feat(first-run): render the mission launcher from a store

initFirstRunExperience no longer writes the launcher card's classes,
attributes and text, wires its listeners or removes it: it presents the
card's visibility, busy state, status line, copy and scroll fade to the
gev-first-run store and connects the controls the welcome view's choices,
DISMISS and "Don't show this again" call. A refused save hands the tick
back to the view to revert. The launcher still reads the rendered card for
its hit test, keyboard trap, focus and overflow measurement.

The owner-chosen copy moves to src/firstRunCopy.js, shared by both. The
source-text tests give way to component tests, and the first-run mutation
QA follows the new code (67/67 caught).

CHANGELOG.md

@@ -86,6 +86,11 @@
   writing `#hud-ais-vessel`; the application passes `src/hudReadouts.js`,
   which IntelHUD follows (samehkhamis).
 
+- `initFirstRunExperience` (via `./application/chrome`) no longer writes the
+  launcher's classes, attributes or text, or removes the card: it presents
+  them to the welcome view's `gev-first-run` store (its new `store` option)
+  and connects the controls the view's buttons call (samehkhamis).
+
 ## [0.3.0] — 2026-10-27 — Street Level, On Your Phone, in Your Language
 
 - Show a Street Level view facing 359.5° or more as 0°. The viewer caption

docs/VUE-MIGRATION.md

@@ -200,7 +200,13 @@ a feature supplying only its accent.
    readouts, the typing summary, the REC blink, visibility, layout variant
    and style colors; the vessel layer presents the selected vessel's
    readout through `src/hudReadouts.js` instead of writing into the HUD),
-   then
+   the first-run mission launcher (the welcome view renders the card's
+   visibility, busy state, status line, copy and scroll fade from the
+   `gev-first-run` store that `initFirstRunExperience` publishes to, and its
+   choices, DISMISS and "Don't show this again" call the launcher's
+   controls; a refused save hands the tick back to the view to revert. The
+   launcher still reads the rendered card for its hit test, keyboard trap,
+   focus and overflow measurement), then
    Cockpit (in progress: `CockpitBriefing` renders the briefing card's
    pages, cycle toggle, regional news and local conditions, and
    `CockpitContext` the Contact card's scope, navigation, counts, nearest

scripts/format-scope.json

@@ -1157,5 +1157,8 @@
   "src/hudReadouts.js",
   "src/ui/stores/hud.js",
   "src/ui/views/intelHudView.test.mjs",
-  "src/testSupport/hudReadouts.mjs"
+  "src/testSupport/hudReadouts.mjs",
+  "src/ui/stores/firstRun.js",
+  "src/firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs",
+  "src/firstRunCopy.js"
 ]

scripts/package-boundaries.json

@@ -117,7 +117,9 @@
       "src/ui/stores/awarenessDirection.js",
       "src/ui/views/panels/AwarenessDirection.vue",
       "src/ui/stores/hud.js",
-      "src/ui/views/IntelHudView.vue"
+      "src/ui/views/IntelHudView.vue",
+      "src/ui/stores/firstRun.js",
+      "src/firstRunCopy.js"
     ],
     "external": ["vue", "pinia"]
   },
@@ -3045,7 +3047,9 @@
       "src/ui/stores/worldOverlayActions.js",
       "src/ui/stores/awarenessDirection.js",
       "src/hudReadouts.js",
-      "src/ui/stores/hud.js"
+      "src/ui/stores/hud.js",
+      "src/ui/stores/firstRun.js",
+      "src/firstRunCopy.js"
     ],
     "external": [
       "hls.js",

scripts/qa-firstrun-mutations.mjs

@@ -28,11 +28,14 @@ const ROOT = path.resolve(path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url)), '..');
 const TESTS = [
   'src/firstRunExperience.test.mjs',
   'src/standalone/startupChrome.test.mjs',
+  'src/firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs',
 ];
 
 const FILES = {
   keyboard: path.join(ROOT, 'src', 'ui', 'surfaceKeyboard.js'),
   module: path.join(ROOT, 'src', 'firstRunExperience.js'),
+  copy: path.join(ROOT, 'src', 'firstRunCopy.js'),
+  surfaces: path.join(ROOT, 'src', 'exclusiveSurfaces.js'),
   html: path.join(ROOT, 'src', 'ui', 'views', 'WelcomeView.vue'),
   css: path.join(ROOT, 'src', 'ui', 'styles', 'first-run.css'),
   voiceInstructions: path.join(ROOT, 'server/providers/openai/instructions.js'),
@@ -146,7 +149,7 @@ const MUTATIONS = [
   {
     defect:
       'cockpit drops off the exclusive list and can stack with the launcher',
-    file: 'module',
+    file: 'surfaces',
     from: "export const EXCLUSIVE_SURFACE_CLASSES = Object.freeze([\n  'cockpit-mode',",
     to: 'export const EXCLUSIVE_SURFACE_CLASSES = Object.freeze([',
   },
@@ -219,8 +222,8 @@ const MUTATIONS = [
     defect:
       'a refused write leaves the box ticked, promising a suppression nobody stored',
     file: 'module',
-    from: '    if (setFirstRunSuppressed(wanted, storage)) return;',
-    to: '    setFirstRunSuppressed(wanted, storage);\n    return;',
+    from: '    if (setFirstRunSuppressed(Boolean(wanted), storage)) return true;',
+    to: '    setFirstRunSuppressed(Boolean(wanted), storage);\n    return true;',
   },
   {
     defect: 'a missing storage area reports the write as saved',
@@ -232,8 +235,8 @@ const MUTATIONS = [
     defect:
       'the scroll fade promises more list on a card where everything fits',
     file: 'module',
-    from: 'choiceList.dataset.scrollable = String(overflows);',
-    to: "choiceList.dataset.scrollable = 'true'; void overflows;",
+    from: 'present({ scrollable: String(overflows) });',
+    to: "present({ scrollable: 'true' }); void overflows;",
   },
 
   {
@@ -274,8 +277,8 @@ const MUTATIONS = [
   {
     defect: 'the tile stops promising the fires it actually turns on',
     file: 'html',
-    from: '<small>Live earthquakes and active fires, from USGS and NASA</small>',
-    to: '<small>Live earthquakes worldwide, straight from USGS</small>',
+    from: "  'Live earthquakes and active fires, from USGS and NASA',",
+    to: "  'Live earthquakes worldwide, straight from USGS',",
   },
   {
     defect: 'the owner-authored first-run line is quietly rewritten',
@@ -322,9 +325,9 @@ const MUTATIONS = [
   {
     defect:
       'the fires/quakes tile name stops being switchable from one constant',
-    file: 'module',
-    from: 'return ENVIRONMENTAL_LABELS[choice] || ENVIRONMENTAL_LABELS.ENVIRONMENTAL;',
-    to: 'return ENVIRONMENTAL_LABELS.ENVIRONMENTAL;',
+    file: 'copy',
+    from: 'ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS[choice] || ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS.ENVIRONMENTAL;',
+    to: 'ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS.ENVIRONMENTAL;',
   },
 
   // ── Defaults interplay (the ruling this whole integration turns on) ────────
@@ -367,9 +370,9 @@ const MUTATIONS = [
   {
     defect:
       'disabling the focused tile drops the keyboard to <body> mid-flight',
-    file: 'module',
-    from: "    for (const button of buttons)\n      button.setAttribute('aria-disabled', String(next));",
-    to: '    for (const button of buttons) button.disabled = next;',
+    file: 'html',
+    from: ':aria-disabled="launcher?.busy ?? undefined" @click="controls?.choose(\'contacts\')"',
+    to: ':disabled="launcher?.busy === \'true\'" @click="controls?.choose(\'contacts\')"',
   },
   {
     defect: 'Tab escapes into an app the visitor has not seen yet',
@@ -442,19 +445,19 @@ const MUTATIONS = [
   {
     defect: 'a mission tile is dropped from the menu',
     file: 'html',
-    from: '      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice="space-missions">',
-    to: '      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice-disabled="space-missions">',
+    from: '      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice="space-missions"',
+    to: '      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice-disabled="space-missions"',
   },
   {
     defect: "the menu order stops matching the owner's",
     file: 'html',
-    from: '<button type="button" data-first-run-choice="environmental">',
-    to: '<button type="button" data-first-run-choice="zzz-environmental">',
+    from: '<button type="button" data-first-run-choice="environmental"',
+    to: '<button type="button" data-first-run-choice="zzz-environmental"',
   },
   {
     defect: 'the "don\'t show again" checkbox is removed',
     file: 'html',
-    from: '<input type="checkbox" data-first-run-suppress />',
+    from: '<input type="checkbox" data-first-run-suppress @change="onSuppress" />',
     to: '<span data-first-run-suppress-removed></span>',
   },
   {
@@ -466,8 +469,8 @@ const MUTATIONS = [
   {
     defect: 'the launcher is no longer announced as a dialog',
     file: 'html',
-    from: '<aside id="first-run-launcher" role="dialog"',
-    to: '<aside id="first-run-launcher"',
+    from: 'id="first-run-launcher" role="dialog"',
+    to: 'id="first-run-launcher"',
   },
   {
     defect: 'the launcher is revealed before the loading cover yields',

src/firstRunCopy.js

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+// The first-run launcher's owner-chosen copy, shared by the launcher and the
+// welcome view that renders it.
+import { msg, t } from './i18n/index.js';
+
+/**
+ * Owner-selectable name for the fires/quakes mission. Flip this ONE constant to
+ * re-label the tile; the alternates are pre-written so the choice is a taste
+ * call at review time, not an edit.
+ * @type {'ENVIRONMENTAL'|'EARTH_WATCH'|'ACTIVE_EVENTS'}
+ */
+export const ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_CHOICE = 'ENVIRONMENTAL';
+
+const ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS = Object.freeze({
+  ENVIRONMENTAL: msg('ENVIRONMENTAL'),
+  EARTH_WATCH: msg('EARTH WATCH'),
+  ACTIVE_EVENTS: msg('ACTIVE EVENTS'),
+});
+
+/**
+ * @param {string} [choice]
+ * @returns {{title: string}} The label set the constant above selects.
+ */
+export function environmentalLabel(choice = ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_CHOICE) {
+  const key =
+    ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS[choice] || ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS.ENVIRONMENTAL;
+  return { title: t(key) };
+}
+
+/** The status line between missions. */
+export const FIRST_RUN_TIP = msg(
+  'Tip: the GEV MIC button in the dock lets you talk to the map.',
+);

src/firstRunExperience.js

@@ -23,36 +23,24 @@ import { createSurfaceKeyboard } from './ui/surfaceKeyboard.js';
 
 import { t, msg } from './i18n/index.js';
 import { EXCLUSIVE_SURFACE_CLASSES } from './exclusiveSurfaces.js';
+import { FIRST_RUN_TIP, environmentalLabel } from './firstRunCopy.js';
+import { useFirstRunStore } from './ui/stores/firstRun.js';
+import { applicationPinia } from './ui/vueRuntime.js';
+
+export {
+  ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_CHOICE,
+  FIRST_RUN_TIP,
+  environmentalLabel,
+} from './firstRunCopy.js';
+
+/** Launchers already wired, so a second call is a no-op. */
+const initializedLaunchers = new WeakSet();
 
 /** Durable suppression. Written ONLY by the "Don't show this again" checkbox. */
 export const FIRST_RUN_STORAGE_KEY = 'gev:first-run-mission:v1';
 /** Per-session dismissal. Written by every close path; scoped to sessionStorage. */
 export const FIRST_RUN_SESSION_KEY = 'gev:first-run-mission-session:v1';
 
-/**
- * Owner-selectable name for the fires/quakes mission. Flip this ONE constant to
- * re-label the tile; the alternates are pre-written so the choice is a taste
- * call at review time, not an edit.
- * @type {'ENVIRONMENTAL'|'EARTH_WATCH'|'ACTIVE_EVENTS'}
- */
-export const ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_CHOICE = 'ENVIRONMENTAL';
-
-const ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS = Object.freeze({
-  ENVIRONMENTAL: msg('ENVIRONMENTAL'),
-  EARTH_WATCH: msg('EARTH WATCH'),
-  ACTIVE_EVENTS: msg('ACTIVE EVENTS'),
-});
-
-/**
- * @param {string} [choice]
- * @returns {{title: string}} The label set the constant above selects.
- */
-export function environmentalLabel(choice = ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_CHOICE) {
-  const key =
-    ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS[choice] || ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_KEYS.ENVIRONMENTAL;
-  return { title: t(key) };
-}
-
 /*
  * MISSION → APP STATE, AND WHAT IT IS ALLOWED TO PERSIST
  * ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
@@ -328,6 +316,7 @@ export function exclusiveSurfaceActive(documentRef = globalThis.document) {
  * @param {Storage} [input.storage]
  * @param {Storage} [input.sessionStorageRef]
  * @param {Location} [input.location]
+ * @param {object} [input.store] The welcome view's `gev-first-run` store.
  * @returns {null|{dismiss: Function}}
  */
 export function initFirstRunExperience({
@@ -337,10 +326,42 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
   storage,
   sessionStorageRef,
   location = globalThis.location,
+  store = useFirstRunStore(applicationPinia()),
 } = {}) {
+  // The welcome view renders the card; it is read here for its geometry, the
+  // keyboard and focus.
   const root = documentRef?.getElementById?.('first-run-launcher');
-  if (!root || root.dataset.initialized === 'true') return null;
-  root.dataset.initialized = 'true';
+  if (!root || initializedLaunchers.has(root)) return null;
+  initializedLaunchers.add(root);
+
+  const view = {
+    removed: false,
+    shown: false,
+    visible: false,
+    closing: false,
+    state: null,
+    busy: null,
+    status: t(FIRST_RUN_TIP),
+    // The tile name is owner-switchable from one constant, so paint it from
+    // the module rather than trusting the markup to match.
+    environmentalTitle: environmentalLabel().title,
+    environmentalSub: t(
+      'Live earthquakes and active fires, from USGS and NASA',
+    ),
+    description: t(
+      'It feels like a forbidden cockpit—then you realize the sources are public and the data is real.',
+    ),
+    scrollable: null,
+  };
+  let signature = '';
+  const present = (patch) => {
+    Object.assign(view, patch);
+    // A resize that changes nothing re-renders nothing.
+    const next = JSON.stringify(view);
+    if (next === signature) return;
+    signature = next;
+    store.publish({ ...view });
+  };
 
   if (
     !shouldShowFirstRun({
@@ -350,35 +371,14 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
       location,
     })
   ) {
-    root.remove();
+    present({ removed: true });
     return null;
   }
+  present({});
 
-  // The tile name is owner-switchable from one constant, so paint it from the
-  // module rather than trusting the markup to match. The description and the
-  // tile subcopy are data-i18n-runtime in welcome.html and translated here.
-  const environmentalTitle = root.querySelector(
-    '[data-first-run-environmental-title]',
-  );
-  if (environmentalTitle)
-    environmentalTitle.textContent = environmentalLabel().title;
-  const environmentalSub = root.querySelector(
-    '[data-first-run-environmental-title] + small',
-  );
-  if (environmentalSub)
-    environmentalSub.textContent = t(
-      'Live earthquakes and active fires, from USGS and NASA',
-    );
-  const description = root.querySelector('#first-run-description');
-  if (description)
-    description.textContent = t(
-      'It feels like a forbidden cockpit—then you realize the sources are public and the data is real.',
-    );
-
-  const status = root.querySelector('[data-first-run-status]');
-  const suppressBox = root.querySelector('[data-first-run-suppress]');
-  const buttons = [...root.querySelectorAll('[data-first-run-choice]')];
-  const defaultStatus = status?.textContent || '';
+  const defaultStatus = view.status;
+  // An error or refused save stays on the status line until the next choice.
+  let stickyStatus = false;
   let busy = false;
   let closing = false;
 
@@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
    */
   const isTopmost = () =>
     root.isConnected &&
-    root.classList.contains('visible') &&
+    view.visible &&
     root.getClientRects().length > 0 &&
     !coveredByOverlay();
 
@@ -432,11 +432,13 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
     if (closing) return;
     closing = true;
     rememberFirstRunSessionDismissed(sessionStorageRef);
-    root.classList.remove('visible');
-    root.setAttribute('aria-hidden', 'true');
+    present({ visible: false, closing: true });
     globalThis.removeEventListener?.('resize', onViewportResize);
     surfaceObserver?.disconnect();
-    const remove = () => root.remove();
+    const remove = () => {
+      store.connect(null);
+      present({ removed: true });
+    };
     root.addEventListener('transitionend', remove, { once: true });
     // `transitionend` never fires under prefers-reduced-motion (no transition),
     // so a bounded fallback is what actually removes the node there.
@@ -448,26 +450,20 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
 
   const setBusy = (next, choice = '') => {
     busy = next;
-    root.dataset.state = next ? 'loading' : 'ready';
-    root.setAttribute('aria-busy', String(next));
-    // aria-disabled, not `disabled`: disabling the focused button drops focus to
-    // <body> mid-flight and strands a keyboard visitor outside the launcher.
-    for (const button of buttons)
-      button.setAttribute('aria-disabled', String(next));
-    if (!status) return;
+    // `busy` is also aria-disabled on the choices, not `disabled`: disabling
+    // the focused button drops focus to <body> mid-flight and strands a
+    // keyboard visitor outside the launcher.
+    const patch = { state: next ? 'loading' : 'ready', busy: String(next) };
     if (next)
-      status.textContent = t(
-        FIRST_RUN_MISSIONS[choice]?.busyKey || msg('Working…'),
-      );
-    else if (status.dataset.sticky !== 'true')
-      status.textContent = defaultStatus;
+      patch.status = t(FIRST_RUN_MISSIONS[choice]?.busyKey || msg('Working…'));
+    else if (!stickyStatus) patch.status = defaultStatus;
+    present(patch);
   };
 
-  const onChoice = async (event) => {
+  const onChoice = async (choice) => {
     if (busy || closing) return;
-    const choice = event.currentTarget?.dataset?.firstRunChoice;
     if (!FIRST_RUN_MISSIONS[choice]) return;
-    if (status) delete status.dataset.sticky;
+    stickyStatus = false;
     setBusy(true, choice);
     let outcome = null;
     try {
@@ -506,30 +502,31 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
       : outcome?.result?.failedLayerIds;
     const detail =
       Array.isArray(failed) && failed.length ? ` (${failed.join(', ')})` : '';
-    if (status) {
-      status.dataset.sticky = 'true';
-      status.textContent = t(
+    stickyStatus = true;
+    present({
+      status: t(
         'Could not open that mission{detail}. Retry or explore manually.',
         { detail },
-      );
-    }
+      ),
+    });
     setBusy(false);
   };
 
-  const onSuppressChange = (event) => {
-    const box = event.currentTarget;
-    const wanted = Boolean(box?.checked);
-    if (setFirstRunSuppressed(wanted, storage)) return;
+  /** @returns {boolean} Whether the tick may stay as the visitor set it. */
+  const onSuppressChange = (wanted) => {
+    if (setFirstRunSuppressed(Boolean(wanted), storage)) return true;
     // The write is best-effort; the TICK is not. A box left checked after a
     // refused write tells the visitor "never again" about a launcher that is
-    // already guaranteed to come back next session. Put the box back where the
-    // truth is, and say why rather than leaving a control that undoes itself.
-    if (box) box.checked = !wanted;
-    if (!status) return;
-    status.dataset.sticky = 'true';
-    status.textContent = t(
-      'This browser is blocking storage, so that could not be saved.',
-    );
+    // already guaranteed to come back next session. The view puts the box back
+    // where the truth is; say why rather than leaving a control that undoes
+    // itself.
+    stickyStatus = true;
+    present({
+      status: t(
+        'This browser is blocking storage, so that could not be saved.',
+      ),
+    });
+    return false;
   };
 
   const keyboard = createSurfaceKeyboard({
@@ -542,12 +539,12 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
     fallbackFocus: () => documentRef.body,
   });
 
-  for (const button of buttons) button.addEventListener('click', onChoice);
-  // The same dismissal as ESC, for screens without a keyboard.
-  root
-    .querySelector('[data-first-run-dismiss]')
-    ?.addEventListener('click', () => dismiss());
-  suppressBox?.addEventListener('change', onSuppressChange);
+  store.connect({
+    choose: (choice) => void onChoice(choice),
+    // The same dismissal as ESC, for screens without a keyboard.
+    dismiss: () => dismiss(),
+    suppress: onSuppressChange,
+  });
   // Capture phase: the app binds its own global hotkeys (including bare letters
   // that cycle detection and styles), and the launcher owns the keyboard first.
   keyboard.activate();
@@ -559,19 +556,21 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
   const syncScrollAffordance = () => {
     if (!choiceList) return;
     const overflows = choiceList.scrollHeight > choiceList.clientHeight + 1;
-    choiceList.dataset.scrollable = String(overflows);
+    present({ scrollable: String(overflows) });
   };
 
   let revealed = false;
   const reveal = () => {
     if (revealed || closing) return;
     revealed = true;
-    root.hidden = false;
+    present({ shown: true });
     globalThis.requestAnimationFrame?.(() => {
       if (closing) return;
-      root.classList.add('visible');
+      present({ visible: true });
       syncScrollAffordance();
-      buttons[0]?.focus?.({ preventScroll: true });
+      root
+        .querySelector('[data-first-run-choice]')
+        ?.focus?.({ preventScroll: true });
     });
   };
 
@@ -659,7 +658,8 @@ export function initFirstRunExperience({
     keyboard.destroy();
     globalThis.removeEventListener?.('resize', onViewportResize);
     surfaceObserver?.disconnect();
-    root.remove();
+    store.connect(null);
+    present({ visible: false, removed: true });
   };
   return { dismiss, isTopmost, destroy };
 }

src/firstRunExperience.test.mjs

@@ -413,11 +413,6 @@ test('one ESC does one thing — a Cockpit utility disclosure stops later docume
 });
 
 test('a refused write takes the tick back instead of promising "never again"', () => {
-  const module = fs.readFileSync(
-    new URL('./firstRunExperience.js', import.meta.url),
-    'utf8',
-  );
-
   // The write stays best-effort; the OUTCOME is now reported, because a box left
   // ticked after a refused write tells the visitor the launcher is gone for good
   // while it is already guaranteed to return next session.
@@ -442,20 +437,7 @@ test('a refused write takes the tick back instead of promising "never again"', (
   assert.equal(working.read(), 'suppressed');
   assert.equal(setFirstRunSuppressed(false, working), true);
   assert.equal(working.read(), null);
-
-  const handler = module.slice(
-    module.indexOf('const onSuppressChange = (event) => {'),
-    module.indexOf('  const keyboard = createSurfaceKeyboard({'),
-  );
-  assert.match(
-    handler,
-    /if \(setFirstRunSuppressed\(wanted, storage\)\) return;/,
-  );
-  assert.match(
-    handler,
-    /box\.checked = !wanted;/,
-    'a refused write must revert the tick',
-  );
+  // The rendered checkbox reverting is firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs.
 });
 
 test('a surface class that never clears is an ACCEPTED no-show, not a timer', () => {
@@ -506,16 +488,8 @@ test('the scroll fade only appears when the list really overflows', () => {
   );
   const css = readStylesheet(new URL('../style.css', import.meta.url));
   // A fade on a card where all five tiles fit promises a sixth mission that does
-  // not exist, which is worse than no affordance at all.
-  assert.match(
-    module,
-    /const overflows = choiceList\.scrollHeight > choiceList\.clientHeight \+ 1;/,
-  );
-  assert.match(
-    module,
-    /choiceList\.dataset\.scrollable = String\(overflows\);/,
-  );
-  // ...and the CSS must be gated on that flag, never on the media query alone.
+  // not exist, which is worse than no affordance at all. The measured flag is
+  // firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs; the CSS must be gated on that flag, never on the media query alone.
   assert.match(
     css,
     /\.first-run-choices\[data-scrollable='true'\] \{[\s\S]*?mask-image/,
@@ -919,10 +893,6 @@ test('the card closes without a keyboard: the ESC hint is a button, kept on phon
   const html = await renderApplicationHtml(
     fs.readFileSync(new URL('../index.html', import.meta.url), 'utf8'),
   );
-  const module = fs.readFileSync(
-    new URL('./firstRunExperience.js', import.meta.url),
-    'utf8',
-  );
   // The whole stylesheet, so a hide rule added in any other file is caught too.
   const css = readStylesheet(new URL('../style.css', import.meta.url));
   const footer = html.slice(
@@ -936,11 +906,7 @@ test('the card closes without a keyboard: the ESC hint is a button, kept on phon
   assert.match(footer, /data-i18n>ESC to dismiss</);
   assert.match(footer, /data-i18n>DISMISS</);
   // It closes the way ESC does, through the one dismiss path, so the session
-  // flag and focus handling are the same.
-  assert.match(
-    module,
-    /querySelector\('\[data-first-run-dismiss\]'\)\s*\?\.addEventListener\('click', \(\) => dismiss\(\)\)/,
-  );
+  // flag and focus handling are the same: firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs.
   // Phones used to hide the hint, leaving no way out but picking a mission.
   assert.doesNotMatch(css, /first-run-footer > span:last-child/);
   assert.doesNotMatch(css, /\.first-run-dismiss\s*\{[^}]*display:\s*none/);
@@ -963,12 +929,9 @@ test('the launcher keeps focus, restores it, and never disables the focused butt
     'utf8',
   );
   // aria-disabled, never the `disabled` property: disabling a focused button
-  // drops the keyboard to <body> and strands the visitor outside the launcher.
-  assert.match(
-    module,
-    /button\.setAttribute\('aria-disabled', String\(next\)\)/,
-  );
-  assert.doesNotMatch(module, /button\.disabled = /);
+  // drops the keyboard to <body> and strands the visitor outside the launcher
+  // (firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs renders it).
+  assert.doesNotMatch(module, /\.disabled = /);
   // Tab is confined to the launcher, and ESC always releases it.
   const keyboard = fs.readFileSync(
     new URL('./ui/surfaceKeyboard.js', import.meta.url),

src/firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs

@@ -0,0 +1,195 @@
+// src/firstRunLauncherView.test.mjs — the welcome view renders the mission
+// launcher initFirstRunExperience presents, and its buttons and checkbox call
+// the launcher's controls.
+import './testSupport/registerDom.mjs';
+import test from 'node:test';
+import assert from 'node:assert/strict';
+import { createApp, nextTick } from 'vue';
+import { createPinia } from 'pinia';
+import {
+  FIRST_RUN_SESSION_KEY,
+  FIRST_RUN_STORAGE_KEY,
+  initFirstRunExperience,
+} from './firstRunExperience.js';
+import { useFirstRunStore } from './ui/stores/firstRun.js';
+import WelcomeView from './ui/views/WelcomeView.vue';
+
+function memoryStorage(key, { refuse = false } = {}) {
+  const values = new Map();
+  return {
+    getItem: (name) => values.get(name) ?? null,
+    setItem: (name, next) => {
+      if (refuse) throw new Error('blocked');
+      values.set(name, next);
+    },
+    removeItem: (name) => {
+      if (refuse) throw new Error('blocked');
+      values.delete(name);
+    },
+    read: () => values.get(key) ?? null,
+  };
+}
+
+/** The welcome view and an initialized launcher, revealed and painted. */
+async function launch(t, { styleManager = {}, refuse = false } = {}) {
+  document.body.replaceChildren();
+  // Where focus was before the launcher opened.
+  const opener = document.body.appendChild(document.createElement('button'));
+  opener.focus();
+  const frames = [];
+  const previousFrame = globalThis.requestAnimationFrame;
+  globalThis.requestAnimationFrame = (callback) => frames.push(callback);
+  const pinia = createPinia();
+  const store = useFirstRunStore(pinia);
+  const app = createApp(WelcomeView).use(pinia);
+  app.mount(document.body.appendChild(document.createElement('div')));
+  const storage = memoryStorage(FIRST_RUN_STORAGE_KEY, { refuse });
+  const sessionStorageRef = memoryStorage(FIRST_RUN_SESSION_KEY);
+  const launcher = initFirstRunExperience({
+    styleManager,
+    dataManager: { setEnabled: async () => true },
+    documentRef: document,
+    storage,
+    sessionStorageRef,
+    location: { search: '' },
+    store,
+  });
+  t.after(() => {
+    launcher?.destroy();
+    app.unmount();
+    globalThis.requestAnimationFrame = previousFrame;
+  });
+  await nextTick();
+  const root = document.getElementById('first-run-launcher');
+  // The list overflows its box until a test resizes it.
+  const list = root.querySelector('.first-run-choices');
+  const box = { scrollHeight: 400, clientHeight: 200 };
+  Object.defineProperty(list, 'scrollHeight', { get: () => box.scrollHeight });
+  Object.defineProperty(list, 'clientHeight', { get: () => box.clientHeight });
+  for (const frame of frames.splice(0)) frame();
+  await nextTick();
+  return { launcher, root, list, box, opener, storage, sessionStorageRef };
+}
+
+test('the card is hidden until initialized, then revealed with its copy', async (t) => {
+  document.body.replaceChildren();
+  const pinia = createPinia();
+  const app = createApp(WelcomeView).use(pinia);
+  app.mount(document.body.appendChild(document.createElement('div')));
+  const hidden = document.getElementById('first-run-launcher');
+  assert.equal(hidden.hidden, true);
+  assert.equal(hidden.className, '');
+  app.unmount();
+
+  const { root, list } = await launch(t);
+  assert.equal(root.hidden, false);
+  assert.equal(root.classList.contains('visible'), true);
+  assert.equal(root.hasAttribute('aria-hidden'), false);
+  assert.equal(list.dataset.scrollable, 'true');
+  assert.equal(
+    root.querySelector('[data-first-run-status]').textContent,
+    'Tip: the GEV MIC button in the dock lets you talk to the map.',
+  );
+  assert.equal(
+    root.querySelector('[data-first-run-environmental-title]').textContent,
+    'ENVIRONMENTAL',
+  );
+  assert.ok(
+    document.activeElement === root.querySelector('[data-first-run-choice]'),
+    'the first mission has focus',
+  );
+});
+
+test('a busy mission marks the choices aria-disabled, never disabled', async (t) => {
+  let finish;
+  const { root } = await launch(t, {
+    styleManager: {
+      setContextMode: () => new Promise((resolve) => (finish = resolve)),
+    },
+  });
+  const contacts = root.querySelector('[data-first-run-choice="contacts"]');
+  contacts.focus();
+  contacts.click();
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(root.dataset.state, 'loading');
+  assert.equal(root.getAttribute('aria-busy'), 'true');
+  for (const button of root.querySelectorAll('[data-first-run-choice]')) {
+    assert.equal(button.getAttribute('aria-disabled'), 'true');
+    assert.equal(button.disabled, false);
+  }
+  assert.ok(document.activeElement === contacts, 'focus stays on the choice');
+  assert.equal(
+    root.querySelector('[data-first-run-status]').textContent,
+    'Starting live contacts…',
+  );
+  // A failed mission says so and stays on the card.
+  finish({ ok: false });
+  await new Promise((resolve) => setTimeout(resolve));
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(root.dataset.state, 'ready');
+  assert.equal(contacts.getAttribute('aria-disabled'), 'false');
+  assert.match(
+    root.querySelector('[data-first-run-status]').textContent,
+    /^Could not open that mission/,
+  );
+});
+
+test('a refused write takes the tick back and says why', async (t) => {
+  const { root, storage } = await launch(t, { refuse: true });
+  const box = root.querySelector('[data-first-run-suppress]');
+  box.click();
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(box.checked, false, 'the tick is taken back');
+  assert.equal(storage.read(), null);
+  assert.equal(
+    root.querySelector('[data-first-run-status]').textContent,
+    'This browser is blocking storage, so that could not be saved.',
+  );
+});
+
+test('a saved tick stays ticked', async (t) => {
+  const { root, storage } = await launch(t);
+  const box = root.querySelector('[data-first-run-suppress]');
+  box.click();
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(box.checked, true);
+  assert.equal(storage.read(), 'suppressed');
+});
+
+test('the DISMISS button closes the card the way ESC does', async (t) => {
+  const { root, sessionStorageRef } = await launch(t);
+  root.querySelector('[data-first-run-dismiss]').click();
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(root.classList.contains('visible'), false);
+  assert.equal(root.getAttribute('aria-hidden'), 'true');
+  assert.notEqual(sessionStorageRef.read(), null, 'dismissed for the session');
+  root.dispatchEvent(new Event('transitionend'));
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('first-run-launcher'), null);
+});
+
+test('the scroll fade clears when the tiles fit after a resize', async (t) => {
+  const { list, box } = await launch(t);
+  assert.equal(list.dataset.scrollable, 'true');
+  box.scrollHeight = 200;
+  window.dispatchEvent(new Event('resize'));
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(list.dataset.scrollable, 'false');
+});
+
+test('ESC closes the card, returns focus, and removes it without a transition', async (t) => {
+  t.mock.timers.enable({ apis: ['setTimeout'] });
+  const { root, opener, sessionStorageRef } = await launch(t);
+  assert.ok(document.activeElement !== opener, 'the launcher took focus');
+  document.activeElement.dispatchEvent(
+    new KeyboardEvent('keydown', { key: 'Escape', bubbles: true }),
+  );
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(root.getAttribute('aria-hidden'), 'true');
+  assert.notEqual(sessionStorageRef.read(), null);
+  assert.ok(document.activeElement === opener, 'focus returns where it was');
+  // Reduced motion: no transitionend, so the bounded fallback removes it.
+  t.mock.timers.tick(400);
+  await nextTick();
+  assert.equal(document.getElementById('first-run-launcher'), null);
+});

src/ui/stores/firstRun.js

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import { defineStore } from 'pinia';
+import { markRaw, shallowRef } from 'vue';
+
+/**
+ * The first-run mission launcher as the welcome view renders it.
+ * initFirstRunExperience presents it and connects the controls its buttons
+ * and checkbox call.
+ */
+export const useFirstRunStore = defineStore('gev-first-run', () => {
+  /**
+   * `{removed, shown, visible, closing, state, busy, status, description,
+   * environmentalTitle, environmentalSub, scrollable}`, or null until the
+   * launcher is initialized (the card stays hidden).
+   */
+  const launcher = shallowRef(null);
+
+  /** @param {?object} next A fresh presentation; every publish re-renders. */
+  function publish(next) {
+    launcher.value = next && markRaw(next);
+  }
+
+  /** `{choose(choice), dismiss(), suppress(wanted) → boolean}`, or null. */
+  const controls = shallowRef(null);
+
+  /** @param {?object} next The launcher's controls, or null to disconnect. */
+  function connect(next) {
+    controls.value = next && markRaw(next);
+  }
+
+  return { launcher, publish, controls, connect };
+});

src/ui/views/WelcomeView.vue

@@ -1,9 +1,35 @@
+<script setup>
+import { storeToRefs } from 'pinia';
+import { msg } from '../../i18n/index.js';
+import {
+  FIRST_RUN_TIP,
+  environmentalLabel,
+} from '../../firstRunCopy.js';
+import { useFirstRunStore } from '../stores/firstRun.js';
+
+// The launcher initFirstRunExperience presents, and the controls it connects.
+const { launcher, controls } = storeToRefs(useFirstRunStore());
+// The card stays hidden until it is initialized; these show in the markup.
+const DESCRIPTION = msg(
+  'It feels like a forbidden cockpit—then you realize the sources are public and the data is real.',
+);
+const ENVIRONMENTAL_SUB = msg(
+  'Live earthquakes and active fires, from USGS and NASA',
+);
+
+// A refused save puts the box back where the stored preference is.
+function onSuppress(event) {
+  const box = event.currentTarget;
+  if (controls.value?.suppress(box.checked) === false) box.checked = !box.checked;
+}
+</script>
+
 <template>
   <!-- Explicit mission choice on a fresh session. Live feeds are not auto-enabled
        until the visitor asks; shared links skip this surface entirely. It returns
        every session until "Don't show this again" is ticked — see
        src/firstRunExperience.js for the full show policy. -->
-  <aside id="first-run-launcher" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="first-run-title" aria-describedby="first-run-description" hidden>
+  <aside v-if="!launcher?.removed" id="first-run-launcher" role="dialog" aria-labelledby="first-run-title" aria-describedby="first-run-description" :class="{ visible: launcher?.visible }" :hidden="!launcher?.shown" :aria-hidden="launcher?.closing ? 'true' : undefined" :aria-busy="launcher?.busy ?? undefined" :data-state="launcher?.state ?? undefined">
     <div class="first-run-scanline" aria-hidden="true"></div>
     <header class="first-run-header">
       <span class="first-run-kicker" data-i18n>MISSION CONTROL · FIRST LAUNCH</span>
@@ -13,28 +39,28 @@
          — including the unspaced em dash. The arc it has to carry: this looks
          like something you should not have access to → the sources are all
          public → the data is real. Tile subcopy stays purely functional. -->
-    <p id="first-run-description" data-i18n-runtime>It feels like a forbidden cockpit—then you realize the sources are public and the data is real.</p>
-    <div class="first-run-choices ui-scroll">
-      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice="contacts">
+    <p id="first-run-description" data-i18n-runtime>{{ launcher?.description ?? DESCRIPTION }}</p>
+    <div class="first-run-choices ui-scroll" :data-scrollable="launcher?.scrollable ?? undefined">
+      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice="contacts" :aria-disabled="launcher?.busy ?? undefined" @click="controls?.choose('contacts')">
         <span class="material-symbols-outlined" aria-hidden="true">radar</span>
         <span><strong data-i18n>LIVE CONTACTS</strong><small data-i18n>Aircraft, vessels and nearby intelligence</small></span>
         <span class="material-symbols-outlined first-run-arrow" aria-hidden="true">arrow_forward</span>
       </button>
-      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice="space-missions">
+      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice="space-missions" :aria-disabled="launcher?.busy ?? undefined" @click="controls?.choose('space-missions')">
         <span class="material-symbols-outlined" aria-hidden="true">rocket_launch</span>
         <span><strong data-i18n>SPACE MISSIONS</strong><small data-i18n>Launches, spacecraft and orbital context</small></span>
         <span class="material-symbols-outlined first-run-arrow" aria-hidden="true">arrow_forward</span>
       </button>
-      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice="environmental">
+      <button type="button" data-first-run-choice="environmental" :aria-disabled="launcher?.busy ?? undefined" @click="controls?.choose('environmental')">
         <span class="material-symbols-outlined" aria-hidden="true">local_fire_department</span>
-        <!-- Title text is painted from ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_CHOICE at init. -->
+        <!-- The title is ENVIRONMENTAL_LABEL_CHOICE's label once initialized. -->
         <!-- Subcopy names BOTH feeds this tile turns on, because the launcher
              optimizes for the fully configured experience (owner ruling,
              2026-08-23) — see the mission table in src/firstRunExperience.js. -->
-        <span data-i18n-runtime><strong data-first-run-environmental-title>ENVIRONMENTAL</strong><small>Live earthquakes and active fires, from USGS and NASA</small></span>
+        <span data-i18n-runtime><strong data-first-run-environmental-title>{{ launcher?.environmentalTitle ?? environmentalLabel().title }}</strong><small>{{ launcher?.environmentalSub ?? ENVIRONMENTAL_SUB }}</small></span>
         <span class="material-symbols-outlined first-run-arrow" aria-hidden="true">arrow_forward</span>
       </button>
-      <button type="button" class="first-run-explore" data-first-run-choice="explore">
+      <button type="button" class="first-run-explore" data-first-run-choice="explore" :aria-disabled="launcher?.busy ?? undefined" @click="controls?.choose('explore')">
         <span class="material-symbols-outlined" aria-hidden="true">public</span>
         <span><strong data-i18n>EXPLORE MANUALLY</strong><small data-i18n>Begin with a clean globe</small></span>
         <span class="material-symbols-outlined first-run-arrow" aria-hidden="true">arrow_forward</span>
@@ -42,19 +68,19 @@
     </div>
     <div class="first-run-footer">
       <label class="first-run-suppress">
-        <input type="checkbox" data-first-run-suppress />
+        <input type="checkbox" data-first-run-suppress @change="onSuppress" />
         <span data-i18n>Don't show this again</span>
       </label>
       <!-- A button, not just a hint: phones and tablets have no ESC key. It
            closes exactly as ESC does, for this session only. Touch screens
            see DISMISS; a keyboard keeps the ESC hint (first-run.css). -->
-      <button type="button" class="first-run-dismiss" data-first-run-dismiss>
+      <button type="button" class="first-run-dismiss" data-first-run-dismiss @click="controls?.dismiss()">
         <span class="first-run-dismiss-key" data-i18n>ESC to dismiss</span>
         <span class="first-run-dismiss-touch" data-i18n>DISMISS</span>
       </button>
     </div>
     <!-- Kept out of the footer row: it swaps to mission progress and errors, and
          a live region that also holds layout makes the row jump as it speaks. -->
-    <p class="first-run-note" data-first-run-status role="status" aria-live="polite" data-i18n>Tip: the GEV MIC button in the dock lets you talk to the map.</p>
+    <p class="first-run-note" data-first-run-status role="status" aria-live="polite">{{ launcher?.status ?? FIRST_RUN_TIP }}</p>
   </aside>
 </template>