fix: unify reasoning mode across submissions

2026-08-05 08:27:22 +01:00
parent c87fd65e13
commit 6d11c1d503
5 changed files with 132 additions and 4 deletions
@@ -177,3 +177,78 @@ History should remain collapsed unless the user chooses to inspect previous reas
 ### Original situation

 Once an investigation has started, the original scenario becomes reference material rather than the primary focus.
+
+## Interaction Modes
+
+The Confidence Engine operates in two distinct modes.
+
+### Workspace Mode
+
+The user is reading, thinking, and providing information.
+
+The interface should:
+
+- present the current investigation
+- allow the user to answer
+- show the current understanding
+- provide investigation history
+
+The workspace is interactive.
+
+---
+
+### Reasoning Mode
+
+The engine is analysing the available evidence.
+
+The interface should:
+
+- clearly indicate that reasoning is in progress
+- temporarily suspend the workspace
+- reassure the user that their input has been accepted
+- avoid displaying partial or changing reasoning
+
+The workspace is paused until reasoning completes.
+
+---
+
+### Transition
+
+Every submission follows the same lifecycle:
+
+User submits information
+↓
+Workspace pauses
+↓
+Reasoning mode
+↓
+Updated workspace appears
+
+The interaction should be identical whether the submission is:
+
+- the initial situation
+- an investigation answer
+- a future uploaded document
+- any other evidence
+
+Users should never wonder whether their input has been accepted or whether the engine is still reasoning.
+
+---
+
+## Consistent Submission Lifecycle
+
+Every submission follows the same lifecycle regardless of context.
+
+1. User submits → workspace pauses immediately, stale content disappears
+2. Reasoning mode appears with loading overlay (spinner, rotating status messages, elapsed timer)
+3. Updated workspace returns or error state appears
+
+The loading card must appear before any async request begins and remain visible until the result arrives. 
+
+During reasoning mode:
+- The workspace is fully hidden (not just disabled)
+- No stale question, response form, or active indicators are visible
+- The Investigation Summary Panel shows "Reasoning" rather than "Investigation in progress"
+- Recovery states render on top of the loading overlay when applicable
+
+This applies equally to initial analysis and all update submissions.