# Continuation Modal UX Improvements

**Date:** 2026-02-03
**Status:** Approved

## Changes

### 1. Parent option labels: hover tooltips instead of static headers

The ContinuationModal currently groups descendant nodes under uppercase headers like "FROM: PRINTER WON'T PRINT AT ALL -> NOTHING HAPPENS / NO RESPONSE". These clutter the screen.

**Change:** Move `parentOptionLabel` from static section headers to a `title` attribute on each descendant button. The descendants become a flat list. Hovering shows the path context as a native browser tooltip.

The "Or" divider and "Build Custom Branch" button at the bottom remain unchanged.

**Files:** `frontend/src/components/session/ContinuationModal.tsx`

### 2. Land on custom step before navigating to selected descendant

Currently, selecting a descendant in the ContinuationModal navigates directly to that node. The user should land on their custom step first to write notes, then proceed.

**Change:** Add `pendingContinuationNodeId` state to `TreeNavigationPage`. When the user selects a descendant:

1. Store the selected node ID in `pendingContinuationNodeId`
2. Close the ContinuationModal (user is now viewing their custom step)
3. Render a "Continue to: [node name]" button on the custom step view
4. Clicking it navigates to the descendant and clears `pendingContinuationNodeId`

The "Continue to" button and custom branch controls are mutually exclusive. If the user chose "Build Custom Branch", they get the existing Add Another Step / This Solves My Issue controls instead.

**Files:** `frontend/src/pages/TreeNavigationPage.tsx`

## Summary of state changes

| State | Purpose |
|-------|---------|
| `pendingContinuationNodeId` | Stores which descendant the user selected, so the custom step can show a "Continue to" button |

## No backend changes required