> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://empty-ad9a3406.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Philosophy

> Why Blank Board exists and how it's different

## The Problem

Most productivity tools come pre-loaded with features you don't need. You fight the UI, hide panels, disable features — and still end up with a cluttered workspace.

**What if the tool started with nothing and you added only what you needed?**

## The Blank Canvas Approach

Blank Board inverts the traditional model:

| Traditional                        | Blank Board                    |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------ |
| Ship everything, let users disable | Ship nothing, let users enable |
| Features are baked in              | Features are plugins           |
| Customization = settings panels    | Customization = write code     |
| One-size-fits-all                  | Everyone's board is different  |

## Core Principles

### 1. Minimal Kernel

The entire core is \~100 lines. It boots the board, loads plugins, and provides a small API. That's it.

```javascript theme={null}
// That's basically the whole kernel:
const bus = new EventBus();
const api = createApi({ boardEl, bus, storage });
plugins.forEach(p => import(p.url).then(m => m.setup(api)));
```

### 2. No Coupling

Plugins never import each other. They communicate through the event bus:

```javascript theme={null}
// Plugin A emits
api.bus.emit('todo:added', { text: 'Buy milk' });

// Plugin B listens — no direct dependency
api.bus.on('todo:added', (data) => updateUI(data));
```

### 3. Progressive

Start with nothing. Add what you need. Your board grows with you.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Day 1">You open Blank Board. It's empty. You install a sticky note.</Step>
  <Step title="Week 1">You add a clock and a to-do list.</Step>
  <Step title="Month 1">You've got 12 plugins, a custom layout, and a workflow that fits you perfectly.</Step>
</Steps>

### 4. Portable

No build step. No Node.js required. No framework lock-in. Just open `index.html` in a browser.

### 5. Transparent

Every plugin is a readable `.js` file. You can see exactly what it does before installing it.

## Inspiration

Blank Board draws from:

* **Unix philosophy** — small tools that do one thing well
* **Browser extensions** — modular enhancements to a base platform
* **Physical cork boards** — blank space you fill with what matters to you

## The Name

**Empty** — because that's the starting point. What you build on it is entirely up to you.