mcp: project-plan — PBS Design Sandbox — fast WP-free prototyping

Sources/Dev/pbs-design-sandbox.md

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+---
+created: '2026-05-28'
+path: Sources/Dev
+project: pbs-design-sandbox
+tags:
+- pbs
+- astro
+- design
+- prototyping
+- traefik
+type: project-plan
+---
+
+## Goal
+
+A fast, low-friction prototyping sandbox for iterating on **custom PBS design ideas** — speed of iteration is the whole point, and explicitly **not tied to WordPress**. Distinct from the existing Linode WP staging mirror (which Travis already has); this is for trying *custom* ideas quickly, "closer" than a cloud redeploy each time.
+
+## Locked Decisions
+
+- **Not WordPress.** WP is the opposite of fast design iteration; this sandbox is decoupled from it.
+- **Separate from the Linode WP staging mirror** — that already exists and serves WP staging; this is a different need.
+- Speed-of-iteration is the priority that drives tooling choices.
+
+## Open Items
+
+- **What the custom ideas actually are** — Travis deferred explaining ("I can explain the custom ideas later"). Candidates that came up: the membership "Garden" UI, a custom PBS front-end, recipe-cards/seed-packets, landing/marketing pages. This is the key unknown that shapes everything.
+- **Framework** — Astro is the lead recommendation for a content/recipe brand (component-based, content-first, ships static). Alternatives already scaffolded in the project-scaffolding skill: React+Vite, Hono, T3.
+- **Local-only vs hosted preview** — pure local hot-reload (fastest loop) vs also a homelab preview route to view on devices / share.
+
+## Phases
+
+Rough shape discussed (two layers):
+
+1. **Dev loop (speed):** a modern component framework with hot-reload — edit → instant browser refresh, no DB/migration. Runs locally = fastest loop. Astro lead pick; one command via the project-scaffolding skill.
+2. **Preview layer ("closer" + shareable):** optional homelab-hosted preview at `design.herbylab.dev` (or `sandbox.*`) behind the existing Traefik + Cloudflare + Authentik — auth-gated, instant, nearly free since the plumbing exists. A static build behind Traefik, not a heavy VM.
+
+## Notes
+
+- "Not tied to WordPress" ≠ cut off from content: prototypes can pull live recipes via the WP REST API headlessly if they need to feel real, without *being* a WP site.
+- Assets already in place that make this cheap: the project-scaffolding skill (Astro/React+Vite/Hono/T3), and the homelab Traefik + Cloudflare DNS-01 + Authentik stack for instant auth-gated `*.herbylab.dev` previews.
+- Source: discussion on 2026-05-27 (Lovebug/Dispatch chat). Idea-stage; flesh out once Travis details the custom ideas.