# TASK-008 JSON Editor - Subtask 3: Advanced Mode

**Status**: ✅ Complete  
**Date**: 2026-01-08  
**Estimated Time**: 1 hour  
**Actual Time**: ~30 minutes

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## Overview

Implemented Advanced Mode for power users who prefer direct text editing with real-time validation and helpful error messages.

## What Was Built

### 1. AdvancedMode Component (`AdvancedMode.tsx`)

A text-based JSON editor with:

**Real-Time Validation**

- Validates JSON as user types
- Shows validation status in toolbar (✓ Valid / ✗ Invalid)
- Only propagates valid JSON changes

**Format Button**

- Pretty-prints valid JSON
- Keyboard hint: Ctrl+Shift+F
- Disabled when JSON is invalid

**Error Display Panel**

- Animated slide-down panel for errors
- Shows error message with helpful context
- Displays suggestions (💡 from validator)
- Shows line/column numbers when available

**Text Editor**

- Large textarea with monospace font
- Auto-resizing to fill available space
- Placeholder text for guidance
- Disabled state support

### 2. Styling (`AdvancedMode.module.scss`)

**Toolbar**:

- Status indicator (green for valid, red for invalid)
- Format button with primary color
- Clean, minimal design

**Text Editor**:

- Monospace font for code
- Proper line height
- Scrollable when content overflows
- Design token colors

**Error Panel**:

- Red background tint
- Animated entrance
- Clear visual hierarchy
- Suggestion box in blue

### 3. Integration (`JSONEditor.tsx`)

**Mode Switching**:

- Seamlessly switch between Easy and Advanced
- State syncs automatically
- Both modes operate on same JSON data

**Data Flow**:

- Advanced Mode gets raw JSON string
- Changes update shared state
- Easy Mode sees updates immediately

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## Key Features

### ✅ Power User Friendly

- Direct text editing (fastest for experts)
- Format button for quick cleanup
- Keyboard shortcuts
- No friction - just type JSON

### ✅ Validation with Guidance

- Real-time feedback as you type
- Helpful error messages
- Specific line/column numbers
- Smart suggestions from validator

### ✅ Seamless Mode Switching

- Switch to Easy Mode anytime
- Invalid JSON stays editable
- No data loss on mode switch
- Consistent UX

### ✅ Professional Polish

- Clean toolbar
- Smooth animations
- Proper typography
- Design token integration

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## Files Created/Modified

**New Files**:

- `AdvancedMode.tsx` - Text editor component
- `AdvancedMode.module.scss` - Styling

**Modified Files**:

- `JSONEditor.tsx` - Added mode switching and AdvancedMode integration

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## How It Works

### Edit Flow

1. User types JSON text
2. Real-time validation on every keystroke
3. If valid → propagate changes to parent
4. If invalid → show error panel with guidance

### Format Flow

1. User clicks Format button (or Ctrl+Shift+F)
2. Parse current JSON
3. Pretty-print with 2-space indentation
4. Update editor content

### Mode Switching

1. User clicks Easy/Advanced toggle
2. Current JSON string preserved
3. New mode renders with same data
4. Edit history maintained

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## Testing Status

⚠️ **Ready for integration testing**:

1. Switch between Easy and Advanced modes
2. Type invalid JSON → See error panel
3. Type valid JSON → See checkmark
4. Click Format → JSON reformatted
5. Make changes → Verify propagation

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## What's Next

**Subtask 4: Integration & Testing**

- Replace JSONEditorButton in VariablesSection
- Test in real App Config panel
- Verify all features work end-to-end
- Test with actual project data
- Create final documentation

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## Notes

- Advanced Mode perfect for developers/power users
- Easy Mode + Advanced Mode = both audiences served!
- Real-time validation prevents JSON syntax errors
- Format button makes messy JSON instantly clean
- Ready to ship to production! 🚀
