Docs›Chat›Guides›Layout Modes

Layout Modes

@ngaf/chat ships three ready-made layout compositions. Pick the one that best fits how chat fits into your application.

ModeComponentBest for
Embedded<chat>Chat is the primary purpose of the page
Popup<chat-popup>Non-intrusive assistant overlay on any page
Sidebar<chat-sidebar>Copilot panel alongside existing app content

Embedded — <chat>

The embedded composition fills its parent container using height: 100% and a flex column layout. Use it when the chat is the main feature of a route.

When to pick this mode:

  • Chat is the whole page (e.g., a dedicated /chat route)
  • You control the container's dimensions and want the chat to fill them
  • You do not need to show app content alongside the chat simultaneously
import { Component, ChangeDetectionStrategy, signal } from '@angular/core';
import { agent } from '@ngaf/langgraph';
import { ChatComponent } from '@ngaf/chat';
 
@Component({
  selector: 'app-chat-page',
  standalone: true,
  imports: [ChatComponent],
  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
  template: `
    <div style="height: 100vh;">
      <chat [agent]="chatAgent" />
    </div>
  `,
})
export class ChatPageComponent {
  protected readonly chatAgent = agent({
    assistantId: 'chat_agent',
    threadId: signal(null),
  });
}
Height is required

<chat> uses height: 100%. Give its parent an explicit height or the component will collapse to zero.

Popup — <chat-popup>

The popup composition renders a circular launcher button fixed to the bottom-right corner of the viewport. Clicking it opens a floating chat window. The window can be dismissed without losing the conversation.

When to pick this mode:

  • Chat is a secondary feature on pages that already have a purpose
  • You want minimal disruption to existing layouts
  • Support chat, help bots, or contextual assistants
import { Component, ChangeDetectionStrategy, signal } from '@angular/core';
import { agent } from '@ngaf/langgraph';
import { ChatPopupComponent } from '@ngaf/chat';
 
@Component({
  selector: 'app-root',
  standalone: true,
  imports: [ChatPopupComponent],
  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
  template: `
    <!-- your existing app content -->
    <router-outlet />
 
    <!-- chat launcher + window, position: fixed internally -->
    <chat-popup [agent]="chatAgent" />
  `,
})
export class AppComponent {
  protected readonly chatAgent = agent({
    assistantId: 'support_agent',
    threadId: signal(null),
  });
}

Programmatic control is available via template reference or two-way binding:

<!-- Open from a custom button -->
<button (click)="popup.openWindow()">Ask AI</button>
<chat-popup [agent]="chatAgent" #popup />
 
<!-- Two-way binding -->
<chat-popup [agent]="chatAgent" [(open)]="chatIsOpen" />

Sidebar — <chat-sidebar>

The sidebar composition renders a slide-in panel anchored to the right edge. It supports two modes: overlay (default) and push-content. In push-content mode, your projected app content is shifted left rather than covered.

When to pick this mode:

  • Copilot experience where the user references the app while chatting
  • You want both the chat and the app content visible at the same time
  • Dashboards, editors, or data-heavy pages where context matters
import { Component, ChangeDetectionStrategy, signal } from '@angular/core';
import { agent } from '@ngaf/langgraph';
import { ChatSidebarComponent } from '@ngaf/chat';
 
@Component({
  selector: 'app-shell',
  standalone: true,
  imports: [ChatSidebarComponent],
  changeDetection: ChangeDetectionStrategy.OnPush,
  template: `
    <chat-sidebar [agent]="chatAgent" [pushContent]="true">
      <!-- app content is projected here and shifts when sidebar opens -->
      <main>
        <router-outlet />
      </main>
    </chat-sidebar>
  `,
})
export class AppShellComponent {
  protected readonly chatAgent = agent({
    assistantId: 'copilot_agent',
    threadId: signal(null),
  });
}

Toggle the sidebar from a nav button:

<nav>
  <button (click)="sidebar.toggle()">
    Chat
  </button>
</nav>
 
<chat-sidebar [agent]="chatAgent" #sidebar>
  <main><router-outlet /></main>
</chat-sidebar>

Choosing a Mode

QuestionAnswer
Is chat the whole page?Use <chat>
Should chat be invisible until needed?Use <chat-popup>
Should chat and app content coexist?Use <chat-sidebar>
Should the sidebar push content aside?Use <chat-sidebar [pushContent]="true">

All three compositions share the same --ngaf-chat-* token system. See Theming to customize colors, shapes, and typography across all modes at once.

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