fix: set update loading state before request

.claude/working-rules.md

@@ -119,3 +119,5 @@ At the end of a task, normally report only:
 - git status.
 
 Stop after reporting. Do not begin the next task automatically.
+
+When a task is interrupted by output limits, resume with a narrowly scoped repair prompt rather than restating the entire original brief.

components/scenario-form.jsx

@@ -231,6 +231,16 @@ export default function ScenarioForm() {
   const handleUpdate = async (e) => {
     e.preventDefault();
 
+    // Guard empty answer before showing loading state
+    if (!answer?.trim()) {
+      setUpdateStatus("error");
+      setUpdateError({ error: "Please enter an answer before updating." });
+      return;
+    }
+
+    setUpdateStatus("loading");
+    setUpdateError(null);
+
     const submission = await submitAnswerForUpdateCase(fetch, {
       situationGraph: result?.situationGraph,
       previousQuestion: result?.selectedQuestion,
@@ -243,9 +253,6 @@ export default function ScenarioForm() {
       return;
     }
 
-    setUpdateStatus("loading");
-    setUpdateError(null);
-
     try {
       const outcome = submission.data;