host: relate/unrelate keep both lists in sync (add to current list, never blank the picker)

Two reported bugs on the edit page's relation editor:
 1. relating a candidate didn't add it to the current-relations list (the AJAX
    relate just deleted the candidate row; the relation only showed after a reload);
 2. removing a relation could blank the relate picker.

Fix (lib/host/blog.sx): both the candidate's relate form and a current relation's
remove form now target #rel-editor-<kind> with sx-swap=outerHTML, and the
relate/unrelate handlers return the re-rendered editor for that kind (current list +
a fresh picker). So one swap keeps BOTH lists in sync: the related post moves into
the current list and out of the (re-loaded) candidate pool; removing moves it back.
Gated on the SX-Target header, so a plain boosted form / no-JS POST (the is-a-tag
toggle) still redirects + re-renders #content.

Engine fix (web/orchestration.sx): handle-html-response's non-select branch called
post-swap on the OLD target, which an outerHTML swap has already REPLACED — so the
swapped-in content's triggers (here the re-rendered picker's "load") never bound and
the picker stayed empty. post-swap the swap result (the new node), mirroring the
sx-select branch. Recompiled orchestration.sxbc for the content-addressed client.

Tests:
 - web/tests/test-relate-picker.sx: relating re-syncs the editor (post in current
   list + picker re-loads); removing does likewise — both fail without the engine fix.
 - lib/host/tests/blog.sx: relate/unrelate return the re-rendered editor fragment
   (200, #rel-editor + picker), forms wire to #rel-editor-KIND/outerHTML, plain
   boosted POST still 303.
 - relate-picker.spec.js: the full in-page flow (relate adds to list, remove keeps
   the picker, no reload) + persistence.

Verified: host conformance 277/277, web engine suite 8/8, run-picker-check 3/3,
run-spa-check 3/3.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 <noreply@anthropic.com>

lib/host/blog.sx

@@ -364,16 +364,18 @@
     (quasiquote
       (li :id (unquote (str "cand-" kind "-" (get p :slug)))
           :style "border-bottom:1px solid #eee"
-        ;; AJAX relate: sx-post the relation, then sx-swap="delete" removes THIS
+        ;; AJAX relate: sx-post the relation, then sx-swap="outerHTML" re-renders the
-        ;; candidate row (its sx-target) — it's now related, so it leaves the pool
+        ;; WHOLE relation editor for this kind (its sx-target #rel-editor-KIND) — the
-        ;; without a reload or a list refetch. method+action stay for the no-JS
+        ;; just-related post moves into the current-relations list and out of the
-        ;; fallback (plain POST -> 303 -> reload); the engine prevents the double
+        ;; candidate pool, and the fresh picker re-loads its candidates. (A bare
-        ;; submit when it handles sx-post.
+        ;; delete of this row added the relation server-side but never showed it in
+        ;; the current list; re-rendering the editor keeps BOTH lists in sync.)
+        ;; method+action stay for the no-JS fallback (plain POST -> 303 -> reload).
         (form :method "post" :style "margin:0"
           :action (unquote (str "/" slug "/relate"))
           :sx-post (unquote (str "/" slug "/relate"))
-          :sx-target (unquote (str "#cand-" kind "-" (get p :slug)))
+          :sx-target (unquote (str "#rel-editor-" kind))
-          :sx-swap "delete"
+          :sx-swap "outerHTML"
           (input :type "hidden" :name "other" :value (unquote (get p :slug)))
           (input :type "hidden" :name "kind" :value (unquote kind))
           (button :type "submit"
@@ -434,11 +436,12 @@
 ;; so the blog degrades gracefully to plain server-rendered pages.
 (define host/blog--spa-req? (fn (req) (= (dream-header req "sx-request") "true")))
 
-;; An AJAX in-place row delete vs. a plain boosted form. The engine sends an
+;; An AJAX editor swap (the picker's relate / the editor's remove) vs. a plain
-;; SX-Target header for an sx-post form (the relation-editor's remove button,
+;; boosted form. The engine sends an SX-Target header for an sx-post form
-;; sx-target=#cur-…), but NOT for a plain boosted form (the is-a-tag toggle). So
+;; (sx-target=#rel-editor-…), but NOT for a plain boosted form (the is-a-tag
-;; this tells "delete just this row, empty 200" apart from "redirect + re-render".
+;; toggle). So this tells "return the re-rendered editor fragment" apart from
-(define host/blog--row-swap-req?
+;; "redirect + re-render #content" (the toggle / no-JS path).
+(define host/blog--editor-swap-req?
   (fn (req)
     (and (host/blog--spa-req? req)
          (let ((t (dream-header req "sx-target"))) (and t (not (= t "")))))))
@@ -591,25 +594,30 @@
     (let ((spec (host/blog--kind-spec kind))
           (current (host/blog-out slug kind)))
       (quasiquote
-        (div :style "margin-top:2em;border-top:1px solid #ccc;padding-top:1em"
+        ;; #rel-editor-KIND wraps the WHOLE editor (current list + picker) so relate
+        ;; and unrelate can re-render it with one outerHTML swap — keeping the two
+        ;; lists in sync. The fresh picker re-loads its candidates (an explicit
+        ;; outerHTML swap installs a NEW form the engine binds, unlike the old
+        ;; redirect that morphed the stale picker and left it empty).
+        (div :id (unquote (str "rel-editor-" kind))
+             :style "margin-top:2em;border-top:1px solid #ccc;padding-top:1em"
           (h3 (unquote (get spec :label)))
           (unquote
             (if (> (len current) 0)
               (cons (quote ul)
                 (map (fn (s)
                        (quasiquote
-                         ;; AJAX unrelate: sx-post the removal, then sx-swap="delete"
+                         ;; remove: sx-post the unrelate, then sx-swap="outerHTML"
-                         ;; removes just THIS current-relation row (its sx-target) in
+                         ;; re-renders this kind's editor (its sx-target
-                         ;; place — NO #content re-render, so the relate picker (the
+                         ;; #rel-editor-KIND) — the row leaves the current list and
-                         ;; "posts to relate" list) is left untouched. method+action
+                         ;; the post returns to the candidate pool, both in sync,
-                         ;; stay for the no-JS fallback (plain POST -> 303 -> reload).
+                         ;; with the picker NOT cleared. method+action stay for no-JS.
-                         (li :id (unquote (str "cur-" kind "-" s))
+                         (li (a :href (unquote (str "/" s "/")) (unquote s)) " "
-                           (a :href (unquote (str "/" s "/")) (unquote s)) " "
                            (form :method "post" :style "display:inline"
                              :action (unquote (str "/" slug "/unrelate"))
                              :sx-post (unquote (str "/" slug "/unrelate"))
-                             :sx-target (unquote (str "#cur-" kind "-" s))
+                             :sx-target (unquote (str "#rel-editor-" kind))
-                             :sx-swap "delete"
+                             :sx-swap "outerHTML"
                              (input :type "hidden" :name "other" :value (unquote s))
                              (input :type "hidden" :name "kind" :value (unquote kind))
                              (button :type "submit" "remove")))))
@@ -889,11 +897,13 @@
           (when (and other (not (= other "")) (not (= other slug))
                      (host/blog--kind-spec kind) (host/blog-exists? other))
             (host/blog-relate! slug other kind))
-          ;; AJAX (the picker's sx-post): return an empty 200 so the candidate
+          ;; AJAX (the picker's sx-post, carries SX-Target): return the re-rendered
-          ;; form's sx-swap="delete" removes just that one row — no full reload,
+          ;; editor for this kind so its sx-swap="outerHTML" replaces #rel-editor-KIND
-          ;; no candidate-list refetch. Plain POST (no-JS) still redirects.
+          ;; — the just-related post shows in the current list and the picker refreshes
-          (if (host/blog--spa-req? req)
+          ;; its candidates. text/html so the client's DOMParser swap path renders the
-            (dream-html "")
+          ;; already-expanded fragment. Plain boosted form / no-JS still redirects.
+          (if (host/blog--editor-swap-req? req)
+            (dream-html (render-page (host/blog--relation-editor slug kind)))
             (dream-redirect (str "/" slug "/edit"))))))))
 
 ;; POST /<slug>/unrelate — remove the relation to `other` under `kind` (default
@@ -906,12 +916,13 @@
       (begin
         (when (and other (not (= other "")) (host/blog--kind-spec kind))
           (host/blog-unrelate! slug other kind))
-        ;; AJAX in-place remove (the editor's sx-post, carries SX-Target): return an
+        ;; AJAX remove (the editor's sx-post, carries SX-Target): return the
-        ;; empty 200 so the current-relation row's sx-swap="delete" removes just that
+        ;; re-rendered editor for this kind so its sx-swap="outerHTML" replaces
-        ;; one row — no #content re-render, so the relate picker is untouched. A plain
+        ;; #rel-editor-KIND — the row leaves the current list, the post returns to the
-        ;; boosted form (the tag toggle) or a no-JS POST still redirects + re-renders.
+        ;; (re-loaded) candidate pool, and the picker is NOT cleared. A plain boosted
-        (if (host/blog--row-swap-req? req)
+        ;; form (the tag toggle) or a no-JS POST still redirects + re-renders #content.
-          (dream-html "")
+        (if (host/blog--editor-swap-req? req)
+          (dream-html (render-page (host/blog--relation-editor slug kind)))
           (dream-redirect (str "/" slug "/edit")))))))
 
 ;; GET /<slug>/edit — edit form pre-filled with the post's current title, raw

lib/host/playwright/relate-picker.spec.js

@@ -50,28 +50,53 @@ async function login(page) {
 }
 
 test.describe('relate picker (browser-only)', () => {
-  test('the remove button on a current relation actually unrelates it', async ({ page }) => {
+  test('relating a candidate adds it to the current list AND removing keeps the picker', async ({ page }) => {
+    // The whole in-page flow the user reported broken — no reloads. Relating a
+    // candidate re-renders the editor: the post moves into the current-relations
+    // list and the picker re-loads its candidates (it is NOT blanked). Removing it
+    // re-renders the editor back: the post leaves the current list and the picker
+    // still offers candidates.
     test.setTimeout(75000);
     await loginTo(page, `/${HOST}/edit`);
     await waitReady(page);
-    // relate Item 13 via the picker, then reload so it shows in the current list
+    await page.evaluate(() => { window.__noReload = true; });
+    // relate Item 13 from the picker
     await page.fill(RELF, 'Item 13');
     await expect.poll(() => page.locator(RELROWS).count(), { timeout: 10000 }).toBe(1);
     await page.locator(`${RELROWS} button`).first().click();
-    await expect.poll(() => page.locator(RELROWS).count(), { timeout: 10000 }).toBe(0);
+    const relLink = page.locator('a[href="/picker-item-13/"]');
+    // ISSUE 1: it now appears in the CURRENT relations list (added, not just removed)
+    await expect(relLink).toHaveCount(1, { timeout: 12000 });
+    // and the re-rendered picker still offers candidates (not blanked)
+    await expect.poll(() => page.locator(RELROWS).count(), { timeout: 12000 }).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    // now remove it via its current-list remove button
+    await page.locator('li:has(a[href="/picker-item-13/"]) button').click();
+    await expect(relLink).toHaveCount(0, { timeout: 12000 });   // left the current list
+    // ISSUE 2: removing must NOT clear "the list of posts to relate"
+    await expect.poll(() => page.locator(RELROWS).count(), { timeout: 12000 }).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    expect(await page.evaluate(() => window.__noReload)).toBe(true);   // all in-page, no reload
+    // and the relation truly persisted gone (reload shows it not present)
     await page.reload();
     await waitReady(page);
-    const relLink = page.locator('a[href="/picker-item-13/"]');
+    await expect(page.locator('a[href="/picker-item-13/"]')).toHaveCount(0);
-    await expect(relLink).toHaveCount(1);                  // current relation present
+  });
-    // the picker is populated (empty filter -> first page of candidates)
+
-    await expect.poll(() => page.locator(RELROWS).count(), { timeout: 12000 }).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+  test('relating a candidate persists the relation', async ({ page }) => {
-    // click its remove button
+    test.setTimeout(75000);
-    await page.locator('li:has(a[href="/picker-item-13/"]) button').click();
+    await loginTo(page, `/${HOST}/edit`);
-    await expect(relLink).toHaveCount(0, { timeout: 12000 });   // relation removed
+    await waitReady(page);
-    // REGRESSION: removing a relation must NOT clear "the list of posts to relate".
+    await page.fill(RELF, 'Item 07');
-    // (The old plain-boosted remove form redirected -> re-rendered #content and the
+    await expect.poll(() => page.locator(RELROWS).count(), { timeout: 10000 }).toBe(1);
-    // picker came back empty; the AJAX in-place remove leaves the picker untouched.)
+    await page.locator(`${RELROWS} button`).first().click();
-    await expect.poll(() => page.locator(RELROWS).count(), { timeout: 12000 }).toBeGreaterThan(0);
+    await expect(page.locator('a[href="/picker-item-07/"]')).toHaveCount(1, { timeout: 12000 });
+    // persisted across a reload
+    await page.reload();
+    await waitReady(page);
+    await expect(page.locator('a[href="/picker-item-07/"]')).toHaveCount(1);
+    // and visible on the public post page
+    await page.goto(`/${HOST}/`);
+    await expect(page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Related posts' })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.locator('body')).toContainText('Picker Item 07');
   });
 
   test('picker populates after a boosted SPA nav to the edit page', async ({ page }) => {

lib/host/tests/blog.sx

@@ -296,34 +296,63 @@
   (contains? (dream-resp-body (host-bl-app (host-bl-req "/alpha-post/relate-options"))) "rp-more")
   false)
 
-;; -- unrelate: AJAX in-place row delete (regression: removing a related post must
+;; -- relate / unrelate keep BOTH lists in sync by re-rendering the kind's editor.
-;;    NOT clear the relate picker). The remove button is now an sx-post form that
+;;    Regressions: (1) relating a candidate must ADD it to the current-relations
-;;    deletes just its own current-relation row (sx-target=#cur-…, sx-swap=delete),
+;;    list (not just delete the candidate row); (2) removing must NOT clear the
-;;    so #content is never re-rendered and the picker is left intact. --
+;;    relate picker. Both the candidate's relate form and the remove form target
+;;    #rel-editor-KIND with sx-swap=outerHTML; the handler returns the re-rendered
+;;    editor, so the current list updates and the fresh picker re-loads. --
 (host/blog-relate! "alpha-post" "beta-post" "related")
-(host-bl-test "relation-editor remove button is an AJAX in-place delete"
+;; the editor wraps current list + picker in #rel-editor-KIND; remove re-renders it
+(host-bl-test "relation-editor wires remove to re-render the kind's editor"
   (let ((html (render-page (host/blog--relation-editor "alpha-post" "related"))))
-    (list (contains? html "id=\"cur-related-beta-post\"")        ;; row has a target id
+    (list (contains? html "id=\"rel-editor-related\"")           ;; the swap target
           (contains? html "sx-post=\"/alpha-post/unrelate\"")    ;; AJAX, not plain post
-          (contains? html "sx-target=\"#cur-related-beta-post\"")
+          (contains? html "sx-target=\"#rel-editor-related\"")
-          (contains? html "sx-swap=\"delete\"")))
+          (contains? html "sx-swap=\"outerHTML\"")))
   (list true true true true))
-;; the AJAX remove (carries SX-Target) returns an empty 200 so only the row is
+;; the candidate's relate form targets the SAME editor (so relating re-renders it)
-;; swapped out — no redirect, no #content re-render that would blank the picker.
+(host-bl-test "picker candidate relate form re-renders the kind's editor"
-(host-bl-test "unrelate (AJAX, SX-Target) returns an empty 200"
+  (let ((html (render-page (host/blog--picker-item "alpha-post" {:slug "gamma-post" :title "Gamma"} "related"))))
+    (list (contains? html "sx-post=\"/alpha-post/relate\"")
+          (contains? html "sx-target=\"#rel-editor-related\"")
+          (contains? html "sx-swap=\"outerHTML\"")))
+  (list true true true))
+;; a POST request to a /:slug/… route, with the :slug route param populated (which
+;; the route matcher would set) plus headers + a form body.
+(define host-bl-relreq
+  (fn (slug action headers other kind)
+    (merge (dream-request "POST" (str "/" slug "/" action) headers
+             (str "other=" other "&kind=" kind))
+           {:params {:slug slug}})))
+;; the AJAX remove (carries SX-Target) returns the re-rendered editor fragment (200,
+;; with the #rel-editor wrapper + the picker) — not an empty body or a redirect.
+(host-bl-test "unrelate (AJAX, SX-Target) returns the re-rendered editor fragment"
   (let ((resp (host/blog-unrelate-submit
-                (dream-request "POST" "/alpha-post/unrelate"
+                (host-bl-relreq "alpha-post" "unrelate"
-                  {:sx-request "true" :sx-target "#cur-related-beta-post"}
+                  {:sx-request "true" :sx-target "#rel-editor-related"}
-                  "other=beta-post&kind=related"))))
+                  "beta-post" "related"))))
-    (list (dream-status resp) (dream-resp-body resp)))
+    (list (dream-status resp)
-  (list 200 ""))
+          (contains? (dream-resp-body resp) "rel-editor-related")
+          (contains? (dream-resp-body resp) "relate-picker")))
+  (list 200 true true))
+;; relate (AJAX, SX-Target) likewise returns the editor with the new relation listed
+(host/blog-unrelate! "alpha-post" "gamma-post" "related")    ;; clean state
+(host-bl-test "relate (AJAX, SX-Target) returns the editor showing the new relation"
+  (let ((resp (host/blog-relate-submit
+                (host-bl-relreq "alpha-post" "relate"
+                  {:sx-request "true" :sx-target "#rel-editor-related"}
+                  "gamma-post" "related"))))
+    (list (dream-status resp)
+          (contains? (dream-resp-body resp) "/gamma-post/")))   ;; now in the current list
+  (list 200 true))
+(host/blog-unrelate! "alpha-post" "gamma-post" "related")
 ;; a plain boosted form / no-JS POST (no SX-Target) still redirects + re-renders,
 ;; so the is-a-tag toggle and graceful degradation are unaffected.
-(host/blog-relate! "alpha-post" "beta-post" "related")
 (host-bl-test "unrelate (plain boosted / no-JS, no SX-Target) still redirects"
   (dream-status (host/blog-unrelate-submit
-                  (dream-request "POST" "/alpha-post/unrelate"
+                  (host-bl-relreq "alpha-post" "unrelate"
-                    {:sx-request "true"} "other=beta-post&kind=related")))
+                    {:sx-request "true"} "beta-post" "related")))
   303)
 (host/blog-unrelate! "alpha-post" "beta-post" "related")
 (host/blog-put! "hint-post" "Hint Post" "(p \"h\")" "published")

shared/static/wasm/sx/orchestration.sx

@@ -467,11 +467,19 @@
                     use-transition
                     (fn
                       ()
-                      (swap-dom-nodes
+                      ;; post-swap the NEW node, not the old target — an outerHTML
-                        target
+                      ;; swap REPLACES target, so processing target would re-bind a
-                        (children-to-fragment container)
+                      ;; detached node and leave the swapped-in content's triggers
-                        swap-style)
+                      ;; (e.g. a re-rendered picker's "load") unbound. Mirrors the
-                      (post-swap target))))))))))
+                      ;; sx-select branch above. For innerHTML swap-root falls back
+                      ;; to target (still in the document).
+                      (let
+                        ((swap-root
+                          (swap-dom-nodes
+                            target
+                            (children-to-fragment container)
+                            swap-style)))
+                        (post-swap (or swap-root target))))))))))))
     (define
       handle-retry
       :effects (mutation io)

web/orchestration.sx

@@ -467,11 +467,19 @@
                     use-transition
                     (fn
                       ()
-                      (swap-dom-nodes
+                      ;; post-swap the NEW node, not the old target — an outerHTML
-                        target
+                      ;; swap REPLACES target, so processing target would re-bind a
-                        (children-to-fragment container)
+                      ;; detached node and leave the swapped-in content's triggers
-                        swap-style)
+                      ;; (e.g. a re-rendered picker's "load") unbound. Mirrors the
-                      (post-swap target))))))))))
+                      ;; sx-select branch above. For innerHTML swap-root falls back
+                      ;; to target (still in the document).
+                      (let
+                        ((swap-root
+                          (swap-dom-nodes
+                            target
+                            (children-to-fragment container)
+                            swap-style)))
+                        (post-swap (or swap-root target))))))))))))
     (define
       handle-retry
       :effects (mutation io)

web/tests/test-relate-picker.sx

@@ -24,7 +24,8 @@
 (define _mock-fetch-ok true)
 (define _mock-fetch-status 200)
 (define _mock-fetch-ct "text/html; charset=utf-8")
-(define _mock-fetch-body "")
+(define _mock-fetch-body "")            ;; the GET /relate-options (picker) response
+(define _mock-editor-body "")           ;; the POST /relate|/unrelate (editor) response
 (define _mock-fetch-fail false)
 
 (define reset-fetch-mock!
@@ -34,16 +35,20 @@
     (set! _mock-fetch-status 200)
     (set! _mock-fetch-ct "text/html; charset=utf-8")
     (set! _mock-fetch-body "")
+    (set! _mock-editor-body "")
     (set! _mock-fetch-fail false)))
 
+;; URL-aware mock: the picker GETs relate-options (returns candidate rows); a relate
+;; or unrelate POST returns the re-rendered editor fragment.
 (define fetch-request
   (fn (config success-fn error-fn)
     (set! _mock-fetch-calls (+ _mock-fetch-calls 1))
     (if _mock-fetch-fail
       (error-fn "network error")
-      (success-fn _mock-fetch-ok _mock-fetch-status
+      (let ((url (or (get config "url") "")))
-        (fn (name) (if (= name "content-type") _mock-fetch-ct nil))
+        (success-fn _mock-fetch-ok _mock-fetch-status
-        _mock-fetch-body))))
+          (fn (name) (if (= name "content-type") _mock-fetch-ct nil))
+          (if (contains? url "relate-options") _mock-fetch-body _mock-editor-body))))))
 
 ;; ── harness platform shims ──────────────────────────────────────────
 ;; Reactive hydration + island disposal live in web/boot.sx (the browser boot
@@ -121,38 +126,57 @@
         "<ul id=\"rp-" kind "-results\" class=\"rp-results\"></ul>"
       "</form>")))
 
-;; One candidate row, as host/blog--picker-item renders it.
+;; One candidate row, as host/blog--picker-item renders it: relating re-renders the
+;; whole editor (sx-target=#rel-editor-KIND, sx-swap=outerHTML).
 (define row-html
   (fn (slug kind cand title)
     (str
       "<li id=\"cand-" kind "-" cand "\">"
         "<form method=\"post\" action=\"/" slug "/relate\""
           " sx-post=\"/" slug "/relate\""
-          " sx-target=\"#cand-" kind "-" cand "\""
+          " sx-target=\"#rel-editor-" kind "\""
-          " sx-swap=\"delete\">"
+          " sx-swap=\"outerHTML\">"
           "<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"other\" value=\"" cand "\">"
           "<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"kind\" value=\"" kind "\">"
           "<button type=\"submit\">" title "</button>"
         "</form>"
       "</li>")))
 
-;; One CURRENT-relation row, as host/blog--relation-editor renders it: an AJAX
+;; One CURRENT-relation row, as host/blog--relation-editor renders it: removing
-;; in-place remove (sx-post + sx-target=#cur-… + sx-swap=delete).
+;; re-renders the whole editor (sx-target=#rel-editor-KIND, sx-swap=outerHTML).
 (define cur-row-html
   (fn (slug kind other label)
     (str
-      "<li id=\"cur-" kind "-" other "\">"
+      "<li>"
         "<a href=\"/" other "/\">" label "</a> "
         "<form method=\"post\" action=\"/" slug "/unrelate\""
           " sx-post=\"/" slug "/unrelate\""
-          " sx-target=\"#cur-" kind "-" other "\""
+          " sx-target=\"#rel-editor-" kind "\""
-          " sx-swap=\"delete\">"
+          " sx-swap=\"outerHTML\">"
           "<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"other\" value=\"" other "\">"
           "<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"kind\" value=\"" kind "\">"
           "<button type=\"submit\">remove</button>"
         "</form>"
       "</li>")))
 
+;; The kind's relation editor: #rel-editor-KIND wrapping the current-relations list
+;; and the picker (with `candidates` already in its results <ul>). This is what the
+;; relate/unrelate handlers return and what the initial edit page renders.
+(define editor-html
+  (fn (kind current candidates)
+    (str
+      "<div id=\"rel-editor-" kind "\">"
+        "<h3>" kind "</h3>"
+        "<ul class=\"rp-current\">" current "</ul>"
+        "<form class=\"relate-picker\" data-slug=\"host\" data-kind=\"" kind "\""
+          " sx-get=\"/host/relate-options\" sx-trigger=\"input delay:200ms, load\""
+          " sx-target=\"#rp-" kind "-results\" sx-swap=\"innerHTML\">"
+          "<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"kind\" value=\"" kind "\">"
+          "<input type=\"text\" name=\"q\" class=\"rp-filter\">"
+          "<ul id=\"rp-" kind "-results\" class=\"rp-results\">" candidates "</ul>"
+        "</form>"
+      "</div>")))
+
 ;; The "load more" sentinel, as host/blog--picker-more renders it.
 (define sentinel-html
   (fn (slug kind offset)
@@ -174,28 +198,38 @@
             (loop (+ i 1)))
           acc)))))
 
-;; ── Phase 0: relate -> delete row ───────────────────────────────────
+;; ── relating a candidate re-syncs the editor (adds to the current list) ─
+;; Regression for "adding a related post doesn't add it to the list": the candidate
+;; relate form re-renders the whole #rel-editor-KIND (outerHTML), so the related
+;; post moves into the current-relations list and the fresh picker re-loads — both
+;; lists stay in sync, in-page, no reload.
 (defsuite
-  "relate-picker:relate-delete"
+  "relate-picker:relate-resyncs-editor"
   (deftest
-    "submitting a candidate's relate form deletes just that row"
+    "relating a candidate adds it to the current list and re-loads the picker"
     (reset-fetch-mock!)
-    ;; the AJAX relate returns an empty 200 (text/html); sx-swap=delete then
+    (reset-reveal!)
-    ;; removes the candidate's own <li> — this is the host's real response.
+    ;; the picker's load shows one candidate (item-07) to click
+    (set! _mock-fetch-body (row-html "host" "related" "item-07" "Picker Item 07"))
     (let
-      ((root (mk-root (str "<ul class=\"rp-results\">"
+      ((root (mk-root (str "<div id=\"content\">"
-                        (row-html "host" "related" "item-07" "Picker Item 07")
+                        (editor-html "related" "" "")
-                        "</ul>")))
+                        "</div>")))
-        (results (dom-query ".rp-results"))
+        (results (dom-query "#rp-related-results")))
-        (form (dom-query "form")))
       (process-elements root)
-      ;; one candidate row before
+      ;; load populated the candidate; current list empty
       (assert-equal 1 (count-candidates results))
-      ;; submit the relate form -> execute-request -> mock fetch -> delete swap
+      (assert-nil (dom-query "a[href=\"/item-07/\"]"))
-      (fire-event! form "submit")
+      ;; clicking it: the relate POST returns the re-rendered editor (item-07 now in
-      ;; the fetch actually ran, and the row is gone
+      ;; the current list), and the fresh picker re-loads OTHER candidates.
-      (assert-true (> _mock-fetch-calls 0))
+      (set! _mock-editor-body
-      (assert-equal 0 (count-candidates results))
+        (editor-html "related" (cur-row-html "host" "related" "item-07" "Picker Item 07") ""))
+      (set! _mock-fetch-body (rows-html "host" "related" 8 11))   ;; refreshed pool
+      (fire-event! (dom-query "#cand-related-item-07 form") "submit")
+      ;; the related post is now in the current list (added, not just removed)...
+      (assert-true (not (nil? (dom-query "a[href=\"/item-07/\"]"))))
+      ;; ...and the picker is NOT cleared — it re-loaded a fresh candidate page
+      (assert-equal 3 (count-candidates (dom-query "#rp-related-results")))
       (clear-root! root))))
 
 ;; ── Phase 1: load / filter / paging / error-retry ───────────────────
@@ -308,41 +342,39 @@
       (clear-root! root))))
 
 ;; ── regression: removing a relation must not clear the relate picker ─
-;; The remove button is an AJAX in-place delete (sx-post + sx-swap=delete on its own
+;; The remove button re-renders the kind's editor (outerHTML #rel-editor-KIND): the
-;; current-relation row). Submitting it deletes ONLY that row — the sibling picker's
+;; row leaves the current list and the FRESH picker re-loads its candidates. (Bug:
-;; candidate list is left intact, because #content is never re-rendered. (Bug: the
+;; the old plain-boosted remove redirected and the re-rendered picker came back
-;; old plain-boosted remove redirected and the re-rendered picker came back empty.)
+;; empty — here the picker repopulates instead of clearing to 0.)
 (defsuite
   "relate-picker:unrelate-keeps-picker"
   (deftest
-    "removing a current relation deletes just that row, leaving the picker intact"
+    "removing a current relation re-syncs the editor and re-loads the picker"
     (reset-fetch-mock!)
-    ;; the AJAX unrelate returns an empty 200 (like the host); sx-swap=delete then
+    (reset-reveal!)
-    ;; removes the current-relation row in place.
+    ;; start: Beta + Gamma are related; the picker (after load) shows nothing yet
+    (set! _mock-fetch-body "")
     (let
-      ((root (mk-root (str
+      ((root (mk-root (str "<div id=\"content\">"
-               "<div id=\"cur-box\"><ul>"
+               (editor-html "related"
-                 (cur-row-html "host" "related" "beta" "Beta")
+                 (str (cur-row-html "host" "related" "beta" "Beta")
-                 (cur-row-html "host" "related" "gamma" "Gamma")
+                      (cur-row-html "host" "related" "gamma" "Gamma"))
-               "</ul></div>"
+                 "")
-               "<div id=\"res-box\"><ul class=\"rp-results\">"
+               "</div>"))))
-                 (row-html "host" "related" "delta" "Picker Delta")
-                 (row-html "host" "related" "epsilon" "Picker Epsilon")
-               "</ul></div>")))
-        (cur-box (dom-query "#cur-box"))
-        (res-box (dom-query "#res-box")))
       (process-elements root)
-      ;; two current relations, two picker candidates to start
+      (assert-equal 2 (len (dom-query-all (dom-query "#rel-editor-related") "ul.rp-current li")))
-      (assert-equal 2 (len (dom-query-all cur-box "li")))
+      ;; remove Beta: the unrelate POST returns the editor with only Gamma current,
-      (assert-equal 2 (len (dom-query-all res-box "li")))
+      ;; and the fresh picker re-loads candidates (Beta is available again).
-      ;; remove Beta — submit its in-place remove form
+      (set! _mock-editor-body
-      (fire-event! (dom-query (dom-query "#cur-related-beta") "form") "submit")
+        (editor-html "related" (cur-row-html "host" "related" "gamma" "Gamma") ""))
-      ;; just Beta's row is gone; Gamma remains
+      (set! _mock-fetch-body (rows-html "host" "related" 0 4))
-      (assert-nil (dom-query "#cur-related-beta"))
+      (fire-event! (dom-query "form") "submit")   ;; Beta's remove form (first form)
-      (assert-true (not (nil? (dom-query "#cur-related-gamma"))))
+      ;; Beta is gone from the current list; Gamma stays
-      (assert-equal 1 (len (dom-query-all cur-box "li")))
+      (assert-nil (dom-query "a[href=\"/beta/\"]"))
-      ;; and the picker's candidate list is UNTOUCHED — the bug was it cleared to 0
+      (assert-true (not (nil? (dom-query "a[href=\"/gamma/\"]"))))
-      (assert-equal 2 (len (dom-query-all res-box "li")))
+      (assert-equal 1 (len (dom-query-all (dom-query "#rel-editor-related") "ul.rp-current li")))
+      ;; and the picker is NOT cleared — it re-loaded a fresh candidate page
+      (assert-equal 4 (count-candidates (dom-query "#rp-related-results")))
       (clear-root! root))))
 
 ;; ── Phase 3: the engine drives a non-browser target (the console) ───