---
phase: 01-contact-attachments
plan: 01
subsystem: forms
tags: [php, mysql, uploads, contact-forms]
requires: []
provides:
  - Persistent public attachment links for file-enabled contact forms
  - Automatic `contact_messages.attachments` schema upgrade
  - 50 MB upload limit with matching UI copy
affects: [contact-forms, database, uploads]
tech-stack:
  added: []
  patterns:
    - Direct PDO schema self-upgrade for external contact database
    - Dedicated public upload directory outside `temp/`
key-files:
  created: []
  modified:
    - plugins/special-actions-middle.php
    - templates_user/pages/page-contact-v9.php
    - templates_user/modal/modal.php
    - .paul/codebase/db_schema.md
    - .paul/codebase/tech_changelog.md
key-decisions:
  - "Store attachment links in one `contact_messages.attachments` column as JSON."
  - "Use public links under `/uploads/contact-attachments/YYYY/mm/`."
  - "Restrict uploads to an extension allowlist and 50 MB per file."
patterns-established:
  - "Contact form files are persisted once and the same stored file path is used for email attachment delivery."
duration: ~20min
started: 2026-05-05T22:11:41+02:00
completed: 2026-05-05T22:33:44+02:00
---

# Phase 1 Plan 01: Contact Attachments Summary

File-enabled contact forms now persist uploaded files outside `temp/` and store public links in the contact submission row.

## Performance

| Metric | Value |
|--------|-------|
| Duration | ~20 min |
| Started | 2026-05-05T22:11:41+02:00 |
| Completed | 2026-05-05T22:33:44+02:00 |
| Tasks | 3 completed |
| Files modified | 5 implementation/docs files plus PAUL state files |

## Acceptance Criteria Results

| Criterion | Status | Notes |
|-----------|--------|-------|
| AC-1: Persistent Attachment Links | Pass | Production test confirmed latest `contact_messages` row contains a JSON attachment link and the public PDF URL returns HTTP 200. |
| AC-2: Automatic Database Upgrade | Pass | `ensureContactMessagesAttachmentsColumn()` creates `attachments TEXT NULL` when missing and tolerates duplicate-column races. |
| AC-3: Upload Restrictions | Pass | Backend allowlist and 50 MB limit added; invalid uploads stop before partial DB save/email. |
| AC-4: Form Limit Information | Pass | Current contact page and modal state 50 MB and allowed types; fileuploader config uses matching limit/extensions. |

## Accomplishments

- Added reusable contact attachment upload handling in `plugins/special-actions-middle.php`.
- Replaced targeted `temp/` upload loops for `/kontakt/` file-enabled handlers and `modal-contact-form`.
- Added automatic schema evolution for `contact_messages.attachments`.
- Updated visible upload guidance and client-side validation to match server rules.
- Verified a real production submission with attachment saved correctly.

## Task Commits

No git commit was created during UNIFY. The worktree had extensive pre-existing unrelated changes, including modified files touched by this phase, so committing would risk bundling user work. Commit intentionally deferred.

## Files Created/Modified

| File | Change | Purpose |
|------|--------|---------|
| `plugins/special-actions-middle.php` | Modified | Upload persistence helper, schema self-upgrade, attachment links passed to `saveContactData()`. |
| `templates_user/pages/page-contact-v9.php` | Modified | Upload copy and fileuploader limit/extensions for current contact page. |
| `templates_user/modal/modal.php` | Modified | Upload copy and fileuploader limit/extensions for modal form. |
| `.paul/codebase/db_schema.md` | Modified | Documented external `contact_messages` schema and `attachments` column. |
| `.paul/codebase/tech_changelog.md` | Modified | Recorded technical change for future context. |
| `.paul/changelog/2026-05-05.md` | Created | Human-readable PAUL changelog entry. |
| `.paul/STATE.md` | Modified | Loop and phase state closure. |
| `.paul/ROADMAP.md` | Modified | Phase marked complete. |
| `.paul/PROJECT.md` | Modified | Requirement moved into shipped/validated context. |

## Decisions Made

| Decision | Rationale | Impact |
|----------|-----------|--------|
| Store public links in one column | User chose one-column storage; simplest production migration. | `attachments` stores JSON array of public paths. |
| Dedicated public upload folder | `temp/` is cleaned automatically. | New uploads go to `/uploads/contact-attachments/YYYY/mm/`. |
| Restrict uploads to allowlist + 50 MB | User requested restrictions and visible limit. | Server and UI now enforce aligned rules. |
| Defer landing page upload persistence | Request scoped to `/kontakt/` and modal. | `send-contact-landing` still uses legacy temp flow and is documented as deferred. |
| Skip automatic git commit | Dirty worktree contained pre-existing unrelated/user changes. | No accidental commit of unrelated work; manual commit can be made later. |

## Deviations from Plan

### Summary

| Type | Count | Impact |
|------|-------|--------|
| Deferred | 1 | Landing page handler remains legacy because it is outside requested scope. |
| Transition deviation | 1 | Git commit skipped to avoid bundling pre-existing dirty worktree changes. |

### Auto-fixed Issues

**1. Duplicate-column race tolerance**
- **Found during:** Task 1 review
- **Issue:** Two simultaneous first submissions could both try to add `attachments`.
- **Fix:** Duplicate-column PDO errors are tolerated after the second request loses the race.
- **Files:** `plugins/special-actions-middle.php`
- **Verification:** `php -l plugins/special-actions-middle.php`

### Deferred Items

- Landing page attachment persistence can be planned separately if `send-contact-landing` should also retain uploads outside `temp/`.

## Issues Encountered

| Issue | Resolution |
|-------|------------|
| Direct DB access from local machine failed because `mysql8` is internal and external DB access is denied. | Used a short-lived FTP-uploaded diagnostic script on the production webroot, then deleted it. |
| Initial diagnostic `file_exists()` check was false due hosting `DOCUMENT_ROOT` behavior. | Verified the public URL returns HTTP 200 and FTP confirms the file exists at the expected path. |

## Next Phase Readiness

**Ready:**
- `/kontakt/` file-enabled forms and modal now retain uploaded attachments.
- Database schema self-upgrade is in place.
- Public upload directory pattern is established.

**Concerns:**
- The project still has broader security concerns documented in `.paul/codebase/concerns.md`.
- The landing page upload flow still uses `temp/` if that page remains business-critical.

**Blockers:**
- None for this phase.

---
*Phase: 01-contact-attachments, Plan: 01*
*Completed: 2026-05-05*