Clay is a UI layout library written in C, and this video gives a high level explanation of how the flexbox-like layout algorithm in Clay works.

The library can be found at https://github.com/nicbarker/clay

If you're not familiar with Clay, a detailed introductory video can be found here:
https://youtu.be/DYWTw19_8r4

If you would like to learn a bit more about how trees are implemented, see this video:
https://youtu.be/KwBuV7YZido

The paper on constraint solvers: https://arxiv.org/pdf/1401.1031

Facebook's "Yoga" layout library which was mentioned: https://github.com/facebook/yoga

Szymon Omieciński

HTMX

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Clay is an open-source UI layout library that adapts to changes in screen size or content. Its core layout algorithm consists of just three functions and around 800 lines of code, making it simpler than many expect. By using concepts such as tree structures and understanding the relationships between elements and containers, Clay simplifies UI layout while avoiding common pitfalls. This guide explains the step-by-step process of organizing and rendering UI elements, managing sizing and positioning, handling dynamic content, and text wrapping, ultimately empowering developers to create flexible and robust interfaces.

How Clay's UI Layout Algorithm Works