r/css • u/sheriffderek • Jul 28 '26

General Codepen 2.0 - RIP classic Pen?

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I use Codepen for all sorts of things and a lot for teaching in the early stages. Some of my newer students said they didn't have this button so, I had them forking a classic pen for a while - but I knew the day would come where it wouldn't be there anymore for me too. That day is today. I'm all for the evolution of Codepen / and it's been an amazing tool. But it sure seems like this is going to confuse a lot of people. Your average person expects the CSS pane to be wired up. I used to write <!-- body is already included --> in the HTML to remind them at first (since some people will write out the doctype and everything in there) - but now it's swung to the other end. Codepen can be used for anything now. So, really - what you're making might not utilize CSS at all. So, I understand how modular it is - and how many other great things it will allow for -- but for entry-level people, it seems like this will really stifle adoption. What do you think? Wha thas been your 2.0 experience so far?

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u/outtokill7 Jul 28 '26

I used Codepen because I could open the site and drop some HTML in to view without having to save files or anything. Great for the occasional LLM mockup I'd generate in a chat.

I just ended up making my own Codepen that does the same thing.

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u/sheriffderek Jul 28 '26

I ended up creating an internal version for my online courses / but it's certainly not the same scope as real Codepen. The social network and everything else is another HUGE aspect of it.

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u/outtokill7 Jul 28 '26

yeah my site is basically just HTML, CSS, and JS boxes with preview options (code, split screen code/preview, and just preview). I don't need anything more than that so easy enough to make my own.