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+---
+phase: 8
+slug: search-filter-and-candidate-status
+status: draft
+nyquist_compliant: false
+wave_0_complete: false
+created: 2026-03-16
+---
+
+# Phase 8 — Validation Strategy
+
+> Per-phase validation contract for feedback sampling during execution.
+
+---
+
+## Test Infrastructure
+
+| Property | Value |
+|----------|-------|
+| **Framework** | bun test |
+| **Config file** | bunfig.toml (if exists) or none |
+| **Quick run command** | `bun test` |
+| **Full suite command** | `bun test` |
+| **Estimated runtime** | ~5 seconds |
+
+---
+
+## Sampling Rate
+
+- **After every task commit:** Run `bun test`
+- **After every plan wave:** Run `bun test`
+- **Before `/gsd:verify-work`:** Full suite must be green
+- **Max feedback latency:** 5 seconds
+
+---
+
+## Per-Task Verification Map
+
+| Task ID | Plan | Wave | Requirement | Test Type | Automated Command | File Exists | Status |
+|---------|------|------|-------------|-----------|-------------------|-------------|--------|
+| 08-01-01 | 01 | 1 | CAND-01, CAND-03 | unit | `bun test tests/services/thread.service.test.ts` | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+| 08-01-02 | 01 | 1 | CAND-02 | unit | `bun test tests/services/thread.service.test.ts` | ❌ W0 | ⬜ pending |
+| 08-02-01 | 02 | 1 | SRCH-01, SRCH-02, SRCH-03 | manual | visual | N/A | ⬜ pending |
+| 08-02-02 | 02 | 1 | SRCH-04, SRCH-05 | manual | visual | N/A | ⬜ pending |
+| 08-02-03 | 02 | 1 | PLAN-01 | manual | visual | N/A | ⬜ pending |
+
+*Status: ⬜ pending · ✅ green · ❌ red · ⚠️ flaky*
+
+---
+
+## Wave 0 Requirements
+
+- [ ] `tests/services/thread.service.test.ts` — add candidate status tests (schema migration, default status, status update)
+- [ ] `tests/helpers/db.ts` — update CREATE TABLE for thread_candidates to include status column
+
+*Existing test infrastructure covers framework setup.*
+
+---
+
+## Manual-Only Verifications
+
+| Behavior | Requirement | Why Manual | Test Instructions |
+|----------|-------------|------------|-------------------|
+| Instant search filtering as user types | SRCH-01 | Client-side UI interaction | Type in search field, verify items filter in real time |
+| Category dropdown with Lucide icons | SRCH-02, PLAN-01 | Visual rendering of icons in dropdown | Open dropdown, verify icons appear next to category names |
+| Combined search + category filter | SRCH-03 | Multi-input UI interaction | Apply both search and category filter, verify combined results |
+| Result count display | SRCH-04 | UI text rendering | Apply filter, verify "showing X of Y items" appears |
+| Clear filters individually | SRCH-05 | UI interaction | Clear search, reset dropdown, verify all items return |
+| Status badge display and click menu | CAND-01, CAND-02 | UI interaction + popup menu | Click status badge, verify menu appears with all 3 options |
+
+---
+
+## Validation Sign-Off
+
+- [ ] All tasks have `<automated>` verify or Wave 0 dependencies
+- [ ] Sampling continuity: no 3 consecutive tasks without automated verify
+- [ ] Wave 0 covers all MISSING references
+- [ ] No watch-mode flags
+- [ ] Feedback latency < 5s
+- [ ] `nyquist_compliant: true` set in frontmatter
+
+**Approval:** pending