refactor: improve app start time

lib/core/auth/auth_state_manager.dart

@@ -99,10 +99,9 @@ class AuthStateManager extends StateNotifier<AuthState> {
 
       if (token != null && token.isNotEmpty) {
         DebugLogger.auth('Found stored token during initialization');
-        // Validate token before setting authenticated state
+        // Fast path: trust token format to avoid blocking startup on network
-        final isValid = await _validateToken(token);
+        final formatOk = _isValidTokenFormat(token);
-        DebugLogger.auth('Token validation result: $isValid');
+        if (formatOk) {
-        if (isValid) {
           state = state.copyWith(
             status: AuthStatus.authenticated,
             token: token,
@@ -110,14 +109,23 @@ class AuthStateManager extends StateNotifier<AuthState> {
             clearError: true,
           );
 
-          // Update API service with token
+          // Update API service with token and load user data in background
           _updateApiServiceToken(token);
-
-          // Load user data in background
           _loadUserData();
+
+          // Background server validation; if it fails, invalidate token gracefully
+          Future.microtask(() async {
+            try {
+              final ok = await _validateToken(token);
+              DebugLogger.auth('Deferred token validation result: $ok');
+              if (!ok) {
+                await onTokenInvalidated();
+              }
+            } catch (_) {}
+          });
         } else {
-          // Token is invalid, clear it
+          // Token format invalid; clear and require login
-          DebugLogger.auth('Token validation failed, deleting token');
+          DebugLogger.auth('Token format invalid, deleting token');
           await storage.deleteAuthToken();
           state = state.copyWith(
             status: AuthStatus.unauthenticated,

lib/core/providers/app_providers.dart

@@ -682,137 +682,104 @@ final defaultModelProvider = FutureProvider<Model?>((ref) async {
   if (api == null) return null;
 
   try {
-    // Get all available models first
+    // Respect manual selection if present
+    if (ref.read(isManualModelSelectionProvider)) {
+      final current = ref.read(selectedModelProvider);
+      if (current != null) return current;
+    }
+
+    // 1) Fast path: read stored default model ID directly and select optimistically
+    try {
+      final storedDefaultId = await SettingsService.getDefaultModel();
+      if (storedDefaultId != null && storedDefaultId.isNotEmpty) {
+        if (!ref.read(isManualModelSelectionProvider)) {
+          final placeholder = Model(
+            id: storedDefaultId,
+            name: storedDefaultId,
+            supportsStreaming: true,
+          );
+          ref.read(selectedModelProvider.notifier).state = placeholder;
+        }
+        // Reconcile against real models in background
+        Future.microtask(() async {
+          try {
+            final models = await ref.read(modelsProvider.future);
+            Model? resolved;
+            try {
+              resolved = models.firstWhere((m) => m.id == storedDefaultId);
+            } catch (_) {
+              final byName = models
+                  .where((m) => m.name == storedDefaultId)
+                  .toList();
+              if (byName.length == 1) resolved = byName.first;
+            }
+            resolved ??= models.isNotEmpty ? models.first : null;
+            if (resolved != null && !ref.read(isManualModelSelectionProvider)) {
+              ref.read(selectedModelProvider.notifier).state = resolved;
+              foundation.debugPrint(
+                'DEBUG: Reconciled default model to ${resolved.name}',
+              );
+            }
+          } catch (_) {}
+        });
+        return ref.read(selectedModelProvider);
+      }
+    } catch (_) {}
+
+    // 2) Fast server path: query server default ID without listing all models
+    try {
+      final serverDefault = await api.getDefaultModel();
+      if (serverDefault != null && serverDefault.isNotEmpty) {
+        if (!ref.read(isManualModelSelectionProvider)) {
+          final placeholder = Model(
+            id: serverDefault,
+            name: serverDefault,
+            supportsStreaming: true,
+          );
+          ref.read(selectedModelProvider.notifier).state = placeholder;
+        }
+        // Reconcile against real models in background
+        Future.microtask(() async {
+          try {
+            final models = await ref.read(modelsProvider.future);
+            Model? resolved;
+            try {
+              resolved = models.firstWhere((m) => m.id == serverDefault);
+            } catch (_) {
+              final byName = models
+                  .where((m) => m.name == serverDefault)
+                  .toList();
+              if (byName.length == 1) resolved = byName.first;
+            }
+            resolved ??= models.isNotEmpty ? models.first : null;
+            if (resolved != null && !ref.read(isManualModelSelectionProvider)) {
+              ref.read(selectedModelProvider.notifier).state = resolved;
+              foundation.debugPrint(
+                'DEBUG: Reconciled server default to ${resolved.name}',
+              );
+            }
+          } catch (_) {}
+        });
+        return ref.read(selectedModelProvider);
+      }
+    } catch (_) {}
+
+    // 3) Fallback: fetch models and pick first available
     final models = await ref.read(modelsProvider.future);
     if (models.isEmpty) {
       foundation.debugPrint('DEBUG: No models available');
       return null;
     }
-
+    final selectedModel = models.first;
-    Model? selectedModel;
-
-    // First check user's preferred default model (ID only). If an older
-    // name-based value is found, migrate it once to the correct ID.
-    final userSettings = ref.read(appSettingsProvider);
-    final userDefaultModelId = userSettings.defaultModel;
-
-    if (userDefaultModelId != null && userDefaultModelId.isNotEmpty) {
-      try {
-        // Exact ID match only
-        selectedModel = models.firstWhere(
-          (model) => model.id == userDefaultModelId,
-        );
-        foundation.debugPrint(
-          'DEBUG: Found user default model by ID: ${selectedModel.name}',
-        );
-      } catch (e) {
-        // Attempt a one-time migration if the stored value was a model name
-        // from older versions. Only migrate on exact, unique name match.
-        final nameMatches = models
-            .where((m) => m.name == userDefaultModelId)
-            .toList();
-        if (nameMatches.length == 1) {
-          selectedModel = nameMatches.first;
-          foundation.debugPrint(
-            'DEBUG: Migrating user default model name to ID: '
-            '${nameMatches.first.name} -> ${nameMatches.first.id}',
-          );
-          // Persist the migrated ID
-          await ref
-              .read(appSettingsProvider.notifier)
-              .setDefaultModel(nameMatches.first.id);
-        } else {
-          foundation.debugPrint(
-            'DEBUG: User default model "$userDefaultModelId" not found by ID and '
-            'no unique name match. Ignoring.',
-          );
-          selectedModel =
-              null; // Will fall back to server default or first model
-        }
-      }
-    }
-
-    // If no user default or user default not found, try server's default model
-    if (selectedModel == null) {
-      try {
-        final defaultModelId = await api.getDefaultModel();
-
-        if (defaultModelId != null && defaultModelId.isNotEmpty) {
-          // Find the model that matches the default model ID (ID only)
-          try {
-            selectedModel = models.firstWhere(
-              (model) => model.id == defaultModelId,
-            );
-            foundation.debugPrint(
-              'DEBUG: Found server default model by ID: ${selectedModel.name}',
-            );
-          } catch (e) {
-            // If server returned a name instead of ID, attempt exact name match.
-            final byName = models
-                .where((m) => m.name == defaultModelId)
-                .toList();
-            if (byName.length == 1) {
-              selectedModel = byName.first;
-              foundation.debugPrint(
-                'DEBUG: Server default "$defaultModelId" matched by name; '
-                'selected ${selectedModel.name} (${selectedModel.id})',
-              );
-            } else {
-              foundation.debugPrint(
-                'DEBUG: Server default model "$defaultModelId" not found by ID; '
-                'falling back to first available',
-              );
-              selectedModel = models.first;
-            }
-          }
-        } else {
-          // No server default, use first available model
-          selectedModel = models.first;
-          foundation.debugPrint(
-            'DEBUG: No server default model, using first available: ${selectedModel.name}',
-          );
-        }
-      } catch (apiError) {
-        foundation.debugPrint(
-          'DEBUG: Failed to get default model from server: $apiError',
-        );
-        // Use first available model as fallback
-        selectedModel = models.first;
-        foundation.debugPrint(
-          'DEBUG: Using first available model as fallback: ${selectedModel.name}',
-        );
-      }
-    }
-
-    // Update selection immediately inside provider context
     if (!ref.read(isManualModelSelectionProvider)) {
       ref.read(selectedModelProvider.notifier).state = selectedModel;
-      foundation.debugPrint('DEBUG: Set default model: ${selectedModel.name}');
+      foundation.debugPrint(
+        'DEBUG: Set default model (fallback): ${selectedModel.name}',
+      );
     }
-
     return selectedModel;
   } catch (e) {
     foundation.debugPrint('DEBUG: Error setting default model: $e');
-
-    // Final fallback: try to select any available model
-    try {
-      final models = await ref.read(modelsProvider.future);
-      if (models.isNotEmpty) {
-        final fallbackModel = models.first;
-        if (!ref.read(isManualModelSelectionProvider)) {
-          ref.read(selectedModelProvider.notifier).state = fallbackModel;
-          foundation.debugPrint(
-            'DEBUG: Fallback to first available model: ${fallbackModel.name}',
-          );
-        }
-        return fallbackModel;
-      }
-    } catch (fallbackError) {
-      foundation.debugPrint(
-        'DEBUG: Error in fallback model selection: $fallbackError',
-      );
-    }
-
     return null;
   }
 });
@@ -826,7 +793,7 @@ final backgroundModelLoadProvider = Provider<void>((ref) {
   // Schedule background loading without blocking
   Future.microtask(() async {
     // Wait a bit to ensure auth is complete
-    await Future.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 1500));
+    await Future.delayed(const Duration(milliseconds: 200));
 
     foundation.debugPrint('DEBUG: Starting background model loading');
 

lib/features/chat/views/chat_page.dart

@@ -279,8 +279,26 @@ class _ChatPageState extends ConsumerState<ChatPage> {
   }
 
   void _handleMessageSend(String text, dynamic selectedModel) async {
+    // Resolve model on-demand if none selected yet
     if (selectedModel == null) {
-      return;
+      try {
+        // Prefer already-loaded models
+        List<Model> models;
+        final modelsAsync = ref.read(modelsProvider);
+        if (modelsAsync.hasValue) {
+          models = modelsAsync.value!;
+        } else {
+          models = await ref.read(modelsProvider.future);
+        }
+        if (models.isNotEmpty) {
+          selectedModel = models.first;
+          ref.read(selectedModelProvider.notifier).state = selectedModel;
+        }
+      } catch (_) {
+        // If models cannot be resolved, bail out without sending
+        return;
+      }
+      if (selectedModel == null) return;
     }
 
     final isOnline = ref.read(isOnlineProvider);
@@ -884,16 +902,6 @@ class _ChatPageState extends ConsumerState<ChatPage> {
               textAlign: TextAlign.center,
             ).animate().fadeIn(delay: const Duration(milliseconds: 150)),
 
-            const SizedBox(height: Spacing.sm),
-
-            Text(
-              l10n.typeBelowToBegin,
-              style: theme.textTheme.bodyLarge?.copyWith(
-                color: context.conduitTheme.textSecondary,
-                fontWeight: FontWeight.w400,
-              ),
-              textAlign: TextAlign.center,
-            ).animate().fadeIn(delay: const Duration(milliseconds: 300)),
           ],
         ),
       ),
@@ -945,8 +953,8 @@ class _ChatPageState extends ConsumerState<ChatPage> {
       });
     }
 
-    // Focus composer on app startup once, when a model is selected
+    // Focus composer on app startup once
-    if (!_didStartupFocus && selectedModel != null) {
+    if (!_didStartupFocus) {
       WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) {
         if (!mounted) return;
         final current = ref.read(inputFocusTriggerProvider);
@@ -1425,7 +1433,6 @@ class _ChatPageState extends ConsumerState<ChatPage> {
                         },
                         child: ModernChatInput(
                           enabled:
-                              selectedModel != null &&
                               (isOnline || ref.watch(reviewerModeProvider)),
                           onSendMessage: (text) =>
                               _handleMessageSend(text, selectedModel),

lib/l10n/app_de.arb

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
   "noFilesYet": "Noch keine Dateien",
   "uploadDocsPrompt": "Lade Dokumente hoch, um sie in deinen Unterhaltungen mit Conduit zu verwenden",
   "uploadFirstFile": "Erste Datei hochladen",
+  "attachments": "Anhänge",
   "knowledgeBaseEmpty": "Wissensdatenbank ist leer",
   "createCollectionsPrompt": "Erstelle Sammlungen verwandter Dokumente zur einfachen Referenz",
   "chooseSourcePhoto": "Quelle auswählen",
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@
   "next": "Weiter",
   "done": "Fertig",
   "onboardStartTitle": "Hallo, {username}",
-  "onboardStartSubtitle": "Wähle ein Modell und tippe los. Tippe jederzeit auf Neuer Chat.",
+  "onboardStartSubtitle": "Wähle ein Modell, um loszulegen. Tippe jederzeit auf Neuer Chat.",
   "onboardStartBullet1": "Modellname oben antippen, um zu wechseln",
   "onboardStartBullet2": "Mit Neuer Chat den Kontext zurücksetzen",
   "onboardAttachTitle": "Kontext hinzufügen",
@@ -204,7 +205,6 @@
   "failedToDeleteFolder": "Ordner konnte nicht gelöscht werden",
   "aboutApp": "Über die App",
   "aboutAppSubtitle": "Conduit Informationen und Links",
-  "typeBelowToBegin": "Unten tippen, um zu beginnen",
   "web": "Web",
   "imageGen": "Bild-Gen",
   "pinned": "Angeheftet",

lib/l10n/app_en.arb

@@ -204,7 +204,7 @@
   "@done": {"description": "Onboarding: finish the flow."},
   "onboardStartTitle": "Hello, {username}",
   "@onboardStartTitle": {"description": "Onboarding card: start chatting title.", "placeholders": {"username": {"type": "String", "example": "Alex"}}},
-  "onboardStartSubtitle": "Choose a model, then type below to begin. Tap New Chat anytime.",
+  "onboardStartSubtitle": "Choose a model to get started. Tap New Chat anytime.",
   "@onboardStartSubtitle": {"description": "Onboarding card: brief guidance to begin a chat."},
   "onboardStartBullet1": "Tap the model name in the top bar to switch models",
   "@onboardStartBullet1": {"description": "Bullet: how to switch models."},
@@ -417,8 +417,6 @@
   "@aboutApp": {"description": "Settings tile title to view app information."},
   "aboutAppSubtitle": "Conduit information and links",
   "@aboutAppSubtitle": {"description": "Subtitle/description for the About section."},
-  "typeBelowToBegin": "Type below to begin",
-  "@typeBelowToBegin": {"description": "Hint shown in empty chat input area."},
   "web": "Web",
   "@web": {"description": "Tab/section label for web features."},
   "imageGen": "Image Gen",

lib/l10n/app_fr.arb

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
   "noFilesYet": "Pas encore de fichiers",
   "uploadDocsPrompt": "Importez des documents à utiliser dans vos conversations avec Conduit",
   "uploadFirstFile": "Importer votre premier fichier",
+  "attachments": "Pièces jointes",
   "knowledgeBaseEmpty": "La base de connaissances est vide",
   "createCollectionsPrompt": "Créez des collections de documents liés pour une référence facile",
   "chooseSourcePhoto": "Choisir la source",
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@
   "next": "Suivant",
   "done": "Terminé",
   "onboardStartTitle": "Bonjour, {username}",
-  "onboardStartSubtitle": "Choisissez un modèle puis commencez à écrire. Touchez Nouveau chat à tout moment.",
+  "onboardStartSubtitle": "Choisissez un modèle pour commencer. Touchez Nouveau chat à tout moment.",
   "onboardStartBullet1": "Touchez le nom du modèle en haut pour changer",
   "onboardStartBullet2": "Utilisez Nouveau chat pour réinitialiser le contexte",
   "onboardAttachTitle": "Ajouter du contexte",
@@ -204,7 +205,6 @@
   "failedToDeleteFolder": "Échec de la suppression du dossier",
   "aboutApp": "À propos de l’application",
   "aboutAppSubtitle": "Informations et liens Conduit",
-  "typeBelowToBegin": "Saisissez ci‑dessous pour commencer",
   "web": "Web",
   "imageGen": "Gén. image",
   "pinned": "Épinglé",

lib/l10n/app_it.arb

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@
   "noFilesYet": "Ancora nessun file",
   "uploadDocsPrompt": "Carica documenti da usare nelle conversazioni con Conduit",
   "uploadFirstFile": "Carica il tuo primo file",
+  "attachments": "Allegati",
   "knowledgeBaseEmpty": "La base di conoscenza è vuota",
   "createCollectionsPrompt": "Crea raccolte di documenti correlati per un rapido riferimento",
   "chooseSourcePhoto": "Scegli origine",
@@ -91,7 +92,7 @@
   "next": "Avanti",
   "done": "Fatto",
   "onboardStartTitle": "Ciao, {username}",
-  "onboardStartSubtitle": "Scegli un modello e inizia a scrivere. Tocca Nuova chat in qualsiasi momento.",
+  "onboardStartSubtitle": "Scegli un modello per iniziare. Tocca Nuova chat in qualsiasi momento.",
   "onboardStartBullet1": "Tocca il nome del modello in alto per cambiare",
   "onboardStartBullet2": "Usa Nuova chat per azzerare il contesto",
   "onboardAttachTitle": "Aggiungi contesto",
@@ -204,7 +205,6 @@
   "failedToDeleteFolder": "Impossibile eliminare la cartella",
   "aboutApp": "Informazioni sull’app",
   "aboutAppSubtitle": "Informazioni e link di Conduit",
-  "typeBelowToBegin": "Scrivi qui sotto per iniziare",
   "web": "Web",
   "imageGen": "Gen. immagini",
   "pinned": "Fissati",

lib/l10n/app_localizations.dart

@@ -657,7 +657,7 @@ abstract class AppLocalizations {
   /// Onboarding card: brief guidance to begin a chat.
   ///
   /// In en, this message translates to:
-  /// **'Choose a model, then type below to begin. Tap New Chat anytime.'**
+  /// **'Choose a model to get started. Tap New Chat anytime.'**
   String get onboardStartSubtitle;
 
   /// Bullet: how to switch models.
@@ -1218,12 +1218,6 @@ abstract class AppLocalizations {
   /// **'Conduit information and links'**
   String get aboutAppSubtitle;
 
-  /// Hint shown in empty chat input area.
-  ///
-  /// In en, this message translates to:
-  /// **'Type below to begin'**
-  String get typeBelowToBegin;
-
   /// Tab/section label for web features.
   ///
   /// In en, this message translates to:

lib/l10n/app_localizations_de.dart

@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ class AppLocalizationsDe extends AppLocalizations {
   String get uploadFirstFile => 'Erste Datei hochladen';
 
   @override
-  String get attachments => 'Attachments';
+  String get attachments => 'Anhänge';
 
   @override
   String get knowledgeBaseEmpty => 'Wissensdatenbank ist leer';
@@ -320,7 +320,7 @@ class AppLocalizationsDe extends AppLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get onboardStartSubtitle =>
-      'Wähle ein Modell und tippe los. Tippe jederzeit auf Neuer Chat.';
+      'Wähle ein Modell, um loszulegen. Tippe jederzeit auf Neuer Chat.';
 
   @override
   String get onboardStartBullet1 => 'Modellname oben antippen, um zu wechseln';
@@ -621,9 +621,6 @@ class AppLocalizationsDe extends AppLocalizations {
   @override
   String get aboutAppSubtitle => 'Conduit Informationen und Links';
 
-  @override
-  String get typeBelowToBegin => 'Unten tippen, um zu beginnen';
-
   @override
   String get web => 'Web';
 

lib/l10n/app_localizations_en.dart

@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ class AppLocalizationsEn extends AppLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get onboardStartSubtitle =>
-      'Choose a model, then type below to begin. Tap New Chat anytime.';
+      'Choose a model to get started. Tap New Chat anytime.';
 
   @override
   String get onboardStartBullet1 =>
@@ -616,9 +616,6 @@ class AppLocalizationsEn extends AppLocalizations {
   @override
   String get aboutAppSubtitle => 'Conduit information and links';
 
-  @override
-  String get typeBelowToBegin => 'Type below to begin';
-
   @override
   String get web => 'Web';
 

lib/l10n/app_localizations_fr.dart

@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ class AppLocalizationsFr extends AppLocalizations {
   String get uploadFirstFile => 'Importer votre premier fichier';
 
   @override
-  String get attachments => 'Attachments';
+  String get attachments => 'Pièces jointes';
 
   @override
   String get knowledgeBaseEmpty => 'La base de connaissances est vide';
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ class AppLocalizationsFr extends AppLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get onboardStartSubtitle =>
-      'Choisissez un modèle puis commencez à écrire. Touchez Nouveau chat à tout moment.';
+      'Choisissez un modèle pour commencer. Touchez Nouveau chat à tout moment.';
 
   @override
   String get onboardStartBullet1 =>
@@ -626,9 +626,6 @@ class AppLocalizationsFr extends AppLocalizations {
   @override
   String get aboutAppSubtitle => 'Informations et liens Conduit';
 
-  @override
-  String get typeBelowToBegin => 'Saisissez ci‑dessous pour commencer';
-
   @override
   String get web => 'Web';
 

lib/l10n/app_localizations_it.dart

@@ -123,7 +123,7 @@ class AppLocalizationsIt extends AppLocalizations {
   String get uploadFirstFile => 'Carica il tuo primo file';
 
   @override
-  String get attachments => 'Attachments';
+  String get attachments => 'Allegati';
 
   @override
   String get knowledgeBaseEmpty => 'La base di conoscenza è vuota';
@@ -316,7 +316,7 @@ class AppLocalizationsIt extends AppLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get onboardStartSubtitle =>
-      'Scegli un modello e inizia a scrivere. Tocca Nuova chat in qualsiasi momento.';
+      'Scegli un modello per iniziare. Tocca Nuova chat in qualsiasi momento.';
 
   @override
   String get onboardStartBullet1 =>
@@ -619,9 +619,6 @@ class AppLocalizationsIt extends AppLocalizations {
   @override
   String get aboutAppSubtitle => 'Informazioni e link di Conduit';
 
-  @override
-  String get typeBelowToBegin => 'Scrivi qui sotto per iniziare';
-
   @override
   String get web => 'Web';
 

lib/main.dart

@@ -26,7 +26,9 @@ void main() async {
 
   // Enable edge-to-edge globally (back-compat on pre-Android 15)
   // Pairs with Activity's EdgeToEdge.enable and our SafeArea usage.
-  await SystemChrome.setEnabledSystemUIMode(SystemUiMode.edgeToEdge);
+  // Do not block first frame on system UI mode; apply shortly after startup
+  // ignore: discarded_futures
+  SystemChrome.setEnabledSystemUIMode(SystemUiMode.edgeToEdge);
 
   final sharedPrefs = await SharedPreferences.getInstance();
   const secureStorage = FlutterSecureStorage(
@@ -65,7 +67,8 @@ class _ConduitAppState extends ConsumerState<ConduitApp> {
   @override
   void initState() {
     super.initState();
-    _initializeAppState();
+    // Defer heavy provider initialization to after first frame to render UI sooner
+    WidgetsBinding.instance.addPostFrameCallback((_) => _initializeAppState());
   }
 
   Widget _buildInitialLoadingSkeleton(BuildContext context) {
@@ -142,14 +145,11 @@ class _ConduitAppState extends ConsumerState<ConduitApp> {
             return MediaQuery(
               data: MediaQuery.of(context).copyWith(
                 // Ensure proper text scaling for edge-to-edge
-                textScaler: MediaQuery.of(context).textScaler.clamp(
+                textScaler: MediaQuery.of(
-                  minScaleFactor: 0.8,
+                  context,
-                  maxScaleFactor: 1.3,
+                ).textScaler.clamp(minScaleFactor: 0.8, maxScaleFactor: 1.3),
-                ),
-              ),
-              child: OfflineIndicator(
-                child: child ?? const SizedBox.shrink(),
               ),
+              child: OfflineIndicator(child: child ?? const SizedBox.shrink()),
             );
           },
           home: _getInitialPageWithReactiveState(),