Showcase Saturday: Building an Awwwards-Level Online CSS Converter Without Frameworks — A Deep Dive into Modern Front-End Development
Hello everyone,
Today, I want to share a personal project that evolved from a simple idea into a comprehensive learning experience in front-end development. About a year ago, I discovered native CSS nesting—a powerful feature that allows CSS rules to be nested within each other, much like in preprocessors like SCSS. Surprisingly, simple CSS-to-CSS converters that leverage this feature are scarce, often requiring manual cleanup after conversion. This inspired me to create my own solution.
The Origin: From MVP to Portfolio-Grade Web App
My initial goal was straightforward: develop an uncomplicated, pure CSS converter that transforms standard CSS into nested syntax, utilizing only modern web standards without reliance on frameworks. I launched an early prototype at quickly.nestyourcss.com, but the project quickly turned into a personal challenge. I aimed to craft an online tool with aesthetic and functional qualities worthy of an award-winning website, such as those showcased on Awwwards.
Today, I’m proud to present the final version: NestYourCSS. It’s free, accessible without registration, and designed with thoughtful considerations, including ad placements that are integrated from the start with a focus on minimal disruption to UI/UX.
Technical Approach and Design Philosophy
This project is entirely front-end: built with pure HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript, complemented by the Ace Editor for a smooth code editing experience and Lenis for scrolling animations. The core nested CSS logic was written from scratch to ensure full control and understanding.
Moreover, the source code is open for review on GitHub (NestYourCSS Repository), with the design crafted in Figma (Design File). To showcase some of the CSS animations, I’ve curated demos on CodePen (CodePen Animations Collection), focusing on CSS-only effects with minimal JavaScript—initially intended for lightweight performance but later optimized further.
Challenges Encountered and Insights Gained
Throughout development, numerous hurdles emerged, but each obstacle became an invaluable learning opportunity:
- **Understanding the Role of
