Refactor: Implement smooth moderation queue

src/components/moderation/ModerationQueue.tsx

@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ interface ModerationItem {
   escalated?: boolean;
   assigned_to?: string;
   locked_until?: string;
+  _removing?: boolean;
 }
 
 type EntityFilter = 'all' | 'reviews' | 'submissions' | 'photos';
@@ -81,8 +82,7 @@ export interface ModerationQueueRef {
 export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   const isMobile = useIsMobile();
   const [items, setItems] = useState<ModerationItem[]>([]);
-  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true);
-  const [isInitialLoad, setIsInitialLoad] = useState(true);
+  const [loadingState, setLoadingState] = useState<'initial' | 'loading' | 'refreshing' | 'ready'>('initial');
   const [actionLoading, setActionLoading] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [notes, setNotes] = useState<Record<string, string>>({});
   const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState<QueueTab>('mainQueue');
@@ -100,7 +100,6 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   const [selectedItemForAction, setSelectedItemForAction] = useState<ModerationItem | null>(null);
   const [interactingWith, setInteractingWith] = useState<Set<string>>(new Set());
   const [newItemsCount, setNewItemsCount] = useState(0);
-  const [isRefreshing, setIsRefreshing] = useState(false);
   const [profileCache, setProfileCache] = useState<Map<string, any>>(new Map());
   const [entityCache, setEntityCache] = useState<{
     rides: Map<string, any>,
@@ -192,7 +191,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
 
   // Enable transitions after initial render
   useEffect(() => {
-    if (!loading && items.length > 0 && !hasRenderedOnce) {
+    if (loadingState === 'ready' && items.length > 0 && !hasRenderedOnce) {
       // Use requestAnimationFrame to enable transitions AFTER first paint
       requestAnimationFrame(() => {
         requestAnimationFrame(() => {
@@ -200,7 +199,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
         });
       });
     }
-  }, [loading, items.length, hasRenderedOnce]);
+  }, [loadingState, items.length, hasRenderedOnce]);
 
   const fetchItems = useCallback(async (entityFilter: EntityFilter = 'all', statusFilter: StatusFilter = 'pending', silent = false, tab: QueueTab = 'mainQueue') => {
     if (!userRef.current) {
@@ -236,9 +235,9 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
     try {
       // Set loading states
       if (!silent) {
-        setLoading(true);
+        setLoadingState('loading');
       } else {
-        setIsRefreshing(true);
+        setLoadingState('refreshing');
       }
 
       // Build base query for content submissions
@@ -681,15 +680,13 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
       });
     } finally {
       fetchInProgressRef.current = false;
-      setLoading(false);
-      setIsRefreshing(false);
-      setIsInitialLoad(false);
+      setLoadingState('ready');
     }
   }, []); // Empty deps - use refs instead
 
   // Debounced filters to prevent rapid-fire calls
-  const debouncedEntityFilter = useDebounce(activeEntityFilter, 1000);
-  const debouncedStatusFilter = useDebounce(activeStatusFilter, 1000);
+  const debouncedEntityFilter = useDebounce(activeEntityFilter, 300);
+  const debouncedStatusFilter = useDebounce(activeStatusFilter, 300);
 
   // Store latest filter values in ref to avoid dependency issues
   const filtersRef = useRef({ entityFilter: debouncedEntityFilter, statusFilter: debouncedStatusFilter });
@@ -760,7 +757,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   // Polling for auto-refresh (only if realtime is disabled)
   useEffect(() => {
     // STRICT CHECK: Only enable polling if explicitly disabled
-    if (!user || refreshMode !== 'auto' || isInitialLoad || useRealtimeQueue) {
+    if (!user || refreshMode !== 'auto' || loadingState === 'initial' || useRealtimeQueue) {
       if (useRealtimeQueue && refreshMode === 'auto') {
         console.log('✅ Polling DISABLED - using realtime subscriptions');
       }
@@ -778,7 +775,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
       console.log('🛑 Polling stopped');
     };
     // eslint-disable-next-line react-hooks/exhaustive-deps
-  }, [user, refreshMode, pollInterval, isInitialLoad, useRealtimeQueue]);
+  }, [user, refreshMode, pollInterval, loadingState, useRealtimeQueue]);
 
   // Real-time subscription for NEW submissions (replaces polling)
   useEffect(() => {
@@ -1199,22 +1196,28 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
     const shouldRemove = (activeStatusFilter === 'pending' || activeStatusFilter === 'flagged') && 
                         (action === 'approved' || action === 'rejected');
     
-    // Optimistic UI update - batch with requestAnimationFrame for smoother rendering
-    requestAnimationFrame(() => {
-      if (shouldRemove) {
+    // Optimistic UI update with smooth exit animation
+    if (shouldRemove) {
+      // Step 1: Mark item as "removing" for exit animation
+      setItems(prev => prev.map(i => 
+        i.id === item.id ? { ...i, _removing: true } : i
+      ));
+      
+      // Step 2: Wait for exit animation (300ms), then remove
+      setTimeout(() => {
         setItems(prev => prev.filter(i => i.id !== item.id));
         
         // Mark as recently removed - ignore realtime updates for 10 seconds
         recentlyRemovedRef.current.add(item.id);
         setTimeout(() => {
           recentlyRemovedRef.current.delete(item.id);
-        }, 10000); // Increased from 3000
-      } else {
-        setItems(prev => prev.map(i => 
-          i.id === item.id ? { ...i, status: action } : i
-        ));
-      }
-    });
+        }, 10000);
+      }, 300);
+    } else {
+      setItems(prev => prev.map(i => 
+        i.id === item.id ? { ...i, status: action } : i
+      ));
+    }
     
     // Release lock if this submission is claimed by current user
     if (queue.currentLock?.submissionId === item.id) {
@@ -1836,9 +1839,13 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
   }, []);
 
   const QueueContent = () => {
-    // Show skeleton during initial load OR during mounting phase
-    if ((isInitialLoad && loading) || (isMountingRef.current && !initialFetchCompleteRef.current)) {
-      return <QueueSkeleton count={5} />;
+    // Show skeleton during ANY loading state (except refreshing)
+    if (loadingState === 'initial' || loadingState === 'loading') {
+      return (
+        <div className="animate-in fade-in-50 duration-200">
+          <QueueSkeleton count={Math.min(pageSize, 10)} />
+        </div>
+      );
     }
 
     if (items.length === 0) {
@@ -1859,35 +1866,47 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
     }, [items, sortConfig]);
 
     return (
-          <div 
-            className="flex flex-col gap-6" 
-            data-initial-load={!hasRenderedOnce ? "true" : "false"}
-            style={{ willChange: 'transform' }}
-          >
-        {sortedItems.map((item) => (
-          <QueueItem
+      <div 
+        className="flex flex-col gap-6 transition-opacity duration-300 ease-in-out queue-fade-enter"
+        data-initial-load={!hasRenderedOnce ? "true" : "false"}
+        style={{ 
+          willChange: 'transform, opacity'
+        }}
+      >
+        {sortedItems.map((item, index) => (
+          <div
             key={item.id}
-            item={item}
-            isMobile={isMobile}
-            actionLoading={actionLoading}
-            lockedSubmissions={lockedSubmissions}
-            currentLockSubmissionId={queue.currentLock?.submissionId}
-            notes={notes}
-            isAdmin={isAdmin()}
-            isSuperuser={isSuperuser()}
-            queueIsLoading={queue.isLoading}
-            isInitialRender={!hasRenderedOnce}
-            onNoteChange={handleNoteChange}
-            onApprove={handleModerationAction}
-            onResetToPending={handleResetToPending}
-            onRetryFailed={handleRetryFailedItems}
-            onOpenPhotos={handleOpenPhotos}
-            onOpenReviewManager={handleOpenReviewManager}
-            onClaimSubmission={(id) => queue.claimSubmission(id)}
-            onDeleteSubmission={handleDeleteSubmission}
-            onInteractionFocus={handleInteractionFocus}
-            onInteractionBlur={handleInteractionBlur}
-          />
+            className="animate-in fade-in-0 slide-in-from-bottom-2"
+            style={{
+              animationDelay: hasRenderedOnce ? `${index * 30}ms` : '0ms',
+              animationDuration: '250ms',
+              animationFillMode: 'backwards'
+            }}
+          >
+            <QueueItem
+              key={item.id}
+              item={item}
+              isMobile={isMobile}
+              actionLoading={actionLoading}
+              lockedSubmissions={lockedSubmissions}
+              currentLockSubmissionId={queue.currentLock?.submissionId}
+              notes={notes}
+              isAdmin={isAdmin()}
+              isSuperuser={isSuperuser()}
+              queueIsLoading={queue.isLoading}
+              isInitialRender={!hasRenderedOnce}
+              onNoteChange={handleNoteChange}
+              onApprove={handleModerationAction}
+              onResetToPending={handleResetToPending}
+              onRetryFailed={handleRetryFailedItems}
+              onOpenPhotos={handleOpenPhotos}
+              onOpenReviewManager={handleOpenReviewManager}
+              onClaimSubmission={(id) => queue.claimSubmission(id)}
+              onDeleteSubmission={handleDeleteSubmission}
+              onInteractionFocus={handleInteractionFocus}
+              onInteractionBlur={handleInteractionBlur}
+            />
+          </div>
         ))}
       </div>
     );
@@ -2010,7 +2029,13 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
         <div className={`flex gap-4 flex-1 ${isMobile ? 'flex-col' : 'flex-col sm:flex-row'}`}>
           <div className={`space-y-2 ${isMobile ? 'w-full' : 'min-w-[140px]'}`}>
             <Label className={`font-medium ${isMobile ? 'text-xs' : 'text-sm'}`}>Entity Type</Label>
-            <Select value={activeEntityFilter} onValueChange={(value) => setActiveEntityFilter(value as EntityFilter)}>
+            <Select 
+              value={activeEntityFilter} 
+              onValueChange={(value) => {
+                setActiveEntityFilter(value as EntityFilter);
+                setLoadingState('loading');
+              }}
+            >
               <SelectTrigger className={isMobile ? "h-10" : ""}>
                 <SelectValue>
                   <div className="flex items-center gap-2">
@@ -2050,7 +2075,13 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
 
           <div className={`space-y-2 ${isMobile ? 'w-full' : 'min-w-[120px]'}`}>
             <Label className={`font-medium ${isMobile ? 'text-xs' : 'text-sm'}`}>Status</Label>
-            <Select value={activeStatusFilter} onValueChange={(value) => setActiveStatusFilter(value as StatusFilter)}>
+            <Select 
+              value={activeStatusFilter} 
+              onValueChange={(value) => {
+                setActiveStatusFilter(value as StatusFilter);
+                setLoadingState('loading');
+              }}
+            >
               <SelectTrigger className={isMobile ? "h-10" : ""}>
                 <SelectValue>
                   <span className="capitalize">{activeStatusFilter === 'all' ? 'All Status' : activeStatusFilter}</span>
@@ -2174,12 +2205,22 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
                 variant="default"
                 size="sm"
                 onClick={() => {
-                  // Merge pending new items into the main queue at the top
+                  // Smooth merge with loading state
                   if (pendingNewItems.length > 0) {
-                    setItems(prev => [...pendingNewItems, ...prev]);
-                    setPendingNewItems([]);
+                    setLoadingState('loading');
+                    
+                    // After 150ms, merge items
+                    setTimeout(() => {
+                      setItems(prev => [...pendingNewItems, ...prev]);
+                      setPendingNewItems([]);
+                      setNewItemsCount(0);
+                      
+                      // Show content again after brief pause
+                      setTimeout(() => {
+                        setLoadingState('ready');
+                      }, 100);
+                    }, 150);
                   }
-                  setNewItemsCount(0);
                   console.log('✅ New items merged into queue');
                 }}
                 className="ml-4"
@@ -2196,7 +2237,7 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
       <QueueContent />
 
       {/* Pagination Controls */}
-      {totalPages > 1 && !loading && (
+      {totalPages > 1 && loadingState === 'ready' && (
         <div className="flex items-center justify-between border-t pt-4 mt-6">
           <div className="flex items-center gap-2 text-sm text-muted-foreground">
             <span>
@@ -2208,8 +2249,10 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
                 <Select 
                   value={pageSize.toString()} 
                   onValueChange={(value) => {
+                    setLoadingState('loading');
                     setPageSize(parseInt(value));
                     setCurrentPage(1);
+                    window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
                   }}
                 >
                   <SelectTrigger className="w-[120px] h-8">
@@ -2231,7 +2274,11 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
               <Button
                 variant="outline"
                 size="sm"
-                onClick={() => setCurrentPage(p => Math.max(1, p - 1))}
+                onClick={() => {
+                  setLoadingState('loading');
+                  setCurrentPage(p => Math.max(1, p - 1));
+                  window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+                }}
                 disabled={currentPage === 1}
               >
                 Previous
@@ -2242,7 +2289,11 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
               <Button
                 variant="outline"
                 size="sm"
-                onClick={() => setCurrentPage(p => Math.min(totalPages, p + 1))}
+                onClick={() => {
+                  setLoadingState('loading');
+                  setCurrentPage(p => Math.min(totalPages, p + 1));
+                  window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+                }}
                 disabled={currentPage === totalPages}
               >
                 Next
@@ -2253,7 +2304,11 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
               <PaginationContent>
                 <PaginationItem>
                   <PaginationPrevious 
-                    onClick={() => setCurrentPage(p => Math.max(1, p - 1))}
+                    onClick={() => {
+                      setLoadingState('loading');
+                      setCurrentPage(p => Math.max(1, p - 1));
+                      window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+                    }}
                     className={currentPage === 1 ? 'pointer-events-none opacity-50' : 'cursor-pointer'}
                   />
                 </PaginationItem>
@@ -2261,7 +2316,14 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
                 {currentPage > 3 && (
                   <>
                     <PaginationItem>
-                      <PaginationLink onClick={() => setCurrentPage(1)} isActive={currentPage === 1}>
+                      <PaginationLink 
+                        onClick={() => {
+                          setLoadingState('loading');
+                          setCurrentPage(1);
+                          window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+                        }} 
+                        isActive={currentPage === 1}
+                      >
                         1
                       </PaginationLink>
                     </PaginationItem>
@@ -2274,7 +2336,11 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
                   .map(page => (
                     <PaginationItem key={page}>
                       <PaginationLink 
-                        onClick={() => setCurrentPage(page)}
+                        onClick={() => {
+                          setLoadingState('loading');
+                          setCurrentPage(page);
+                          window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+                        }}
                         isActive={currentPage === page}
                       >
                         {page}
@@ -2287,7 +2353,14 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
                   <>
                     {currentPage < totalPages - 3 && <PaginationEllipsis />}
                     <PaginationItem>
-                      <PaginationLink onClick={() => setCurrentPage(totalPages)} isActive={currentPage === totalPages}>
+                      <PaginationLink 
+                        onClick={() => {
+                          setLoadingState('loading');
+                          setCurrentPage(totalPages);
+                          window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+                        }} 
+                        isActive={currentPage === totalPages}
+                      >
                         {totalPages}
                       </PaginationLink>
                     </PaginationItem>
@@ -2296,7 +2369,11 @@ export const ModerationQueue = forwardRef<ModerationQueueRef>((props, ref) => {
                 
                 <PaginationItem>
                   <PaginationNext 
-                    onClick={() => setCurrentPage(p => Math.min(totalPages, p + 1))}
+                    onClick={() => {
+                      setLoadingState('loading');
+                      setCurrentPage(p => Math.min(totalPages, p + 1));
+                      window.scrollTo({ top: 0, behavior: 'smooth' });
+                    }}
                     className={currentPage === totalPages ? 'pointer-events-none opacity-50' : 'cursor-pointer'}
                   />
                 </PaginationItem>

src/components/moderation/QueueItem.tsx

@@ -38,6 +38,7 @@ interface ModerationItem {
   escalated?: boolean;
   assigned_to?: string;
   locked_until?: string;
+  _removing?: boolean;
 }
 
 import { ValidationSummary } from './ValidationSummary';
@@ -108,7 +109,9 @@ export const QueueItem = memo(({
   return (
     <Card 
       key={item.id} 
-      className={`border-l-4 ${
+      className={`border-l-4 transition-all duration-300 ${
+        item._removing ? 'opacity-0 scale-95 pointer-events-none' : ''
+      } ${
         validationResult?.blockingErrors && validationResult.blockingErrors.length > 0 ? 'border-l-red-600' :
         item.status === 'flagged' ? 'border-l-red-500' :
         item.status === 'approved' ? 'border-l-green-500' :
@@ -117,9 +120,9 @@ export const QueueItem = memo(({
         'border-l-amber-500'
       }`}
       style={{ 
-        opacity: actionLoading === item.id ? 0.5 : 1,
+        opacity: actionLoading === item.id ? 0.5 : (item._removing ? 0 : 1),
         pointerEvents: actionLoading === item.id ? 'none' : 'auto',
-        transition: isInitialRender ? 'none' : 'opacity 200ms'
+        transition: isInitialRender ? 'none' : 'all 300ms ease-in-out'
       }}
     >
       <CardHeader className={isMobile ? "pb-3 p-4" : "pb-4"}>

src/components/moderation/QueueItemSkeleton.tsx

@@ -1,9 +1,16 @@
 import { Card, CardHeader, CardContent } from '@/components/ui/card';
 import { Skeleton } from '@/components/ui/skeleton';
 
-export function QueueItemSkeleton() {
+export function QueueItemSkeleton({ index = 0 }: { index?: number }) {
   return (
-    <Card className="border-l-4 border-l-muted">
+    <Card 
+      className="border-l-4 border-l-muted animate-in fade-in-0 slide-in-from-bottom-4"
+      style={{ 
+        animationDelay: `${index * 50}ms`,
+        animationDuration: '300ms',
+        animationFillMode: 'backwards'
+      }}
+    >
       <CardHeader className="pb-4">
         <div className="flex items-start justify-between gap-4">
           {/* Left side: Entity type badge + title */}

src/components/moderation/QueueSkeleton.tsx

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ export function QueueSkeleton({ count = 5 }: QueueSkeletonProps) {
   return (
     <div className="flex flex-col gap-6">
       {Array.from({ length: count }).map((_, i) => (
-        <QueueItemSkeleton key={i} />
+        <QueueItemSkeleton key={i} index={i} />
       ))}
     </div>
   );

src/index.css

@@ -353,3 +353,42 @@ All colors MUST be HSL.
     border-color: hsl(var(--border));
   }
 }
+
+/* Smooth queue transitions */
+.queue-fade-enter {
+  animation: queueFadeIn 300ms ease-in-out;
+}
+
+.queue-fade-exit {
+  animation: queueFadeOut 200ms ease-in-out;
+}
+
+@keyframes queueFadeIn {
+  from {
+    opacity: 0;
+    transform: translateY(8px);
+  }
+  to {
+    opacity: 1;
+    transform: translateY(0);
+  }
+}
+
+@keyframes queueFadeOut {
+  from {
+    opacity: 1;
+    transform: translateY(0);
+  }
+  to {
+    opacity: 0;
+    transform: translateY(-8px);
+  }
+}
+
+/* Performance optimizations for queue items */
+.queue-item-container {
+  contain: layout style paint;
+  will-change: transform, opacity;
+  content-visibility: auto;
+  contain-intrinsic-size: 0 200px;
+}