chained_list 0.8.2

Library for Flutter List tiles with visual connection. Provides convenient way of lists with leading 'metro-lines' widget.

chained_list

A Flutter library that simplifies building vertical lists with visually connected items, such as timelines, process trackers, or step-by-step guides.

Circles and IconData	Custom Icons	Complex lines

Supports different lines\indicator styles.

Installing

Add the following to your pubspec.yaml file:

dependencies:
  chained_list: any

Usage

The library provides a specialized "leading" widget that renders an indicator (circle/icon) with vertical connection lines.

There are two ways to implement this:

1. High-Level Tiles: Use ChainedTile or DoubleChainedTile for automatic layout.
2. Low-Level Indicator: Use ChainedIndicator directly if you need full control over placement (requires manual sizing).

ChainedTile

Use this when the line style above and below the indicator remains the same. It automatically handles hiding the top line for the first item and the bottom line for the last item.

const ChainedTile(
    final Widget child;                        // main list item content
    final int tileIndex;                       // used to draw properly the first
    final int totalCount;                      // and the last items lines
    final ChainLineStyle lineStyle;            // line styling
    final CircleIndicatorStyle? circleStyle;   // circle decoration property
    final IconIndicatorStyle? iconStyle;       // custom icon can be IconData or Widget
    this.indicatorWidth = 50.0,                // width of the leading item
);

DoubleChainedTile

Use this when you need different styles for the top and bottom lines within a single tile (e.g., a "completed" step connecting to an "in-progress" step).

class DoubleChainedTile extends StatefulWidget {
    final Widget child;                        // main list item content
    final ChainLineStyle? topLineStyle;        // separate styles for top
    final ChainLineStyle? bottomLineStyle;     // and bottom lines
    final CircleIndicatorStyle? circleStyle;   // circle decoration property
    final IconIndicatorStyle? iconStyle;       // custom icon can be IconData or Widget
    this.indicatorWidth = 50.0,                // width of the leading item
}

ChainedIndicator

Direct usage of ChainedIndicator gives more control of indicator placement and sizing. But this widget should be placed in parent widget with concrete height and width sizes.

class ChainedIndicator extends StatelessWidget {
  final double indicatorWidth;              // Horizontal size of the indicator widget
  final ChainLineStyle? topLineStyle;       // The top part of connection line
  final ChainLineStyle? bottomLineStyle;    // The bottom part of connection line
  final CircleIndicatorStyle? circleStyle;  // If set - defines circle indicator drawing style
  final IconIndicatorStyle? iconStyle;      // If set - defines custom icon style
  final double verticalOffset;              // Used for dash-pattern synchronization
}

Pro-Tip: Vertical Synchronization

The verticalOffset property is crucial for dashed lines. Since list items often have different heights, the dash pattern might "break" between tiles. Passing the cumulative height/offset ensures the dashes connect smoothly from one tile to the next.

Future plans

1. Left/Right setting
2. More styling (?)