Story 22: Implement smart auto-scroll that respects user scrolling

User Story:
As a user, I want to be able to scroll up to review previous messages
while the AI is streaming or adding new content, without being
constantly dragged back to the bottom.

Implementation:
- Replaced position-based threshold detection with user-intent tracking
- Detects when user scrolls UP and disables auto-scroll completely
- Auto-scroll only re-enables when user manually returns to bottom (<5px)
- Uses refs to track scroll position and direction for smooth operation
- Works seamlessly during rapid token streaming and tool execution

Technical Details:
- lastScrollTopRef: Tracks previous scroll position to detect direction
- userScrolledUpRef: Flag set when upward scrolling is detected
- Direct scrollTop manipulation for instant, non-fighting scroll behavior
- Threshold of 5px from absolute bottom to re-enable auto-scroll

Spec Updates:
- Added comprehensive Smart Auto-Scroll section to UI_UX.md
- Documented the problem, solution, requirements, and implementation
- Includes code examples and edge case handling

Acceptance Criteria Met:
 Auto-scroll disabled when scrolling up
 Auto-scroll resumes when returning to bottom
 Works normally when already at bottom
 Smooth detection without flickering
 Works during streaming and tool execution

Files Changed:
- src/components/Chat.tsx: Implemented user-intent tracking
- .living_spec/specs/functional/UI_UX.md: Added Smart Auto-Scroll spec
- .living_spec/stories/22_smart_autoscroll.md: Marked complete
This commit is contained in:
Dave
2025-12-27 19:21:34 +00:00
parent 1baf3fa728
commit 57826dc5ee
4 changed files with 150 additions and 8 deletions

View File

@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@
As a user, I want to be able to scroll up to review previous messages while the AI is streaming or adding new content, without being constantly dragged back to the bottom.
## Acceptance Criteria
- [ ] When I scroll up in the chat, auto-scroll is temporarily disabled
- [ ] Auto-scroll resumes when I scroll back to (or near) the bottom
- [x] When I scroll up in the chat, auto-scroll is temporarily disabled
- [x] Auto-scroll resumes when I scroll back to (or near) the bottom
- [ ] There's a visual indicator when auto-scroll is paused (optional)
- [ ] Clicking a "Jump to Bottom" button (if added) re-enables auto-scroll
- [ ] Auto-scroll works normally when I'm already at the bottom
- [ ] The detection works smoothly without flickering
- [ ] Works during both streaming responses and tool execution
- [x] Auto-scroll works normally when I'm already at the bottom
- [x] The detection works smoothly without flickering
- [x] Works during both streaming responses and tool execution
## Out of Scope
- Manual scroll position restoration after page refresh