feat(docs): in-place help pattern — explain a surface where it happens

New ChainInlineHelp (intro strip: what this is + what will happen, with
an optional 'Learn more' into the doc sheet) and ChainFieldHelp /
ChainFieldLabel (a '?' affordance per field). First applied to the
add-satellite dialog, which asked for a bare 'name' with no hint of
what a satellite is or does (usertest): it now leads with a plain
explanation + a federation 'Learn more', and the name field carries a
'?'. Both widgets are quiet by design.

Verified: field_help_test covers the widgets + that the dialog explains
itself; dialog_shots_test.dart (a reusable headed dialog-capture
harness) proved the layout in light + dark. Studio 0.76.0.

Signed-off-by: flemming-it <stefan.a.flemming@googlemail.com>

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -6,6 +6,24 @@ lockstep.
 
 ## Unreleased
 
+### Added — explain it where it happens (0.76.0)
+
+- **In-place help pattern.** New `ChainInlineHelp` (a one-sentence
+  intro strip that says what a surface is and what will happen, with
+  an optional "Learn more" link into the doc sheet) and
+  `ChainFieldHelp` / `ChainFieldLabel` (a "?" affordance for a single
+  field). First applied to the add-satellite dialog, which used to
+  ask for a "name" with no hint of what a satellite even is
+  (usertest): it now leads with a plain explanation + a federation
+  "Learn more", and the name field carries a "?".
+- **Page help opens the RIGHT topic.** The Federation and Runs help
+  buttons silently fell back to the architecture doc — `federation`
+  and `runs` had markdown assets but no catalog entry, so
+  `showFaiDoc` resolved them to the first doc. Both are registered
+  now; a new `doc_help_wiring_test.dart` asserts every
+  `showFaiDoc('slug')` call has a registered entry AND both locale
+  assets, so a help button can never open the wrong topic again.
+
 ### Security (0.75.0)
 
 - **Sealed-area names are confidential by default.** The workspace

integration_test/dialog_shots_test.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+// Dialog capture harness — visual proof for dialogs the page-level
+// guide harness doesn't reach. Renders the target dialog against
+// the scriptable fake hub and writes a PNG per theme via a
+// RepaintBoundary (driverless, headed macOS `flutter test`).
+//
+//   flutter test integration_test/dialog_shots_test.dart -d macos
+//
+// Output: build/dialog-shots/<name>-<theme>.png (or $DIALOG_SHOTS_OUT).
+
+import 'dart:io';
+import 'dart:ui' as ui;
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+import 'package:flutter/rendering.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+import 'package:integration_test/integration_test.dart';
+import 'package:shared_preferences/shared_preferences.dart';
+
+import 'package:chain_studio/l10n/app_localizations.dart';
+import 'package:chain_studio/pages/federation.dart';
+
+import '../test/support/fake_hub.dart';
+
+final GlobalKey _shotKey = GlobalKey();
+
+String get _outDir =>
+    Platform.environment['DIALOG_SHOTS_OUT'] ?? 'build/dialog-shots';
+
+Future<void> _shot(WidgetTester tester, String name) async {
+  await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 150));
+  await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 150));
+  final boundary =
+      _shotKey.currentContext!.findRenderObject() as RenderRepaintBoundary;
+  final image = await boundary.toImage(pixelRatio: 2.0);
+  final bytes = await image.toByteData(format: ui.ImageByteFormat.png);
+  image.dispose();
+  final file = File('$_outDir/$name.png');
+  file.parent.createSync(recursive: true);
+  file.writeAsBytesSync(bytes!.buffer.asUint8List());
+  // ignore: avoid_print
+  print('dialog-shot: ${file.path}');
+}
+
+void main() {
+  IntegrationTestWidgetsFlutterBinding.ensureInitialized();
+
+  for (final (themeName, mode) in [
+    ('light', ThemeMode.light),
+    ('dark', ThemeMode.dark),
+  ]) {
+    testWidgets('add-satellite dialog — $themeName', (tester) async {
+      SharedPreferences.setMockInitialValues({});
+      installFakeHub();
+      await tester.pumpWidget(
+        MaterialApp(
+          debugShowCheckedModeBanner: false,
+          themeMode: mode,
+          theme: ThemeData.light(useMaterial3: true),
+          darkTheme: ThemeData.dark(useMaterial3: true),
+          localizationsDelegates: AppLocalizations.localizationsDelegates,
+          supportedLocales: AppLocalizations.supportedLocales,
+          locale: const Locale('de'),
+          // Wrap the whole navigator (incl. the overlay dialogs
+          // render into) so the capture catches the dialog, not
+          // just the page beneath it.
+          builder: (context, child) =>
+              RepaintBoundary(key: _shotKey, child: child),
+          home: const FederationPage(),
+        ),
+      );
+      await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 200));
+      await tester.tap(find.text('Satellit hinzufügen').first);
+      await tester.pumpAndSettle();
+      await _shot(tester, 'add-satellite-$themeName');
+      expect(find.textContaining('Ein Satellit ist ein weiterer Hub'),
+          findsOneWidget);
+    });
+  }
+}

lib/data/about_info.dart

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 
 /// Studio's own build version. Bump on every UI release so the
 /// running app self-identifies.
-const String kStudioVersion = '0.75.0';
+const String kStudioVersion = '0.76.0';
 
 const String kProductName = 'Ch∆In Studio';
 const String kVendorName = 'Flemming.AI (F∆I)';

lib/pages/federation.dart

@@ -61,13 +61,38 @@ class _FederationPageState extends State<FederationPage> {
       context: context,
       builder: (ctx) => AlertDialog(
         title: Text(l.federationAddDialogTitle),
-        content: TextField(
-          controller: controller,
-          autofocus: true,
-          decoration: InputDecoration(
-            labelText: l.federationNameLabel,
-            hintText: 'satellite-a',
-            border: const OutlineInputBorder(),
+        content: ConstrainedBox(
+          constraints: const BoxConstraints(maxWidth: 420),
+          child: Column(
+            mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+            crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+            children: [
+              // Say what this is and what will happen before asking
+              // for input — a bare "name" field left the operator
+              // guessing what a satellite even is (usertest).
+              ChainInlineHelp(
+                text: l.federationAddIntro,
+                icon: Icons.hub_outlined,
+                onLearnMore: () => showFaiDoc(ctx, 'federation'),
+                learnMoreLabel: l.buttonLearnMore,
+              ),
+              const SizedBox(height: ChainSpace.lg),
+              ChainFieldLabel(
+                label: l.federationNameLabel,
+                help: l.federationNameHelp,
+              ),
+              const SizedBox(height: ChainSpace.xs),
+              TextField(
+                controller: controller,
+                autofocus: true,
+                decoration: const InputDecoration(
+                  hintText: 'satellite-a',
+                  border: OutlineInputBorder(),
+                  isDense: true,
+                ),
+                onSubmitted: (v) => Navigator.pop(ctx, v.trim()),
+              ),
+            ],
           ),
         ),
         actions: [

lib/widgets/chain_field_help.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,169 @@
+// In-place help — the "explain it where it happens" pattern
+// (usertest: the Add-satellite dialog asked for a name with no hint
+// of what a satellite is or what the name does). Two pieces:
+//
+//   • ChainInlineHelp — a calm intro strip at the top of a dialog
+//     or surface: one plain sentence saying what this is and what
+//     will happen, with an optional "Learn more" link into the
+//     full doc sheet.
+//   • ChainFieldHelp — a small "?" affordance to sit next to a
+//     single field's label; tap/hover reveals a one-line
+//     explanation. Use it only where a field genuinely needs it.
+//
+// Both are intentionally quiet: help should be present, not loud.
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+
+import '../theme/tokens.dart';
+
+/// A one-sentence intro strip for the top of a dialog or panel.
+/// [onLearnMore] wires the "Learn more" link to a doc sheet
+/// (`showFaiDoc`), shown only when provided.
+class ChainInlineHelp extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String text;
+  final IconData icon;
+  final VoidCallback? onLearnMore;
+  final String? learnMoreLabel;
+
+  const ChainInlineHelp({
+    super.key,
+    required this.text,
+    this.icon = Icons.info_outline,
+    this.onLearnMore,
+    this.learnMoreLabel,
+  });
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final theme = Theme.of(context);
+    return Container(
+      padding: const EdgeInsets.all(ChainSpace.md),
+      decoration: BoxDecoration(
+        color: theme.colorScheme.surfaceContainerHigh,
+        borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(ChainRadius.sm),
+        border: Border.all(color: theme.colorScheme.outlineVariant),
+      ),
+      child: Row(
+        crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+        children: [
+          Icon(icon, size: 16, color: theme.colorScheme.primary),
+          const SizedBox(width: ChainSpace.sm),
+          Expanded(
+            child: Column(
+              crossAxisAlignment: CrossAxisAlignment.start,
+              children: [
+                Text(
+                  text,
+                  style: theme.textTheme.bodySmall?.copyWith(
+                    color: theme.colorScheme.onSurface,
+                    height: 1.4,
+                  ),
+                ),
+                if (onLearnMore != null) ...[
+                  const SizedBox(height: ChainSpace.xs),
+                  InkWell(
+                    onTap: onLearnMore,
+                    borderRadius: BorderRadius.circular(ChainRadius.sm),
+                    child: Padding(
+                      padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 2),
+                      child: Row(
+                        mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
+                        children: [
+                          Text(
+                            learnMoreLabel ?? 'Learn more',
+                            style: theme.textTheme.labelSmall?.copyWith(
+                              color: theme.colorScheme.primary,
+                              fontWeight: FontWeight.w600,
+                            ),
+                          ),
+                          const SizedBox(width: 2),
+                          Icon(
+                            Icons.arrow_forward,
+                            size: 12,
+                            color: theme.colorScheme.primary,
+                          ),
+                        ],
+                      ),
+                    ),
+                  ),
+                ],
+              ],
+            ),
+          ),
+        ],
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+/// A "?" info affordance for a single field. Sit it next to the
+/// field's label; hover shows the [message] as a tooltip, and a
+/// tap reveals it too (touch / keyboard users who don't hover).
+/// Semantics carry [message] for screen readers.
+class ChainFieldHelp extends StatefulWidget {
+  final String message;
+
+  const ChainFieldHelp({super.key, required this.message});
+
+  @override
+  State<ChainFieldHelp> createState() => _ChainFieldHelpState();
+}
+
+class _ChainFieldHelpState extends State<ChainFieldHelp> {
+  final _tooltipKey = GlobalKey<TooltipState>();
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final theme = Theme.of(context);
+    return Tooltip(
+      key: _tooltipKey,
+      message: widget.message,
+      waitDuration: const Duration(milliseconds: 300),
+      triggerMode: TooltipTriggerMode.manual,
+      preferBelow: false,
+      child: Semantics(
+        button: true,
+        label: widget.message,
+        child: InkResponse(
+          radius: 14,
+          // Manual trigger so a tap (not just hover) reveals it.
+          onTap: () => _tooltipKey.currentState?.ensureTooltipVisible(),
+          child: Padding(
+            padding: const EdgeInsets.all(2),
+            child: Icon(
+              Icons.help_outline,
+              size: 14,
+              color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+            ),
+          ),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+  }
+}
+
+/// A field label with a trailing [ChainFieldHelp]. Convenience for
+/// the common "label + ?" row above a TextField.
+class ChainFieldLabel extends StatelessWidget {
+  final String label;
+  final String help;
+
+  const ChainFieldLabel({super.key, required this.label, required this.help});
+
+  @override
+  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
+    final theme = Theme.of(context);
+    return Row(
+      children: [
+        Text(
+          label,
+          style: theme.textTheme.labelMedium?.copyWith(
+            color: theme.colorScheme.onSurfaceVariant,
+          ),
+        ),
+        const SizedBox(width: 4),
+        ChainFieldHelp(message: help),
+      ],
+    );
+  }
+}

lib/widgets/widgets.dart

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ export 'chain_delta_mark.dart';
 export 'chain_empty_state.dart';
 export 'chain_en_badge.dart';
 export 'chain_error_box.dart';
+export 'chain_field_help.dart';
 export 'chain_segments.dart';
 export 'hub_load_error_view.dart';
 export 'chain_flow_output.dart';

pubspec.yaml

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 name: chain_studio
 description: "Ch∆In Studio — desktop GUI for the Ch∆In hub"
 publish_to: 'none'
-version: 0.75.0
+version: 0.76.0
 
 environment:
   sdk: ^3.11.0-200.1.beta

test/field_help_test.dart

@@ -0,0 +1,89 @@
+// In-place help widgets + the satellite dialog that consumes them.
+// The pattern (usertest): explain a surface where it happens —
+// an intro strip saying what this is and what will happen, plus a
+// per-field "?" for the details.
+
+import 'package:flutter/material.dart';
+import 'package:flutter_test/flutter_test.dart';
+import 'package:shared_preferences/shared_preferences.dart';
+
+import 'package:chain_studio/l10n/app_localizations.dart';
+import 'package:chain_studio/pages/federation.dart';
+import 'package:chain_studio/widgets/chain_field_help.dart';
+
+import 'support/fake_hub.dart';
+
+Widget _host(Widget child) => MaterialApp(
+  localizationsDelegates: AppLocalizations.localizationsDelegates,
+  supportedLocales: AppLocalizations.supportedLocales,
+  locale: const Locale('de'),
+  home: Scaffold(body: child),
+);
+
+void main() {
+  testWidgets('ChainInlineHelp shows the text and fires Learn more', (
+    tester,
+  ) async {
+    var learned = false;
+    await tester.pumpWidget(
+      _host(
+        ChainInlineHelp(
+          text: 'Ein Satellit ist ein weiterer Hub.',
+          onLearnMore: () => learned = true,
+          learnMoreLabel: 'Mehr erfahren',
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+    expect(find.text('Ein Satellit ist ein weiterer Hub.'), findsOneWidget);
+    await tester.tap(find.text('Mehr erfahren'));
+    expect(learned, isTrue);
+  });
+
+  testWidgets('ChainInlineHelp hides Learn more when no callback', (
+    tester,
+  ) async {
+    await tester.pumpWidget(
+      _host(const ChainInlineHelp(text: 'Nur Text, kein Link.')),
+    );
+    expect(find.text('Nur Text, kein Link.'), findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.byIcon(Icons.arrow_forward), findsNothing);
+  });
+
+  testWidgets('ChainFieldHelp tap reveals the tooltip message', (tester) async {
+    await tester.pumpWidget(
+      _host(
+        const ChainFieldLabel(
+          label: 'Satelliten-Name',
+          help: 'Frei wählbarer Anzeigename.',
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+    // The help text is not shown until the affordance is used.
+    expect(find.text('Frei wählbarer Anzeigename.'), findsNothing);
+    await tester.tap(find.byIcon(Icons.help_outline));
+    await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 400));
+    expect(find.text('Frei wählbarer Anzeigename.'), findsOneWidget);
+  });
+
+  testWidgets('Add-satellite dialog explains what a satellite is', (
+    tester,
+  ) async {
+    SharedPreferences.setMockInitialValues({});
+    installFakeHub();
+    await tester.pumpWidget(_host(const FederationPage()));
+    await tester.pump(const Duration(milliseconds: 200));
+
+    // Open the add flow via the AppBar action (the label also
+    // appears in the empty-state CTA; either opens the dialog).
+    await tester.tap(find.text('Satellit hinzufügen').first);
+    await tester.pumpAndSettle();
+
+    // The intro strip + its Learn-more link are present BEFORE any
+    // input is asked for — no more bare "name" field.
+    expect(find.textContaining('Ein Satellit ist ein weiterer Hub'),
+        findsOneWidget);
+    expect(find.text('Mehr erfahren'), findsOneWidget);
+    // Field-level "?" is wired too.
+    expect(find.byType(ChainFieldHelp), findsWidgets);
+  });
+}