---
phase: 03-interaction-quality-and-completeness
plan: 03
subsystem: frontend/components
tags: [flash-feedback, skeleton, inline-edit, ux, palette]
dependency_graph:
  requires: [03-01, 03-00]
  provides: [row-flash-feedback, tinted-skeletons]
  affects: [BillsTracker, VariableExpenses, DebtTracker, DashboardPage]
tech_stack:
  added: []
  patterns:
    - color-mix() inline style for ephemeral flash colors (avoids Tailwind class generation issues)
    - palette.*.light for consistent tinted skeletons matching section card headers
    - useState flash state with setTimeout cleanup for 600ms animations
key_files:
  created: []
  modified:
    - frontend/src/components/BillsTracker.tsx
    - frontend/src/components/VariableExpenses.tsx
    - frontend/src/components/DebtTracker.tsx
    - frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx
decisions:
  - triggerFlash uses separate flashRowId/errorRowId state (not a union) for clarity and concurrent flash isolation
  - Tinted skeleton shows when items array is empty (early return pattern) — distinct from DashboardPage loading skeleton
  - DebtTracker previously returned null for empty state; now shows tinted skeleton instead
key_decisions:
  - triggerFlash uses two separate state vars (flashRowId/errorRowId) for success and error to avoid race conditions
  - Empty tracker sections show tinted skeleton (not null) — section is always visible, just shows placeholders when no items
requirements: [IXTN-03, STATE-03]
metrics:
  duration: 5m
  completed_date: "2026-03-11"
  tasks_completed: 2
  tasks_total: 2
  files_modified: 4
---

# Phase 03 Plan 03: Row Flash Feedback and Tinted Skeletons Summary

**One-liner:** Row-level green/red flash on inline edit save and palette-tinted loading skeletons across all three tracker components and the dashboard.

## What Was Built

### Task 1: Row Flash Feedback (BillsTracker, VariableExpenses, DebtTracker)

All three tracker components received:
- `flashRowId` and `errorRowId` state vars (both `string | null`)
- `triggerFlash(id, type)` helper that sets the appropriate ID and clears it after 600ms via `setTimeout`
- Inline `style` on each data `<TableRow>` using `color-mix(in oklch, var(--success/--destructive) 20%, transparent)` — avoids relying on Tailwind JIT to generate flash classes at runtime
- `onSaveSuccess` and `onSaveError` callbacks wired to each `<InlineEditCell>`, calling `triggerFlash` with the item's ID

The totals row is untouched. Only data rows get the flash style.

### Task 2: Tinted Skeletons (DashboardPage + tracker empty states)

**DashboardPage:** The loading skeleton block (shown before any budget list loads) now uses palette-tinted Skeleton elements:
- `palette.saving.light` for the main overview skeleton
- `palette.bill.light` / `palette.variable_expense.light` in a 2-col grid row
- `palette.debt.light` / `palette.investment.light` in a second 2-col grid row

**Tracker empty states:** Each tracker now renders a Card with a tinted skeleton placeholder instead of returning `null` (DebtTracker) or an empty table (BillsTracker, VariableExpenses) when the budget has no items of that category type:
- BillsTracker: 3 skeleton rows tinted with `palette.bill.light`
- VariableExpenses: 3 skeleton rows tinted with `palette.variable_expense.light`
- DebtTracker: 3 skeleton rows tinted with `palette.debt.light`

## Deviations from Plan

### Auto-combined Changes

**Task 2 tracker skeleton was combined with Task 1:** The plan listed skeleton addition as part of Task 2, but since Task 1 already touched all three tracker files, the skeleton empty-state logic was added in the same edit pass to avoid double-touching files. Both tasks' tracker changes were committed together in Task 1's commit. This is not a deviation from intent — the plan's own context note states "These skeletons show when a budget exists but has no items of that type."

**[Rule 1 - Bug] DebtTracker previously returned null for empty state:** The original DebtTracker had `if (debts.length === 0) return null` which made the debt section completely invisible when there were no debts. Replaced with the tinted skeleton card per plan spec, which is the intended behavior.

## Self-Check: PASSED

| Item | Status |
|------|--------|
| frontend/src/components/BillsTracker.tsx | FOUND |
| frontend/src/components/VariableExpenses.tsx | FOUND |
| frontend/src/components/DebtTracker.tsx | FOUND |
| frontend/src/pages/DashboardPage.tsx | FOUND |
| 03-03-SUMMARY.md | FOUND |
| Commit 4ef10da (Task 1) | FOUND |
| Commit c60a865 (Task 2) | FOUND |