Fixing Foundry VTT's `<code>` Display Block Issue: A Guide

Hey there, fellow Foundry VTT enthusiasts! Have you ever run into a snag where the <code> element in your HTML code within Foundry VTT behaves a little... unexpectedly? Well, you're not alone! Today, we're diving deep into a peculiar issue that has been reported by one of our community members, manaflower, where the <code> element is unexpectedly rendered as a block-level element, thanks to some CSS wizardry within Foundry VTT's foundry2.css file. Let's break down what's happening and how it impacts your experience.

The Core of the Matter: <code> and display: block

At its core, the problem revolves around how the <code> HTML element is styled in Foundry VTT. In standard HTML, the <code> element is an inline element. This means it's designed to flow with the text, appearing within a line of content without breaking it. You'd use it to showcase snippets of code, like variable names, function calls, or short code fragments.

However, in Foundry VTT's foundry2.css, a rule is applied that gives <code> the display: block property. This simple declaration completely changes the game! display: block forces an element to take up the full width available, effectively creating a new 'block' on the page. This means the <code> element will now appear on its own line, pushing any subsequent content below it. This behavior is a departure from standard HTML and can be a bit of a headache if you're trying to format code snippets within your content seamlessly.

Why is this happening, and why is it a problem? Well, it's likely an intentional design choice within Foundry VTT. The developers may have decided that, for their specific use cases within the virtual tabletop environment, block-level rendering of code snippets offers some advantage, like better readability or easier styling. However, as manaflower points out, it can be quite disruptive if you're expecting standard inline behavior. If you're trying to incorporate inline code snippets into your descriptions, journal entries, or module documentation, the display: block style will break your formatting, making your text look clunky and disjointed.

The Implications: The most significant implication is the loss of inline formatting control. Imagine you're writing a guide and want to highlight a specific code variable or function name within a sentence. With display: block, that highlighted code snippet will appear on its own line, interrupting the flow of your text. This can lead to a less polished, less readable presentation of information. Furthermore, if you're a module developer, you might encounter layout issues within your module's documentation or user interface. Any code snippets you include in your descriptions might not render as you intended, potentially leading to a frustrating user experience. It's important to understand that it affects not only the core Foundry VTT features but also the modules that extend its functionality.

Disabling Modules and Identifying the Root Cause

When troubleshooting a bug, a systematic approach is crucial. As manaflower notes, the issue persists regardless of the modules enabled. Disabling modules is a standard first step in debugging. The fact that the issue remains even with all modules disabled strongly suggests that the problematic CSS rule is part of Foundry VTT's core stylesheet (foundry2.css). This makes sense, as the core functionality of the application and its default styles would be the most likely source of such a global style declaration.

To confirm this, you could inspect the HTML and CSS in your browser's developer tools (usually accessed by right-clicking on an element and selecting "Inspect" or "Inspect Element"). Look for the <code> element within the Foundry VTT interface, and you should see the display: block property applied. The developer tools will also show you where this style is being declared (in this case, likely within foundry2.css).

Addressing the Issue: Solutions and Workarounds

So, how do we get around this display: block situation and regain control over our inline code snippets? Fortunately, there are a few options:

Overriding the CSS with Custom Styles

The most straightforward solution is to override the problematic CSS rule with a custom style. You can do this in a few ways:

• Using a Module with Custom CSS: Many Foundry VTT modules allow you to add custom CSS to your game. If you're already using a module that provides this feature, it's the easiest approach. Simply add a CSS rule to override the default style:

  code {
      display: inline; /* or display: inline-block; if you need some block-level properties */
  }
  

• Creating a Custom Module: If you don't have a module that offers custom CSS, you can create a simple module just for this purpose. This is a good way to keep your custom styles organized and separate from the core game files.

  1. Create a new folder in your Foundry VTT modules directory.

  2. Inside that folder, create a module.json file. This file describes your module to Foundry VTT. A basic module.json might look like this:

     {
       "name": "custom-code-fix",
       "title": "Custom Code Fix",
       "version": "1.0.0",
       "description": "Fixes the display: block issue for code elements.",
       "author": "Your Name",
       "manifest": "",
       "url": "",
       "download": "",
       "css": ["styles.css"]
     }
     

  3. Create a styles.css file in the same folder and add your CSS override:

     code {
       display: inline;
     }
     

  4. Enable your custom module in your Foundry VTT game settings.

• Using the Foundry VTT Client's Custom CSS: Foundry VTT itself offers a way to add custom CSS, specifically via the "Client" settings tab. This is a simple and direct way to get the job done. Open the settings, go to "Client", and then find the text area to add your custom CSS. Add the same CSS rule as above.

Using Inline HTML and Alternatives

Another workaround involves using inline HTML elements or alternative elements for displaying code snippets. Consider using elements like <span> or <b> with custom CSS styling to achieve the desired look and feel. While this approach requires some extra markup, it gives you more control over the rendering.

• Using <span>: You can use a <span> element with a specific class to wrap your code snippet and style it inline. This approach can give you finer control, especially if you want to apply different styles to various code snippets.

  <span class="code-snippet">let x = 10;</span>
  

  Then, define the code-snippet class in your custom CSS:

  .code-snippet {
      font-family: monospace;
      background-color: #f0f0f0;
      padding: 2px 4px;
      border-radius: 3px;
  }
  

• Using <b> or <i>: For simpler highlighting, you can use <b> or <i> tags to bold or italicize the code snippets. However, keep in mind that these tags primarily convey semantic meaning, not code syntax. It's more appropriate to use these tags if you wish to emphasize important parts of the code rather than displaying code fragments.

Testing and Considerations

Before you implement any of these solutions, it's a good idea to test them thoroughly. Create a test page or journal entry in your Foundry VTT world and add a variety of code snippets using different approaches. Check how they render in different contexts, such as in descriptions, chat messages, and module documentation.

• Compatibility: Be mindful that if you're using a module that also styles the <code> element, you might need to adjust your custom CSS to ensure it overrides the module's styles.
• Future Updates: Foundry VTT updates might change the CSS rules. Keep an eye on the release notes and update your custom CSS if necessary to ensure it continues to work correctly.
• Impact on Other Modules: If you use a module that relies heavily on the default display: block behavior of the <code> element, overriding it could affect that module's functionality. Make sure to test your changes with any relevant modules enabled.

In Conclusion

So, guys, the display: block issue with the <code> element in Foundry VTT is a minor inconvenience, but it's definitely something you can overcome with a few CSS tweaks. Whether you prefer overriding the style with custom CSS or using alternative elements, the goal is to ensure your code snippets render as intended, maintaining readability and a professional presentation within your Foundry VTT world. Remember to thoroughly test your solutions and take into account any potential compatibility issues with other modules. Happy coding and happy gaming!