Bubble.io is a powerful no-code platform, but even the most robust tools have limitations. If you’ve ever felt constrained by Bubble’s built-in capabilities, integrating JavaScript into your app can unlock endless possibilities.

That said, writing JavaScript directly in the Bubble editor can be a less-than-ideal experience. Without features like syntax highlighting, debugging tools, Bubble's quirky editor, or an organised workspace, developing custom functionality can quickly become frustrating.

The solution? External JavaScript files. By moving your JavaScript development out of Bubble’s editor and into an external workflow, you can gain flexibility, efficiency, and maintainability.

1. Why Use External JavaScript Files?

Instead of writing JavaScript directly in Bubble’s editor, you can create and manage your code in external files. This approach provides several advantages:

• Better Coding Experience: Tools like VS Code offer syntax highlighting, auto-completion, and integrated debugging.

• Organised Codebase: Keep JavaScript, CSS, and HTML separated into reusable, linked files for better project management.

• Streamlined Development: Test and deploy changes without needing to tinker with Bubble’s editor every time.

2. Organizing Your Code in External Files

For a recent project, we used external files to create a dynamic product image gallery using Swiper.js. Here’s how we structured the project:

• HTML for Structure: The gallery's HTML container was embedded directly on the Bubble page.

• CSS for Styling: We stored custom styles in an external CSS file to keep the visual elements distinct and reusable.

• JavaScript for Functionality: All dynamic behaviour, including initialising Swiper.js, was written in an external JavaScript file.

Why It Works:
By splitting the structure (HTML), styling (CSS), and functionality (JavaScript), you can test and refine each component independently. This modular approach also makes debugging easier and ensures smoother deployment.

3. Version Control with Git

Using external files also means you can leverage Git for version control.

Benefits:

• Track changes and collaborate with your team effectively.

• Roll back to previous versions when needed, minimising the risk of breaking your app.

With Git, your external JavaScript files become part of a professional-grade workflow, even within a no-code environment.

4. Reusability Across Projects

One of the greatest advantages of external JavaScript files is their reusability. Once you’ve developed a script, you can use it across multiple projects with minimal changes.

For example:
If you’ve created a custom gallery or a pricing calculator, you don’t need to rewrite or rely on third-party plugins. Simply link the external files to your new project, and you’re good to go.

5. Integrating with Bubble Workflows

To bring everything together, you can use Bubble’s Run JavaScript action to initialize your external scripts.

Example:
For our Swiper.js gallery:

• We used a Bubble workflow to load and pass images to the gallery.

• The JavaScript file then initialized Swiper.js, creating a seamless user experience without embedding Bubble-specific code into the script.

This method ensures your external JavaScript remains modular and easy to maintain.

Pro Tips for Working with External JavaScript Files

1. Print the Version Number to the Console:
   Always include a version number in your script and print it to the browser’s console when the file loads. Example:

   console.log("Gallery Script Version: 1.44");

   This makes debugging easier by ensuring you’re working with the correct version of the file.

2. Cache Busting:
   To ensure Bubble loads the latest version of your script, add a cache-busting parameter to the file’s URL. Example:

   Updating the version number forces the browser to fetch the newest file instead of using a cached copy.

Why Use External JavaScript Files in Bubble?

By taking your JavaScript development outside Bubble’s editor, you gain:

• Improved Maintainability: Separate files make it easier to manage and update your codebase.

• Enhanced Reusability: Scripts can be linked across multiple projects, saving time and effort.

• Professional Tools: Leverage modern development tools like VS Code, Git, and debugging extensions for a smoother workflow.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re building a product gallery, a pricing calculator, or other advanced features, working with external JavaScript files can take your Bubble apps to the next level. It’s a simple yet powerful way to extend Bubble’s functionality while improving your development process.

Are you ready to supercharge your Bubble app with external JavaScript? Please contact me to learn more.