navidocs/AGENT_2_SEARCH_DEBOUNCE_IMPLEMENTATION.md

# Agent 2: Search-as-You-Type Implementation

## Task
Implement Apple Preview-style search with debouncing in DocumentView.vue

## File Modified
`/home/setup/navidocs/client/src/views/DocumentView.vue`

## Changes Implemented

### 1. Added Reactive State (Line 353)
```javascript
const isSearching = ref(false)
```
- Tracks loading state during search operations
- Used to show/hide loading spinner

### 2. Added Control Variables (Lines 418-419)
```javascript
let searchDebounceTimer = null
let searchAbortController = null
```
- `searchDebounceTimer`: Manages 300ms debounce delay
- `searchAbortController`: Allows cancellation of in-flight searches

### 3. Enhanced `performSearch()` Function (Lines 707-767)
**Key improvements:**
- Made async to support cancellable operations
- Added minimum query length check (2 characters)
- Implements AbortController for cancellation
- Sets `isSearching` state for loading indicator
- Validates search hasn't been aborted before proceeding
- Wraps search in try-catch for error handling
- Cleans up abort controller in finally block

**Flow:**
1. Validate query (not empty, min 2 chars)
2. Cancel any previous search
3. Create new AbortController
4. Set loading state
5. Highlight current page immediately
6. Start background search across all pages
7. Clean up and reset loading state

### 4. Enhanced `clearSearch()` Function (Lines 769-799)
**Key improvements:**
- Clears pending debounce timer
- Aborts any ongoing search operation
- Resets `isSearching` state
- Cleans up all search-related state

**Added cleanup for:**
- `searchDebounceTimer`
- `searchAbortController`
- `isSearching` state

### 5. Implemented `handleSearchInput()` Function (Lines 801-840)
**Core debouncing logic:**
```javascript
function handleSearchInput() {
  // Clear previous debounce timer
  if (searchDebounceTimer) {
    clearTimeout(searchDebounceTimer)
  }

  // Cancel previous search if new input arrives
  if (searchAbortController) {
    searchAbortController.abort()
    searchAbortController = null
  }

  const query = searchInput.value.trim()

  // Clear results immediately if search input is cleared
  if (!query) {
    clearSearch()
    return
  }

  // Don't search if query is less than 2 characters
  if (query.length < 2) {
    // Clear previous results but don't perform new search
    searchQuery.value = ''
    totalHits.value = 0
    hitList.value = []
    allPagesHitList.value = []
    currentHitIndex.value = 0
    return
  }

  // Set searching state to show loading indicator
  isSearching.value = true

  // Debounce search - wait 300ms after user stops typing
  searchDebounceTimer = setTimeout(() => {
    performSearch()
    searchDebounceTimer = null
  }, 300)
}
```

**Features:**
- Clears previous timer on each keystroke
- Cancels in-flight searches when new input arrives
- Immediately clears results when input is cleared
- Doesn't search for queries < 2 characters
- Shows loading state immediately
- Waits 300ms after typing stops before searching

### 6. Added Loading Indicator UI (Lines 69-99)
**Before:**
```html
<button @click="performSearch">
  <svg><!-- Search icon --></svg>
</button>
```

**After:**
```html
<button
  @click="performSearch"
  :class="{ 'pointer-events-none': isSearching }"
  :title="isSearching ? 'Searching...' : 'Search'"
>
  <!-- Loading spinner when searching -->
  <svg v-if="isSearching" class="animate-spin">
    <circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4"></circle>
    <path class="opacity-75" fill="currentColor" d="M4 12a8 8 0 018-8V0C5.373 0 0 5.373 0 12h4zm2 5.291A7.962 7.962 0 014 12H0c0 3.042 1.135 5.824 3 7.938l3-2.647z"></path>
  </svg>
  <!-- Search icon when not searching -->
  <svg v-else>
    <path d="M21 21l-6-6m2-5a7 7 0 11-14 0 7 7 0 0114 0z" />
  </svg>
</button>
```

**Features:**
- Shows spinning loader during search
- Disables button clicks while searching
- Updates tooltip text dynamically

## Requirements Met

✅ **Debounced search (300ms delay)**: Implemented with `setTimeout` in `handleSearchInput()`

✅ **Loading indicator**: Spinning icon shown via `isSearching` reactive state

✅ **Cancel previous search**: Uses `AbortController` to cancel in-flight operations

✅ **Real-time results**: Triggers search automatically as user types

✅ **Clear results**: Immediately clears when input is cleared

✅ **Minimum query length**: Won't search if query < 2 characters

## User Experience

### Typing Flow
1. User types "eng" (3 characters)
2. Timer starts counting 300ms
3. User continues typing "ine"
4. Timer resets, counts another 300ms
5. User stops typing
6. After 300ms, search executes
7. Loading spinner shows during search
8. Results appear when complete

### Backspace Flow
1. User backspaces to 1 character
2. Previous results clear immediately
3. No search is performed (< 2 chars)

### Clear Flow
1. User clicks clear button or empties input
2. All results clear immediately
3. Any pending search is cancelled

## Technical Implementation

### Custom Debounce
- No external libraries required (VueUse not installed)
- Simple `setTimeout` pattern
- Properly cleans up timers

### Cancellation Pattern
```javascript
// Create controller
searchAbortController = new AbortController()

// Check if aborted
if (searchAbortController.signal.aborted) {
  return
}

// Clean up
searchAbortController = null
```

### State Management
- `isSearching`: Boolean for loading state
- `searchDebounceTimer`: Timer ID for cleanup
- `searchAbortController`: AbortController instance

## Build Status
✅ Build successful with no errors
✅ All syntax validated
✅ No TypeScript/linting issues

## Integration Notes
- Works seamlessly with existing search functionality
- Preserves cross-page search capability
- Maintains highlight and navigation features
- No breaking changes to public API