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wtf is virtual-raf?

yoshuawuyts/virtual-raf — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-18 · repo last pushed 2016-01-21

★ 19JavaScriptAudience · developerComplexity · 2/5DormantSetup · easy

TL;DR

A lightweight JavaScript library that syncs virtual-dom UI updates with the browser's requestAnimationFrame loop for smooth, efficient screen refreshes.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Sync virtual-dom updates
      Use requestAnimationFrame
      Render UI from state
      Update on data change
    Tech stack
      JavaScript
      Virtual-dom
    Use cases
      Live counters
      Real-time feeds
      Interactive dashboards
    Audience
      Frontend developers
      Single-page app builders
    API
      render method
      update method
    Notes
      Small focused tool
      Pairs with virtual-dom

Code map

Detail Auto

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filefunction / class

Why would anyone build with this?

REASON 1

Build a live counter or real-time feed that updates the DOM efficiently in sync with the browser's animation frame.

REASON 2

Wire virtual-dom to requestAnimationFrame without writing that coordination logic yourself.

REASON 3

Add smooth, performance-friendly updates to an interactive dashboard that changes data frequently.

What's in the stack?

JavaScript

How it stacks up

yoshuawuyts/virtual-rafaburousan/typsteditordeedy/glacial-valley
Stars191919
LanguageJavaScriptJavaScriptJavaScript
Last pushed2016-01-21——
MaintenanceDormant——
Setup difficultyeasymoderateeasy
Complexity2/53/52/5
Audiencedeveloperresearcherdeveloper

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you spin it up?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 30min

Requires the virtual-dom library alongside it, this package only handles the requestAnimationFrame coordination.

Yoink these prompts

Prompt 1
Show me how to set up virtual-raf with an initial state, a render function, and virtual-dom.
Prompt 2
Build a live counter component using virtual-raf that calls update() whenever the count changes.
Prompt 3
Explain how virtual-raf's requestAnimationFrame timing improves performance over calling virtual-dom updates directly.
Prompt 4
Help me integrate virtual-raf into an existing single-page app that already uses virtual-dom.

Frequently asked questions

wtf is virtual-raf?

A lightweight JavaScript library that syncs virtual-dom UI updates with the browser's requestAnimationFrame loop for smooth, efficient screen refreshes.

What language is virtual-raf written in?

Mainly JavaScript. The stack also includes JavaScript.

Is virtual-raf actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2016-01-21).

How hard is virtual-raf to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 30min to a first successful run.

Who is virtual-raf for?

Mainly developer.

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