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Database-backed collection fields have labels but no first-class help text in the content editor. On long operational forms, a label cannot explain where a value appears on the public site, what format is expected, or what will break if it is cleared.
EmDash already has a FieldHelpLabel component and code-first field builders expose helpText, but the dynamic schema path does not carry that capability:
Field, CreateFieldInput, and UpdateFieldInput have no description/help-text property.
the create/update schema APIs strip a top-level field description;
the admin manifest’s field descriptor has no help text;
the content editor therefore has nothing generic to render.
A local EmDash 0.32.0 baseline verified this through the public schema API and the real content editor.
Proposed solution
Add optional, schema-defined field guidance end to end:
Add a nullable description or helpText property to the registered field model, migration, seed format, create/update APIs, client types, and admin manifest.
Add the property to the field editor UI.
Render it consistently beside or immediately below the field label in the content editor. A visible short line is preferable for operational instructions; an info tooltip can remain available for longer text.
Extend repeater subfield definitions with the same optional property so row inputs can explain their format.
Keep it optional and backward compatible; existing fields render unchanged.
If avoiding a migration is a priority, field.options.helpText could carry the first version because widget options already round-trip arbitrary keys. A typed field property seems clearer long-term because this is common metadata rather than widget-specific configuration.
Acceptance tests
seed/export/apply round-trips field and repeater-subfield guidance;
create and update schema APIs preserve it;
content editor renders it for scalar, media, rich-text, and repeater fields;
schema editor can add, change, and clear it;
strings are localized and layout remains RTL-safe.
Motivation
This came from testing a real schema-backed editor with dozens of fields and repeated rows. Editors need enough context to edit words safely without being granted schema or layout control.
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Problem
Database-backed collection fields have labels but no first-class help text in the content editor. On long operational forms, a label cannot explain where a value appears on the public site, what format is expected, or what will break if it is cleared.
EmDash already has a
FieldHelpLabelcomponent and code-first field builders exposehelpText, but the dynamic schema path does not carry that capability:Field,CreateFieldInput, andUpdateFieldInputhave no description/help-text property.A local EmDash 0.32.0 baseline verified this through the public schema API and the real content editor.
Proposed solution
Add optional, schema-defined field guidance end to end:
descriptionorhelpTextproperty to the registered field model, migration, seed format, create/update APIs, client types, and admin manifest.If avoiding a migration is a priority,
field.options.helpTextcould carry the first version because widget options already round-trip arbitrary keys. A typed field property seems clearer long-term because this is common metadata rather than widget-specific configuration.Acceptance tests
Motivation
This came from testing a real schema-backed editor with dozens of fields and repeated rows. Editors need enough context to edit words safely without being granted schema or layout control.
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