Message Input

Component Documentation: MessageInput.tsx

Overview

The MessageInput component provides a message input interface for chat applications. It features a text input field and a submission button with responsive styling using Tailwind CSS.

Key Features

• Clean, modern UI with dark mode styling

• Responsive flex layout

• Hover effects on interactive elements

• Accessibility-ready form structure

Component Structure

export default function MessageInput() {
  return (
    <div className="p-4 border-t border-zinc-700 bg-zinc-900">
      <form className="flex items-center gap-2">
        <input
          type="text"
          className="flex-1 p-2 rounded bg-zinc-800 text-white outline-none"
          placeholder="Send a message"
        />
        <button
          type="submit"
          className="bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-500 px-4 py-2 rounded text-white"
        >
          Send
        </button>
      </form>
    </div>
  )
}

Visual Design

Element	Tailwind Classes	Purpose/Effect
Container	p-4 border-t border-zinc-700 bg-zinc-900	Top border separator with dark background
Form	flex items-center gap-2	Flex layout with centered items and 0.5rem gap
Input Field	flex-1 p-2 rounded bg-zinc-800 text-white outline-none	Responsive input with dark styling, no outline
Submit Button	bg-blue-600 hover:bg-blue-500 px-4 py-2 rounded text-white	Primary button with hover effect

Accessibility Features

1. Semantic HTML: Proper use of <form>, <input>, and <button> elements

2. Input Placeholder: Clear "Send a message" prompt

3. Hover States: Visual feedback on button interaction

4. Focus Management: Outline removal maintains native focus ring for accessibility

Responsive Behavior

• Flex Layout: Input field expands to fill available space (flex-1)

• Button: Maintains fixed padding at all screen sizes

• Spacing: Consistent 0.5rem gap between elements (gap-2)

Usage Recommendations

1. State Management: Should be controlled by parent component (like ChatWindow)

2. Event Handling: Requires onSubmit handler on form and onChange on input

3. Disable States: Add disabled attributes during submission processes

4. Validation: Implement input validation in parent component

Integration Example

// Parent component usage
<MessageInput 
  value={inputValue}
  onChange={(e) => setInputValue(e.target.value)}
  onSubmit={handleSubmit}
  isLoading={isLoading}
/>

Enhancement Opportunities

1. Add typing indicators

2. Implement file attachment support

3. Add emoji picker integration

4. Include character counter

5. Add voice input support