode. It's possible that Tiptap's mark handling mechanism prioritizes extensions over node-specific configurations. Another factor to consider is the order in which extensions are added to the editor. The order might influence how marks are applied and resolved. To further investigate this, we could try removing the Italic and Underline extensions and see if that resolves the issue. If it does, it would suggest that the problem lies in the interaction between the extensions and the node's mark restrictions. By systematically testing different configurations, we can narrow down the possible causes and identify the specific element that's responsible for the unexpected behavior.

Expected Behavior

Let's be crystal clear about what we expect to happen. When we configure a node with marks: 'bold', only bold marks should be allowed, period! No italics, no underlines, no strikethroughs – just bold. This expectation is based on the fundamental principle of schema enforcement in rich text editors. The schema defines the rules and constraints for the content, and the editor should adhere to these rules strictly. When a node is configured with specific mark restrictions, the editor should prevent the application of any marks that are not explicitly allowed. This ensures consistency, predictability, and control over the formatting of the content. Deviations from this expected behavior can lead to a degraded user experience and make it difficult to maintain a consistent visual style across the document. Therefore, it's essential to have a clear understanding of the expected behavior and to identify any discrepancies between the expected behavior and the actual behavior. In this case, the expected behavior is that the marks: 'bold' configuration should effectively limit the allowed marks on the TestNode to bold only. Any violation of this expectation indicates a bug or a misconfiguration that needs to be addressed.

This restriction should apply across the board, whether we're using keyboard shortcuts, toolbar commands, or programmatic commands. It's about enforcing the schema, not just patching up one input method. The goal is to create a consistent and reliable editing experience, regardless of how the user interacts with the editor. If the restriction is only enforced for certain input methods, it can lead to confusion and frustration. For example, if a user can apply italics using a keyboard shortcut but not through the toolbar, they might perceive the editor as buggy or unpredictable. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure that the mark restrictions are enforced uniformly across all possible interaction channels. This requires a comprehensive approach to fixing the issue, one that addresses the underlying mechanism responsible for mark application and ensures that the schema is respected in all scenarios. By striving for consistency, we can build a more robust and user-friendly rich text editor.

Possible Culprits and Workarounds

Okay, so we know what's supposed to happen, and we know it's not happening. Let's brainstorm some potential reasons and explore possible workarounds. This is where we put on our detective hats and try to piece together the clues. We'll consider various factors that might be contributing to the issue, such as the interaction between the node's schema, the React NodeViewRenderer, and Tiptap's mark handling mechanisms. We'll also explore potential solutions or workarounds that might help us achieve the desired behavior in the meantime. This brainstorming process is crucial for developing a comprehensive understanding of the problem and for identifying the most effective way to address it. We'll draw on our knowledge of Tiptap's architecture and our understanding of the code snippets we've examined to formulate hypotheses and test them. By systematically exploring different possibilities, we can increase our chances of finding the root cause and developing a robust solution. So, let's put our thinking caps on and start brainstorming!

1. Schema Enforcement Glitch

Maybe Tiptap's schema enforcement isn't quite as strict as we thought, especially when it comes to atomic nodes and ReactNodeViewRenderer. It's possible that the schema validation process is overlooking the mark restrictions defined for these specific types of nodes. This could be due to a bug in Tiptap's core logic or a misunderstanding of how the schema is intended to be used with React NodeViews. To investigate this further, we could try creating a simplified test case that isolates the schema enforcement mechanism and see if it behaves as expected. If the simplified test case works correctly, it would suggest that the issue is specific to the interaction between the schema and the React NodeViewRenderer. Alternatively, we could consult Tiptap's documentation and community forums to see if there are any known issues or best practices related to schema enforcement and custom nodes. By gathering more information and conducting targeted tests, we can narrow down the possible causes and determine whether a schema enforcement glitch is indeed the culprit.

Workaround

We could try manually intercepting commands and preventing the application of disallowed marks. It's not ideal, but it might give us more control. This workaround would involve implementing custom logic to check the current selection and the marks being applied and to prevent the command from executing if it violates the node's mark restrictions. While this approach can provide a temporary solution, it's important to recognize that it's not a long-term fix. Manually intercepting commands can be complex and error-prone, and it might not cover all possible scenarios. For example, it might not prevent marks from being applied through copy-pasting or other indirect methods. Therefore, it's crucial to view this workaround as a temporary measure and to continue investigating the underlying issue. A more robust solution would involve addressing the root cause of the problem within Tiptap's core logic or the way it interacts with React NodeViews.

2. React NodeView Shenanigans

Perhaps the ReactNodeViewRenderer is somehow bypassing the schema restrictions. Maybe it's not properly integrating with Tiptap's mark handling system. This is a plausible explanation, as React NodeViews introduce an additional layer of complexity to the rendering process. It's possible that the interaction between Tiptap's core logic and the React rendering engine is not seamless, leading to inconsistencies in mark application. To investigate this further, we could try replacing the React NodeView with a simpler, non-React-based NodeView and see if the issue persists. If the issue disappears, it would strongly suggest that the ReactNodeViewRenderer is indeed the culprit. Alternatively, we could examine the source code of the ReactNodeViewRenderer to understand how it interacts with Tiptap's mark handling system. By gaining a deeper understanding of the rendering process, we can identify potential areas where the mark restrictions might be getting bypassed.

Workaround

We could try a different rendering approach, maybe using a custom NodeView without React. It might be a step back in terms of flexibility, but if it fixes the issue, it's worth considering. This workaround would involve creating a custom NodeView class that doesn't rely on React for rendering. Instead, it would directly manipulate the DOM to display the node's content. While this approach can be effective in resolving the mark enforcement issue, it comes with certain trade-offs. Custom NodeViews can be more complex to implement and maintain than React NodeViews, and they might not offer the same level of flexibility and performance. However, if the primary goal is to ensure that mark restrictions are properly enforced, using a custom NodeView might be a worthwhile compromise. It's important to weigh the pros and cons of each approach and choose the one that best fits the specific needs of the project. In some cases, a hybrid approach might be the most suitable solution, where a custom NodeView is used for nodes with strict mark restrictions, while React NodeViews are used for other nodes.

3. Extension Overlap

Could the Bold, Italic, and Underline extensions be interfering with our node's mark restrictions? Maybe they're too aggressive in applying marks, overriding the node-specific settings. This is a valid concern, as extensions can significantly influence the behavior of the editor. It's possible that the mark handling logic within these extensions is not fully compatible with the node's mark restrictions. To investigate this further, we could try removing the Italic and Underline extensions from the editor setup and see if the issue is resolved. If it is, it would suggest that these extensions are indeed interfering with the node's mark restrictions. Alternatively, we could examine the source code of the extensions to understand how they apply marks and whether there are any configuration options that might help us resolve the conflict. By carefully analyzing the extensions and their interactions with the node's schema, we can gain a better understanding of the problem and develop a targeted solution.

Workaround

We could try removing the conflicting extensions or customizing them to be more selective in their mark application. This workaround would involve either removing the extensions that are causing the issue or modifying their code to respect the node's mark restrictions. Customizing extensions can be a complex task, but it can also provide a fine-grained level of control over the editor's behavior. For example, we could modify the extensions to check the current selection and only apply marks if the selected node allows them. This would ensure that the extensions don't override the node-specific mark restrictions. However, it's important to note that customizing extensions can make it more difficult to upgrade to newer versions of Tiptap, as the custom code might need to be updated to be compatible with the new version. Therefore, it's crucial to carefully consider the trade-offs before choosing this approach. In some cases, it might be more appropriate to explore alternative extensions or to develop a custom extension that provides the desired functionality without interfering with the node's mark restrictions.

Minimal Reproduction Code

The provided code snippets in the original bug report offer a great starting point for reproducing the issue. By setting up a similar environment, we can confirm the bug and test potential solutions. Reproducing the issue is a crucial step in the debugging process. It allows us to isolate the problem and ensure that any proposed solutions are effective. The provided code snippets include the node definition, the React NodeView, and the editor setup, which are the key components involved in the issue. By recreating this setup, we can verify that the mark restrictions are indeed not being enforced on the TestNode. Once we can reproduce the issue consistently, we can start experimenting with different modifications and configurations to identify the root cause. This iterative process of testing and refining is essential for developing a robust solution that addresses the underlying problem. The minimal reproduction code also serves as a valuable resource for the Tiptap community, as it allows other developers to understand the issue and contribute to the solution.

Dependency Updates

It's great that the reporter has already updated all dependencies! This eliminates one potential source of the issue (outdated packages). Keeping dependencies up-to-date is a crucial practice for maintaining the stability and security of any software project. Outdated dependencies can contain bugs, security vulnerabilities, and compatibility issues that can lead to unexpected behavior. By updating dependencies, we ensure that we're using the latest versions of the libraries and frameworks we rely on, which often include bug fixes and performance improvements. In the context of this issue, updating dependencies eliminates the possibility that the mark enforcement problem is caused by a bug in an older version of Tiptap or one of its related packages. This allows us to focus our investigation on other potential causes, such as the interaction between the node's schema, the React NodeViewRenderer, and Tiptap's mark handling mechanisms. While updating dependencies is not a guaranteed solution to every problem, it's a best practice that can help prevent many issues and ensure that the project is running on a solid foundation.

Let's Crack This Nut! 🥜

This is a fascinating issue, and I'm confident we can figure it out. Let's keep digging, sharing our findings, and working together to get those marks behaving! 💪 This kind of collaborative problem-solving is what makes the open-source community so powerful. By sharing our knowledge, insights, and experiences, we can collectively overcome challenges and improve the software we use. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or observations related to this issue, please don't hesitate to share them. Even seemingly small details can be crucial in piecing together the puzzle. Remember, debugging is often an iterative process, where we try different approaches, learn from our mistakes, and gradually converge on a solution. By working together and maintaining a spirit of curiosity and persistence, we can crack this nut and ensure that custom node marks are properly enforced in Tiptap. So, let's keep the discussion going and continue our quest for a solution!