feat(pairing): solo sealed answers that unlock on pairing

Unpaired users could only reach a waiting-room dead end and could not answer
questions until a partner joined. Responses.couple_id is now nullable so a
solo user answers immediately and banks "sealed answers" (couple_id IS NULL).
Pairing claims both members' sealed answers and computes matches for every
question both have now answered. Invite copy and the unpaired push nudge
escalate with the sealed answer count.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Fable 5 <noreply@anthropic.com>

apps/mobile/app/(app)/pairing.tsx

@@ -16,9 +16,10 @@ import { Ionicons } from "@expo/vector-icons";
 import { LinearGradient } from "expo-linear-gradient";
 import Animated, { FadeInDown } from "react-native-reanimated";
 import * as Clipboard from "expo-clipboard";
-import { useAuthStore } from "../../src/store";
+import { useAuthStore, useMatchStore } from "../../src/store";
 import { coupleApi } from "../../src/lib/coupleApi";
 import { getPairingError } from "../../src/lib/errors";
+import { buildInviteShareMessage } from "../../src/lib/inviteShareCopy";
 import { Events } from "../../src/lib/analytics";
 import { router, useLocalSearchParams } from "expo-router";
 import { GradientBackground, GlassCard, GlassButton } from "../../src/components/ui";
@@ -28,7 +29,7 @@ import { getPendingInviteCode, clearPendingInviteCode } from "../../src/lib/pend
 import { checkClipboardForInviteCode } from "../../src/lib/clipboardInviteOffer";
 
 export default function PairingScreen() {
-    const { fetchCouple, fetchUser, couple, partner, isLoading: isAuthLoading } = useAuthStore();
+    const { fetchCouple, fetchUser, couple, partner, sealedCount, isLoading: isAuthLoading } = useAuthStore();
     const params = useLocalSearchParams<{ code?: string }>();
     const [inviteCode, setInviteCode] = useState("");
     const [isSubmitting, setIsSubmitting] = useState(false);
@@ -36,9 +37,13 @@ export default function PairingScreen() {
     const [clipboardOfferCode, setClipboardOfferCode] = useState<string | null>(null);
     const [prefillAttempted, setPrefillAttempted] = useState(false);
 
-    // Redirect if already paired
+    // Redirect if already paired. Pairing claims both members' sealed answers and
+    // computes matches server-side, so the matches store must refetch here too:
+    // whichever partner lands on this redirect first would otherwise show stale,
+    // pre-pairing matches until some unrelated screen happened to refresh it.
     useEffect(() => {
         if (couple && partner) {
+            void useMatchStore.getState().fetchMatches(true);
             router.replace("/(app)");
         }
     }, [couple, partner]);
@@ -145,6 +150,9 @@ export default function PairingScreen() {
 
             await fetchUser(); // Refresh user to get couple_id
             await fetchCouple(); // Fetch couple data
+            // Joining claims both members' sealed answers and computes matches
+            // server-side, so the joiner needs a fresh matches list too.
+            void useMatchStore.getState().fetchMatches(true);
             Events.coupleJoined();
 
             Alert.alert("Success", "You are now paired!", [
@@ -171,7 +179,7 @@ export default function PairingScreen() {
     };
 
     const shareMessage = couple?.invite_code
-        ? `Join me on Sauci! Tap this link to pair up instantly: https://sauci.app/join/${couple.invite_code} (or enter code ${couple.invite_code} in the app)`
+        ? buildInviteShareMessage(couple.invite_code, sealedCount)
         : "";
 
     const shareCode = async () => {
@@ -279,6 +287,21 @@ export default function PairingScreen() {
                             </Text>
                         </Animated.View>
 
+                        {/* Earned value: sealed answers already banked while unpaired */}
+                        {sealedCount > 0 && (
+                            <Animated.View
+                                entering={FadeInDown.delay(250).duration(500)}
+                                style={styles.section}
+                            >
+                                <GlassCard variant="elevated">
+                                    <Text style={styles.sealedCountText} testID="pairing-sealed-count">
+                                        You have already answered {sealedCount} question{sealedCount === 1 ? "" : "s"} about us.
+                                        They will unlock the moment your partner joins.
+                                    </Text>
+                                </GlassCard>
+                            </Animated.View>
+                        )}
+
                         {/* Code Card */}
                         <Animated.View
                             entering={FadeInDown.delay(300).duration(500)}
@@ -645,6 +668,11 @@ const styles = StyleSheet.create({
         textAlign: "center",
         maxWidth: 280,
     },
+    sealedCountText: {
+        ...typography.body,
+        color: colors.text,
+        textAlign: "center",
+    },
     section: {
         marginBottom: spacing.md,
     },

apps/mobile/src/__tests__/features/swipe/useSwipeScreen.test.ts

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { act, renderHook, waitFor } from "@testing-library/react-native";
 
 import { useSwipeScreen } from "@/features/swipe/hooks/useSwipeScreen";
 import { ApiError, apiClient } from "@/lib/apiClient";
+import { useAuthStore } from "@/store";
 import * as swipeService from "@/features/swipe/services/swipeService";
 import { getSkippedQuestionIds } from "@/lib/skippedQuestions";
 
@@ -15,12 +16,13 @@ jest.mock("expo-router", () => ({
 // Stable identities: the hook's effects key off these, so fresh objects per render
 // would retrigger the fetch effect forever and the screen would never settle.
 jest.mock("@/store", () => {
-    const auth = { user: { id: "user-1" }, partner: { id: "user-2" }, couple: { id: "couple-1", couple_id: "couple-1" } };
+    const auth = { user: { id: "user-1" }, partner: { id: "user-2" }, couple: { id: "couple-1", couple_id: "couple-1" }, sealedCount: 0 };
     const packs = { enabledPackIds: ["pack-1"], ensureEnabledPacksLoaded: async () => undefined, packs: [] };
     const packState = { ...packs, invalidatePacks: jest.fn() };
     const responses = { invalidateResponses: jest.fn() };
     const useAuthStore = () => auth;
     useAuthStore.getState = () => auth.user;
+    useAuthStore.setState = jest.fn();
     const usePacksStore = () => packs;
     usePacksStore.getState = () => packState;
     const useResponsesStore = () => responses;
@@ -146,6 +148,19 @@ describe("useSwipeScreen daily limit", () => {
         expect(result.current.dailyLimitInfo).toMatchObject({ responses_today: 5, remaining: 5 });
     });
 
+    it("updates the sealed answer count optimistically when the server reports one", async () => {
+        // A solo answer has no partner to match against, so sealed_count is the
+        // only feedback the server gives back; the banner reads it from auth state.
+        const { result } = await renderReady();
+
+        jest.spyOn(apiClient, "post").mockResolvedValueOnce({ match: null, sealed_count: 3 });
+        await act(async () => {
+            await result.current.handleAnswer("q1", "yes");
+        });
+
+        expect(useAuthStore.setState).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ sealedCount: 3 });
+    });
+
     it("refreshes the shared streak once the answer lands", async () => {
         const { result } = await renderReady();
         mockFetchStreak.mockClear();

apps/mobile/src/__tests__/lib/inviteShareCopy.test.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+import { buildInviteShareMessage } from "../../lib/inviteShareCopy";
+
+describe("buildInviteShareMessage", () => {
+    it("leads with a plain invite when there are no sealed answers", () => {
+        const message = buildInviteShareMessage("ABCD1234", 0);
+        expect(message).toBe(
+            "Join me on Sauci! Tap this link to pair up instantly: https://sauci.app/join/ABCD1234 (or enter code ABCD1234 in the app)"
+        );
+    });
+
+    it("leads with earned value and singular wording for exactly one sealed answer", () => {
+        const message = buildInviteShareMessage("ABCD1234", 1);
+        expect(message).toBe(
+            "Join me on Sauci! I have already answered 1 question about us. Tap this link to unlock them: https://sauci.app/join/ABCD1234 (or enter code ABCD1234 in the app)"
+        );
+    });
+
+    it("pluralises for more than one sealed answer", () => {
+        const message = buildInviteShareMessage("ABCD1234", 5);
+        expect(message).toContain("I have already answered 5 questions about us.");
+    });
+});

apps/mobile/src/__tests__/stores/authStore.test.ts

@@ -30,10 +30,15 @@ const profile = {
 describe("authStore", () => {
     beforeEach(() => {
         jest.clearAllMocks();
+        // fetchUser always fetches couple state now, since it also carries the
+        // sealed answer count for a user who has no couple yet. Individual tests
+        // override this when they care about the couple/partner shape.
+        jest.spyOn(coupleApi, "getState").mockResolvedValue({ couple: null, partner: null, sealed_count: 0 });
         useAuthStore.setState({
             user: null,
             couple: null,
             partner: null,
+            sealedCount: 0,
             isLoading: true,
             isAuthenticated: false,
             isAnonymous: false,
@@ -89,12 +94,12 @@ describe("authStore", () => {
             max_intensity: 3,
         };
         useAuthStore.setState({ user: pairedProfile } as any);
-        const stateSpy = jest.spyOn(coupleApi, "getState").mockResolvedValueOnce({ couple, partner });
+        const stateSpy = jest.spyOn(coupleApi, "getState").mockResolvedValueOnce({ couple, partner, sealed_count: 3 });
 
         await useAuthStore.getState().fetchCouple();
 
         expect(stateSpy).toHaveBeenCalledWith();
-        expect(useAuthStore.getState()).toMatchObject({ couple, partner });
+        expect(useAuthStore.getState()).toMatchObject({ couple, partner, sealedCount: 3 });
     });
 
     it("updates activity through the standalone API", async () => {

apps/mobile/src/features/swipe/SwipeScreen.tsx

@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ import { SwipeCardStack } from "./components/SwipeCardStack";
 import { SwipeHeader } from "./components/SwipeHeader";
 import { SwipeUploadOverlay } from "./components/SwipeUploadOverlay";
 import { SwipeLoadingState } from "./components/SwipeLoadingState";
-import { SwipeNoPartnerState } from "./components/SwipeNoPartnerState";
+import { SwipeSealedAnswersBanner } from "./components/SwipeSealedAnswersBanner";
 import { SwipeDailyLimitState } from "./components/SwipeDailyLimitState";
 import { SwipeBlockedState } from "./components/SwipeBlockedState";
 import { SwipeNoPacksState } from "./components/SwipeNoPacksState";
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ const SwipeScreen = () => {
         user,
         partner,
         couple,
+        sealedCount,
         enabledPackIds,
         effectiveTotal,
         fetchQuestions,
@@ -51,15 +52,6 @@ const SwipeScreen = () => {
         return <SwipeLoadingState />;
     }
 
-    if (!partner) {
-        return (
-            <SwipeNoPartnerState
-                hasCouple={!!couple}
-                onPairPress={() => router.push("/pairing")}
-            />
-        );
-    }
-
     if (dailyLimitInfo?.is_blocked) {
         return (
             <SwipeDailyLimitState
@@ -85,7 +77,10 @@ const SwipeScreen = () => {
         );
     }
 
-    if (!packId && enabledPackIds.length === 0) {
+    // Pack selection is stored per couple, so it only exists once paired. A solo
+    // user cannot have configured packs yet; recommended() already falls back to
+    // every public pack for them, so this gate would otherwise be a dead end.
+    if (couple && !packId && enabledPackIds.length === 0) {
         return (
             <SwipeNoPacksState onBrowsePacks={() => router.push("/")} />
         );
@@ -118,6 +113,13 @@ const SwipeScreen = () => {
                     dailyLimitInfo={dailyLimitInfo}
                 />
 
+                {!partner && (
+                    <SwipeSealedAnswersBanner
+                        sealedCount={sealedCount}
+                        onInvitePress={() => router.push("/pairing")}
+                    />
+                )}
+
                 <SwipeCardStack
                     questions={filteredQuestions}
                     currentIndex={currentIndex}

apps/mobile/src/features/swipe/components/SwipeNoPartnerState.tsx

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { Share } from "react-native";
 import { colors } from "../../../theme";
 import { useAuthStore } from "../../../store";
 import { Events } from "../../../lib/analytics";
+import { buildInviteShareMessage } from "../../../lib/inviteShareCopy";
 import { SwipeInfoStateLayout } from "./SwipeInfoStateLayout";
 
 interface SwipeNoPartnerStateProps {
@@ -11,13 +12,13 @@ interface SwipeNoPartnerStateProps {
 
 export const SwipeNoPartnerState = ({ hasCouple, onPairPress }: SwipeNoPartnerStateProps) => {
     const accent = colors.premium.rose;
-    const { couple } = useAuthStore();
+    const { couple, sealedCount } = useAuthStore();
 
     const handleShareCode = async () => {
         if (!couple?.invite_code) return;
         try {
             await Share.share({
-                message: `Join me on Sauci! Download the app at https://sauci.app and use my invite code to pair up: ${couple.invite_code}`,
+                message: buildInviteShareMessage(couple.invite_code, sealedCount),
             });
             Events.codeShared();
         } catch (error) {

apps/mobile/src/features/swipe/components/SwipeSealedAnswersBanner.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+import { StyleSheet, Text, TouchableOpacity, View } from "react-native";
+import { Ionicons } from "@expo/vector-icons";
+import { colors, radius, spacing, typography } from "../../../theme";
+
+interface SwipeSealedAnswersBannerProps {
+    sealedCount: number;
+    onInvitePress: () => void;
+}
+
+/**
+ * An unpaired user answers straight into the swipe flow now instead of hitting a
+ * dead-end waiting room. This banner keeps the invite ask visible without blocking
+ * play, and grows more concrete as the sealed count climbs.
+ */
+export const SwipeSealedAnswersBanner = ({ sealedCount, onInvitePress }: SwipeSealedAnswersBannerProps) => {
+    if (sealedCount <= 0) return null;
+
+    return (
+        <TouchableOpacity
+            style={styles.container}
+            onPress={onInvitePress}
+            activeOpacity={0.8}
+            testID="swipe-sealed-answers-banner"
+        >
+            <Ionicons name="lock-closed" size={16} color={colors.premium.rose} />
+            <Text style={styles.text}>
+                {sealedCount} answer{sealedCount === 1 ? "" : "s"} sealed. Your partner unlocks {sealedCount === 1 ? "it" : "them"} when they join.
+            </Text>
+            <Text style={styles.cta}>Invite</Text>
+        </TouchableOpacity>
+    );
+};
+
+const styles = StyleSheet.create({
+    container: {
+        flexDirection: "row",
+        alignItems: "center",
+        gap: spacing.sm,
+        marginHorizontal: spacing.md,
+        marginBottom: spacing.sm,
+        paddingVertical: spacing.sm,
+        paddingHorizontal: spacing.md,
+        borderRadius: radius.full,
+        backgroundColor: colors.backgroundLight,
+    },
+    text: {
+        ...typography.caption1,
+        color: colors.textSecondary,
+        flex: 1,
+    },
+    cta: {
+        ...typography.caption1,
+        color: colors.premium.rose,
+        fontWeight: "700",
+    },
+});

apps/mobile/src/features/swipe/hooks/useSwipeScreen.ts

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ export const useSwipeScreen = () => {
     const [countdown, setCountdown] = useState<string>("");
 
     const { enabledPackIds, ensureEnabledPacksLoaded, packs } = usePacksStore();
-    const { user, partner, couple } = useAuthStore();
+    const { user, partner, couple, sealedCount } = useAuthStore();
 
     const filteredQuestions = filterSupportedQuestions(questions);
 
@@ -128,20 +128,15 @@ export const useSwipeScreen = () => {
                 filtered = data;
             }
 
-            if (partner) {
-                // The daily limit applies to pack browsing too, so it is read in both
-                // modes; the answer gap is deliberately only enforced outside packs.
-                if (packId) {
-                    setIsBlocked(false);
-                    setGapInfo(null);
-                    await checkDailyLimit();
-                } else {
-                    await Promise.all([checkAnswerGap(), checkDailyLimit()]);
-                }
-            } else {
+            // The daily limit applies solo too, since a sealed answer still counts
+            // against it; the answer gap only makes sense once there is a partner
+            // to be ahead of, and checkAnswerGap already no-ops without one.
+            if (packId) {
                 setIsBlocked(false);
                 setGapInfo(null);
-                setDailyLimitInfo(null);
+                await checkDailyLimit();
+            } else {
+                await Promise.all([checkAnswerGap(), checkDailyLimit()]);
             }
 
             if (currentRequestId === fetchRequestId.current) {
@@ -156,7 +151,7 @@ export const useSwipeScreen = () => {
                 setIsLoading(false);
             }
         }
-    }, [packId, partner, checkAnswerGap, checkDailyLimit]);
+    }, [packId, checkAnswerGap, checkDailyLimit]);
 
     const fetchPending = useCallback(async () => {
         const currentRequestId = ++fetchRequestId.current;
@@ -315,7 +310,7 @@ export const useSwipeScreen = () => {
                 uploadResponseMedia,
             });
 
-            const data = await apiClient.post<{ match: unknown | null }>("/v1/responses", {
+            const data = await apiClient.post<{ match: unknown | null; sealed_count?: number }>("/v1/responses", {
                 question_id: questionId,
                 answer,
                 response_data: finalResponseData,
@@ -323,6 +318,13 @@ export const useSwipeScreen = () => {
 
             Events.questionAnswered(answer, filteredQuestions[currentIndex]?.pack_id);
 
+            // A solo answer has no partner to match against; the sealed count is
+            // this answer's only visible feedback, so the banner updates instantly
+            // instead of waiting for the couple state to refresh next time round.
+            if (typeof data?.sealed_count === 'number') {
+                useAuthStore.setState({ sealedCount: data.sealed_count });
+            }
+
             const hasMatch = data?.match != null;
 
             if (hasMatch) {
@@ -423,6 +425,7 @@ export const useSwipeScreen = () => {
         user,
         partner,
         couple,
+        sealedCount,
         enabledPackIds,
         effectiveTotal,
         fetchQuestions,

apps/mobile/src/lib/coupleApi.ts

@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ import { apiRequest } from "./apiClient";
 export interface CoupleStateResponse {
     couple: Couple | null;
     partner: Profile | null;
+    /** Count of this user's banked answers with no couple yet (couple_id IS NULL). */
+    sealed_count: number;
 }
 
 export interface CoupleMutationResponse {

apps/mobile/src/lib/inviteShareCopy.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+/**
+ * Builds the message shared when inviting a partner to pair. Once the inviter has
+ * sealed answers banked (answered questions solo, before a partner joined), the
+ * copy leads with that earned value instead of a plain invite, because it gives
+ * the recipient a concrete reason to join right away.
+ */
+export function buildInviteShareMessage(inviteCode: string, sealedCount: number): string {
+    const link = `https://sauci.app/join/${inviteCode} (or enter code ${inviteCode} in the app)`;
+    if (sealedCount > 0) {
+        const noun = sealedCount === 1 ? "question" : "questions";
+        return `Join me on Sauci! I have already answered ${sealedCount} ${noun} about us. Tap this link to unlock them: ${link}`;
+    }
+    return `Join me on Sauci! Tap this link to pair up instantly: ${link}`;
+}

apps/mobile/src/store/authStore.ts

@@ -12,6 +12,8 @@ interface AuthState {
     user: Profile | null;
     couple: Couple | null;
     partner: Profile | null;
+    /** This user's banked (sealed) answers with no couple yet. Zero once claimed at pairing. */
+    sealedCount: number;
     isLoading: boolean;
     isAuthenticated: boolean;
     isAnonymous: boolean;
@@ -44,6 +46,7 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState>((set, get) => ({
     user: null,
     couple: null,
     partner: null,
+    sealedCount: 0,
     isLoading: true,
     isAuthenticated: false,
     isAnonymous: false,
@@ -77,12 +80,9 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState>((set, get) => ({
                 set({ isAuthenticated: true, isAnonymous });
             }
 
-            // If user has a couple, fetch couple data; otherwise clear couple/partner
-            if (profile?.couple_id) {
-                await get().fetchCouple();
-            } else {
-                set({ couple: null, partner: null });
-            }
+            // Always fetch couple state: it reports the sealed answer count for a
+            // solo user even before any couple exists, not just once paired.
+            await get().fetchCouple();
 
             set({ isLoading: false });
         } catch (error) {
@@ -107,14 +107,10 @@ export const useAuthStore = create<AuthState>((set, get) => ({
     },
 
     fetchCouple: async () => {
-        const user = get().user;
-        if (!user?.couple_id) {
-            set({ couple: null, partner: null });
-            return;
-        }
-
-        const { couple, partner } = await coupleApi.getState();
-        set({ couple, partner });
+        // Fetches unconditionally: getState() reports sealed_count for a solo user
+        // who has no couple yet too, not only once paired.
+        const { couple, partner, sealed_count } = await coupleApi.getState();
+        set({ couple, partner, sealedCount: sealed_count });
     },
 
     /**