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Feature BRD: Application Shell

Document Version: 1.0

Feature: 02-application-shell

Author: Senior Business Analyst

Date: 2025-09-05

Status: Draft

1. Introduction

1.1. Feature Overview

This document outlines the business and functional requirements for the Application Shell. This feature establishes the persistent and consistent user interface framework that will house all other modules and pages within the Enterprise Console. It provides the global navigation, user identity context, and a predictable structure, ensuring a cohesive user experience across the entire application. It builds upon the authentication flow established in Feature 01: User Authentication and Session Management.

  • For detailed user interaction flows, see the Use Case document.
  • For the quality assurance and validation strategy, see the Test Plan.

1.2. Business Objectives

  • Establish a Consistent User Experience: Provide a standardized layout and navigation structure, reducing the learning curve for users as new modules are introduced.
  • Improve Operational Efficiency: Implement features like collapsible navigation to allow users to maximize their primary workspace (the Main Content Area), which is critical for data-intensive tasks.
  • Provide a Foundation for Scalability: Create a flexible and scalable shell that can accommodate future modules and navigation items without requiring a complete redesign.

1.3. Scope

In Scope:

  • The four primary layout components: Top Bar, Left Navigator, Main Content Area, and Footer.
  • The interactive functionality to collapse and expand the Top Bar and Left Navigator.
  • The UI and interaction for the User Profile dropdown menu in the Top Bar.
  • Displaying placeholder navigation items in the Left Navigator.

Out of Scope:

  • The functionality of any links within the User Profile dropdown (except for "Logout," which was defined in Feature 1).
  • The final, complete list of navigation items in the Left Navigator.
  • Any content rendered within the Main Content Area (it will be an empty container at this stage).
  • Detailed responsive design for mobile or tablet devices (the initial focus is on a standard desktop experience).

2. Business Requirements & Rules

2.1. UI Persistence

  • Rule 2.1.1: The Application Shell (Top Bar, Left Navigator, Footer) must be present and persistent on every page of the application after a user has successfully authenticated. The only exception is the Login Page itself.

2.2. State Persistence

  • Rule 2.2.1: The collapsed or expanded state of the Left Navigator and Top Bar must be remembered for each user. When a user collapses a navigation bar and then refreshes the page or logs out and logs back in, the bar should remain in their chosen collapsed state. This enhances user experience by respecting their layout preferences.

2.3. User Context Display

  • Rule 2.3.1: The Top Bar must always display an indicator of the currently logged-in user (e.g., their name or a profile icon), providing immediate context and access to user-specific actions.

3. Functional Requirements & User Flows

3.1. Main Layout Components

  • Description: The Application Shell is divided into four distinct, persistent regions. The Post-Authentication Landing Page from Feature 1 will now be rendered inside the Main Content Area of this shell.
  • UI Components:
    • Top Bar: A horizontal bar fixed to the top of the viewport. It must contain an Application Logo, a Collapse/Expand control, and a User Profile Icon.
    • Left Navigator: A vertical bar fixed to the left of the viewport, below the Top Bar. It must contain a Collapse/Expand control and a list of placeholder navigation items.
    • Main Content Area: The primary flexible space in the center where page content will be displayed.
    • Footer: A thin horizontal bar fixed to the bottom of the viewport. It must contain Copyright information and the System Version Number.

3.2. Navigator Interactivity

  • Description: The navigation bars are designed to be collapsible to provide users with more screen real estate for their main tasks.
  • User Flows & Scenarios:
    • Scenario 1: Collapse/Expand Left Navigator
      1. User sees the Left Navigator in its default, expanded state.
      2. User clicks the "Collapse" control.
      3. System animates the Left Navigator to a minimized width, showing only icons. The Main Content Area expands to fill the space.
      4. User clicks the "Expand" control.
      5. System animates the Left Navigator back to its expanded state.
    • Scenario 2: Collapse/Expand Top Bar
      1. User sees the Top Bar in its default, expanded state.
      2. User clicks the "Collapse" control.
      3. System animates the Top Bar to a minimized height.
      4. User clicks the "Expand" control.
      5. System animates the Top Bar back to its expanded state.

3.3. User Profile Dropdown

  • Description: Provides authenticated users access to their profile and the logout function.
  • UI Components & Fields:
    • User Profile Icon: An icon or the user's initials, located in the Top Bar.
    • Dropdown Menu: Appears on click. It must contain the user's name/email, a placeholder link for "Edit Profile", and a functional "Logout" button.
  • User Flow:
    1. User clicks the User Profile Icon.
    2. System displays the dropdown menu.
    3. User clicks the "Logout" button, initiating the logout flow from Feature 1.
    4. User clicks anywhere outside the dropdown to close it.