[Directus] GPX file import interface for geometry fields

[wazolab]

Context

The Directus CMS manages POIs with geometry fields displayed via the built-in map interface. Currently, users must manually draw geometry on the map. Many users have GPX files from GPS devices or route planners that they want to import as POI geometry.

A Ruby migration script already exists at db/migrate/20260176014838_gpx_to_geom.rb that converts GPX → GeoJSON (LineString/MultiLineString), but this is a one-time migration, not a user-facing tool.

Goal

Build a Directus interface extension (directus-extension-map-gpx) that wraps the built-in map interface for geometry fields, adding GPX file upload capability while preserving all existing map features (drawing, editing).

Features

• Wraps built-in interface-map — reuses MapLibre GL + Mapbox Draw for full geometry drawing/editing
• GPX upload zone (drag & drop / file input) below the map
• Client-side GPX parsing using browser DOMParser (no server dependency)
  • Prefers <trk>/<trkseg>/<trkpt> (GPS traces) over <rte>/<rtept> (waypoints)
  • Removes consecutive duplicate points
  • Merges contiguous linestrings
  • Returns GeoJSON LineString or MultiLineString
• Error handling for invalid GPX files (using Directus <v-notice>)
• No extra map dependency — only bundles the GPX parser logic

Acceptance criteria

• Build succeeds without errors
• Extension appears in Directus interface selector as "Map (GPX)"
• Assigning it to a geometry field shows the map with drawing tools
• Uploading a valid GPX file parses it and displays the route on the map
• Saving the item persists the GeoJSON geometry to the database
• Invalid GPX files show an error notice
• Manual geometry drawing/editing works (inherited from built-in map)