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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'