feat(ext): UX audit fixes — 28 findings across all 8 panels

docs/plans/2026-03-18-ext-ux-audit-fixes.md

@@ -0,0 +1,276 @@
+# Extension UX Audit Fixes
+
+**Date:** 2026-03-18
+**Branch:** `feature/ext-ux-audit`
+**Scope:** 28 findings from side-by-side comparison of legacy v0.3.4 vs new extension
+
+## Findings Reference
+
+Each task references an audit finding number (#N) from the comparison session.
+
+## Phase 1: Cross-Cutting Infrastructure
+
+Independent of any single panel. Must complete before phases 2–9.
+
+### Task 1.1: Add Connection References + Environment Variables to sidebar (#56, #57)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/views/ToolsTreeView.ts`
+
+The static tools list has 8 items but is missing Connection References and Environment Variables.
+Add them between Import Jobs and Plugin Traces to match logical grouping.
+
+### Task 1.2: Fix "Open" prefix inconsistency in commands (#51)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/package.json`, relevant panel registration files
+
+Current state: Some panels use "PPDS: Open X" (Import Jobs, Web Resources, Connection Refs, Env Variables, Metadata Browser, Solutions) while others use "PPDS: X" (Data Explorer, Plugin Traces).
+
+Decision: Standardize on "PPDS: Open X" for all panel-opening commands. Add aliases without "Open" for backward compat if needed. Ensure command palette titles are consistent.
+
+### Task 1.3: Align column header casing (#10)
+
+**Files:** All `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/*-panel.ts` and `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/styles/*-panel.css`
+
+Current: Some panels use UPPERCASE headers ("SOLUTION", "STATUS"), others use Title Case. The shared `data-table.ts` component may control this. Standardize on **Title Case** to match VS Code conventions and the legacy extension.
+
+If casing comes from CSS `text-transform: uppercase`, remove it. If hardcoded in HTML, change to Title Case.
+
+### Task 1.4: Align "Maker Portal" button naming (#22)
+
+**Files:** All panel webview TS files that have maker buttons
+
+Legacy used "Open in Maker". New uses "Maker Portal" in some panels but the per-row button in Solutions uses a 🔗 icon. Standardize: toolbar buttons say "Maker Portal", per-row icons keep 🔗 with title="Open in Maker Portal".
+
+---
+
+## Phase 2: Solutions Panel (#1, #2, #3, #5)
+
+### Task 2.1: Show all solutions with managed toggle (#1)
+
+**Files:**
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/SolutionsPanel.ts`
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/solutions-panel.ts`
+
+The RPC `solutions/list` already supports `includeManaged: true`. Currently the panel calls it without this flag, so only unmanaged solutions (8) appear.
+
+Fix: Add a toggle/checkbox "Include Managed" (default: true to match legacy's 190-record view). Pass `includeManaged` to the RPC call. Persist the toggle state via `globalState`.
+
+### Task 2.2: Add sortable columns (#2, #5)
+
+**Files:**
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/solutions-panel.ts`
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/styles/solutions-panel.css`
+
+Current: Solutions uses a tree/list view with expandable items. Legacy had a 9-column sortable table.
+
+The existing expandable tree view is a net improvement over legacy (component drill-down). Don't regress to a flat table. Instead:
+
+1. Add a **table view toggle** (list view vs table view) or convert the list to include sortable column headers above the list items.
+2. At minimum, add the missing data columns to each solution row: **Visible**, **API Managed**, **Installed On**, **Modified On** — these should appear in the expandable detail card which already shows Unique Name, Publisher, Type, Installed, Modified.
+3. Add client-side sort controls (by name, version, publisher, modified date).
+
+### Task 2.3: Add toolbar "Maker Portal" button (#3)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/solutions-panel.ts`
+
+Per-row 🔗 buttons exist but there's no toolbar-level "Maker Portal" button. Add one that opens the Solutions list in Maker Portal (uses `buildMakerUrl(envId, '/solutions')`).
+
+---
+
+## Phase 3: Import Jobs Panel (#7, #8, #9)
+
+### Task 3.1: Add search bar (#55 — Import Jobs)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/import-jobs-panel.ts`
+
+Add a search/filter input using the shared `filter-bar.ts` pattern or inline search input. Filter on solution name client-side.
+
+### Task 3.2: Add Operation Context column (#8)
+
+**Files:**
+- `src/PPDS.Cli/Commands/Serve/Handlers/RpcMethodHandler.cs` — add `operationContext` to `ImportJobInfoDto`
+- `src/PPDS.Dataverse/Services/IImportJobService.cs` or its implementation — include `operationcontext` in the query
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/import-jobs-panel.ts` — add column to table
+
+The `importjob` entity has `operationcontext` field (verified in generated entity). The RPC DTO just doesn't include it. Add it end-to-end.
+
+### Task 3.3: Add record count (#9)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/import-jobs-panel.ts`
+
+Add footer status showing record count (e.g., "227 import jobs"). Follow the pattern used by other panels.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 4: Plugin Traces Panel — CRITICAL (#11, #12, #17, #18)
+
+### Task 4.1: Fix Trace Level button — CRITICAL (#11)
+
+**Files:**
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/PluginTracesPanel.ts` — already has `pluginTracesTraceLevel()` and `pluginTracesSetTraceLevel()` methods
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/plugin-traces-panel.ts` — the button click handler needs to show current level and allow changing
+
+The daemon client already has both `pluginTracesTraceLevel` and `pluginTracesSetTraceLevel` methods. The PluginTracesPanel.ts backend already has handler methods. The issue is in the **webview JS** — the button exists but doesn't properly:
+1. Fetch and display the current trace level on load
+2. Show a dropdown/picker to change the level when clicked
+
+Fix: When the button is clicked, show a dropdown (or VS Code quick pick via postMessage) with options: Off, Exception, All. Display current level on the button text: "Trace Level: All". Update `trace-level-indicator` span.
+
+### Task 4.2: Fix Maker Portal URL (#12)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/PluginTracesPanel.ts:163`
+
+Current: `buildMakerUrl(this.environmentId, '/plugintraceloglist')` — this path doesn't exist in Maker Portal.
+
+The correct approach: Plugin Trace Logs don't have a direct Maker Portal URL. Change to open the Dynamics 365 classic URL: `https://{org}.crm.dynamics.com/main.aspx?pagetype=entitylist&etn=plugintracelog`. This requires the environment URL (which we have) rather than the environment ID.
+
+Alternatively, if the Maker Portal does support a traces path, use it. Research needed — fallback to the Dynamics 365 URL.
+
+### Task 4.3: Add record count (#17)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/plugin-traces-panel.ts`
+
+Add footer with trace count (e.g., "100 traces").
+
+### Task 4.4: Add text labels to status indicators (#18)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/plugin-traces-panel.ts`
+
+Current: Green/red dots only. Add "Success" / "Exception" text next to the dot for accessibility and clarity.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 5: Web Resources Panel (#19)
+
+### Task 5.1: Restore Created On / Created By columns (#19)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/web-resources-panel.ts`
+
+The RPC `webResources/list` already returns `createdByName` and `createdOn` in the DTO. The webview just doesn't render columns for them. Add "Created On" and "Created By" columns to the table.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 6: Connection References Panel (#23, #24, #25, #26, #28, #55)
+
+### Task 6.1: Add expandable flow/connection detail (#23)
+
+**Files:**
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/ConnectionReferencesPanel.ts`
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/connection-references-panel.ts`
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/styles/connection-references-panel.css`
+
+The `connectionReferences/get` RPC already returns `flows: FlowInfoDto[]` per CR. When a user clicks/expands a CR row, call `connectionReferences/get` for that CR and display:
+- Connection status with bound connection name
+- List of flows using this CR
+- Connector display name
+
+Follow the same expandable pattern used by Solutions panel (chevron toggle, detail card).
+
+### Task 6.2: Fix raw ISO timestamp formatting (#24)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/connection-references-panel.ts`
+
+Current: Displays raw `2026-03-08T19:35:34.0000000Z`. Use the shared `dom-utils.ts` date formatting function (or `new Date(iso).toLocaleString()`) to display human-readable dates.
+
+### Task 6.3: Add "Sync Deployment Settings" button (#25)
+
+**Files:**
+- `src/PPDS.Cli/Commands/Serve/Handlers/RpcMethodHandler.cs` — add `deploymentSettings/sync` RPC endpoint
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/ConnectionReferencesPanel.ts` — handle the sync command
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/connection-references-panel.ts` — add toolbar button
+
+The `IDeploymentSettingsService` and `SyncCommand` already exist in the CLI. Wire up an RPC endpoint that calls the same service, then add a toolbar button.
+
+### Task 6.4: Add search bar (#55 — Connection Refs)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/connection-references-panel.ts`
+
+Add search/filter input that filters on display name, logical name, and connector name.
+
+### Task 6.5: Fix Status "N/A" display (#28)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/connection-references-panel.ts`
+
+Current: Shows "N/A" badge without context. When connection status is unknown (SPN can't access Power Apps API), display "Unknown (limited access)" or a tooltip explaining why. When unbound, show "Unbound" with warning styling.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 7: Environment Variables Panel (#29, #30, #31, #55)
+
+### Task 7.1: Add "Sync Deployment Settings" button (#29)
+
+Same RPC endpoint as Task 6.3 (shared service). Add toolbar button to Environment Variables panel.
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/environment-variables-panel.ts`
+
+### Task 7.2: Restore Modified On column (#31)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/environment-variables-panel.ts`
+
+The RPC returns `modifiedOn` in the DTO. Add the column to the table.
+
+### Task 7.3: Add search bar (#55 — Env Variables)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/environment-variables-panel.ts`
+
+Add search/filter input that filters on schema name, display name, and current value.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 8: Metadata Browser Panel (#37)
+
+### Task 8.1: Add "Hide metadata" filter (#37)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/metadata-browser-panel.ts`
+
+Legacy had a "Hide metadata" checkbox that filtered out system/internal attributes (those with `isCustom=false` or similar). Add a toggle checkbox in the toolbar. Default to showing all (matching current behavior), but allow users to hide system metadata.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 9: Data Explorer Panel (#41, #42)
+
+### Task 9.1: Add Clear button (#41)
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/query-panel.ts`
+
+Add a "Clear" button to the toolbar that clears the editor content and results area.
+
+### Task 9.2: Add Import button (#42)
+
+**Files:**
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/QueryPanel.ts`
+- `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/query-panel.ts`
+
+Add an "Import" button/menu that allows importing a FetchXML file from disk into the editor. Use `vscode.window.showOpenDialog` via postMessage to the panel host.
+
+---
+
+## Phase 10: Plugin Traces Search Bar (#55 — Plugin Traces)
+
+### Task 10.1: Add text search to Plugin Traces
+
+**File:** `src/PPDS.Extension/src/panels/webview/plugin-traces-panel.ts`
+
+The panel already has filter fields (Entity, Message, Plugin, Mode) and quick-filter pills. Add a general text search input that filters the loaded traces client-side across all visible columns (plugin name, entity, message, etc.).
+
+---
+
+## Execution Strategy
+
+- **Phase 1** first (cross-cutting) — commit when done
+- **Phases 2–10** are independent per-panel — can be parallelized via agents
+- Each phase gets its own commit
+- After all phases: gates → verify → QA → review → PR
+
+## Files Changed Summary
+
+| Layer | Files |
+|-------|-------|
+| Sidebar | `ToolsTreeView.ts` |
+| Commands | `package.json` |
+| Panel hosts | `SolutionsPanel.ts`, `PluginTracesPanel.ts`, `ConnectionReferencesPanel.ts`, `QueryPanel.ts` |
+| Webviews | All 8 `*-panel.ts` files in `panels/webview/` |
+| Styles | Potentially all 8 CSS files |
+| RPC | `RpcMethodHandler.cs` (add operationContext, deploymentSettings/sync) |
+| Services | Import job DTO, deployment settings wiring |
+| Shared | `data-table.ts` or `dom-utils.ts` if header casing is centralized |

src/PPDS.Cli/Commands/Serve/Handlers/RpcMethodHandler.cs

@@ -2060,7 +2060,9 @@ public async Task<SolutionsListResponse> SolutionsListAsync(
                     Description = s.Description,
                     CreatedOn = s.CreatedOn,
                     ModifiedOn = s.ModifiedOn,
-                    InstalledOn = s.InstalledOn
+                    InstalledOn = s.InstalledOn,
+                    IsVisible = s.IsVisible,
+                    IsApiManaged = s.IsApiManaged
                 }).ToList()
             };
         }, cancellationToken);
@@ -2196,7 +2198,8 @@ private static ImportJobInfoDto MapImportJobToDto(ImportJobInfo job)
             CreatedOn = job.CreatedOn?.ToString("o"),
             StartedOn = job.StartedOn?.ToString("o"),
             CompletedOn = job.CompletedOn?.ToString("o"),
-            Duration = job.FormattedDuration
+            Duration = job.FormattedDuration,
+            OperationContext = job.OperationContext
         };
     }
 
@@ -2213,6 +2216,7 @@ private static ImportJobDetailDto MapImportJobToDetailDto(ImportJobInfo job, str
             StartedOn = job.StartedOn?.ToString("o"),
             CompletedOn = job.CompletedOn?.ToString("o"),
             Duration = job.FormattedDuration,
+            OperationContext = job.OperationContext,
             Data = data
         };
     }
@@ -3777,6 +3781,18 @@ public class SolutionInfoDto
     [JsonPropertyName("installedOn")]
     [JsonIgnore(Condition = JsonIgnoreCondition.WhenWritingNull)]
     public DateTime? InstalledOn { get; set; }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets or sets a value indicating whether the solution is visible.
+    /// </summary>
+    [JsonPropertyName("isVisible")]
+    public bool IsVisible { get; set; } = true;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Gets or sets a value indicating whether the solution is API managed.
+    /// </summary>
+    [JsonPropertyName("isApiManaged")]
+    public bool IsApiManaged { get; set; }
 }
 
 /// <summary>
@@ -4076,6 +4092,10 @@ public class ImportJobInfoDto
     [JsonPropertyName("duration")]
     [JsonIgnore(Condition = JsonIgnoreCondition.WhenWritingNull)]
     public string? Duration { get; set; }
+
+    [JsonPropertyName("operationContext")]
+    [JsonIgnore(Condition = JsonIgnoreCondition.WhenWritingNull)]
+    public string? OperationContext { get; set; }
 }
 
 public class ImportJobDetailDto : ImportJobInfoDto

src/PPDS.Dataverse/Services/IImportJobService.cs

@@ -64,7 +64,8 @@ public record ImportJobInfo(
     DateTime? CompletedOn,
     DateTime? CreatedOn,
     bool IsComplete,
-    string? CreatedByName = null)
+    string? CreatedByName = null,
+    string? OperationContext = null)
 {
     /// <summary>
     /// Computed status: Succeeded, Failed, or In Progress.

src/PPDS.Dataverse/Services/ISolutionService.cs

@@ -87,7 +87,9 @@ public record SolutionInfo(
     string? Description,
     DateTime? CreatedOn,
     DateTime? ModifiedOn,
-    DateTime? InstalledOn);
+    DateTime? InstalledOn,
+    bool IsVisible = true,
+    bool IsApiManaged = false);
 
 /// <summary>
 /// Information about a solution component.

src/PPDS.Dataverse/Services/ImportJobService.cs

@@ -53,7 +53,8 @@ public async Task<List<ImportJobInfo>> ListAsync(
                 ImportJob.Fields.StartedOn,
                 ImportJob.Fields.CompletedOn,
                 ImportJob.Fields.CreatedOn,
-                ImportJob.Fields.CreatedBy),
+                ImportJob.Fields.CreatedBy,
+                ImportJob.Fields.OperationContext),
             TopCount = top,
             Orders = { new OrderExpression(ImportJob.Fields.CreatedOn, OrderType.Descending) }
         };
@@ -86,7 +87,8 @@ public async Task<List<ImportJobInfo>> ListAsync(
                 ImportJob.Fields.StartedOn,
                 ImportJob.Fields.CompletedOn,
                 ImportJob.Fields.CreatedOn,
-                ImportJob.Fields.CreatedBy),
+                ImportJob.Fields.CreatedBy,
+                ImportJob.Fields.OperationContext),
             TopCount = 1
         };
 
@@ -179,6 +181,7 @@ private static ImportJobInfo MapToImportJobInfo(Entity entity)
             completedOn,
             entity.GetAttributeValue<DateTime?>(ImportJob.Fields.CreatedOn),
             completedOn.HasValue,
-            createdByRef?.Name);
+            createdByRef?.Name,
+            entity.GetAttributeValue<string>(ImportJob.Fields.OperationContext));
     }
 }