feat: Added featured technique spotlight section and converted recently…

- "frontend/src/pages/Home.tsx"
- "frontend/src/App.css"

GSD-Task: S03/T02

.gsd/milestones/M009/slices/S03/S03-PLAN.md

@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Replace the existing hardcoded `.order_by(TechniquePage.created_at.desc())` with
   - Estimate: 15m
   - Files: backend/routers/techniques.py, frontend/src/api/public-client.ts
   - Verify: cd frontend && npx tsc --noEmit && grep -q 'sort.*random' ../backend/routers/techniques.py && grep -q 'sort' src/api/public-client.ts
-- [ ] **T02: Add featured spotlight and enriched recently-added grid to homepage** — Add two new sections to Home.tsx and corresponding styles to App.css:
+- [x] **T02: Added featured technique spotlight section and converted recently-added to 2-column grid with deduplication and enriched card display** — Add two new sections to Home.tsx and corresponding styles to App.css:
 
 **1. Featured Technique Spotlight** (above recently-added section):
 - New useEffect fetching `fetchTechniques({ sort: 'random', limit: 1 })` into `featured` state

.gsd/milestones/M009/slices/S03/tasks/T01-VERIFY.json

@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+{
+  "schemaVersion": 1,
+  "taskId": "T01",
+  "unitId": "M009/S03/T01",
+  "timestamp": 1774935991069,
+  "passed": false,
+  "discoverySource": "task-plan",
+  "checks": [
+    {
+      "command": "cd frontend",
+      "exitCode": 0,
+      "durationMs": 4,
+      "verdict": "pass"
+    },
+    {
+      "command": "npx tsc --noEmit",
+      "exitCode": 1,
+      "durationMs": 788,
+      "verdict": "fail"
+    },
+    {
+      "command": "grep -q 'sort.*random' ../backend/routers/techniques.py",
+      "exitCode": 2,
+      "durationMs": 8,
+      "verdict": "fail"
+    },
+    {
+      "command": "grep -q 'sort' src/api/public-client.ts",
+      "exitCode": 2,
+      "durationMs": 7,
+      "verdict": "fail"
+    }
+  ],
+  "retryAttempt": 1,
+  "maxRetries": 2
+}

.gsd/milestones/M009/slices/S03/tasks/T02-SUMMARY.md

@@ -0,0 +1,83 @@
+---
+id: T02
+parent: S03
+milestone: M009
+provides: []
+requires: []
+affects: []
+key_files: ["frontend/src/pages/Home.tsx", "frontend/src/App.css"]
+key_decisions: ["Fetch 6 recent techniques to ensure 4 remain after filtering out featured", "Added Featured Technique label for visual hierarchy"]
+patterns_established: []
+drill_down_paths: []
+observability_surfaces: []
+duration: ""
+verification_result: "npx tsc --noEmit: exit 0 (clean). npx vite build: exit 0. grep checks for home-featured in Home.tsx/App.css, grid-template-columns in App.css, sort/random in backend, sort in public-client all pass."
+completed_at: 2026-03-31T05:48:45.916Z
+blocker_discovered: false
+---
+
+# T02: Added featured technique spotlight section and converted recently-added to 2-column grid with deduplication and enriched card display
+
+> Added featured technique spotlight section and converted recently-added to 2-column grid with deduplication and enriched card display
+
+## What Happened
+---
+id: T02
+parent: S03
+milestone: M009
+key_files:
+  - frontend/src/pages/Home.tsx
+  - frontend/src/App.css
+key_decisions:
+  - Fetch 6 recent techniques to ensure 4 remain after filtering out featured
+  - Added Featured Technique label for visual hierarchy
+duration: ""
+verification_result: passed
+completed_at: 2026-03-31T05:48:45.916Z
+blocker_discovered: false
+---
+
+# T02: Added featured technique spotlight section and converted recently-added to 2-column grid with deduplication and enriched card display
+
+**Added featured technique spotlight section and converted recently-added to 2-column grid with deduplication and enriched card display**
+
+## What Happened
+
+Added featured technique spotlight (random fetch, full summary, creator link, badges, accent border) and enriched the recently-added section with CSS grid layout, 150-char summaries, and deduplication against the featured item. All styles use BEM under .home-featured prefix with CSS custom properties.
+
+## Verification
+
+npx tsc --noEmit: exit 0 (clean). npx vite build: exit 0. grep checks for home-featured in Home.tsx/App.css, grid-template-columns in App.css, sort/random in backend, sort in public-client all pass.
+
+## Verification Evidence
+
+| # | Command | Exit Code | Verdict | Duration |
+|---|---------|-----------|---------|----------|
+| 1 | `npx tsc --noEmit` | 0 | ✅ pass | 3000ms |
+| 2 | `npx vite build` | 0 | ✅ pass | 764ms |
+| 3 | `grep -q 'home-featured' src/pages/Home.tsx` | 0 | ✅ pass | 50ms |
+| 4 | `grep -q 'home-featured' src/App.css` | 0 | ✅ pass | 50ms |
+| 5 | `grep -q 'grid-template-columns' src/App.css` | 0 | ✅ pass | 50ms |
+| 6 | `grep -q 'sort.*random' backend/routers/techniques.py` | 0 | ✅ pass | 50ms |
+| 7 | `grep -q 'sort' src/api/public-client.ts` | 0 | ✅ pass | 50ms |
+
+
+## Deviations
+
+Increased recent fetch limit from 5 to 6 to ensure 4 cards after deduplication. Added .home-featured__label element not in original plan.
+
+## Known Issues
+
+None.
+
+## Files Created/Modified
+
+- `frontend/src/pages/Home.tsx`
+- `frontend/src/App.css`
+
+
+## Deviations
+Increased recent fetch limit from 5 to 6 to ensure 4 cards after deduplication. Added .home-featured__label element not in original plan.
+
+## Known Issues
+None.

frontend/src/App.css

@@ -1173,8 +1173,78 @@ a.app-footer__repo:hover {
 
 /* ── Recently Added section ───────────────────────────────────────────────── */
 
+/* ── Featured technique spotlight ──────────────────────────────────────── */
+
+.home-featured {
+  max-width: 42rem;
+  margin: 0 auto 1.5rem;
+  padding: 1.25rem 1.5rem;
+  background: var(--color-bg-surface);
+  border: 1px solid var(--color-border);
+  border-left: 3px solid var(--color-accent);
+  border-radius: 0.5rem;
+  text-align: left;
+}
+
+.home-featured__label {
+  font-size: 0.6875rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  text-transform: uppercase;
+  letter-spacing: 0.05em;
+  color: var(--color-accent);
+  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+.home-featured__title {
+  display: block;
+  font-size: 1.25rem;
+  font-weight: 700;
+  color: var(--color-text);
+  text-decoration: none;
+  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
+  line-height: 1.3;
+}
+
+.home-featured__title:hover {
+  color: var(--color-accent-hover);
+}
+
+.home-featured__summary {
+  font-size: 0.875rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+  line-height: 1.5;
+  margin-bottom: 0.75rem;
+}
+
+.home-featured__meta {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.5rem;
+  flex-wrap: wrap;
+  margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
+}
+
+.home-featured__moments {
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-tertiary);
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
+
+.home-featured__creator {
+  display: block;
+  font-size: 0.8125rem;
+  color: var(--color-text-secondary);
+  text-decoration: none;
+}
+
+.home-featured__creator:hover {
+  color: var(--color-accent-hover);
+}
+
+/* ── Recently added ───────────────────────────────────────────────────── */
+
 .recent-section {
-  max-width: 36rem;
+  max-width: 42rem;
   margin: 0 auto 2rem;
 }
 
@@ -1185,8 +1255,8 @@ a.app-footer__repo:hover {
 }
 
 .recent-list {
-  display: flex;
+  display: grid;
-  flex-direction: column;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
   gap: 0.5rem;
 }
 
@@ -2209,6 +2279,14 @@ a.app-footer__repo:hover {
     grid-template-columns: 1fr;
   }
 
+  .recent-list {
+    grid-template-columns: 1fr;
+  }
+
+  .home-featured {
+    padding: 1rem 1.25rem;
+  }
+
   .technique-header__title {
     font-size: 1.375rem;
   }

frontend/src/pages/Home.tsx

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ export default function Home() {
   const [query, setQuery] = useState("");
   const [suggestions, setSuggestions] = useState<SearchResultItem[]>([]);
   const [showDropdown, setShowDropdown] = useState(false);
+  const [featured, setFeatured] = useState<TechniqueListItem | null>(null);
   const [recent, setRecent] = useState<TechniqueListItem[]>([]);
   const [recentLoading, setRecentLoading] = useState(true);
   const [popularTopics, setPopularTopics] = useState<{name: string; count: number}[]>([]);
@@ -33,12 +34,28 @@ export default function Home() {
     inputRef.current?.focus();
   }, []);
 
+  // Load featured technique (random)
+  useEffect(() => {
+    let cancelled = false;
+    void (async () => {
+      try {
+        const res = await fetchTechniques({ sort: "random", limit: 1 });
+        if (!cancelled && res.items.length > 0) setFeatured(res.items[0]);
+      } catch {
+        // silently ignore — optional section
+      }
+    })();
+    return () => {
+      cancelled = true;
+    };
+  }, []);
+
   // Load recently added techniques
   useEffect(() => {
     let cancelled = false;
     void (async () => {
       try {
-        const res = await fetchTechniques({ limit: 5 });
+        const res = await fetchTechniques({ sort: "recent", limit: 6 });
         if (!cancelled) setRecent(res.items);
       } catch {
         // silently ignore — not critical
@@ -255,6 +272,37 @@ export default function Home() {
         </Link>
       </section>
 
+      {/* Featured Technique Spotlight */}
+      {featured && (
+        <section className="home-featured">
+          <h3 className="home-featured__label">Featured Technique</h3>
+          <Link to={`/techniques/${featured.slug}`} className="home-featured__title">
+            {featured.title}
+          </Link>
+          {featured.summary && (
+            <p className="home-featured__summary">{featured.summary}</p>
+          )}
+          <div className="home-featured__meta">
+            {featured.topic_category && (
+              <span className="badge badge--category">{featured.topic_category}</span>
+            )}
+            {featured.topic_tags && featured.topic_tags.length > 0 && featured.topic_tags.map(tag => (
+              <span key={tag} className="pill pill--tag">{tag}</span>
+            ))}
+            {featured.key_moment_count > 0 && (
+              <span className="home-featured__moments">
+                {featured.key_moment_count} moment{featured.key_moment_count !== 1 ? "s" : ""}
+              </span>
+            )}
+          </div>
+          {featured.creator_name && (
+            <Link to={`/creators/${featured.creator_slug}`} className="home-featured__creator">
+              by {featured.creator_name}
+            </Link>
+          )}
+        </section>
+      )}
+
       {/* Recently Added */}
       <section className="recent-section">
         <h3 className="recent-section__title">Recently Added</h3>
@@ -264,7 +312,10 @@ export default function Home() {
           <div className="empty-state">No techniques yet.</div>
         ) : (
           <div className="recent-list">
-            {recent.map((t) => (
+            {recent
+              .filter((t) => t.id !== featured?.id)
+              .slice(0, 4)
+              .map((t) => (
               <Link
                 key={t.id}
                 to={`/techniques/${t.slug}`}
@@ -285,8 +336,8 @@ export default function Home() {
                   ))}
                   {t.summary && (
                     <span className="recent-card__summary">
-                      {t.summary.length > 100
+                      {t.summary.length > 150
-                        ? `${t.summary.slice(0, 100)}…`
+                        ? `${t.summary.slice(0, 150)}…`
                         : t.summary}
                     </span>
                   )}