# Launcher Dashboard - DASH-001 Implementation

## Overview

Complete overhaul of the launcher dashboard from sidebar navigation to modern horizontal tab interface.

## Date

December 30, 2025

## Changes

### Added

- **TabBar Component** (`components/layout/TabBar/`)

  - Modern horizontal tab navigation with icons
  - Full keyboard navigation support (Arrow keys, Home, End)
  - Active state indicator with smooth transitions
  - Size variants (small, medium, large)
  - Accessible (WCAG 2.1 AA compliant)
  - Storybook stories for isolated testing

- **LauncherContext** (`LauncherContext.tsx`)

  - React context for global launcher state management
  - Type-safe tab IDs

- **usePersistentTab Hook** (`hooks/usePersistentTab.ts`)

  - Automatic localStorage persistence
  - Survives app restarts
  - Type validation for stored values

- **Templates View** (`views/Templates.tsx`)

  - Placeholder for future templates feature
  - Consistent styling with other views

- **LauncherHeader Component** (`components/LauncherHeader/`)

  - Logo and version display
  - Actions menu (check for updates)
  - Clean modern styling

- **LauncherFooter Component** (`components/LauncherFooter/`)

  - Resource links (Documentation, YouTube, Discord)
  - Compact footer design

- **Deep Linking Support**
  - URL-based navigation (`/dashboard/projects`, `/dashboard/learn`, etc.)
  - Initial tab from props or URL
  - URL updates on tab change

### Modified

- **Launcher.tsx**

  - Complete rewrite with new architecture
  - Removed LauncherApp wrapper dependency
  - Direct layout control with flexbox
  - Tab switching with smooth content transitions
  - Integration of all new components

- **Launcher.stories.tsx**
  - Updated stories for new tab interface
  - Added stories for each tab
  - Fullscreen layout

### Removed

- **LauncherSidebar** (deprecated, functionality moved to tabs)
- Sidebar navigation pattern
- Old page switching mechanism

## Technical Details

### Architecture

```
Launcher (Root)
├── LauncherHeader (Logo, Version, Actions)
├── TabBar (Horizontal navigation)
├── ContentArea (Active view)
│   ├── Projects
│   ├── LearningCenter
│   └── Templates
└── LauncherFooter (Resource links)
```

### State Management

- Context API for global state
- localStorage for persistence
- URL for deep linking

### Styling

- All colors use design tokens (`var(--theme-color-*)`)
- No hardcoded hex values
- Responsive and flexible layout
- Custom scrollbar styling

### Accessibility

- Proper ARIA roles and attributes
- Keyboard navigation fully supported
- Focus management
- Screen reader compatible

## Migration Notes

### For Developers

- Import `Launcher` directly - no need for `LauncherApp` wrapper
- Tab IDs changed from enum to string literals: `'projects' | 'learn' | 'templates'`
- MOCK_PROJECTS exported from Launcher.tsx (temporary)

### Breaking Changes

- `LauncherPageId` enum replaced with string union type
- `PAGES` array removed (replaced by `LAUNCHER_TABS`)
- Props interface changed (added `initialTab?: LauncherPageId`)

## Testing Checklist

- [x] Tabs switch content correctly
- [x] Active tab visually indicated
- [x] Keyboard navigation works (tested in Storybook)
- [x] Tab state persists (localStorage)
- [x] Deep linking supported
- [x] No layout shift on tab switch
- [x] Storybook stories work
- [x] TypeScript compiles without errors

## Future Enhancements

- Add actual templates content (DASH-002)
- Implement project organization (DASH-003)
- Enhance learning center (DASH-004)
- Add search across tabs
- Tab context menus
- Tab badges for notifications

## Files Created

- `components/layout/TabBar/TabBar.tsx`
- `components/layout/TabBar/TabBar.module.scss`
- `components/layout/TabBar/TabBar.stories.tsx`
- `components/layout/TabBar/index.ts`
- `LauncherContext.tsx`
- `hooks/usePersistentTab.ts`
- `views/Templates.tsx`
- `components/LauncherHeader/LauncherHeader.tsx`
- `components/LauncherHeader/LauncherHeader.module.scss`
- `components/LauncherHeader/index.ts`
- `components/LauncherFooter/LauncherFooter.tsx`
- `components/LauncherFooter/LauncherFooter.module.scss`
- `components/LauncherFooter/index.ts`
- `Launcher.module.scss`

## Files Modified

- `Launcher.tsx` (complete rewrite)
- `Launcher.stories.tsx`
- `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/pages/ProjectsPage/ProjectsPage.tsx` (integration)

## Integration Points

### Editor Integration

The new Launcher is now the default dashboard in the OpenNoodl editor:

- Entry point: `packages/noodl-editor/src/editor/src/pages/ProjectsPage/ProjectsPage.tsx`
- Simply imports and renders `<Launcher />` from noodl-core-ui
- Old `ProjectsView` class-based component removed
- Window sizing handled by Electron IPC

### Remaining Work (Future Tasks)

- Wire project opening events to editor routing
- Connect "Create new project" button to project creation flow
- Connect "Open project" button to file picker
- Replace MOCK_PROJECTS with real LocalProjectsModel data
- Wire up Learning Center and Templates content

## Testing Performed

- [x] Visual inspection in running editor (`npm run dev`)
- [x] Tabs switch correctly
- [x] Keyboard navigation works
- [x] State persists across sessions
- [x] No layout shift or visual bugs
- [x] Responsive design works

## Status

✅ **COMPLETE** - UI successfully integrated and verified working in editor

## Estimated Time

- Planning: 1 hour
- Implementation: 3 hours
- Integration: 30 minutes
- Testing & polish: 30 minutes
- **Total: ~5 hours**
