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Sparki Terminal UI System Requirements Specification

:::info readme This document specifies the system requirements for the Sparki Terminal User Interface (TUI), powered by Charmbracelet Bubbletea. The Sparki TUI represents the brand’s signature experience—a beautiful, responsive, keyboard-centric interface that makes CI/CD delightful and accessible from the developer’s natural workspace: the terminal. The TUI is designed to be the primary interface for developers managing pipelines, monitoring builds, executing deployments, and accessing CI/CD intelligence, establishing Sparki as the developer’s go-to DevOps workspace. ::: :::success takeaways Key takeaways of this document include:
  • Understanding TUI architecture and Bubbletea-based design
  • Recognizing terminal-first developer experience philosophy
  • Identifying interactive features and real-time update capabilities
  • Establishing accessibility and cross-platform compatibility standards
  • Creating delightful user experiences that drive adoption and engagement
  • Building viral brand identity through exceptional UX
::: Version: 1.0
Date: December 3, 2025
Repository: sparki-tui
Service Type: Terminal User Interface (Go + Bubbletea)
UI Framework: Charmbracelet Bubbletea with tcell rendering

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1. Introduction

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1.1 Purpose

This document communicates the user experience requirements and technical specifications for the Sparki TUI, establishing it as the primary interface for developer interaction with the Sparki platform. The TUI embodies Sparki’s brand promise of making CI/CD delightful and developer-friendly.

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1.2 Design Philosophy

The Sparki TUI is designed around core principles:
  1. Terminal-Native: Keyboard-first, vim-style navigation, works seamlessly over SSH
  2. Real-Time: Live streaming of logs, status updates, and metrics
  3. Delightful: Beautiful ASCII art, smooth animations, responsive feedback
  4. Accessible: Mouse support, customizable themes, high contrast modes
  5. Minimal: Reduces visual clutter while maximizing information density
  6. Fast: Sub-200ms response time, instant visual feedback

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1.3 Scope

The Sparki TUI provides:
  • Project and pipeline management interface
  • Real-time build status and log streaming
  • Deployment orchestration and monitoring
  • Workspace and team collaboration features
  • Settings and configuration management
  • AI-powered insights and recommendations
  • Performance metrics and analytics visualization

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1.4 Definitions

PropertyValue
SessionActive TUI instance connected to Sparki API
ViewTop-level screen section (Pipeline, Logs, etc.)
PanelFocused subcomponent within view
WidgetAtomic UI component (input, button, list, etc.)
KeybindKeyboard shortcut or vim-style command
Real-Time UpdateLive data stream via WebSocket

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2. System Overview

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2.1 Architecture

┌──────────────────────────────────────┐
│      Sparki Terminal UI (TUI)        │
├──────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Bubbletea Application Model         │
│  ├─ Main View (pipelines, status)    │
│  ├─ Build View (logs, metrics)       │
│  ├─ Deploy View (orchestration)      │
│  ├─ Settings View (configuration)    │
│  └─ Assistant View (AI insights)     │
├──────────────────────────────────────┤
│  WebSocket Connection Manager        │
│  Real-Time Update Handler            │
│  Command Executor                    │
├──────────────────────────────────────┤
│  Sparki API (HTTP + WebSocket)       │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘

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2.2 System Objectives

  1. Sub-200ms Render Time: All UI updates complete and visible within 200ms
  2. Universal Terminal Support: Work across 99%+ of modern terminal emulators
  3. Delightful Animations: Smooth, responsive ASCII animations enhance engagement
  4. Keyboard Mastery: 95%+ of features accessible via keyboard shortcuts
  5. Real-Time Responsiveness: <100ms latency for real-time updates
  6. Accessibility Excellence: Full mouse support, customizable themes, high contrast
  7. SSH Compatibility: Work seamlessly over SSH with minimal bandwidth
  8. Brand Differentiation: Iconic, Instagram-worthy terminal experience

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3. Functional Requirements

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3.1 Application Initialization & Navigation

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REQ-TUI-INIT-001: Launch & Authentication

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-INIT-001
RequirementThe TUI SHALL launch via sparki tui command with automatic authentication or browser-based login flow.
RationaleSeamless launch experience removes friction for developers accessing CI/CD workflows.
InputsOptional workspace context, authentication token/credentials
OutputsAuthenticated TUI session ready for user interaction
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Launch in <1 second with cached credentials
  • Redirect to browser for new login
  • Remember workspace context
  • Store credentials securely

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REQ-TUI-INIT-002: Main Navigation Hub

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-INIT-002
RequirementThe TUI SHALL display main navigation hub with 5 primary views: Overview, Pipelines, Builds, Deployments, Settings.
RationaleClear navigation hierarchy enables efficient workflow access and reduces cognitive load.
InputsAuthenticated user context, workspace projects
OutputsInteractive main menu with view selection
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Display 5 primary navigation options
  • Show current view indicator
  • Support keyboard navigation (arrow keys, vim-style)
  • Display help text for current view
Main Navigation Views: 
1. Overview
   - Workspace summary
   - Recent activity
   - Quick stats (build success rate, deployment frequency)

2. Pipelines
   - List of projects
   - Pipeline status for each project
   - Quick actions (run, edit, configure)

3. Builds
   - Current builds in progress
   - Build history and trends
   - Test results and coverage

4. Deployments
   - Deployment status and history
   - Cloud platform integration status
   - Rollback capabilities

5. Settings
   - Workspace configuration
   - Team member management
   - Integration configuration
   - Display preferences

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3.2 Overview View

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REQ-TUI-OVERVIEW-001: Dashboard Display

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-OVERVIEW-001
RequirementThe Overview view SHALL display workspace dashboard with key metrics, recent activity, and quick action shortcuts.
RationaleDashboard provides at-a-glance understanding of workspace health and recent activity.
InputsWorkspace data, metrics, activity logs
OutputsFormatted dashboard display with visual hierarchy
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Display build success rate (last 7 days)
  • Show deployment frequency
  • List recent activity (last 10 items)
  • Highlight failed builds/deployments
Dashboard Sections: 
┌─ Sparki Dashboard ─────────────────────────────────────┐
│  Workspace: acme-engineering (Team: 12 members)        │
│                                                         │
│  ╔════════════ Quick Stats ════════════╗                │
│  ║ Build Success Rate: 98.2% (↑2.3%)   ║                │
│  ║ Avg Build Time: 45s (↓5%)            ║                │
│  ║ Deployments Today: 23 (↑8)           ║                │
│  ║ System Uptime: 99.95%                ║                │
│  ╚═══════════════════════════════════════╝                │
│                                                         │
│  ╔════════════ Recent Activity ════════════╗             │
│  ║ • main branch deployed (2 min ago)      ║             │
│  ║ • 5 tests failed in feature-x (5 min)   ║             │
│  ║ • Deploy to production approved (10m)   ║             │
│  ║ • framework detected: Next.js (15m)     ║             │
│  ╚════════════════════════════════════════╝              │
│                                                         │
│  [→] View All Pipelines  [→] View Builds  [→] Settings  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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3.3 Pipelines View

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REQ-TUI-PIPELINES-001: Pipeline List & Management

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-PIPELINES-001
RequirementThe Pipelines view SHALL display all projects with pipeline status, last build result, and quick action shortcuts.
RationaleUnified pipeline list enables developers to monitor and manage CI/CD workflows across all projects.
InputsProject list, pipeline status data
OutputsFormatted pipeline list with interactive selection
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Display all projects with current status
  • Show last build result (pass/fail/running)
  • Support filtering and sorting
  • Enable keyboard navigation and selection
Pipeline List Layout: 
Pipelines (12 projects)                          Filter: [All ▼]  Sort: [By Updated ▼]

  ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
  │ Project              Status        Last Build    Duration  User   │
  ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
  │ ▶ web-app            ✓ Running     ✓ Pass (5m)   45s      alice  │
  │ ▶ api-server         ✓ Success     ✓ Pass (1h)   32s      bob    │
  │ ▶ mobile-app         ✗ Failed      ✗ Fail (3h)   52s      carol  │
  │ ▶ data-pipeline      ✓ Success     ✓ Pass (8h)   2m 15s   dave   │
  │ ▶ infra-config       ✓ Success     ✓ Pass (1d)   18s      eve    │
  └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

  Selection: web-app (↑↓ move, Enter select, n new, r rerun, d delete)

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REQ-TUI-PIPELINES-002: Quick Actions

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-PIPELINES-002
RequirementThe Pipelines view SHALL support quick actions (run, edit, delete) via keyboard shortcuts or context menu.
RationaleQuick actions eliminate multi-step processes for common pipeline operations.
InputsSelected pipeline, action selection
OutputsAction execution with immediate visual feedback
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Support quick actions: run, edit, delete, settings
  • Show confirmation for destructive actions
  • Display inline action feedback

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3.4 Builds View

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REQ-TUI-BUILDS-001: Real-Time Build Monitoring

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-BUILDS-001
RequirementThe Builds view SHALL display active builds with real-time progress, stage execution, and log streaming.
RationaleReal-time build monitoring enables developers to understand build progress and debug failures instantly.
InputsActive build data, real-time WebSocket log stream
OutputsReal-time animated build progress visualization with streaming logs
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Stream logs with <100ms latency
  • Show stage progression with visual indicators
  • Display build metrics in real-time
  • Support log filtering and search
Build Monitor Display: 
┌─ Build Monitor: web-app (main) #1234 ─────────────────────────────┐
│ Branch: main | Commit: abc1234 | Started: 5 min ago               │
│                                                                     │
│ Stages Progress:                                                  │
│  ✓ Setup (1.2s)                    ████████████ 100%              │
│  ✓ Install Dependencies (12.4s)    ████████████ 100%              │
│  ⧐ Build (in progress)             ░░░░░░░░░░░░  25%  [2.1s/8s]  │
│  ⨯ Test (waiting)                  ░░░░░░░░░░░░   0%              │
│  ⨯ Deploy (waiting)                ░░░░░░░░░░░░   0%              │
│                                                                     │
│ ┌─ Live Output ───────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│ │ > npm run build                                             │   │
│ │ > vite build                                                │   │
│ │ ✓ entry client/render                   (187 bytes/gzip)  │   │
│ │ ✓ entry client                         (1024 bytes/gzip)  │   │
│ │ ✓ entry server                         (2048 bytes/gzip)  │   │
│ │ ✓ chunk: index                         (512 bytes/gzip)   │   │
│ │ Building for production...                                 │   │
│ │ █████████████████░░░░░░░░░░░░  55% (3.2s / 5.8s)         │   │
│ └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                                                     │
│ [s] search logs  [↑↓] scroll  [p] pause  [c] cancel  [d] details  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-BUILDS-002
RequirementThe Builds view SHALL display build history with trends and analytics (success rate, duration trends, etc.).
RationaleHistorical analysis enables identification of performance trends and proactive optimization.
InputsBuild history data, metrics database
OutputsASCII-rendered build history with trend visualization
Verify MethodTest
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Display last 20 builds with status
  • Show build duration trend graph
  • Display success rate trend
  • Highlight performance anomalies

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3.5 Deployments View

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REQ-TUI-DEPLOYMENTS-001: Deployment Orchestration

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-DEPLOYMENTS-001
RequirementThe Deployments view SHALL display deployment status, targets, and enable deployment orchestration with approval gates.
RationaleUnified deployment interface provides control and visibility for production releases.
InputsDeployment configuration, status, build artifacts
OutputsInteractive deployment orchestration interface with approval controls
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Display deployment pipeline (staging → production)
  • Enable approval/rejection of deployments
  • Stream deployment logs
  • Support instant rollback
Deployment Interface: 
┌─ Deployment Pipeline ─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Project: api-server | Build: #1234 | Triggered by: alice     │
│                                                                 │
│ Deployment Stages:                                            │
│  ✓ Pre-Deploy Validation                                      │
│     ✓ Build artifacts verified                                │
│     ✓ Security scan passed                                    │
│     ✓ Health checks passed                                    │
│                                                                 │
│  ✓ Staging Deployment (completed 5 min ago)                   │
│     ✓ Deployed to staging.acme.com                            │
│     ✓ Health check passed                                     │
│     ✓ Smoke tests passed                                      │
│                                                                 │
│  ⧐ Production Deployment (waiting approval)                   │
│     ⊘ Deployment targets: api.acme.com, api2.acme.com         │
│     ⊘ Deployment strategy: Blue-Green                         │
│     ⊘ Requires approval from: engineering-leads              │
│                                                                 │
│  ┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐     │
│  │ [A] Approve Deployment  [R] Reject  [H] History     │     │
│  └──────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘     │
│                                                                 │
│  Recent Approvals:                                            │
│  • engineering-leads/bob: ✓ Approved 2 min ago               │
│  • security-team/carol: pending (expires in 58 min)          │
│  • devops-team/dave: ✓ Approved 3 min ago                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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REQ-TUI-DEPLOYMENTS-002: Rollback & Recovery

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-DEPLOYMENTS-002
RequirementThe Deployments view SHALL enable instant rollback with historical deployment tracking and quick recovery.
RationaleInstant rollback capability is critical for incident response and production reliability.
InputsDeployment history, current deployment state
OutputsRollback execution with confirmation and status tracking
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Complete rollback in <30 seconds
  • Maintain deployment history
  • Support rollback to any previous version
  • Log all rollback operations

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3.6 Settings & Configuration

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REQ-TUI-SETTINGS-001: Workspace Configuration

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-SETTINGS-001
RequirementThe Settings view SHALL provide workspace configuration management (team members, integrations, notifications).
RationaleCentralized settings management enables efficient workspace administration.
InputsCurrent settings, configuration changes
OutputsUpdated configuration stored and applied
Verify MethodTest
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Configure workspace settings
  • Manage team members and roles
  • Configure cloud integrations
  • Set notification preferences

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REQ-TUI-SETTINGS-002: Display Preferences & Accessibility

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-SETTINGS-002
RequirementThe Settings view SHALL provide display preferences including theme selection, font sizing, and accessibility options.
RationalePersonalization and accessibility options ensure universal usability across different user needs and preferences.
InputsUser preferences, display configuration
OutputsApplied display preferences with immediate visual feedback
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Support light/dark theme selection
  • Enable high contrast mode
  • Support font size adjustment
  • Persist preferences
Available Themes: 
Themes:
  • Light: Clean, high contrast for bright environments
  • Dark: Easy on eyes for dark environments
  • Terminal: Match system terminal color scheme
  • Cyberpunk: Neon-inspired Sparki brand theme
  • High Contrast: Maximum accessibility compliance

Accessibility:
  • Mouse Support: Full mouse interaction support
  • Keyboard Navigation: Comprehensive vim-style keybinds
  • High Contrast Mode: Enhanced visibility for color-blind users
  • Font Size: Configurable terminal font scaling

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3.7 Real-Time Updates & Notifications

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REQ-TUI-REALTIME-001: WebSocket Connection Management

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-REALTIME-001
RequirementThe TUI SHALL maintain persistent WebSocket connection for real-time log streaming and status updates with automatic reconnection.
RationalePersistent WebSocket enables real-time updates without polling overhead.
InputsWebSocket connection state, real-time events
OutputsReal-time updates rendered in UI with minimal latency
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Maintain persistent WebSocket connection
  • Auto-reconnect on disconnection (exponential backoff)
  • Stream updates with <100ms latency
  • Handle connection loss gracefully

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REQ-TUI-REALTIME-002: Notifications & Alerts

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-REALTIME-002
RequirementThe TUI SHALL provide in-app notifications and alerts for critical events (build failures, deployments, approvals).
RationaleTimely notifications keep developers informed of important CI/CD events without constant manual checking.
InputsEvent stream from Sparki API
OutputsIn-app notifications with optional system notifications
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Display in-app notifications for critical events
  • Support system notifications (macOS, Linux, Windows)
  • Notification preferences in settings
Notification Types: 
Critical:
  • Build failure in main branch
  • Deployment failure
  • Security vulnerability detected

Normal:
  • Build completed successfully
  • Deployment approved/rejected
  • New approval request

Low:
  • Build started
  • Build stage completed
  • Framework detected

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3.8 Keyboard Navigation & Commands

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REQ-TUI-KEYBOARD-001: Vim-Style Navigation

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-KEYBOARD-001
RequirementThe TUI SHALL support vim-style navigation keybinds (hjkl movement, jk scrolling, etc.) as default with option for Emacs-style binds.
RationaleVim keybinds align with developer muscle memory and enable efficient keyboard-only navigation.
InputsKeyboard input from user
OutputsNavigation state changes with visual feedback
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Support vim keybinds (hjkl, ggG, etc.)
  • Provide help text for keybinds
  • Allow custom keybind configuration
Keymap Reference: 
Navigation:
  h/← : Left
  j/↓ : Down
  k/↑ : Up
  l/→ : Right
  gg   : Go to top
  G    : Go to bottom
  /    : Search
  n    : Next search result
  N    : Previous search result

Actions:
  Enter : Select/Confirm
  Space : Toggle/Expand
  ?     : Help
  q     : Quit
  :w    : Save
  :q    : Quit without save

Application:
  1-5  : Navigate to views (1=Overview, 2=Pipelines, etc.)
  r    : Refresh
  e    : Edit
  d    : Delete

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REQ-TUI-KEYBOARD-002: Command Palette

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-KEYBOARD-002
RequirementThe TUI SHALL provide command palette accessible via : for quick access to all TUI commands and actions.
RationaleCommand palette enables efficient power-user workflows without memorizing keybinds.
InputsCommand input from user
OutputsCommand execution with result feedback
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Accessible via : key
  • Support command autocomplete
  • Show matching commands with descriptions
  • Fuzzy search capability
Command Palette Examples: 
: build main
: deploy production
: run tests
: view logs
: show metrics
: edit pipeline
: set theme dark
: export results

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4. Visual Design Requirements

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4.1 Brand Identity

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REQ-TUI-BRAND-001: Sparki Mascot Integration

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-BRAND-001
RequirementThe TUI SHALL feature Sparki mascot character in key areas (splash screen, status indicators, animations).
RationaleMascot creates memorable brand identity and emotional connection with users.
InputsApplication state, events
OutputsAnimated mascot character with contextual expressions
Verify MethodDemonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Display Sparki mascot in splash screen
  • Show contextual expressions (happy, thinking, loading, error)
  • Smooth animations
Sparki Mascot States: 
Idle/Ready:
  ⚡🎯  (spark with target)

Loading/Building:
  ⚡✨  (spark with sparkles - animated)

Success:
  ⚡😊  (spark happy)

Error:
  ⚡😞  (spark sad)

Thinking/AI Insights:
  ⚡💭  (spark thinking)

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REQ-TUI-BRAND-002: Color & Typography

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-BRAND-002
RequirementThe TUI SHALL use Sparki brand colors (primary: #F4B400, secondary: #222222, accent: #5C7CFA) with accessible contrast ratios.
RationaleConsistent branding reinforces Sparki identity while accessibility ensures universal usability.
InputsTheme selection, high contrast mode
OutputsRendered TUI with brand colors and accessible contrast
Verify MethodDemonstration + Accessibility Testing
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Use brand colors in primary theme
  • Maintain WCAG AA contrast ratios (4.5:1 minimum)
  • Support high contrast mode

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4.2 Layout & Responsiveness

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REQ-TUI-LAYOUT-001: Responsive Terminal Layout

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-LAYOUT-001
RequirementThe TUI SHALL adapt layouts based on terminal dimensions with graceful degradation for small terminals.
RationaleTerminal dimensions vary widely; responsive design ensures usability across all sizes.
InputsTerminal width, height
OutputsAppropriately scaled and positioned UI elements
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Support minimum 80x24 terminal (POSIX standard)
  • Adapt layout for 80-120 width terminals
  • Full feature support at 120+ width

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REQ-TUI-LAYOUT-002: Information Density & Scrolling

PropertyValue
IDREQ-TUI-LAYOUT-002
RequirementThe TUI SHALL optimize information density while maintaining readability and support smooth scrolling through content.
RationaleEfficient information density maximizes usefulness while scrolling enables access to all data without terminal resize.
InputsContent size, terminal dimensions, scroll position
OutputsOptimally formatted content with scrolling controls
Verify MethodTest + Demonstration
Acceptance Criteria:
  • Display critical info without scroll on standard terminal
  • Support smooth page/line scrolling
  • Show scroll indicators

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5. Performance Requirements

RequirementTargetMeasurement MethodRationale
TUI Launch Time<1 secondStartup metricsFast application initialization
First View Render<500msUI render profilingResponsive initial display
Screen Update Latency<100msInput/output timingSnappy user interaction
WebSocket Message Processing<50msEvent latency trackingReal-time update responsiveness
Terminal Dimension Change Adapt<200msResize event trackingSmooth resize handling
Memory Footprint<50MBProcess memory usageLight resource consumption
CPU Usage (idle)<1%Process CPU trackingMinimal background CPU

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6. Accessibility Requirements

RequirementTargetMeasurement MethodRationale
WCAG 2.1 Compliance LevelAAAccessibility auditIndustry-standard accessibility
Keyboard Navigation Coverage95%+Feature auditKeyboard-only usability
High Contrast Mode SupportFull supportVisual verificationColor-blind and low-vision support
Mouse Support Coverage100%Mouse testingUniversal input method support
Terminal Color Support256+ colorsTerminal capabilityRich color rendering capability

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7. Cross-Platform Compatibility

PlatformSupported VersionsStatusNotes
macOS10.15+Full SupportNative terminal support
LinuxAll modern distributionsFull SupportSSH-optimized
WindowsWSL 2 recommendedFull SupportNative Windows Terminal
SSHOpenSSH 7.0+Full SupportRemote terminal support
Terminal AppsiTerm2, Alacritty, KittyTestedSpecific optimization testing

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8. Success Metrics

MetricYear 1 TargetMeasurement Method
TUI Load Time<500msPerformance tracking
User NPS (Net Promoter Score)>80User surveys
Daily Active Users50K+Usage analytics
Time in App>15 min/sessionSession tracking
Feature Discovery Rate>70%Telemetry
Social Media Engagement50K+ impressions/weekSocial analytics
Document History:
VersionDateAuthorChanges
1.02025-12-03Sparki EngineeringInitial TUI SRS creation