docs(load-graph): classify UI and core-UX modules

Fourth classification batch: the modules that shape the first interactive frame — ui-config, ui-theme, ui-navigation, font-config, selection-framework, modeline-config, mousetrap-mode, popper-config, dashboard-config, nerd-icons-config. I annotated each header, added a Batch 4 table to the inventory, and extended the validation allowlist. 33 of 102 modules are now classified.

These mostly stay eager: each has a real first-frame reason (theme, font, modeline, completion stack, landing page). No new hidden dependencies. popper-config carries the spec's open question about its enabled/disabled state, noted for the deferral phase.

12 files changed, 133 insertions, 19 deletions

diff --git a/docs/design/module-inventory.org b/docs/design/module-inventory.org
index f5a5294a..9a6a147f 100644
--- a/docs/design/module-inventory.org
+++ b/docs/design/module-inventory.org
@@ -26,7 +26,8 @@ This inventory is independent from the helper inventory owned by
 - Batch 1 (Foundation, Layer 1): classified. 7 modules.
 - Batch 2 (Text/editing command modules, Layer 2): classified. 9 modules.
 - Batch 3 (Core libraries and command modules): classified. 7 modules.
-- 23 of 102 modules classified.
+- Batch 4 (UI / core-UX modules, Layer 2): classified. 10 modules.
+- 33 of 102 modules classified.
 - No load-order changes have been made; =init.el= keeps its current eager order.
 
 * Legend
@@ -98,6 +99,25 @@ eager side-effect owners.
 | =text-config= | 2 | C/P | eager | eager | none | 3 add-hook, package config | yes |
 | =undead-buffers= | 2 | C | eager | eager | none | 3 global keys (kill-buffer remap) | yes |
 
+** Batch 4 — UI / core-UX modules (Layer 2)
+
+Modules that shape the first interactive frame: theme, font, modeline, window
+navigation, completion stack, and landing page. Most have a real first-frame
+eager reason and stay eager.
+
+| Module | Layer | Cat | Current | Target | Runtime requires | Top-level side effects | Direct load |
+|--------+-------+-----+---------+--------+------------------+------------------------+-------------|
+| =ui-config= | 2 | C/S | eager | eager | user-constants | UI defaults, post-command hook, display-buffer-alist | yes |
+| =ui-theme= | 2 | C | eager | eager | none | theme load path, theme key | yes |
+| =ui-navigation= | 2 | C/P | eager | eager | none | nav keymap, 5 global keys, package config | yes |
+| =font-config= | 2 | C/P/S | eager | eager | host-environment, keybindings | 5 global font keys, font-install checks | yes |
+| =selection-framework= | 2 | C/P | eager | eager | none | 1 global key, 15 use-package forms | yes |
+| =modeline-config= | 2 | C/S | eager | eager | user-constants | 2 add-hook (VC cache) | yes |
+| =mousetrap-mode= | 2 | C | eager | eager | cl-lib | 3 add-hook, 1 add-to-list, 1 global key | yes |
+| =popper-config= | 2 | C/P | eager | eager | none | package config (enabled-state open question) | yes |
+| =dashboard-config= | 2 | C/S | eager | eager | none | builds/opens dashboard buffer at startup | conditional |
+| =nerd-icons-config= | 2 | C/P | eager | eager | none | package config | yes |
+
 * Hidden dependencies found
 
 Discoveries that belong to Phase 2 (make dependencies explicit). Recorded here,
@@ -120,7 +140,7 @@ not fixed here.
 
 * Pending classification
 
-The remaining 79 modules required by =init.el=, awaiting per-module inspection.
+The remaining 69 modules required by =init.el=, awaiting per-module inspection.
 Each batch reads these against their source and moves them into [[*Classified
 modules][Classified modules]] with a load-graph header. Suggested batch order
 follows the spec: text/editing command modules, then UI, then programming, then
@@ -134,7 +154,6 @@ Org, then optional integrations.
 - [ ] chrono-tools
 - [ ] coverage-core
 - [ ] coverage-elisp
-- [ ] dashboard-config
 - [ ] dev-fkeys
 - [ ] diff-config
 - [ ] dirvish-config
@@ -145,7 +164,6 @@ Org, then optional integrations.
 - [ ] eww-config
 - [ ] flycheck-config
 - [ ] flyspell-and-abbrev
-- [ ] font-config
 - [ ] games-config
 - [ ] gloss-config
 - [ ] help-config
@@ -159,10 +177,7 @@ Org, then optional integrations.
 - [ ] lorem-optimum
 - [ ] mail-config
 - [ ] markdown-config
-- [ ] modeline-config
-- [ ] mousetrap-mode
 - [ ] music-config
-- [ ] nerd-icons-config
 - [ ] org-agenda-config
 - [ ] org-babel-config
 - [ ] org-capture-config
@@ -176,7 +191,6 @@ Org, then optional integrations.
 - [ ] org-roam-config
 - [ ] org-webclipper
 - [ ] pdf-config
-- [ ] popper-config
 - [ ] prog-c
 - [ ] prog-general
 - [ ] prog-go
@@ -190,16 +204,12 @@ Org, then optional integrations.
 - [ ] quick-video-capture
 - [ ] reconcile-open-repos
 - [ ] restclient-config
-- [ ] selection-framework
 - [ ] slack-config
 - [ ] system-commands
 - [ ] telega-config
 - [ ] test-runner
 - [ ] tramp-config
 - [ ] transcription-config
-- [ ] ui-config
-- [ ] ui-navigation
-- [ ] ui-theme
 - [ ] vc-config
 - [ ] video-audio-recording
 - [ ] vterm-config
diff --git a/modules/dashboard-config.el b/modules/dashboard-config.el
index 0ee9200b..4602cc15 100644
--- a/modules/dashboard-config.el
+++ b/modules/dashboard-config.el
@@ -2,7 +2,16 @@
 ;; author Craig Jennings <c@cjennings.net>
 
 ;;; Commentary:
-
+;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C/S.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: builds the startup dashboard landing page.
+;; Top-level side effects: initializes and opens the dashboard buffer at startup
+;;   via use-package.
+;; Runtime requires: none.
+;; Direct test load: conditional (builds the dashboard buffer on load).
+;;
 ;; Note:
 ;; Nerd-Icons Cheat Sheet: https://www.nerdfonts.com/cheat-sheet
 
diff --git a/modules/font-config.el b/modules/font-config.el
index 811763f7..d4e2190d 100644
--- a/modules/font-config.el
+++ b/modules/font-config.el
@@ -2,7 +2,16 @@
 ;; author: Craig Jennings <c@cjennings.net>
 
 ;;; Commentary:
-
+;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C/P/S.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: font setup for the first frame, plus font keybindings.
+;; Top-level side effects: binds five global font keys, runs font-installation
+;;   checks, configures packages via use-package.
+;; Runtime requires: host-environment, keybindings.
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; This module provides font configuration, including:
 ;;
 ;; 1. Font Management:
diff --git a/modules/modeline-config.el b/modules/modeline-config.el
index 5afe226e..0e6e5d0f 100644
--- a/modules/modeline-config.el
+++ b/modules/modeline-config.el
@@ -2,7 +2,15 @@
 ;; author: Craig Jennings <c@cjennings.net>
 
 ;;; Commentary:
-
+;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C/S.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: the modeline is visible in the first frame.
+;; Top-level side effects: two add-hook (VC cache lifecycle).
+;; Runtime requires: user-constants.
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; Simple, minimal modeline using only built-in Emacs functionality.
 ;; No external packages = no buffer issues, no native-comp errors.
 
diff --git a/modules/mousetrap-mode.el b/modules/mousetrap-mode.el
index d7f422de..5da66780 100644
--- a/modules/mousetrap-mode.el
+++ b/modules/mousetrap-mode.el
@@ -1,6 +1,16 @@
 ;;; mousetrap-mode.el ---  -*- coding: utf-8; lexical-binding: t; -*-
 ;;
 ;;; Commentary:
+;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: a global minor mode that prevents accidental mouse edits,
+;;   wanted from the first session.
+;; Top-level side effects: three add-hook, one add-to-list, one global key.
+;; Runtime requires: cl-lib.
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; Mouse Trap Mode is a minor mode for Emacs that disables most mouse and
 ;; trackpad events to prevent accidental text modifications.  Hitting the
 ;; trackpad and finding my text is being inserted in an unintended place is
diff --git a/modules/nerd-icons-config.el b/modules/nerd-icons-config.el
index d314be80..d3d55b86 100644
--- a/modules/nerd-icons-config.el
+++ b/modules/nerd-icons-config.el
@@ -3,6 +3,15 @@
 
 ;;; Commentary:
 ;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C/P.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: provides the nerd-icons fonts that dashboard, modeline, and
+;;   completion render in the first frame.
+;; Top-level side effects: package configuration via use-package.
+;; Runtime requires: none.
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; Single home for nerd-icons:
 ;;   - the package itself
 ;;   - completion integration (`nerd-icons-completion')
diff --git a/modules/popper-config.el b/modules/popper-config.el
index 35780eb2..c99a8323 100644
--- a/modules/popper-config.el
+++ b/modules/popper-config.el
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@
 ;;
 ;;; Commentary:
 ;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C/P.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: configures popper so popup buffers (Messages, help, compilation)
+;;   appear as managed popups. The enabled/disabled state is an open question in
+;;   the spec; revisit during deferral.
+;; Top-level side effects: package configuration via use-package.
+;; Runtime requires: none.
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; Configuration for popper.el, which manages secondary buffers as popup windows.
 ;; Popup buffers (like *Messages*, help, and compilation output) are displayed in
 ;; a dedicated bottom window and can be easily toggled, cycled, or promoted to
diff --git a/modules/selection-framework.el b/modules/selection-framework.el
index 15ef0a94..11687337 100644
--- a/modules/selection-framework.el
+++ b/modules/selection-framework.el
@@ -3,6 +3,16 @@
 
 ;;; Commentary:
 ;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C/P.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: the completion/selection stack (vertico and friends) shapes
+;;   every interactive prompt from the first session.
+;; Top-level side effects: one global key binding, package configuration via
+;;   fifteen use-package forms.
+;; Runtime requires: none (configures packages via use-package).
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; This module configures the completion and selection framework using:
 ;; - Vertico: Vertical completion UI
 ;; - Marginalia: Rich annotations in minibuffer
diff --git a/modules/ui-config.el b/modules/ui-config.el
index 39b86182..a4c18421 100644
--- a/modules/ui-config.el
+++ b/modules/ui-config.el
@@ -2,7 +2,16 @@
 ;; author: Craig Jennings <c@cjennings.net>
 
 ;;; Commentary:
-
+;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C/S.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: UI preferences that should be visible in the first frame.
+;; Top-level side effects: UI defaults, a post-command hook, and
+;;   display-buffer-alist entries.
+;; Runtime requires: user-constants.
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; This file centralizes user interface preferences, including:
 
 ;; • Frame and window behavior
diff --git a/modules/ui-navigation.el b/modules/ui-navigation.el
index 09100799..f1324c16 100644
--- a/modules/ui-navigation.el
+++ b/modules/ui-navigation.el
@@ -2,7 +2,17 @@
 ;; author Craig Jennings <c@cjennings.net>
 
 ;;; Commentary:
-
+;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C/P.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: window-navigation keybindings and winner/buffer-move setup for
+;;   the first session.
+;; Top-level side effects: defines a navigation keymap, binds five global keys,
+;;   configures packages via use-package.
+;; Runtime requires: none (configures packages via use-package).
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; Window Navigation
 
 ;; This section handles situations where we're navigating or arranging windows
diff --git a/modules/ui-theme.el b/modules/ui-theme.el
index bcc58575..2df37000 100644
--- a/modules/ui-theme.el
+++ b/modules/ui-theme.el
@@ -2,7 +2,16 @@
 ;; author: Craig Jennings <c@cjennings.net>
 ;;
 ;;; Commentary:
-
+;;
+;; Layer: 2 (Core UX).
+;; Category: C.
+;; Load shape: eager.
+;; Eager reason: theme persistence and the theme keybinding; the theme itself is
+;;   loaded by an explicit call in init.el.
+;; Top-level side effects: registers the custom theme load path, binds a theme key.
+;; Runtime requires: none.
+;; Direct test load: yes.
+;;
 ;; This module provides a theme management system with persistence across
 ;; Emacs sessions.
 ;;
diff --git a/tests/test-init-module-headers.el b/tests/test-init-module-headers.el
index f8085fc7..df3df728 100644
--- a/tests/test-init-module-headers.el
+++ b/tests/test-init-module-headers.el
@@ -46,7 +46,18 @@
     "keyboard-macros"
     "system-utils"
     "text-config"
-    "undead-buffers")
+    "undead-buffers"
+    ;; Batch 4 — UI / core-UX modules (Layer 2)
+    "ui-config"
+    "ui-theme"
+    "ui-navigation"
+    "font-config"
+    "selection-framework"
+    "modeline-config"
+    "mousetrap-mode"
+    "popper-config"
+    "dashboard-config"
+    "nerd-icons-config")
   "Modules annotated with the load-graph header contract.
 Grows one batch at a time.  Parity with the init.el require set is the
 Phase 1 exit criterion.")