Building a Cyberpunk-Themed Azure VM Calculator Portal

Introduction

Hey everyone! Karl Li here, and today I'm excited to share with you how I built a cyberpunk-themed Azure VM calculator portal. This project was a fun blend of functionality and style, resulting in a modern web application that not only helps users find and compare Azure Virtual Machine configurations but also immerses them in a cyberpunk aesthetic.

Key Features

1. Cyberpunk UI Design

• Neon Color Scheme: I went with a cyan and purple gradient theme that really pops.
• Animated Grid Background: Added some depth with a subtle animated grid that gives that classic cyberpunk feel.
• Typography: Monospace fonts were a no-brainer for that retro-futuristic look.
• Pulse Animations: Interactive elements have a nice pulse effect to keep things lively.
• Custom-Styled Forms: Form components got a neon touch to keep everything consistent.

2. VM Search Functionality

The portal has a slick search interface:

• Cyberpunk-Styled Search Bar: Because why not make searching look cool?
• Region Selector: Users can pick from common Azure regions.
• Pre-Configured VM Recommendations:
  • Web App Configuration
  • Data Processing Setup
  • AI Workload Configuration

3. Interactive Results Display

Check out the results table:

• VM Config Names: Easy to read and understand.
• Hardware Specs: CPU, memory, performance metrics—all laid out neatly.
• Regional Availability: See where your VM is available.
• Pricing: Displayed in USD, so you know what you're getting into.

4. Loading States

No more boring loaders:

• Skeleton Animations: Placeholder loading states that look futuristic.
• Pulse Effects: During data fetching, things pulse to keep you engaged.
• Cyberpunk-Styled Loaders: Because even loading should have style.

5. Error Handling

User-friendly error messages:

• Styled Error States: Maintains the theme, even when things go wrong.
• Clear Feedback: Let users know when a search fails and how to recover.

Technical Implementation

Frontend Components

// Main search component structure
<div className="space-y-6 relative">
  <Popover>
    <SearchInput />
    <PopularSearches />
  </Popover>
  <RegionSelector />
  <SearchButton />
</div>

Styling Approach

• Tailwind CSS: Responsive design made easy.
• Custom Animations: Added those cyberpunk effects.
• Gradient Overlays: For that extra depth.
• CSS Variables: Kept the color scheme consistent.

State Management

const [vms, setVMs] = useState([])
const [isLoading, setIsLoading] = useState(false)
const [error, setError] = useState<string | null>(null)

API Integration

const handleSearch = async (search: string, region: string) => {
  // API call to fetch VM configurations
  const response = await fetch(
    `/api/azure-vms?search=${search}&region=${region}`
  )
  // Process and display results
}

User Experience Features

1. Quick Access Configurations

Pre-configured VM setups for common use cases:

• Web Applications
• Data Processing
• AI/ML Workloads

2. Interactive Search

• Real-Time Suggestions: Helps users find what they need faster.
• Region-Specific Pricing: No surprises when it comes to costs.
• Instant Results: Updates as you type.

3. Visual Feedback

• Animated Transitions: Smooth state changes.
• Loading Indicators: Clear and stylish.
• Error Messages: Intuitive and easy to understand.

Best Practices Implemented

1. Responsive Design:

   • Works on all devices, from desktops to smartphones.
   • Maintains readability no matter the screen size.

2. Performance Optimization:

   • Efficient state management for a smoother experience.
   • Optimized API calls to reduce load times.
   • Smooth animations that don’t lag.

3. Error Handling:

   • Graceful error states that don’t break the flow.
   • Clear feedback for failed searches.
   • Recovery options for users.

4. Accessibility:

   • Semantic HTML for better accessibility.
   • Keyboard navigation support.
   • Screen reader compatibility.

Future Enhancements

1. Additional Features:
   • Cost Comparison Tools: Help users make informed decisions.
   • Saved Configurations: So users can come back to their favorites.
   • Export Functionality: Export results for later use.

https://azure-cal.vercel.app/

1. UI Improvements:

   • More Interactive Elements: Keep the user engaged.
   • Additional Cyberpunk Effects: Because why stop now?
   • Enhanced Animations: Make the experience even smoother.

2. Functionality Extensions:

   • More VM Types: Expand the range of options.
   • Advanced Filtering: Give users more control.
   • Custom Presets: Let users create their own configurations.

Conclusion

This Azure VM Calculator portal is a great example of how you can combine practical functionality with an engaging design. The cyberpunk theme adds a unique twist to what could have been a standard utility tool, while the focus on user experience ensures it remains both practical and efficient. I had a blast building this, and I hope it inspires you to mix a little style with your next project!

Resources

• Azure Pricing API
• Tailwind CSS Documentation
• React Documentation
• Next.js Documentation'