User has unstable phone number?
├── YES → See: Authentication Without Stable Phones
└── NO → Standard auth OK

User may lose internet mid-task?
├── YES → See: Offline-First Design
└── NO → Standard web patterns OK

User may be on shared/public device?
├── YES → See: Shared Device Privacy
└── NO → Standard session management OK

Form is complex or emotionally difficult?
├── YES → See: Trauma-Informed Forms
└── NO → Standard form patterns OK

User has history of system trauma?
├── YES → Apply ALL trauma-informed patterns
└── UNKNOWN → Assume YES for civic/legal/benefits apps

□ Email is primary identifier (phone optional)
□ Backup codes can be printed/written
□ Case worker recovery pathway exists
□ Core features work without login
□ Sessions are not device-locked
□ Phone number changes don't lock accounts
□ "Forgot password" has non-SMS option

□ PWA with service worker caching
□ All form data saves to localStorage on every change
□ Clear sync status indicator visible
□ Offline mode tested (airplane mode)
□ Background sync when connection returns
□ No data loss on connection drop (verified)
□ Multi-step flows don't timeout
□ Minimal asset downloads (text-first views available)

// Save form state on every change
function useAutoSave(key: string, data: any) {
  useEffect(() => {
    localStorage.setItem(key, JSON.stringify({
      data,
      savedAt: new Date().toISOString(),
      synced: false
    }));
  }, [key, data]);

  // Return saved data on mount
  return useMemo(() => {
    const saved = localStorage.getItem(key);
    return saved ? JSON.parse(saved).data : null;
  }, [key]);
}

□ "Remember me" is UNCHECKED by default
□ Logout button visible on every page
□ Session timeout with save-progress warning
□ Sensitive fields have autocomplete="off"
□ Incognito mode suggested in UI for public computers
□ No cached personal data after logout
□ "Working on a shared computer?" toggle available

✅ Calm palette:
- Success: Soft green (#4a9d9e), not aggressive lime
- Warning: Warm amber (#d4a03a), not alarming yellow
- Error: Muted terracotta (#c97a5d), not aggressive red
- Background: Cream/warm neutrals

❌ Avoid:
- Aggressive red for errors
- High-contrast warning colors
- Flashing or pulsing elements
- Visual "alarm" states

□ No form longer than 5 fields per page
□ Progress indicator on all multi-step flows
□ Help text inline, not in tooltips/modals
□ Forgiving validation (formats automatically)
□ No required fields that aren't truly required
□ "Skip for now" on optional sections
□ Calm color palette (no aggressive reds)
□ Person-first language throughout
□ Clear "what happens next" on every screen

□ Eligibility checker before signup/info collection
□ Case number lookup tool or "I don't know" option
□ County auto-detected from address
□ Document upload alternatives (not just scan)
□ Legal terms have inline definitions
□ Expected timeline stated clearly
□ Fee waiver is default, not hidden option
□ "Not eligible" includes explanation WHY

AUTHENTICATION
□ Can user sign up with just email?
□ Is there a non-SMS account recovery option?
□ Do core features work without login?

OFFLINE/INTERMITTENT
□ Does form data survive connection loss?
□ Is there visible "saved" indicator?
□ Can user resume exactly where they left off?

SHARED DEVICES
□ Is "remember me" unchecked by default?
□ Is logout button prominent?
□ Does session timeout with warning?

FORMS
□ Is reading level ≤8th grade?
□ Are there ≤5 fields per page?
□ Is help text inline (not hidden)?
□ Are required fields truly required?

TONE
□ Is language person-first?
□ Are timelines explicit?
□ Is error messaging non-blaming?
□ Are colors calm (no aggressive red)?

LEGAL/EXPUNGEMENT SPECIFIC
□ Is eligibility checked first?
□ Are fee waivers prominent?
□ Is "I don't know my case number" handled?