v0.8.14: Shift+key shortcuts, ActionPanel refactor, overlay hint system

- Replace single-letter shortcuts (A/L/C/D/Z/F) with Shift+letter combos
  (Shift+A/Z/C/D/X/F) to avoid conflicts with DAW keyboard MIDI input
- Extract ActionPanel button logic into named public methods for clean SRP
  and reuse from PluginEditor keyPressed handler
- Auto Chop panel now requires a selected slice; shows waveform overlay hint
  if none is selected instead of silently doing nothing
- ADD mode now shows a sticky waveform overlay banner guiding the user to drag
- WaveformView gains showOverlayHint/clearOverlayHint with timer-based
  auto-dismiss (juce::Timer) and sticky-until-action mode
- Use GlyphArrangement for accurate font-metric text width (fixes deprecated
  Font::getStringWidth); remove unused <cmath> include
- Update README keyboard shortcut table and button descriptions

Co-Authored-By: Claude Sonnet 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>

Author: tucktuckg00se

README.md

@@ -123,16 +123,18 @@ xattr -cr /Applications/INTERSECT.app
 
 | Button | Function |
 | --- | --- |
-| `ADD` | Toggle draw-slice mode |
+| `ADD` | Toggle draw-slice mode (shows a waveform hint to drag and create a slice) |
 | `LAZY` / `STOP` | Start/stop real-time lazy chopping |
-| `AUTO` | Open Auto Chop panel |
+| `AUTO` | Open Auto Chop panel for the selected slice (prompts you to select a slice first if none is selected) |
 | `COPY` | Duplicate selected slice |
 | `DEL` | Delete selected slice |
 | `ZX` | Snap edits to nearest zero crossing |
 | `FM` | Follow MIDI (auto-select played slice) |
 
 ### Auto Chop Panel
 
+Requires a selected slice before opening.
+
 | Control | Function |
 | --- | --- |
 | `SENS` | Transient sensitivity (`0-100%`) with live marker preview |
@@ -151,6 +153,7 @@ xattr -cr /Applications/INTERSECT.app
 | Drag inside selected slice | Move slice |
 | `Ctrl` + drag selected slice | Duplicate slice to new position |
 | `Alt` + drag waveform | Temporary draw-slice gesture |
+| Press `ADD` / `Shift + A` | Enters draw mode and shows an on-waveform hint |
 | `Shift` + click waveform | Preview from clicked sample position |
 | Mouse wheel | Cursor-anchored zoom |
 | `Shift` + mouse wheel | Horizontal scroll |
@@ -162,17 +165,19 @@ xattr -cr /Applications/INTERSECT.app
 | --- | --- |
 | `Ctrl/Cmd + Z` | Undo |
 | `Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z` | Redo |
-| `A` | Toggle `ADD` mode |
-| `L` | Toggle `LAZY` / `STOP` |
-| `C` | Toggle Auto Chop panel |
-| `D` | Duplicate selected slice |
+| `Shift + A` | Toggle `ADD` mode |
+| `Shift + Z` | Toggle `LAZY` / `STOP` |
+| `Shift + C` | Toggle Auto Chop panel |
+| `Shift + D` | Duplicate selected slice |
 | `Delete` / `Backspace` | Delete selected slice |
-| `Z` | Toggle `ZX` |
-| `F` | Toggle `FM` |
+| `Shift + X` | Toggle `ZX` |
+| `Shift + F` | Toggle `FM` |
 | `Right Arrow` or `Tab` | Select next slice |
 | `Left Arrow` or `Shift + Tab` | Select previous slice |
 | `Esc` | Close Auto Chop panel |
 
+Single-letter action shortcuts are intentionally unbound so DAW keyboard-MIDI note entry remains available.
+
 ## Theme Customization
 
 INTERSECT supports custom `.intersectstyle` themes. On first launch it creates default `dark.intersectstyle` and `light.intersectstyle` in the user theme directory.

src/PluginEditor.cpp

@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ bool IntersectEditor::keyPressed (const juce::KeyPress& key)
     auto mods = key.getModifiers();
     int code = key.getKeyCode();
 
-    // Ctrl+Shift+Z — Redo
+    // Ctrl+Shift+Z - Redo
     if (code == 'Z' && mods.isCommandDown() && mods.isShiftDown())
     {
         IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ bool IntersectEditor::keyPressed (const juce::KeyPress& key)
         return true;
     }
 
-    // Ctrl+Z — Undo
+    // Ctrl+Z - Undo
     if (code == 'Z' && mods.isCommandDown())
     {
         IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
@@ -129,87 +129,65 @@ bool IntersectEditor::keyPressed (const juce::KeyPress& key)
         return true;
     }
 
-    // Skip single-key shortcuts if any modifier is held
+    // Ignore other Command/Alt combos and let host/OS handle them.
     if (mods.isCommandDown() || mods.isAltDown())
         return false;
 
-    // Esc — Close Auto Chop panel (only if open)
+    // Esc - Close Auto Chop panel (only if open)
     if (code == juce::KeyPress::escapeKey && actionPanel.isAutoChopOpen())
     {
         actionPanel.toggleAutoChop();
         return true;
     }
 
-    // C — Toggle Auto Chop
-    if (code == 'C')
+    // Shift shortcuts keep plain letter keys available for DAW keyboard MIDI.
+    if (mods.isShiftDown())
     {
-        actionPanel.toggleAutoChop();
-        return true;
-    }
+        if (code == 'A')
+        {
+            actionPanel.triggerAddSliceMode();
+            return true;
+        }
 
-    // A — Add Slice mode
-    if (code == 'A')
-    {
-        waveformView.setSliceDrawMode (! waveformView.isSliceDrawModeActive());
-        repaint();
-        return true;
-    }
+        if (code == 'Z')
+        {
+            actionPanel.triggerLazyChop();
+            return true;
+        }
 
-    // L — Lazy Chop
-    if (code == 'L')
-    {
-        IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
-        cmd.type = processor.lazyChop.isActive()
-            ? IntersectProcessor::CmdLazyChopStop
-            : IntersectProcessor::CmdLazyChopStart;
-        processor.pushCommand (cmd);
-        repaint();
-        return true;
-    }
+        if (code == 'C')
+        {
+            actionPanel.triggerAutoChop();
+            return true;
+        }
 
-    // D — Duplicate Slice
-    if (code == 'D')
-    {
-        IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
-        cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdDuplicateSlice;
-        processor.pushCommand (cmd);
-        return true;
-    }
+        if (code == 'D')
+        {
+            actionPanel.triggerDuplicateSlice();
+            return true;
+        }
 
-    // Delete / Backspace — Delete Slice
-    if (code == juce::KeyPress::deleteKey || code == juce::KeyPress::backspaceKey)
-    {
-        const auto& ui = processor.getUiSliceSnapshot();
-        int sel = ui.selectedSlice;
-        if (sel >= 0)
+        if (code == 'X')
         {
-            IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
-            cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdDeleteSlice;
-            cmd.intParam1 = sel;
-            processor.pushCommand (cmd);
+            actionPanel.toggleSnapToZeroCrossing();
+            return true;
         }
-        return true;
-    }
 
-    // Z — Snap to Zero-Crossing
-    if (code == 'Z')
-    {
-        bool current = processor.snapToZeroCrossing.load();
-        processor.snapToZeroCrossing.store (! current);
-        repaint();
-        return true;
+        if (code == 'F')
+        {
+            actionPanel.toggleFollowMidiSelection();
+            return true;
+        }
     }
 
-    // F — Follow MIDI
-    if (code == 'F')
+    // Delete / Backspace - Delete Slice
+    if (code == juce::KeyPress::deleteKey || code == juce::KeyPress::backspaceKey)
     {
-        bool current = processor.midiSelectsSlice.load();
-        processor.midiSelectsSlice.store (! current);
-        repaint();
+        actionPanel.triggerDeleteSelectedSlice();
         return true;
     }
 
-    // Right arrow / Tab — Next Slice
+    // Right arrow / Tab - Next Slice
     if (code == juce::KeyPress::rightKey
         || (code == juce::KeyPress::tabKey && ! mods.isShiftDown()))
     {
@@ -227,7 +205,7 @@ bool IntersectEditor::keyPressed (const juce::KeyPress& key)
         return true;
     }
 
-    // Left arrow / Shift+Tab — Prev Slice
+    // Left arrow / Shift+Tab - Prev Slice
     if (code == juce::KeyPress::leftKey
         || (code == juce::KeyPress::tabKey && mods.isShiftDown()))
     {

src/ui/ActionPanel.cpp

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 #include "IntersectLookAndFeel.h"
 #include "WaveformView.h"
 #include "../PluginProcessor.h"
-#include "../audio/AudioAnalysis.h"
 
 ActionPanel::ActionPanel (IntersectProcessor& p, WaveformView& wv)
     : processor (p), waveformView (wv)
@@ -24,72 +23,111 @@ ActionPanel::ActionPanel (IntersectProcessor& p, WaveformView& wv)
         btn->setColour (juce::TextButton::textColourOffId, getTheme().foreground);
     }
 
-    addSliceBtn.onClick = [this] {
-        waveformView.setSliceDrawMode (! waveformView.isSliceDrawModeActive());
-        repaint();
-    };
-
-    lazyChopBtn.onClick = [this] {
-        IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
-        if (processor.lazyChop.isActive())
-            cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdLazyChopStop;
-        else
-            cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdLazyChopStart;
-        processor.pushCommand (cmd);
-        repaint();
-    };
-
-    dupBtn.onClick = [this] {
-        IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
-        cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdDuplicateSlice;
-        cmd.intParam1 = -1;   // -1 = keep source position (existing behavior)
-        processor.pushCommand (cmd);
-        repaint();
-    };
-
-    splitBtn.onClick = [this] { toggleAutoChop(); };
-
-    addSliceBtn.setTooltip ("Add Slice (A / hold Alt)");
-    lazyChopBtn.setTooltip ("Lazy Chop (L)");
-    dupBtn.setTooltip ("Duplicate Slice (D)");
-    splitBtn.setTooltip ("Auto Chop (C)");
+    addSliceBtn.onClick = [this] { triggerAddSliceMode(); };
+    lazyChopBtn.onClick = [this] { triggerLazyChop(); };
+    dupBtn.onClick = [this] { triggerDuplicateSlice(); };
+    splitBtn.onClick = [this] { triggerAutoChop(); };
+
+    addSliceBtn.setTooltip ("Add Slice (Shift+A / hold Alt)");
+    lazyChopBtn.setTooltip ("Lazy Chop (Shift+Z)");
+    dupBtn.setTooltip ("Duplicate Slice (Shift+D)");
+    splitBtn.setTooltip ("Auto Chop (Shift+C)");
     deleteBtn.setTooltip ("Delete Slice (Del)");
 
-    snapBtn.setTooltip ("Snap to Zero-Crossing (Z)");
-    snapBtn.onClick = [this] {
-        bool current = processor.snapToZeroCrossing.load();
-        bool newState = ! current;
-        processor.snapToZeroCrossing.store (newState);
-        updateSnapButtonAppearance (newState);
-        repaint();
-    };
+    snapBtn.setTooltip ("Snap to Zero-Crossing (Shift+X)");
+    snapBtn.onClick = [this] { toggleSnapToZeroCrossing(); };
     updateSnapButtonAppearance (false);
 
-    deleteBtn.onClick = [this] {
-        const auto& ui = processor.getUiSliceSnapshot();
-        int sel = ui.selectedSlice;
-        if (sel >= 0)
-        {
-            IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
-            cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdDeleteSlice;
-            cmd.intParam1 = sel;
-            processor.pushCommand (cmd);
-        }
-    };
-
-    midiSelectBtn.setTooltip ("Follow MIDI (F)");
-    midiSelectBtn.onClick = [this] {
-        bool current = processor.midiSelectsSlice.load();
-        bool newState = ! current;
-        processor.midiSelectsSlice.store (newState);
-        updateMidiButtonAppearance (newState);
-        repaint();
-    };
+    deleteBtn.onClick = [this] { triggerDeleteSelectedSlice(); };
+
+    midiSelectBtn.setTooltip ("Follow MIDI (Shift+F)");
+    midiSelectBtn.onClick = [this] { toggleFollowMidiSelection(); };
     updateMidiButtonAppearance (false);
 }
 
 ActionPanel::~ActionPanel() = default;
 
+void ActionPanel::triggerAddSliceMode()
+{
+    const bool nextState = ! waveformView.isSliceDrawModeActive();
+    waveformView.setSliceDrawMode (nextState);
+    if (nextState)
+        waveformView.showOverlayHint ("ADD mode: drag on waveform to create a slice.", 0, true);
+    else
+        waveformView.clearOverlayHint();
+    repaint();
+}
+
+void ActionPanel::triggerLazyChop()
+{
+    IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
+    if (processor.lazyChop.isActive())
+        cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdLazyChopStop;
+    else
+        cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdLazyChopStart;
+    processor.pushCommand (cmd);
+    repaint();
+}
+
+void ActionPanel::triggerDuplicateSlice()
+{
+    IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
+    cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdDuplicateSlice;
+    cmd.intParam1 = -1;   // -1 = keep source position (existing behavior)
+    processor.pushCommand (cmd);
+    repaint();
+}
+
+void ActionPanel::triggerAutoChop()
+{
+    if (autoChopPanel != nullptr)
+    {
+        toggleAutoChop();
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const auto& ui = processor.getUiSliceSnapshot();
+    const int sel = ui.selectedSlice;
+    if (sel < 0 || sel >= ui.numSlices)
+    {
+        waveformView.showOverlayHint ("Select a slice first, then press AUTO.", 2200);
+        return;
+    }
+
+    toggleAutoChop();
+}
+
+void ActionPanel::triggerDeleteSelectedSlice()
+{
+    const auto& ui = processor.getUiSliceSnapshot();
+    const int sel = ui.selectedSlice;
+    if (sel < 0)
+        return;
+
+    IntersectProcessor::Command cmd;
+    cmd.type = IntersectProcessor::CmdDeleteSlice;
+    cmd.intParam1 = sel;
+    processor.pushCommand (cmd);
+}
+
+void ActionPanel::toggleSnapToZeroCrossing()
+{
+    const bool current = processor.snapToZeroCrossing.load();
+    const bool newState = ! current;
+    processor.snapToZeroCrossing.store (newState);
+    updateSnapButtonAppearance (newState);
+    repaint();
+}
+
+void ActionPanel::toggleFollowMidiSelection()
+{
+    const bool current = processor.midiSelectsSlice.load();
+    const bool newState = ! current;
+    processor.midiSelectsSlice.store (newState);
+    updateMidiButtonAppearance (newState);
+    repaint();
+}
+
 void ActionPanel::toggleAutoChop()
 {
     if (autoChopPanel != nullptr)

src/ui/ActionPanel.h

@@ -12,6 +12,13 @@ class ActionPanel : public juce::Component
     ~ActionPanel() override;
     void resized() override;
     void paint (juce::Graphics& g) override;
+    void triggerAddSliceMode();
+    void triggerLazyChop();
+    void triggerDuplicateSlice();
+    void triggerAutoChop();
+    void triggerDeleteSelectedSlice();
+    void toggleSnapToZeroCrossing();
+    void toggleFollowMidiSelection();
     void toggleAutoChop();
     bool isAutoChopOpen() const { return autoChopPanel != nullptr; }