v3.76.0

- Updated IStep interface to include optional footerContent for step-specific actions.
- Implemented createAndShow static method for displaying stepper as an overlay with DeesWindowLayer.
- Refactored render method to wrap each step in a dees-tile, separating header, body, and footer content.
- Enhanced CSS for dual-mode operation, adjusting styles for overlay and inline modes.
- Added z-index management for overlay stepper to ensure proper stacking with window layer.
- Updated demo to include a button for launching the stepper as an overlay.

changelog.md

@@ -1,5 +1,131 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.76.0 - feat(input)
+separate label info tooltips from description text across input components
+
+- adds a dedicated infoText property for dees-label tooltips while keeping description available for helper text rendered below inputs
+- introduces a shared renderDescription() helper in the input base component and updates multiple input components to use the unified description styling
+- updates demos and consuming components to migrate tooltip content from description to infoText where appropriate
+
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.75.0 - feat(dees-tile)
+add configurable overscroll handling to tile content and use it in modals
+
+- introduces a reflected overscroll property on dees-tile with contain, auto, and none options
+- moves tile content scrolling and scrollbar styling into dees-tile instead of modal-specific styling
+- updates dees-modal to enable contained overscroll through the new dees-tile API
+
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.74.2 - fix(modal,tile,input-text)
+move scroll handling from tile content to modal and update input text demo to use changeSubject subscriptions
+
+- bump @design.estate/dees-wcctools from ^3.8.2 to ^3.8.4
+- set dees-tile content overflow to hidden and apply scroll styling through dees-modal part selectors
+- simplify the interactive dees-input-text demo by subscribing directly to changeSubject for live value updates
+
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.74.1 - fix(dees-input-text)
+adjust password toggle and validation icon alignment in text input
+
+- positions the password toggle and validation icon with fixed top offsets for improved vertical alignment
+- updates the validation icon styling to use a larger themed icon without the circular background
+
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.74.0 - feat(input-text)
+add validated success state and text editing context menu to text inputs
+
+- show a delayed checkmark confirmation for successful validation and hide inline validation text afterward
+- move IBAN validation handling into the shared text input validation function
+- improve the email validation demo to use a stricter regex-based check
+- add cut, copy, paste, and select-all context menu actions for text inputs
+
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.73.2 - fix(input,label)
+correct validation state attribute handling in text inputs and refine label description icon styling
+
+- Change dees-input-text validationState to reflect as a string attribute and align validation selectors with the emitted host attribute
+- Wrap the dees-label description icon in a dedicated container to improve sizing, hover feedback, and alignment
+
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.73.1 - fix(dees-label)
+align label content and icon consistently using inline flex layout
+
+- change the label container from inline-block to inline-flex with centered alignment
+- remove icon-specific vertical transform in favor of layout-based alignment
+
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.73.0 - feat(dees-label)
+expand dees-label demo coverage and update supporting dependencies
+
+- replace the minimal dees-label demo with a structured showcase for basic, required, description, combined, and empty-label states
+- add themed demo styling and inline annotations to better document component behavior
+- update @design.estate/dees-wcctools, lucide, and @types/node dependency versions
+
+## 2026-04-12 - 3.72.1 - fix(dees-stepper)
+improve stepper exit animation timing for cancel confirmation flow
+
+- Animate step tiles downward with fade-out during teardown instead of only fading the container
+- Delay stepper destruction briefly after dismissing the confirmation modal so both exit transitions render smoothly
+- Increase teardown delay to match the updated exit animation duration
+
+## 2026-04-11 - 3.72.0 - feat(dees-stepper)
+add configurable cancellation flow with confirmation modal
+
+- adds a cancelable option to control whether steppers can be dismissed
+- shows a confirmation modal when canceling via the new Cancel button or overlay backdrop
+- updates footer button rendering and separators to support the new cancel action consistently
+
+## 2026-04-11 - 3.71.1 - fix(dees-modal)
+move modal content scrolling into dees-tile so long content stays scrollable with pinned header and actions
+
+- Update dees-tile content area to use vertical scrolling when constrained by a max-height while keeping horizontal overflow clipped.
+- Remove duplicate scrolling styles from dees-modal and rely on the shared tile container behavior.
+- Add modal demo cases for long article, list, and form content to verify internal scrolling.
+
+## 2026-04-11 - 3.71.0 - feat(dees-stepper)
+add footer menu actions with form-aware step validation
+
+- replace step footer submit handling with configurable menuOptions actions
+- disable the primary footer action until required form fields are completed and show a completion hint
+- dispatch form data before running primary step actions and clean up form subscriptions on destroy
+- adjust overlay host positioning so the stepper container controls viewport layering correctly
+
+## 2026-04-11 - 3.70.1 - fix(dees-modal)
+use icon font sizing for modal header buttons
+
+- replace fixed width and height on header button icons with font-size to align dees-icon rendering
+
+## 2026-04-08 - 3.70.0 - feat(dees-table)
+add opt-in flash highlighting for updated table cells
+
+- introduces highlight-updates and highlight-duration properties for diff-based cell update highlighting
+- adds a warning banner when flash highlighting is enabled without rowKey
+- keeps selection stable across data refreshes and avoids flashing user-edited cells
+- includes a live demo showcasing flashing updates and reduced-motion support
+
+## 2026-04-08 - 3.69.1 - fix(ui)
+refine heading emphasis and animate app dashboard subview expansion
+
+- Adjust heading color hierarchy so h1-h2 use primary text while h3-h6 use secondary text, and reduce h1 font weight for better visual balance
+- Replace app dashboard subview conditional rendering with animated expand/collapse behavior using grid transitions and inert state handling
+
+## 2026-04-08 - 3.69.0 - feat(dees-heading)
+add numeric aliases for horizontal rule heading levels and refine heading spacing styles
+
+- Support level="7" as an alias for "hr" and level="8" as an alias for "hr-small".
+- Update heading and hr variant styles to use design tokens for spacing and colors, with per-level margin tuning.
+- Extend the demo to show both named and numeric hr heading level variants.
+
+## 2026-04-08 - 3.68.0 - feat(dees-simple-appdash)
+add nested sidebar subviews and preserve submit labels from slotted text
+
+- support grouped navigation items with expandable subviews and parent-to-first-subview fallback in the app dashboard
+- allow dees-form-submit to derive its button text from light DOM content when no explicit text property is set
+
+## 2026-04-07 - 3.67.1 - fix(repo)
+no changes to commit
+
+
+## 2026-04-07 - 3.67.0 - feat(dees-table)
+improve inline cell editors with integrated input styling and auto-open dropdowns
+
+- add a visually integrated mode to dees-input-text and dees-input-dropdown for table cell editing
+- auto-open dropdown editors when a table cell enters edit mode
+- refine table editing cell outline and dropdown value matching for inline editors
+
 ## 2026-04-07 - 3.66.0 - feat(dees-table)
 add virtualized row rendering for large tables and optimize table rendering performance
 

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@design.estate/dees-catalog",
-  "version": "3.66.0",
+  "version": "3.76.0",
   "private": false,
   "description": "A comprehensive library that provides dynamic web components for building sophisticated and modern web applications using JavaScript and TypeScript.",
   "main": "dist_ts_web/index.js",
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@
   "dependencies": {
     "@design.estate/dees-domtools": "^2.5.4",
     "@design.estate/dees-element": "^2.2.4",
-    "@design.estate/dees-wcctools": "^3.8.0",
+    "@design.estate/dees-wcctools": "^3.8.4",
     "@fortawesome/fontawesome-svg-core": "^7.2.0",
     "@fortawesome/free-brands-svg-icons": "^7.2.0",
     "@fortawesome/free-regular-svg-icons": "^7.2.0",
@@ -35,10 +35,10 @@
     "@tiptap/starter-kit": "^2.23.0",
     "@tsclass/tsclass": "^9.5.0",
     "echarts": "^5.6.0",
-    "lightweight-charts": "^5.1.0",
     "highlight.js": "11.11.1",
     "ibantools": "^4.5.1",
-    "lucide": "^0.577.0",
+    "lightweight-charts": "^5.1.0",
+    "lucide": "^1.8.0",
     "monaco-editor": "0.55.1",
     "pdfjs-dist": "^4.10.38",
     "xterm": "^5.3.0",
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@
     "@git.zone/tstest": "^3.6.3",
     "@git.zone/tswatch": "^3.3.2",
     "@push.rocks/projectinfo": "^5.1.0",
-    "@types/node": "^25.5.0"
+    "@types/node": "^25.6.0"
   },
   "files": [
     "ts/**/*",

pnpm-lock.yaml

@@ -15,8 +15,8 @@ importers:
         specifier: ^2.2.4
         version: 2.2.4
       '@design.estate/dees-wcctools':
-        specifier: ^3.8.0
+        specifier: ^3.8.4
-        version: 3.8.0
+        version: 3.8.4
       '@fortawesome/fontawesome-svg-core':
         specifier: ^7.2.0
         version: 7.2.0
@@ -75,8 +75,8 @@ importers:
         specifier: ^5.1.0
         version: 5.1.0
       lucide:
-        specifier: ^0.577.0
+        specifier: ^1.8.0
-        version: 0.577.0
+        version: 1.8.0
       monaco-editor:
         specifier: 0.55.1
         version: 0.55.1
@@ -106,8 +106,8 @@ importers:
         specifier: ^5.1.0
         version: 5.1.0
       '@types/node':
-        specifier: ^25.5.0
+        specifier: ^25.6.0
-        version: 25.5.0
+        version: 25.6.0
 
 packages:
 
@@ -323,8 +323,8 @@ packages:
   '@design.estate/dees-element@2.2.4':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-O9cA6flBMMd+pBwMQrZXwAWel9yVxgokolb+Em6gvkXxPJ0P/B5UDn4Vc2d4ts3ta55PTBm+l2dPeDVGx/bl7Q==}
 
-  '@design.estate/dees-wcctools@3.8.0':
+  '@design.estate/dees-wcctools@3.8.4':
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+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-KpFK/azK+a/Xpq33pXKcho+tdFKVHhKZM5ArvHqo9QMwTczgp5DZZgowTDUuqAofjZwnuVfCPHK/Pw9e64N46A==}
 
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@@ -2121,11 +2121,11 @@ packages:
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-  '@types/node@22.19.15':
+  '@types/node@22.19.17':
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-F0R/h2+dsy5wJAUe3tAU6oqa2qbWY5TpNfL/RGmo1y38hiyO1w3x2jPtt76wmuaJI4DQnOBu21cNXQ2STIUUWg==}
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-wGdMcf+vPYM6jikpS/qhg6WiqSV/OhG+jeeHT/KlVqxYfD40iYJf9/AE1uQxVWFvU7MipKRkRv8NSHiCGgPr8Q==}
 
-  '@types/node@25.5.0':
+  '@types/node@25.6.0':
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-jp2P3tQMSxWugkCUKLRPVUpGaL5MVFwF8RDuSRztfwgN1wmqJeMSbKlnEtQqU8UrhTmzEmZdu2I6v2dpp7XIxw==}
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-+qIYRKdNYJwY3vRCZMdJbPLJAtGjQBudzZzdzwQYkEPQd+PJGixUL5QfvCLDaULoLv+RhT3LDkwEfKaAkgSmNQ==}
 
   '@types/randomatic@3.1.5':
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-VCwCTw6qh1pRRw+5rNTAwqPmf6A+hdrkdM7dBpZVmhl7g+em3ONXlYK/bWPVKqVGMWgP0d1bog8Vc/X6zRwRRQ==}
@@ -3054,6 +3054,9 @@ packages:
   lucide@0.577.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-PpC/m5eOItp/WU/GlQPFBXDOhq6HibL73KzYP37OX3LM7VmzWQF8voEj8QRWUFvy9FIKfeDQkWYoyS1D/MdWFA==}
 
+  lucide@1.8.0:
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-JjV/QnadgFLj1Pyu9IKl0lknrolFEzo04B64QcYLLeRzZl/iEHpdbSrRRKbyXcv45SZNv+WGjIUCT33e7xHO6Q==}
+
   make-dir@3.1.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-g3FeP20LNwhALb/6Cz6Dd4F2ngze0jz7tbzrD2wAV+o9FeNHe4rL+yK2md0J/fiSf1sa1ADhXqi5+oVwOM/eGw==}
     engines: {node: '>=8'}
@@ -4002,8 +4005,8 @@ packages:
   undici-types@6.21.0:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-iwDZqg0QAGrg9Rav5H4n0M64c3mkR59cJ6wQp+7C4nI0gsmExaedaYLNO44eT4AtBBwjbTiGPMlt2Md0T9H9JQ==}
 
-  undici-types@7.18.2:
+  undici-types@7.19.2:
-    resolution: {integrity: sha512-AsuCzffGHJybSaRrmr5eHr81mwJU3kjw6M+uprWvCXiNeN9SOGwQ3Jn8jb8m3Z6izVgknn1R0FTCEAP2QrLY/w==}
+    resolution: {integrity: sha512-qYVnV5OEm2AW8cJMCpdV20CDyaN3g0AjDlOGf1OW4iaDEx8MwdtChUp4zu4H0VP3nDRF/8RKWH+IPp9uW0YGZg==}
 
   unified@11.0.5:
     resolution: {integrity: sha512-xKvGhPWw3k84Qjh8bI3ZeJjqnyadK+GEFtazSfZv/rKeTkTjOJho6mFqh2SM96iIcZokxiOpg78GazTSg8+KHA==}
@@ -4708,7 +4711,7 @@ snapshots:
     dependencies:
       '@design.estate/dees-domtools': 2.5.4
       '@design.estate/dees-element': 2.2.4
-      '@design.estate/dees-wcctools': 3.8.0
+      '@design.estate/dees-wcctools': 3.8.4
       '@fortawesome/fontawesome-svg-core': 7.2.0
       '@fortawesome/free-brands-svg-icons': 7.2.0
       '@fortawesome/free-regular-svg-icons': 7.2.0
@@ -4784,7 +4787,7 @@ snapshots:
       - supports-color
       - vue
 
-  '@design.estate/dees-wcctools@3.8.0':
+  '@design.estate/dees-wcctools@3.8.4':
     dependencies:
       '@design.estate/dees-domtools': 2.5.4
       '@design.estate/dees-element': 2.2.4
@@ -5257,7 +5260,7 @@ snapshots:
       '@inquirer/figures': 1.0.15
       '@inquirer/type': 2.0.0
       '@types/mute-stream': 0.0.4
-      '@types/node': 22.19.15
+      '@types/node': 22.19.17
       '@types/wrap-ansi': 3.0.0
       ansi-escapes: 4.3.2
       cli-width: 4.1.0
@@ -7235,7 +7238,7 @@ snapshots:
 
   '@types/clean-css@4.2.11':
     dependencies:
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
       source-map: 0.6.1
 
   '@types/debug@4.1.12':
@@ -7245,7 +7248,7 @@ snapshots:
   '@types/fs-extra@11.0.4':
     dependencies:
       '@types/jsonfile': 6.1.4
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
 
   '@types/hast@3.0.4':
     dependencies:
@@ -7265,7 +7268,7 @@ snapshots:
 
   '@types/jsonfile@6.1.4':
     dependencies:
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
 
   '@types/linkify-it@5.0.0': {}
 
@@ -7288,21 +7291,21 @@ snapshots:
 
   '@types/mute-stream@0.0.4':
     dependencies:
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
 
   '@types/node-forge@1.3.14':
     dependencies:
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
 
   '@types/node@16.9.1': {}
 
-  '@types/node@22.19.15':
+  '@types/node@22.19.17':
     dependencies:
       undici-types: 6.21.0
 
-  '@types/node@25.5.0':
+  '@types/node@25.6.0':
     dependencies:
-      undici-types: 7.18.2
+      undici-types: 7.19.2
 
   '@types/randomatic@3.1.5': {}
 
@@ -7314,11 +7317,11 @@ snapshots:
 
   '@types/tar-stream@3.1.4':
     dependencies:
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
 
   '@types/through2@2.0.41':
     dependencies:
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
 
   '@types/trusted-types@2.0.7': {}
 
@@ -7344,11 +7347,11 @@ snapshots:
 
   '@types/ws@8.18.1':
     dependencies:
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
 
   '@types/yauzl@2.10.3':
     dependencies:
-      '@types/node': 25.5.0
+      '@types/node': 25.6.0
     optional: true
 
   '@ungap/structured-clone@1.3.0': {}
@@ -8300,6 +8303,8 @@ snapshots:
 
   lucide@0.577.0: {}
 
+  lucide@1.8.0: {}
+
   make-dir@3.1.0:
     dependencies:
       semver: 6.3.1
@@ -9570,7 +9575,7 @@ snapshots:
 
   undici-types@6.21.0: {}
 
-  undici-types@7.18.2: {}
+  undici-types@7.19.2: {}
 
   unified@11.0.5:
     dependencies:

readme.plan.md

@@ -0,0 +1,352 @@
+# Plan: dees-stepper — adopt dees-tile + optional overlay window layer
+
+> First line (per CLAUDE.md): Please reread `/home/philkunz/.claude/CLAUDE.md` before continuing.
+
+## Context
+
+Today `dees-stepper` is an inline-only layout component: it hard-codes each step as a custom `.step` `<div>` with its own border / background / box-shadow / border-radius, and its `:host` is `position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%;` so it can only live inside a bounded parent container.
+
+The user wants it to behave more like `dees-modal`:
+
+1. Each step should be wrapped in a `<dees-tile>` — the unified "rounded on rounded" frame used by modals and panels — rather than a bespoke `.step` div.
+2. A `DeesWindowLayer` should be added behind the stepper, the same way `DeesModal.createAndShow` does, so the stepper can appear as an overlay on top of the page.
+
+User has confirmed (via AskUserQuestion in this session):
+- **API**: keep the current inline usage working AND add a static `createAndShow()` like dees-modal.
+- **Layout**: keep the current vertical stack + SweetScroll behavior inside the overlay (don't switch to single-tile swap).
+- **Nav placement**: split header/footer — goBack + step counter go into the `dees-tile` header slot; the title stays in the content area; the tile footer is used for optional next/submit buttons supplied per-step.
+
+No external consumers of `dees-stepper` were found inside this package (`grep dees-stepper|DeesStepper` only matches its own source, demo, index, changelog, readme). External consumers in dependent projects may exist — the refactor is kept backward-compatible for the inline path.
+
+## Current state (reference)
+
+**File:** `ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-stepper/dees-stepper.ts` (lines 20–299)
+
+- `IStep` interface — `title`, `content: TemplateResult`, `validationFunc`, `onReturnToStepFunc`, internal flags (lines 20–27).
+- `:host { position: absolute; width: 100%; height: 100%; }` (lines 59–63).
+- `.stepperContainer` — absolute, 100% w/h, `overflow: hidden`, holds SweetScroll (lines 64–69).
+- `.step` — max-width 500, min-height 300, `border-radius: 12px`, theme background, theme border, `box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(0,0,0,0.4)`, `filter: opacity(0.55) saturate(0.85)`, transform transition (lines 71–97). **These frame styles overlap with what `dees-tile` already provides.**
+- `.step.selected` — `filter: opacity(1) saturate(1)` (lines 89–93). **Scroll-through visual cue, keep.**
+- `.step.hiddenStep` — `filter: opacity(0)` (line 95). **Keep.**
+- `.step.entrance` — faster transition variant for first-render (lines 99–105). **Keep.**
+- `.step .stepCounter` — `position: absolute; top: 12px; right: 12px;` pill (lines 111–121). **Move into header slot as a flex child.**
+- `.step .goBack` — `position: absolute; top: 12px; left: 12px;` pill + icon + hover (lines 123–161). **Move into header slot as a flex child.**
+- `.step .title` — centered, 24px, 64px top padding (lines 163–171). **Keep inside the tile's content slot; remove the 64px top padding since goBack/counter no longer overlap it.**
+- `.step .content` — 32px padding (lines 173–175). **Keep.**
+- `render()` (lines 179–204) — maps `steps` to `.step` divs.
+- `setScrollStatus()` (lines 226–263) — SweetScroll container setup + step validation kick-off. **Keep mostly as-is; selectors still target `.step`/`.selected` so rename cautiously.**
+- `firstUpdated` (lines 210–218), `updated` (lines 220–222), `goBack` (lines 265–282), `goNext` (lines 284–298) — untouched in behavior, only DOM selectors may need adjusting.
+
+**Reference files (read, do not modify):**
+- `ts_web/elements/00group-overlay/dees-modal/dees-modal.ts` — canonical `createAndShow` + `destroy` + window-layer coordination + z-index registry usage.
+- `ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-tile/dees-tile.ts` — slot API: `slot="header"`, default slot, `slot="footer"`. Auto-hides footer when slotted nodes are empty. Uses `part="outer"`, `part="header"`, `part="content"`, `part="footer"` for external shadow-part styling.
+- `ts_web/elements/00group-overlay/dees-windowlayer/dees-windowlayer.ts` — `createAndShow({ blur })`, `destroy()`, dispatches `clicked` event on backdrop click, uses `zIndexRegistry`.
+- `ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-stepper/dees-stepper.demo.ts` — existing inline demo.
+
+## Target state
+
+### 1. IStep interface — add one optional field
+
+```ts
+export interface IStep {
+  title: string;
+  content: TemplateResult;
+  footerContent?: TemplateResult;   // NEW: optional, rendered in dees-tile footer slot
+  validationFunc?: (stepper: DeesStepper, htmlElement: HTMLElement, signal?: AbortSignal) => Promise<any>;
+  onReturnToStepFunc?: (stepper: DeesStepper, htmlElement: HTMLElement) => Promise<any>;
+  validationFuncCalled?: boolean;
+  abortController?: AbortController;
+}
+```
+
+Form-based steps don't need `footerContent` — their `dees-form-submit` stays inside the form in the content slot (as today). `footerContent` is for non-form steps that need an explicit primary action, or for any step that wants buttons in the conventional tile footer location.
+
+### 2. New overlay-mode state + API on DeesStepper
+
+```ts
+@state() accessor overlay: boolean = false;
+@state() accessor stepperZIndex: number = 1000;
+private windowLayer?: DeesWindowLayer;
+
+public static async createAndShow(optionsArg: {
+  steps: IStep[];
+}): Promise<DeesStepper> {
+  const body = document.body;
+  const stepper = new DeesStepper();
+  stepper.steps = optionsArg.steps;
+  stepper.overlay = true;
+  stepper.windowLayer = await DeesWindowLayer.createAndShow({ blur: true });
+  stepper.windowLayer.addEventListener('click', async () => {
+    await stepper.destroy();
+  });
+  body.append(stepper.windowLayer);   // (already appended inside createAndShow, but mirror dees-modal's pattern; see note)
+  body.append(stepper);
+  stepper.stepperZIndex = zIndexRegistry.getNextZIndex();
+  zIndexRegistry.register(stepper, stepper.stepperZIndex);
+  return stepper;
+}
+
+public async destroy() {
+  const domtools = await this.domtoolsPromise;
+  const container = this.shadowRoot!.querySelector('.stepperContainer');
+  container?.classList.add('predestroy');
+  await domtools.convenience.smartdelay.delayFor(200);
+  if (this.parentElement) this.parentElement.removeChild(this);
+  if (this.windowLayer) await this.windowLayer.destroy();
+  zIndexRegistry.unregister(this);
+}
+```
+
+**Note on `body.append(windowLayer)`:** `DeesWindowLayer.createAndShow` already appends the window layer to `document.body` (line 27 of `dees-windowlayer.ts`). `dees-modal.ts:71` still calls `body.append(modal.windowLayer)` — that's either a no-op (already-attached nodes) or a re-parent to keep ordering. I will match dees-modal's exact sequence verbatim to avoid introducing subtle differences; if it's a bug in dees-modal it is out of scope for this task.
+
+**Minimum new scope for createAndShow:** just `steps` for now. No `onComplete`, no `showCloseButton`, no width options. Future-proofing via additional options is an explicit follow-up — this plan keeps scope razor-sharp (per CLAUDE.md). The caller can already wire completion via the last step's `validationFunc` calling back into their own code.
+
+### 3. Render template — wrap each step in `<dees-tile>`
+
+```ts
+public render() {
+  return html`
+    <div class="stepperContainer ${this.overlay ? 'overlay' : ''}" style="${this.overlay ? `z-index: ${this.stepperZIndex}` : ''}">
+      ${this.steps.map((stepArg, i) => {
+        const isSelected = stepArg === this.selectedStep;
+        const isHidden = this.getIndexOfStep(stepArg) > this.getIndexOfStep(this.selectedStep);
+        const isFirst = i === 0;
+        const stepNumber = i + 1;
+        return html`
+          <dees-tile
+            class="step ${isSelected ? 'selected' : ''} ${isHidden ? 'hiddenStep' : ''} ${isFirst ? 'entrance' : ''}"
+          >
+            <div slot="header" class="step-header">
+              ${!isFirst
+                ? html`<div class="goBack" @click=${this.goBack}>
+                    <span>&larr;</span> go to previous step
+                  </div>`
+                : html`<div class="goBack-spacer"></div>`}
+              <div class="stepCounter">Step ${stepNumber} of ${this.steps.length}</div>
+            </div>
+            <div class="step-body">
+              <div class="title">${stepArg.title}</div>
+              <div class="content">${stepArg.content}</div>
+            </div>
+            ${stepArg.footerContent
+              ? html`<div slot="footer" class="step-footer">${stepArg.footerContent}</div>`
+              : ''}
+          </dees-tile>
+        `;
+      })}
+    </div>
+  `;
+}
+```
+
+**Key detail:** on the first step, render a `.goBack-spacer` (empty div) in the header instead of nothing — so the `stepCounter` stays right-aligned via `justify-content: space-between`. Without a spacer, flex would left-align the counter on step 1.
+
+### 4. CSS changes
+
+**Remove from `.step`:**
+- `border-radius: 12px;`
+- `background: ${cssManager.bdTheme(...)};`
+- `border: 1px solid ${cssManager.bdTheme(...)};`
+- `color: ${cssManager.bdTheme(...)};`
+- `box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);`
+- `overflow: hidden;`
+
+**Why:** `dees-tile` owns all of these now. The `.step` selector still exists (since `dees-tile` has `class="step ..."` on it), but it only controls the outer animation wrapper: `max-width`, `min-height`, `margin`, `filter`, `transform`, `transition`, `user-select`, `pointer-events`.
+
+**Keep on `.step`:**
+- `position: relative;`
+- `pointer-events: none;` + `.step.selected { pointer-events: all; }`
+- `max-width: 500px;` / `min-height: 300px;`
+- `margin: auto; margin-bottom: 20px;`
+- `filter: opacity(0.55) saturate(0.85);` + `.selected { filter: opacity(1) saturate(1); }`
+- `.hiddenStep { filter: opacity(0); }`
+- All the cubic-bezier transitions (transform/filter/box-shadow — but box-shadow is now a no-op since dees-tile provides the shadow; leave the transition spec in so we don't have to re-check browser parsing; or just drop `box-shadow` from the transition list — I'll drop it for cleanliness).
+- `.step.entrance` + `.step.entrance.hiddenStep { transform: translateY(16px); }`
+- `.step:last-child { margin-bottom: 100vh; }`
+
+**Add for dees-tile shadow enhancement:** use `::part(outer)` to apply the modal-style elevated shadow only when in overlay mode (optional polish — inline mode stays flat):
+```css
+.stepperContainer.overlay dees-tile.step::part(outer) {
+  box-shadow:
+    0 0 0 1px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.03)', 'hsl(0 0% 100% / 0.03)')},
+    0 8px 40px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.12)', 'hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.5)')},
+    0 2px 8px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.06)', 'hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.25)')};
+}
+```
+This exactly mirrors the dees-modal::part(outer) shadow stack (dees-modal.ts:157–161) so the overlay stepper reads as "same visual language as modal."
+
+**Restyle `.step-header` (NEW — the `<div slot="header">`):**
+```css
+.step-header {
+  height: 48px;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  padding: 8px 12px;
+  gap: 12px;
+}
+```
+
+**Restyle `.step .stepCounter` → `.step-header .stepCounter` (move from absolute to flex child):**
+- Drop `position: absolute; top: 12px; right: 12px;`
+- Keep everything else (padding, font-size, border-radius, background, border).
+
+**Restyle `.step .goBack` → `.step-header .goBack` (move from absolute to flex child):**
+- Drop `position: absolute; top: 12px; left: 12px;`
+- Keep everything else (padding, font-size, border-radius, background, border, hover/active states).
+
+**Add `.goBack-spacer`:**
+```css
+.goBack-spacer { width: 1px; }   /* placeholder so flex space-between works on step 1 */
+```
+
+**Restyle `.step .title`:**
+- Drop `padding-top: 64px;` — no longer overlaps anything since header is in its own slot.
+- Keep `text-align: center; font-family: 'Geist Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 24px; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: -0.01em; color: inherit;`
+- Add `padding-top: 32px;` (or similar) so there's consistent breathing room above the title inside the tile content.
+
+**Add `.step-footer` (new container for `stepArg.footerContent`):**
+```css
+.step-footer {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: flex-end;
+  gap: 8px;
+  padding: 12px 16px;
+}
+```
+
+**Add overlay-mode positioning:**
+```css
+.stepperContainer {
+  position: absolute;
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+.stepperContainer.overlay {
+  position: fixed;
+  top: 0;
+  left: 0;
+  width: 100vw;
+  height: 100vh;
+}
+.stepperContainer.predestroy {
+  opacity: 0;
+  transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in;
+}
+```
+
+**Adjust `:host` for dual-mode:**
+```css
+:host {
+  position: absolute;      /* inline default */
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  font-family: ${cssGeistFontFamily};
+  color: var(--dees-color-text-primary);
+}
+:host([overlay]) {
+  position: fixed;         /* overlay mode */
+  top: 0;
+  left: 0;
+  width: 100vw;
+  height: 100vh;
+}
+```
+
+The `overlay` @state needs to reflect to an attribute for the `:host([overlay])` selector to work. Since `@state` doesn't reflect attributes, use `@property({ type: Boolean, reflect: true })` instead — change the decorator accordingly.
+
+### 5. Imports to add in `dees-stepper.ts`
+
+```ts
+import { DeesWindowLayer } from '../../00group-overlay/dees-windowlayer/dees-windowlayer.js';
+import { zIndexRegistry } from '../../00zindex.js';
+import { cssGeistFontFamily } from '../../00fonts.js';
+import '../../00group-layout/dees-tile/dees-tile.js';
+```
+
+`dees-tile` side-effect import registers the custom element. `cssGeistFontFamily` is only needed if I add it to `:host` (which I want, to match modal).
+
+### 6. SweetScroll selector stability
+
+`setScrollStatus()` selectors target `.step` and `.selected` (lines 228–229). These continue to match since I'm keeping those class names on the `<dees-tile>` elements. **No selector changes needed.**
+
+One subtlety: `offsetTop` / `offsetHeight` on `<dees-tile>` should still work — the tile's `:host` is `display: flex; flex-direction: column;` which participates in layout. I'll verify visually in the demo.
+
+### 7. Demo update
+
+**File:** `ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-stepper/dees-stepper.demo.ts`
+
+Current demo renders one inline stepper directly. I'll keep that and add an **overlay launcher button** above it:
+
+```ts
+export const stepperDemo = () => html`
+  <div style="padding: 16px;">
+    <dees-button @click=${async () => {
+      const stepper = await DeesStepper.createAndShow({
+        steps: [/* same steps as inline demo */],
+      });
+    }}>Open stepper as overlay</dees-button>
+  </div>
+  <dees-stepper .steps=${[/* ... existing inline demo steps ... */]}></dees-stepper>
+`;
+```
+
+Extract the step definitions into a `const demoSteps = [...]` above the template so both the inline and overlay paths reuse them (DRY). Import `DeesStepper` at the top of the demo file.
+
+## Files to modify
+
+1. **`ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-stepper/dees-stepper.ts`** — main refactor (IStep, imports, render, styles, createAndShow, destroy, overlay state).
+2. **`ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-stepper/dees-stepper.demo.ts`** — add overlay launcher button, extract shared `demoSteps` const, import `DeesStepper`.
+
+**Files explicitly NOT modified:**
+- `dees-tile.ts` — used as-is via its slot API.
+- `dees-windowlayer.ts` — used as-is via `createAndShow` / `destroy` / `click` event.
+- `dees-modal.ts` — reference only.
+- `00zindex.ts` — reference only.
+
+## Verification
+
+1. **Build**: `pnpm run build` — must pass with no TS errors. Pure refactor, no new dependencies, no lib-check regressions expected.
+
+2. **Inline demo (backward compat)**:
+   - Start the demo server (port 8080 is already running) and navigate to the dees-stepper demo page.
+   - Confirm the stepper renders inline exactly like before: first step centered, subsequent steps dimmed below, scroll-through animation on goNext / goBack.
+   - Fill out the first form, submit → stepper scrolls to step 2. Click goBack → scrolls back.
+   - Confirm the `dees-tile` frame is visible on each step (rounded, bordered, themed) and that the title + form are inside the tile's content area.
+   - Confirm goBack button + step counter sit in the tile's header row, space-between, left/right respectively.
+
+3. **Overlay demo (new path)**:
+   - Click the "Open stepper as overlay" button.
+   - Confirm a `dees-windowlayer` with blur appears behind the stepper.
+   - Confirm the stepper fills the viewport (fixed, 100vw×100vh).
+   - Confirm z-index stacking: stepper above window layer above page content.
+   - Click the window layer (outside the tile) → stepper animates out, then destroys along with the window layer.
+   - Re-open and step through forward & back — behavior identical to inline mode.
+
+4. **Playwright visual check** (per CLAUDE.md: screenshots MUST go in `.playwright-mcp/`):
+   - `.playwright-mcp/dees-stepper-inline.png` — inline mode, step 1 with form.
+   - `.playwright-mcp/dees-stepper-overlay.png` — overlay mode, same step.
+   - `.playwright-mcp/dees-stepper-overlay-step3.png` — overlay mode mid-flow, to verify scroll-stack visual.
+   - Both light and dark themes if the demo has a theme toggle.
+
+5. **Grep sanity**:
+   - Confirm `dees-stepper` has no new unexpected match locations: `grep dees-stepper ts_web/` should still only match stepper's own files.
+   - Confirm no `.step` class collisions elsewhere (unlikely — `.step` is a plain class name; all usages should be shadow-scoped to `dees-stepper`).
+
+## Open assumptions & deferred scope
+
+These are explicit defaults in this plan. If the user wants different behavior for any of them, they should flag it on review — each is a simple follow-up but not in scope right now (CLAUDE.md: stay focused, no "while we're at it"):
+
+- **No close button on overlay stepper.** Clicking the window layer backdrop is the only way to dismiss. Matches how dees-modal with `showCloseButton: false` behaves. Can add a close button in a follow-up.
+- **No `onComplete` callback in `createAndShow`.** The last step doesn't auto-destroy the overlay — the app controls it via the step's `validationFunc`. Can add a callback option in a follow-up.
+- **No width/size options in `createAndShow`.** The step tile continues to use the stepper's existing `max-width: 500px`. Can parameterize in a follow-up.
+- **Box-shadow in the `.step` transition list** is dropped from the transition for cleanliness — the box-shadow is now on `dees-tile::part(outer)` and doesn't change between selected/hiddenStep, so transitioning it was already a no-op.
+- **`pnpm start` / dev server path**: I'll reuse the existing server on port 8080 that was already listening when this session began; if that server doesn't serve the stepper demo, I'll start wcctools manually.
+
+## Risk
+
+- **Low-medium.** The change is localized to one component and its demo. No API removal, only an additive `createAndShow` + an optional `footerContent` field. External consumers of the inline API continue to work if they only set `steps` + `selectedStep`.
+- **Biggest risk:** SweetScroll's `offsetTop` / `offsetHeight` measurements on `<dees-tile>` may compute differently than on the former `<div class="step">` because `dees-tile` has an internal `display: flex; flex-direction: column;` host and a `.tile-outer { flex: 1; min-height: 0; }` inner frame. If the scroll math drifts, the mitigation is to keep the `.step` wrapper as an outer `<div>` that **contains** a `<dees-tile>`, rather than putting the class directly on `<dees-tile>`. That preserves the exact box model SweetScroll was measuring. I'll try the direct-class approach first (simpler) and fall back to the wrapper approach if the scroll target looks off in the demo.
+- **Second risk:** The `:host([overlay])` attribute selector requires `overlay` to be a reflected `@property`, not `@state`. I've already accounted for this in the plan (decorator change).

ts_web/00_commitinfo_data.ts

@@ -3,6 +3,6 @@
  */
 export const commitinfo = {
   name: '@design.estate/dees-catalog',
-  version: '3.66.0',
+  version: '3.76.0',
   description: 'A comprehensive library that provides dynamic web components for building sophisticated and modern web applications using JavaScript and TypeScript.'
 }

ts_web/elements/00group-dataview/dees-table/dees-table.demo.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import { type ITableAction } from './dees-table.js';
 import * as plugins from '../../00plugins.js';
 import { html, css, cssManager } from '@design.estate/dees-element';
+import '@design.estate/dees-wcctools/demotools';
 
 interface ITableDemoData {
   date: string;
@@ -742,6 +743,71 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
           ] as ITableAction[]}
         ></dees-table>
       </div>
+
+      <dees-demowrapper .runAfterRender=${async (elementArg: HTMLElement) => {
+        const tableEl = elementArg.querySelector('#demoLiveFlash') as any;
+        if (!tableEl) return;
+        // Guard against double-start if runAfterRender fires more than once
+        // (e.g. across hot-reload cycles).
+        if (tableEl.__liveFlashTimerId) {
+          window.clearInterval(tableEl.__liveFlashTimerId);
+        }
+        const tick = () => {
+          if (!Array.isArray(tableEl.data) || tableEl.data.length === 0) return;
+          const next = tableEl.data.map((r: any) => ({ ...r }));
+          const count = 1 + Math.floor(Math.random() * 3);
+          for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) {
+            const idx = Math.floor(Math.random() * next.length);
+            const delta = +((Math.random() * 2 - 1) * 3).toFixed(2);
+            const newPrice = Math.max(1, +(next[idx].price + delta).toFixed(2));
+            next[idx] = {
+              ...next[idx],
+              price: newPrice,
+              change: delta,
+              updatedAt: new Date().toLocaleTimeString(),
+            };
+          }
+          tableEl.data = next;
+        };
+        tableEl.__liveFlashTimerId = window.setInterval(tick, 1500);
+      }}>
+        <div class="demo-section">
+          <h2 class="demo-title">Live Updates with Flash Highlighting</h2>
+          <p class="demo-description">
+            Opt-in cell-flash via <code>highlight-updates="flash"</code>. The ticker below mutates
+            random rows every 1.5s and reassigns <code>.data</code>. Updated cells briefly flash
+            amber and fade out. Requires <code>rowKey</code> (here <code>"symbol"</code>). Honors
+            <code>prefers-reduced-motion</code>. Row selection persists across updates — click a
+            row, then watch it stay selected as the data churns.
+          </p>
+          <dees-table
+            id="demoLiveFlash"
+            .rowKey=${'symbol'}
+            highlight-updates="flash"
+            .selectionMode=${'multi'}
+            heading1="Live Market Feed"
+            heading2="Flashing cells indicate updated values"
+            .columns=${[
+              { key: 'symbol', header: 'Symbol', sortable: true },
+              { key: 'price', header: 'Price', sortable: true },
+              { key: 'change', header: 'Δ', sortable: true },
+              { key: 'updatedAt', header: 'Updated' },
+            ]}
+            .data=${[
+              { symbol: 'AAPL', price: 182.52, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'MSFT', price: 414.18, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'GOOG', price: 168.74, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'AMZN', price: 186.13, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'TSLA', price: 248.50, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'NVDA', price: 877.35, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'META', price: 492.96, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'NFLX', price: 605.88, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'AMD',  price: 165.24, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+              { symbol: 'INTC', price:  42.15, change: 0, updatedAt: '—' },
+            ]}
+          ></dees-table>
+        </div>
+      </dees-demowrapper>
     </div>
   </div>
 `;

ts_web/elements/00group-dataview/dees-table/dees-table.ts

@@ -214,6 +214,30 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
   @property({ type: Number, attribute: 'virtual-overscan' })
   accessor virtualOverscan: number = 8;
 
+  /**
+   * Opt-in visual indication of cell-value changes across data updates.
+   *
+   * - `'none'` (default): no diffing, zero overhead.
+   * - `'flash'`: when `data` is reassigned to a new array reference, diff the
+   *   new rows against the previous snapshot and briefly flash any cells
+   *   whose resolved value changed. Equality is strict `===`; object-valued
+   *   cells are compared by reference. The currently-edited cell is never
+   *   flashed. User-initiated cell edits do not flash.
+   *
+   * Requires `rowKey` to be set — without it, the feature silently no-ops
+   * and renders a visible dev warning banner. Honors `prefers-reduced-motion`
+   * (fades are replaced with a static background hint of the same duration).
+   */
+  @property({ type: String, attribute: 'highlight-updates' })
+  accessor highlightUpdates: 'none' | 'flash' = 'none';
+
+  /**
+   * Duration of the flash animation in milliseconds. Fed into the
+   * `--dees-table-flash-duration` CSS variable on the host.
+   */
+  @property({ type: Number, attribute: 'highlight-duration' })
+  accessor highlightDuration: number = 900;
+
   /**
    * When set, the table renders inside a fixed-height scroll container
    * (`max-height: var(--table-max-height, 360px)`) and the header sticks
@@ -268,6 +292,23 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
   @state()
   private accessor __floatingActive: boolean = false;
 
+  // ─── Flash-on-update state (only populated when highlightUpdates === 'flash') ──
+  /** rowId → set of colKey strings currently flashing. */
+  @state()
+  private accessor __flashingCells: Map<string, Set<string>> = new Map();
+
+  /** rowId → (colKey → last-seen resolved cell value). Populated per diff pass. */
+  private __prevSnapshot?: Map<string, Map<string, unknown>>;
+
+  /** Single shared timer that clears __flashingCells after highlightDuration ms. */
+  private __flashClearTimer?: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout>;
+
+  /** Monotonic counter bumped each flash batch so directives.keyed recreates the cell node and restarts the animation. */
+  private __flashTick: number = 0;
+
+  /** One-shot console.warn gate for missing rowKey in flash mode. */
+  private __flashWarnedNoRowKey: boolean = false;
+
   // ─── Render memoization ──────────────────────────────────────────────
   // These caches let render() short-circuit when the relevant inputs
   // (by reference) haven't changed. They are NOT @state — mutating them
@@ -557,10 +598,19 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
           </div>
         </div>
         <div class="headingSeparation"></div>
+        ${this.highlightUpdates === 'flash' && !this.rowKey
+          ? html`<div class="flashConfigWarning" role="alert">
+              <dees-icon .icon=${'lucide:triangleAlert'}></dees-icon>
+              <span>
+                <code>highlight-updates="flash"</code> requires
+                <code>rowKey</code> to be set. Flash is disabled.
+              </span>
+            </div>`
+          : html``}
         <div class="searchGrid hidden">
           <dees-input-text
             .label=${'lucene syntax search'}
-            .description=${`
+            .infoText=${`
               You can use the lucene syntax to search for data, e.g.:
 
               \`\`\`
@@ -573,7 +623,7 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
             .label=${'search mode'}
             .options=${['table', 'data', 'server']}
             .selectedOption=${'table'}
-            .description=${`
+            .infoText=${`
               There are three basic modes:
 
               * table: only searches data already in the table
@@ -606,9 +656,13 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
                   ${useVirtual && topSpacerHeight > 0
                     ? html`<tr aria-hidden="true" style="height:${topSpacerHeight}px"><td></td></tr>`
                     : html``}
-                  ${renderRows.map((itemArg, sliceIdx) => {
+                  ${directives.repeat(
+                    renderRows,
+                    (itemArg, sliceIdx) => `${this.getRowId(itemArg)}::${renderStart + sliceIdx}`,
+                    (itemArg, sliceIdx) => {
                     const rowIndex = renderStart + sliceIdx;
                     const rowId = this.getRowId(itemArg);
+                    const flashSet = this.__flashingCells.get(rowId);
                     return html`
                       <tr
                         data-row-idx=${rowIndex}
@@ -640,6 +694,7 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
                             const isEditing =
                               this.__editingCell?.rowId === rowId &&
                               this.__editingCell?.colKey === editKey;
+                            const isFlashing = !!flashSet?.has(editKey);
                             const cellClasses = [
                               isEditable ? 'editable' : '',
                               isFocused && !isEditing ? 'focused' : '',
@@ -647,14 +702,22 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
                             ]
                               .filter(Boolean)
                               .join(' ');
+                            const innerHtml = html`<div
+                              class=${isFlashing ? 'innerCellContainer flashing' : 'innerCellContainer'}
+                            >
+                              ${isEditing ? this.renderCellEditor(itemArg, col) : content}
+                            </div>`;
                             return html`
                               <td
                                 class=${cellClasses}
                                 data-col-key=${editKey}
                               >
-                                <div class="innerCellContainer">
+                                ${isFlashing
-                                  ${isEditing ? this.renderCellEditor(itemArg, col) : content}
+                                  ? directives.keyed(
-                                </div>
+                                      `${rowId}:${editKey}:${this.__flashTick}`,
+                                      innerHtml
+                                    )
+                                  : innerHtml}
                               </td>
                             `;
                           })}
@@ -685,7 +748,8 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
                           }
                         })()}
                       </tr>`;
-                  })}
+                  }
+                  )}
                   ${useVirtual && bottomSpacerHeight > 0
                     ? html`<tr aria-hidden="true" style="height:${bottomSpacerHeight}px"><td></td></tr>`
                     : html``}
@@ -768,7 +832,7 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
         ${effectiveColumns
           .filter((c) => !c.hidden)
           .map((col) => {
-            const isSortable = !!col.sortable;
+            const isSortable = col.sortable !== false;
             const ariaSort = this.getAriaSort(col);
             return html`
               <th
@@ -801,7 +865,7 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
                 const key = String(col.key);
                 if (col.filterable === false) return html`<th></th>`;
                 return html`<th>
-                  <input type="text" placeholder="Filter..." .value=${this.columnFilters[key] || ''}
+                  <input type="text" placeholder="Filter..." data-col-key=${key} .value=${this.columnFilters[key] || ''}
                     @input=${(e: Event) => this.setColumnFilter(key, (e.target as HTMLInputElement).value)} />
                 </th>`;
               })}
@@ -957,6 +1021,84 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
     if (fh) fh.classList.remove('active');
   }
 
+  /**
+   * If a filter `<input>` inside the floating-header clone currently has
+   * focus, copy its value, caret, and selection range onto the matching
+   * input in the real header, then focus that real input. This lets the
+   * user keep typing uninterrupted when filter input causes the table to
+   * shrink below the viewport stick line and the floating header has to
+   * unmount.
+   *
+   * Safe to call at any time — it is a no-op unless an input inside the
+   * floating header is focused and has a `data-col-key` attribute that
+   * matches a real-header input.
+   */
+  private __transferFocusToRealHeader(): void {
+    const fh = this.__floatingHeaderEl;
+    if (!fh) return;
+    const active = this.shadowRoot?.activeElement as HTMLElement | null;
+    if (!active || !fh.contains(active)) return;
+    const colKey = active.getAttribute('data-col-key');
+    if (!colKey) return;
+    const fromInput = active as HTMLInputElement;
+    const real = this.shadowRoot?.querySelector(
+      `.tableScroll > table > thead input[data-col-key="${CSS.escape(colKey)}"]`
+    ) as HTMLInputElement | null;
+    if (!real || real === fromInput) return;
+    const selStart = fromInput.selectionStart;
+    const selEnd = fromInput.selectionEnd;
+    const selDir = fromInput.selectionDirection as any;
+    real.focus({ preventScroll: true });
+    try {
+      if (selStart != null && selEnd != null) {
+        real.setSelectionRange(selStart, selEnd, selDir || undefined);
+      }
+    } catch {
+      /* setSelectionRange throws on unsupported input types — ignore */
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Symmetric counterpart to `__transferFocusToRealHeader`. When the
+   * floating header has just activated and a real-header filter input
+   * was focused (and is now scrolled off-screen behind the floating
+   * clone), move focus to the clone's matching input so the user keeps
+   * typing in the visible one.
+   *
+   * Called from `__syncFloatingHeader` inside the post-activation
+   * `updateComplete` callback — by then the clone subtree exists in the
+   * DOM and can receive focus.
+   */
+  private __transferFocusToFloatingHeader(): void {
+    const fh = this.__floatingHeaderEl;
+    if (!fh || !this.__floatingActive) return;
+    const active = this.shadowRoot?.activeElement as HTMLElement | null;
+    if (!active) return;
+    // Only handle focus that lives in the real header (not already in the clone).
+    const realThead = this.shadowRoot?.querySelector(
+      '.tableScroll > table > thead'
+    ) as HTMLElement | null;
+    if (!realThead || !realThead.contains(active)) return;
+    const colKey = active.getAttribute('data-col-key');
+    if (!colKey) return;
+    const fromInput = active as HTMLInputElement;
+    const clone = fh.querySelector(
+      `input[data-col-key="${CSS.escape(colKey)}"]`
+    ) as HTMLInputElement | null;
+    if (!clone || clone === fromInput) return;
+    const selStart = fromInput.selectionStart;
+    const selEnd = fromInput.selectionEnd;
+    const selDir = fromInput.selectionDirection as any;
+    clone.focus({ preventScroll: true });
+    try {
+      if (selStart != null && selEnd != null) {
+        clone.setSelectionRange(selStart, selEnd, selDir || undefined);
+      }
+    } catch {
+      /* ignore */
+    }
+  }
+
   // ─── Virtualization ─────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
   /**
@@ -1053,18 +1195,42 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
       }
     }
 
-    // Active when the table top is above the stick line and the table bottom
+    // Active when the table top is above the stick line and any pixel of the
-    // hasn't yet scrolled past it.
+    // table still sits below it. As the table's bottom edge approaches the
-    const shouldBeActive =
+    // stick line we shrink the floating container and slide the cloned header
-      tableRect.top < stick.top && tableRect.bottom > stick.top + Math.min(headerHeight, 1);
+    // up inside it, so the header appears to scroll off with the table
+    // instead of snapping away in one frame.
+    const distance = tableRect.bottom - stick.top;
+    const shouldBeActive = tableRect.top < stick.top && distance > 0;
 
     if (shouldBeActive !== this.__floatingActive) {
+      if (!shouldBeActive) {
+        // Before we flag the clone for unmount, hand off any focused
+        // filter input to its counterpart in the real header. This is the
+        // "user is typing in a sticky filter input, filter shrinks the
+        // table so the floating header hides" case — without this
+        // handoff the user's focus (and caret position) would be lost
+        // when the clone unmounts.
+        this.__transferFocusToRealHeader();
+      }
       this.__floatingActive = shouldBeActive;
       fh.classList.toggle('active', shouldBeActive);
+      if (!shouldBeActive) {
+        // Reset inline geometry so the next activation starts clean.
+        fh.style.height = '';
+        const ft = this.__floatingTableEl;
+        if (ft) ft.style.transform = '';
+      }
       if (shouldBeActive) {
         // Clone subtree doesn't exist yet — wait for the next render to
-        // materialize it, then complete geometry sync.
+        // materialize it, then complete geometry sync. Additionally, if a
-        this.updateComplete.then(() => this.__syncFloatingHeader());
+        // real-header filter input was focused when we activated, hand
+        // off to the clone once it exists so the user keeps typing in
+        // the visible (floating) input.
+        this.updateComplete.then(() => {
+          this.__syncFloatingHeader();
+          this.__transferFocusToFloatingHeader();
+        });
         return;
       }
     }
@@ -1100,15 +1266,28 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
     fh.style.left = `${clipLeft}px`;
     fh.style.width = `${clipWidth}px`;
 
+    // Exit animation: when the table's bottom edge is within `headerHeight`
+    // pixels of the stick line, shrink the container and translate the
+    // inner table up by the same amount. overflow:hidden on .floatingHeader
+    // clips the overflow, producing a scroll-off effect.
+    const visibleHeight = Math.min(headerHeight, distance);
+    const exitOffset = headerHeight - visibleHeight;
+    fh.style.height = `${visibleHeight}px`;
+
     // The inner table is positioned so the visible region matches the real
     // table's left edge — shift it left when we clipped to the container.
     floatTable.style.width = `${tableRect.width}px`;
     floatTable.style.marginLeft = `${tableRect.left - clipLeft}px`;
+    floatTable.style.transform = exitOffset > 0 ? `translateY(-${exitOffset}px)` : '';
   }
 
   public async disconnectedCallback() {
     super.disconnectedCallback();
     this.teardownFloatingHeader();
+    if (this.__flashClearTimer) {
+      clearTimeout(this.__flashClearTimer);
+      this.__flashClearTimer = undefined;
+    }
   }
 
   public async firstUpdated() {
@@ -1116,9 +1295,141 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
     // table markup actually exists (it only renders when data.length > 0).
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Runs before each render. Drives two independent concerns:
+   *
+   * 1. **Selection rebind** — when `data` is reassigned to a fresh array
+   *    (typical live-data pattern), `selectedDataRow` still points at the
+   *    stale row object from the old array. We re-resolve it by rowKey so
+   *    consumers of `selectedDataRow` (footer indicator, header/footer
+   *    actions, copy fallback) see the live reference. `selectedIds`,
+   *    `__focusedCell`, `__editingCell`, `__selectionAnchorId` are all
+   *    keyed by string rowId and persist automatically — no change needed.
+   *    This runs regardless of `highlightUpdates` — it is a baseline
+   *    correctness fix for live data.
+   *
+   * 2. **Flash diff** — when `highlightUpdates === 'flash'`, diff the new
+   *    data against `__prevSnapshot` and populate `__flashingCells` with
+   *    the (rowId, colKey) pairs whose resolved cell value changed. A
+   *    single shared timer clears `__flashingCells` after
+   *    `highlightDuration` ms. Skipped if `rowKey` is missing (with a
+   *    one-shot console.warn; the render surface also shows a warning
+   *    banner).
+   */
+  public willUpdate(changedProperties: Map<string | number | symbol, unknown>): void {
+    // --- Phase 1: selection rebind (always runs) ---
+    if (changedProperties.has('data') && this.selectedDataRow && this.rowKey) {
+      const prevId = this.getRowId(this.selectedDataRow);
+      let found: T | undefined;
+      for (const row of this.data) {
+        if (this.getRowId(row) === prevId) {
+          found = row;
+          break;
+        }
+      }
+      if (found) {
+        if (found !== this.selectedDataRow) this.selectedDataRow = found;
+      } else {
+        this.selectedDataRow = undefined as unknown as T;
+      }
+    }
+
+    // --- Phase 2: flash diff ---
+    if (this.highlightUpdates !== 'flash') {
+      // Mode was toggled off (or never on) — drop any lingering state so
+      // re-enabling later starts with a clean slate.
+      if (this.__prevSnapshot || this.__flashingCells.size > 0) {
+        this.__prevSnapshot = undefined;
+        if (this.__flashingCells.size > 0) this.__flashingCells = new Map();
+        if (this.__flashClearTimer) {
+          clearTimeout(this.__flashClearTimer);
+          this.__flashClearTimer = undefined;
+        }
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    if (!this.rowKey) {
+      if (!this.__flashWarnedNoRowKey) {
+        this.__flashWarnedNoRowKey = true;
+        console.warn(
+          '[dees-table] highlightUpdates="flash" requires `rowKey` to be set. Flash is disabled. ' +
+          'Set the rowKey property/attribute to a stable identifier on your row data (e.g. `rowKey="id"`).'
+        );
+      }
+      return;
+    }
+    if (!changedProperties.has('data')) return;
+
+    const effectiveColumns = this.__getEffectiveColumns();
+    const visibleCols = effectiveColumns.filter((c) => !c.hidden);
+    const nextSnapshot = new Map<string, Map<string, unknown>>();
+    const newlyFlashing = new Map<string, Set<string>>();
+
+    for (const row of this.data) {
+      const rowId = this.getRowId(row);
+      const cellMap = new Map<string, unknown>();
+      for (const col of visibleCols) {
+        cellMap.set(String(col.key), getCellValueFn(row, col, this.displayFunction));
+      }
+      nextSnapshot.set(rowId, cellMap);
+
+      const prevCells = this.__prevSnapshot?.get(rowId);
+      if (!prevCells) continue; // new row — not an "update"
+      for (const [colKey, nextVal] of cellMap) {
+        if (prevCells.get(colKey) !== nextVal) {
+          // Don't flash the cell the user is actively editing.
+          if (
+            this.__editingCell &&
+            this.__editingCell.rowId === rowId &&
+            this.__editingCell.colKey === colKey
+          ) continue;
+          let set = newlyFlashing.get(rowId);
+          if (!set) {
+            set = new Set();
+            newlyFlashing.set(rowId, set);
+          }
+          set.add(colKey);
+        }
+      }
+    }
+
+    const hadPrev = !!this.__prevSnapshot;
+    this.__prevSnapshot = nextSnapshot;
+    if (!hadPrev) return; // first time seeing data — no flashes
+
+    if (newlyFlashing.size === 0) return;
+
+    // Merge with any in-flight flashes from a rapid second update so a cell
+    // that changes twice before its animation ends gets a single clean
+    // restart (via __flashTick / directives.keyed) instead of stacking.
+    for (const [rowId, cols] of newlyFlashing) {
+      const existing = this.__flashingCells.get(rowId);
+      if (existing) {
+        for (const c of cols) existing.add(c);
+      } else {
+        this.__flashingCells.set(rowId, cols);
+      }
+    }
+    this.__flashTick++;
+    // Reactivity nudge: we've mutated the Map in place, so give Lit a fresh
+    // reference so the @state change fires for render.
+    this.__flashingCells = new Map(this.__flashingCells);
+    if (this.__flashClearTimer) clearTimeout(this.__flashClearTimer);
+    this.__flashClearTimer = setTimeout(() => {
+      this.__flashingCells = new Map();
+      this.__flashClearTimer = undefined;
+    }, Math.max(0, this.highlightDuration));
+  }
+
   public async updated(changedProperties: Map<string | number | symbol, unknown>): Promise<void> {
     super.updated(changedProperties);
 
+    // Feed highlightDuration into the CSS variable so JS and CSS stay in
+    // sync via a single source of truth.
+    if (changedProperties.has('highlightDuration')) {
+      this.style.setProperty('--dees-table-flash-duration', `${this.highlightDuration}ms`);
+    }
+
     // Only re-measure column widths when the data or schema actually changed
     // (or on first paint). `determineColumnWidths` is the single biggest
     // first-paint cost — it forces multiple layout flushes per row.
@@ -1496,7 +1807,7 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
     // Maximum exposed slot: one beyond the current cascade, capped at the
     // number of sortable columns. If the column is already in the cascade we
     // never need to grow the slot count.
-    const sortableColumnCount = effectiveColumns.filter((c) => !!c.sortable).length;
+    const sortableColumnCount = effectiveColumns.filter((c) => c.sortable !== false).length;
     const maxSlot = Math.min(
       Math.max(cascadeLen + (existing ? 0 : 1), 1),
       Math.max(sortableColumnCount, 1)
@@ -1602,6 +1913,17 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
       });
     }
 
+    items.push({ divider: true });
+    items.push({
+      name: this.showColumnFilters ? 'Hide column filters' : 'Show column filters',
+      iconName: this.showColumnFilters ? 'lucide:filterX' : 'lucide:filter',
+      action: async () => {
+        this.showColumnFilters = !this.showColumnFilters;
+        this.requestUpdate();
+        return null;
+      },
+    });
+
     return items;
   }
 
@@ -2023,6 +2345,10 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
         '.editingCell dees-input-tags'
       ) as any;
       el?.focus?.();
+      // Dropdown editors should auto-open so the user can pick immediately.
+      if (el?.tagName === 'DEES-INPUT-DROPDOWN') {
+        el.updateComplete?.then(() => el.toggleSelectionBox?.());
+      }
     });
   }
 
@@ -2057,6 +2383,10 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
     }
     if (parsed !== oldValue) {
       (item as any)[col.key] = parsed;
+      // Keep the flash-diff snapshot in sync so the next external update
+      // does not see this user edit as an external change (which would
+      // otherwise flash the cell the user just typed into).
+      this.__recordCellInSnapshot(item, col);
       this.dispatchEvent(
         new CustomEvent('cellEdit', {
           detail: { row: item, key, oldValue, newValue: parsed },
@@ -2070,6 +2400,24 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
     this.requestUpdate();
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Updates the flash diff snapshot for a single cell to match its current
+   * resolved value. Called from `commitCellEdit` so a user-initiated edit
+   * does not register as an external change on the next diff pass.
+   * No-op when flash mode is off or no snapshot exists yet.
+   */
+  private __recordCellInSnapshot(item: T, col: Column<T>): void {
+    if (this.highlightUpdates !== 'flash' || !this.__prevSnapshot) return;
+    if (!this.rowKey) return;
+    const rowId = this.getRowId(item);
+    let cellMap = this.__prevSnapshot.get(rowId);
+    if (!cellMap) {
+      cellMap = new Map();
+      this.__prevSnapshot.set(rowId, cellMap);
+    }
+    cellMap.set(String(col.key), getCellValueFn(item, col, this.displayFunction));
+  }
+
   /** Renders the appropriate dees-input-* component for this column. */
   private renderCellEditor(item: T, col: Column<T>): TemplateResult {
     const raw = (item as any)[col.key];
@@ -2090,8 +2438,13 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
       case 'dropdown': {
         const options = (col.editorOptions?.options as any[]) ?? [];
         const selected =
-          options.find((o: any) => (o?.option ?? o?.key ?? o) === value) ?? null;
+          options.find((o: any) => {
+            if (o == null) return false;
+            if (typeof o === 'string') return o === raw;
+            return o.key === raw || o.option === raw;
+          }) ?? null;
         return html`<dees-input-dropdown
+          .vintegrated=${true}
           .options=${options}
           .selectedOption=${selected}
           @selectedOption=${(e: CustomEvent<any>) => {
@@ -2121,6 +2474,7 @@ export class DeesTable<T> extends DeesElement {
       case 'text':
       default:
         return html`<dees-input-text
+          .vintegrated=${true}
           .value=${value == null ? '' : String(value)}
           @focusout=${(e: any) => onTextCommit(e.target)}
           @keydown=${(e: KeyboardEvent) => this.__handleEditorKey(e, item, col)}

ts_web/elements/00group-dataview/dees-table/styles.ts

@@ -373,6 +373,72 @@ export const tableStyles: CSSResult[] = [
         line-height: 24px;
       }
 
+      /* ---- Cell flash highlighting (opt-in via highlight-updates="flash") ----
+         Bloomberg/TradingView-style: the text itself briefly takes an accent
+         color then fades back to the default. No background tint, no layout
+         shift, no weight change. Readable, modern, subtle.
+         Consumers can override per instance:
+           dees-table#myTable { --dees-table-flash-color: hsl(142 76% 40%); }
+      */
+      :host {
+        --dees-table-flash-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme(
+          'hsl(32 95% 44%)',
+          'hsl(45 93% 62%)'
+        )};
+        --dees-table-flash-easing: cubic-bezier(0.22, 0.61, 0.36, 1);
+      }
+
+      .innerCellContainer.flashing {
+        animation: dees-table-cell-flash
+                   var(--dees-table-flash-duration, 900ms)
+                   var(--dees-table-flash-easing);
+      }
+
+      /* Hold the accent color briefly, then fade back to the theme's default
+         text color. Inherits to child text and to SVG icons that use
+         currentColor. Cells with explicit color overrides in renderers are
+         intentionally unaffected. */
+      @keyframes dees-table-cell-flash {
+        0%,
+        35% { color: var(--dees-table-flash-color); }
+        100% { color: var(--dees-color-text-primary); }
+      }
+
+      @media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+        .innerCellContainer.flashing {
+          animation: none;
+          color: var(--dees-table-flash-color);
+        }
+      }
+
+      /* Dev-time warning banner shown when highlight-updates="flash" but
+         rowKey is missing. Consumers should never ship this to production. */
+      .flashConfigWarning {
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        gap: 8px;
+        margin: 8px 16px 0;
+        padding: 8px 12px;
+        border-left: 3px solid ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(38 92% 50%)', 'hsl(48 96% 63%)')};
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(48 96% 89% / 0.6)', 'hsl(48 96% 30% / 0.15)')};
+        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(32 81% 29%)', 'hsl(48 96% 80%)')};
+        font-size: 12px;
+        line-height: 1.4;
+        border-radius: 4px;
+      }
+      .flashConfigWarning dees-icon {
+        width: 14px;
+        height: 14px;
+        flex: 0 0 auto;
+      }
+      .flashConfigWarning code {
+        padding: 1px 4px;
+        border-radius: 3px;
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 100% / 0.6)', 'hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.3)')};
+        font-family: ${cssGeistFontFamily};
+        font-size: 11px;
+      }
+
       /* Editable cell affordances */
       td.editable {
         cursor: text;
@@ -386,6 +452,11 @@ export const tableStyles: CSSResult[] = [
       }
       td.editingCell {
         padding: 0;
+        outline: 2px solid ${cssManager.bdTheme(
+          'hsl(222.2 47.4% 51.2% / 0.6)',
+          'hsl(217.2 91.2% 59.8% / 0.6)'
+        )};
+        outline-offset: -2px;
       }
       td.editingCell .innerCellContainer {
         padding: 0;

ts_web/elements/00group-dataview/dees-table/types.ts

@@ -48,6 +48,7 @@ export interface Column<T = any> {
   header?: string | TemplateResult;
   value?: (row: T) => any;
   renderer?: (value: any, row: T, ctx: { rowIndex: number; colIndex: number; column: Column<T> }) => TemplateResult | string;
+  /** Whether this column can be sorted by clicking its header. Defaults to `true`; set to `false` to disable. */
   sortable?: boolean;
   /** whether this column participates in per-column quick filtering (default: true) */
   filterable?: boolean;

ts_web/elements/00group-form/dees-form-submit/dees-form-submit.ts

@@ -75,12 +75,23 @@ export class DeesFormSubmit extends DeesElement {
         .text=${this.text}
         ?disabled=${this.disabled}
         @clicked=${this.submit}
-      >
+      ></dees-button>
-        <slot></slot>
-      </dees-button>
     `;
   }
 
+  public async firstUpdated() {
+    // Capture light DOM text content as the button label. dees-button wipes
+    // its own light DOM during extractLightDom(), so we cannot simply forward
+    // a <slot> into it — we have to hoist the text onto the .text property
+    // ourselves before handing it to dees-button.
+    if (!this.text) {
+      const slotText = this.textContent?.trim();
+      if (slotText) {
+        this.text = slotText;
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
   public async submit() {
     if (this.disabled) {
       return;

ts_web/elements/00group-form/dees-form/dees-form.demo.ts

@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
             .required=${true} 
             key="firstName" 
             label="First Name"
-            .description=${'Your given name'}
+            .infoText=${'Your given name'}
           ></dees-input-text>
           
           <dees-input-text 
@@ -105,7 +105,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
             .required=${true} 
             key="email" 
             label="Email Address"
-            .description=${'We will use this to contact you'}
+            .infoText=${'We will use this to contact you'}
           ></dees-input-text>
           
           <dees-input-dropdown
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
             key="password"
             label="Password"
             isPasswordBool
-            .description=${'Minimum 8 characters'}
+            .infoText=${'Minimum 8 characters'}
           ></dees-input-text>
           
           <dees-input-checkbox
@@ -300,7 +300,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
           <dees-input-fileupload
             key="documents"
             .label=${'Upload Documents'}
-            .description=${'PDF, DOC, or DOCX files up to 10MB'}
+            .infoText=${'PDF, DOC, or DOCX files up to 10MB'}
           ></dees-input-fileupload>
           
           <dees-form-submit>Submit Application</dees-form-submit>

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-base/dees-input-base.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 import {
   DeesElement,
   property,
+  html,
   css,
   type CSSResult,
   cssManager,
@@ -42,6 +43,9 @@ export abstract class DeesInputBase<T = any> extends DeesElement {
   @property({ type: Boolean })
   accessor disabled: boolean = false;
 
+  @property({ type: String })
+  accessor infoText!: string;
+
   @property({ type: String })
   accessor description!: string;
 
@@ -90,6 +94,14 @@ export abstract class DeesInputBase<T = any> extends DeesElement {
         :host([label-position="none"]) dees-label {
           display: none;
         }
+
+        /* Description text below input */
+        .descriptionText {
+          margin-top: 4px;
+          font-size: 12px;
+          line-height: 1.4;
+          color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 45.1%)', 'hsl(0 0% 63.9%)')};
+        }
       `,
     ];
   }
@@ -155,6 +167,14 @@ export abstract class DeesInputBase<T = any> extends DeesElement {
     this.disabled = false;
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Renders the description text below the input.
+   * Call ${this.renderDescription()} at the end of your render template.
+   */
+  public renderDescription() {
+    return this.description ? html`<div class="descriptionText">${this.description}</div>` : '';
+  }
+
   /**
    * Abstract method that child classes must implement to get their value
    */

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-checkbox/dees-input-checkbox.ts

@@ -147,12 +147,6 @@ export class DeesInputCheckbox extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputCheckbox> {
           color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 15%)', 'hsl(0 0% 90%)')};
         }
 
-        /* Description */
-        .description-text {
-          font-size: 12px;
-          color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 45.1%)', 'hsl(0 0% 63.9%)')};
-          line-height: 1.5;
-        }
     `,
   ];
 
@@ -185,7 +179,7 @@ export class DeesInputCheckbox extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputCheckbox> {
           </div>
           <div class="label-container">
             ${this.label ? html`<div class="checkbox-label">${this.label}</div>` : ''}
-            ${this.description ? html`<div class="description-text">${this.description}</div>` : ''}
+            ${this.renderDescription()}
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-code/dees-input-code.ts

@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ export class DeesInputCode extends DeesInputBase<string> {
         }
       </style>
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .description=${this.description} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>
+        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .infoText=${this.infoText} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>
         <dees-tile>
           <div slot="header" class="toolbar">
             <div class="toolbar-left">
@@ -362,6 +362,7 @@ export class DeesInputCode extends DeesInputBase<string> {
             </div>
           </div>
         </dees-tile>
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-datepicker/template.ts

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ import type { DeesInputDatepicker } from './component.js';
 export const renderDatepicker = (component: DeesInputDatepicker): TemplateResult => {
       return html`
         <div class="input-wrapper">
-          <dees-label .label=${component.label} .description=${component.description} .required=${component.required}></dees-label>
+          <dees-label .label=${component.label} .infoText=${component.infoText} .required=${component.required}></dees-label>
           <div class="input-container">
             <input
               type="text"
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ export const renderDatepicker = (component: DeesInputDatepicker): TemplateResult
               <dees-icon class="calendar-icon" icon="lucide:calendar" iconSize="16"></dees-icon>
             </div>
           </div>
+          ${component.renderDescription()}
         </div>
       `;
 

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-dropdown/dees-input-dropdown.demo.ts

@@ -72,6 +72,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-dropdown
             .label=${'Select Country'}
+            .description=${'Choose the country where your business is registered'}
             .options=${[
               { option: 'United States', key: 'us' },
               { option: 'Canada', key: 'ca' },

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-dropdown/dees-input-dropdown.ts

@@ -46,6 +46,12 @@ export class DeesInputDropdown extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputDropdown> {
   })
   accessor enableSearch: boolean = true;
 
+  @property({
+    type: Boolean,
+    reflect: true,
+  })
+  accessor vintegrated: boolean = false;
+
   @state()
   accessor isOpened = false;
 
@@ -126,13 +132,43 @@ export class DeesInputDropdown extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputDropdown> {
       .selectedBox.open::after {
         transform: translateY(-50%) rotate(180deg);
       }
+
+      /* Visually integrated mode: shed chrome to blend into a host component
+         (e.g. a dees-table cell in edit mode). */
+      :host([vintegrated]) dees-label {
+        display: none;
+      }
+      :host([vintegrated]) .maincontainer {
+        height: 40px;
+      }
+      :host([vintegrated]) .selectedBox {
+        height: 40px;
+        line-height: 40px;
+        padding: 0 32px 0 16px;
+        font-size: 13px;
+        border: none;
+        border-radius: 0;
+        background: transparent;
+        box-shadow: none;
+        transition: none;
+      }
+      :host([vintegrated]) .selectedBox:hover:not(.disabled),
+      :host([vintegrated]) .selectedBox:focus-visible {
+        border: none;
+        box-shadow: none;
+        background: transparent;
+      }
+      :host([vintegrated]) .selectedBox::after {
+        right: 12px;
+        opacity: 0.6;
+      }
     `,
   ];
 
   public render(): TemplateResult {
     return html`
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .description=${this.description} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>
+        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .infoText=${this.infoText} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>
         <div class="maincontainer">
           <div
             class="selectedBox ${this.isOpened ? 'open' : ''} ${this.disabled ? 'disabled' : ''}"
@@ -143,6 +179,7 @@ export class DeesInputDropdown extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputDropdown> {
             ${this.selectedOption?.option || 'Select an option'}
           </div>
         </div>
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-fileupload/component.ts

@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ export class DeesInputFileupload extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputFileupload> {
       <div class="input-wrapper">
         <dees-label
           .label=${this.label}
-          .description=${this.description}
+          .infoText=${this.infoText}
           .required=${this.required}
         ></dees-label>
         <dees-tile
@@ -114,6 +114,7 @@ export class DeesInputFileupload extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputFileupload> {
         ${this.validationMessage
           ? html`<div class="validation-message" aria-live="polite">${this.validationMessage}</div>`
           : html``}
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-fileupload/demo.ts

@@ -59,14 +59,15 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
           <div class="demo-stack">
             <dees-input-fileupload
               .label=${'Attachments'}
-              .description=${'Upload supporting documents for your request'}
+              .infoText=${'Upload supporting documents for your request'}
+              .description=${'Accepted formats: images, PDF, and ZIP archives up to 10MB'}
               .accept=${'image/*,.pdf,.zip'}
               .maxSize=${10 * 1024 * 1024}
             ></dees-input-fileupload>
 
             <dees-input-fileupload
               .label=${'Brand assets'}
-              .description=${'Upload high-resolution imagery (JPG/PNG)'}
+              .infoText=${'Upload high-resolution imagery (JPG/PNG)'}
               .accept=${'image/jpeg,image/png'}
               .multiple=${false}
               .maxSize=${5 * 1024 * 1024}
@@ -77,14 +78,14 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
           <div class="demo-stack">
             <dees-input-fileupload
               .label=${'Audio uploads'}
-              .description=${'Share podcast drafts (MP3/WAV, max 25MB each)'}
+              .infoText=${'Share podcast drafts (MP3/WAV, max 25MB each)'}
               .accept=${'audio/*'}
               .maxSize=${25 * 1024 * 1024}
             ></dees-input-fileupload>
 
             <dees-input-fileupload
               .label=${'Disabled example'}
-              .description=${'Uploader is disabled while moderation is pending'}
+              .infoText=${'Uploader is disabled while moderation is pending'}
               .disabled=${true}
             ></dees-input-fileupload>
           </div>
@@ -100,7 +101,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
             <div class="demo-stack">
               <dees-input-text
                 .label=${'Project name'}
-                .description=${'How should we refer to this project internally?'}
+                .infoText=${'How should we refer to this project internally?'}
                 .required=${true}
                 .key=${'projectName'}
               ></dees-input-text>
@@ -114,7 +115,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
 
               <dees-input-fileupload
                 .label=${'Statement of work'}
-                .description=${'Upload a signed statement of work (PDF, max 15MB)'}
+                .infoText=${'Upload a signed statement of work (PDF, max 15MB)'}
                 .required=${true}
                 .accept=${'application/pdf'}
                 .maxSize=${15 * 1024 * 1024}
@@ -124,7 +125,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
 
               <dees-input-fileupload
                 .label=${'Creative references'}
-                .description=${'Optional. Upload up to five visual references'}
+                .infoText=${'Optional. Upload up to five visual references'}
                 .accept=${'image/*'}
                 .maxFiles=${5}
                 .maxSize=${8 * 1024 * 1024}
@@ -133,7 +134,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
 
               <dees-input-text
                 .label=${'Notes'}
-                .description=${'Add optional context for reviewers'}
+                .infoText=${'Add optional context for reviewers'}
                 .inputType=${'textarea'}
                 .key=${'notes'}
               ></dees-input-text>

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-iban/dees-input-iban.demo.ts

@@ -33,12 +33,13 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-iban
             .label=${'Bank Account IBAN'}
-            .description=${'Enter your International Bank Account Number'}
+            .infoText=${'Enter your International Bank Account Number'}
+            .description=${'Your IBAN can be found on your bank statement'}
           ></dees-input-iban>
 
           <dees-input-iban
             .label=${'Verified IBAN'}
-            .description=${'This IBAN has been verified'}
+            .infoText=${'This IBAN has been verified'}
             .value=${'DE89370400440532013000'}
           ></dees-input-iban>
         </div>
@@ -64,13 +65,13 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-iban
             .label=${'Payment Account'}
-            .description=${'Required for processing payments'}
+            .infoText=${'Required for processing payments'}
             .required=${true}
           ></dees-input-iban>
 
           <dees-input-iban
             .label=${'Locked IBAN'}
-            .description=${'This IBAN cannot be changed'}
+            .infoText=${'This IBAN cannot be changed'}
             .value=${'FR1420041010050500013M02606'}
             .disabled=${true}
           ></dees-input-iban>
@@ -81,7 +82,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <dees-form>
           <dees-input-text .label=${'Recipient Name'} .required=${true}></dees-input-text>
           <dees-input-iban .label=${'Recipient IBAN'} .required=${true}></dees-input-iban>
-          <dees-input-text .label=${'Transfer Reference'} .description=${'Optional reference for the transfer'}></dees-input-text>
+          <dees-input-text .label=${'Transfer Reference'} .infoText=${'Optional reference for the transfer'}></dees-input-text>
           <dees-input-text .label=${'Amount'} .inputType=${'number'} .required=${true}></dees-input-text>
         </dees-form>
       </dees-panel>

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-iban/dees-input-iban.ts

@@ -44,16 +44,27 @@ export class DeesInputIban extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputIban> {
   public render(): TemplateResult {
     return html`
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        <dees-label .label=${this.label || 'IBAN'} .description=${this.description}></dees-label>
+        <dees-label .label=${this.label || 'IBAN'} .infoText=${this.infoText}></dees-label>
         <dees-input-text
           .value=${this.value}
           .disabled=${this.disabled}
           .required=${this.required}
           .placeholder=${'DE89 3704 0044 0532 0130 00'}
+          .validationFunction=${(value: string) => {
+            const normalized = value.replace(/ /g, '');
+            if (normalized.length === 0) {
+              return { valid: true, message: '' };
+            }
+            const isValid = ibantools.isValidIBAN(normalized);
+            return isValid
+              ? { valid: true, message: 'IBAN is valid' }
+              : { valid: false, message: 'Please enter a valid IBAN' };
+          }}
           @input=${(eventArg: InputEvent) => {
             this.validateIban(eventArg);
           }}
         ></dees-input-text>
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }
@@ -81,10 +92,6 @@ export class DeesInputIban extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputIban> {
       }
     }
     this.enteredIbanIsValid = ibantools.isValidIBAN(this.enteredString.replace(/ /g, ''));
-    const deesInputText = this.shadowRoot!.querySelector('dees-input-text') as any;
-    if (deesInputText) {
-      deesInputText.validationText = `IBAN is valid: ${this.enteredIbanIsValid}`;
-    }
   }
 
   public getValue(): string {

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-list/dees-input-list.ts

@@ -373,13 +373,6 @@ export class DeesInputList extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputList> {
         line-height: 1.4;
       }
 
-      .description {
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(215.4 16.3% 56.9%)', 'hsl(215 20.2% 55.1%)')};
-        font-size: 12px;
-        margin-top: 4px;
-        line-height: 1.4;
-      }
-
       /* Scrollbar styling */
       .list-items::-webkit-scrollbar {
         width: 8px;
@@ -546,9 +539,7 @@ export class DeesInputList extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputList> {
           <div class="validation-message">${this.validationText}</div>
         ` : ''}
         
-        ${this.description ? html`
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
-          <div class="description">${this.description}</div>
-        ` : ''}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-multitoggle/dees-input-multitoggle.demo.ts

@@ -55,7 +55,8 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         
         <dees-input-multitoggle
           .label=${'Display Mode'}
-          .description=${'Choose how content is displayed'}
+          .infoText=${'Choose how content is displayed'}
+          .description=${'This setting affects how items appear on your dashboard'}
           .options=${['List View', 'Grid View', 'Compact']}
           .selectedOption=${'Grid View'}
         ></dees-input-multitoggle>
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         
         <dees-input-multitoggle
           .label=${'T-Shirt Size'}
-          .description=${'Select your preferred size'}
+          .infoText=${'Select your preferred size'}
           .options=${['XS', 'S', 'M', 'L', 'XL', 'XXL']}
           .selectedOption=${'M'}
         ></dees-input-multitoggle>
@@ -76,7 +77,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         
         <dees-input-multitoggle
           .label=${'Notifications'}
-          .description=${'Enable or disable push notifications'}
+          .infoText=${'Enable or disable push notifications'}
           .type=${'boolean'}
           .selectedOption=${'true'}
         ></dees-input-multitoggle>
@@ -85,7 +86,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         
         <dees-input-multitoggle
           .label=${'Theme Mode'}
-          .description=${'Switch between light and dark theme'}
+          .infoText=${'Switch between light and dark theme'}
           .type=${'boolean'}
           .booleanTrueName=${'Dark'}
           .booleanFalseName=${'Light'}
@@ -134,7 +135,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         
         <dees-input-multitoggle
           .label=${'Account Type'}
-          .description=${'This setting is locked'}
+          .infoText=${'This setting is locked'}
           .options=${['Free', 'Pro', 'Enterprise']}
           .selectedOption=${'Enterprise'}
           .disabled=${true}

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-multitoggle/dees-input-multitoggle.ts

@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ export class DeesInputMultitoggle extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputMultitoggle> {
   public render(): TemplateResult {
     return html`
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .description=${this.description}></dees-label>
+        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .infoText=${this.infoText}></dees-label>
         <div class="mainbox">
           <div class="selections">
           <div class="indicator"></div>
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@ export class DeesInputMultitoggle extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputMultitoggle> {
           )}
           </div>
         </div>
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-phone/dees-input-phone.demo.ts

@@ -33,13 +33,14 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-phone
             .label=${'Phone Number'}
-            .description=${'Enter your phone number with country code'}
+            .infoText=${'Enter your phone number with country code'}
+            .description=${'Include country code for international numbers'}
             .value=${'5551234567'}
           ></dees-input-phone>
 
           <dees-input-phone
             .label=${'Contact Phone'}
-            .description=${'Required for account verification'}
+            .infoText=${'Required for account verification'}
             .required=${true}
             .placeholder=${'+1 (555) 000-0000'}
           ></dees-input-phone>
@@ -66,7 +67,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-phone
             .label=${'International Contact'}
-            .description=${'Automatically formats international numbers'}
+            .infoText=${'Automatically formats international numbers'}
             .value=${'441234567890'}
           ></dees-input-phone>
 

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-phone/dees-input-phone.ts

@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export class DeesInputPhone extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputPhone> {
   public render(): TemplateResult {
     return html`
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .description=${this.description}></dees-label>
+        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .infoText=${this.infoText}></dees-label>
         <dees-input-text
           .value=${this.formattedPhone}
           .disabled=${this.disabled}
@@ -55,6 +55,7 @@ export class DeesInputPhone extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputPhone> {
           .placeholder=${this.placeholder}
           @input=${(event: InputEvent) => this.handlePhoneInput(event)}
         ></dees-input-text>
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-quantityselector/dees-input-quantityselector.demo.ts

@@ -69,13 +69,14 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-quantityselector
             .label=${'Quantity'}
-            .description=${'Select the desired quantity'}
+            .infoText=${'Select the desired quantity'}
+            .description=${'Minimum order quantity is 1 item'}
             .value=${1}
           ></dees-input-quantityselector>
 
           <dees-input-quantityselector
             .label=${'Items in Cart'}
-            .description=${'Adjust the quantity of items'}
+            .infoText=${'Adjust the quantity of items'}
             .value=${3}
           ></dees-input-quantityselector>
         </div>
@@ -180,14 +181,14 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-quantityselector
             .label=${'Number of Licenses'}
-            .description=${'Select how many licenses you need'}
+            .infoText=${'Select how many licenses you need'}
             .required=${true}
             .value=${1}
           ></dees-input-quantityselector>
 
           <dees-input-quantityselector
             .label=${'Fixed Quantity'}
-            .description=${'This quantity cannot be changed'}
+            .infoText=${'This quantity cannot be changed'}
             .disabled=${true}
             .value=${5}
           ></dees-input-quantityselector>
@@ -204,7 +205,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
           ></dees-input-dropdown>
           <dees-input-quantityselector
             .label=${'Quantity'}
-            .description=${'Number of licenses'}
+            .infoText=${'Number of licenses'}
             .value=${1}
           ></dees-input-quantityselector>
           <dees-input-text

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-quantityselector/dees-input-quantityselector.ts

@@ -129,7 +129,7 @@ export class DeesInputQuantitySelector extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputQuantitySe
   public render(): TemplateResult {
     return html`
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        ${this.label ? html`<dees-label .label=${this.label} .description=${this.description} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>` : ''}
+        ${this.label ? html`<dees-label .label=${this.label} .infoText=${this.infoText} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>` : ''}
         <div 
           class="quantity-container ${this.disabled ? 'disabled' : ''}"
           data-min="${this.value <= 0}"
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ export class DeesInputQuantitySelector extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputQuantitySe
             aria-label="Increase quantity"
           >+</div>
         </div>
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-radiogroup/dees-input-radiogroup.ts

@@ -189,14 +189,6 @@ export class DeesInputRadiogroup extends DeesInputBase<string | object> {
         line-height: 20px;
       }
 
-      .description-text {
-        font-size: 13px;
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(215.4 16.3% 56.9%)', 'hsl(215 20.2% 55.1%)')};
-        margin-top: 10px;
-        line-height: 1.5;
-        letter-spacing: -0.003em;
-      }
-
       /* Validation styles */
       :host([validationState="invalid"]) .radio-circle {
         border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 72.2% 50.6%)', 'hsl(0 62.8% 30.6%)')};
@@ -256,7 +248,7 @@ export class DeesInputRadiogroup extends DeesInputBase<string | object> {
             `;
           })}
         </div>
-        ${this.description ? html`<div class="description-text">${this.description}</div>` : ''}
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-richtext/styles.ts

@@ -278,13 +278,6 @@ export const richtextStyles = [
         border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 15%)', 'hsl(0 0% 93.9%)')};
       }
 
-      .description {
-        margin-top: 8px;
-        font-size: 12px;
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(215.4 16.3% 46.9%)', 'hsl(215 20.2% 65.1%)')};
-        line-height: 1.4;
-      }
-
       :host([disabled]) dees-tile {
         opacity: 0.6;
         cursor: not-allowed;

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-richtext/template.ts

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ export const renderRichtext = (component: DeesInputRichtext): TemplateResult =>
                 `
               : ''}
           </dees-tile>
-          ${component.description ? html`<div class="description">${component.description}</div>` : ''}
+          ${component.renderDescription()}
         </div>
       `;
 

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-tags/dees-input-tags.ts

@@ -210,14 +210,6 @@ export class DeesInputTags extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputTags> {
         line-height: 1.5;
       }
 
-      /* Description styles */
-      .description {
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(215.4 16.3% 56.9%)', 'hsl(215 20.2% 55.1%)')};
-        font-size: 13px;
-        margin-top: 6px;
-        line-height: 1.5;
-      }
-
       /* Scrollbar styling */
       .suggestions-dropdown::-webkit-scrollbar {
         width: 8px;
@@ -302,9 +294,7 @@ export class DeesInputTags extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputTags> {
           <div class="validation-message">${this.validationText}</div>
         ` : ''}
         
-        ${this.description ? html`
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
-          <div class="description">${this.description}</div>
-        ` : ''}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-text/dees-input-text.demo.ts

@@ -94,12 +94,13 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
             .label=${'Username'}
             .value=${'johndoe'}
             .key=${'username'}
+            .description=${'Your username will be visible to other users'}
           ></dees-input-text>
 
           <dees-input-text
             .label=${'Email Address'}
             .value=${'john@example.com'}
-            .description=${'We will never share your email with anyone'}
+            .infoText=${'We will never share your email with anyone'}
             .key=${'email'}
           ></dees-input-text>
 
@@ -210,39 +211,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
       </dees-panel>
     </dees-demowrapper>
     
-    <dees-demowrapper .runAfterRender=${async (elementArg: HTMLElement) => {
+    <dees-demowrapper>
-      // Demonstrate validation states
-      const requiredInput = elementArg.querySelector('dees-input-text[required]') as DeesInputText;
-      const disabledInput = elementArg.querySelector('dees-input-text[disabled]') as DeesInputText;
-      const errorInput = elementArg.querySelector('dees-input-text[validationState="invalid"]') as DeesInputText;
-      
-      if (requiredInput) {
-        // Show validation on blur for empty required field
-        requiredInput.addEventListener('blur', () => {
-          if (!requiredInput.getValue()) {
-            console.log('Required field is empty!');
-          }
-        });
-      }
-      
-      if (disabledInput) {
-        console.log('Disabled input cannot be edited');
-      }
-      
-      if (errorInput) {
-        console.log('Error input shows validation message:', errorInput.validationText);
-        
-        // Simulate fixing the error
-        errorInput.addEventListener('changeSubject', () => {
-          const value = errorInput.getValue();
-          if (value.includes('@') && value.includes('.')) {
-            errorInput.validationState = 'valid';
-            errorInput.validationText = '';
-            console.log('Email validation passed!');
-          }
-        });
-      }
-    }}>
       <dees-panel .title=${'Validation & States'} .subtitle=${'Different validation states and input configurations'}>
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-text
@@ -258,10 +227,15 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
           ></dees-input-text>
 
           <dees-input-text
-            .label=${'Field with Error'}
+            .label=${'Email with Validation'}
             .value=${'invalid@'}
-            .validationText=${'Please enter a valid email address'}
+            .validationFunction=${(value: string) => {
-            .validationState=${'invalid'}
+              const emailRegex = /^[^\s@]+@[^\s@]+\.[^\s@]+$/;
+              if (emailRegex.test(value)) {
+                return { valid: true, message: 'Email address is valid' };
+              }
+              return { valid: false, message: 'Please enter a valid email address' };
+            }}
           ></dees-input-text>
         </div>
       </dees-panel>
@@ -297,49 +271,30 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
             .label=${'Password with Toggle'}
             .isPasswordBool=${true}
             .value=${'mySecurePassword123'}
-            .description=${'Click the eye icon to show/hide password'}
+            .infoText=${'Click the eye icon to show/hide password'}
           ></dees-input-text>
 
           <dees-input-text
             .label=${'API Key'}
             .isPasswordBool=${true}
             .value=${'sk-1234567890abcdef'}
-            .description=${'Keep this key secure and never share it'}
+            .infoText=${'Keep this key secure and never share it'}
           ></dees-input-text>
         </div>
       </dees-panel>
     </dees-demowrapper>
     
     <dees-demowrapper .runAfterRender=${async (elementArg: HTMLElement) => {
-      // Set up interactive example
+      const dynamicInput = elementArg.querySelector('dees-input-text') as DeesInputText;
-      const dynamicInput = elementArg.querySelector('dees-input-text');
       const output = elementArg.querySelector('#text-input-output');
 
       if (dynamicInput && output) {
-        // Update output on every change
+        dynamicInput.changeSubject.subscribe(() => {
-        dynamicInput.addEventListener('changeSubject', ((event: CustomEvent) => {
+          output.textContent = `Current value: "${dynamicInput.getValue()}"`;
-          const value = (event.detail as DeesInputText).getValue();
-          output.textContent = `Current value: "${value}"`;
-        }) as EventListener);
-        
-        // Also track focus/blur events
-        dynamicInput.addEventListener('focus', () => {
-          console.log('Input focused');
-        });
-        
-        dynamicInput.addEventListener('blur', () => {
-          console.log('Input blurred');
-        });
-        
-        // Track keypress events
-        let keypressCount = 0;
-        dynamicInput.addEventListener('keydown', () => {
-          keypressCount++;
-          console.log(`Keypress count: ${keypressCount}`);
         });
       }
     }}>
-      <dees-panel .title=${'Interactive Example'} .subtitle=${'Try typing in the inputs to see real-time value changes'}>
+      <dees-panel .title=${'Interactive Example'} .subtitle=${'Try typing in the input to see real-time value changes'}>
         <dees-input-text
           .label=${'Dynamic Input'}
           .placeholder=${'Type something here...'}

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-text/dees-input-text.ts

@@ -7,11 +7,13 @@ import {
   customElement,
   type TemplateResult,
   property,
+  state,
   html,
   cssManager,
   css,
 } from '@design.estate/dees-element';
 import { themeDefaultStyles } from '../../00theme.js';
+import '../../00group-overlay/dees-contextmenu/dees-contextmenu.js';
 
 declare global {
   interface HTMLElementTagNameMap {
@@ -44,7 +46,7 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
   accessor showPasswordBool = false;
 
   @property({
-    type: Boolean,
+    type: String,
     reflect: true,
   })
   accessor validationState!: 'valid' | 'warn' | 'invalid';
@@ -54,8 +56,19 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
   })
   accessor validationText: string = '';
 
-  @property({})
+  @property({ attribute: false })
-  accessor validationFunction!: (value: string) => boolean;
+  accessor validationFunction!: (value: string) => { valid: boolean; message?: string };
+
+  @property({
+    type: Boolean,
+    reflect: true,
+  })
+  accessor vintegrated: boolean = false;
+
+  @property({ attribute: false })
+  accessor validConfirmed: boolean = false;
+
+  private validTimeout: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | undefined;
 
   public static styles = [
     themeDefaultStyles,
@@ -121,7 +134,7 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
       .showPassword {
         position: absolute;
         right: 1px;
-        top: 50%;
+        top: 20px;
         transform: translateY(-50%);
         display: flex;
         align-items: center;
@@ -139,6 +152,29 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
         color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 15%)', 'hsl(0 0% 93.9%)')};
       }
 
+      /* Valid checkmark icon */
+      .validIcon {
+        position: absolute;
+        right: 10px;
+        top: 20px;
+        transform: translateY(-50%);
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        justify-content: center;
+        opacity: 0;
+        transition: opacity 0.2s ease;
+        pointer-events: none;
+        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(142.1 76.2% 36.3%)', 'hsl(142.1 70.6% 45.3%)')};
+      }
+
+      .validIcon.show {
+        opacity: 1;
+      }
+
+      .validIcon dees-icon {
+        font-size: 18px;
+      }
+
       /* Validation styles */
       .validationContainer {
         margin-top: 4px;
@@ -150,7 +186,7 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
         overflow: hidden;
       }
 
-      .validationContainer.error {
+      .validationContainer.invalid {
         background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 84.2% 60.2% / 0.1)', 'hsl(0 72.2% 50.6% / 0.1)')};
         color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 84.2% 60.2%)', 'hsl(0 72.2% 50.6%)')};
       }
@@ -166,34 +202,64 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
       }
 
       /* Error state for input */
-      :host([validation-state="invalid"]) input {
+      :host([validationstate="invalid"]) input {
         border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 84.2% 60.2%)', 'hsl(0 72.2% 50.6%)')};
       }
 
-      :host([validation-state="invalid"]) input:focus {
+      :host([validationstate="invalid"]) input:focus {
         border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 84.2% 60.2%)', 'hsl(0 72.2% 50.6%)')};
         box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 84.2% 60.2% / 0.05)', 'hsl(0 72.2% 50.6% / 0.05)')};
       }
 
       /* Warning state for input */
-      :host([validation-state="warn"]) input {
+      :host([validationstate="warn"]) input {
         border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(25 95% 53%)', 'hsl(25 95% 63%)')};
       }
 
-      :host([validation-state="warn"]) input:focus {
+      :host([validationstate="warn"]) input:focus {
         border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(25 95% 53%)', 'hsl(25 95% 63%)')};
         box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(25 95% 53% / 0.05)', 'hsl(25 95% 63% / 0.05)')};
       }
 
       /* Valid state for input */
-      :host([validation-state="valid"]) input {
+      :host([validationstate="valid"]) input {
         border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(142.1 76.2% 36.3%)', 'hsl(142.1 70.6% 45.3%)')};
       }
 
-      :host([validation-state="valid"]) input:focus {
+      :host([validationstate="valid"]) input:focus {
         border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(142.1 76.2% 36.3%)', 'hsl(142.1 70.6% 45.3%)')};
         box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(142.1 76.2% 36.3% / 0.05)', 'hsl(142.1 70.6% 45.3% / 0.05)')};
       }
+
+      /* Visually integrated mode: shed chrome to blend into a host component
+         (e.g. a dees-table cell in edit mode). */
+      :host([vintegrated]) dees-label,
+      :host([vintegrated]) .validationContainer {
+        display: none;
+      }
+      :host([vintegrated]) .maincontainer {
+        height: 40px;
+      }
+      :host([vintegrated]) input {
+        height: 40px;
+        line-height: 24px;
+        padding: 0 16px;
+        font-size: 13px;
+        border: none;
+        border-radius: 0;
+        background: transparent;
+        box-shadow: none;
+        transition: none;
+      }
+      :host([vintegrated]) input:hover:not(:disabled):not(:focus),
+      :host([vintegrated]) input:focus {
+        border: none;
+        box-shadow: none;
+        background: transparent;
+      }
+      :host([vintegrated]) .showPassword {
+        display: none;
+      }
     `,
   ];
 
@@ -203,9 +269,9 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
         input {
           font-family: ${this.isPasswordBool ? cssMonoFontFamily : 'inherit'};
           letter-spacing: ${this.isPasswordBool ? '0.5px' : 'normal'};
-          padding-right: ${this.isPasswordBool ? '48px' : '12px'};
+          padding-right: ${this.isPasswordBool ? '48px' : this.validConfirmed ? '40px' : '12px'};
         }
-        ${this.validationText
+        ${this.validationText && !this.validConfirmed
           ? css`
               .validationContainer {
                 height: auto;
@@ -223,7 +289,7 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
             `}
       </style>
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .description=${this.description} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>
+        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .infoText=${this.infoText} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>
         <div class="maincontainer">
           <input
             type="${this.isPasswordBool && !this.showPasswordBool ? 'password' : 'text'}"
@@ -239,28 +305,114 @@ export class DeesInputText extends DeesInputBase {
                 </div>
               `
             : html``}
+          <div class="validIcon ${this.validConfirmed ? 'show' : ''}">
+            <dees-icon .icon=${'lucide:Check'}></dees-icon>
+          </div>
           ${this.validationText
             ? html`
-                <div class="validationContainer ${this.validationState || 'error'}">
+                <div class="validationContainer ${this.validationState || 'invalid'}">
                   ${this.validationText}
                 </div>
               `
             : html`<div class="validationContainer"></div>`}
+          ${this.renderDescription()}
         </div>
       </div>
     `;
   }
 
   firstUpdated() {
-    // Input event handling is already done in updateValue method
+    if (this.validationFunction && this.value) {
+      const result = this.validationFunction(this.value);
+      this.validationState = result.valid ? 'valid' : 'invalid';
+      this.validationText = result.message || '';
+      if (result.valid) {
+        this.validConfirmed = false;
+        this.validTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
+          this.validConfirmed = true;
+          this.validationState = undefined as any;
+        }, 500);
+      }
+    }
   }
 
   public async updateValue(eventArg: Event) {
     const target: any = eventArg.target;
     this.value = target.value;
+    if (this.validationFunction) {
+      const result = this.validationFunction(this.value);
+      this.validationState = result.valid ? 'valid' : 'invalid';
+      this.validationText = result.message || '';
+      if (result.valid) {
+        this.validConfirmed = false;
+        clearTimeout(this.validTimeout);
+        this.validTimeout = setTimeout(() => {
+          this.validConfirmed = true;
+          this.validationState = undefined as any;
+        }, 500);
+      } else {
+        clearTimeout(this.validTimeout);
+        this.validConfirmed = false;
+      }
+    }
     this.changeSubject.next(this);
   }
 
+  public getContextMenuItems() {
+    const input = this.shadowRoot!.querySelector('input')!;
+    const hasSelection = input.selectionStart !== input.selectionEnd;
+    return [
+      {
+        name: 'Cut',
+        iconName: 'lucide:Scissors',
+        shortcut: 'Cmd+X',
+        disabled: !hasSelection,
+        action: async () => {
+          const selected = this.value.substring(input.selectionStart!, input.selectionEnd!);
+          await navigator.clipboard.writeText(selected);
+          const start = input.selectionStart!;
+          this.value = this.value.substring(0, start) + this.value.substring(input.selectionEnd!);
+          input.value = this.value;
+          input.setSelectionRange(start, start);
+          this.changeSubject.next(this);
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'Copy',
+        iconName: 'lucide:Copy',
+        shortcut: 'Cmd+C',
+        disabled: !hasSelection,
+        action: async () => {
+          const selected = this.value.substring(input.selectionStart!, input.selectionEnd!);
+          await navigator.clipboard.writeText(selected);
+        },
+      },
+      {
+        name: 'Paste',
+        iconName: 'lucide:ClipboardPaste',
+        shortcut: 'Cmd+V',
+        action: async () => {
+          const text = await navigator.clipboard.readText();
+          const start = input.selectionStart!;
+          const end = input.selectionEnd!;
+          this.value = this.value.substring(0, start) + text + this.value.substring(end);
+          input.value = this.value;
+          input.setSelectionRange(start + text.length, start + text.length);
+          this.changeSubject.next(this);
+        },
+      },
+      { divider: true },
+      {
+        name: 'Select All',
+        iconName: 'lucide:TextCursorInput',
+        shortcut: 'Cmd+A',
+        action: async () => {
+          input.select();
+        },
+      },
+    ];
+  }
+
   public getValue(): string {
     return this.value;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-toggle/dees-input-toggle.ts

@@ -170,12 +170,6 @@ export class DeesInputToggle extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputToggle> {
         color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 15%)', 'hsl(0 0% 90%)')};
       }
 
-      /* Description */
-      .description-text {
-        font-size: 12px;
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 45.1%)', 'hsl(0 0% 63.9%)')};
-        line-height: 1.5;
-      }
     `,
   ];
 
@@ -199,7 +193,7 @@ export class DeesInputToggle extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputToggle> {
           </div>
           <div class="label-container">
             ${this.label ? html`<div class="toggle-label">${this.label}</div>` : ''}
-            ${this.description ? html`<div class="description-text">${this.description}</div>` : ''}
+            ${this.renderDescription()}
           </div>
         </div>
       </div>

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-typelist/dees-input-typelist.demo.ts

@@ -48,13 +48,14 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-typelist
             .label=${'Tags'}
-            .description=${'Add tags by typing and pressing Enter'}
+            .infoText=${'Add tags by typing and pressing Enter'}
+            .description=${'Tags help categorize and filter your content'}
             .value=${['javascript', 'typescript', 'web-components']}
           ></dees-input-typelist>
 
           <dees-input-typelist
             .label=${'Team Members'}
-            .description=${'Add email addresses of team members'}
+            .infoText=${'Add email addresses of team members'}
             .value=${['alice@example.com', 'bob@example.com']}
           ></dees-input-typelist>
         </div>
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-typelist
             .label=${'Your Skills'}
-            .description=${'List your professional skills'}
+            .infoText=${'List your professional skills'}
             .value=${['HTML', 'CSS', 'JavaScript', 'Node.js', 'React']}
           ></dees-input-typelist>
 
@@ -88,14 +89,14 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         <div class="input-group">
           <dees-input-typelist
             .label=${'Project Dependencies'}
-            .description=${'List all required npm packages'}
+            .infoText=${'List all required npm packages'}
             .required=${true}
             .value=${['@design.estate/dees-element', '@design.estate/dees-domtools']}
           ></dees-input-typelist>
 
           <dees-input-typelist
             .label=${'System Tags'}
-            .description=${'These tags are managed by the system'}
+            .infoText=${'These tags are managed by the system'}
             .disabled=${true}
             .value=${['system', 'protected', 'readonly']}
           ></dees-input-typelist>
@@ -108,16 +109,16 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
           <dees-input-text 
             .label=${'Summary'} 
             .inputType=${'textarea'}
-            .description=${'Brief description of the article'}
+            .infoText=${'Brief description of the article'}
           ></dees-input-text>
           <dees-input-typelist
             .label=${'Tags'}
-            .description=${'Add relevant tags for better discoverability'}
+            .infoText=${'Add relevant tags for better discoverability'}
             .value=${['tutorial', 'web-development']}
           ></dees-input-typelist>
           <dees-input-typelist
             .label=${'Co-Authors'}
-            .description=${'Add email addresses of co-authors'}
+            .infoText=${'Add email addresses of co-authors'}
           ></dees-input-typelist>
         </dees-form>
         

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-typelist/dees-input-typelist.ts

@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ export class DeesInputTypelist extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputTypelist> {
   public render(): TemplateResult {
     return html`
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .description=${this.description}></dees-label>
+        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .infoText=${this.infoText}></dees-label>
         <div class="mainbox">
           <div class="tags" @click=${() => {
             this.shadowRoot!.querySelector('input')!.focus();
@@ -188,6 +188,7 @@ export class DeesInputTypelist extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputTypelist> {
             .disabled=${this.disabled}
           />
         </div>
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-input/dees-input-wysiwyg/dees-input-wysiwyg.ts

@@ -292,7 +292,7 @@ export class DeesInputWysiwyg extends DeesInputBase<string> {
     return html`
       <dees-label
         .label="${this.label}"
-        .description="${this.description}"
+        .infoText="${this.infoText}"
         .required="${this.required}"
       ></dees-label>
       <div class="wysiwyg-container">
@@ -303,6 +303,7 @@ export class DeesInputWysiwyg extends DeesInputBase<string> {
           <!-- Blocks will be rendered programmatically -->
         </div>
       </div>
+      ${this.renderDescription()}
     `;
   }
 

ts_web/elements/00group-input/profilepicture/dees-input-profilepicture.ts

@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ export class DeesInputProfilePicture extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputProfilePictu
   render(): TemplateResult {
     return html`
       <div class="input-wrapper">
-        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .description=${this.description} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>
+        <dees-label .label=${this.label} .infoText=${this.infoText} .required=${this.required}></dees-label>
         
         <div 
           class="profile-container"
@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@ export class DeesInputProfilePicture extends DeesInputBase<DeesInputProfilePictu
           accept="${this.acceptedFormats.join(',')}"
           @change=${this.handleFileSelect}
         />
+        ${this.renderDescription()}
       </div>
     `;
   }

ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-heading/dees-heading.demo.ts

@@ -8,7 +8,9 @@ export function demoFunc() {
     <dees-heading level="4">This is a H4 heading</dees-heading>
     <dees-heading level="5">This is a H5 heading</dees-heading>
     <dees-heading level="6">This is a H6 heading</dees-heading>
-    <dees-heading level="hr">This is an hr heading</dees-heading>
+    <dees-heading level="hr">This is an hr heading (level="hr")</dees-heading>
-    <dees-heading level="hr-small">This is an hr small heading</dees-heading>
+    <dees-heading level="7">This is an hr heading (level="7")</dees-heading>
+    <dees-heading level="hr-small">This is an hr-small heading (level="hr-small")</dees-heading>
+    <dees-heading level="8">This is an hr-small heading (level="8")</dees-heading>
   `;
 }

ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-heading/dees-heading.ts

@@ -27,68 +27,104 @@ export class DeesHeading extends DeesElement {
 
   // properties
   /**
-   * Heading level: 1-6 for h1-h6, or 'hr' for horizontal rule style
+   * Heading level:
+   *   '1'-'6'  → <h1>..<h6>
+   *   '7'|'hr'       → horizontal-rule style heading
+   *   '8'|'hr-small' → small horizontal-rule style heading
    */
   @property({ type: String, reflect: true })
-  accessor level: '1' | '2' | '3' | '4' | '5' | '6' | 'hr' | 'hr-small' = '1';
+  accessor level: '1' | '2' | '3' | '4' | '5' | '6' | '7' | '8' | 'hr' | 'hr-small' = '1';
 
   // STATIC STYLES
   public static styles: CSSResult[] = [
     themeDefaultStyles,
     cssManager.defaultStyles,
     css`
-      /* TODO: Migrate hardcoded values to --dees-* CSS variables */
+      :host {
-      /* Heading styles */
+        display: block;
-      h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
-        margin: 16px 0 8px;
-        font-weight: 600;
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#000', '#fff')};
       }
-      h1 { font-size: 32px; font-family: ${cssCalSansFontFamily}; letter-spacing: 0.025em;}
+
-      h2 { font-size: 28px; }
+      /* Heading styles.
-      h3 { font-size: 24px; }
+       * Color hierarchy: h1-h2 stay prominent with text-primary; h3-h6 step
-      h4 { font-size: 20px; }
+       * down to text-secondary so they read as subheadings instead of
-      h5 { font-size: 16px; }
+       * mini-h1s. Keeps the visual loudness out of smaller headings. */
-      h6 { font-size: 14px; }
+      h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 {
+        font-weight: 600;
+      }
+      h1, h2 {
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-primary);
+      }
+      h3, h4, h5, h6 {
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-secondary);
+      }
+
+      /* Per-level typography + spacing.
+       * Margin scales with importance: h1 gets the most breathing room,
+       * h6 the least. Top margin > bottom margin so headings group with
+       * the content that follows them. */
+      h1 {
+        /* h1 uses weight 500, not 600: the Cal Sans display font is
+         * already stylized enough that bold + max contrast + 32px stacks
+         * too much emphasis. 500 keeps the typographic impact without
+         * shouting. */
+        font-weight: 500;
+        font-size: 32px;
+        font-family: ${cssCalSansFontFamily};
+        letter-spacing: 0.025em;
+        margin: var(--dees-spacing-2xl) 0 var(--dees-spacing-lg);
+      }
+      h2 {
+        font-size: 28px;
+        margin: var(--dees-spacing-xl) 0 var(--dees-spacing-md);
+      }
+      h3 {
+        font-size: 24px;
+        margin: var(--dees-spacing-xl) 0 var(--dees-spacing-md);
+      }
+      h4 {
+        font-size: 20px;
+        margin: var(--dees-spacing-lg) 0 var(--dees-spacing-sm);
+      }
+      h5 {
+        font-size: 16px;
+        margin: var(--dees-spacing-md) 0 var(--dees-spacing-sm);
+      }
+      h6 {
+        font-size: 14px;
+        margin: var(--dees-spacing-md) 0 var(--dees-spacing-xs);
+      }
+
       /* Horizontal rule style heading */
       .heading-hr {
         display: flex;
         align-items: center;
         text-align: center;
-        margin: 16px 0;
+        margin: var(--dees-spacing-lg) 0;
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#999', '#555')};
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-muted);
       }
       /* Fade lines toward and away from text for hr style */
       .heading-hr::before {
         content: '';
         flex: 1;
         height: 1px;
-        /* fade in toward center */
+        background: linear-gradient(to right, transparent, var(--dees-color-border-strong));
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme(
+        margin: 0 var(--dees-spacing-sm);
-          'linear-gradient(to right, transparent, #ccc)',
-          'linear-gradient(to right, transparent, #333)'
-        )};
-        margin: 0 8px;
       }
       .heading-hr::after {
         content: '';
         flex: 1;
         height: 1px;
-        /* fade out away from center */
+        background: linear-gradient(to right, var(--dees-color-border-strong), transparent);
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme(
+        margin: 0 var(--dees-spacing-sm);
-          'linear-gradient(to right, #ccc, transparent)',
-          'linear-gradient(to right, #333, transparent)'
-        )};
-        margin: 0 8px;
       }
       /* Small hr variant with reduced margins */
       .heading-hr.heading-hr-small {
-        margin: 8px 0;
+        margin: var(--dees-spacing-sm) 0;
         font-size: 12px;
       }
       .heading-hr.heading-hr-small::before,
       .heading-hr.heading-hr-small::after {
-        margin: 0 8px;
+        margin: 0 var(--dees-spacing-sm);
       }
     `,
   ];
@@ -109,8 +145,10 @@ export class DeesHeading extends DeesElement {
         return html`<h5><slot></slot></h5>`;
       case '6':
         return html`<h6><slot></slot></h6>`;
+      case '7':
       case 'hr':
         return html`<div class="heading-hr"><slot></slot></div>`;
+      case '8':
       case 'hr-small':
         return html`<div class="heading-hr heading-hr-small"><slot></slot></div>`;
       default:

ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-label/dees-label.demo.ts

@@ -1,7 +1,128 @@
-import { html, cssManager } from '@design.estate/dees-element';
+import { html, css, cssManager } from '@design.estate/dees-element';
 
-export const demoFunc = () => {
+export const demoFunc = () => html`
-  return html`
+  <style>
-    <dees-label .label=${'a label'}></dees-label>
+    ${css`
-  `;
+      .demo-container {
+        display: flex;
+        flex-direction: column;
+        gap: 24px;
+        padding: 24px;
+        max-width: 800px;
+        margin: 0 auto;
       }
+
+      .demo-section {
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#f8f9fa', '#1a1a1a')};
+        border-radius: 8px;
+        padding: 24px;
+        border: 1px solid ${cssManager.bdTheme('#e0e0e0', '#333')};
+      }
+
+      .demo-section h3 {
+        margin-top: 0;
+        margin-bottom: 16px;
+        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#333', '#fff')};
+      }
+
+      .demo-section p {
+        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#666', '#999')};
+        margin-bottom: 16px;
+        font-size: 13px;
+      }
+
+      .label-grid {
+        display: flex;
+        flex-direction: column;
+        gap: 24px;
+      }
+
+      .label-row {
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: baseline;
+        gap: 16px;
+      }
+
+      .label-row .annotation {
+        font-size: 12px;
+        font-family: monospace;
+        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#888', '#666')};
+        flex-shrink: 0;
+        min-width: 200px;
+      }
+    `}
+  </style>
+
+  <div class="demo-container">
+    <div class="demo-section">
+      <h3>Basic Label</h3>
+      <p>A simple text label with no additional indicators.</p>
+      <div class="label-grid">
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">label="Username"</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${'Username'}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">label="Email Address"</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${'Email Address'}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="demo-section">
+      <h3>Required Indicator</h3>
+      <p>When <code>required</code> is set, a red asterisk appears after the label text.</p>
+      <div class="label-grid">
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">required=${'{true}'}</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${'Full Name'} .required=${true}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">required=${'{false}'} (default)</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${'Nickname'} .required=${false}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="demo-section">
+      <h3>Info Text (Info Icon)</h3>
+      <p>When <code>infoText</code> is set, an info icon appears next to the label. Hover over it to see the tooltip.</p>
+      <div class="label-grid">
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">infoText="..."</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${'API Key'} .infoText=${'Your API key can be found in the developer settings dashboard.'}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">short infoText</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${'Region'} .infoText=${'Select your nearest datacenter.'}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="demo-section">
+      <h3>Required + Info Text</h3>
+      <p>Both indicators can be combined. The asterisk appears first, then the info icon.</p>
+      <div class="label-grid">
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">required + infoText</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${'Password'} .required=${true} .infoText=${'Must be at least 8 characters with one uppercase letter and one number.'}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">required + infoText</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${'Email Address'} .required=${true} .infoText=${'We will send a verification link to this address.'}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="demo-section">
+      <h3>Empty Label</h3>
+      <p>When <code>label</code> is empty or not set, nothing is rendered. The element below has no label text:</p>
+      <div class="label-grid">
+        <div class="label-row">
+          <span class="annotation">label="" (empty)</span>
+          <dees-label .label=${''}></dees-label>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+`;

ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-label/dees-label.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export class DeesLabel extends DeesElement {
     type: String,
     reflect: true,
   })
-  accessor description!: string;
+  accessor infoText!: string;
 
   @property({
     type: Boolean,
@@ -50,7 +50,8 @@ export class DeesLabel extends DeesElement {
       }
 
       .label {
-        display: inline-block;
+        display: inline-flex;
+        align-items: center;
         color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 15%)', 'hsl(0 0% 90%)')};
         font-size: 14px;
         font-weight: 500;
@@ -66,13 +67,26 @@ export class DeesLabel extends DeesElement {
         margin-left: 2px;
       }
 
-      dees-icon {
+      .description-icon {
-        display: inline-block;
+        display: inline-flex;
-        font-size: 12px;
+        align-items: center;
-        transform: translateY(1px);
+        justify-content: center;
-        margin-left: 4px;
+        width: 24px;
+        height: 24px;
+        margin: -6px 0 -6px 2px;
+        border-radius: 4px;
+        cursor: default;
+        transition: background 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease;
         color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 45.1%)', 'hsl(0 0% 63.9%)')};
-        cursor: help;
+      }
+
+      .description-icon:hover {
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.06)', 'hsl(0 0% 100% / 0.08)')};
+        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 25%)', 'hsl(0 0% 80%)')};
+      }
+
+      .description-icon dees-icon {
+        font-size: 14px;
       }
     `,
   ];
@@ -84,10 +98,12 @@ export class DeesLabel extends DeesElement {
             <div class="label">
               ${this.label}
               ${this.required ? html`<span class="required">*</span>` : ''}
-              ${this.description
+              ${this.infoText
                 ? html`
+                    <div class="description-icon">
                       <dees-icon .icon=${'lucide:info'}></dees-icon>
-                    <dees-speechbubble .text=${this.description}></dees-speechbubble>
+                    </div>
+                    <dees-speechbubble .text=${this.infoText}></dees-speechbubble>
                   `
                 : html``}
             </div>

ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-stepper/dees-stepper.demo.ts

@@ -1,21 +1,18 @@
 import { html } from '@design.estate/dees-element';
+import { DeesStepper, type IStep } from './dees-stepper.js';
 
-export const stepperDemo = () => html`
+const demoSteps: IStep[] = [
-  <dees-stepper
-    .steps=${[
   {
     title: 'Account Setup',
     content: html`
       <dees-form>
         <dees-input-text key="email" label="Work Email" required></dees-input-text>
         <dees-input-text key="password" label="Create Password" type="password" required></dees-input-text>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
       </dees-form>
     `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
+    menuOptions: [
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
+    ],
-        },
   },
   {
     title: 'Profile Details',
@@ -23,13 +20,11 @@ export const stepperDemo = () => html`
       <dees-form>
         <dees-input-text key="firstName" label="First Name" required></dees-input-text>
         <dees-input-text key="lastName" label="Last Name" required></dees-input-text>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
       </dees-form>
     `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
+    menuOptions: [
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
+    ],
-        },
   },
   {
     title: 'Contact Information',
@@ -37,13 +32,11 @@ export const stepperDemo = () => html`
       <dees-form>
         <dees-input-phone key="phone" label="Mobile Number" required></dees-input-phone>
         <dees-input-text key="company" label="Company"></dees-input-text>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
       </dees-form>
     `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
+    menuOptions: [
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
+    ],
-        },
   },
   {
     title: 'Team Size',
@@ -60,13 +53,11 @@ export const stepperDemo = () => html`
           ]}
           required
         ></dees-input-dropdown>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
       </dees-form>
     `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
+    menuOptions: [
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
+    ],
-        },
   },
   {
     title: 'Goals',
@@ -82,13 +73,11 @@ export const stepperDemo = () => html`
           ]}
           required
         ></dees-input-multitoggle>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
       </dees-form>
     `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
+    menuOptions: [
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
+    ],
-        },
   },
   {
     title: 'Brand Preferences',
@@ -96,13 +85,11 @@ export const stepperDemo = () => html`
       <dees-form>
         <dees-input-text key="brandColor" label="Primary brand color"></dees-input-text>
         <dees-input-text key="tone" label="Preferred tone (e.g. friendly, formal)"></dees-input-text>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
       </dees-form>
     `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
+    menuOptions: [
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
+    ],
-        },
   },
   {
     title: 'Integrations',
@@ -113,13 +100,11 @@ export const stepperDemo = () => html`
           label="Integrations in use"
           placeholder="Add integration"
         ></dees-input-list>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
       </dees-form>
     `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
+    menuOptions: [
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
+    ],
-        },
   },
   {
     title: 'Review & Launch',
@@ -128,7 +113,25 @@ export const stepperDemo = () => html`
         <p>Almost there! Review your selections and launch whenever you're ready.</p>
       </dees-panel>
     `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Launch', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
   },
-    ] as const}
+];
-  ></dees-stepper>
+
+const cloneSteps = (): IStep[] => demoSteps.map((step) => ({ ...step }));
+
+export const stepperDemo = () => html`
+  <div style="position: absolute; inset: 0;">
+    <div
+      style="position: absolute; top: 16px; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); z-index: 10;"
+    >
+      <dees-button
+        @click=${async () => {
+          await DeesStepper.createAndShow({ steps: cloneSteps() });
+        }}
+      >Open stepper as overlay</dees-button>
+    </div>
+    <dees-stepper .steps=${cloneSteps()}></dees-stepper>
+  </div>
 `;

ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-stepper/dees-stepper.ts

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import * as plugins from '../../00plugins.js';
-import * as colors from '../../00colors.js';
 
 import {
   DeesElement,
@@ -16,10 +15,17 @@ import {
 import * as domtools from '@design.estate/dees-domtools';
 import { stepperDemo } from './dees-stepper.demo.js';
 import { themeDefaultStyles } from '../../00theme.js';
+import { cssGeistFontFamily } from '../../00fonts.js';
+import { zIndexRegistry } from '../../00zindex.js';
+import { DeesWindowLayer } from '../../00group-overlay/dees-windowlayer/dees-windowlayer.js';
+import { DeesModal } from '../../00group-overlay/dees-modal/dees-modal.js';
+import type { DeesForm } from '../../00group-form/dees-form/dees-form.js';
+import '../dees-tile/dees-tile.js';
 
 export interface IStep {
   title: string;
   content: TemplateResult;
+  menuOptions?: plugins.tsclass.website.IMenuItem<DeesStepper>[];
   validationFunc?: (stepper: DeesStepper, htmlElement: HTMLElement, signal?: AbortSignal) => Promise<any>;
   onReturnToStepFunc?: (stepper: DeesStepper, htmlElement: HTMLElement) => Promise<any>;
   validationFuncCalled?: boolean;
@@ -34,9 +40,33 @@ declare global {
 
 @customElement('dees-stepper')
 export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
+  // STATIC
   public static demo = stepperDemo;
   public static demoGroups = ['Layout', 'Form'];
 
+  public static async createAndShow(optionsArg: {
+    steps: IStep[];
+    cancelable?: boolean;
+  }): Promise<DeesStepper> {
+    const body = document.body;
+    const stepper = new DeesStepper();
+    stepper.steps = optionsArg.steps;
+    stepper.overlay = true;
+    if (optionsArg.cancelable !== undefined) {
+      stepper.cancelable = optionsArg.cancelable;
+    }
+    stepper.windowLayer = await DeesWindowLayer.createAndShow({ blur: true });
+    body.append(stepper.windowLayer);
+    body.append(stepper);
+
+    // Get z-index for stepper (should be above window layer)
+    stepper.stepperZIndex = zIndexRegistry.getNextZIndex();
+    zIndexRegistry.register(stepper, stepper.stepperZIndex);
+
+    return stepper;
+  }
+
+  // INSTANCE
   @property({
     type: Array,
   })
@@ -47,6 +77,37 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
   })
   accessor selectedStep!: IStep;
 
+  @property({
+    type: Boolean,
+    reflect: true,
+  })
+  accessor overlay: boolean = false;
+
+  /**
+   * When true (default), the stepper renders a Cancel button in every step's
+   * footer, and clicking the backdrop (overlay mode) triggers the same cancel
+   * confirmation flow. Set to false for forced flows where the user must
+   * complete the stepper — no Cancel button, no backdrop dismissal.
+   */
+  @property({
+    type: Boolean,
+    reflect: true,
+  })
+  accessor cancelable: boolean = true;
+
+  @property({ type: Number, attribute: false })
+  accessor stepperZIndex: number = 1000;
+
+  @property({ type: Object, attribute: false })
+  accessor activeForm: DeesForm | null = null;
+
+  @property({ type: Boolean, attribute: false })
+  accessor activeFormValid: boolean = true;
+
+  private activeFormSubscription?: { unsubscribe: () => void };
+
+  private windowLayer?: DeesWindowLayer;
+
   constructor() {
     super();
   }
@@ -60,7 +121,24 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
         position: absolute;
         width: 100%;
         height: 100%;
+        font-family: ${cssGeistFontFamily};
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-primary);
       }
+
+      /*
+       * In overlay mode the host is "transparent" to layout — the inner
+       * .stepperContainer.overlay is what pins to the viewport and carries the
+       * z-index. Keeping :host unpositioned avoids nesting the stacking context
+       * under an auto-z-index parent (which was trapping .stepperContainer
+       * below DeesWindowLayer's sibling layers). This mirrors how dees-modal
+       * keeps its own :host unpositioned and lets .modalContainer drive layout.
+       */
+      :host([overlay]) {
+        position: static;
+        width: 0;
+        height: 0;
+      }
+
       .stepperContainer {
         position: absolute;
         width: 100%;
@@ -68,101 +146,125 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
         overflow: hidden;
       }
 
-      .step {
+      .stepperContainer.overlay {
+        position: fixed;
+        top: 0;
+        left: 0;
+        width: 100vw;
+        height: 100vh;
+      }
+
+      /* Exit animation — reverse of the entry. Tiles slide DOWN + fade out,
+         mirroring the .entrance slide-up. The transition override is needed
+         because dees-tile.step has its own 0.7s transition for step selection
+         which would otherwise make the exit sluggish. */
+      .stepperContainer.predestroy dees-tile.step {
+        transform: translateY(16px);
+        filter: opacity(0);
+        transition: transform 0.25s, filter 0.2s;
+      }
+
+      dees-tile.step {
         position: relative;
         pointer-events: none;
-        overflow: hidden;
-        transition: transform 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.87, 0, 0.13, 1), box-shadow 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.87, 0, 0.13, 1), filter 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.87, 0, 0.13, 1), border 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.87, 0, 0.13, 1);
         max-width: 500px;
         min-height: 300px;
-        border-radius: 12px;
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#ffffff', '#0f0f11')};
-        border: 1px solid ${cssManager.bdTheme('#e2e8f0', '#272729')};
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#0f172a', '#f5f5f5')};
         margin: auto;
         margin-bottom: 20px;
         filter: opacity(0.55) saturate(0.85);
-        box-shadow: 0 8px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4);
+        transition: transform 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.87, 0, 0.13, 1), filter 0.7s cubic-bezier(0.87, 0, 0.13, 1);
         user-select: none;
       }
 
-      .step.selected {
+      dees-tile.step.selected {
         pointer-events: all;
         filter: opacity(1) saturate(1);
         user-select: auto;
       }
 
-      .step.hiddenStep {
+      dees-tile.step.hiddenStep {
         filter: opacity(0);
       }
 
-      .step.entrance {
+      dees-tile.step.entrance {
-        transition: transform 0.35s ease, box-shadow 0.35s ease, filter 0.35s ease, border 0.35s ease;
+        transition: transform 0.35s ease, filter 0.35s ease;
       }
 
-      .step.entrance.hiddenStep {
+      dees-tile.step.entrance.hiddenStep {
         transform: translateY(16px);
       }
 
-      .step:last-child {
+      dees-tile.step:last-child {
         margin-bottom: 100vh;
       }
 
-      .step .stepCounter {
+      .stepperContainer.overlay dees-tile.step::part(outer) {
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#64748b', '#a1a1aa')};
+        box-shadow:
-        position: absolute;
+          0 0 0 1px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.03)', 'hsl(0 0% 100% / 0.03)')},
-        top: 12px;
+          0 8px 40px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.12)', 'hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.5)')},
-        right: 12px;
+          0 2px 8px ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.06)', 'hsl(0 0% 0% / 0.25)')};
-        padding: 6px 14px;
-        font-size: 12px;
-        border-radius: 999px;
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(226, 232, 240, 0.5)', 'rgba(63, 63, 70, 0.45)')};
-        border: 1px solid ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(226, 232, 240, 0.7)', 'rgba(63, 63, 70, 0.6)')};
       }
 
-      .step .goBack {
+      .step-header {
-        position: absolute;
+        height: 36px;
-        top: 12px;
+        display: flex;
-        left: 12px;
+        align-items: center;
+        justify-content: space-between;
+        padding: 0 8px 0 12px;
+        gap: 12px;
+      }
+
+      .goBack-spacer {
+        width: 1px;
+      }
+
+      .step-header .goBack {
         display: inline-flex;
         align-items: center;
         gap: 6px;
-        padding: 6px 12px;
+        height: 24px;
+        padding: 0 8px;
         font-size: 12px;
         font-weight: 500;
-        border-radius: 999px;
+        line-height: 1;
-        border: 1px solid ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(226, 232, 240, 0.9)', 'rgba(63, 63, 70, 0.85)')};
+        border: none;
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)', 'rgba(39, 39, 42, 0.85)')};
+        background: transparent;
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#475569', '#d4d4d8')};
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-muted);
+        border-radius: 4px;
         cursor: pointer;
-        transition: border 0.2s ease, color 0.2s ease, background 0.2s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
+        transition: background 0.15s ease, color 0.15s ease, transform 0.2s ease;
       }
 
-      .step .goBack:hover {
+      .step-header .goBack:hover {
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#0f172a', '#fafafa')};
+        background: var(--dees-color-hover);
-        border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme(colors.dark.blue, colors.dark.blue)};
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-secondary);
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(226, 232, 240, 0.95)', 'rgba(63, 63, 70, 0.7)')};
         transform: translateX(-2px);
       }
 
-      .step .goBack:active {
+      .step-header .goBack:active {
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#0f172a', '#fafafa')};
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 90%)', 'hsl(0 0% 15%)')};
-        border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme(colors.dark.blueActive, colors.dark.blueActive)};
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(226, 232, 240, 0.85)', 'rgba(63, 63, 70, 0.6)')};
       }
 
-      .step .goBack span {
+      .step-header .goBack span {
         transition: transform 0.2s ease;
         display: inline-block;
       }
 
-      .step .goBack:hover span {
+      .step-header .goBack:hover span {
         transform: translateX(-2px);
       }
 
-      .step .title {
+      .step-header .stepCounter {
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-muted);
+        font-size: 12px;
+        font-weight: 500;
+        letter-spacing: -0.01em;
+        padding: 0 8px;
+      }
+
+      .step-body .title {
         text-align: center;
-        padding-top: 64px;
+        padding-top: 32px;
         font-family: 'Geist Sans', sans-serif;
         font-size: 24px;
         font-weight: 600;
@@ -170,35 +272,149 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
         color: inherit;
       }
 
-      .step .content {
+      .step-body .content {
         padding: 32px;
       }
+
+      /* --- Footer: modal-style bottom buttons --- */
+      .bottomButtons {
+        display: flex;
+        flex-direction: row;
+        justify-content: flex-end;
+        align-items: center;
+        gap: 0;
+        height: 36px;
+        width: 100%;
+        box-sizing: border-box;
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton {
+        padding: 0 16px;
+        height: 100%;
+        text-align: center;
+        font-size: 12px;
+        font-weight: 500;
+        cursor: pointer;
+        user-select: none;
+        transition: all 0.15s ease;
+        background: transparent;
+        border: none;
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-muted);
+        white-space: nowrap;
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+      }
+
+      /* Border-left separator on every button EXCEPT the first one.
+         Uses general sibling so the stepHint (if rendered on the left) does
+         not shift which button counts as "first" and create a phantom border. */
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton ~ .bottomButton {
+        border-left: 1px solid var(--dees-color-border-subtle);
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton:hover {
+        background: var(--dees-color-hover);
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-primary);
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton:active {
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 92%)', 'hsl(0 0% 13%)')};
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton.primary {
+        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(217.2 91.2% 59.8%)', 'hsl(213.1 93.9% 67.8%)')};
+        font-weight: 600;
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton.primary:hover {
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(217.2 91.2% 59.8% / 0.08)', 'hsl(213.1 93.9% 67.8% / 0.08)')};
+        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(217.2 91.2% 50%)', 'hsl(213.1 93.9% 75%)')};
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton.primary:active {
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(217.2 91.2% 59.8% / 0.12)', 'hsl(213.1 93.9% 67.8% / 0.12)')};
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton.disabled {
+        pointer-events: none;
+        opacity: 0.4;
+        cursor: not-allowed;
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton.disabled:hover {
+        background: transparent;
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-muted);
+      }
+
+      /* Hint shown on the left of the footer when the active step's form has
+         unfilled required fields. Uses margin-right: auto to push right-aligned
+         buttons to the right while keeping the hint flush-left. */
+      .bottomButtons .stepHint {
+        margin-right: auto;
+        padding: 0 16px;
+        font-size: 11px;
+        line-height: 1;
+        letter-spacing: -0.01em;
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-muted);
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+        user-select: none;
+      }
     `,
   ];
 
   public render() {
     return html`
-      <div class="stepperContainer">
+      <div
-        ${this.steps.map(
+        class="stepperContainer ${this.overlay ? 'overlay' : ''}"
-          (stepArg) =>
+        style=${this.overlay ? `z-index: ${this.stepperZIndex};` : ''}
-            html`<div
+        @click=${this.handleOutsideClick}
-              class="step ${stepArg === this.selectedStep
-                ? 'selected'
-                : null} ${this.getIndexOfStep(stepArg) > this.getIndexOfStep(this.selectedStep)
-                ? 'hiddenStep'
-                : ''} ${this.getIndexOfStep(stepArg) === 0 ? 'entrance' : ''}"
       >
-              ${this.getIndexOfStep(stepArg) > 0
+        ${this.steps.map((stepArg, stepIndex) => {
-                ? html`<div class="goBack" @click=${this.goBack}><span style="font-family: Inter"><-</span> go to previous step</div>`
+          const isSelected = stepArg === this.selectedStep;
-                : ``}
+          const isHidden =
+            this.getIndexOfStep(stepArg) > this.getIndexOfStep(this.selectedStep);
+          const isFirst = stepIndex === 0;
+          return html`<dees-tile
+            class="step ${isSelected ? 'selected' : ''} ${isHidden ? 'hiddenStep' : ''} ${isFirst ? 'entrance' : ''}"
+          >
+            <div slot="header" class="step-header">
+              ${!isFirst
+                ? html`<div class="goBack" @click=${this.goBack}>
+                    <span style="font-family: Inter"><-</span> go to previous step
+                  </div>`
+                : html`<div class="goBack-spacer"></div>`}
               <div class="stepCounter">
-                Step ${this.steps.findIndex((elementArg) => elementArg === stepArg) + 1} of
+                Step ${stepIndex + 1} of ${this.steps.length}
-                ${this.steps.length}
               </div>
+            </div>
+            <div class="step-body">
               <div class="title">${stepArg.title}</div>
               <div class="content">${stepArg.content}</div>
-            </div> `
+            </div>
-        )}
+            <div slot="footer" class="bottomButtons">
+              ${isSelected && this.activeForm !== null && !this.activeFormValid
+                ? html`<div class="stepHint">Complete form to continue</div>`
+                : ''}
+              ${this.cancelable
+                ? html`<div
+                    class="bottomButton"
+                    @click=${() => this.handleCancelRequest()}
+                  >Cancel</div>`
+                : ''}
+              ${stepArg.menuOptions?.map((actionArg, actionIndex) => {
+                const isPrimary = actionIndex === stepArg.menuOptions!.length - 1;
+                const isDisabled = isPrimary && this.activeForm !== null && !this.activeFormValid;
+                return html`
+                  <div
+                    class="bottomButton ${isPrimary ? 'primary' : ''} ${isDisabled ? 'disabled' : ''}"
+                    @click=${() => this.handleMenuOptionClick(actionArg, isPrimary)}
+                  >${actionArg.name}</div>
+                `;
+              }) ?? ''}
+            </div>
+          </dees-tile>`;
+        })}
       </div>
     `;
   }
@@ -230,6 +446,7 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
     if (!selectedStepElement) {
       return;
     }
+    this.scanActiveForm(selectedStepElement);
     if (!stepperContainer.style.paddingTop) {
       stepperContainer.style.paddingTop = `${
         stepperContainer.offsetHeight / 2 - selectedStepElement.offsetHeight / 2
@@ -296,4 +513,165 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
     nextStep.validationFuncCalled = false;
     this.selectedStep = nextStep;
   }
+
+  /**
+   * Scans the currently selected step for a <dees-form> in its content. When
+   * found, subscribes to the form's RxJS changeSubject so the primary
+   * menuOption button can auto-enable/disable as required fields are filled.
+   *
+   * If the form reference is the same as the previous activation (e.g. on a
+   * same-step re-render), we just recompute validity without re-subscribing.
+   */
+  private scanActiveForm(selectedStepElement: HTMLElement) {
+    const form = selectedStepElement.querySelector('dees-form') as DeesForm | null;
+    if (form === this.activeForm) {
+      this.recomputeFormValid();
+      return;
+    }
+    this.activeFormSubscription?.unsubscribe();
+    this.activeFormSubscription = undefined;
+    this.activeForm = form;
+    if (!form) {
+      this.activeFormValid = true;
+      return;
+    }
+    // Initial check before subscribing, in case the form's firstUpdated fires
+    // synchronously between scan and subscribe.
+    this.recomputeFormValid();
+    this.activeFormSubscription = form.changeSubject.subscribe(() => {
+      this.recomputeFormValid();
+    });
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Recomputes activeFormValid by checking every required field in the active
+   * form for a non-empty value. Mirrors dees-form.updateRequiredStatus's logic
+   * but stores the result on the stepper instead of mutating a submit button.
+   */
+  private recomputeFormValid() {
+    const form = this.activeForm;
+    if (!form) {
+      this.activeFormValid = true;
+      return;
+    }
+    const fields = form.getFormElements();
+    this.activeFormValid = fields.every(
+      (field) => !field.required || (field.value !== null && field.value !== undefined && field.value !== ''),
+    );
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Click handler for menuOption buttons in the footer. For the primary (last)
+   * button, if an active form is present, gates on required-field validity and
+   * triggers the form's gatherAndDispatch() before running the action. The
+   * action is awaited so any async work (e.g. goNext → scroll animation)
+   * completes before the click handler returns.
+   */
+  private async handleMenuOptionClick(
+    optionArg: plugins.tsclass.website.IMenuItem<DeesStepper>,
+    isPrimary: boolean,
+  ) {
+    const form = this.activeForm;
+    if (isPrimary && form) {
+      if (!this.activeFormValid) return;
+      await new Promise<void>((resolve) => {
+        form.addEventListener('formData', () => resolve(), { once: true });
+        form.gatherAndDispatch();
+      });
+    }
+    await optionArg.action(this);
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Currently-open confirmation modal (if any). Prevents double-stacking when
+   * the user clicks the backdrop or the Cancel button while a confirm modal
+   * is already visible. The reference may become stale (point to a destroyed
+   * modal) if the user dismisses the confirm modal by clicking its own
+   * backdrop — so handleCancelRequest() uses isConnected to detect that.
+   */
+  private cancelConfirmModal?: DeesModal;
+
+  /**
+   * Click handler on .stepperContainer. Mirrors dees-modal.handleOutsideClick:
+   * when the user clicks the empty backdrop area (target === stepperContainer,
+   * not any descendant tile), trigger the cancel confirmation flow. Clicks
+   * that originate inside a step tile have a different event.target and are
+   * ignored here.
+   */
+  private handleOutsideClick(eventArg: MouseEvent) {
+    if (!this.overlay) return;
+    if (!this.cancelable) return;
+    eventArg.stopPropagation();
+    const stepperContainer = this.shadowRoot!.querySelector('.stepperContainer');
+    if (eventArg.target === stepperContainer) {
+      this.handleCancelRequest();
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Shown by both the backdrop click and the Cancel button in the footer.
+   * Presents a dees-modal asking the user to confirm cancellation. If they
+   * confirm, the stepper and window layer are destroyed; otherwise the
+   * confirm modal is dismissed and the stepper stays open.
+   *
+   * The isConnected check on the cached reference handles the case where the
+   * user dismissed the previous confirm modal by clicking ITS OWN backdrop —
+   * dees-modal.handleOutsideClick calls destroy() directly, bypassing our
+   * action callbacks, so our cached reference would be stale without this
+   * fallback check.
+   */
+  public async handleCancelRequest() {
+    if (!this.cancelable) return;
+    if (this.cancelConfirmModal && this.cancelConfirmModal.isConnected) return;
+    this.cancelConfirmModal = undefined;
+    this.cancelConfirmModal = await DeesModal.createAndShow({
+      heading: 'Cancel setup?',
+      width: 'small',
+      content: html`
+        <p style="margin: 0;">
+          Are you sure you want to cancel? Any progress on the current step will be lost.
+        </p>
+      `,
+      menuOptions: [
+        {
+          name: 'Continue setup',
+          action: async (modal) => {
+            this.cancelConfirmModal = undefined;
+            await modal!.destroy();
+          },
+        },
+        {
+          name: 'Yes, cancel',
+          action: async (modal) => {
+            this.cancelConfirmModal = undefined;
+            modal!.destroy(); // fire-and-forget — starts the confirm modal fade
+            const domtools = await this.domtoolsPromise;
+            await domtools.convenience.smartdelay.delayFor(100);
+            await this.destroy();
+          },
+        },
+      ],
+    });
+  }
+
+  public async destroy() {
+    const domtools = await this.domtoolsPromise;
+    const container = this.shadowRoot!.querySelector('.stepperContainer');
+    container?.classList.add('predestroy');
+    await domtools.convenience.smartdelay.delayFor(250);
+    if (this.parentElement) {
+      this.parentElement.removeChild(this);
+    }
+    if (this.windowLayer) {
+      await this.windowLayer.destroy();
+    }
+
+    // Tear down form subscription to avoid leaks when the overlay closes.
+    this.activeFormSubscription?.unsubscribe();
+    this.activeFormSubscription = undefined;
+    this.activeForm = null;
+
+    // Unregister from z-index registry
+    zIndexRegistry.unregister(this);
+  }
 }

ts_web/elements/00group-layout/dees-tile/dees-tile.ts

@@ -45,6 +45,9 @@ export class DeesTile extends DeesElement {
   @property({ type: String })
   accessor heading: string = '';
 
+  @property({ type: String, reflect: true })
+  accessor overscroll: 'contain' | 'auto' | 'none' = 'auto';
+
   @state()
   accessor hasFooter: boolean = false;
 
@@ -87,14 +90,27 @@ export class DeesTile extends DeesElement {
         color: var(--dees-color-text-secondary);
       }
 
-      /* --- Content: the rounded inset --- */
+      /* --- Content: the rounded inset ---
+         Uses overflow-y: auto so that when a consumer (e.g. dees-modal) caps
+         the tile with max-height, long content scrolls inside the tile
+         instead of being clipped. For consumers without max-height
+         (e.g. dees-stepper), the tile grows with content and the scroll
+         never activates. Horizontal overflow stays clipped to preserve the
+         rounded corners. */
       .tile-content {
         flex: 1;
         position: relative;
         border-radius: 8px;
         border-top: 1px solid var(--dees-color-border-subtle);
         border-bottom: 1px solid var(--dees-color-border-subtle);
-        overflow: hidden;
+        overflow-x: hidden;
+        overflow-y: auto;
+        scrollbar-width: thin;
+        scrollbar-color: var(--dees-color-scrollbar-thumb) transparent;
+      }
+
+      :host([overscroll="contain"]) .tile-content {
+        overscroll-behavior: contain;
       }
 
       .tile-content.no-footer {

ts_web/elements/00group-overlay/dees-modal/dees-modal.demo.ts

@@ -352,5 +352,80 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
         });
       }}>Test Responsive</dees-button>
     </div>
+
+    <div class="demo-section">
+      <h3>Scrollable Content</h3>
+      <p>When content exceeds the modal's max-height (<code>calc(100vh - 80px)</code>), the tile caps at that height and the content area scrolls inside. The heading and bottom buttons stay pinned.</p>
+      <div class="button-grid">
+        <dees-button @click=${() => {
+          DeesModal.createAndShow({
+            heading: 'Long Article',
+            width: 'medium',
+            content: html`
+              <h4 style="margin-top: 0;">Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet</h4>
+              ${Array.from({ length: 40 }, (_, i) => html`
+                <p>
+                  <strong>§ ${i + 1}.</strong>
+                  Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do
+                  eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut
+                  enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris
+                  nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor
+                  in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat
+                  nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident,
+                  sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
+                </p>
+              `)}
+            `,
+            menuOptions: [{
+              name: 'Cancel',
+              action: async (modal) => modal!.destroy()
+            }, {
+              name: 'Accept',
+              action: async (modal) => modal!.destroy()
+            }],
+          });
+        }}>Long Article</dees-button>
+
+        <dees-button @click=${() => {
+          DeesModal.createAndShow({
+            heading: 'Long List',
+            width: 'small',
+            content: html`
+              <p>Selected items:</p>
+              <ul style="padding-left: 20px; margin: 0;">
+                ${Array.from({ length: 80 }, (_, i) => html`
+                  <li style="padding: 4px 0;">Item ${i + 1} — option label</li>
+                `)}
+              </ul>
+            `,
+            menuOptions: [{
+              name: 'Done',
+              action: async (modal) => modal!.destroy()
+            }],
+          });
+        }}>Long List</dees-button>
+
+        <dees-button @click=${() => {
+          DeesModal.createAndShow({
+            heading: 'Tall Form',
+            width: 'medium',
+            content: html`
+              <dees-form>
+                ${Array.from({ length: 25 }, (_, i) => html`
+                  <dees-input-text .label=${`Field ${i + 1}`}></dees-input-text>
+                `)}
+              </dees-form>
+            `,
+            menuOptions: [{
+              name: 'Cancel',
+              action: async (modal) => modal!.destroy()
+            }, {
+              name: 'Submit',
+              action: async (modal) => modal!.destroy()
+            }],
+          });
+        }}>Tall Form</dees-button>
+      </div>
+    </div>
   </div>
 `

ts_web/elements/00group-overlay/dees-modal/dees-modal.ts

@@ -268,18 +268,9 @@ export class DeesModal extends DeesElement {
       }
 
       .heading .header-button dees-icon {
-        width: 14px;
+        font-size: 14px;
-        height: 14px;
-        display: block;
       }
 
-      .content {
-        overflow-y: auto;
-        overflow-x: hidden;
-        overscroll-behavior: contain;
-        scrollbar-width: thin;
-        scrollbar-color: var(--dees-color-scrollbar-thumb) transparent;
-      }
       .bottomButtons {
         display: flex;
         flex-direction: row;
@@ -352,7 +343,7 @@ export class DeesModal extends DeesElement {
         ${minWidthStyle ? `dees-tile { min-width: ${minWidthStyle}; }` : ''}
       </style>
       <div class="modalContainer" @click=${this.handleOutsideClick} style="z-index: ${this.modalZIndex}">
-        <dees-tile class="${widthClass} ${mobileFullscreenClass}">
+        <dees-tile class="${widthClass} ${mobileFullscreenClass}" .overscroll=${'contain'}>
           <div slot="header" class="heading">
             <div class="heading-text">${this.heading}</div>
             <div class="header-buttons">

ts_web/elements/00group-simple/dees-simple-appdash/dees-simple-appdash.demo.ts

@@ -353,12 +353,35 @@ export const demoFunc = () => html`
           name: 'Analytics',
           iconName: 'lucide:lineChart',
           element: DemoViewAnalytics,
+          subViews: [
+            {
+              name: 'Overview',
+              iconName: 'lucide:activity',
+              element: DemoViewAnalytics,
+            },
+            {
+              name: 'Reports',
+              iconName: 'lucide:fileText',
+              element: DemoViewDashboard,
+            },
+          ],
         },
         {
           name: 'Settings',
           iconName: 'lucide:settings',
+          subViews: [
+            {
+              name: 'Profile',
+              iconName: 'lucide:user',
               element: DemoViewSettings,
-        }
+            },
+            {
+              name: 'Billing',
+              iconName: 'lucide:creditCard',
+              element: DemoViewSettings,
+            },
+          ],
+        },
       ] as IView[]}
       @logout=${() => {
         console.log('Logout event triggered');

ts_web/elements/00group-simple/dees-simple-appdash/dees-simple-appdash.ts

@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ declare global {
 export interface IView {
   name: string;
   iconName?: string;
-  element: DeesElement['constructor']['prototype'];
+  element?: DeesElement['constructor']['prototype'];
+  subViews?: IView[];
 }
 
 export type TGlobalMessageType = 'info' | 'success' | 'warning' | 'error';
@@ -250,6 +251,78 @@ export class DeesSimpleAppDash extends DeesElement {
         white-space: nowrap;
       }
 
+      .viewTab .chevron {
+        flex: 0 0 auto;
+        font-size: 14px;
+        opacity: 0.5;
+        transform: rotate(-90deg);
+        transition: transform 0.2s ease, opacity 0.15s ease;
+      }
+
+      .viewTab.hasSubs:hover .chevron {
+        opacity: 0.75;
+      }
+
+      .viewTab.hasSubs.groupActive .chevron {
+        transform: rotate(0deg);
+        opacity: 0.9;
+      }
+
+      .subViews {
+        display: grid;
+        grid-template-rows: 0fr;
+        margin-left: 12px;
+        position: relative;
+        transition:
+          grid-template-rows 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1),
+          margin-top 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1),
+          margin-bottom 0.25s cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 0.2, 1);
+      }
+
+      .subViews.expanded {
+        grid-template-rows: 1fr;
+        margin-top: 2px;
+        margin-bottom: 4px;
+      }
+
+      .subViews::before {
+        content: '';
+        position: absolute;
+        left: 0;
+        top: 4px;
+        bottom: 4px;
+        width: 1px;
+        background: var(--dees-color-border-default);
+        opacity: 0;
+        transition: opacity 0.2s ease;
+      }
+
+      .subViews.expanded::before {
+        opacity: 1;
+      }
+
+      .subViews-inner {
+        min-height: 0;
+        overflow: hidden;
+        display: flex;
+        flex-direction: column;
+        gap: 2px;
+        padding-left: 12px;
+      }
+
+      .viewTab.sub {
+        padding: 8px 12px;
+        font-size: 12px;
+      }
+
+      .viewTab.sub dees-icon {
+        font-size: 14px;
+      }
+
+      .viewTab.sub.selected::before {
+        left: -12px;
+      }
+
       .appActions {
         padding: 12px 8px;
         border-top: 1px solid var(--dees-color-border-default);
@@ -563,10 +636,12 @@ export class DeesSimpleAppDash extends DeesElement {
           <div class="viewTabs-container">
             <div class="section-label">Navigation</div>
             <div class="viewTabs">
-              ${this.viewTabs.map(
+              ${this.viewTabs.map((view) => {
-                (view) => html`
+                const hasSubs = !!view.subViews?.length;
+                const groupActive = hasSubs && this.isGroupActive(view);
+                return html`
                   <div
-                    class="viewTab ${this.selectedView === view ? 'selected' : ''}"
+                    class="viewTab ${this.selectedView === view ? 'selected' : ''} ${hasSubs ? 'hasSubs' : ''} ${groupActive ? 'groupActive' : ''}"
                     @click=${() => this.loadView(view)}
                   >
                     ${view.iconName ? html`
@@ -575,11 +650,41 @@ export class DeesSimpleAppDash extends DeesElement {
                       <dees-icon .icon="${'lucide:file'}"></dees-icon>
                     `}
                     <span>${view.name}</span>
+                    ${hasSubs ? html`
+                      <dees-icon class="chevron" .icon="${'lucide:chevronDown'}"></dees-icon>
+                    ` : ''}
+                  </div>
+                  ${hasSubs ? html`
+                    <div
+                      class="subViews ${groupActive ? 'expanded' : ''}"
+                      ?inert=${!groupActive}
+                    >
+                      <div class="subViews-inner">
+                        ${view.subViews!.map(
+                          (sub) => html`
+                            <div
+                              class="viewTab sub ${this.selectedView === sub ? 'selected' : ''}"
+                              @click=${(e: Event) => {
+                                e.stopPropagation();
+                                this.loadView(sub);
+                              }}
+                            >
+                              ${sub.iconName ? html`
+                                <dees-icon .icon="${sub.iconName.includes(':') ? sub.iconName : `lucide:${sub.iconName}`}"></dees-icon>
+                              ` : html`
+                                <dees-icon .icon="${'lucide:dot'}"></dees-icon>
+                              `}
+                              <span>${sub.name}</span>
                             </div>
                           `
                         )}
                       </div>
                     </div>
+                  ` : ''}
+                `;
+              })}
+            </div>
+          </div>
           <div class="appActions">
             <div class="action" @click=${() => {
               this.dispatchEvent(new CustomEvent('logout', { bubbles: true, composed: true }));
@@ -771,8 +876,23 @@ export class DeesSimpleAppDash extends DeesElement {
   }
 
 
+  private isGroupActive(view: IView): boolean {
+    if (this.selectedView === view) return true;
+    return view.subViews?.some((sv) => sv === this.selectedView) ?? false;
+  }
+
   private currentView!: DeesElement;
   public async loadView(viewArg: IView) {
+    // Group-only parent: resolve to first sub view with an element
+    if (!viewArg.element && viewArg.subViews?.length) {
+      const firstNavigable = viewArg.subViews.find((sv) => sv.element);
+      if (firstNavigable) {
+        return this.loadView(firstNavigable);
+      }
+      return; // nothing navigable — ignore click
+    }
+    if (!viewArg.element) return; // safety: no element and no subs → no-op
+
     const appcontent = this.shadowRoot!.querySelector('.appcontent')!;
     const view = new viewArg.element();
     if (this.currentView) {