As a returning user, I want to sign in to my existing Seed identity from the browser from the avatar icon so that I can access my account across any site I visit, US-03 —Sign in via avatar (returning user)

Avatar icon — not signed in state

• The avatar icon is always visible in the top bar regardless of sign-in state

• When not signed in the avatar displays as an outlined/dashed circle — no photo, no colour

• Tapping the avatar opens the identity modal — no join language appears anywhere in this flow

• The modal title is "Your Seed identity" not "Join [site]"

Sign in flow

• The modal offers two options: "Create identity in Hypermedia" and "Already have a Hypermedia identity"

• A third option "I have an identity from another site?" is available as a quiet link

• Tapping "Already have a Hypermedia identity" takes user to the email screen inside Seed Hypermedia

• The email screen headline is "Sign in to [site name]" — site context is maintained

• Email field validates correct format before submission

• Valid email advances to passkey screen showing "Good to see you again" and the email address

• Primary action is "Sign in with passkey" using device biometrics or PIN

• "Use another email" is available to go back

Return to site — two outcomes resolved silently

• On successful sign in the avatar updates immediately — shows user photo if set, filled state if not

• The system checks site membership silently on return — no extra screen or prompt

• If the user has not joined this site → avatar fills, Join button remains visible, no participation access yet

• If the user has already joined this site → avatar fills, Join button disappears, full participation unlocked immediately

• No confirmation screen is shown for sign in alone — the UI state change is the confirmation

• A toast alert appears only if the user was already a member: "You're back, [name] — you can comment and participate" and auto-dismisses

1. User lands on Ethosfera — avatar icon is outlined, Join button visible

2. User taps avatar icon

3. "Your Seed identity" modal opens — no join framing

4. User taps "Already have a Hypermedia identity"

5. User enters email linked to their Seed identity

6. User taps Continue — passkey screen appears with "Good to see you again"

7. User confirms with passkey

8. Returns to site — avatar fills with photo 9a. Not a member → Join button remains, user can tap it separately to join 9b. Already a member → Join button disappears, participation unlocked, toast appears

Email

• ⚠️ Invalid email format → inline error: "That doesn't look like a valid email. Check for typos and try again." Button disabled until fixed

• ⚠️ Email not linked to any Seed identity → "No Seed identity found for this email." with option to create one instead

• ⚠️ Email belongs to identity from another domain → redirect to "I have an identity from another site?" path

Passkey

• ⚠️ Passkey fails or is cancelled → returns to passkey screen with retry and "Send a verification code instead" fallback

• ⚠️ Device doesn't support passkey → verification code fallback offered automatically

• ⚠️U ser taps "Use another email" → returns to email screen, previous entry cleared

Navigation

• ⚠️User closes the modal mid-flow → returns to site as guest, no partial state created, avatar remains outlined

• ⚠️User presses browser back mid-flow → returns to previous step without losing email entry

App