Use checked handles for app dialogs

docs/modernization/debt.md

@@ -18,6 +18,13 @@ agent or engineer to remove them without reconstructing context from chat.
 
 ## Recent Reductions
 
+- 2026-06-15: `DEBT-0058`/`DEBT-0063` were narrowed again. App-owned About,
+  Changelog, User Manual, New Document, Open, Browse, Save, Resize, Layer
+  Rename, and PPBR Export dialogs now open and close through checked overlay
+  handles in `src/app_dialogs.cpp`, and the corresponding retained dialog nodes
+  no longer self-destroy their cancel/OK buttons through
+  `bind_legacy_click_destroys_node(...)`; menu/layout-owned popup families still
+  remain on separate retained cleanup paths.
 - 2026-06-15: `DEBT-0036` was narrowed again. `NodeStrokePreview` now drops the
   retained pass-sequence, mix-execution, final-composite-request, background
   capture, and preview-copy wrapper structs/functions in favor of direct

src/app_dialogs.cpp

@@ -151,17 +151,80 @@ std::shared_ptr<NodeInputBox> App::input_box(const std::string& title,
 
 void App::dialog_usermanual()
 {
-    (void)pp::panopainter::add_legacy_overlay_node<NodeUserManual>(*this);
+    auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+    if (!overlay_anchor) {
+        LOG("User manual dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeUserManual>(*this);
+    const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+    if (!overlay) {
+        LOG("User manual dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+        return;
+    }
+    const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+
+    const auto close_dialog = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+        const auto close_status = pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+        (void)close_status;
+    };
+
+    dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*) {
+        close_dialog();
+    };
 }
 
 void App::dialog_changelog()
 {
-    (void)pp::panopainter::add_legacy_overlay_node<NodeChangelog>(*this);
+    auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+    if (!overlay_anchor) {
+        LOG("Changelog dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeChangelog>(*this);
+    const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+    if (!overlay) {
+        LOG("Changelog dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+        return;
+    }
+    const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+
+    const auto close_dialog = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+        const auto close_status = pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+        (void)close_status;
+    };
+
+    dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*) {
+        close_dialog();
+    };
 }
 
 void App::dialog_about()
 {
-    (void)pp::panopainter::add_legacy_overlay_node<NodeAbout>(*this);
+    auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+    if (!overlay_anchor) {
+        LOG("About dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeAbout>(*this);
+    const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+    if (!overlay) {
+        LOG("About dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+        return;
+    }
+    const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+
+    const auto close_dialog = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+        const auto close_status = pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+        (void)close_status;
+    };
+
+    dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*) {
+        close_dialog();
+    };
 }
 
 void App::continue_document_workflow_after_optional_save(std::function<void()> action)
@@ -180,13 +243,31 @@ void App::continue_document_workflow_after_optional_save(std::function<void()> a
 void App::dialog_newdoc()
 {
     auto show_dialog = [this] {
+        auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+        if (!overlay_anchor) {
+            LOG("New document dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+            return;
+        }
+
         auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeDialogNewDoc>(*this);
         dialog->input->set_text("name");
 
-        (void)pp::panopainter::attach_legacy_overlay_node(*this, dialog);
-
         App::I->showKeyboard();
 
+        const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+        if (!overlay) {
+            App::I->hideKeyboard();
+            LOG("New document dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+            return;
+        }
+        const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+
+        const auto close_dialog = [this, overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+            const auto close_status = pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+            (void)close_status;
+            App::I->hideKeyboard();
+        };
+
         dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this, dialog](Node*)
         {
             std::string name = dialog->input->m_text;
@@ -212,9 +293,9 @@ void App::dialog_newdoc()
                 LOG("New document action failed: %s", status.message);
 
         };
-        dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [this, dialog](Node*)
+        dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*)
         {
-            pp::panopainter::close_legacy_dialog_and_hide_keyboard(*this, *dialog);
+            close_dialog();
         };
     };
 
@@ -226,9 +307,25 @@ void App::dialog_open()
 {
     auto show_dialog = [this] {
         // load thumbnail test
+        auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+        if (!overlay_anchor) {
+            LOG("Open document dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+            return;
+        }
+
         auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeDialogOpen>(*this);
 
-        (void)pp::panopainter::attach_legacy_overlay_node(*this, dialog);
+        const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+        if (!overlay) {
+            LOG("Open document dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+            return;
+        }
+        const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+
+        const auto close_dialog = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+            const auto close_status = pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+            (void)close_status;
+        };
 
         dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this, dialog](Node*)
         {
@@ -246,6 +343,10 @@ void App::dialog_open()
 //            dialog->destroy();
 //            ActionManager::clear();
         };
+        dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*)
+        {
+            close_dialog();
+        };
     };
 
     continue_document_workflow_after_optional_save(show_dialog);
@@ -254,21 +355,40 @@ void App::dialog_open()
 void App::dialog_browse()
 {
     auto show_dialog = [this] {
-        // load thumbnail test
+        auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
-        auto dialog = std::make_shared<NodeDialogBrowse>();
+        if (!overlay_anchor) {
+            LOG("Browse document dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+            return;
+        }
+
+        auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeDialogBrowse>(*this);
         dialog->search_paths = document_browse_roots();
-        pp::panopainter::initialize_legacy_overlay_node(*this, *dialog);
 
-        (void)pp::panopainter::attach_legacy_overlay_node(*this, dialog);
+        const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+        if (!overlay) {
+            LOG("Browse document dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+            return;
+        }
+        const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
 
-        dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this, dialog](Node*)
+        const auto close_dialog = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+            const auto close_status =
+                pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+            (void)close_status;
+        };
+
+        dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this, dialog, close_dialog](Node*)
         {
             if (dialog->is_selected())
             {
                 open_document(dialog->selected_path);
-                pp::panopainter::close_legacy_dialog_node(*dialog);
+                close_dialog();
             }
         };
+        dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*)
+        {
+            close_dialog();
+        };
     };
 
     continue_document_workflow_after_optional_save(show_dialog);
@@ -319,11 +439,31 @@ void App::dialog_save()
     
     if (canvas)
     {
+        auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+        if (!overlay_anchor) {
+            LOG("Save document dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+            return;
+        }
+
         auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeDialogSave>(*this);
         dialog->input->set_text(doc_name);
 
         App::I->showKeyboard();
 
+        const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+        if (!overlay) {
+            App::I->hideKeyboard();
+            LOG("Save document dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+            return;
+        }
+        const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+
+        const auto close_dialog = [this, overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+            const auto close_status = pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+            (void)close_status;
+            App::I->hideKeyboard();
+        };
+
         dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this, dialog](Node*)
         {
             std::string name = dialog->input->m_text;
@@ -343,12 +483,10 @@ void App::dialog_save()
             if (!status.ok())
                 LOG("Document file save action failed: %s", status.message);
         };
-        dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [this, dialog](Node*)
+        dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*)
         {
-            pp::panopainter::close_legacy_dialog_and_hide_keyboard(*this, *dialog);
+            close_dialog();
         };
-
-        (void)pp::panopainter::attach_legacy_overlay_node(*this, dialog);
     }
 }
 
@@ -411,23 +549,42 @@ void App::dialog_export_depth()
 
 void App::dialog_resize()
 {
+    auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+    if (!overlay_anchor) {
+        LOG("Resize dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+        return;
+    }
+
     auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeDialogResize>(*this);
+    const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+    if (!overlay) {
+        LOG("Resize dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+        return;
+    }
+    const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
 
-    (void)pp::panopainter::attach_legacy_overlay_node(*this, dialog);
+    const auto close_dialog = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+        const auto close_status =
+            pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+        (void)close_status;
+    };
 
-    dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this,dialog](Node*)
+    dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this, dialog, close_dialog](Node*)
     {
         const auto plan = pp::app::plan_document_resize(
             dialog->combo ? dialog->combo->m_current_index : 0);
         if (!plan)
         {
-            pp::panopainter::close_legacy_dialog_node(*dialog);
+            close_dialog();
             return;
         }
         const auto status = pp::panopainter::execute_legacy_document_resize_plan(*this, plan.value());
         if (!status.ok())
             LOG("Document resize failed: %s", status.message);
-        pp::panopainter::close_legacy_dialog_node(*dialog);
+        close_dialog();
+    };
+    dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*) {
+        close_dialog();
     };
 }
 
@@ -446,12 +603,31 @@ void App::dialog_export_cube_faces()
 
 void App::dialog_layer_rename()
 {
+    auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+    if (!overlay_anchor) {
+        LOG("Layer rename dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+        return;
+    }
+
     auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeDialogLayerRename>(*this);
     dialog->input->set_text(layers->m_current_layer->m_label_text);
 
     App::I->showKeyboard();
 
-    (void)pp::panopainter::attach_legacy_overlay_node(*this, dialog);
+    const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+    if (!overlay) {
+        App::I->hideKeyboard();
+        LOG("Layer rename dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+        return;
+    }
+    const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+
+    const auto close_dialog = [this, overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+        const auto close_status =
+            pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+        (void)close_status;
+        App::I->hideKeyboard();
+    };
 
     dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this,dialog](Node*)
     {
@@ -463,9 +639,9 @@ void App::dialog_layer_rename()
         if (!status.ok())
             LOG("Layer rename failed: %s", status.message);
     };
-    dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [this, dialog](Node*)
+    dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*)
     {
-        pp::panopainter::close_legacy_dialog_and_hide_keyboard(*this, *dialog);
+        close_dialog();
     };
 }
 
@@ -476,7 +652,26 @@ void App::dialog_preset_download()
 
 void App::dialog_ppbr_export()
 {
-    auto dialog = pp::panopainter::add_legacy_overlay_node<NodeDialogExportPPBR>(*this);
+    auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+    if (!overlay_anchor) {
+        LOG("PPBR export dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    auto dialog = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_overlay_node<NodeDialogExportPPBR>(*this);
+
+    const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, dialog);
+    if (!overlay) {
+        LOG("PPBR export dialog open failed: %s", overlay.status().message);
+        return;
+    }
+    const auto overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+
+    const auto close_dialog = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+        const auto close_status = pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, overlay_handle);
+        (void)close_status;
+    };
+
     dialog->btn_ok->on_click = [this, dialog] (Node*) {
         const auto request = pp::panopainter::make_legacy_brush_package_export_request(*dialog);
 
@@ -512,6 +707,10 @@ void App::dialog_ppbr_export()
                 LOG("PPBR export failed: %s", status.message);
         });
     };
+    dialog->btn_cancel->on_click = [close_dialog](Node*)
+    {
+        close_dialog();
+    };
 }
 
 void App::dialog_timelapse_export()
@@ -620,11 +819,39 @@ void App::dialog_export_mp4()
 
 void App::dialog_whatsnew(bool force_show)
 {
+    auto* overlay_anchor = layout[main_id];
+    if (!overlay_anchor) {
+        LOG("What's new dialog open failed: main layout anchor is missing");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    const auto overlay_handle = std::make_shared<pp::ui::NodeHandle>();
+    const auto open_overlay = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle](const std::shared_ptr<NodeRemotePage>& page) {
+        if (overlay_handle->valid()) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        const auto overlay = pp::panopainter::open_legacy_overlay_node_with_handle(*overlay_anchor, page);
+        if (!overlay) {
+            return;
+        }
+        *overlay_handle = overlay.value();
+    };
+    const auto close_overlay = [overlay_anchor, overlay_handle]() {
+        if (!overlay_handle->valid()) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        const auto close_status = pp::panopainter::close_legacy_overlay_node(*overlay_anchor, *overlay_handle);
+        (void)close_status;
+        *overlay_handle = {};
+    };
+
     auto whatsnew = std::make_shared<NodeRemotePage>();
     whatsnew->set_manager(&layout);
     whatsnew->init();
     std::string url = fmt::format("https://panopainter.com/app-content/whatsnew/?version={}", g_version_build);
-    whatsnew->load_url(url, [this, whatsnew, force_show](bool success) {
+    whatsnew->load_url(url, [whatsnew, force_show, open_overlay](bool success) {
         if (success)
         {
             int last_id = pp::panopainter::legacy_whatsnew_id_or(0);
@@ -632,25 +859,25 @@ void App::dialog_whatsnew(bool force_show)
             {
                 whatsnew->set_title(fmt::format("What's new in version {}", g_version_number));
                 if (!force_show)
-                    (void)pp::panopainter::attach_legacy_overlay_node(*this, whatsnew);
+                    open_overlay(whatsnew);
             }
         }
     });
-    whatsnew->add_button("Reload", 120, [this, whatsnew](Node*) {
+    whatsnew->add_button("Reload", 120, [whatsnew](Node*) {
         whatsnew->reload();
     });
-    whatsnew->add_button("Read Later", 120, [this, whatsnew](Node*) {
+    whatsnew->add_button("Read Later", 120, [whatsnew, close_overlay](Node*) {
         pp::panopainter::clear_legacy_whatsnew_id();
         pp::panopainter::save_legacy_preferences();
-        pp::panopainter::close_legacy_dialog_node(*whatsnew);
+        close_overlay();
     });
-    whatsnew->add_button("Close", 100, [this, whatsnew](Node*) {
+    whatsnew->add_button("Close", 100, [whatsnew, close_overlay](Node*) {
         pp::panopainter::set_legacy_whatsnew_id(whatsnew->m_page_id);
         pp::panopainter::save_legacy_preferences();
-        pp::panopainter::close_legacy_dialog_node(*whatsnew);
+        close_overlay();
     });
     if (force_show)
-        (void)pp::panopainter::attach_legacy_overlay_node(*this, whatsnew);
+        open_overlay(whatsnew);
 }
 
 void App::dialog_shortcuts()

src/node_about.cpp

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 #include "pch.h"
 #include "log.h"
-#include "legacy_ui_overlay_services.h"
 #include "node_about.h"
 #include "layout.h"
 
@@ -17,7 +16,6 @@ void NodeAbout::init()
     SetPositioning(YGPositionTypeAbsolute);
     add_child_file("data/dialogs/about.xml", "about");
     btn_ok = find<NodeButton>("btn-ok");
-    pp::panopainter::bind_legacy_click_destroys_node(*btn_ok, *this);
 }
 
 kEventResult NodeAbout::handle_event(Event* e)

src/node_about.h

@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 
 class NodeAbout : public Node
 {
-    NodeButton* btn_ok;
 public:
+    NodeButton* btn_ok;
     virtual Node* clone_instantiate() const override;
     virtual void init() override;
     virtual kEventResult handle_event(Event* e) override;

src/node_changelog.cpp

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 #include "pch.h"
 #include "log.h"
-#include "legacy_ui_overlay_services.h"
 #include "node_changelog.h"
 #include "layout.h"
 
@@ -17,7 +16,6 @@ void NodeChangelog::init()
     SetPositioning(YGPositionTypeAbsolute);
     add_child_file("data/dialogs/changelog.xml", "changelog");
     btn_ok = find<NodeButton>("btn-ok");
-    pp::panopainter::bind_legacy_click_destroys_node(*btn_ok, *this);
 }
 
 kEventResult NodeChangelog::handle_event(Event* e)

src/node_changelog.h

@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 
 class NodeChangelog : public Node
 {
-    NodeButton* btn_ok;
 public:
+    NodeButton* btn_ok;
     virtual Node* clone_instantiate() const override;
     virtual void init() override;
     virtual kEventResult handle_event(Event* e) override;

src/node_dialog_export_ppbr.cpp

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 #include "node_dialog_export_ppbr.h"
 #include "app.h"
 #include "image.h"
-#include "legacy_ui_overlay_services.h"
 
 Node* NodeDialogExportPPBR::clone_instantiate() const
 {
@@ -31,7 +30,6 @@ void NodeDialogExportPPBR::init_controls()
         m_dest_path_txt->SetVisibility(false);
     btn_ok = find<NodeButton>("btn-ok");
     btn_cancel = find<NodeButton>("btn-cancel");
-    pp::panopainter::bind_legacy_click_destroys_node(*btn_cancel, *this);
     btn_header_open = find<NodeButton>("header-open");
     btn_header_open->on_click = [this] (Node*) {
         open_header();

src/node_dialog_layer_rename.cpp

@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 #include "log.h"
 #include "node_dialog_layer_rename.h"
 #include "canvas.h"
-#include "legacy_ui_overlay_services.h"
 #include "node_image_texture.h"
 
 Node* NodeDialogLayerRename::clone_instantiate() const
@@ -27,7 +26,6 @@ void NodeDialogLayerRename::init_controls()
     btn_ok = find<NodeButton>("btn-ok");
     btn_cancel = find<NodeButton>("btn-cancel");
     input = find<NodeTextInput>("txt-input");
-    pp::panopainter::bind_legacy_click_destroys_node(*btn_cancel, *this);
 }
 
 void NodeDialogLayerRename::loaded()

src/node_dialog_resize.cpp

@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 #include "node_dialog_resize.h"
 #include "app_core/document_resize.h"
 #include "canvas.h"
-#include "legacy_ui_overlay_services.h"
 #include "node_image_texture.h"
 #include <array>
 
@@ -37,7 +36,6 @@ void NodeDialogResize::init_controls()
         && state.current_resolution_index < static_cast<int>(combo->m_items.size())) {
         combo->m_current_index = state.current_resolution_index;
     }
-    pp::panopainter::bind_legacy_click_destroys_node(*btn_cancel, *this);
 }
 
 void NodeDialogResize::loaded()

src/node_usermanual.cpp

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 #include "pch.h"
 #include "log.h"
-#include "legacy_ui_overlay_services.h"
 #include "node_usermanual.h"
 #include "layout.h"
 
@@ -17,7 +16,6 @@ void NodeUserManual::init()
     SetPositioning(YGPositionTypeAbsolute);
     add_child_file("data/dialogs/usermanual.xml", "usermanual");
     btn_ok = find<NodeButton>("btn-ok");
-    pp::panopainter::bind_legacy_click_destroys_node(*btn_ok, *this);
 }
 
 kEventResult NodeUserManual::handle_event(Event* e)

src/node_usermanual.h

@@ -4,8 +4,8 @@
 
 class NodeUserManual : public Node
 {
-    NodeButton* btn_ok;
 public:
+    NodeButton* btn_ok;
     virtual Node* clone_instantiate() const override;
     virtual void init() override;
     virtual kEventResult handle_event(Event* e) override;