Troubleshooting Unsaved Changes in Lovable

 
Creating the Persistence Handler
 

Create a new file named persistence.js in your Lovable project. This file will contain functions to save and load your project changes using the browser's localStorage. Since Lovable doesn’t provide a terminal, we use code to manage dependencies directly.

Paste this code into persistence.js:

// Function to save project data to local storage
function saveProject(data) {
  try {
    localStorage.setItem('lovableProject', JSON.stringify(data));
    console.log('Project saved successfully.');
  } catch (e) {
    console.error('Error saving project:', e);
  }
}

// Function to load project data from local storage
function loadProject() {
  try {
    const data = localStorage.getItem('lovableProject');
    return data ? JSON.parse(data) : null;
  } catch (e) {
    console.error('Error loading project:', e);
    return null;
  }
}

// Expose functions to the global scope (if modules are not supported)
window.saveProject = saveProject;
window.loadProject = loadProject;

 
Integrating Persistence into Your Main Code
 

In your main JavaScript file (e.g., app.js or main.js), integrate the persistence functions by ensuring that persistence.js is loaded before your main script. If your Lovable project uses script tags in an HTML file, include the following lines:

Add these script tags in your HTML file where your project is defined (for example, in index.html):

<script src="persistence.js"></script>
<script src="app.js"></script>

Then, in your main JS file, use the persistence functions. Paste the following snippet in your main JS file:

// When the page is loaded, restore saved project settings
document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
  var savedData = loadProject();
  if (savedData) {
    applyProjectSettings(savedData);
  }
});

// Function to update and save project changes
function updateProjectSettings(newSettings) {
  // Update the project with new settings
  applyProjectSettings(newSettings);
  // Persist the changes
  saveProject(newSettings);
}

// Example function to apply settings (customize this as needed)
function applyProjectSettings(settings) {
  console.log('Applying settings:', settings);
  // Insert your code here to update your project UI or data based on settings
}

 
Setting Up Automatic Saves on Change
 

To ensure that your project retains changes automatically, add event listeners on the elements or actions where changes occur. For example, if users update text in a field, use the following code in your main JS file (e.g., app.js):

// Example: Automatically save changes when a text input value is modified
var projectInput = document.getElementById('projectInput');
if (projectInput) {
  projectInput.addEventListener('change', function() {
    var newSetting = { content: projectInput.value };
    updateProjectSettings(newSetting);
  });
}

Make sure that the element with id projectInput exists in your HTML file. For example, include the following in your index.html:

<input type="text" id="projectInput" placeholder="Enter new project content" />

This setup automatically calls the updateProjectSettings function whenever the text input changes, saving the new project state.

 
Creating an Auto-Save Module
 

• Create a new file named autosave.js in your project’s root directory. This module will contain the code needed to automatically save your work.
• Add the following auto-save function to autosave.js. This function checks for unsaved changes and saves them every 30 seconds without manual intervention:

  
  function autoSave() {
    // Check if there are unsaved changes
    if (unsavedChangesExist()) {
      // Call your save function to store the changes
      saveData();
    }
  }
  
  // Auto-save every 30 seconds (30000 milliseconds)
  setInterval(autoSave, 30000);
      

  
  


• Define both unsavedChangesExist and saveData functions in the autosave.js file. For example:
  

  
  function unsavedChangesExist() {
    // Replace this with your logic to detect unsaved work
    return document.getElementById('editor').classList.contains('dirty');
  }
  
  function saveData() {
    // Replace this with how you want to save data, e.g., sending it to a server or storing locally
    let work = document.getElementById('editor').innerHTML;
    // Here you save 'work' using your preferred method
    console.log('Work saved:', work);
  }
      

  
  

 
Integrating the Auto-Save Module into Your Application
 

• Locate your main application file where your project’s HTML content is defined (for example, index.html).
• Add a script reference to include autosave.js at the end of the body section so that the auto-save functions load after the page content:

  
  <!-- Other HTML content -->
  <script src="autosave.js"></script>
      

• This inclusion ensures that the auto-save logic is available and begins working as soon as your application is ready.

 
Handling Unsaved Work When Exiting the Application
 

• To warn the user about any unsaved changes when they try to leave the page, add the following event listener in your main file (index.html) or in a dedicated JavaScript file that is loaded on startup:

  
  window.addEventListener("beforeunload", function (e) {
    if (unsavedChangesExist()) {
      // Standard message behavior; many browsers display a default message
      e.preventDefault();
      e.returnValue = "";
    }
  });
      

• This code ensures that if there are unsaved changes, the user is prompted to confirm before leaving, preventing accidental data loss.

 
Implementing Manual Save Options
 

• Add a manual save button in your application’s interface. In your HTML file (for example, index.html), create the button:

  
  <button id="saveBtn">Save Now</button>
      

• In your main JavaScript file or within autosave.js, add an event listener to this button to allow manual saving:

  
  document.getElementById('saveBtn').addEventListener('click', function() {
    // Check if there's anything to save, then execute the save function
    if (unsavedChangesExist()) {
      saveData();
      console.log('Manual save executed.');
    }
  });
      

• This gives users control, letting them save their work immediately whenever they choose.

 
Logging Save Operations for Troubleshooting
 

• Create a new file called logger.js to track save operations and any errors. This makes it easier to troubleshoot if data isn't being saved correctly.
• Add the following simple logging function to logger.js:

  
  function logEvent(message) {
    // This can be expanded to send logs to a server or store them locally
    console.log('LOG:', message);
  }
      

• Integrate logging into your save operations by calling logEvent within the saveData function in autosave.js:

  
  function saveData() {
    let work = document.getElementById('editor').innerHTML;
    // Simulate a save operation, e.g., save to local storage or send to server
    console.log('Work saved:', work);
    logEvent('Data saved at ' + new Date().toLocaleTimeString());
  }
      

• Ensure that the logger.js file is referenced in your HTML file right before the autosave.js so that the logging functionality is available:

  
  <script src="logger.js"></script>
  <script src="autosave.js"></script>