directus-task-management/docs/front-end-spec.md

# Directus Task Management Suite UI/UX Specification

## Introduction

This document defines the user experience goals, information architecture, user flows, and visual design specifications for Directus Task Management Suite's user interface. It serves as the foundation for visual design and frontend development, ensuring a cohesive and user-centered experience.

### Overall UX Goals & Principles

#### Target User Personas

**1. Primary Developer** - You, as the project owner managing multiple AI projects through both web interface and CLI tools. Needs efficient task management, AI agent integration, and seamless workflow between strategic planning and tactical execution.

**2. AI Agents** - Claude Code agents and BMad specialized agents requiring structured data access, clear context provision, and programmatic interfaces for task operations.

**3. Collaborative Team Members** - Future team members who will access the Directus web interface for task collaboration, requiring intuitive UI without deep technical knowledge.

**4. System Administrators** - Users managing the Directus instance, handling permissions, monitoring performance, and maintaining data integrity.

#### Usability Goals

- **Efficiency of use:** Power users can create, update, and track tasks in under 30 seconds
- **AI-first interaction:** Natural language task creation available on every screen
- **Seamless integration:** One-click sync between Task Master CLI and web interface
- **Progressive complexity:** Simple interface for basic users, advanced features accessible but not intrusive
- **Real-time feedback:** All actions provide immediate visual confirmation and state updates

#### Design Principles

1. **AI-Native Interface** - Every interaction should consider both human and AI agent users
2. **Context Preservation** - Maintain user's mental model across BMad strategic and Task Master tactical views
3. **Data Density with Clarity** - Show rich information without overwhelming, using progressive disclosure
4. **Workflow Automation** - Reduce repetitive actions through smart defaults and bulk operations
5. **Unified Experience** - Consistent patterns whether accessing via Directus admin, MCP tools, or future custom UI

#### Change Log
| Date | Version | Description | Author |
|------|---------|-------------|--------|
| 2025-08-11 | 1.0 | Initial UI/UX specification created | UX Expert |

## Information Architecture (IA)

*Risk-adjusted structure balancing MVP focus with AI development workflow requirements.*

### Site Map / Screen Inventory

```mermaid
graph TD
    A[Dashboard] --> B[Tasks]
    A --> C[Projects]
    A --> D[AI Center]
    A --> E[Settings]
    
    B --> B1[Task List]
    B --> B2[Task Details]
    B --> B3[Dependencies View]
    
    C --> C1[Project List]
    C --> C2[Project Details]
    C --> C3[BMad Workflows]
    
    D --> D1[AI Task Creation]
    D --> D2[Agent Activity Log]
    D --> D3[Task Master Sync]
    D --> D4[Natural Language Interface]
    
    E --> E1[MCP Configuration]
    E --> E2[AI Model Settings]
    E --> E3[Workflow Rules]
```

### Navigation Structure

**Primary Navigation:** Horizontal top bar with Dashboard, Tasks, Projects, AI Center, and Settings. Features persistent AI prompt input field and Task Master sync status indicator in header.

**Secondary Navigation:** Contextual sidebar within each primary section showing relevant filters, quick actions, and status indicators. Collapsible for focused work.

**Breadcrumb Strategy:** Context-aware breadcrumbs showing: Section > Context > Item (e.g., "Tasks > Sprint 1 > Task #42" or "Projects > BMad Planning > Architecture Review"). All levels clickable for quick navigation.

### Key IA Decisions

**AI Center as First-Class Section:** Recognizes that 80% of task creation comes from AI agents, providing dedicated space for AI-human collaboration patterns.

**BMad Workflows in Projects:** Strategic planning activities grouped with project context rather than mixed with tactical task execution.

**Task Master Sync Prominence:** Placed in AI Center as it's the bridge between CLI workflows and web interface, supporting your existing development patterns.

**Progressive Disclosure:** Complex features (Dependencies, Analytics) accessible but not prominent until needed.

## User Flows

### AI-Powered Task Creation Flow

**User Goal:** Create comprehensive task breakdown from natural language description using AI assistance

**Entry Points:** Global AI prompt field in header, AI Center > AI Task Creation, Project Details > Add Tasks via AI

**Success Criteria:** Task created with proper metadata, dependencies, and subtasks; integrated with existing project structure; synced to Task Master CLI automatically

#### Enhanced Flow Diagram

```mermaid
graph TD
    A[User enters prompt + selects context] --> B[AI analyzes with BMad/TaskMaster context]
    B --> C[AI generates tiered suggestions]
    C --> D{Task complexity?}
    D -->|Simple| E[Auto-create with 3-second undo]
    D -->|Complex| F[Show structured preview]
    F --> G{User action?}
    G -->|Approve| H[Create tasks batch]
    G -->|Edit| I[Switch to guided editor]
    G -->|Retry| J[Enhanced prompt interface]
    I --> H
    J --> B
    E --> K[Background sync to Task Master]
    H --> K
    K --> L[Contextual success feedback]
    L --> M[Smart next action suggestions]
```

#### Key Flow Features

**Context Selection Upfront:** User chooses context (Current Project, BMad Workflow, Task Master Import, Global) - AI suggestions adapt to selected context for better relevance

**Complexity-Based Branching:** Simple tasks auto-create with undo option; complex tasks show structured preview; reduces friction for power users while maintaining control

**Enhanced Error Recovery:** Three recovery paths (Approve, Edit via guided form, Retry with better prompt); guided editor provides structure for users who struggle with natural language

#### Edge Cases & Error Handling
- AI context failures: Missing project context prompts user selection; BMad workflow mismatch suggests closest match
- User intent ambiguity: Multiple interpretations shown as quick buttons; scope uncertainty triggers inline clarifying questions
- Integration failures: Duplicate detection with similarity scores; dependency conflicts show visual impact; permission issues with graceful degradation

## Wireframes & Mockups

### Design Tool Strategy

**Primary Design Files:** None required - wireframes described textually using proven patterns from Trello, Jira, and Asana as reference

**Development Approach:** Direct implementation using existing component libraries with these layouts as reference

### Key Screen Layouts

#### 1. Dashboard (Asana-inspired)

**Purpose:** Central hub with AI-enhanced quick actions

**Layout Concept:**
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ [☰] Dashboard    [🔍 Search] [🤖 Ask AI...]  [@] [⚙️]    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─Sidebar────┐  ┌─Main Content─────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Projects    │  │ ┌─My Tasks─────┐ ┌─AI Activity────┐ │ │
│ │ • Project A │  │ │ 5 In Progress │ │ 12 tasks today │ │ │
│ │ • Project B │  │ │ 3 In Review   │ │ 8 via AI       │ │ │
│ │             │  │ └───────────────┘ └─────────────────┘ │ │
│ │ AI Center   │  │ ┌─Recent Tasks─────────────────────┐ │ │
│ │ • Create    │  │ │ [🤖] Implement auth system       │ │ │
│ │ • Sync      │  │ │ [📝] Update API documentation    │ │ │
│ └─────────────┘  │ └─────────────────────────────────┘ │ │
│                  └───────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

#### 2. AI Task Creation Interface

**Purpose:** Dedicated interface for natural language task creation with context awareness

**Layout Concept:**
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ AI Center                                               │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ ┌─Create Tasks──────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Describe what you want to build:                     │ │
│ │ ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐ │ │
│ │ │ Add user authentication to my API with OAuth2...   │ │ │
│ │ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │ │
│ │ Context: [Current Project ▼] [🔄 Task Master Sync]   │ │
│ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│                                                         │
│ ┌─Recent AI Activity─────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ 🤖 Generated 5 tasks for "API Security"              │ │
│ │ 🤖 Enhanced task descriptions in Project Alpha        │ │
│ │ 🔄 Synced 12 tasks from Task Master CLI              │ │
│ └───────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Component Library / Design System

### Design System Approach

**Design System Strategy:** Adopt existing design system (Chakra UI or Ant Design) + AI-specific component extensions

### Core Components

#### 1. AI Prompt Input
**Purpose:** Primary interface for natural language task creation and AI interactions
**Variants:** Compact (header), Expanded (full-width), Modal (focused creation)
**States:** Empty, typing, processing, success, error, disabled

#### 2. Task Card (Enhanced)
**Purpose:** Display individual tasks with origin tracking and smart actions  
**Variants:** Compact (list view), Detailed (board view), Inline-edit (quick editing)
**States:** Normal, selected, editing, syncing, error, archived

#### 3. Context Selector
**Purpose:** Help users specify context for AI operations
**Variants:** Chips (quick selection), Dropdown (full list), Smart (AI-suggested)
**States:** None selected, single selected, multiple selected, loading options

#### 4. Status Workflow Indicator
**Purpose:** Visual representation of task progress through BMad/custom workflows
**Variants:** Progress bar (linear), Badge cluster (multiple types), Timeline (historical)
**States:** Not started, in progress, completed, blocked, skipped

#### 5. Sync Status Component  
**Purpose:** Real-time indication of Task Master CLI integration health
**Variants:** Icon only (minimal), Detailed (full status), Interactive (click actions)
**States:** Connected, syncing, disconnected, error, manual sync needed

#### 6. Bulk Action Toolbar
**Purpose:** Efficient multi-task operations with AI assistance
**Variants:** Floating (appears on selection), Fixed (always visible), Contextual (adaptive)
**States:** No selection, single selected, multiple selected, processing

## Branding & Style Guide

### Visual Identity
**Brand Guidelines:** Align with existing Directus brand identity + AI-development theme

### Color Palette
| Color Type | Hex Code | Usage |
|------------|----------|--------|
| Primary | #6366F1 | AI-powered features, primary CTAs, active states |
| Secondary | #8B5CF6 | BMad workflow indicators, secondary actions |
| Accent | #10B981 | Success states, Task Master sync connected |
| Success | #059669 | Task completion, successful operations |
| Warning | #D97706 | Sync issues, attention needed |
| Error | #DC2626 | Failed operations, blocking issues |
| Neutral | #6B7280, #F9FAFB, #E5E7EB | Text, borders, backgrounds |

### Typography
#### Font Families
- **Primary:** Inter (clean, readable, modern feel)
- **Secondary:** System fonts fallback (SF Pro, Segoe UI)  
- **Monospace:** JetBrains Mono (for code, task IDs, technical data)

#### Type Scale
| Element | Size | Weight | Line Height |
|---------|------|--------|-------------|
| H1 | 2.25rem (36px) | 700 (Bold) | 1.2 |
| H2 | 1.875rem (30px) | 600 (SemiBold) | 1.3 |
| H3 | 1.5rem (24px) | 600 (SemiBold) | 1.4 |
| Body | 1rem (16px) | 400 (Regular) | 1.5 |
| Small | 0.875rem (14px) | 400 (Regular) | 1.4 |

### Iconography
**Icon Library:** Heroicons (matches Directus ecosystem) + custom AI-specific icons
**Custom AI Icons:** 🤖 AI-generated, 🔄 Task Master sync, 🧠 Smart suggestions, ⚡ Quick AI actions
**Usage Guidelines:** Consistent 20px/24px sizing, AI-specific icons use primary color (#6366F1)

### Spacing & Layout
**Grid System:** 8px base unit grid system
**Spacing Scale:** xs(4px), sm(8px), md(16px), lg(24px), xl(32px), 2xl(48px)

## Accessibility Requirements

### Compliance Target
**Standard:** WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance

### Key Requirements

#### Visual:
- **Color contrast ratios:** Minimum 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text and UI components
- **Focus indicators:** Visible 2px solid outline with 2px offset, using primary color (#6366F1)
- **Text sizing:** Minimum 16px base font size, scalable to 200% without horizontal scrolling

#### Interaction:
- **Keyboard navigation:** Complete functionality accessible via keyboard, logical tab order
- **Screen reader support:** Proper ARIA labels, landmarks, and live regions for dynamic content
- **Touch targets:** Minimum 44px click/touch area for all interactive elements

#### Content:
- **Alternative text:** Descriptive alt text for all images, including AI status icons and charts
- **Heading structure:** Proper H1-H6 hierarchy without skipping levels
- **Form labels:** Explicit labels or ARIA-label for all form inputs and controls

### AI-Specific Accessibility Considerations
- Screen reader announcements for AI operations start/complete
- Live region updates for AI-generated content with descriptive text
- Keyboard shortcuts for common AI actions (Ctrl+K for prompt, Ctrl+Shift+A for AI enhance)
- Clear labeling of AI-generated vs. human-created content

### Testing Strategy
- axe-core integration in development pipeline for continuous accessibility scanning
- Manual keyboard-only navigation testing for all critical user flows
- Screen reader testing (NVDA, JAWS, VoiceOver) on key screens

## Responsiveness Strategy

### Breakpoints
| Breakpoint | Min Width | Max Width | Target Devices |
|------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|
| Mobile | 320px | 767px | iPhone, Android phones, small tablets |
| Tablet | 768px | 1023px | iPad, Surface, large phones landscape |
| Desktop | 1024px | 1439px | Laptops, smaller monitors |
| Wide | 1440px | - | Large monitors, ultrawide displays |

### Adaptation Patterns

#### Layout Changes:
- **Mobile:** Single column, collapsible navigation, full-width components
- **Tablet:** Two-column layout, persistent sidebar, optimized for touch
- **Desktop:** Multi-column layout, hover states, dense information display
- **Wide:** Three-column layout, expanded panels, maximum information density

#### AI-Specific Responsive Patterns:
- **Mobile:** AI prompt becomes full-screen modal when focused, voice input option
- **Tablet:** Half-screen overlay with context selection chips  
- **Desktop:** Inline expansion with preview panel
- **Wide:** Permanent expanded state with live suggestions

#### Critical Mobile Optimizations:
- Voice input option for AI prompts (speech-to-text)
- One-handed operation for task status changes
- Swipe gestures for status changes (swipe right = done)
- Offline queue for AI requests when connectivity limited

## Animation & Micro-interactions

### Motion Principles
**Motion Design Philosophy:** Purposeful animation that provides feedback, guides attention, and maintains spatial relationships during AI operations

### Key Animations

#### AI Processing Indicators
- **AI Prompt Processing:** Pulsing dots animation with staggered timing (Duration: 1.2s, Easing: ease-in-out, Loop: infinite)
- **Task Generation:** Progress bar with shimmer effect showing AI "thinking" (Duration: 0.8s, Easing: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.6, 1))
- **Content Streaming:** Typewriter effect for AI-generated task descriptions (Duration: variable, Easing: linear)

#### Status & State Changes
- **Task Status Update:** Smooth color transition with subtle scale pulse (Duration: 300ms, Easing: ease-out)
- **Sync Status Changes:** Icon rotation for syncing state, check mark bounce for success (Duration: 200ms, Easing: spring)
- **Bulk Operation Progress:** Coordinated stagger animation showing batch progress (Duration: 150ms per item, Easing: ease-out)

#### AI-Specific Motion Language
- **Thinking:** Slow, rhythmic pulsing (1.2s cycle) with soft indigo glow
- **Analyzing:** Faster pulsing (0.8s cycle) with scanning line effect  
- **Generating:** Particle effect suggesting content creation
- **Complete:** Satisfying "pop" animation with check mark reveal

### Performance Considerations
- **CSS Transforms Only:** Use transform and opacity for smooth hardware acceleration
- **Reduced Motion Respect:** All animations disable cleanly with `prefers-reduced-motion`
- **Mobile Performance:** Limit concurrent animations to 3 maximum on mobile devices

## Performance Considerations

### Performance Goals
- **Page Load:** Initial page render < 2 seconds, full functionality < 3 seconds
- **Interaction Response:** UI feedback within 100ms, complete operations < 500ms (excluding AI processing)
- **AI Operations:** Processing acknowledgment < 200ms, results delivery 1-3 seconds based on complexity
- **Animation FPS:** Maintain 60fps for all animations, 30fps minimum on low-end devices
- **Memory Usage:** < 100MB baseline, < 200MB with large task lists loaded

### Design Strategies

#### AI-Specific Performance Optimizations
- **Request Batching:** Group multiple AI operations to reduce API calls
- **Progressive Loading:** Load essential UI first, AI features second
- **Smart Caching:** Cache AI-generated task templates and common responses
- **Response Time Optimization:** Show immediate acknowledgment of AI requests

#### Data Management Performance
- **Virtual Scrolling:** Render only visible tasks in large lists (10,000+ tasks)
- **State Management:** Normalize task data to prevent duplication
- **Network Optimization:** GraphQL queries to fetch only needed data

#### Mobile-Specific Optimizations
- **Battery Efficiency:** Reduce background processing when battery < 20%
- **Network Awareness:** Adapt functionality based on connection speed
- **Memory Management:** Aggressive cleanup of unused components

### Performance Budget
- **JavaScript Bundle:** < 500KB initial, < 1MB total with lazy loading
- **Critical CSS:** < 50KB inline, rest lazy loaded
- **Images:** WebP format, responsive sizing, lazy loading
- **API Response:** < 100KB per request, pagination for large datasets

## Next Steps

### Immediate Actions
1. **Stakeholder Review & Approval** - Review this specification with key stakeholders and get sign-off on the AI-first approach and responsive design strategy
2. **Component Library Selection** - Choose between Chakra UI, Ant Design, or Directus native components based on team preferences and technical constraints
3. **AI Integration Architecture Planning** - Define the technical architecture for AI prompt processing, context management, and Task Master synchronization
4. **Development Environment Setup** - Configure development environment with chosen component library, performance monitoring, and accessibility testing tools
5. **Create High-Priority Wireframe Details** - Focus on AI Prompt Input component and Task Card variations as these are foundational to the user experience
6. **Accessibility Baseline Implementation** - Set up automated accessibility testing and establish WCAG 2.1 AA compliance validation in the development pipeline

### Design Handoff Checklist
- [x] **All user flows documented** - AI-powered task creation and key workflows defined
- [x] **Component inventory complete** - Six core components specified with variants and states
- [x] **Accessibility requirements defined** - WCAG 2.1 AA compliance strategy established
- [x] **Responsive strategy clear** - Four-breakpoint strategy with AI-specific adaptations
- [x] **Brand guidelines incorporated** - Visual identity aligned with Directus ecosystem
- [x] **Performance goals established** - Specific metrics for AI operations and mobile experience

### Critical Implementation Priorities

**Phase 1 (MVP Foundation - Weeks 1-2):**
- Implement AI Prompt Input component with basic processing feedback
- Create enhanced Task Card with origin tracking (AI/Manual/Synced)
- Build responsive layout framework with mobile-first approach
- Establish accessibility baseline with keyboard navigation

**Phase 2 (AI Integration - Weeks 3-4):**
- Implement Context Selector for AI operations
- Add Sync Status component for Task Master integration
- Build bulk action toolbar with AI-powered enhancements
- Implement performance optimization strategies

**Phase 3 (Polish & Enhancement - Weeks 5-6):**
- Add animation and micro-interaction layer
- Implement advanced accessibility features
- Optimize for mobile performance and offline capabilities
- User testing and iteration based on feedback

### Success Metrics Alignment

This UI/UX specification supports your PRD success metrics:

✅ **70% efficiency improvement** - Achieved through AI-first interface design and streamlined workflows
✅ **80% AI-assisted task creation** - Primary focus on AI Prompt Input and smart suggestions  
✅ **99.9% system reliability** - Performance optimization and offline capabilities
✅ **Seamless integration** - Task Master sync and BMad workflow integration designed throughout

---

**🎯 UI/UX Specification Complete!**

The Directus Task Management Suite now has a comprehensive user experience foundation that supports your AI-first development workflow while maintaining accessibility, performance, and responsive design standards.