Improve UX: welcome screen, vim keybindings, command mode

- Welcome overlay shown when model has no categories, listing common commands and navigation hints to orient new users - Vim-style keybindings: - i / a → Insert mode (edit cell); Esc → Normal - x → clear cell; yy / p → yank / paste - G / gg → last / first row; 0 / $ → first / last col - Ctrl+D / Ctrl+U → half-page scroll - n / N → next / prev search match - T → tile-select mode (single key, no Ctrl needed) - ZZ → save + quit - F / C / V → toggle panels (no Ctrl needed) - ? → help (in addition to F1) - Command mode (:) for vim-style commands: :q :q! :w [path] :wq ZZ :import <file.json> :export [path] :add-cat <name> :add-item <cat> <item> :formula <cat> <Name=expr> :add-view [name] :help - Status bar now context-sensitive: shows mode-specific hint text instead of always showing the same generic shortcuts - Mode label changed: "Editing" → "INSERT" to match vim convention - Title bar shows filename in parentheses when model is backed by a file - Help widget updated with full key reference in two-column layout Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
2026-03-21 22:41:35 -07:00
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+# Improvise — Multi-Dimensional Data Modeling Terminal Application
+
+## Context
+
+Traditional spreadsheets conflate data, formulas, and presentation into a single flat grid addressed by opaque cell references (A1, B7). This makes models fragile, hard to audit, and impossible to rearrange without rewriting formulas. We are building a terminal application that treats data as a multi-dimensional, semantically labeled structure — separating data, computation, and views into independent layers. The result is a tool where formulas reference meaningful names, views can be rearranged instantly, and the same dataset can be explored from multiple perspectives simultaneously.
+
+The application compiles to a single static binary (`x86_64-unknown-linux-musl`) and provides a rich TUI experience.
+
+---
+
+## 1. Core Data Model
+
+### 1.1 Categories and Items
+- Data is organized into **categories** (dimensions) and **items** (members of a dimension).
+  - Example: Category "Region" contains items "North", "South", "East", "West".
+  - Example: Category "Time" contains items "Q1", "Q2", "Q3", "Q4".
+- Items within a category can be organized into **groups** forming a hierarchy.
+  - Example: Items "Jan", "Feb", "Mar" grouped under "Q1"; quarters grouped under "2025".
+- Groups are collapsible/expandable for drill-down.
+- A model supports up to **12 categories**.
+
+### 1.2 Data Cells
+- Each data cell is identified by the intersection of one item from each active category — not by grid coordinates.
+- Cells hold numeric values, text, or empty/null.
+- The underlying storage is a sparse multi-dimensional array (`HashMap<CellKey, CellValue>`).
+
+### 1.3 Models
+- A **model** is the top-level container: it holds all categories, items, groups, data cells, formulas, and views.
+- Models are saved to and loaded from a single `.improv` file (JSON format).
+
+---
+
+## 2. Formula System
+
+### 2.1 Named Formulas
+- Formulas reference categories and items by name, not by cell address.
+  - Example: `Profit = Revenue - Cost`
+  - Example: `Tax = Revenue * 0.08`
+  - Example: `Margin = Profit / Revenue`
+- A formula applies uniformly across all intersections of the referenced categories. No copying or dragging.
+
+### 2.2 Formula Panel
+- Formulas are defined in a **dedicated formula panel**, separate from the data grid.
+- All formulas are visible in one place for easy auditing.
+- Formulas cannot be accidentally overwritten by data entry.
+
+### 2.3 Scoped Formulas (WHERE clause)
+- A formula can be scoped to a subset of items:
+  - Example: `Discount = 0.10 * Price WHERE Region = "West"`
+
+### 2.4 Aggregation
+- Built-in aggregation functions: `SUM`, `AVG`, `MIN`, `MAX`, `COUNT`.
+
+### 2.5 Formula Language
+- Expression-based (not Turing-complete).
+- Operators: `+`, `-`, `*`, `/`, `^`, unary `-`.
+- Comparisons: `=`, `!=`, `<`, `>`, `<=`, `>=`.
+- Conditionals: `IF(condition, then, else)`.
+- `WHERE` clause for filtering: `SUM(Sales WHERE Region = "East")`.
+- Parentheses for grouping.
+- Literal numbers and quoted strings.
+
+---
+
+## 3. View System
+
+### 3.1 Views as First-Class Objects
+- A **view** is a named configuration specifying:
+  - Which categories are assigned to **rows**, **columns**, and **pages** (filters/slicers).
+  - Which items/groups are visible vs. hidden.
+  - Sort order (future).
+  - Number formatting.
+- Multiple views can exist per model. Each is independent.
+- Editing data in any view updates the underlying model; all other views reflect the change.
+
+### 3.2 Category Tiles
+- Each category is represented as a **tile** displayed in the tile bar.
+- The user can move tiles between row, column, and page axes to instantly pivot/rearrange the view.
+- Moving a tile triggers an instant recalculation and re-render of the grid.
+
+### 3.3 Page Axis (Slicing)
+- Categories assigned to the page axis act as filters.
+- The user selects a single item from a paged category using `[` and `]`.
+
+### 3.4 Collapsing and Expanding
+- Groups can be collapsed/expanded per-view (future: keyboard shortcut in grid).
+
+---
+
+## 4. JSON Import Wizard
+
+### 4.1 Purpose
+- Users can import arbitrary JSON files to bootstrap a model.
+
+### 4.2 Wizard Flow (interactive TUI)
+
+**Step 1: Preview** — Structural summary of the JSON.
+
+**Step 2: Select Array Path** — If the JSON is not a flat array, the user selects which key path contains the primary record array.
+
+**Step 3: Review Proposals** — Fields are analyzed and proposed as:
+  - Category (small number of distinct string values)
+  - Measure (numeric)
+  - Time Category (date-like strings)
+  - Label/Identifier (skip)
+
+**Step 4: Name the Model** — User names the model and confirms.
+
+### 4.3 Headless Import
+```
+improvise --cmd '{"op":"ImportJson","path":"data.json"}'
+```
+
+---
+
+## 5. Terminal UI
+
+### 5.1 Layout
+```
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
+| Improvise | Model: Sales 2025 [*]          [F1 Help] [Ctrl+Q] |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
+|  [Page: Region = East]                                        |
+|              | Q1      | Q2      | Q3      | Q4      |        |
+|--------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+--------|
+| Shirts       |   1,200 |   1,450 |   1,100 |   1,800 |        |
+| Pants        |     800 |     920 |     750 |   1,200 |        |
+| ...                                                           |
+|--------------+---------+---------+---------+---------+--------|
+| Total        |   4,100 |   4,670 |   3,750 |   5,800 |        |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
+| Tiles: [Time ↔] [Product ↕] [Region ☰]    Ctrl+↑↓←→ tiles   |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
+| NORMAL | Default | Ctrl+F:formulas  Ctrl+C:categories ...     |
+---------------------------------------------------------------+
+```
+
+### 5.2 Panels
+- **Grid panel** (main): Scrollable table of the current view.
+- **Tile bar**: Category tiles with axis symbols. `Ctrl+Arrow` enters tile-select mode.
+- **Formula panel**: `Ctrl+F` — list and edit formulas.
+- **Category panel**: `Ctrl+C` — manage categories and axis assignments.
+- **View panel**: `Ctrl+V` — switch, create, delete views.
+- **Status bar**: Mode, active view name, keyboard hints.
+
+### 5.3 Navigation and Editing
+| Key | Action |
+|-----|--------|
+| ↑↓←→ / hjkl | Move cursor |
+| Enter | Edit cell |
+| Esc | Cancel edit |
+| Tab | Focus next open panel |
+| / | Search |
+| [ / ] | Page axis prev/next |
+| Ctrl+Arrow | Tile select mode |
+| Enter/Space (tile) | Cycle axis (Row→Col→Page) |
+| r / c / p (tile) | Set axis directly |
+| Ctrl+F | Toggle formula panel |
+| Ctrl+C | Toggle category panel |
+| Ctrl+V | Toggle view panel |
+| Ctrl+S | Save |
+| Ctrl+E | Export CSV |
+| F1 | Help |
+| Ctrl+Q | Quit |
+
+---
+
+## 6. Command Layer (Headless Mode)
+
+All model mutations go through a typed command layer. This enables:
+- Scripting without the TUI
+- Replay / audit log
+- Testing without rendering
+
+### 6.1 Command Format
+JSON object with an `op` field:
+```json
+{"op": "CommandName", ...args}
+```
+
+### 6.2 Available Commands
+
+| op | Required fields | Description |
+|----|-----------------|-------------|
+| `AddCategory` | `name` | Add a category/dimension |
+| `AddItem` | `category`, `item` | Add an item to a category |
+| `AddItemInGroup` | `category`, `item`, `group` | Add an item in a named group |
+| `SetCell` | `coords: [[cat,item],...]`, `number` or `text` | Set a cell value |
+| `ClearCell` | `coords` | Clear a cell |
+| `AddFormula` | `raw`, `target_category` | Add/replace a formula |
+| `RemoveFormula` | `target` | Remove a formula by target name |
+| `CreateView` | `name` | Create a new view |
+| `DeleteView` | `name` | Delete a view |
+| `SwitchView` | `name` | Switch the active view |
+| `SetAxis` | `category`, `axis` (`"row"/"column"/"page"`) | Set category axis |
+| `SetPageSelection` | `category`, `item` | Set page-axis filter |
+| `ToggleGroup` | `category`, `group` | Toggle group collapse |
+| `Save` | `path` | Save model to file |
+| `Load` | `path` | Load model from file |
+| `ExportCsv` | `path` | Export active view to CSV |
+| `ImportJson` | `path`, `model_name?`, `array_path?` | Import JSON file |
+
+### 6.3 Response Format
+```json
+{"ok": true, "message": "optional message"}
+{"ok": false, "message": "error description"}
+```
+
+### 6.4 Invocation
+```bash
+# Single command
+improvise model.improv --cmd '{"op":"SetCell","coords":[["Region","East"],["Measure","Revenue"]],"number":1200}'
+
+# Script file (one JSON object per line, # comments allowed)
+improvise model.improv --script setup.jsonl
+```
+
+---
+
+## 7. Persistence
+
+### 7.1 File Format
+Native format: JSON-based `.improv` file containing all categories, items, groups, data cells, formulas, and view definitions.
+
+Compressed variant: `.improv.gz` (gzip, same JSON payload).
+
+### 7.2 Export
+- `Ctrl+E` in TUI or `ExportCsv` command: exports active view to CSV.
+
+### 7.3 Autosave
+- Periodic autosave (every 30 seconds when dirty) to `.model.improv.autosave`.
+
+---
+
+## 8. Technology
+
+| Concern | Choice |
+|---------|--------|
+| Language | Rust (stable) |
+| TUI | [Ratatui](https://github.com/ratatui-org/ratatui) + Crossterm |
+| Serialization | `serde` + `serde_json` |
+| Static binary | `x86_64-unknown-linux-musl` via `musl-gcc` |
+| Dev environment | Nix flake with `rust-overlay` |
+| No runtime deps | Single binary, no database, no network |
+
+---
+
+## 9. Non-Goals (v1)
+
+- Scripting/macro language beyond the formula system.
+- Collaborative/multi-user editing.
+- Live external data sources (databases, APIs).
+- Charts or graphical visualization.
+- Multi-level undo history.
+
+---
+
+## 10. Verification
+
+```bash
+# Build
+nix develop --command cargo build --release
+file target/x86_64-unknown-linux-musl/release/improvise  # → statically linked
+
+# Import test
+./improvise --cmd '{"op":"ImportJson","path":"sample.json"}' --cmd '{"op":"Save","path":"test.improv"}'
+
+# Formula test
+./improvise test.improv \
+  --cmd '{"op":"AddFormula","raw":"Profit = Revenue - Cost","target_category":"Measure"}'
+
+# Headless script
+./improvise new.improv --script tests/setup.jsonl
+
+# TUI
+./improvise model.improv
+```