blog post describing updates

Author: eviltester

docs-src/blog/2026-05-28-shared-schema-editor-and-method-picker.md

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+---
+slug: shared-schema-editor-and-method-picker
+title: "Shared Schema Editor and New Method Picker: Faster, Clearer Test Data Setup"
+authors: [alan]
+tags: [release, test-data, ux, schema]
+date: 2026-05-28T11:30
+---
+
+We have rolled out a major test-data editing upgrade across both the main data grid editing `app` and direct to file test data `generator`.
+
+The schema editing experience is now driven by one shared interface and a new method-picker dialog.
+
+<!-- truncate -->
+
+## What Changed
+
+### One shared schema editor
+
+Both pages now use the same schema-editing behavior for:
+
+- switching between row mode and text mode
+- row add/remove/reorder
+- text-to-row and row-to-text synchronization
+- sample schema insertion behavior
+- command picker integration
+
+Previously we had two different implementations, both prototypes, now we have refined the UI and made it consistent for both data generation approaches.
+
+### 2. New method picker dialog replacing dropdown-heavy flow
+
+Instead of relying on long dropdowns for method selection, we now use a searchable picker with:
+
+- fast filter by command, summary, params, and examples
+- partial text to filter commands so no more hunting around for the command in the category
+- curated tabs including `All`, `Core`, domain categories, `Faker`, and `Recently used`
+- a right-hand details panel with:
+  - summary
+  - schema signature
+  - `Parameter Details` (description + examples)
+  - `Parameter Types` (name/type/required)
+  - usage and return examples
+  - docs link when available
+
+### 3. Better handling of core schema types
+
+Core methods (`enum`, `literal`, `regex`) are first-class in the picker via the `Core` tab and remain available in `All`.
+
+
+## Benefits to the User
+
+### Faster setup, less scanning
+
+Searchable command selection and grouped tabs reduce time spent hunting for methods.
+
+### Fewer mistakes
+
+Richer method metadata and examples reduce guesswork around params and expected outputs.
+
+### More consistent workflows
+
+Shared controller behavior means users can switch between app and generator without relearning edge cases.
+
+## Practical Outcome
+
+If you author schemas often, day-to-day editing should now feel:
+
+- more predictable
+- easier to scan
+- less error-prone
+- more consistent across surfaces
+
+If you maintain tests, the shared behavior model should mean fewer page-specific exceptions and less brittle UI abstraction code.
+