Rehaul of graph component

.ralph/agent/handoff.md

@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 # Session Handoff
 
-_Generated: 2026-02-16 14:36:25 UTC_
+_Generated: 2026-02-16 15:06:20 UTC_
 
 ## Git Context
 
 - **Branch:** `master`
-- **HEAD:** aca5771: chore: auto-commit before merge (loop primary)
+- **HEAD:** e9a7581: chore: auto-commit before merge (loop primary)
 
 ## Tasks
 
@@ -70,18 +70,16 @@ Session completed successfully. No pending work.
 **Original objective:**
 
 ```
-# Task: CareerConstellation Overhaul
+# Task: Career Constellation Chart & Layout Polish
 
-Refactor, visually improve, and add chronological animation to the CareerConstellation D3 force chart — the centrepiece of the portfolio's Patient Pathway section.
+Visual polish and layout adjustments to the career constellation chart, sidebar, and repeat medications section. 12 discrete changes across 10 files.
 
 ## Requirements
 
-### Phase 1 — Refactor the Monolith
+### 1. Reduce link opacity (`src/components/constellation/constants.ts`)
-
+- Lower `LINK_BASE_OPACITY` from `0.08` → `0.04`
-Decompose `src/components/CareerConstellation.tsx` (1102 lines) into focused modules:
+- Lower `LINK_STRENGTH_OPACITY_FACTOR` from `0.12` → `0.06`
+- Makes skill connection lines subtler so job pills are visually clearer
 
-```
+### 2. White backgro...
-src/components/constellation/
-  CareerConstellation.tsx          -- Orchestrator (< 300 lines)
-  MobileAccordion.tsx              -- Mobile tap-to-e...
 ```

src/App.tsx

@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ function SkipButton({ onSkip }: { onSkip: () => void }) {
 }
 
 function App() {
-  const [phase, setPhase] = useState<Phase>('login')
+  const [phase, setPhase] = useState<Phase>('boot')
   const cursorPositionRef = useRef<{ x: number; y: number } | null>(null)
 
   useEffect(() => {

src/components/BootSequence.tsx

@@ -69,7 +69,7 @@ const COLORS = {
 }
 
 const BOOT_CONFIG: BootConfig = {
-  header: 'CLINICAL TERMINAL v3.2.1',
+  header: 'CV Management Information System v1.0.0',
   lines: [
     { type: 'status', text: 'Initialising pharmacist profile...', style: 'dim' },
     { type: 'separator', text: '---', style: 'dim' },
@@ -88,7 +88,7 @@ const BOOT_CONFIG: BootConfig = {
   timing: {
     lineDelay: 220,
     cursorBlinkInterval: 300,
-    holdAfterComplete: 900,
+    holdAfterComplete: 1000,
     fadeOutDuration: 600,
     cursorShrinkDuration: 600,
     ecgStartDelay: 0,

src/components/DashboardLayout.tsx

@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ function LastConsultationSubsection({ highlightedRoleId }: LastConsultationSubse
           display: 'flex',
           flexWrap: 'wrap',
           gap: '20px',
-          marginBottom: '14px',
+          marginBottom: '1=px',
           paddingBottom: '14px',
           borderBottom: '1px solid var(--border-light)',
           cursor: 'pointer',
@@ -182,7 +182,7 @@ function LastConsultationSubsection({ highlightedRoleId }: LastConsultationSubse
           display: 'flex',
           flexDirection: 'column',
           gap: '7px',
-          marginBottom: '16px',
+          marginBottom: '0px',
         }}
       >
         {consultation.examination.map((bullet, index) => (
@@ -250,7 +250,7 @@ export function DashboardLayout() {
   const [highlightedNodeId, setHighlightedNodeId] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [highlightedRoleId, setHighlightedRoleId] = useState<string | null>(null)
   const [chronologyHeight, setChronologyHeight] = useState<number | null>(null)
-  const [sidebarForceCollapsed, setSidebarForceCollapsed] = useState(false)
+  const [constellationReady, setConstellationReady] = useState(false)
   const chronologyRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
   const patientSummaryRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
   const activeSection = useActiveSection()
@@ -260,28 +260,18 @@ export function DashboardLayout() {
     [],
   )
 
-  // Sidebar collapse when patient summary scrolls out of view (desktop only)
+  // Signal constellation animation readiness when patient summary scrolls out of view
   useEffect(() => {
     const el = patientSummaryRef.current
     if (!el) return
-    const mq = window.matchMedia('(min-width: 1024px)')
     const observer = new IntersectionObserver(
       ([entry]) => {
-        if (mq.matches) {
+        if (!entry.isIntersecting) setConstellationReady(true)
-          setSidebarForceCollapsed(!entry.isIntersecting)
-        }
       },
       { threshold: 0 },
     )
     observer.observe(el)
-    const handleResize = () => {
+    return () => observer.disconnect()
-      if (!mq.matches) setSidebarForceCollapsed(false)
-    }
-    mq.addEventListener('change', handleResize)
-    return () => {
-      observer.disconnect()
-      mq.removeEventListener('change', handleResize)
-    }
   }, [])
 
   // Measure the chronology stream height so the constellation graph can match it
@@ -436,7 +426,6 @@ export function DashboardLayout() {
             activeSection={activeSection}
             onNavigate={scrollToSection}
             onSearchClick={handleSearchClick}
-            forceCollapsed={sidebarForceCollapsed}
           />
         </motion.div>
 
@@ -465,31 +454,7 @@ export function DashboardLayout() {
             <ParentSection title="Patient Pathway" tileId="patient-pathway">
               <div className="pathway-columns">
                 <div ref={chronologyRef} className="chronology-stream" data-tile-id="section-experience">
-                  <div
+
-                    style={{
-                      marginBottom: '14px',
-                      padding: '10px 12px',
-                      border: '1px solid var(--border-light)',
-                      borderRadius: 'var(--radius-sm)',
-                      background: 'var(--bg-dashboard)',
-                    }}
-                  >
-                    <div
-                      style={{
-                        fontSize: '11px',
-                        textTransform: 'uppercase',
-                        letterSpacing: '0.06em',
-                        color: 'var(--text-tertiary)',
-                        marginBottom: '4px',
-                        fontFamily: 'var(--font-geist-mono)',
-                      }}
-                    >
-                      Clinical Record Stream
-                    </div>
-                    <div style={{ fontSize: '13px', color: 'var(--text-secondary)' }}>
-                      Chronological role and education entries. Select items to inspect full records.
-                    </div>
-                  </div>
 
                   <div className="chronology-item">
                     <LastConsultationSubsection highlightedRoleId={highlightedRoleId} />
@@ -506,6 +471,7 @@ export function DashboardLayout() {
                     onNodeHover={handleNodeHover}
                     highlightedNodeId={highlightedNodeId}
                     containerHeight={chronologyHeight}
+                    animationReady={constellationReady}
                   />
                 </div>
 

src/components/ECGAnimation.tsx

@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ const HOLD_SECONDS = 2 // Hold after text completes, before flatline/transition
 const FLATLINE_DRAW_SECONDS = 0.3 // Time to draw flatline
 const FADE_TO_BLACK_SECONDS = 0.2 // Canvas fade out
 const BG_TRANSITION_SECONDS = 0.2 // Background color transition
+const SKIP_TEXT = true // Skip text phase — transition directly after heartbeats
 
 // =============================================================================
 // Letter Definitions (ECG waveform shapes for each letter)
@@ -344,7 +345,7 @@ export function ECGAnimation({ onComplete, startPosition }: ECGAnimationProps) {
     const lastBeatEndWX = lastBeat.startWX + lastBeat.widthPx
     const textStartWX = lastBeatEndWX + FLAT_GAP_SECONDS * TRACE_SPEED
     const totalTextW = getTextTotalWidth(LETTER_W, LETTER_G, SPACE_W)
-    const textEndWX = textStartWX + totalTextW
+    const textEndWX = SKIP_TEXT ? textStartWX : textStartWX + totalTextW
     const textLayout = layoutText(
       textStartWX, LETTER_W, LETTER_G, SPACE_W,
       baselineY, 0, Infinity
@@ -354,7 +355,7 @@ export function ECGAnimation({ onComplete, startPosition }: ECGAnimationProps) {
     const textEndTime = (textEndWX - startOffsetX) / TRACE_SPEED
     const holdEndTime = textEndTime 
     const flatlineEndTime = textEndTime + FLATLINE_DRAW_SECONDS
-    const fadeStartTime = flatlineEndTime + HOLD_SECONDS
+    const fadeStartTime = flatlineEndTime + (SKIP_TEXT ? 0.3 : HOLD_SECONDS)
     const fadeEndTime = fadeStartTime + FADE_TO_BLACK_SECONDS
     const bgTransitionEndTime = fadeEndTime + BG_TRANSITION_SECONDS
     const exitEndTime = bgTransitionEndTime
@@ -500,7 +501,7 @@ export function ECGAnimation({ onComplete, startPosition }: ECGAnimationProps) {
       const isTextPhase = headWX > textStartWX
       const isTextDone = elapsed >= textEndTime
 
-      if (isTextPhase) {
+      if (isTextPhase && !SKIP_TEXT) {
         ctx.save()
 
         // Clip for progressive reveal

src/components/Sidebar.tsx

@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ interface SidebarProps {
   activeSection: string
   onNavigate: (tileId: string) => void
   onSearchClick: () => void
-  forceCollapsed?: boolean
 }
 
 interface NavSection {
@@ -163,7 +162,7 @@ function AlertFlag({ alert }: AlertFlagProps) {
   )
 }
 
-export default function Sidebar({ activeSection, onNavigate, onSearchClick, forceCollapsed }: SidebarProps) {
+export default function Sidebar({ activeSection, onNavigate, onSearchClick }: SidebarProps) {
   const [isDesktop, setIsDesktop] = useState(() => window.matchMedia('(min-width: 1024px)').matches)
   const [isMobileExpanded, setIsMobileExpanded] = useState(false)
 
@@ -185,7 +184,7 @@ export default function Sidebar({ activeSection, onNavigate, onSearchClick, forc
     return () => mediaQuery.removeEventListener('change', listener)
   }, [])
 
-  const isExpanded = (isDesktop && !forceCollapsed) || isMobileExpanded
+  const isExpanded = isDesktop || isMobileExpanded
 
   const handleNavActivate = (tileId: string) => {
     onNavigate(tileId)
@@ -196,7 +195,7 @@ export default function Sidebar({ activeSection, onNavigate, onSearchClick, forc
 
   return (
     <>
-      {(!isDesktop || forceCollapsed) && isMobileExpanded && (
+      {!isDesktop && isMobileExpanded && (
         <button
           type="button"
           aria-label="Close sidebar navigation"
@@ -235,7 +234,7 @@ export default function Sidebar({ activeSection, onNavigate, onSearchClick, forc
         }}
         className={isExpanded ? 'pmr-scrollbar' : undefined}
       >
-        {(!isDesktop || forceCollapsed) && (
+        {!isDesktop && (
           <button
             type="button"
             aria-label={isExpanded ? 'Collapse sidebar navigation' : 'Expand sidebar navigation'}

src/components/TimelineInterventionsSubsection.tsx

@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ function TimelineInterventionItem({
   onHighlight,
 }: TimelineInterventionItemProps) {
   const isEducation = entity.kind === 'education'
-  const interventionLabel = isEducation ? 'Education Intervention' : 'Career Intervention'
+  const interventionLabel = isEducation ? 'Education' : 'Employment'
 
   const handleKeyDown = useCallback(
     (e: React.KeyboardEvent) => {
@@ -76,9 +76,9 @@ function TimelineInterventionItem({
           style={{
             display: 'flex',
             gap: '10px',
-            padding: '12px 14px',
+            padding: '8px 8px',
             cursor: 'pointer',
-            minHeight: '44px',
+            
             alignItems: 'flex-start',
           }}
           onMouseEnter={(e) => {
@@ -113,14 +113,12 @@ function TimelineInterventionItem({
                 flexWrap: 'wrap',
                 alignItems: 'center',
                 gap: '6px',
-                marginBottom: '6px',
+                
               }}
             >
               <span className={isEducation ? 'timeline-intervention-pill timeline-intervention-pill--education' : 'timeline-intervention-pill'}>
                 {interventionLabel}
               </span>
-            </div>
-
                           <div
               style={{
                 fontSize: '14px',
@@ -130,6 +128,7 @@ function TimelineInterventionItem({
               }}
             >
               {entity.title}
+            </div>
             </div>
                         <div
               style={{
@@ -139,17 +138,23 @@ function TimelineInterventionItem({
               }}
             >
               {entity.organization}
-            </div>
+            
-            <div
+              <span
               style={{
                 fontSize: '11px',
+                paddingLeft: '6px',
                 fontFamily: 'var(--font-geist-mono)',
                 color: 'var(--text-tertiary)',
                 marginTop: '3px',
               }}
             >
               {entity.dateRange.display}
+            </span>
             </div>
+
+
+
+
           </div>
 
           <ChevronRight
@@ -160,6 +165,7 @@ function TimelineInterventionItem({
               marginTop: '2px',
               transform: isExpanded ? 'rotate(90deg)' : 'none',
               transition: 'transform 0.15s ease-out',
+              
             }}
           />
         </div>

src/components/constellation/CareerConstellation.tsx

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ interface CareerConstellationProps {
   onNodeHover?: (id: string | null) => void
   highlightedNodeId?: string | null
   containerHeight?: number | null
+  animationReady?: boolean
 }
 
 const nodeById = new Map(constellationNodes.map(node => [node.id, node]))
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ const CareerConstellation: React.FC<CareerConstellationProps> = ({
   onNodeHover,
   highlightedNodeId,
   containerHeight,
+  animationReady = false,
 }) => {
   const svgRef = useRef<SVGSVGElement>(null)
   const containerRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null)
@@ -66,6 +68,9 @@ const CareerConstellation: React.FC<CareerConstellationProps> = ({
     const container = containerRef.current
     if (!container) return
 
+    let debounceTimer: ReturnType<typeof setTimeout> | null = null
+    const CHANGE_THRESHOLD = 0.3
+
     const updateDimensions = () => {
       const width = container.clientWidth
       const viewportWidth = window.innerWidth
@@ -73,13 +78,28 @@ const CareerConstellation: React.FC<CareerConstellationProps> = ({
       const scaleFactor = viewportWidth >= 1024
         ? Math.max(1, Math.min(1.6, viewportWidth / 1440))
         : 1
-      setDimensions({ width, height, scaleFactor })
+      setDimensions(prev => {
+        const widthDelta = Math.abs(prev.width - width) / prev.width
+        const heightDelta = Math.abs(prev.height - height) / prev.height
+        if (widthDelta < CHANGE_THRESHOLD && heightDelta < CHANGE_THRESHOLD) {
+          return prev
+        }
+        return { width, height, scaleFactor }
+      })
     }
 
+    // Initial measurement (no debounce)
     updateDimensions()
-    const observer = new ResizeObserver(updateDimensions)
+
+    const observer = new ResizeObserver(() => {
+      if (debounceTimer) clearTimeout(debounceTimer)
+      debounceTimer = setTimeout(updateDimensions, 2000)
+    })
     observer.observe(container)
-    return () => observer.disconnect()
+    return () => {
+      observer.disconnect()
+      if (debounceTimer) clearTimeout(debounceTimer)
+    }
   }, [containerHeight])
 
   const isMobile = typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.innerWidth < 640
@@ -157,6 +177,7 @@ const CareerConstellation: React.FC<CareerConstellationProps> = ({
     skillRestRadiiRef,
     srDefault,
     dimensionsTrigger: dimensions.width + dimensions.height,
+    ready: animationReady,
   })
 
   // Sync visibleNodeIdsRef from animation hook
@@ -231,12 +252,15 @@ const CareerConstellation: React.FC<CareerConstellationProps> = ({
     >
       <svg
         ref={svgRef}
-        width={dimensions.width}
-        height={dimensions.height}
         viewBox={`0 0 ${dimensions.width} ${dimensions.height}`}
         role="img"
         aria-label="Clinical pathway constellation showing career roles and skills in reverse-chronological order along a vertical timeline"
-        style={{ display: 'block' }}
+        style={{
+          display: 'block',
+          width: '100%',
+          height: dimensions.height,
+          opacity: 1,
+        }}
       />
 
       <ConstellationLegend isTouch={supportsCoarsePointer} domainCounts={domainCounts} />
@@ -249,6 +273,7 @@ const CareerConstellation: React.FC<CareerConstellationProps> = ({
           onToggle={animation.togglePlayPause}
           isMobile={isMobile}
           visible={chartInView}
+          containerRef={containerRef}
         />
       )}
 

src/components/constellation/ConstellationLegend.tsx

@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ export const ConstellationLegend: React.FC<ConstellationLegendProps> = ({ isTouc
         right: 0,
         display: 'flex',
         flexDirection: 'column',
+        alignItems: 'center',
         gap: '2px',
         padding: '8px 12px',
         pointerEvents: 'none',

src/components/constellation/PlayPauseButton.tsx

@@ -1,25 +1,72 @@
-import React from 'react'
+import React, { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react'
 
 interface PlayPauseButtonProps {
   isPlaying: boolean
   onToggle: () => void
   isMobile: boolean
   visible?: boolean
+  containerRef: React.RefObject<HTMLDivElement | null>
 }
 
-export const PlayPauseButton: React.FC<PlayPauseButtonProps> = ({ isPlaying, onToggle, isMobile, visible = true }) => {
+export const PlayPauseButton: React.FC<PlayPauseButtonProps> = ({
-  const size = isMobile ? 44 : 36
+  isPlaying, onToggle, isMobile, visible = true, containerRef,
-  const offset = isMobile ? 8 : 12
+}) => {
+  const vw = typeof window !== 'undefined' ? window.innerWidth : 1024
+  const scale = vw >= 1440 ? 1.75 : vw >= 1280 ? 1.5 : vw >= 1080 ? 1.25 : 1
+  const size = isMobile ? 44 : Math.round(36 * scale)
+  const offset = isMobile ? 8 : Math.round(12 * scale)
+  const btnRef = useRef<HTMLButtonElement>(null)
+  const [topPos, setTopPos] = useState(56)
+  const [scrolling, setScrolling] = useState(false)
+  const debounceRef = useRef(0)
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const container = containerRef.current
+    if (!container) return
+
+    const scrollParent = container.closest('.dashboard-main') as HTMLElement | null
+    if (!scrollParent) return
+
+    const margin = isMobile ? 12 : 56
+
+    const update = () => {
+      const cRect = container.getBoundingClientRect()
+      const sRect = scrollParent.getBoundingClientRect()
+      const visibleTop = Math.max(sRect.top, cRect.top) + margin + 50 
+      const visibleBottom = Math.min(sRect.bottom, cRect.bottom) - size - 12
+      const targetY = Math.min(visibleTop, visibleBottom)
+      const relativeTop = targetY - cRect.top
+      setTopPos(Math.max(margin, relativeTop))
+
+      setScrolling(true)
+      clearTimeout(debounceRef.current)
+      debounceRef.current = window.setTimeout(() => setScrolling(false), 1000)
+    }
+
+    scrollParent.addEventListener('scroll', update, { passive: true })
+    window.addEventListener('resize', update, { passive: true })
+    update()
+    // Don't start hidden — clear the initial scroll trigger
+    setScrolling(false)
+
+    return () => {
+      scrollParent.removeEventListener('scroll', update)
+      window.removeEventListener('resize', update)
+      clearTimeout(debounceRef.current)
+    }
+  }, [containerRef, isMobile, size])
+
+  const showButton = visible && !scrolling
 
   return (
     <button
+      ref={btnRef}
       onClick={onToggle}
       aria-label={isPlaying ? 'Pause animation' : 'Play animation'}
       style={{
         position: 'absolute',
         left: offset,
-        top: '50%',
+        top: topPos,
-        transform: 'translateY(-50%)',
         width: size,
         height: size,
         borderRadius: '50%',
@@ -30,20 +77,23 @@ export const PlayPauseButton: React.FC<PlayPauseButtonProps> = ({ isPlaying, onT
         display: 'flex',
         alignItems: 'center',
         justifyContent: 'center',
-        opacity: visible ? 0.85 : 0,
+        opacity: showButton ? 0.85 : 0,
-        pointerEvents: visible ? 'auto' : 'none',
+        pointerEvents: showButton ? 'auto' : 'none',
-        transition: 'opacity 150ms ease',
+        transition: scrolling
+          ? 'opacity 150ms ease, top 80ms linear'
+          : 'opacity 500ms ease, top 80ms linear',
+        zIndex: 5,
       }}
-      onMouseEnter={e => (e.currentTarget.style.opacity = '1')}
+      onMouseEnter={e => { if (showButton) e.currentTarget.style.opacity = '1' }}
-      onMouseLeave={e => { if (visible) e.currentTarget.style.opacity = '0.85' }}
+      onMouseLeave={e => { if (showButton) e.currentTarget.style.opacity = '0.85' }}
     >
       {isPlaying ? (
-        <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 14 14" fill="var(--text-secondary)">
+        <svg width={Math.round(14 * scale)} height={Math.round(14 * scale)} viewBox="0 0 14 14" fill="var(--text-secondary)">
           <rect x="2" y="1" width="4" height="12" rx="1" />
           <rect x="8" y="1" width="4" height="12" rx="1" />
         </svg>
       ) : (
-        <svg width="14" height="14" viewBox="0 0 14 14" fill="var(--text-secondary)">
+        <svg width={Math.round(14 * scale)} height={Math.round(14 * scale)} viewBox="0 0 14 14" fill="var(--text-secondary)">
           <polygon points="3,1 13,7 3,13" />
         </svg>
       )}

src/components/constellation/constants.ts

@@ -13,25 +13,40 @@ export const MOBILE_LABEL_MAX_LEN = 10
 
 // Animation / opacity
 export const HIGHLIGHT_DIM_OPACITY = 0.15
-export const SKILL_REST_OPACITY = 0.35
+export const SKILL_REST_OPACITY = 0.6
 export const SKILL_ACTIVE_OPACITY = 0.9
-export const LABEL_REST_OPACITY = 0.5
+export const LABEL_REST_OPACITY = 0.6
 
 // Link visual params
-export const LINK_BASE_WIDTH = 0.5
+export const LINK_BASE_WIDTH = 0.7
-export const LINK_STRENGTH_WIDTH_FACTOR = 1.5
+export const LINK_STRENGTH_WIDTH_FACTOR = 0
-export const LINK_BASE_OPACITY = 0.04
+export const LINK_BASE_OPACITY = 0
-export const LINK_STRENGTH_OPACITY_FACTOR = 0.06
+export const LINK_STRENGTH_OPACITY_FACTOR = 0
 export const LINK_HIGHLIGHT_BASE_WIDTH = 1
 export const LINK_HIGHLIGHT_STRENGTH_WIDTH_FACTOR = 2
 export const LINK_BEZIER_VERTICAL_OFFSET = 0.15
 
+// Role node visual params
+export const ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_DEFAULT = 1
+export const ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_ACTIVE = 1
+export const ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_CONNECTED = 0.9
+export const ROLE_STROKE_WIDTH_DEFAULT = 1
+export const ROLE_STROKE_WIDTH_ACTIVE = 2
+export const ROLE_FILL_OPACITY_ACTIVE = 1
+export const ROLE_FILL_ACTIVE = '#FFFFFF'
+
 // Skill node visual params
 export const SKILL_STROKE_WIDTH = 1
 export const SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY = 0.4
 export const SKILL_SIZE_ROLE_FACTOR = 0.8
 export const SKILL_GLOW_STD_DEVIATION = 2.5
+export const SKILL_ACTIVE_STROKE_OPACITY = 0.1
 
+// Skill overlap offsets
+export const SKILL_Y_OFFSET_STEP = 25
+export const SKILL_Y_OFFSET_STEP_MOBILE = 20
+export const SKILL_Y_GLOBAL_OFFSET_RATIO = -0.05
+export const SKILL_X_OVERLAP_MAX_RATIO = 1
 // Entry animation
 export const ENTRY_GUIDE_FADE_MS = 200
 export const ENTRY_ROLE_STAGGER_MS = 80
@@ -40,18 +55,20 @@ export const ENTRY_SKILL_STAGGER_MS = 30
 export const ENTRY_SKILL_DURATION_MS = 250
 
 // Timeline animation
-export const ANIM_ENTITY_REVEAL_MS = 600
+export const ANIM_CHRONOLOGICAL_ENABLED = true
-export const ANIM_SKILL_REVEAL_MS = 350
+export const ANIM_ENTITY_REVEAL_MS = 2000
-export const ANIM_SKILL_STAGGER_MS = 60
+export const ANIM_SKILL_REVEAL_MS = 2000
-export const ANIM_LINK_DRAW_MS = 300
+export const ANIM_SKILL_STAGGER_MS = 200
-export const ANIM_LINK_STAGGER_MS = 40
+export const ANIM_LINK_DRAW_MS = 600
-export const ANIM_REINFORCEMENT_MS = 350
+export const ANIM_LINK_STAGGER_MS = 200
-export const ANIM_STEP_GAP_MS = 400
+export const ANIM_REINFORCEMENT_MS = 700
-export const ANIM_HOLD_MS = 3000
+export const ANIM_STEP_GAP_MS = 1000
-export const ANIM_RESET_MS = 400
+export const ANIM_HOLD_MS = 15000
-export const ANIM_RESTART_DELAY_MS = 200
+export const ANIM_RESET_MS = 800
+export const ANIM_RESTART_DELAY_MS = 400
 export const ANIM_INTERACTION_RESUME_MS = 800
 export const ANIM_SETTLE_ALPHA = 0.05
+export const ANIM_MONTH_STEP_MS = 80
 
 // Domain color map
 export const DOMAIN_COLOR_MAP: Record<string, string> = {
@@ -60,6 +77,14 @@ export const DOMAIN_COLOR_MAP: Record<string, string> = {
   leadership: '#D97706',
 }
 
+// Entities hidden from the constellation (education + early career roles)
+export const HIDDEN_ENTITY_IDS = new Set([
+  'pre-reg-pharmacist-2015',
+  'duty-pharmacy-manager-2016',
+  'uea-mpharm-2011',
+  'highworth-alevels-2009',
+])
+
 // Media queries (evaluated once at module level)
 export const prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia('(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)').matches
 export const supportsCoarsePointer = window.matchMedia('(pointer: coarse)').matches

src/components/constellation/types.ts

@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ export type AnimationState = 'IDLE' | 'PLAYING' | 'PAUSED' | 'HOLDING' | 'RESETT
 export interface AnimationStep {
   entityId: string
   startYear: number
+  startMonth: number // 0-indexed (0 = January)
   skillIds: string[]
   newSkillIds: string[]
   reinforcedSkillIds: string[]

src/data/timeline.ts

@@ -459,6 +459,7 @@ export function buildConstellationData(): {
     shortLabel: entity.graphLabel,
     organization: entity.organization,
     startYear: entity.dateRange.startYear,
+    startDate: entity.dateRange.start,
     endYear: entity.dateRange.endYear,
     orgColor: entity.orgColor,
   }))

src/hooks/useConstellationHighlight.ts

@@ -1,11 +1,17 @@
 import { useRef, useCallback } from 'react'
 import type * as d3 from 'd3'
+import { select as d3select } from 'd3'
 import {
   DOMAIN_COLOR_MAP, prefersReducedMotion,
   LINK_BASE_WIDTH, LINK_STRENGTH_WIDTH_FACTOR,
   LINK_BASE_OPACITY, LINK_STRENGTH_OPACITY_FACTOR,
   LINK_HIGHLIGHT_BASE_WIDTH, LINK_HIGHLIGHT_STRENGTH_WIDTH_FACTOR,
-  SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY,
+  SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY, SKILL_ACTIVE_STROKE_OPACITY,
+  SKILL_REST_OPACITY, SKILL_ACTIVE_OPACITY, LABEL_REST_OPACITY,
+  HIGHLIGHT_DIM_OPACITY,
+  ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_DEFAULT, ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_ACTIVE, ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_CONNECTED,
+  ROLE_STROKE_WIDTH_DEFAULT, ROLE_STROKE_WIDTH_ACTIVE,
+  ROLE_FILL_OPACITY_ACTIVE, ROLE_FILL_ACTIVE,
 } from '@/components/constellation/constants'
 import type { SimNode, SimLink } from '@/components/constellation/types'
 
@@ -42,7 +48,7 @@ export function useConstellationHighlight(deps: {
     const nodes = deps.nodesRef.current
     const dur = prefersReducedMotion ? 0 : 180
     const visibleIds = deps.visibleNodeIdsRef?.current
-    const isVisible = (id: string) => !visibleIds || visibleIds.size === 0 || visibleIds.has(id)
+    const isVisible = (id: string) => !visibleIds || visibleIds.has(id)
 
     if (!activeNodeId) {
       // Reset — respect animation visibility
@@ -51,10 +57,13 @@ export function useConstellationHighlight(deps: {
       nodeSelection.filter(d => d.type !== 'skill')
         .attr('filter', null)
         .select('.node-circle')
-        .attr('fill', null)
+        .each(function () {
+          const el = d3select(this)
+          el.attr('fill', el.attr('data-base-fill'))
+        })
         .attr('fill-opacity', null)
-        .attr('stroke-opacity', 0.4)
+        .attr('stroke-opacity', ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_DEFAULT)
-        .attr('stroke-width', 1)
+        .attr('stroke-width', ROLE_STROKE_WIDTH_DEFAULT)
 
       const skillNodes = nodeSelection.filter(d => d.type === 'skill')
       const getRestRadius = (d: SimNode) => skillRestRadii?.get(d.id) ?? srDefault
@@ -62,20 +71,20 @@ export function useConstellationHighlight(deps: {
         skillNodes.select('.node-circle')
           .transition().duration(dur)
           .attr('r', d => isVisible(d.id) ? getRestRadius(d) : 0)
-          .attr('fill-opacity', 0.35)
+          .attr('fill-opacity', SKILL_REST_OPACITY)
           .attr('filter', null)
           .attr('stroke-opacity', SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY)
         skillNodes.select('.node-label')
           .transition().duration(dur)
-          .attr('opacity', 0.5)
+          .attr('opacity', LABEL_REST_OPACITY)
       } else {
         skillNodes.select('.node-circle')
           .attr('r', d => isVisible(d.id) ? getRestRadius(d) : 0)
-          .attr('fill-opacity', 0.35)
+          .attr('fill-opacity', SKILL_REST_OPACITY)
           .attr('filter', null)
           .attr('stroke-opacity', SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY)
         skillNodes.select('.node-label')
-          .attr('opacity', 0.5)
+          .attr('opacity', LABEL_REST_OPACITY)
       }
 
       linkSelection
@@ -96,7 +105,7 @@ export function useConstellationHighlight(deps: {
 
     nodeSelection.style('opacity', d => {
       if (!isVisible(d.id)) return '0'
-      return isInGroup(d.id) ? '1' : '0.15'
+      return isInGroup(d.id) ? '1' : String(HIGHLIGHT_DIM_OPACITY)
     })
 
     nodeSelection.filter(d => d.type !== 'skill')
@@ -106,14 +115,17 @@ export function useConstellationHighlight(deps: {
         return null
       })
       .select('.node-circle')
-      .attr('fill', d => d.id === activeNodeId ? '#FFFFFF' : null)
+      .each(function (d) {
-      .attr('fill-opacity', d => d.id === activeNodeId ? 1 : null)
+        const el = d3select(this)
-      .attr('stroke-opacity', d => {
+        el.attr('fill', d.id === activeNodeId ? ROLE_FILL_ACTIVE : el.attr('data-base-fill'))
-        if (d.id === activeNodeId) return 1
-        if (connected.has(d.id)) return 0.7
-        return 0.4
       })
-      .attr('stroke-width', d => d.id === activeNodeId ? 2 : 1)
+      .attr('fill-opacity', d => d.id === activeNodeId ? ROLE_FILL_OPACITY_ACTIVE : null)
+      .attr('stroke-opacity', d => {
+        if (d.id === activeNodeId) return ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_ACTIVE
+        if (connected.has(d.id)) return ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_CONNECTED
+        return ROLE_STROKE_OPACITY_DEFAULT
+      })
+      .attr('stroke-width', d => d.id === activeNodeId ? ROLE_STROKE_WIDTH_ACTIVE : ROLE_STROKE_WIDTH_DEFAULT)
 
     const skillNodes = nodeSelection.filter(d => d.type === 'skill')
     const getRestRadius = (d: SimNode) => skillRestRadii?.get(d.id) ?? srDefault
@@ -128,23 +140,23 @@ export function useConstellationHighlight(deps: {
           if (!isVisible(d.id)) return 0
           return isInGroup(d.id) ? getActiveRadius(d) : getRestRadius(d)
         })
-        .attr('fill-opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? 0.9 : 0.35)
+        .attr('fill-opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? SKILL_ACTIVE_OPACITY : SKILL_REST_OPACITY)
         .attr('filter', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? `url(#glow-${d.domain ?? 'technical'})` : null)
-        .attr('stroke-opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? 0.8 : SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY)
+        .attr('stroke-opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? SKILL_ACTIVE_STROKE_OPACITY : SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY)
       skillNodes.select('.node-label')
         .transition().duration(dur)
-        .attr('opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? 1 : 0.5)
+        .attr('opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? 1 : LABEL_REST_OPACITY)
     } else {
       skillNodes.select('.node-circle')
         .attr('r', d => {
           if (!isVisible(d.id)) return 0
           return isInGroup(d.id) ? getActiveRadius(d) : getRestRadius(d)
         })
-        .attr('fill-opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? 0.9 : 0.35)
+        .attr('fill-opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? SKILL_ACTIVE_OPACITY : SKILL_REST_OPACITY)
         .attr('filter', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? `url(#glow-${d.domain ?? 'technical'})` : null)
-        .attr('stroke-opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? 0.8 : SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY)
+        .attr('stroke-opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? SKILL_ACTIVE_STROKE_OPACITY : SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY)
       skillNodes.select('.node-label')
-        .attr('opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? 1 : 0.5)
+        .attr('opacity', d => isInGroup(d.id) ? 1 : LABEL_REST_OPACITY)
     }
 
     linkSelection

src/hooks/useForceSimulation.ts

@@ -6,12 +6,14 @@ import {
   SKILL_RADIUS_DEFAULT, SKILL_RADIUS_ACTIVE,
   MOBILE_ROLE_WIDTH, MOBILE_LABEL_MAX_LEN,
   MOBILE_SKILL_RADIUS_DEFAULT, MOBILE_SKILL_RADIUS_ACTIVE,
-  DOMAIN_COLOR_MAP, prefersReducedMotion,
+  DOMAIN_COLOR_MAP, HIDDEN_ENTITY_IDS, prefersReducedMotion,
   LINK_BASE_WIDTH, LINK_STRENGTH_WIDTH_FACTOR,
   LINK_BASE_OPACITY, LINK_STRENGTH_OPACITY_FACTOR,
   LINK_BEZIER_VERTICAL_OFFSET,
   SKILL_STROKE_WIDTH, SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY, SKILL_SIZE_ROLE_FACTOR,
   SKILL_GLOW_STD_DEVIATION,
+  SKILL_Y_OFFSET_STEP, SKILL_Y_OFFSET_STEP_MOBILE,
+  SKILL_Y_GLOBAL_OFFSET_RATIO, SKILL_X_OVERLAP_MAX_RATIO,
 } from '@/components/constellation/constants'
 import type { SimNode, SimLink, LayoutParams } from '@/components/constellation/types'
 
@@ -28,13 +30,24 @@ function isEntityNode(type: string): boolean {
   return type === 'role' || type === 'education'
 }
 
+function fractionalYear(node: { startDate?: string; startYear?: number }): number {
+  if (node.startDate) {
+    const d = new Date(node.startDate)
+    const year = d.getFullYear()
+    const start = new Date(year, 0, 1).getTime()
+    const end = new Date(year + 1, 0, 1).getTime()
+    return year + (d.getTime() - start) / (end - start)
+  }
+  return node.startYear ?? 2016
+}
+
 function getHeight(width: number, containerHeight?: number | null): number {
-  if (width < 1024) return 520
+  if (width < 768) return 520
   if (containerHeight && containerHeight > 0) return Math.max(400, containerHeight)
   return 400
 }
 
-const roleNodes = constellationNodes.filter(n => n.type === 'role' || n.type === 'education')
+const roleNodes = constellationNodes.filter(n => (n.type === 'role' || n.type === 'education') && !HIDDEN_ENTITY_IDS.has(n.id))
 
 export function useForceSimulation(
   svgRef: React.RefObject<SVGSVGElement | null>,
@@ -70,9 +83,11 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
 
     svg.selectAll('*').remove()
 
-    const years = roleNodes.map(n => n.startYear ?? 2016)
+    const years = roleNodes.map(n => fractionalYear(n))
+    const now = new Date()
+    const currentFractionalYear = now.getFullYear() + now.getMonth() / 12
     const minYear = Math.min(...years)
-    const maxYear = Math.max(...years)
+    const maxYear = Math.max(...years, currentFractionalYear)
 
     const rw = isMobile ? MOBILE_ROLE_WIDTH : Math.round(ROLE_WIDTH * sf)
     const rh = isMobile ? ROLE_HEIGHT : Math.round(ROLE_HEIGHT * sf)
@@ -94,9 +109,12 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
     }
     layoutParamsRef.current = layoutParams
 
-    const yScale = d3.scaleLinear()
+    // Power scale gives more space to recent (dense) years, compresses older ones
-      .domain([maxYear, minYear])
+    const yearSpan = maxYear - minYear
+    const rawScale = d3.scalePow().exponent(0.5)
+      .domain([0, yearSpan])
       .range([topPadding, height - bottomPadding])
+    const yScale = (year: number) => rawScale(maxYear - year)
 
     // Background rect
     svg.append('rect')
@@ -149,31 +167,62 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
         .attr('id', `role-grad-${i}`)
         .attr('x1', '0%').attr('y1', '0%')
         .attr('x2', '100%').attr('y2', '0%')
-      grad.append('stop').attr('offset', '0%').attr('stop-color', color).attr('stop-opacity', 0.08)
+      grad.append('stop').attr('offset', '0%').attr('stop-color', color).attr('stop-opacity', 0.15)
-      grad.append('stop').attr('offset', '100%').attr('stop-color', color).attr('stop-opacity', 0.18)
+      grad.append('stop').attr('offset', '100%').attr('stop-color', color).attr('stop-opacity', 0.3)
     })
     const orgColorGradientMap = new Map(uniqueOrgColors.map((c, i) => [c, `url(#role-grad-${i})`]))
 
-    // Year indicator (for animation)
+    // Date indicator group (for animation) — month + year with clip mask for scroll effect
-    const yearIndicator = svg.append('text')
+    const dateFontSize = isMobile ? 18 : Math.round(24 * sf)
-      .attr('class', 'year-indicator')
+    const dateX = width * 0.1
-      .attr('x', sidePadding + 8)
+    const dateY = topPadding - 4
-      .attr('y', topPadding - 4)
+    const lineHeight = Math.round(dateFontSize * 1.3)
-      .attr('font-size', isMobile ? '18' : `${Math.round(24 * sf)}`)
+    const clipId = 'date-indicator-clip'
-      .attr('font-family', 'var(--font-ui)')
+
-      .attr('fill', 'var(--text-tertiary)')
+    const dateClip = defs.append('clipPath').attr('id', clipId)
+    dateClip.append('rect')
+      .attr('x', dateX - 4)
+      .attr('y', dateY - dateFontSize - 2)
+      .attr('width', isMobile ? 120 : Math.round(160 * sf))
+      .attr('height', lineHeight + 4)
+
+    const dateGroup = svg.append('g')
+      .attr('class', 'date-indicator')
+      .attr('clip-path', `url(#${clipId})`)
       .attr('opacity', 0)
-    yearIndicatorRef.current = yearIndicator as unknown as d3.Selection<SVGTextElement, unknown, null, undefined>
+
+    dateGroup.append('text')
+      .attr('class', 'date-month')
+      .attr('x', dateX)
+      .attr('y', dateY)
+      .attr('font-size', dateFontSize)
+      .attr('font-family', 'var(--font-geist-mono)')
+      .attr('font-weight', 500)
+      .attr('fill', 'var(--text-tertiary)')
+      .attr('letter-spacing', '0.08em')
+
+    dateGroup.append('text')
+      .attr('class', 'date-year')
+      .attr('x', dateX + (isMobile ? 52 : Math.round(68 * sf)))
+      .attr('y', dateY)
+      .attr('font-size', dateFontSize)
+      .attr('font-family', 'var(--font-geist-mono)')
+      .attr('font-weight', 300)
+      .attr('fill', 'var(--text-tertiary)')
+      .attr('opacity', 0.6)
+
+    yearIndicatorRef.current = dateGroup as unknown as d3.Selection<SVGTextElement, unknown, null, undefined>
 
     // Timeline guides
     const timelineGroup = svg.append('g').attr('class', 'timeline-guides')
     timelineGroupRef.current = timelineGroup as unknown as d3.Selection<SVGGElement, unknown, null, undefined>
 
-    const tickYears = d3.range(minYear, maxYear + 1)
+    const tickYears = d3.range(Math.ceil(minYear), Math.floor(maxYear) + 1)
     timelineGroup.selectAll('line.year-guide')
       .data(tickYears)
       .join('line')
       .attr('class', 'year-guide')
+      .attr('data-year', d => d)
       .attr('x1', sidePadding)
       .attr('x2', width - sidePadding)
       .attr('y1', d => yScale(d))
@@ -183,10 +232,16 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
       .attr('stroke-width', 1)
       .attr('stroke-dasharray', '3 4')
 
+    const labelSpace = isMobile ? 26 : Math.round(28 * sf)
+    const axisRightPadding = isMobile ? 16 : Math.round(12 * sf)
+    const axisX = width - axisRightPadding - labelSpace
+
+    const topTickY = tickYears.length > 0 ? yScale(tickYears[0]) : topPadding
     timelineGroup.append('line')
-      .attr('x1', timelineX)
+      .attr('class', 'axis-line')
-      .attr('x2', timelineX)
+      .attr('x1', axisX)
-      .attr('y1', topPadding - 12)
+      .attr('x2', axisX)
+      .attr('y1', topTickY - 12)
       .attr('y2', height - bottomPadding + 12)
       .attr('stroke', 'var(--border)')
       .attr('stroke-width', 1)
@@ -195,86 +250,124 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
       .data(tickYears)
       .join('line')
       .attr('class', 'year-tick')
-      .attr('x1', timelineX)
+      .attr('data-year', d => d)
-      .attr('x2', d => timelineX + (roleNodes.some(r => r.startYear === d) ? 8 : 6))
+      .attr('x1', axisX)
+      .attr('x2', d => axisX - (roleNodes.some(r => r.startYear === d) ? 8 : 6))
       .attr('y1', d => yScale(d))
       .attr('y2', d => yScale(d))
       .attr('stroke', 'var(--border)')
       .attr('stroke-width', 1)
-      .attr('stroke-opacity', d => roleNodes.some(r => r.startYear === d) ? 0.8 : 0.4)
+      .attr('stroke-opacity', 1)
 
     timelineGroup.selectAll('text.year-label')
       .data(tickYears)
       .join('text')
       .attr('class', 'year-label')
-      .attr('x', width - sidePadding)
+      .attr('data-year', d => d)
+      .attr('x', axisX + 8)
       .attr('y', d => yScale(d) + Math.round(4 * sf))
-      .attr('text-anchor', 'end')
+      .attr('text-anchor', 'start')
       .attr('font-size', isMobile ? '9' : `${Math.round(11 * sf)}`)
       .attr('font-family', 'var(--font-ui)')
       .attr('fill', 'var(--text-tertiary)')
+      .attr('opacity', 1)
       .text(d => d)
 
-    // Prepare data
+    // Prepare data — filter out hidden entities and their exclusive links/skills
-    const links: SimLink[] = constellationLinks.map(l => ({
+    const visibleLinks = constellationLinks.filter(l => !HIDDEN_ENTITY_IDS.has(l.source))
+    const visibleSkillIds = new Set(visibleLinks.map(l => l.target))
+    const visibleNodeData = constellationNodes.filter(n =>
+      HIDDEN_ENTITY_IDS.has(n.id) ? false : (isEntityNode(n.type) || visibleSkillIds.has(n.id))
+    )
+    const links: SimLink[] = visibleLinks.map(l => ({
       source: l.source,
       target: l.target,
       strength: l.strength,
     }))
 
-    const roleOrder = [...roleNodes].sort((a, b) => (a.startYear ?? 0) - (b.startYear ?? 0))
+    const roleOrder = [...roleNodes].sort((a, b) => fractionalYear(a) - fractionalYear(b))
     const roleInitialMap = new Map<string, { x: number; y: number }>()
-    const roleGap = isMobile ? 40 : Math.round(56 * sf)
+    const roleGap = isMobile ? 54 : Math.round(54 * sf)
-    const roleX = Math.min(width - sidePadding - rw / 2, timelineX + roleGap + rw / 2)
+    const roleX = axisX - roleGap - rw / 2
 
     roleOrder.forEach((role) => {
       roleInitialMap.set(role.id, {
         x: roleX,
-        y: yScale(role.startYear ?? minYear),
+        y: yScale(fractionalYear(role)),
       })
     })
 
-    const nodes: SimNode[] = constellationNodes.map(n => {
+    // Skills occupy the left ~65% of the chart
+    const skillZoneRight = roleX - rw / 2 - (isMobile ? 16 : Math.round(24 * sf))
+    const skillZoneLeft = sidePadding + srActive
+    const skillZoneWidth = skillZoneRight - skillZoneLeft
+
+    // Pre-compute skill homeY and group by role-set to offset overlaps
+    const skillRoleKey = new Map<string, string>() // skillId -> sorted role key
+    const skillBaseY = new Map<string, number>()   // skillId -> base homeY
+    const roleKeyGroups = new Map<string, string[]>() // roleKey -> [skillIds]
+
+    visibleNodeData.filter(n => n.type === 'skill').forEach(n => {
+      const roleIds = visibleLinks.filter(l => l.target === n.id).map(l => l.source)
+      const key = roleIds.slice().sort().join('|')
+      skillRoleKey.set(n.id, key)
+
+      const positions = roleIds
+        .map(roleId => roleInitialMap.get(roleId))
+        .filter(Boolean) as Array<{ x: number; y: number }>
+      const baseY = positions.length > 0
+        ? positions.reduce((sum, p) => sum + p.y, 0) / positions.length
+        : height * 0.5
+      skillBaseY.set(n.id, baseY)
+
+      if (!roleKeyGroups.has(key)) roleKeyGroups.set(key, [])
+      roleKeyGroups.get(key)!.push(n.id)
+    })
+
+    // For groups with >1 skill sharing the same roles, apply alternating y-offsets
+    // and x-offsets that scale stronger for skills further left in the zone
+    const skillYOffset = new Map<string, number>()
+    const offsetStep = isMobile ? SKILL_Y_OFFSET_STEP_MOBILE : Math.round(SKILL_Y_OFFSET_STEP * sf)
+    roleKeyGroups.forEach(ids => {
+      if (ids.length <= 1) return
+      ids.forEach((id, i) => {
+        const centered = i - (ids.length - 1) / 2
+        skillYOffset.set(id, centered * offsetStep)
+      })
+    })
+
+    const nodes: SimNode[] = visibleNodeData.map(n => {
       if (isEntityNode(n.type)) {
         const pos = roleInitialMap.get(n.id)!
         return { ...n, x: pos.x, y: pos.y, vx: 0, vy: 0, homeX: pos.x, homeY: pos.y }
       }
 
-      const roleIds = constellationLinks.filter(l => l.target === n.id).map(l => l.source)
-      const linkedRolePositions = roleIds
-        .map(roleId => roleInitialMap.get(roleId))
-        .filter(Boolean) as Array<{ x: number; y: number }>
-
-      const skillGap = isMobile ? 20 : Math.round(28 * sf)
-      const skillSpaceStart = roleX + rw / 2 + skillGap
-      const skillSpaceMid = (skillSpaceStart + width - sidePadding) / 2
-      const centroid = linkedRolePositions.length > 0
-        ? {
-          x: Math.max(skillSpaceStart, linkedRolePositions.reduce((sum, p) => sum + p.x, 0) / linkedRolePositions.length + (isMobile ? 30 : Math.round(40 * sf))),
-          y: linkedRolePositions.reduce((sum, p) => sum + p.y, 0) / linkedRolePositions.length,
-        }
-        : { x: skillSpaceMid, y: height * 0.5 }
-
       const hash = hashString(n.id)
-      const domainBaseAngle = n.domain === 'clinical'
+      let homeX = skillZoneLeft + (hash % 1000) / 1000 * skillZoneWidth
-        ? Math.PI * 0.5
-        : n.domain === 'leadership'
-          ? Math.PI * 1.35
-          : Math.PI * 0.05
-      const angle = domainBaseAngle + ((hash % 360) * Math.PI / 180) * 0.18
-      const radius = (isMobile ? 25 : Math.round(35 * sf)) + (hash % (isMobile ? 25 : Math.round(35 * sf)))
 
-      const seededX = centroid.x + Math.cos(angle) * radius
+      // X-offset for overlapping groups: stronger push for skills further left
-      const seededY = centroid.y + Math.sin(angle) * radius
+      const key = skillRoleKey.get(n.id) ?? ''
+      const group = roleKeyGroups.get(key)
+      if (group && group.length > 1) {
+        const posInZone = (homeX - skillZoneLeft) / skillZoneWidth // 0 (left) to 1 (right)
+        const pushStrength = 1 - (posInZone * 0) // stronger for left-positioned skills
+        const idx = group.indexOf(n.id)
+        const centered = idx - (group.length - 1) / 2
+        const maxXOffset = skillZoneWidth * SKILL_X_OVERLAP_MAX_RATIO
+        homeX += centered * pushStrength * maxXOffset / Math.max(1, (group.length - 1) / 2)
+        homeX = Math.max(skillZoneLeft, Math.min(skillZoneRight, homeX))
+      }
 
-      return { ...n, x: seededX, y: seededY, vx: 0, vy: 0, homeX: seededX, homeY: seededY }
+      const homeY = (skillBaseY.get(n.id) ?? height * 0.5) + (skillYOffset.get(n.id) ?? 0) - height * SKILL_Y_GLOBAL_OFFSET_RATIO
+
+      return { ...n, x: homeX, y: homeY, vx: 0, vy: 0, homeX, homeY }
     })
 
     nodesRef.current = nodes
 
     // Build connected map
     const connectedMap = new Map<string, Set<string>>()
-    constellationLinks.forEach(l => {
+    visibleLinks.forEach(l => {
       if (!connectedMap.has(l.source)) connectedMap.set(l.source, new Set())
       if (!connectedMap.has(l.target)) connectedMap.set(l.target, new Set())
       connectedMap.get(l.source)!.add(l.target)
@@ -291,7 +384,7 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
     skillRestRadiiRef.current = skillRestRadii
 
     // Node-by-id lookup for link domain color resolution
-    const nodeById = new Map(constellationNodes.map(n => [n.id, n]))
+    const nodeById = new Map(visibleNodeData.map(n => [n.id, n]))
 
     // Create SVG groups
     const linkGroup = svg.append('g').attr('class', 'links')
@@ -339,6 +432,16 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
       .attr('stroke', 'transparent')
       .attr('stroke-width', 2)
 
+    nodeSelection.filter(entityFilter)
+      .append('rect')
+      .attr('class', 'node-bg')
+      .attr('x', -rw / 2)
+      .attr('y', -rh / 2)
+      .attr('width', rw)
+      .attr('height', rh)
+      .attr('rx', rrx)
+      .attr('fill', 'var(--surface)')
+
     nodeSelection.filter(entityFilter)
       .append('rect')
       .attr('class', 'node-circle')
@@ -348,8 +451,9 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
       .attr('height', rh)
       .attr('rx', rrx)
       .attr('fill', d => orgColorGradientMap.get(d.orgColor ?? 'var(--accent)') ?? d.orgColor ?? 'var(--accent)')
+      .attr('data-base-fill', d => orgColorGradientMap.get(d.orgColor ?? 'var(--accent)') ?? d.orgColor ?? 'var(--accent)')
       .attr('stroke', d => d.orgColor ?? 'var(--accent)')
-      .attr('stroke-opacity', 0.4)
+      .attr('stroke-opacity', 0.8)
       .attr('stroke-width', 1)
       .attr('stroke-dasharray', d => d.type === 'education' ? '4 3' : null)
 
@@ -387,20 +491,29 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
       .attr('stroke-width', SKILL_STROKE_WIDTH)
       .attr('stroke-opacity', SKILL_STROKE_OPACITY)
 
+    const skillFontSize = isMobile ? 9 : Math.round(11 * sf)
+    const skillLineHeight = Math.round(skillFontSize * 1.15)
+    const skillLabelOffset = srActive + Math.round(14 * sf)
+
     nodeSelection.filter(d => d.type === 'skill')
       .append('text')
       .attr('class', 'node-label')
       .attr('text-anchor', 'middle')
-      .attr('dy', srActive + Math.round(14 * sf))
       .attr('fill', 'var(--text-secondary)')
-      .attr('font-size', isMobile ? '9' : `${Math.round(11 * sf)}`)
+      .attr('font-size', skillFontSize)
       .attr('font-family', 'var(--font-geist-mono)')
       .attr('pointer-events', 'none')
       .attr('opacity', 0.5)
-      .text(d => {
+      .each(function (d) {
         const label = d.shortLabel ?? d.label
-        const maxLen = isMobile ? 12 : width < 500 ? 12 : 16
+        const words = label.split(/\s+/)
-        return label.length > maxLen ? `${label.slice(0, maxLen - 1)}…` : label
+        const el = d3.select(this)
+        words.forEach((word, i) => {
+          el.append('tspan')
+            .attr('x', 0)
+            .attr('dy', i === 0 ? skillLabelOffset : skillLineHeight)
+            .text(word)
+        })
       })
 
     // Entity connectors to timeline
@@ -423,15 +536,15 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
       ))
       .force('link', d3.forceLink<SimNode, SimLink>(links)
         .id(d => d.id)
-        .distance(isMobile ? 56 : Math.round(72 * sf))
+        .distance(isMobile ? 56 : Math.round(120 * sf))
-        .strength(d => (d as SimLink).strength * 0.5))
+        .strength(d => (d as SimLink).strength * 0.15))
-      .force('x', d3.forceX<SimNode>(d => d.homeX).strength(d => isEntityNode(d.type) ? 1.0 : 0.25))
+      .force('x', d3.forceX<SimNode>(d => d.homeX).strength(d => isEntityNode(d.type) ? 1.0 : 0.6))
       .force('y', d3.forceY<SimNode>(d => {
         if (isEntityNode(d.type)) {
-          return yScale(d.startYear ?? minYear)
+          return yScale(fractionalYear(d))
         }
         return d.homeY
-      }).strength(d => isEntityNode(d.type) ? 0.98 : 0.18))
+      }).strength(d => isEntityNode(d.type) ? 0.98 : 0.25))
       .force('collide', d3.forceCollide<SimNode>(d =>
         isEntityNode(d.type) ? Math.max(rw, rh) / 2 + (isMobile ? 8 : Math.round(10 * sf)) : srActive + (isMobile ? 14 : Math.round(16 * sf))
       ).iterations(3))
@@ -439,15 +552,14 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
     simulationRef.current = simulation
 
     const skillBottomPadding = srActive + Math.round(14 * sf) + Math.round(12 * sf)
-    const rightMargin = isMobile ? 16 : Math.round(32 * sf)
 
     const renderTick = () => {
       nodes.forEach(d => {
         if (isEntityNode(d.type)) {
-          d.x = Math.max(rw / 2 + 6, Math.min(width - rw / 2 - 6, d.x))
+          d.x = Math.max(rw / 2 + 6, Math.min(axisX - roleGap - rw / 2 + rw / 2, d.x))
           d.y = Math.max(rh / 2 + topPadding, Math.min(height - rh / 2 - bottomPadding, d.y))
         } else {
-          d.x = Math.max(srActive + 6, Math.min(width - srActive - rightMargin, d.x))
+          d.x = Math.max(srActive + 6, Math.min(skillZoneRight, d.x))
           d.y = Math.max(srActive + topPadding, Math.min(height - skillBottomPadding, d.y))
         }
       })
@@ -465,9 +577,9 @@ export function useForceSimulation(
       nodeSelection.attr('transform', d => `translate(${d.x},${d.y})`)
 
       roleConnectors
-        .attr('x1', timelineX)
+        .attr('x1', d => d.x + rw / 2)
         .attr('y1', d => d.y)
-        .attr('x2', d => d.x - rw / 2)
+        .attr('x2', axisX)
         .attr('y2', d => d.y)
 
       const nextNodePositions: Record<string, { x: number; y: number }> = {}

src/hooks/useTimelineAnimation.ts

@@ -15,14 +15,19 @@ import {
   ANIM_RESTART_DELAY_MS,
   ANIM_INTERACTION_RESUME_MS,
   ANIM_SETTLE_ALPHA,
+  ANIM_MONTH_STEP_MS,
+  ANIM_CHRONOLOGICAL_ENABLED,
+  HIDDEN_ENTITY_IDS,
   prefersReducedMotion,
 } from '@/components/constellation/constants'
 import type { SimNode, SimLink, AnimationState, AnimationStep } from '@/components/constellation/types'
 
-// Pre-compute animation steps from timeline entities (oldest first)
+// Pre-compute animation steps from timeline entities (newest first → reverse chronological)
-const sortedEntities = [...timelineEntities].sort(
+const sortedEntities = [...timelineEntities]
-  (a, b) => a.dateRange.startYear - b.dateRange.startYear
+  .filter(e => !HIDDEN_ENTITY_IDS.has(e.id))
-)
+  .sort((a, b) => b.dateRange.startYear - a.dateRange.startYear)
+
+const MONTH_ABBREVS = ['JAN', 'FEB', 'MAR', 'APR', 'MAY', 'JUN', 'JUL', 'AUG', 'SEP', 'OCT', 'NOV', 'DEC']
 
 function buildAnimationSteps(): AnimationStep[] {
   const seen = new Set<string>()
@@ -34,9 +39,11 @@ function buildAnimationSteps(): AnimationStep[] {
     const linkPairs = constellationLinks
       .filter(l => l.source === entity.id)
       .map(l => ({ source: l.source, target: l.target }))
+    const startDate = new Date(entity.dateRange.start)
     return {
       entityId: entity.id,
       startYear: entity.dateRange.startYear,
+      startMonth: startDate.getMonth(),
       skillIds,
       newSkillIds,
       reinforcedSkillIds,
@@ -57,6 +64,7 @@ interface UseTimelineAnimationDeps {
   skillRestRadiiRef: React.MutableRefObject<Map<string, number>>
   srDefault: number
   dimensionsTrigger: number
+  ready?: boolean
 }
 
 export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
@@ -68,7 +76,10 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
   const userPausedRef = useRef(false)
   const interactionPausedRef = useRef(false)
   const resumeTimerRef = useRef(0)
+  const displayedMonthRef = useRef(-1) // 0-indexed, -1 = not yet shown
+  const displayedYearRef = useRef(0)
   const [isPlaying, setIsPlaying] = useState(false)
+  const [animationInitialized, setAnimationInitialized] = useState(false)
 
   const scheduleTimeout = useCallback((fn: () => void, ms: number) => {
     const id = window.setTimeout(fn, ms)
@@ -76,6 +87,93 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
     return id
   }, [])
 
+  // Scroll the month/year indicator from current position to target, one month at a time
+  const scrollDateIndicator = useCallback((
+    targetMonth: number,
+    targetYear: number,
+    onComplete: () => void,
+  ) => {
+    const dateGroup = deps.yearIndicatorRef.current
+    if (!dateGroup) { onComplete(); return }
+
+    const monthText = dateGroup.select('.date-month') as d3.Selection<SVGTextElement, unknown, null, undefined>
+    const yearText = dateGroup.select('.date-year') as d3.Selection<SVGTextElement, unknown, null, undefined>
+    const lineHeight = parseFloat(monthText.attr('font-size') || '24') * 1.3
+
+    // First step: just show immediately if nothing displayed yet
+    if (displayedMonthRef.current === -1) {
+      displayedMonthRef.current = targetMonth
+      displayedYearRef.current = targetYear
+      monthText.text(MONTH_ABBREVS[targetMonth])
+      yearText.text(targetYear)
+      dateGroup.transition().duration(400).attr('opacity', 0.6)
+      onComplete()
+      return
+    }
+
+    // Calculate total months to scroll backwards
+    const fromTotal = displayedYearRef.current * 12 + displayedMonthRef.current
+    const toTotal = targetYear * 12 + targetMonth
+    const monthSteps = fromTotal - toTotal // positive = scrolling back in time
+    if (monthSteps <= 0) {
+      // Same or forward — just snap
+      displayedMonthRef.current = targetMonth
+      displayedYearRef.current = targetYear
+      monthText.text(MONTH_ABBREVS[targetMonth])
+      yearText.text(targetYear)
+      onComplete()
+      return
+    }
+
+    let currentMonth = displayedMonthRef.current
+    let currentYear = displayedYearRef.current
+    let step = 0
+
+    const tickMonth = () => {
+      if (step >= monthSteps) {
+        onComplete()
+        return
+      }
+
+      // Step back one month
+      currentMonth--
+      if (currentMonth < 0) {
+        currentMonth = 11
+        currentYear--
+        // Animate year change with vertical slide
+        yearText
+          .transition().duration(ANIM_MONTH_STEP_MS * 0.4)
+          .attr('dy', lineHeight * 0.4)
+          .attr('opacity', 0)
+          .transition().duration(0)
+          .attr('dy', -lineHeight * 0.4)
+          .text(currentYear)
+          .transition().duration(ANIM_MONTH_STEP_MS * 0.4)
+          .attr('dy', 0)
+          .attr('opacity', 0.6)
+      }
+
+      // Animate month with vertical slide
+      monthText
+        .transition().duration(ANIM_MONTH_STEP_MS * 0.4)
+        .attr('dy', lineHeight * 0.4)
+        .attr('opacity', 0)
+        .transition().duration(0)
+        .attr('dy', -lineHeight * 0.4)
+        .text(MONTH_ABBREVS[currentMonth])
+        .transition().duration(ANIM_MONTH_STEP_MS * 0.4)
+        .attr('dy', 0)
+        .attr('opacity', 1)
+
+      displayedMonthRef.current = currentMonth
+      displayedYearRef.current = currentYear
+      step++
+      scheduleTimeout(tickMonth, ANIM_MONTH_STEP_MS)
+    }
+
+    tickMonth()
+  }, [deps.yearIndicatorRef, scheduleTimeout])
+
   const cancelAll = useCallback(() => {
     if (rafIdRef.current) cancelAnimationFrame(rafIdRef.current)
     rafIdRef.current = 0
@@ -99,12 +197,15 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
     nodeSel.selectAll('*').interrupt()
     connSel?.interrupt()
     tlGroup?.interrupt()
+    yearInd?.interrupt()
+    yearInd?.selectAll('*').interrupt()
 
     nodeSel.style('opacity', '0')
-    linkSel.attr('opacity', 0)
+    linkSel.attr('stroke-opacity', 0)
     connSel?.attr('opacity', 0)
-    tlGroup?.attr('opacity', 0)
     yearInd?.attr('opacity', 0)
+    displayedMonthRef.current = -1
+    displayedYearRef.current = 0
 
     // Reset skill radii to 0
     nodeSel.filter((d: SimNode) => d.type === 'skill')
@@ -112,6 +213,23 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
       .attr('r', 0)
 
     visibleNodeIdsRef.current = new Set()
+
+    // Show full axis immediately — axis stays visible throughout animation
+    if (tlGroup) {
+      tlGroup.attr('opacity', 1)
+      let minTickY = Infinity
+      tlGroup.selectAll<SVGLineElement, number>('line.year-tick').each(function () {
+        const y = parseFloat(d3.select(this).attr('y1'))
+        if (y < minTickY) minTickY = y
+      })
+      if (minTickY < Infinity) {
+        tlGroup.select('.axis-line').attr('y1', minTickY - 12)
+      }
+      tlGroup.selectAll('line.year-tick').attr('stroke-opacity', 0.8)
+      tlGroup.selectAll('text.year-label').attr('opacity', 1)
+      tlGroup.selectAll('line.year-guide').attr('stroke-opacity', 0.25)
+    }
+    setAnimationInitialized(true)
   }, [deps.nodeSelectionRef, deps.linkSelectionRef, deps.connectorSelectionRef, deps.timelineGroupRef, deps.yearIndicatorRef])
 
   const showFinalState = useCallback(() => {
@@ -128,38 +246,43 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
     })
     visibleNodeIdsRef.current = allIds
 
-    nodeSel.style('opacity', '1')
+    nodeSel.style('opacity', (d: SimNode) => allIds.has(d.id) ? '1' : '0')
-    linkSel.attr('opacity', null)
+    linkSel.attr('stroke-opacity', null)
-    connSel?.attr('opacity', null)
+    connSel?.attr('opacity', (d: SimNode) => allIds.has(d.id) ? null : 0)
     tlGroup?.attr('opacity', 1)
 
+    setAnimationInitialized(true)
+
+    // Show full axis
+    if (tlGroup) {
+      // Find the topmost tick y to set axis line extent
+      let minTickY = Infinity
+      tlGroup.selectAll<SVGLineElement, number>('line.year-tick').each(function () {
+        const y = parseFloat(d3.select(this).attr('y1'))
+        if (y < minTickY) minTickY = y
+      })
+      if (minTickY < Infinity) {
+        tlGroup.select('.axis-line').attr('y1', minTickY - 12)
+      }
+      tlGroup.selectAll('line.year-tick').attr('stroke-opacity', 0.8)
+      tlGroup.selectAll('text.year-label').attr('opacity', 1)
+      tlGroup.selectAll('line.year-guide').attr('stroke-opacity', 0.25)
+    }
+
     nodeSel.filter((d: SimNode) => d.type === 'skill')
       .select('.node-circle')
       .attr('r', (d: SimNode) => deps.skillRestRadiiRef.current.get(d.id) ?? deps.srDefault)
   }, [deps.nodeSelectionRef, deps.linkSelectionRef, deps.connectorSelectionRef, deps.timelineGroupRef, deps.skillRestRadiiRef, deps.srDefault])
 
-  const revealStep = useCallback((stepIdx: number, onComplete: () => void) => {
+  const revealEntityAndSkills = useCallback((stepIdx: number, onComplete: () => void) => {
     const nodeSel = deps.nodeSelectionRef.current
     const linkSel = deps.linkSelectionRef.current
     const connSel = deps.connectorSelectionRef.current
-    const yearInd = deps.yearIndicatorRef.current
-    const tlGroup = deps.timelineGroupRef.current
     if (!nodeSel || !linkSel) return
 
     const step = animationSteps[stepIdx]
     if (!step) { onComplete(); return }
 
-    // Show timeline guides on first step
-    if (stepIdx === 0 && tlGroup) {
-      tlGroup.transition().duration(200).attr('opacity', 1)
-    }
-
-    // Update year indicator
-    if (yearInd) {
-      yearInd.text(step.startYear)
-        .transition().duration(200).attr('opacity', 0.6)
-    }
-
     // Reveal entity node
     const entityGroup = nodeSel.filter((d: SimNode) => d.id === step.entityId)
     entityGroup
@@ -237,7 +360,7 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
           const el = d3.select(this)
           const pathEl = this as SVGPathElement
           const length = pathEl.getTotalLength()
-          el.attr('opacity', 1)
+          el.attr('stroke-opacity', 1)
             .attr('stroke-dasharray', `${length} ${length}`)
             .attr('stroke-dashoffset', length)
             .transition()
@@ -258,7 +381,16 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
     const totalStepMs = Math.max(ANIM_ENTITY_REVEAL_MS, skillDuration, linkDuration)
 
     scheduleTimeout(onComplete, totalStepMs + ANIM_STEP_GAP_MS)
-  }, [deps.nodeSelectionRef, deps.linkSelectionRef, deps.connectorSelectionRef, deps.yearIndicatorRef, deps.timelineGroupRef, deps.skillRestRadiiRef, deps.srDefault, scheduleTimeout])
+  }, [deps.nodeSelectionRef, deps.linkSelectionRef, deps.connectorSelectionRef, deps.skillRestRadiiRef, deps.srDefault, scheduleTimeout])
+
+  const revealStep = useCallback((stepIdx: number, onComplete: () => void) => {
+    const step = animationSteps[stepIdx]
+    if (!step) { onComplete(); return }
+
+    // Run date scroll and entity/skills reveal concurrently
+    scrollDateIndicator(step.startMonth, step.startYear, () => {})
+    revealEntityAndSkills(stepIdx, onComplete)
+  }, [scrollDateIndicator, revealEntityAndSkills])
 
   const runAnimation = useCallback(() => {
     if (prefersReducedMotion) return
@@ -274,18 +406,16 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
           if (userPausedRef.current || interactionPausedRef.current) return
           animationStateRef.current = 'RESETTING'
 
-          // Fade year indicator
+          // Fade date indicator
           deps.yearIndicatorRef.current?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('opacity', 0)
 
           // Fade all
           deps.nodeSelectionRef.current
             ?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).style('opacity', '0')
           deps.linkSelectionRef.current
-            ?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('opacity', 0)
+            ?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('stroke-opacity', 0)
           deps.connectorSelectionRef.current
             ?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('opacity', 0)
-          deps.timelineGroupRef.current
-            ?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('opacity', 0)
 
           scheduleTimeout(() => {
             if (userPausedRef.current) return
@@ -296,6 +426,8 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
               .attr('r', 0)
 
             visibleNodeIdsRef.current = new Set()
+            displayedMonthRef.current = -1
+            displayedYearRef.current = 0
             currentStepRef.current = 0
             animationStateRef.current = 'PLAYING'
             setIsPlaying(true)
@@ -330,7 +462,7 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
     }
 
     rafIdRef.current = requestAnimationFrame(waitForSettle)
-  }, [deps.simulationRef, deps.nodeSelectionRef, deps.linkSelectionRef, deps.connectorSelectionRef, deps.yearIndicatorRef, deps.timelineGroupRef, hideAll, revealStep, scheduleTimeout])
+  }, [deps.simulationRef, deps.nodeSelectionRef, deps.linkSelectionRef, deps.connectorSelectionRef, deps.yearIndicatorRef, hideAll, revealStep, scheduleTimeout])
 
   const togglePlayPause = useCallback(() => {
     if (prefersReducedMotion) return
@@ -393,9 +525,8 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
             animationStateRef.current = 'RESETTING'
             deps.yearIndicatorRef.current?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('opacity', 0)
             deps.nodeSelectionRef.current?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).style('opacity', '0')
-            deps.linkSelectionRef.current?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('opacity', 0)
+            deps.linkSelectionRef.current?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('stroke-opacity', 0)
             deps.connectorSelectionRef.current?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('opacity', 0)
-            deps.timelineGroupRef.current?.transition().duration(ANIM_RESET_MS).attr('opacity', 0)
             scheduleTimeout(() => {
               if (userPausedRef.current) return
               deps.nodeSelectionRef.current
@@ -403,6 +534,8 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
                 .select('.node-circle')
                 .attr('r', 0)
               visibleNodeIdsRef.current = new Set()
+              displayedMonthRef.current = -1
+              displayedYearRef.current = 0
               currentStepRef.current = 0
               animationStateRef.current = 'PLAYING'
               setIsPlaying(true)
@@ -419,11 +552,13 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
 
       advanceFromCurrent()
     }, ANIM_INTERACTION_RESUME_MS)
-  }, [deps.nodeSelectionRef, deps.linkSelectionRef, deps.connectorSelectionRef, deps.yearIndicatorRef, deps.timelineGroupRef, revealStep, scheduleTimeout])
+  }, [deps.nodeSelectionRef, deps.linkSelectionRef, deps.connectorSelectionRef, deps.yearIndicatorRef, revealStep, scheduleTimeout])
 
-  // Start animation on mount / dimension change
+  // Start animation on mount / dimension change — wait for ready signal
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (prefersReducedMotion) {
+    if (!deps.ready) return
+
+    if (prefersReducedMotion || !ANIM_CHRONOLOGICAL_ENABLED) {
       // Show final state immediately after a tick to let simulation refs populate
       const id = requestAnimationFrame(() => {
         showFinalState()
@@ -444,12 +579,13 @@ export function useTimelineAnimation(deps: UseTimelineAnimationDeps) {
       cancelAll()
       animationStateRef.current = 'IDLE'
     }
-  }, [deps.dimensionsTrigger, cancelAll, runAnimation, showFinalState])
+  }, [deps.dimensionsTrigger, deps.ready, cancelAll, runAnimation, showFinalState])
 
   return {
     animationStateRef,
     visibleNodeIdsRef,
     isPlaying,
+    animationInitialized,
     togglePlayPause,
     pauseForInteraction,
     resumeAfterInteraction,

src/index.css

@@ -351,6 +351,10 @@ html {
     grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
     gap: 20px;
   }
+
+  .dashboard-grid > :first-child {
+    grid-column: 1 / -1;
+  }
 }
 
 /* Desktop: maintain 2 columns with generous gap */
@@ -405,16 +409,10 @@ html {
 
 .timeline-intervention-item {
   width: 100%;
+  gap: 8px;
+  
 }
 
-.timeline-intervention-item--education {
-  display: flex;
-  justify-content: flex-end;
-}
-
-.timeline-intervention-item--education > div {
-  width: min(100%, 94%);
-}
 
 .timeline-intervention-pill {
   display: inline-flex;
@@ -441,7 +439,7 @@ html {
 /* Tablet+: 2 columns */
 @media (min-width: 768px) {
   .pathway-columns {
-    grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 3fr);
+    grid-template-columns: minmax(0, 2fr) minmax(0, 3.5fr);
     align-items: start;
     gap: 22px;
   }

src/types/pmr.ts

@@ -192,6 +192,7 @@ export interface ConstellationNode {
   shortLabel?: string    // abbreviated for small nodes
   organization?: string
   startYear?: number
+  startDate?: string   // ISO date for fractional year positioning
   endYear?: number | null
   orgColor?: string
   domain?: 'clinical' | 'technical' | 'leadership'