#Blocks System - Complete Overview Ready ✅

#Documentation Created

I've thoroughly explored the multi-store blocks system and created comprehensive documentation. Here's what you now have:

#📚 Documentation Files Created

BLOCKS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md (Main Reference)
- Complete blocks architecture overview
- How blocks are structured (config + component)
- 4 real-world block examples
- How blocks are added to collections
- Block categories and registry
- Best practices and troubleshooting
BLOCKS_CREATION_CHECKLIST.md (Implementation Guide)
- 8-phase creation workflow
- Phase 1: Planning
- Phase 2: File creation
- Phase 3: Registration
- Phase 4: Collection integration
- Phase 5: TypeScript verification
- Phase 6: Testing
- Phase 7: Documentation
- Phase 8: Final review
BLOCKS_QUICK_REFERENCE.md (Visual Guide)
- Block anatomy diagram
- File structure visualization
- Block registration flow
- Configuration options reference
- Field type reference
- Collections using blocks diagram
- Component structure template
- Common mistake patterns with fixes
BLOCKS_EXAMPLES.md (Copy-Paste Ready)
- 4 complete, production-ready block examples:
  1. Banner Block - Simple (select + rich text)
  2. Carousel Block - With arrays (repeating slides)
  3. Pricing Table - Complex (groups + conditionals)
  4. Shop Hero - Shop-specific (conditional fields)

#System Architecture Summary

#The Blocks Pattern

Block Config (defines data shape)
         ↓
Payload Admin UI (editor interface)
         ↓
Database (stores block data)
         ↓
API (returns block data)
         ↓
RenderBlocks (maps type → component)
         ↓
React Component (renders HTML)

#Key Files in the System

apps/multi-store/src/
├── blocks/                    # All block definitions
│   ├── RenderBlocks.tsx      # Dynamic component router
│   ├── CallToAction/
│   ├── Banner/
│   ├── ShopBlocks/           # Shop-specific blocks
│   │   ├── ShopHero/
│   │   ├── ShopFilters/
│   │   ├── ShopProductGrid/
│   │   └── ShopSearch/
│   ├── ProductBlocks/        # Product-specific blocks
│   └── [30+ more blocks]
│
├── collections/
│   ├── contentTabField.ts    # Shared content blocks (Pages + Products)
│   ├── Pages/
│   │   └── config.ts         # Uses contentTabField
│   └── Products/
│       └── config.ts         # Uses contentTabField
│
└── globals/
    └── Shop/
        └── config.ts         # Custom shop blocks

#Block Structure (Every Block)

MyBlock/
├── config.ts
│   └── export const MyBlock: Block = {
│       slug: "my-block"              ← Unique ID
│       interfaceName: "Props"        ← Type name
│       fields: [/* data schema */]   ← What editor inputs
│     }
│
└── Component.tsx
    └── export const MyBlockComponent = (props) => {
        return <html>...</html>
      }

#Collections Using Blocks

1. Pages Collection

Content Tab: Uses contentTabField
- All general-purpose blocks available
- Editors build custom page layouts
Overlays Tab: Specialized overlay blocks only

2. Shop Global (Settings)

Shop Home Tab: Shop-specific blocks only
- ShopHero, ShopFilters, ShopProductGrid, ShopSearch
Product Pages Tab: Product-specific blocks only
- ProductDetails, ProductGallery, RelatedProducts

3. Products Collection

Content Tab: Uses contentTabField
- General blocks + product-specific blocks

#Block Categories Available

Category	Blocks	Purpose
Content	Banner, CTA, Content, Hero variants	Text & rich content
Layout	Carousel, Grid, Features, Pricing	Structured layouts
Shop	ShopHero, Filters, ProductGrid, Search	E-commerce specific
Products	Details, Gallery, RichText, Related	Product pages
Overlays	Cookie, Offer, AIChatOverlay, Timer	Modal/floating content
Shared	20+ from @repo/payload-blocks	Reusable across projects

#How to Create a Block

#Your Role:

Tell me the block details (name, purpose, fields, collections)
Describe what it should do

#I'll Handle:

✅ Create config.ts with all fields
✅ Create Component.tsx with rendering logic
✅ Register in RenderBlocks.tsx
✅ Add to collections
✅ Run lint/format/gen
✅ Verify TypeScript compiles

#You'll Do:

✅ Test in Payload admin
✅ Check rendering on frontend
✅ Iterate on design/functionality

#When You're Ready to Create

Just tell me:

Block Name: ________
Purpose: ________
Fields needed: ________
Collections: Pages / Shop / Products / Custom
Special features: ________

Example:

Block Name: Testimonials Grid
Purpose: Display customer testimonials in a grid layout
Fields: title, testimonials (array with author/text/rating), columns (2/3/4)
Collections: Pages
Special features: Star rating display, conditional columns based on screen size

Then I'll create the complete implementation! 🚀

Getting Started? → Read BLOCKS_QUICK_REFERENCE.md
Understanding the System? → Read BLOCKS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md
Creating a Block? → Use BLOCKS_EXAMPLES.md and follow BLOCKS_CREATION_CHECKLIST.md
Need Copy-Paste Examples? → Check BLOCKS_EXAMPLES.md

#Key Concepts to Remember

#1. Two Files Per Block

Every block has exactly:

config.ts - Defines the shape (what data it stores)
Component.tsx - Renders the HTML

#2. Unique Slug

The slug in config becomes the key in blockComponents:

export const MyBlock: Block = {
  slug: "my-block",  // ← This becomes the key
}

// Maps to:
const blockComponents = {
  "my-block": MyBlockComponent,  // ← Slug as key
}

#3. Collections Register Blocks

Collections say "these blocks are available here":

// In Pages collection:
blocks: [Block1, Block2, Block3]  // ← Blocks available for pages

// In Shop Global:
blocks: [ShopBlock1, ShopBlock2]  // ← Different blocks for shop

#4. RenderBlocks Routes Dynamically

When rendering a page:

const blockType = "my-block"  // From database
const Component = blockComponents[blockType]  // Look up component
<Component {...blockData} />  // Render it

#5. Types Generated Automatically

After creating a block:

bun run gen
# → Generates MyBlockProps interface in payload-types.ts
# → Use it: interface MyBlockComponentProps extends MyBlockProps { }

#Documentation Structure

docs/dev/
├── BLOCKS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md        ← Comprehensive reference (read first)
├── BLOCKS_QUICK_REFERENCE.md     ← Visual diagrams & quick lookup
├── BLOCKS_CREATION_CHECKLIST.md  ← Step-by-step implementation guide
└── BLOCKS_EXAMPLES.md            ← Copy-paste ready examples

#System Status: Ready ✅

The blocks system is:

✅ Well-documented with 4 comprehensive guides
✅ 30+ existing blocks to learn from
✅ Clear patterns established
✅ Integration points identified
✅ Examples provided for each pattern

#Next: Tell Me What Block to Create!

I've done the research and documentation. I'm ready to create blocks whenever you tell me what you need.

Just give me:

Block name
What it displays
What fields it needs
Where it goes
Any special behavior

Let's build! 🚀