Nomad Web is currently a faithful reproduction of the basic Notes client in a web environment. This works well for porting existing applications, but it's quite limiting when it comes to developing modern, user-focused web applications in 2025.
The current structure confines developers to the boundaries of what a Notes client application could do, which falls short of today’s standards for web usability and aesthetics. To truly empower developers and deliver visually appealing, modern experiences, Nomad Web should be extended to support contemporary front-end technologies—such as modern JavaScript frameworks, advanced CSS, and responsive UI components.
One possible idea would be to develop an additional module for Nomad Web that allows integration with modern frameworks and tools. This would give developers the flexibility to create sleek, dynamic, and user-friendly applications, while still leveraging the power of Domino on the backend.
Similarly, Nomad Mobile faces limitations due to the lack of mobile-optimized components. A look at platforms like expo.dev could offer inspiration for enabling a richer, more native-like mobile experience.
Expanding in this direction could make the Nomad suite not just a compatibility tool, but a truly modern development platform.
I’m very familiar with HCL Sandbox and the work done with Restyle, but I must emphasize that a key aspect is still missing in Nomad Web.
What’s lacking is a design approach and modular framework that truly enables interaction with the Notes DOM, allowing for features like:
Loading indicators when a user clicks a button
Custom styling for buttons
Slide or swipe effects
These are just a few examples from the vast range of possibilities offered by modern frameworks I mentioned earlier.
As it stands, NSF applications running on Nomad Web still feel like legacy applications from a UI/UX perspective.
Please take a look at the sample applications in the HCL Sandbox as there are simple ways to design applications to look good without having to resort to adding libraries that will need ongoing maintenance.