Custom Elements 3.0 Enhances Decoupled Drupal with Flexible API Configuration

Wolfgang Ziegler from Drunomics has shared insights into the latest updates of the Custom Elements module, Version 3, a key tool in the Lupus Decoupled Drupal stack. Custom Elements serves as a framework for rendering Drupal data into customizable frontend components, enabling seamless integration with popular frameworks like Vue.js and React. This version introduces a new UI that empowers frontend developers to control API output directly through Drupal’s configuration system, reducing the need for backend modifications and enhancing development efficiency in decoupled Drupal setups.

With its versatile rendering capabilities, the Custom Elements module allows for progressive decoupling or fully decoupled frontends by formatting Drupal data as custom elements markup. This feature simplifies the data rendering process for frontend applications and enables Drupal to act as a backend provider for custom frontend elements. Key additions in Version 3 include the "Custom Elements Display" configuration, which allows site builders to define how Drupal entities are transformed into API responses without custom coding.

The latest version of the module is fully integrated into the Lupus Decoupled Drupal distribution and can be tested in a cloud-based Gitpod demo environment. This setup allows users to experiment with the module’s new features easily, with detailed documentation available for customizing API output. Users seeking additional support or interested in community feedback are encouraged to connect via the #lupus-decoupled channel on Drupal Slack. Although Version 2.x will continue to receive maintenance support, Version 3’s configuration-based approach marks a significant advancement in the module’s capabilities, providing a more streamlined, flexible backend to support modern frontend needs.