# Notification system overhaul

Status: Planned

Replace floating toast/flash notifications with inline feedback and persistent top banners. Based on usability testing (March 2026) — flash messages overlay UI, auto-dismiss means users miss them, and the overall pattern feels messy.

## Current state

144 `put_flash` calls across the codebase (59 `:info`, 34 `:error`, rest multi-line). Two separate toast implementations:

- **Admin** (`core_components.ex` → `.admin-toast`): fixed top-right, 20rem wide, click to dismiss via `JS.push("lv:clear-flash")` + `JS.hide`
- **Shop** (`shop_components/content.ex` → `.shop-flash`): fixed top-right, theme-aware, CSS slide-in, click anywhere to dismiss

Both are overlays — fixed-position, outside document flow, disappear on click.

**Existing inline patterns** already in the codebase:
- `<.error>` component — red text below form fields (`.admin-error`) via changeset errors
- Static `.admin-alert` boxes — persistent info/error in auth/setup pages
- `.admin-checklist-banner` — contextual "back to checklist" banners
- `.admin-banner-warning` — full-width warning banner (email settings)

**Top files by flash count:** settings.ex (17), onboarding.ex (9), campaign_form.ex (9), pages/editor.ex (8), theme/index.ex (6), media.ex (6)

## New approach: two layers

### 1. Inline feedback (contextual)

Feedback next to the field or action that triggered it. Persistent until state changes.

- **Success:** green tick + "Saved" label next to save button. Auto-clears after 3s (LiveView only).
- **Error:** red border on field + error text below. Stays until fixed. Works identically with and without JS (changeset errors re-render the form).
- **Loading:** subtle spinner + "Saving..." / "Syncing..." while an async action is in-flight.

Best for: form saves, field validation, toggle changes, individual actions.

### 2. Top banner (page-level)

For outcomes not tied to a specific field.

- Full-width coloured bar: green (success), red (error), amber (warning)
- **Document flow** — pushes content down, not an overlay
- **Persistent until dismissed** (close button). No auto-dismiss.
- Positioned at top of content area, below header/nav

Best for: "Products synced", "Page deleted", auth messages, operation outcomes.

### 3. No floating toasts

The fixed-position overlay toast pattern is removed entirely.

## Progressive enhancement

| Scenario | No JS (controller POST → redirect) | With JS (LiveView) |
|----------|-------------------------------------|---------------------|
| Save success | Banner via flash (PRG redirect) | Inline "Saved" tick next to button |
| Validation error | Inline field errors (controller re-renders form with changeset) | Inline field errors (LiveView validates on change/submit) |
| Page-level outcome | Banner via flash | Banner via flash |
| Connection lost | N/A (no WebSocket) | Banner via `phx-disconnected` |

Banners are the baseline that works everywhere. Inline feedback is a progressive enhancement on top — LiveView pages get richer feedback, but no-JS pages still get inline validation errors via changeset re-rendering and success banners via flash.

## Component spec

### `<.banner>` — replaces `<.flash>`

Reuses the existing flash infrastructure. Migration path: change CSS + move position in layout. Zero LiveView code changes needed — all 144 `put_flash` calls continue working.

**Layout change** (admin):
```heex
<%!-- Move from AFTER the layout div (current line 228) to INSIDE .admin-layout-content, above <main> --%>
<div class="admin-layout-content">
  <header class="admin-topbar">...</header>
  <.flash_group flash={@flash} />   <%!-- NEW POSITION --%>
  <main class="admin-main">...</main>
</div>
```

**Component change** (`core_components.ex`):
```heex
<%!-- Change wrapper class from .admin-toast (fixed position) to .admin-banner (document flow) --%>
<div :if={msg = ...} id={@id} class="admin-banner" ...>
  <div class={["admin-banner-inner", kind_class(@kind)]}>
    <icon /> <p>{msg}</p> <close button />
  </div>
</div>
```

**CSS** (evolves from existing `.admin-banner-warning`):
```css
/* replaces .admin-toast (fixed position) */
.admin-banner {
  /* document flow, no position: fixed */
}

.admin-banner-inner {
  display: flex;
  align-items: flex-start;
  gap: 0.75rem;
  padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
  font-size: 0.875rem;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

.admin-banner-info {
  background: color-mix(in oklch, var(--t-status-info) 12%, var(--t-surface-base));
  color: var(--t-status-info);
  border-bottom: 1px solid color-mix(in oklch, var(--t-status-info) 25%, var(--t-surface-base));
}

.admin-banner-error {
  background: color-mix(in oklch, var(--t-status-error) 12%, var(--t-surface-base));
  color: var(--t-status-error);
  border-bottom: 1px solid color-mix(in oklch, var(--t-status-error) 25%, var(--t-surface-base));
}

/* .admin-banner-warning already exists and matches this pattern */
```

**No-JS**: Works perfectly. Banner is HTML in document flow — displays without JS. Close button uses `phx-click` so without LiveView the banner stays visible (desired — persistent by design). Flash clears naturally on next navigation.

**Shop layout**: Same treatment — move `<.shop_flash_group>` from fixed overlay to document flow inside the content area.

### `<.inline_feedback>` — new component

Lightweight status indicator placed next to a button or form section.

**Component** (`core_components.ex`):
```elixir
attr :status, :atom, values: [:idle, :saving, :saved, :error], default: :idle
attr :message, :string, default: nil

def inline_feedback(assigns) do
  ~H"""
  <span
    :if={@status != :idle}
    class={["admin-inline-feedback", "admin-inline-feedback-#{@status}"]}
    role={@status == :error && "alert"}
  >
    <.icon :if={@status == :saving} name="hero-arrow-path" class="size-4 motion-safe:animate-spin" />
    <.icon :if={@status == :saved} name="hero-check" class="size-4" />
    <.icon :if={@status == :error} name="hero-exclamation-circle" class="size-4" />
    <span>{feedback_text(@status, @message)}</span>
  </span>
  """
end

defp feedback_text(:saving, _), do: "Saving..."
defp feedback_text(:saved, nil), do: "Saved"
defp feedback_text(:saved, msg), do: msg
defp feedback_text(:error, nil), do: "Something went wrong"
defp feedback_text(:error, msg), do: msg
defp feedback_text(:idle, _), do: nil
```

**CSS**:
```css
.admin-inline-feedback {
  display: inline-flex;
  align-items: center;
  gap: 0.375rem;
  font-size: 0.875rem;
  line-height: 1.5;
}

.admin-inline-feedback-saving {
  color: var(--admin-text-soft);
}

.admin-inline-feedback-saved {
  color: var(--t-status-success, oklch(0.55 0.15 145));
}

.admin-inline-feedback-error {
  color: var(--t-status-error);
  font-weight: 600;
}
```

**Usage pattern** (LiveView):
```elixir
# Mount
assign(socket, save_status: :idle, save_error: nil)

# Save handler
def handle_event("save", params, socket) do
  case Context.save(params) do
    {:ok, _} ->
      Process.send_after(self(), :clear_save_status, 3000)
      {:noreply, assign(socket, :save_status, :saved)}
    {:error, reason} ->
      {:noreply, assign(socket, save_status: :error, save_error: reason)}
  end
end

def handle_info(:clear_save_status, socket) do
  {:noreply, assign(socket, :save_status, :idle)}
end
```

**Template**:
```heex
<div class="admin-form-actions">
  <.button type="submit" variant="primary">Save</.button>
  <.inline_feedback status={@save_status} message={@save_error} />
</div>
```

### Connection error handling

The `client-error` and `server-error` flashes (LiveView disconnect/reconnect) become banners too. Suppress them during intentional navigation to avoid a brief flash on refresh:

**JS** (`app.js`):
```js
window.addEventListener("beforeunload", () => {
  document.body.classList.add("navigating-away")
})
```

**CSS**:
```css
.navigating-away #flash-group { display: none; }
```

`beforeunload` fires on refresh/navigation but NOT on genuine connection drops, so the banner still shows when actually needed.

## Migration categories

### Category 1: Form saves → inline feedback

| Current flash | Location | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| "Theme saved successfully" | Theme editor | Inline "Saved" tick next to save button |
| "Email settings saved" | Email settings | Inline "Saved" tick near save |
| "Settings saved" | Provider form | Inline "Saved" tick near save |
| "Navigation saved" | Navigation editor | Inline "Saved" tick near save |
| "Page settings saved" | Page editor | Inline "Saved" tick near save |
| "Metadata updated" | Media library | Inline "Saved" tick on metadata form |
| "Product updated" | Product show | Inline "Saved" tick near changed field |

### Category 2: Validation errors → inline field errors

These flash-based validation messages become proper inline field errors. Works with and without JS — controller re-renders form with changeset errors, LiveView validates on change.

| Current flash | Location | Replacement |
|---|---|---|
| "Please enter your API token" | Setup wizard | Red border + error on API key field |
| "Missing required fields: {labels}" | Email settings | Red border on each missing field |
| "Please enter your Stripe secret key" | Settings | Red border + error on Stripe key field |
| "Please fill in all required fields" | Contact form | Red border on each empty required field |
| "Please enter a valid email address" | Newsletter | Red border + error on email field |
| "Password must be at least 12 characters" | Setup recover | Red border + error on password field |
| "Please enter a shop name" / "email" | Setup | Red border on relevant field |

### Category 3: State changes → top banner

Page-level outcomes, kept as `put_flash` → render as banner instead of toast:

| Current flash | Location |
|---|---|
| "Shop is now live" / "Shop taken offline" | Settings |
| "Connected to {provider}!" | Provider form |
| "Email provider disconnected" | Email settings |
| "Stripe connected and webhook endpoint created" | Settings |
| "Provider connection deleted" | Providers index |
| "Page deleted" / "Page created" | Pages index |

### Category 4: Operation outcomes → top banner

| Current flash | Location |
|---|---|
| "Sync started for {name}" | Providers/settings |
| "Connected! Product sync started in the background." | Setup |
| "Submission retry enqueued" | Activity log |
| "Image uploaded" / "Image deleted" | Media library |
| "Campaign is being sent!" | Newsletter |
| "Test email sent to {email}" | Email settings |
| "Message sent! We'll get back to you soon." | Contact |

### Category 5: Auth/system → top banner

| Current flash | Location |
|---|---|
| "Welcome back!" | Dashboard |
| "Logged out successfully" | Login page |
| "Invalid email or password" | Login (could be inline under form) |
| "User confirmed successfully" | Email confirm |

### Category 6: Cart feedback → inline

| Current flash | Replacement |
|---|---|
| "Added to basket" | Brief inline confirmation near add button / cart icon badge update |
| "Removed from basket" | Item visually removed, no separate message |

## Implementation plan

### Phase 1: Build components (~2h)

Build both components. Convert flash rendering from toast to banner. No behaviour changes — all existing `put_flash` calls work, just render differently.

1. Restyle `<.flash>` from `.admin-toast` (fixed) to `.admin-banner` (document flow)
2. Move `<.flash_group>` in admin layout from after the div to inside content area
3. Same for shop layout — restyle `.shop-flash` to document flow
4. Build `<.inline_feedback>` component in `core_components.ex`
5. Add `beforeunload` suppression for connection error banners
6. Delete old `.admin-toast` and `.shop-flash-group` (fixed-position) CSS

### Phase 2: Migrate admin forms (~3h)

Replace `put_flash(:info, "Saved")` with inline feedback on the highest-traffic pages:
- Theme editor
- Page editor
- Settings
- Email settings
- Provider forms

Each migration: add `:save_status` assign, swap `put_flash` for `assign(:save_status, :saved)`, add `<.inline_feedback>` to template, add `Process.send_after` auto-clear.

### Phase 3: Migrate remaining admin pages (~2h)

- Media library
- Products
- Activity log
- Newsletter
- Redirects
- Navigation

### Phase 4: Migrate shop pages (~2h)

- Cart (add/remove → inline feedback)
- Contact form (success → replace form with success state)
- Checkout errors
- Auth flows (login, registration, confirmation)

### Phase 5: Migrate setup wizard (~1h)

Update setup flow — ties into onboarding-ux v2 plan. If onboarding tasks A/B are done first, this phase applies inline feedback to the new guided flow.

## Task breakdown

| # | Task | Est | Status |
|---|------|-----|--------|
| 1 | Build banner + inline feedback components, restyle flash rendering | 2h | planned |
| 2 | Migrate admin forms (theme, pages, settings, email, providers) | 3h | planned |
| 3 | Migrate remaining admin pages (media, products, activity, newsletter, redirects, nav) | 2h | planned |
| 4 | Migrate shop pages (cart, contact, checkout, auth) | 2h | planned |
| 5 | Migrate setup wizard notifications | 1h | planned |

Total estimate: ~10h