
# Designer Recommendations & Security Adjustments

## Recommended Implementation Order
1. Store layouts in the database with strict validation *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
2. Sanitize all HTML inputs and restrict allowed tags *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
3. Validate URLs and restrict external content loading *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
4. Use CSRF tokens for all AJAX requests *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
5. Implement role-based access control for layout editing/export *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
6. Use plain JavaScript for drag-and-drop to maximize speed and minimize dependencies *(Effort: Medium, 2-3 days)*
7. Add keyboard shortcuts for rapid layout editing *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
8. Provide API endpoints for layout management *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
9. Allow integration with other NGauge modules via events *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
10. Support snapping, alignment guides, and grid overlays *(Effort: Medium, 2 days)*
11. Allow template import/export for layout reuse *(Effort: Medium, 1-2 days)*
12. Support custom fonts and branding *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
13. Provide real-time PDF preview using chrome-php *(Effort: High, 3-5 days)*
14. Cache PDF previews for frequently used layouts *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
15. Run chrome-php in a sandboxed environment to prevent code injection *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
16. Log all export actions for auditability *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
17. Use async/synchronous AJAX for fast UI updates *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
18. Minimize DOM reflows and optimize JS event handling *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
19. Add unit and integration tests for layout storage and export *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
20. Perform security audits and penetration testing *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*

## UI/UX Improvements
- Use plain JavaScript for drag-and-drop to maximize speed and minimize dependencies. *(Effort: Medium, 2-3 days)*
- Add keyboard shortcuts for rapid layout editing. *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
- Provide real-time PDF preview using chrome-php. *(Effort: High, 3-5 days)*
- Allow template import/export for layout reuse. *(Effort: Medium, 1-2 days)*
- Support snapping, alignment guides, and grid overlays. *(Effort: Medium, 2 days)*

## Security Adjustments
- Sanitize all HTML inputs and restrict allowed tags. *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
- Validate URLs and restrict external content loading. *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
- Use CSRF tokens for all AJAX requests. *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
- Implement role-based access control for layout editing/export. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
- Store layouts in the database with strict validation. *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
- Run chrome-php in a sandboxed environment to prevent code injection. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
- Log all export actions for auditability. *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*

## Performance Enhancements
- Cache PDF previews for frequently used layouts. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
- Use async/synchronous AJAX for fast UI updates. *(Effort: Low, 0.5 day)*
- Minimize DOM reflows and optimize JS event handling. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*

## Extensibility
- Provide API endpoints for layout management. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
- Allow integration with other NGauge modules via events. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
- Support custom fonts and branding. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*

## Testing
- Add unit and integration tests for layout storage and export. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
- Perform security audits and penetration testing. *(Effort: Medium, 1 day)*
