Preventing loss of edits when modifying generated code in v0

 
Understanding v0-Generated Code Structure
 

• The code you see is automatically created by a tool. This means if you modify it directly, your changes may get lost when the tool regenerates the code.
• To keep your custom updates safe, you need to make your changes in separate parts of your project. This way, the auto-generated sections stay intact, and your edits are applied on top.

 
Creating a Custom Overrides File
 

• Open your code editor and add a new file. Name it something like overrides.js. This file will contain your personal changes.
• Copy the sample code below into your overrides.js file. This code acts as an example for a custom function. Feel free to change it as needed.

  
  // File: overrides.js
  export function customInitialization() {
    // Write your custom code here.
    console.log("Custom initialization executed!");
  }
      

 
Integrating the Overrides into Your Generated Code
 

• In your main auto-generated file (often named something like app.js or main.js), you need to import your custom overrides. This ensures that your edits run along with the generated code.
• Locate the section where initial code execution happens. Insert the following import and function call near the top or in the appropriate initialization section.

  
  // File: app.js (or main.js)
  import { customInitialization } from "./overrides.js";
  
  // Call your custom initialization
  customInitialization();
  // Rest of the auto-generated code follows...
      

  
  


• 
  This method ensures that your custom functions run every time alongside the generated code without being overwritten.
  

 
Handling Dependencies Without a Terminal
 

• Normally, you might install dependencies with terminal commands. However, since Lovable does not include a terminal, you can load dependencies directly in your code using a script loader.
• For example, if your project needs a library from a Content Delivery Network (CDN), add the following code snippet in your main file (such as index.js or app.js):

  
  // File: index.js
  // Dynamically load a dependency from a CDN
  function loadScript(url, callback) {
    const script = document.createElement('script');
    script.src = url;
    script.onload = callback;
    document.head.appendChild(script);
  }
  
  loadScript("https://cdn.example.com/dependency.min.js", function() {
    console.log("Dependency has been loaded successfully!");
  });
  // Continue with your custom initialization
  import { customInitialization } from "./overrides.js";
  customInitialization();
      

  
  


• 
  Replace https://cdn.example.com/dependency.min.js with the correct URL for your dependency. This snippet loads the dependency when the page runs.
  

 
Saving Your Changes Permanently
 

• Every time the auto-generated code updates, your custom files remain unchanged. Make sure that the generated code always imports your overrides overrides.js so that your edits are applied.
• By separating your custom code from the generated code, you ensure long-term retention of your changes even after updates.

 
Creating a Separate File for Manual Edits
 

• Create a new file called manual\_edits.py in the root directory of your project. This file will house all your manual changes so that automated processes in v0 do not overwrite your work.
• Insert the following code snippet into manual\_edits.py. This snippet is a template for custom functions or configurations you may add:

  
  # This file retains all manual edits.
  # Use version comments to track changes over time.
  
  def custom_feature():
      # Insert your manual logic below.
      # Version 1.0: initial manual edit
      return "Custom Feature is now active"
  def additional_custom_code():
      # Additional manual modifications can be added here.
      return "Additional code executed"
      

  
  


• 
  Save the file. Now every manual edit will be kept separate from the auto-generated sections.
  

 
Integrating Manual Edits into Your Main Code
 

• Open your main application file (for example, v0\_main.py).
• Import the functions from your manual edits file so they become part of your running application. Insert this snippet near the top of your v0\_main.py:

  
  from manual_edits import custom_feature, additional_custom_code
      

• Wherever you want to use your manual logic in the application, call these functions. For example, in your main execution block, add:

  
  def main():
      print(custom\_feature())
      print(additional_custom_code())
  
  if name == 'main':
      main()
      

  
  

 
Using Configuration Files to Toggle Manual Edits
 

• Create a configuration file called config.json in your project folder. This file can be used to enable or disable manual features as needed.
• Add the following content to config.json:

  
  {
      "enable_manual_edits": true,
      "manual_edit_module": "manual\_edits.py"
  }
      

• In your main file, add code to read config.json and decide whether to run your manual edits. Place this code snippet before initializing other parts of your app:

  
  import json
  
  with open("config.json", "r") as config_file:
      config = json.load(config_file)
  if config.get("enable_manual_edits", False):
      from manual_edits import custom_feature, additional_custom_code
  else:
      # Fallback or alternative logic when manual edits are disabled.
      def custom_feature():
          return "Default Feature"
  def additional_custom_code():
      return "Default additional code"
  </code></pre>
  
    

• This makes it transparent which parts of your code are manually maintained and allows for an easy toggle in the future.