How do I add keyboard navigation to a Bespoke.js presentation?

Install the official bespoke-keys plugin via npm or Bower, then include it in the plugins array when creating your deck. This adds arrow key and remote control support without additional coding.

Bespoke.js vs Reveal.js: which is better for web presentations?

Bespoke.js is more minimal and modular, ideal for custom, lightweight builds, while Reveal.js offers more built-in features like themes and transitions out of the box. Choose Bespoke.js if you value control and size; Reveal.js for quicker setup.

How to create a custom theme in Bespoke.js?

Use the official Yeoman generator for themes to scaffold a project, then modify the CSS and plugin logic. Themes are essentially plugins that inject styles, so you can leverage the event API for dynamic effects.

Does Bespoke.js support touch screens for mobile presentations?

Yes, via the bespoke-touch plugin, which adds swipe gestures for navigation. Install it as a plugin, and it works seamlessly with the core, making presentations mobile-friendly.

What plugins are essential for a basic Bespoke.js presentation?

Start with bespoke-keys for keyboard controls, bespoke-classes for deck status CSS, and a theme like bespoke-theme-cube for styling. Add bespoke-hash for URL routing if needed.

Can I use Bespoke.js without Node.js or build tools?

Yes, you can manually download the core and plugin scripts from GitHub and include them via script tags, but using the Yeoman generator and npm is recommended for easier management and deployment.

How to add animated bullet points in Bespoke.js?

Use the bespoke-bullets plugin to animate list items step-by-step. Include it in your plugins array, and it will automatically handle bullet transitions on slide activation.

bespoke.js — Minimal Presentation Library

What is bespoke.js?

Bespoke.js is a minimal, modular JavaScript framework for creating custom, interactive presentations directly in web browsers. It solves the problem of bloated presentation tools by offering a tiny core (1KB) that handles slide management, while allowing developers to add features like keyboard navigation, touch support, and themes through plugins. Unlike monolithic libraries, it lets you build exactly the presentation you need without unnecessary code.

Target Audience

Web developers and technical presenters who want full control over their presentation's look, feel, and behavior, and prefer a lightweight, code-driven approach over GUI-based tools.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Bespoke.js for its extreme minimalism and flexibility—you start with a bare-bones core and add only the plugins you need, resulting in fast, tailored presentations. Its modular design fosters a rich ecosystem of plugins and themes, making it highly extensible without sacrificing performance.

Overview

DIY Presentation Micro-Framework

Use Cases

Best For

Building lightweight, custom presentations for tech talks and conferences
Creating interactive web-based demos or tutorials with precise control
Developing presentation tools that integrate seamlessly into existing web apps
Crafting unique, branded presentation experiences without bloat
Teaching web development concepts through live-coding presentations
Prototyping presentation concepts quickly with a modular approach

Not Ideal For

Presenters wanting a drag-and-drop, no-code presentation builder like Google Slides
Projects requiring built-in rich media embedding and advanced animations without hunting for plugins
Non-technical teams who need collaborative editing or cloud synchronization features

Pros & Cons

Pros

Extremely Lightweight Core

At only 1KB minified and gzipped, the core focuses solely on slide management and events, ensuring fast load times and minimal overhead.

Modular Plugin System

All functionality beyond the core is implemented via plugins, allowing developers to add only what they need, such as keyboard controls or themes, avoiding bloat.

Flexible Markup and Integration

Works with any HTML structure and offers UMD compatibility, making it easy to integrate into various projects without rigid templating.

Rich Event API

Provides comprehensive events like activate/deactivate and interceptable interaction events, enabling fine-grained control over presentation behavior.

Active Plugin Ecosystem

Official and community plugins cover features from touch support to progress bars, fostering extensibility and customization.

Cons

Manual Setup Overhead

Requires installing and configuring multiple plugins for basic features like navigation, which can be time-consuming compared to all-in-one solutions.

Limited Out-of-the-Box Features

The core does almost nothing alone; essential functionality like keyboard controls or themes depends on separate plugins, adding complexity.

Ecosystem Fragmentation

With plugins from various authors, quality and maintenance can vary, leading to potential compatibility issues or abandoned dependencies.

Steep Learning Curve

Relies on command-line tools like Yeoman generators and npm for setup, which may be intimidating for non-developers or those new to web dev.

Open Source Alternative To

bespoke.js is an open-source alternative to the following products:

P

Prezi

PowerPoint Online

PowerPoint Online is the web-based version of Microsoft PowerPoint that allows users to create, edit, and share presentations directly in a web browser without installing desktop software.

R

Reveal.js

Reveal.js is an open-source HTML presentation framework that lets anyone create beautiful, interactive slides using web technologies.

I

Impress.js

Impress.js is a presentation framework based on CSS3 transforms and transitions that allows users to create visually engaging presentations in web browsers.

Google Slides

Google Slides is a web-based presentation program that allows users to create, edit, and collaborate on slideshows in real-time as part of Google Workspace.

bespoke.js

What is bespoke.js?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Open Source Alternative To

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?

bespoke.js

What is bespoke.js?

Overview

Use Cases

Best For

Not Ideal For

Pros & Cons

Pros

Cons

Open Source Alternative To

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Projects

Found a gem we're missing?