strings to enum, eased state.rs

canvas/Cargo.toml

@@ -14,3 +14,7 @@ common = { path = "../common" }
 ratatui = { workspace = true }
 crossterm = { workspace = true }
 anyhow = { workspace = true }
+tokio = { workspace = true }
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+tokio-test = "0.4.4"

canvas/src/actions/edit.rs

@@ -1,106 +1,135 @@
 // canvas/src/actions/edit.rs
 
-use crate::state::CanvasState;
+use crate::state::{CanvasState, ActionContext};
+use crate::actions::types::{CanvasAction, ActionResult};
 use crossterm::event::{KeyCode, KeyEvent};
 use anyhow::Result;
 
-/// Execute a generic edit action on any CanvasState implementation.
-/// This is the core function that makes the mode system work across all features.
+/// Execute a typed canvas action on any CanvasState implementation
+pub async fn execute_canvas_action<S: CanvasState>(
+    action: CanvasAction,
+    state: &mut S,
+    ideal_cursor_column: &mut usize,
+) -> Result<ActionResult> {
+    // 1. Try feature-specific handler first
+    let context = ActionContext {
+        key_code: None, // We don't need KeyCode anymore since action is typed
+        ideal_cursor_column: *ideal_cursor_column,
+        current_input: state.get_current_input().to_string(),
+        current_field: state.current_field(),
+    };
+
+    if let Some(result) = state.handle_feature_action(&action, &context) {
+        return Ok(ActionResult::HandledByFeature(result));
+    }
+
+    // 2. Handle suggestion actions
+    if let Some(result) = handle_suggestion_action(&action, state)? {
+        return Ok(result);
+    }
+
+    // 3. Handle generic canvas actions
+    handle_generic_canvas_action(action, state, ideal_cursor_column).await
+}
+
+/// Legacy function for string-based actions (backwards compatibility)
 pub async fn execute_edit_action<S: CanvasState>(
     action: &str,
     key: KeyEvent,
     state: &mut S,
     ideal_cursor_column: &mut usize,
 ) -> Result<String> {
-    // 1. Try feature-specific handler first (for autocomplete, field-specific logic, etc.)
-    let context = crate::state::ActionContext {
-        key_code: Some(key.code),
-        ideal_cursor_column: *ideal_cursor_column,
-        current_input: state.get_current_input().to_string(),
-        current_field: state.current_field(),
+    let typed_action = match action {
+        "insert_char" => {
+            if let KeyCode::Char(c) = key.code {
+                CanvasAction::InsertChar(c)
+            } else {
+                return Ok("Error: insert_char called without a char key.".to_string());
+            }
+        }
+        _ => CanvasAction::from_string(action),
     };
+
+    let result = execute_canvas_action(typed_action, state, ideal_cursor_column).await?;
     
-    if let Some(result) = state.handle_feature_action(action, &context) {
-        return Ok(result);
-    }
-    
-    // 2. Handle suggestion-related actions generically
-    if handle_suggestion_actions(action, state)? {
-        return Ok("".to_string()); // Suggestion action handled
-    }
-    
-    // 3. Fall back to generic canvas actions (handles 95% of all actions)
-    handle_generic_action(action, key, state, ideal_cursor_column).await
+    // Convert ActionResult back to string for backwards compatibility
+    Ok(result.message().unwrap_or("").to_string())
 }
 
-/// Handle suggestion/autocomplete actions generically
-fn handle_suggestion_actions<S: CanvasState>(action: &str, state: &mut S) -> Result<bool> {
+/// Handle suggestion-related actions
+fn handle_suggestion_action<S: CanvasState>(
+    action: &CanvasAction,
+    state: &mut S,
+) -> Result<Option<ActionResult>> {
     match action {
-        "suggestion_down" => {
+        CanvasAction::SuggestionDown => {
             if let Some(suggestions) = state.get_suggestions() {
                 if !suggestions.is_empty() {
                     let current = state.get_selected_suggestion_index().unwrap_or(0);
                     let next = (current + 1) % suggestions.len();
                     state.set_selected_suggestion_index(Some(next));
-                    return Ok(true);
+                    return Ok(Some(ActionResult::success()));
                 }
             }
-            Ok(false)
+            Ok(None)
         }
-        "suggestion_up" => {
+        
+        CanvasAction::SuggestionUp => {
             if let Some(suggestions) = state.get_suggestions() {
                 if !suggestions.is_empty() {
                     let current = state.get_selected_suggestion_index().unwrap_or(0);
                     let prev = if current == 0 { suggestions.len() - 1 } else { current - 1 };
                     state.set_selected_suggestion_index(Some(prev));
-                    return Ok(true);
+                    return Ok(Some(ActionResult::success()));
                 }
             }
-            Ok(false)
+            Ok(None)
         }
-        "select_suggestion" => {
+        
+        CanvasAction::SelectSuggestion => {
             // Let feature handle this via handle_feature_action since it's feature-specific
-            Ok(false)
+            Ok(None)
         }
-        "exit_suggestions" => {
+        
+        CanvasAction::ExitSuggestions => {
             state.deactivate_suggestions();
-            Ok(true)
+            Ok(Some(ActionResult::success()))
         }
-        _ => Ok(false)
+        
+        _ => Ok(None),
     }
 }
 
-/// Handle generic canvas actions (movement, editing, etc.)
-async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
-    action: &str,
-    key: KeyEvent,
+/// Handle core canvas actions with full type safety
+async fn handle_generic_canvas_action<S: CanvasState>(
+    action: CanvasAction,
     state: &mut S,
     ideal_cursor_column: &mut usize,
-) -> Result<String> {
+) -> Result<ActionResult> {
     match action {
-        "insert_char" => {
-            if let KeyCode::Char(c) = key.code {
-                let cursor_pos = state.current_cursor_pos();
-                let field_value = state.get_current_input_mut();
-                let mut chars: Vec<char> = field_value.chars().collect();
-                if cursor_pos <= chars.len() {
-                    chars.insert(cursor_pos, c);
-                    *field_value = chars.into_iter().collect();
-                    state.set_current_cursor_pos(cursor_pos + 1);
-                    state.set_has_unsaved_changes(true);
-                    *ideal_cursor_column = state.current_cursor_pos();
-                }
+        CanvasAction::InsertChar(c) => {
+            let cursor_pos = state.current_cursor_pos();
+            let field_value = state.get_current_input_mut();
+            let mut chars: Vec<char> = field_value.chars().collect();
+            
+            if cursor_pos <= chars.len() {
+                chars.insert(cursor_pos, c);
+                *field_value = chars.into_iter().collect();
+                state.set_current_cursor_pos(cursor_pos + 1);
+                state.set_has_unsaved_changes(true);
+                *ideal_cursor_column = state.current_cursor_pos();
+                Ok(ActionResult::success())
             } else {
-                return Ok("Error: insert_char called without a char key.".to_string());
+                Ok(ActionResult::error("Invalid cursor position for character insertion"))
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
         }
 
-        "delete_char_backward" => {
+        CanvasAction::DeleteBackward => {
             if state.current_cursor_pos() > 0 {
                 let cursor_pos = state.current_cursor_pos();
                 let field_value = state.get_current_input_mut();
                 let mut chars: Vec<char> = field_value.chars().collect();
+                
                 if cursor_pos <= chars.len() {
                     chars.remove(cursor_pos - 1);
                     *field_value = chars.into_iter().collect();
@@ -110,23 +139,24 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                     *ideal_cursor_column = new_pos;
                 }
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "delete_char_forward" => {
+        CanvasAction::DeleteForward => {
             let cursor_pos = state.current_cursor_pos();
             let field_value = state.get_current_input_mut();
             let mut chars: Vec<char> = field_value.chars().collect();
+            
             if cursor_pos < chars.len() {
                 chars.remove(cursor_pos);
                 *field_value = chars.into_iter().collect();
                 state.set_has_unsaved_changes(true);
                 *ideal_cursor_column = cursor_pos;
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "next_field" => {
+        CanvasAction::NextField => {
             let num_fields = state.fields().len();
             if num_fields > 0 {
                 let current_field = state.current_field();
@@ -136,10 +166,10 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 let max_pos = current_input.len();
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos((*ideal_cursor_column).min(max_pos));
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "prev_field" => {
+        CanvasAction::PrevField => {
             let num_fields = state.fields().len();
             if num_fields > 0 {
                 let current_field = state.current_field();
@@ -153,17 +183,17 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 let max_pos = current_input.len();
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos((*ideal_cursor_column).min(max_pos));
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_left" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveLeft => {
             let new_pos = state.current_cursor_pos().saturating_sub(1);
             state.set_current_cursor_pos(new_pos);
             *ideal_cursor_column = new_pos;
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_right" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveRight => {
             let current_input = state.get_current_input();
             let current_pos = state.current_cursor_pos();
             if current_pos < current_input.len() {
@@ -171,10 +201,10 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos(new_pos);
                 *ideal_cursor_column = new_pos;
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_up" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveUp => {
             let num_fields = state.fields().len();
             if num_fields > 0 {
                 let current_field = state.current_field();
@@ -184,10 +214,10 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 let max_pos = current_input.len();
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos((*ideal_cursor_column).min(max_pos));
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_down" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveDown => {
             let num_fields = state.fields().len();
             if num_fields > 0 {
                 let new_field = (state.current_field() + 1).min(num_fields - 1);
@@ -196,24 +226,24 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 let max_pos = current_input.len();
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos((*ideal_cursor_column).min(max_pos));
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_line_start" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveLineStart => {
             state.set_current_cursor_pos(0);
             *ideal_cursor_column = 0;
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_line_end" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveLineEnd => {
             let current_input = state.get_current_input();
             let new_pos = current_input.len();
             state.set_current_cursor_pos(new_pos);
             *ideal_cursor_column = new_pos;
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_first_line" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveFirstLine => {
             let num_fields = state.fields().len();
             if num_fields > 0 {
                 state.set_current_field(0);
@@ -221,10 +251,10 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 let max_pos = current_input.len();
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos((*ideal_cursor_column).min(max_pos));
             }
-            Ok("Moved to first field".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success_with_message("Moved to first field"))
         }
 
-        "move_last_line" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveLastLine => {
             let num_fields = state.fields().len();
             if num_fields > 0 {
                 let new_field = num_fields - 1;
@@ -233,10 +263,10 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 let max_pos = current_input.len();
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos((*ideal_cursor_column).min(max_pos));
             }
-            Ok("Moved to last field".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success_with_message("Moved to last field"))
         }
 
-        "move_word_next" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveWordNext => {
             let current_input = state.get_current_input();
             if !current_input.is_empty() {
                 let new_pos = find_next_word_start(current_input, state.current_cursor_pos());
@@ -244,10 +274,10 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos(final_pos);
                 *ideal_cursor_column = final_pos;
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_word_end" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveWordEnd => {
             let current_input = state.get_current_input();
             if !current_input.is_empty() {
                 let current_pos = state.current_cursor_pos();
@@ -264,34 +294,43 @@ async fn handle_generic_action<S: CanvasState>(
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos(clamped_pos);
                 *ideal_cursor_column = clamped_pos;
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_word_prev" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveWordPrev => {
             let current_input = state.get_current_input();
             if !current_input.is_empty() {
                 let new_pos = find_prev_word_start(current_input, state.current_cursor_pos());
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos(new_pos);
                 *ideal_cursor_column = new_pos;
             }
-            Ok("".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success())
         }
 
-        "move_word_end_prev" => {
+        CanvasAction::MoveWordEndPrev => {
             let current_input = state.get_current_input();
             if !current_input.is_empty() {
                 let new_pos = find_prev_word_end(current_input, state.current_cursor_pos());
                 state.set_current_cursor_pos(new_pos);
                 *ideal_cursor_column = new_pos;
             }
-            Ok("Moved to previous word end".to_string())
+            Ok(ActionResult::success_with_message("Moved to previous word end"))
         }
 
-        _ => Ok(format!("Unknown or unhandled edit action: {}", action)),
+        CanvasAction::Custom(action_str) => {
+            Ok(ActionResult::error(format!("Unknown or unhandled custom action: {}", action_str)))
+        }
+
+        // Suggestion actions should have been handled above
+        CanvasAction::SuggestionUp | CanvasAction::SuggestionDown | 
+        CanvasAction::SelectSuggestion | CanvasAction::ExitSuggestions => {
+            Ok(ActionResult::error("Suggestion action not handled properly"))
+        }
     }
 }
 
 // Word movement helper functions
+
 #[derive(PartialEq)]
 enum CharType {
     Whitespace,

canvas/src/actions/mod.rs

@@ -1,3 +1,8 @@
 // canvas/src/actions/mod.rs
 
+pub mod types;
 pub mod edit;
+
+// Re-export the main types for convenience
+pub use types::{CanvasAction, ActionResult};
+pub use edit::{execute_canvas_action, execute_edit_action};

canvas/src/actions/types.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,225 @@
+// canvas/src/actions/types.rs
+
+use crossterm::event::KeyCode;
+
+/// All possible canvas actions, type-safe and exhaustive
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum CanvasAction {
+    // Character input
+    InsertChar(char),
+    
+    // Deletion
+    DeleteBackward,
+    DeleteForward,
+    
+    // Basic cursor movement
+    MoveLeft,
+    MoveRight,
+    MoveUp,
+    MoveDown,
+    
+    // Line movement
+    MoveLineStart,
+    MoveLineEnd,
+    MoveFirstLine,
+    MoveLastLine,
+    
+    // Word movement
+    MoveWordNext,
+    MoveWordEnd,
+    MoveWordPrev,
+    MoveWordEndPrev,
+    
+    // Field navigation
+    NextField,
+    PrevField,
+    
+    // Suggestions
+    SuggestionUp,
+    SuggestionDown,
+    SelectSuggestion,
+    ExitSuggestions,
+    
+    // Custom actions (escape hatch for feature-specific behavior)
+    Custom(String),
+}
+
+impl CanvasAction {
+    /// Convert a string action to typed action (for backwards compatibility during migration)
+    pub fn from_string(action: &str) -> Self {
+        match action {
+            "insert_char" => {
+                // This is a bit tricky - we need the char from context
+                // For now, we'll use Custom until we refactor the call sites
+                Self::Custom(action.to_string())
+            }
+            "delete_char_backward" => Self::DeleteBackward,
+            "delete_char_forward" => Self::DeleteForward,
+            "move_left" => Self::MoveLeft,
+            "move_right" => Self::MoveRight,
+            "move_up" => Self::MoveUp,
+            "move_down" => Self::MoveDown,
+            "move_line_start" => Self::MoveLineStart,
+            "move_line_end" => Self::MoveLineEnd,
+            "move_first_line" => Self::MoveFirstLine,
+            "move_last_line" => Self::MoveLastLine,
+            "move_word_next" => Self::MoveWordNext,
+            "move_word_end" => Self::MoveWordEnd,
+            "move_word_prev" => Self::MoveWordPrev,
+            "move_word_end_prev" => Self::MoveWordEndPrev,
+            "next_field" => Self::NextField,
+            "prev_field" => Self::PrevField,
+            "suggestion_up" => Self::SuggestionUp,
+            "suggestion_down" => Self::SuggestionDown,
+            "select_suggestion" => Self::SelectSuggestion,
+            "exit_suggestions" => Self::ExitSuggestions,
+            _ => Self::Custom(action.to_string()),
+        }
+    }
+    
+    /// Get string representation (for logging, debugging)
+    pub fn as_str(&self) -> &str {
+        match self {
+            Self::InsertChar(_) => "insert_char",
+            Self::DeleteBackward => "delete_char_backward",
+            Self::DeleteForward => "delete_char_forward",
+            Self::MoveLeft => "move_left",
+            Self::MoveRight => "move_right",
+            Self::MoveUp => "move_up",
+            Self::MoveDown => "move_down",
+            Self::MoveLineStart => "move_line_start",
+            Self::MoveLineEnd => "move_line_end",
+            Self::MoveFirstLine => "move_first_line",
+            Self::MoveLastLine => "move_last_line",
+            Self::MoveWordNext => "move_word_next",
+            Self::MoveWordEnd => "move_word_end",
+            Self::MoveWordPrev => "move_word_prev",
+            Self::MoveWordEndPrev => "move_word_end_prev",
+            Self::NextField => "next_field",
+            Self::PrevField => "prev_field",
+            Self::SuggestionUp => "suggestion_up",
+            Self::SuggestionDown => "suggestion_down",
+            Self::SelectSuggestion => "select_suggestion",
+            Self::ExitSuggestions => "exit_suggestions",
+            Self::Custom(s) => s,
+        }
+    }
+    
+    /// Create action from KeyCode for common cases
+    pub fn from_key(key: KeyCode) -> Option<Self> {
+        match key {
+            KeyCode::Char(c) => Some(Self::InsertChar(c)),
+            KeyCode::Backspace => Some(Self::DeleteBackward),
+            KeyCode::Delete => Some(Self::DeleteForward),
+            KeyCode::Left => Some(Self::MoveLeft),
+            KeyCode::Right => Some(Self::MoveRight),
+            KeyCode::Up => Some(Self::MoveUp),
+            KeyCode::Down => Some(Self::MoveDown),
+            KeyCode::Home => Some(Self::MoveLineStart),
+            KeyCode::End => Some(Self::MoveLineEnd),
+            KeyCode::Tab => Some(Self::NextField),
+            KeyCode::BackTab => Some(Self::PrevField),
+            _ => None,
+        }
+    }
+    
+    /// Check if this action modifies content
+    pub fn is_modifying(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self, 
+            Self::InsertChar(_) | 
+            Self::DeleteBackward | 
+            Self::DeleteForward |
+            Self::SelectSuggestion
+        )
+    }
+    
+    /// Check if this action moves the cursor
+    pub fn is_movement(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self,
+            Self::MoveLeft | Self::MoveRight | Self::MoveUp | Self::MoveDown |
+            Self::MoveLineStart | Self::MoveLineEnd | Self::MoveFirstLine | Self::MoveLastLine |
+            Self::MoveWordNext | Self::MoveWordEnd | Self::MoveWordPrev | Self::MoveWordEndPrev |
+            Self::NextField | Self::PrevField
+        )
+    }
+    
+    /// Check if this is a suggestion-related action
+    pub fn is_suggestion(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self,
+            Self::SuggestionUp | Self::SuggestionDown | 
+            Self::SelectSuggestion | Self::ExitSuggestions
+        )
+    }
+}
+
+/// Result of executing a canvas action
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub enum ActionResult {
+    /// Action completed successfully, optional message for user feedback
+    Success(Option<String>),
+    /// Action was handled by custom feature logic
+    HandledByFeature(String),
+    /// Action requires additional context or cannot be performed
+    RequiresContext(String),
+    /// Action failed with error message
+    Error(String),
+}
+
+impl ActionResult {
+    pub fn success() -> Self {
+        Self::Success(None)
+    }
+    
+    pub fn success_with_message(msg: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        Self::Success(Some(msg.into()))
+    }
+    
+    pub fn error(msg: impl Into<String>) -> Self {
+        Self::Error(msg.into())
+    }
+    
+    pub fn is_success(&self) -> bool {
+        matches!(self, Self::Success(_) | Self::HandledByFeature(_))
+    }
+    
+    pub fn message(&self) -> Option<&str> {
+        match self {
+            Self::Success(msg) => msg.as_deref(),
+            Self::HandledByFeature(msg) => Some(msg),
+            Self::RequiresContext(msg) => Some(msg),
+            Self::Error(msg) => Some(msg),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    
+    #[test]
+    fn test_action_from_string() {
+        assert_eq!(CanvasAction::from_string("move_left"), CanvasAction::MoveLeft);
+        assert_eq!(CanvasAction::from_string("delete_char_backward"), CanvasAction::DeleteBackward);
+        assert_eq!(CanvasAction::from_string("unknown"), CanvasAction::Custom("unknown".to_string()));
+    }
+    
+    #[test]
+    fn test_action_from_key() {
+        assert_eq!(CanvasAction::from_key(KeyCode::Char('a')), Some(CanvasAction::InsertChar('a')));
+        assert_eq!(CanvasAction::from_key(KeyCode::Left), Some(CanvasAction::MoveLeft));
+        assert_eq!(CanvasAction::from_key(KeyCode::Backspace), Some(CanvasAction::DeleteBackward));
+        assert_eq!(CanvasAction::from_key(KeyCode::F(1)), None);
+    }
+    
+    #[test]
+    fn test_action_properties() {
+        assert!(CanvasAction::InsertChar('a').is_modifying());
+        assert!(!CanvasAction::MoveLeft.is_modifying());
+        
+        assert!(CanvasAction::MoveLeft.is_movement());
+        assert!(!CanvasAction::InsertChar('a').is_movement());
+        
+        assert!(CanvasAction::SuggestionUp.is_suggestion());
+        assert!(!CanvasAction::MoveLeft.is_suggestion());
+    }
+}

canvas/src/dispatcher.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+// canvas/src/dispatcher.rs
+
+use crate::state::CanvasState;
+use crate::actions::{CanvasAction, ActionResult, execute_canvas_action};
+
+/// High-level action dispatcher that coordinates between different action types
+pub struct ActionDispatcher;
+
+impl ActionDispatcher {
+    /// Dispatch any action to the appropriate handler
+    pub async fn dispatch<S: CanvasState>(
+        action: CanvasAction,
+        state: &mut S,
+        ideal_cursor_column: &mut usize,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<ActionResult> {
+        execute_canvas_action(action, state, ideal_cursor_column).await
+    }
+
+    /// Quick action dispatch from KeyCode
+    pub async fn dispatch_key<S: CanvasState>(
+        key: crossterm::event::KeyCode,
+        state: &mut S,
+        ideal_cursor_column: &mut usize,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<Option<ActionResult>> {
+        if let Some(action) = CanvasAction::from_key(key) {
+            let result = Self::dispatch(action, state, ideal_cursor_column).await?;
+            Ok(Some(result))
+        } else {
+            Ok(None)
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// Batch dispatch multiple actions
+    pub async fn dispatch_batch<S: CanvasState>(
+        actions: Vec<CanvasAction>,
+        state: &mut S,
+        ideal_cursor_column: &mut usize,
+    ) -> anyhow::Result<Vec<ActionResult>> {
+        let mut results = Vec::new();
+        for action in actions {
+            let result = Self::dispatch(action, state, ideal_cursor_column).await?;
+            let is_success = result.is_success(); // Check success before moving
+            results.push(result);
+
+            // Stop on first error
+            if !is_success {
+                break;
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(results)
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+    use crate::actions::CanvasAction;
+
+    // Simple test implementation
+    struct TestFormState {
+        current_field: usize,
+        cursor_pos: usize,
+        inputs: Vec<String>,
+        field_names: Vec<String>,
+        has_changes: bool,
+    }
+
+    impl TestFormState {
+        fn new() -> Self {
+            Self {
+                current_field: 0,
+                cursor_pos: 0,
+                inputs: vec!["".to_string(), "".to_string()],
+                field_names: vec!["username".to_string(), "password".to_string()],
+                has_changes: false,
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    impl CanvasState for TestFormState {
+        fn current_field(&self) -> usize { self.current_field }
+        fn current_cursor_pos(&self) -> usize { self.cursor_pos }
+        fn set_current_field(&mut self, index: usize) { self.current_field = index; }
+        fn set_current_cursor_pos(&mut self, pos: usize) { self.cursor_pos = pos; }
+
+        fn get_current_input(&self) -> &str { &self.inputs[self.current_field] }
+        fn get_current_input_mut(&mut self) -> &mut String { &mut self.inputs[self.current_field] }
+        fn inputs(&self) -> Vec<&String> { self.inputs.iter().collect() }
+        fn fields(&self) -> Vec<&str> { self.field_names.iter().map(|s| s.as_str()).collect() }
+
+        fn has_unsaved_changes(&self) -> bool { self.has_changes }
+        fn set_has_unsaved_changes(&mut self, changed: bool) { self.has_changes = changed; }
+
+        // Custom action handling for testing
+        fn handle_feature_action(&mut self, action: &CanvasAction, _context: &crate::state::ActionContext) -> Option<String> {
+            match action {
+                CanvasAction::Custom(s) if s == "test_custom" => {
+                    Some("Custom action handled".to_string())
+                }
+                _ => None,
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_typed_action_dispatch() {
+        let mut state = TestFormState::new();
+        let mut ideal_cursor = 0;
+
+        // Test character insertion
+        let result = ActionDispatcher::dispatch(
+            CanvasAction::InsertChar('a'),
+            &mut state,
+            &mut ideal_cursor,
+        ).await.unwrap();
+
+        assert!(result.is_success());
+        assert_eq!(state.get_current_input(), "a");
+        assert_eq!(state.cursor_pos, 1);
+        assert!(state.has_changes);
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_key_dispatch() {
+        let mut state = TestFormState::new();
+        let mut ideal_cursor = 0;
+
+        let result = ActionDispatcher::dispatch_key(
+            crossterm::event::KeyCode::Char('b'),
+            &mut state,
+            &mut ideal_cursor,
+        ).await.unwrap();
+
+        assert!(result.is_some());
+        assert!(result.unwrap().is_success());
+        assert_eq!(state.get_current_input(), "b");
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_custom_action() {
+        let mut state = TestFormState::new();
+        let mut ideal_cursor = 0;
+
+        let result = ActionDispatcher::dispatch(
+            CanvasAction::Custom("test_custom".to_string()),
+            &mut state,
+            &mut ideal_cursor,
+        ).await.unwrap();
+
+        match result {
+            ActionResult::HandledByFeature(msg) => {
+                assert_eq!(msg, "Custom action handled");
+            }
+            _ => panic!("Expected HandledByFeature result"),
+        }
+    }
+
+    #[tokio::test]
+    async fn test_batch_dispatch() {
+        let mut state = TestFormState::new();
+        let mut ideal_cursor = 0;
+
+        let actions = vec![
+            CanvasAction::InsertChar('h'),
+            CanvasAction::InsertChar('i'),
+            CanvasAction::MoveLeft,
+            CanvasAction::InsertChar('e'),
+        ];
+
+        let results = ActionDispatcher::dispatch_batch(
+            actions,
+            &mut state,
+            &mut ideal_cursor,
+        ).await.unwrap();
+
+        assert_eq!(results.len(), 4);
+        assert!(results.iter().all(|r| r.is_success()));
+        assert_eq!(state.get_current_input(), "hei");
+    }
+}

canvas/src/lib.rs

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 // canvas/src/lib.rs
-
 //! Canvas - A reusable text editing and form canvas system
-//! 
+//!
 //! This crate provides a generic canvas abstraction for building text-based interfaces
 //! with multiple input fields, cursor management, and mode-based editing.
 
@@ -9,19 +8,25 @@ pub mod state;
 pub mod actions;
 pub mod modes;
 pub mod suggestions;
+pub mod dispatcher;
 
 // Re-export the main types for easy use
 pub use state::{CanvasState, ActionContext};
-pub use actions::edit::execute_edit_action;
+pub use actions::{CanvasAction, ActionResult, execute_edit_action, execute_canvas_action};
 pub use modes::{AppMode, ModeManager, HighlightState};
 pub use suggestions::SuggestionState;
+pub use dispatcher::ActionDispatcher;
 
 // High-level convenience API
 pub mod prelude {
     pub use crate::{
         CanvasState,
         ActionContext,
+        CanvasAction,
+        ActionResult,
         execute_edit_action,
+        execute_canvas_action,
+        ActionDispatcher,
         AppMode,
         ModeManager,
         HighlightState,

canvas/src/state.rs

@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 // canvas/src/state.rs
 
+use crate::actions::CanvasAction;
+
 /// Context passed to feature-specific action handlers
 #[derive(Debug)]
 pub struct ActionContext {
-    pub key_code: Option<crossterm::event::KeyCode>,
+    pub key_code: Option<crossterm::event::KeyCode>, // Kept for backwards compatibility
     pub ideal_cursor_column: usize,
     pub current_input: String,
     pub current_field: usize,
@@ -43,14 +45,31 @@ pub trait CanvasState {
         // Default: no-op (override if you support suggestions)
     }
     fn deactivate_suggestions(&mut self) {
-        // Default: no-op (override if you support suggestions)  
+        // Default: no-op (override if you support suggestions)
     }
-    
-    // --- Feature-specific action handling ---
-    fn handle_feature_action(&mut self, action: &str, context: &ActionContext) -> Option<String> {
+
+    // --- Feature-specific action handling (NEW: Type-safe) ---
+    fn handle_feature_action(&mut self, _action: &CanvasAction, _context: &ActionContext) -> Option<String> {
         None // Default: no feature-specific handling
     }
 
+    // --- Legacy string-based action handling (for backwards compatibility) ---
+    fn handle_feature_action_legacy(&mut self, action: &str, context: &ActionContext) -> Option<String> {
+        // Convert string to typed action and delegate
+        let typed_action = match action {
+            "insert_char" => {
+                // This is tricky - we need the char from the KeyCode in context
+                if let Some(crossterm::event::KeyCode::Char(c)) = context.key_code {
+                    CanvasAction::InsertChar(c)
+                } else {
+                    CanvasAction::Custom(action.to_string())
+                }
+            }
+            _ => CanvasAction::from_string(action),
+        };
+        self.handle_feature_action(&typed_action, context)
+    }
+
     // --- Display Overrides (for links, computed values, etc.) ---
     fn get_display_value_for_field(&self, index: usize) -> &str {
         self.inputs()