Hi everyone!
A while ago, I started a thread here asking: “How would you build block-based programming visuals in Typst/CeTZ?”.
After some experimentation and driven by my needs as a computer science teacher, I decided to take matters into my own hands. I’m excited to show you the result: blockst is now available on Universe!
It’s a package for rendering visual code blocks (Scratch style) natively in Typst. It’s still in its early stages and certainly not “pixel-perfect” yet, but it’s already fully functional and has been a lifesaver for creating my teaching materials.
What’s inside:
- Classic Block Shapes: Support for Hat, Stack, Reporter, Predicate, and Cap blocks.
- Nesting & Inputs: Easily nest blocks and define various input types.
- Styling: Flexible color and shape configurations to match different environments.
Looking for Feedback & Contributors
Since I built this primarily for my own classroom use, I’d love to get the community’s perspective to make it more versatile:
- Visual Polish: What are the most important visual tweaks needed to make it look “right”?
- Language Support: I’ve focused on Scratch-like aesthetics. Which other block languages (Snap!, MakeCode, etc.) should I include as presets?
- Future Direction: What features would make this a “must-have” for CS educators or technical writers?
Check it out here: blockst – Typst Universe
Thanks to everyone who gave me initial ideas in the original thread. I’m looking forward to seeing what you think!