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JavaFX 25: Preview JavaFX controls in the title bar

JavaFX 25: Title Bar Controls & CSS Styling Updates

New in JavaFX 25: Preview feature lets you place controls in the title bar

Hello everyone! This is Jon. Today, I'll be talking about JavaFX 25, the latest version of JavaFX, a popular framework for developing desktop applications using Java. This version adds an interesting preview feature: the ability to place JavaFX controls in window title bars. JavaFX is a tool that makes it easy to create graphical user interfaces (UIs), and even beginners can easily handle elements like animations and buttons. First, let me give you an overview of these new features in an easy-to-understand way.

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What is JavaFX? A basic review for beginners

JavaFX is a Java library provided by Oracle, primarily designed for creating UIs for desktop applications. For example, you can create screens that are easy for users to operate by placing buttons, text fields, graphs, and more. Its appeal is that it is relatively easy to use if you have knowledge of Java programming. It is released as open source and can be used with the JDK (Java Development Kit).

JavaFX has a long history, with new features being added with each new version. For example, past versions were notable for their mobile compatibility and enhanced WebView. The JavaFX 25 we'll be looking at here is the latest version, released on September 23, 2025, and is compatible with JDK 23 and later. The official website, OpenJFX.io, also states that it is available as a free download.

By the way, beginners who want to create apps using JavaFX should refer to the official documentation, "Getting Started with JavaFX," which provides a tutorial that starts with a simple Hello World program.

JavaFX 25 release timing and overview

JavaFX 25 was officially announced on the Inside.java blog on September 23, 2025. This release is designed to align with Java's long-term support (LTS) version, JDK 25, and primarily focuses on performance improvements and the addition of new APIs. According to an InfoWorld article, this version is even easier to use as a platform for Java client applications.

The release notes were also shared on Reddit's r/java community, sparking lively discussion among developers. For example, the release notes posted around September 10, 2025, listed various improvements.

Preview Feature Spotlight: JavaFX Controls in the Title Bar

One of the highlight features of JavaFX 25 is a preview feature that allows you to place JavaFX controls in the window title bar (the top bar, where the window title and close button are usually located). This is called "Stage style that allows applications to place scene graph nodes in the header bar area," and is described in detail in an article in InfoWorld dated September 30, 2025.

Simply put, in previous versions of JavaFX, title bars were limited to the standard ones provided by the OS (operating system). However, with this new feature, developers can now incorporate custom buttons, menus, and even animations into the title bar. For example, this allows developers to move the application's brand logo or directly place a search bar, greatly increasing the degree of freedom in UI.

This feature is still in preview, so caution is advised when using it in production applications. A preview is a feature provided for testing before its official release, and feedback is gathered and improvements are made. Looking at developer posts on X (formerly Twitter), Bernard Traversat tweeted on September 23, 2025, praising this feature. If you would like to try it out for yourself, download the JavaFX 25 SDK and apply the new style of the Stage class.

  • Advantage 1: It makes it easier to customize the UI and create apps with modern designs.
  • Advantage 2: The scene graph (the structure of JavaFX UI elements) can be extended to the title bar, creating a sense of unity throughout the application.
  • important point: This is a preview feature and may change in future versions. Please check the official documentation for the latest information.

Other new features and improvements

JavaFX 25 includes several updates beyond the title bar feature. According to an Inside.java article dated September 23, 2025, the main updates include:

  • RichTextArea (Incubator): A component that can handle rich text (a text area where you can decorate text and insert images). The incubator is an experimental feature that aims to be officially adopted in the future.
  • CSS media features: Enhanced support for CSS allows you to change styles according to screen size and device characteristics, making it easier to achieve responsive design, a familiar style in web development, in JavaFX.
  • Additional Text/TextFlow APIs: An expanded API that allows for finer control over text layout, including custom text shape and alignment.
  • Text Layout API: This allows for more precise handling of text drawing, which is useful for multilingual apps.

These features make JavaFX a more flexible and powerful tool, and Reddit discussions were filled with comments from developers welcoming these improvements.

Ideas for linking with AI tools using JavaFX 25

If you want to utilize the UI of JavaFX, we recommend combining it with the AI ​​tools that have been popular recently. For example, the AI ​​tool Gamma can instantly create documents, slides, and websites, and is a perfect reference for the UI design of JavaFX apps. For more information on Gamma,This articleIncorporating AI-generated content into your JavaFX apps will surely make them even more engaging.

How to install JavaFX 25

To try out JavaFX 25, follow these steps:

  1. Download the SDK from OpenJFX.io (also available on Maven Central).
  2. Install JDK 23 or later.
  3. Add JavaFX modules to your project (provided in jmods format).
  4. Test new features with sample code. The Getting Started guide in the official documentation is helpful.

If you're a beginner, a good place to start is to create a simple window and experiment with customizing the title bar.

Summary: JavaFX 25 Expands UI Development Possibilities

JavaFX 25 is a version with various improvements, including an innovative preview feature that allows you to place controls on the title bar. This will give you more freedom in the design of desktop apps and stimulate the creativity of developers. If you're interested, please download the latest version and try it out.

Also, if you're interested in creating documents using AI, check out Gamma's article! What is Gamma? A new standard for instantly creating documents, slides, and websites with AI

To sum up, I think JavaFX 25 is a release that symbolizes the evolution of the Java ecosystem. Once the preview features are formalized, they will be used in more apps. Even if you're a beginner, I recommend starting with the official tutorials and experiencing the joy of technology.

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