# Feature Specification: Bottom Navigation with Chat Entry **Feature Branch**: `001-bottom-nav` **Created**: 2025-12-06 **Status**: Draft **Input**: User description: "Implement a bottom navigation bar with home, settings, store selector, and chat window (chat feature to be implemented)." ## User Scenarios & Testing *(mandatory)* ### User Story 1 - Navigate Core Areas Quickly (Priority: P1) Store staff need to jump between Home, Store selection, and Settings from any main screen via a persistent bottom bar. **Why this priority**: Core navigation underpins daily workflows; without it users cannot reach key areas efficiently. **Independent Test**: From any signed-in screen, verify each tab switch works and the active state updates without affecting other tabs. **Acceptance Scenarios**: 1. **Given** a signed-in user on Home, **When** they tap Settings in the bottom bar, **Then** the Settings view opens and the Settings tab shows as active. 2. **Given** a user on Settings, **When** they tap Home in the bottom bar, **Then** Home opens and preserves prior Home state (e.g., scroll position) where applicable. --- ### User Story 2 - Switch Store Context (Priority: P2) Store managers or associates need to select or change the active store via the dedicated tab and see the chosen store reflected in the app. **Why this priority**: Correct store context is required for viewing inventory, orders, and settings accurately. **Independent Test**: From any main screen, open the Store tab, choose a different store, and verify the app updates to that context without affecting unrelated tabs. **Acceptance Scenarios**: 1. **Given** a user with multiple stores, **When** they open the Store tab, **Then** they see their assigned stores with the current store marked. 2. **Given** a user selects a different store, **When** they confirm the switch, **Then** the active store updates across the app and the Store tab reflects the new selection. --- ### User Story 3 - Access Chat Entry Point (Priority: P3) Users need a clear entry point to the chat window from the bottom bar, even if full chat functionality is still under development. **Why this priority**: Establishes user familiarity with the chat location and allows a future rollout without redesigning navigation. **Independent Test**: From any main screen, tap Chat and verify it opens the chat container with a clear status message and a path back to other tabs. **Acceptance Scenarios**: 1. **Given** a user on any tab, **When** they tap Chat, **Then** the chat window opens and communicates current availability (e.g., coming soon) while allowing return navigation. 2. **Given** a user attempts to access chat when connectivity is limited, **When** the chat window opens, **Then** it shows an informative message and does not block other navigation. --- ### Edge Cases - No store assigned to the user: Store tab shows an empty state and prompts to request access instead of failing. - Store switch attempted while an action is in progress (e.g., unsaved settings): User is prompted to confirm or cancel switching to avoid losing work. - Limited or no connectivity: Navigation stays responsive; Store and Chat tabs show offline messaging rather than failing silently. - Deep-linked screens: Bottom nav appears and correctly highlights the matching tab when applicable. - Screens where bottom navigation should be suppressed (e.g., onboarding or full-screen modals): Navigation hides to avoid conflicts, and returns after completion. ## Assumptions - Users are already authenticated before reaching screens that display the bottom navigation. - All roles that can sign in may see the Home, Store, and Settings tabs; chat access uses the same visibility for now. - Existing store data and permissions are already available in the app; chat backend integration will be addressed separately. ## Requirements *(mandatory)* ### Functional Requirements - **FR-001**: Provide a persistent bottom navigation bar with four items: Home, Store, Chat, and Settings, visible on signed-in main screens. - **FR-002**: Display clear labels and icons for each navigation item, with a distinct active state highlighting the current tab. - **FR-003**: Preserve each tab’s last visible state when switching between tabs to avoid unintended resets of ongoing user tasks. - **FR-004**: Show the currently selected store name (or concise label) on the Store tab; when no store is selected, prompt the user to pick one before continuing. - **FR-005**: Allow users with multiple stores to view available stores, select a different store, and confirm the change; reflect the new store context across the app after confirmation. - **FR-006**: Prevent accidental loss of in-progress work (e.g., unsaved settings) by warning users before switching stores or tabs if the change would discard pending input. - **FR-007**: Provide a chat tab that opens a chat window container; until chat is available, show a clear status message (e.g., “Chat coming soon” or “Chat unavailable offline”) and a way to return to other tabs. - **FR-008**: Ensure navigation remains usable in low-connectivity scenarios, showing retries or informational messages on tabs that rely on network data without blocking other navigation. ### Auth & Permissions - Required access levels: All authenticated roles see Home, Store, Chat, and Settings; store switching is available only to users assigned to multiple stores. - Navigation guards: Bottom navigation is shown only after authentication and hidden during onboarding or blocking flows; tabs respect existing access rules (e.g., hide Store if user lacks store access). - Secure storage usage: No new secrets introduced; respect existing session handling and clear any restricted state if access is revoked. ### API Contracts - Endpoints touched: Uses existing store list and context endpoints; no new APIs required for navigation itself. - Request/response shape changes: None for this feature; store display uses already available fields (name/identifier/status). - Mapper/fixture updates: None; chat tab remains a placeholder without backend calls until chat is implemented. ### UX States & Resilience - Loading/empty/error states: Store tab shows loading while fetching stores, an informative empty state when none are assigned, and actionable error messaging with retry on failure. - Offline handling: Keep navigation responsive; store switching and chat entry display offline messaging with retry guidance, while other tabs remain accessible. - Style compliance: Follow existing app typography, spacing, and iconography patterns so the bottom bar matches established UI components. ### Key Entities *(include if feature involves data)* - **Store**: Represents a retail location available to the user; key attributes include identifier, display name, status/availability, and whether the user can access it. - **User Context**: Captures the authenticated user’s role and current store selection to gate visibility and reflect store changes across the app. ## Success Criteria *(mandatory)* ### Measurable Outcomes - **SC-001**: 95% of users can move between Home, Store, Chat, and Settings in two taps or fewer from any main screen. - **SC-002**: Store switching completes in under 10 seconds (including loading options and confirming) for 95% of attempts, with zero critical errors. - **SC-003**: 90% of sessions display the correct active store immediately after switching, with no stale store context observed in subsequent screens. - **SC-004**: 100% of chat tab openings show a clear availability or placeholder message and allow returning to other tabs without app restart.