v3.71.1

- 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.

.claude/scheduled_tasks.lock

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+{"sessionId":"4b0f0a7f-f187-40a3-a38b-cb9a7e877011","pid":3110692,"acquiredAt":1775914414249}

changelog.md

@@ -1,5 +1,25 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 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
 

package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "@design.estate/dees-catalog",
-  "version": "3.70.0",
+  "version": "3.71.1",
   "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",

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: '3.70.0',
+  version: '3.71.1',
   description: 'A comprehensive library that provides dynamic web components for building sophisticated and modern web applications using JavaScript and TypeScript.'
 }

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

@@ -1,134 +1,137 @@
 import { html } from '@design.estate/dees-element';
+import { DeesStepper, type IStep } from './dees-stepper.js';
+
+const demoSteps: IStep[] = [
+  {
+    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>
+    `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    title: 'Profile Details',
+    content: 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>
+    `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    title: 'Contact Information',
+    content: 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>
+    `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    title: 'Team Size',
+    content: html`
+      <dees-form>
+        <dees-input-dropdown
+          key="teamSize"
+          label="How big is your team?"
+          .options=${[
+            { label: '1-5', value: '1-5' },
+            { label: '6-20', value: '6-20' },
+            { label: '21-50', value: '21-50' },
+            { label: '51+', value: '51+' },
+          ]}
+          required
+        ></dees-input-dropdown>
+      </dees-form>
+    `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    title: 'Goals',
+    content: html`
+      <dees-form>
+        <dees-input-multitoggle
+          key="goal"
+          label="Main objective"
+          .options=${[
+            { label: 'Onboarding', value: 'onboarding' },
+            { label: 'Analytics', value: 'analytics' },
+            { label: 'Automation', value: 'automation' },
+          ]}
+          required
+        ></dees-input-multitoggle>
+      </dees-form>
+    `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    title: 'Brand Preferences',
+    content: 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>
+    `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    title: 'Integrations',
+    content: html`
+      <dees-form>
+        <dees-input-list
+          key="integrations"
+          label="Integrations in use"
+          placeholder="Add integration"
+        ></dees-input-list>
+      </dees-form>
+    `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Continue', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
+  },
+  {
+    title: 'Review & Launch',
+    content: html`
+      <dees-panel>
+        <p>Almost there! Review your selections and launch whenever you're ready.</p>
+      </dees-panel>
+    `,
+    menuOptions: [
+      { name: 'Launch', action: async (stepper) => stepper!.goNext() },
+    ],
+  },
+];
+
+const cloneSteps = (): IStep[] => demoSteps.map((step) => ({ ...step }));
 
 export const stepperDemo = () => html`
-  <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) => {
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
-        },
-      },
-      {
-        title: 'Profile Details',
-        content: 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) => {
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
-        },
-      },
-      {
-        title: 'Contact Information',
-        content: 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) => {
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
-        },
-      },
-      {
-        title: 'Team Size',
-        content: html`
-          <dees-form>
-            <dees-input-dropdown
-              key="teamSize"
-              label="How big is your team?"
-              .options=${[
-                { label: '1-5', value: '1-5' },
-                { label: '6-20', value: '6-20' },
-                { label: '21-50', value: '21-50' },
-                { label: '51+', value: '51+' },
-              ]}
-              required
-            ></dees-input-dropdown>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
-          </dees-form>
-        `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
-        },
-      },
-      {
-        title: 'Goals',
-        content: html`
-          <dees-form>
-            <dees-input-multitoggle
-              key="goal"
-              label="Main objective"
-              .options=${[
-                { label: 'Onboarding', value: 'onboarding' },
-                { label: 'Analytics', value: 'analytics' },
-                { label: 'Automation', value: 'automation' },
-              ]}
-              required
-            ></dees-input-multitoggle>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
-          </dees-form>
-        `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
-        },
-      },
-      {
-        title: 'Brand Preferences',
-        content: 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) => {
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
-        },
-      },
-      {
-        title: 'Integrations',
-        content: html`
-          <dees-form>
-            <dees-input-list
-              key="integrations"
-              label="Integrations in use"
-              placeholder="Add integration"
-            ></dees-input-list>
-            <dees-form-submit>Continue</dees-form-submit>
-          </dees-form>
-        `,
-        validationFunc: async (stepperArg, elementArg) => {
-          const deesForm = elementArg.querySelector('dees-form');
-          deesForm.addEventListener('formData', () => stepperArg.goNext(), { once: true });
-        },
-      },
-      {
-        title: 'Review & Launch',
-        content: html`
-          <dees-panel>
-            <p>Almost there! Review your selections and launch whenever you're ready.</p>
-          </dees-panel>
-        `,
-      },
-    ] as const}
-  ></dees-stepper>
+  <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 +15,16 @@ 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 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 +39,32 @@ 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[];
+  }): 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);
+    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 +75,25 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
   })
   accessor selectedStep!: IStep;
 
+  @property({
+    type: Boolean,
+    reflect: true,
+  })
+  accessor overlay: boolean = false;
+
+  @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 +107,24 @@ 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 +132,120 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
         overflow: hidden;
       }
 
-      .step {
+      .stepperContainer.overlay {
+        position: fixed;
+        top: 0;
+        left: 0;
+        width: 100vw;
+        height: 100vh;
+      }
+
+      .stepperContainer.predestroy {
+        opacity: 0;
+        transition: opacity 0.2s ease-in;
+      }
+
+      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 {
-        transition: transform 0.35s ease, box-shadow 0.35s ease, filter 0.35s ease, border 0.35s ease;
+      dees-tile.step.entrance {
+        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 {
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#64748b', '#a1a1aa')};
-        position: absolute;
-        top: 12px;
-        right: 12px;
-        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)')};
+      .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)')};
       }
 
-      .step .goBack {
-        position: absolute;
-        top: 12px;
-        left: 12px;
+      .step-header {
+        height: 36px;
+        display: flex;
+        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;
-        border: 1px solid ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(226, 232, 240, 0.9)', 'rgba(63, 63, 70, 0.85)')};
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9)', 'rgba(39, 39, 42, 0.85)')};
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#475569', '#d4d4d8')};
+        line-height: 1;
+        border: none;
+        background: transparent;
+        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 {
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#0f172a', '#fafafa')};
-        border-color: ${cssManager.bdTheme(colors.dark.blue, colors.dark.blue)};
-        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('rgba(226, 232, 240, 0.95)', 'rgba(63, 63, 70, 0.7)')};
+      .step-header .goBack:hover {
+        background: var(--dees-color-hover);
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-secondary);
         transform: translateX(-2px);
       }
 
-      .step .goBack:active {
-        color: ${cssManager.bdTheme('#0f172a', '#fafafa')};
-        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-header .goBack:active {
+        background: ${cssManager.bdTheme('hsl(0 0% 90%)', 'hsl(0 0% 15%)')};
       }
 
-      .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 +253,142 @@ 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;
+        border-left: 1px solid var(--dees-color-border-subtle);
+        color: var(--dees-color-text-muted);
+        white-space: nowrap;
+        display: flex;
+        align-items: center;
+      }
+
+      .bottomButtons .bottomButton:first-child {
+        border-left: none;
+      }
+
+      .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">
-        ${this.steps.map(
-          (stepArg) =>
-            html`<div
-              class="step ${stepArg === this.selectedStep
-                ? 'selected'
-                : null} ${this.getIndexOfStep(stepArg) > this.getIndexOfStep(this.selectedStep)
-                ? 'hiddenStep'
-                : ''} ${this.getIndexOfStep(stepArg) === 0 ? 'entrance' : ''}"
-            >
-              ${this.getIndexOfStep(stepArg) > 0
-                ? html`<div class="goBack" @click=${this.goBack}><span style="font-family: Inter"><-</span> go to previous step</div>`
-                : ``}
+      <div
+        class="stepperContainer ${this.overlay ? 'overlay' : ''}"
+        style=${this.overlay ? `z-index: ${this.stepperZIndex};` : ''}
+      >
+        ${this.steps.map((stepArg, stepIndex) => {
+          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
-                ${this.steps.length}
+                Step ${stepIndex + 1} of ${this.steps.length}
               </div>
+            </div>
+            <div class="step-body">
               <div class="title">${stepArg.title}</div>
               <div class="content">${stepArg.content}</div>
-            </div> `
-        )}
+            </div>
+            ${stepArg.menuOptions && stepArg.menuOptions.length > 0
+              ? html`<div slot="footer" class="bottomButtons">
+                  ${isSelected && this.activeForm !== null && !this.activeFormValid
+                    ? html`<div class="stepHint">Complete form to continue</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)}
+                      >${actionArg.name}</div>
+                    `;
+                  })}
+                </div>`
+              : ''}
+          </dees-tile>`;
+        })}
       </div>
     `;
   }
@@ -230,6 +420,7 @@ export class DeesStepper extends DeesElement {
     if (!selectedStepElement) {
       return;
     }
+    this.scanActiveForm(selectedStepElement);
     if (!stepperContainer.style.paddingTop) {
       stepperContainer.style.paddingTop = `${
         stepperContainer.offsetHeight / 2 - selectedStepElement.offsetHeight / 2
@@ -296,4 +487,93 @@ 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);
+  }
+
+  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();
+    }
+
+    // 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

@@ -87,14 +87,24 @@ 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;
+        overscroll-behavior: contain;
+        scrollbar-width: thin;
+        scrollbar-color: var(--dees-color-scrollbar-thumb) transparent;
       }
 
       .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;
-        height: 14px;
-        display: block;
+        font-size: 14px;
       }
 
-      .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;