JavaScript is still the most-used programming language in the world. Recent developer ecosystem reports show that around 60–62% of developers use JavaScript to build web pages, keeping it at the top of global usage rankings.

A 2024 developer survey from Statista also places JavaScript at the number one spot with over 60% usage among respondents.

On the job market side, modern frontend roles almost always require strong JavaScript and at least one framework, with React leading more than half of frontend job offers worldwide.

This means that building solid JavaScript fundamentals through real projects is still the fastest way to move towards paid work or freelance projects.​

The best way to build those fundamentals is small, focused projects that:

• Use only HTML, CSS, and vanilla JavaScript
• Are easy to finish in one or two sittings
• Teach one or two new concepts deeply instead of everything at once
• Are simple to test manually in a browser

This guide focuses exactly on those projects.

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Tech Setup: Tools, Pricing, and What You Need

You do not need any paid tools to build these projects. Everything can be done with free, widely used software.

Recommended Free Tools

Tool / Service	Purpose	Example Options	Pricing
Code Editor	Write/edit JS, HTML, CSS	VS Code, Sublime Text, WebStorm (trial)	Free (VS Code, Sublime)
Web Browser	Run & test your projects	Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Free
Version Control (opt)	Save versions, share on GitHub	Git + GitHub	Free
Online Sandboxes	Quick demos & sharing	CodePen, JSFiddle, StackBlitz	Free

All projects in this article assume zero paid tools. This makes the pricing benchmark very friendly for beginners: total cost is effectively zero, except for your time and internet.

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Quick Comparison Chart: Top Simple JavaScript Projects

This quick chart helps choose where to start based on your level and time.

#	Project	Difficulty	Best For	Key Concepts	Typical Duration
1	Background Color Changer	Very Easy	Total beginners	DOM, events, random values	30–60 minutes
2	Counter App	Very Easy	Learning state & buttons	Variables, events	30–60 minutes
3	Digital Clock & Alarm	Easy	Practicing time-based functions	Date, setInterval	1–2 hours
4	Light/Dark Mode Toggle	Easy	Theming & user preferences	Classes, localStorage	1–2 hours
5	Tip / EMI Calculator	Easy	Working with forms & numbers	Inputs, math	1–2 hours
6	To‑Do List with Local Storage	Easy–Med	First “real” mini app	CRUD, arrays, localStorage	2–4 hours
7	Calculator	Easy–Med	Practicing logic & conditions	Operators, evaluation	2–4 hours
8	Rock–Paper–Scissors Game	Easy–Med	Logic and game design	Conditionals, randomness	1–3 hours
9	Random Password Generator	Medium	String logic & loops	Loops, arrays, strings	2–4 hours
10	Quiz App	Medium	DOM updates & basic data	Arrays, objects, DOM rendering	3–5 hours
11	Weather App (API-based)	Medium	First API project	fetch, JSON, async thinking	3–6 hours
12	Typing Speed Test / Stopwatch	Medium	Timers & UI feedback	Timers, events, calculations	3–5 hours
13	Word Scramble Game	Medium	Practice strings & timers	String manipulation, timers	3–5 hours
14	Image Slider / Gallery	Medium	DOM manipulation & UX	Arrays, events, CSS transitions	2–4 hours
15	Dynamic Table with Pagination	Medium	Handling lists of data	DOM lists, pagination logic	3–6 hours

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How to Use This Guide (Learning Benchmark Strategy)

To get the best results, use this simple learning benchmark:

1. Start from the top of the list and go down.
2. For each project:
   • First try to build it from the description only.
   • Only then search for tutorials if stuck.
3. Consider a project complete when:
   • It matches the described behavior.
   • All tests in the “How to Test” section pass.
   • You can explain your code in simple language.

If at any point a project feels too hard, go one or two levels up in the table and repeat those projects with new variations.

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Project 1: Background Color Changer

This is one of the simplest JavaScript projects. Click a button, and the page background changes to a new random color.

What You Learn (USP)

• Selecting elements with document.querySelector
• Listening to click events
• Generating random colors
• Updating CSS with JavaScript

The USP of this project compared to many beginner tasks is how visual and instant the feedback is. It helps beginners feel “JavaScript magic” in less than an hour, which builds confidence.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Create a simple HTML page with a button and a paragraph to display the current color code.
2. In JavaScript:
   • Select the button and document.body.
   • Add a click event listener.
   • Generate a random color in rgb() or hex format.
   • Apply it to document.body.style.backgroundColor.
   • Show the color code on screen.

Example of a random color generator:

jsfunction getRandomColor() {
const r = Math.floor(Math.random() * 256);
const g = Math.floor(Math.random() * 256);
const b = Math.floor(Math.random() * 256);
return `rgb(${r}, ${g}, ${b})`;
}

How to Test It

• Click the button several times:
  • Background should change every time.
  • No JavaScript errors in the browser console.
• Test on mobile and desktop.
• Change the button text in HTML; verify that JavaScript still works (testing selector robustness).

For simple automated testing later, the getRandomColor function can be tested in Jest or Vitest to ensure it returns a string in the correct format.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: After finishing this, selecting elements and attaching events should feel natural.

Extensions:

• Show both hex and RGB values.
• Add a “Copy Color Code” button.
• Store last 5 colors in a history bar.

---

Project 2: Counter App

A counter with Increment, Decrement, and Reset buttons is another classic beginner project.

What You Learn (USP)

• Managing simple state (the current count)
• Handling multiple buttons
• Working with text content

Its USP is that it introduces the idea of “state” in a very simple way, laying the foundation for React, Vue, and other frameworks later.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Add HTML:
   • A <span> or <p> to show the current number.
   • Three buttons: increment, decrement, reset.
2. In JS:
   • Use a variable let count = 0;
   • Attach event listeners to each button.
   • Update count and refresh the DOM (e.g., counterEl.textContent = count).

How to Test It

• Initial value should be 0.
• Click Increment 5 times → value should be 5.
• Click Decrement when value is 0:
  • Decide if it can go negative or not, and test accordingly.
• Click Reset:
  • Value returns to 0 from any starting value.

Optional test: Write small pure functions like increment(count) that can be unit-tested separately.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Understanding how changing a variable and re-rendering the DOM works.

Extensions:

• Change color of the number when negative or positive.
• Add a maximum/minimum limit.
• Save the count in localStorage to persist after refresh.

---

Project 3: Digital Clock & Simple Alarm

A digital clock displays the current time and optionally plays a sound at a chosen alarm time.

What You Learn (USP)

• Working with the Date object
• Using setInterval for repeated tasks
• Formatting hours, minutes, and seconds

This project’s USP is introducing time-based behavior, which is later useful in games, animations, and real-time dashboards.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. HTML:
   • A <div> to display the current time.
   • Inputs for alarm time (hour/minute) and a Set Alarm button.
2. JS:
   • Use setInterval to update the clock every second.
   • Format time using String.prototype.padStart(2, '0').
   • Compare current time with alarm time; play a beep or show an alert.

How to Test It

• Check that time updates every second.
• Refresh page: time should still be correct.
• Set an alarm 1–2 minutes ahead:
  • Verify that the alarm triggers.
• Test edge cases:
  • Midnight and noon.
  • Invalid alarm input (e.g., letters or out-of-range numbers).

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Comfort with setInterval, clearing intervals, and reading time from Date.

Extensions:

• Add stop/pause for the alarm.
• Display date and day of week.
• Include 12/24-hour toggle.

---

Project 4: Light/Dark Mode Toggle

Most modern websites use light and dark modes. This project recreates that behavior with JavaScript.

What You Learn (USP)

• Toggling CSS classes in JavaScript
• Saving user preferences with localStorage
• Understanding how modern UI themes work

The USP is learning something directly used in production websites and aligning with current UI/UX trends.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Add a toggle button or switch icon.
2. Create two CSS themes:
   • .light-theme and .dark-theme with different background and text colors.
3. In JS:
   • On toggle click, add/remove the theme class on body.
   • Save the chosen theme in localStorage.
   • On page load, read and apply saved theme.

How to Test It

• Click toggle:
  • Theme changes visually.
• Refresh page:
  • Selected theme should stay (test localStorage).
• Test on mobile:
  • Ensure button is accessible and text is readable in both themes.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Ability to use local storage and classes to control user experience.

Extensions:

• Add system theme detection using window.matchMedia('(prefers-color-scheme: dark)').
• Smooth transitions between themes.

---

Project 5: Tip / EMI Calculator

A simple calculator for restaurant tips or EMI (loan installment) is very practical and good for beginners.

What You Learn (USP)

• Reading values from input fields
• Performing math in JavaScript
• Displaying formatted results

Compared to a basic counter, this project’s USP is dealing with user-entered numbers and validation.

Basic Implementation Steps (Tip Example)

1. HTML:
   • Input for bill amount.
   • Dropdown or input for tip percentage.
   • Button to calculate.
   • Area to show total and tip.
2. JS:
   • Read values with document.querySelector.
   • Convert strings to numbers with Number() or parseFloat.
   • Calculate tip and total.
   • Display results rounded to 2 decimal places.

Simple calculation:

jsconst bill = parseFloat(billInput.value);
const tipPercent = parseFloat(tipSelect.value);
const tip = bill * (tipPercent / 100);
const total = bill + tip;

How to Test It

• Use test inputs:
  • Bill: 100, Tip: 10% → Tip = 10, Total = 110.
  • Bill: 0 or empty → Show warning or 0.
• Try invalid data:
  • Letters in the bill field → show error message or ignore.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Confidence in reading inputs, validating data, and doing basic math.

Extensions:

• Add split-bill feature (per person amount).
• For EMI: implement standard loan formula and show monthly payment.

---

Project 6: To‑Do List with Local Storage

This is often the first “mini app” that feels like a real product.

What You Learn (USP)

• Create, Read, Update, Delete (CRUD) operations
• Working with arrays of objects
• Persisting data in localStorage

The USP is experiencing a complete feature lifecycle: adding, editing, and deleting real data that survives page refreshes.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. HTML:
   • Input for new task.
   • Add button.
   • List area for tasks.
2. JS:
   • Maintain an array of tasks, e.g., [{ id, text, done }].
   • On Add, push a new task and re-render the list.
   • Allow toggling done state.
   • Implement delete button for each task.
   • Store the array in localStorage after every change.
   • On page load, load tasks from localStorage.

How to Test It

• Add several tasks; reload the page:
  • Tasks should appear exactly the same.
• Mark tasks as completed; check if style updates.
• Delete tasks:
  • Ensure only that task is removed.
• Test edge cases:
  • Empty input (should not add a blank task).

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Understanding of how data structures map to UI and how to keep them in sync.

Extensions:

• Add filters: All, Active, Completed.
• Allow editing task text inline.
• Add simple search.

---

Project 7: Calculator

A basic four-function calculator is an excellent way to practice logic and DOM interactions.

What You Learn (USP)

• Handling many buttons
• Building simple expressions
• Managing error states

Compared to the counter or tip calculator, the USP is handling multiple operations and more complex user flows.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Design a grid of buttons: 0–9, +, -, *, /, =, C.
2. Display area for current input and result.
3. In JS:
   • Append button values to a string expression.
   • Evaluate expression safely:
     • For beginners, eval() can be used with care in a local project.
     • A safer method is to parse operations manually.
   • Show errors like division by zero.

How to Test It

• Simple chains:
  • 2 + 2 = → 4
  • 10 / 2 = → 5
• Press C (clear) and verify reset.
• Test invalid sequences:
  • + then = → should not crash.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Comfort with string-based input and basic program flow.

Extensions:

• Add keyboard support (e.g., pressing keys instead of clicking).
• Implement memory functions (M+, M-, MR).

---

Project 8: Rock–Paper–Scissors Game

A small game is a fun way to build decision logic.

What You Learn (USP)

• Random choices
• Conditionals and win/lose rules
• Keeping scores

The USP is that this is the first clearly “fun” project, which helps maintain motivation.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Show three buttons: Rock, Paper, Scissors.
2. On click:
   • Get player choice.
   • Generate computer choice randomly.
   • Compare using if/else or a rules map.
3. Update:
   • Show result (“You win”, “You lose”, “Draw”).
   • Update and display scores.

How to Test It

• Test all possible outcomes:
  • Rock vs Scissors → Player wins.
  • Scissors vs Rock → Computer wins.
• Ensure the computer’s choice is genuinely random over many plays.
• Check that scores track correctly across rounds.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Ability to convert game rules into if/else logic.

Extensions:

• Add animations or emojis for each choice.
• Implement best of 5 / 10 rounds.
• Add difficulty modes (e.g., “smart” computer with bias).

---

Project 9: Random Password Generator

A password generator is practical and teaches stronger logic skills.

What You Learn (USP)

• Combining different character sets
• Loops and random index access
• Simple input validation for security rules

The USP is teaching string and array manipulation in a context that feels real-world.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Inputs:
   • Desired password length.
   • Checkboxes for uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols.
2. JS:
   • Create character pools as strings ("ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ", etc.).
   • Combine selected pools.
   • Loop length times, picking a random character each time.
   • Display password and provide a “Copy” button.

Example snippet:

jsfunction generatePassword(length, chars) {
let password = '';
for (let i = 0; i < length; i++) {
const index = Math.floor(Math.random() * chars.length);
password += chars[index];
}
return password;
}

How to Test It

• Try different lengths: 6, 10, 16, etc.
• Select only numbers → output should contain only digits.
• Select all types → output should use mixed characters.
• Test copy button in multiple browsers.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Understanding of loops, conditions, and working with character strings.

Extensions:

• Add a strength meter based on length and variety.
• Allow excluding confusing characters like 0 and O.

---

Project 10: Quiz App

A quiz app is a classic learning project that introduces data structures.

What You Learn (USP)

• Arrays of question objects
• Dynamic DOM rendering
• Tracking scores and progress

The USP is teaching how to separate content (questions) from logic (quiz engine).

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Define quiz data in JS:

jsconst questions = [
{
text: 'What does JS stand for?',
options: ['Java Source', 'JavaScript', 'Just Script'],
answerIndex: 1
},
// more questions...
];

2. Render one question at a time with options as radio buttons or buttons.
3. On answer submit:
   • Check if selected option index matches answerIndex.
   • Update score.
   • Move to next question.
4. Show final score and message at the end.

How to Test It

• Go through quiz with all correct answers and confirm full score.
• Try all wrong answers to test minimum score.
• Test when user does not select any option (should show warning).

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Ability to loop through an array of objects and map them to UI elements.

Extensions:

• Add a timer per question.
• Show review of correct answers at the end.
• Load questions from a JSON file.

---

Project 11: Weather App (Using a Public API)

This is usually the first real-world app that consumes an API.

What You Learn (USP)

• Using the fetch API
• Handling JSON data
• Basic asynchronous thinking (promises)

The USP is connecting frontend code to remote data, which is the core of modern web apps.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Choose a free weather API (for example, OpenWeather’s free tier).
2. HTML:
   • Input for city name.
   • Get Weather button.
   • Area for temperature, description, and icon.
3. JS:
   • On click, call fetch with the API URL.
   • Convert response to JSON.
   • Extract temperature and conditions.
   • Display in the UI.
   • Handle errors (wrong city, network issues).

Simplified pattern:

jsfetch(url)
.then(response => response.json())
.then(data => {
// use data.main.temp etc.
})
.catch(error => {
// show error message
});

How to Test It

• Test with valid city names (e.g., “Lucknow”, “London”) and verify data appears.
• Test with invalid city names → app should show a friendly error.
• Turn off internet or use dev tools to simulate offline mode and test error handling.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Being comfortable with fetch and basic promise chaining.

Extensions:

• Show 5-day forecast.
• Add loading spinner.
• Use browser geolocation to auto-detect user’s location.

---

Project 12: Typing Speed Test / Stopwatch

A typing speed test measures words per minute (WPM). A stopwatch is a simpler variant without typing.

What You Learn (USP)

• Timers with setInterval and clearInterval
• Calculating speed from time and characters
• Providing real-time UI feedback

Compared to the digital clock, the USP here is tying user input and performance metrics to time.

Basic Implementation Steps (Typing Speed Test)

1. Show a random sentence for the user to type.
2. Start timer when user starts typing.
3. When the user finishes:
   • Stop the timer.
   • Count characters or words typed.
   • Calculate words per minute.
4. Show WPM and accuracy (correct vs wrong characters).

How to Test It

• Type very slowly; WPM should be low.
• Type quickly; WPM should be higher.
• Intentionally make mistakes; accuracy percentage should drop.
• Ensure timer stops correctly when sentence is complete.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Confident usage of intervals, clearInterval, and simple performance calculations.

Extensions:

• Add levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced sentences.
• Store best scores in localStorage.

---

Project 13: Word Scramble Game

This is a simple game where the user must guess the correct word from scrambled letters.​

What You Learn (USP)

• String manipulation
• Randomization of letters
• Basic game feedback loops

The USP compared to Rock–Paper–Scissors is deeper practice with strings and arrays.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Store a list of words in an array.
2. Pick one word and scramble it:
   • Convert to array of characters.
   • Shuffle.
   • Join back into a string.
3. Show scrambled word.
4. User types a guess and clicks Check.
5. If guess equals original word → show “Correct!” and move to next word.

How to Test It

• Ensure scrambled word always uses the same letters.
• Try correct and incorrect guesses.
• Test case sensitivity (decide if uppercase/lowercase should matter).

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Ability to use array operations like split, sort, join, and basic game loops.

Extensions:

• Add a timer per word.
• Add hints (e.g., show first letter).

---

Project 14: Image Slider / Gallery

An image slider cycles through photos with next/previous buttons.

What You Learn (USP)

• Index-based navigation
• Updating the DOM based on current index
• Simple animation or transition effects

The USP is making something that visually looks like a real website component.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Store image URLs in an array.
2. Show current image and navigation buttons.
3. On Next:
   • Increase index (wrap around at the end).
4. On Prev:
   • Decrease index (wrap around at the beginning).
5. Update src of the <img> tag based on index.

How to Test It

• Navigate from first to last and back to first.
• Test with just one image (edge case).
• Try rapidly clicking next/prev to ensure no crashes.

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Confidence with index-based navigation and arrays.

Extensions:

• Add autoplay with setInterval.
• Add slide captions and indicators (dots).

---

Project 15: Dynamic Table with Pagination

This project introduces handling lists of data and interface patterns used in dashboards and admin panels.​

What You Learn (USP)

• Rendering lists of data into table rows
• Page-based navigation (pagination)
• Separating data from presentation

The USP is preparing for real-world data-heavy UI, where tables and pagination are everywhere.

Basic Implementation Steps

1. Prepare sample data as an array of objects (e.g., products, users).
2. Decide page size (e.g., 5 or 10 items per page).
3. In JS:
   • Calculate which items belong to the current page (e.g., using slice).
   • Render these as table rows.
   • Render pagination buttons for pages 1,2,3...
4. On clicking a page button:
   • Update current page index and re-render.

How to Test It

• Test with different data lengths:
  • When total items < page size.
  • Many pages (e.g., 50+ items).
• Click each page button and confirm correct rows show up.
• Test mobile layout (table should remain readable).

Benchmark & Extensions

Learning benchmark: Understanding of how to chunk data and render it efficiently.

Extensions:

• Add search and sort by column.
• Allow changing items per page (e.g., 5/10/20).

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Comparison Table: What Each Project Teaches

This table helps understand the unique selling point (USP) of each project compared to others.

Project	Main USP / Focus	Key Skills vs Others
Background Color Changer	Instant visual feedback	Easiest DOM + events starter
Counter App	State management basics	Better for understanding variables than Project 1
Digital Clock & Alarm	Time-based updates	First real Date and setInterval usage
Light/Dark Mode Toggle	User preferences & theming	Directly mirrors real website feature
Tip / EMI Calculator	Numeric inputs & validation	More practical than simple counter
To‑Do List with Local Storage	Full CRUD mini app	First “real app” with persistent data
Calculator	Expression handling & logic	Richer logic than tip calculator
Rock–Paper–Scissors Game	Game rules & randomness	More fun; good for basic condition practice
Random Password Generator	String logic & security basics	Strong focus on loops & string handling
Quiz App	Data-driven UI with arrays of objects	Best for learning data structures + UI
Weather App (API-based)	Fetching & displaying remote data	First API integration experience
Typing Speed Test / Stopwatch	Performance metrics over time	Connects user input to timing
Word Scramble Game	String manipulation & shuffling	Deepens string practice more than RPS
Image Slider / Gallery	Index-based navigation	Common production UI pattern
Dynamic Table with Pagination	Data lists and pagination	Core dashboard concept, prepares for frameworks

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How These Projects Compare to Other Ways of Learning JavaScript

Many beginners rely only on:

• Watching long video courses without coding
• Copy-pasting complete solutions from blogs
• Jumping directly into React or Angular tutorials

Those approaches often lead to shaky fundamentals. In contrast, this project-based list:

• Starts very simple and grows in difficulty gradually.
• Focuses on one main concept per project (USP for each).
• Includes testing and benchmarking suggestions so you know when a project is truly complete.
• Prepares for popular frameworks like React, which currently dominate frontend job offers.​

This makes the set of projects a strong learning tool that competes very well with passive learning methods and gives clearer progress benchmarks.

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Modern JavaScript Practices to Use in Every Project

To keep your projects advanced and up to date, follow these guidelines:

• Use let and const instead of var.
• Prefer arrow functions for short callbacks:
  • button.addEventListener('click', () => { ... });
• Use template literals for strings:
  • `Hello, ${name}`
• Organize code into small functions instead of one large script.
• Consider splitting pure logic into separate functions so they can be unit-tested later.

These practices are consistent with how modern JavaScript is taught and used in real codebases today.​

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FAQs

1. How many JavaScript projects should a beginner build?
Building 10–15 small projects is enough to get comfortable with basics. The focus should be on understanding, not just finishing quickly.

2. Do beginners need to learn a framework like React first?
No. Learning vanilla JavaScript fundamentals first makes React or any framework much easier and faster to understand.

3. How long does it take to finish these beginner projects?
Depending on your pace, this full list can take 2–6 weeks if you do one or two projects every day or on weekends.

4. Can these simple projects be added to a portfolio or resume?
Yes. Host them on GitHub Pages or Netlify, then link them in your resume or LinkedIn as real examples of your skills.

5. Do these projects require a backend or database?
No. All listed projects run entirely in the browser using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, with optional localStorage for saving data.

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Final Learning Benchmark: After All 15 Projects

After completing this full list, a beginner should be able to:

• Build small interactive web pages from scratch with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
• Use DOM APIs confidently to select and update elements.
• Work with arrays, objects, functions, and basic asynchronous features (fetch, timers).
• Connect to at least one public API and display data.
• Add basic tests (manual or simple unit tests) to validate logic.

At this stage, it is a good time to:

• Start a GitHub portfolio and upload these projects.
• Learn a frontend framework (React, Vue, or Angular) with much more confidence.
• Apply for internships or small freelance tasks that require basic JavaScript.