feat(redesign): run theater + one-click answered example

docs/design/ui-contract/20260717-run-theater-friction/manifest.json

@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+{
+  "schema": "nodebench-ui-contract-v1",
+  "capturedAt": "2026-07-17T23:05:00Z",
+  "slice": "run-theater-friction",
+  "app": "nodebench-ai (decision workspace, /redesign/chat)",
+  "notes": "Two changes. (1) Run theater: the research checklist's stage dots are joined by a vertical ember thread - solid behind completed stages, actively drawing beside the running stage, dashed-faint ahead - progress reads as the thread being spun, same motif as the landing constellation and answer ticks; reduced-motion gets the static drawn state. (2) Friction: 'See a real answered example, receipts included' link under the starter chips routes one click, zero auth, zero spend to the persisted production receipt /r/36imyvtrf0d3, which carries the real answer INTO a live composer (continued-conversation) - value before identity. after-one-click-journey-destination.png is the actual click-through destination captured from the landing. No before pairs: the link did not exist and the thread joins previously-unconnected dots; landing before-state is in 20260717-ember-landing/.",
+  "pages": [
+    { "route": "/redesign/chat", "viewport": { "width": 1440, "height": 900 }, "theme": "dark", "after": "after-landing-example-link.png" },
+    { "route": "/redesign/chat?qaState=answer", "viewport": { "width": 1440, "height": 900 }, "theme": "dark", "after": "after-run-thread-complete.png" },
+    { "route": "/redesign/chat/r/36imyvtrf0d3", "viewport": { "width": 1440, "height": 900 }, "theme": "dark", "after": "after-one-click-journey-destination.png" }
+  ]
+}

src/features/redesign/agent-workspace.css

@@ -444,6 +444,83 @@
   }
 }
 
+/* ── Run theater — the thread being spun, stage by stage ─────────────────
+   The research checklist's stage dots are joined by a vertical ember thread:
+   solid behind completed stages, actively drawing beside the running stage,
+   dashed-faint ahead of it. Progress reads as the thread advancing — the
+   same motif as the landing constellation and the answer ticks. */
+[data-redesign] .rd-run-thread li {
+  position: relative;
+}
+
+[data-redesign] .rd-run-thread li::before {
+  content: "";
+  position: absolute;
+  left: 7.5px;
+  top: calc(-50% + 5px);
+  width: 1px;
+  height: calc(100% - 4px);
+  pointer-events: none;
+}
+
+[data-redesign] .rd-run-thread li:first-child::before {
+  display: none;
+}
+
+[data-redesign] .rd-run-thread li[data-state="done"]::before {
+  background: var(--rd-accent);
+  opacity: 0.45;
+}
+
+[data-redesign] .rd-run-thread li[data-state="running"]::before {
+  background: linear-gradient(180deg, var(--rd-accent), transparent);
+  transform-origin: top center;
+  animation: rd-thread-spin 1.4s var(--rd-ease-settle) infinite;
+}
+
+[data-redesign] .rd-run-thread li[data-state="waiting"]::before {
+  background: repeating-linear-gradient(
+    180deg,
+    var(--rd-ink-mute) 0 3px,
+    transparent 3px 7px
+  );
+  opacity: 0.25;
+}
+
+@keyframes rd-thread-spin {
+  0% { transform: scaleY(0); opacity: 0.9; }
+  75% { transform: scaleY(1); opacity: 0.9; }
+  100% { transform: scaleY(1); opacity: 0.35; }
+}
+
+@media (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce) {
+  [data-redesign] .rd-run-thread li[data-state="running"]::before {
+    animation: none;
+    transform: scaleY(1);
+  }
+}
+
+/* Quiet proof link beneath the starter chips — one click to a real persisted
+   answer with receipts, no account, no spend. */
+[data-redesign] .rd-chat-empty__example {
+  position: relative;
+  z-index: 1;
+  align-self: center;
+  margin-top: 18px;
+  color: var(--rd-ink-mute);
+  font-size: 13px;
+  text-decoration: none;
+  border-bottom: 1px solid transparent;
+  transition: color var(--rd-dur-quick) var(--rd-ease-settle),
+    border-color var(--rd-dur-quick) var(--rd-ease-settle);
+}
+
+[data-redesign] .rd-chat-empty__example:hover,
+[data-redesign] .rd-chat-empty__example:focus-visible {
+  color: var(--rd-accent-strong);
+  border-bottom-color: var(--rd-accent);
+}
+
 /* Narrow viewports: quieter constellation, and the two low side nodes give
    their space back to the stacked chips. */
 @media (max-width: 760px) {

src/features/redesign/components/ChatEmptyState.tsx

@@ -167,6 +167,15 @@ export function ChatEmptyState({ onPick, starters = STARTERS }: ChatEmptyStatePr
         ))}
       </div>
 
+      {/* Value before identity: a real, persisted production answer — prompt,
+          evidence rows, model, cost, deterministic hash — reachable in one
+          click with no account and no spend. The route carries the answer
+          into a live composer, so the example IS a usable starting point.
+          Swap the hash when a stronger showcase receipt is minted. */}
+      <a className="rd-chat-empty__example" href="/redesign/chat/r/36imyvtrf0d3">
+        See a real answered example, receipts included →
+      </a>
+
     </div>
   );
 }

src/features/research/LiveResearchChecklist.tsx

@@ -234,7 +234,11 @@ export function LiveResearchChecklist({
           {warnings.length > 0 ? ` · ${warnings.length} flagged` : ""}
         </span>
       </header>
+      {/* rd-run-thread: on the redesign surface an ember thread connects the
+          stage dots and is drawn downward by progress (agent-workspace.css).
+          Inert everywhere else — the class has no styles outside [data-redesign]. */}
       <ol
+        className="rd-run-thread"
         style={{
           listStyle: "none",
           padding: 0,