diff --git a/docs/plans/2026-06-27-001-fix-ssr-modal-regressions-plan.md b/docs/plans/2026-06-27-001-fix-ssr-modal-regressions-plan.md
index e4449f92..00e51dbc 100644
--- a/docs/plans/2026-06-27-001-fix-ssr-modal-regressions-plan.md
+++ b/docs/plans/2026-06-27-001-fix-ssr-modal-regressions-plan.md
@@ -93,21 +93,28 @@ animate:
 - By contrast, `dialog/success-modal-` and the Invoice Pay card (`last-modal-step transition
   duration-150`) keep transitions, so the intended pattern still exists to copy from.
 
-**FIX — DONE (subtle fade) & verified:** added the codebase's existing `fade-in transition-opacity
-duration-300` to all three wizard step cards (new-invoice basic-details + accounts, vendor
-step-card, client step-card). `fade-in` is defined in `resources/input.css`
-(`.htmx-added .fade-in { opacity:0 }` → transitions to 1 after htmx settle), so each card fades in
-on open *and* on every step swap. Verified live: cards always settle to **opacity 1** (never stuck
-invisible) on both open and step navigation — no functional risk.
-
-Notes / intentionally deferred (needs design intent + visual sign-off, so not done autonomously):
-- The transaction-edit "reference" card's `last-modal-step` class is **undefined** (a no-op); its
-  only real transition is `transition duration-150`. So there was no clean reference slide to copy.
-- The richer **forward/backward slide** transitions (the old `mm/*` modal-stack system using
-  `group/transition` + `forward`/`backward` + `htmx-*:translate-x-2/3`) were deliberately deleted in
-  Phase 11 and purged from the CSS. Re-introducing directional slides is a larger design decision
-  (which element carries `htmx-swapping`/`htmx-added` — the form vs the card — plus settle timing)
-  and is left for a human-in-the-loop pass if the subtle fade isn't enough.
+**FIX — DONE (forward/back slide restored) in the shared `wizard2` engine.** The user confirmed the
+old wizard had a directional **slide forward/back** between steps; the engine migration dropped it.
+Restored the original mechanism (read out of the deleted `mm/multi_modal.clj`) in one shared place:
+- `wizard2/step-slide-classes` — the `group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-*` + `group-[.backward]/…`
+  variants, now applied to the swapped wizard `<form>`.
+- `wizard2/transitioner` — the `#transitioner` wrapper with the `@htmx:after-request` hook that reads
+  the `x-transition-type` response header and toggles `group/transition` + `forward|backward` on
+  itself (so the variants fire on the next swap). All 5 wizard configs' `:open-response` now wrap the
+  form in `wizard2/transitioner` instead of a plain `#transitioner` div.
+- `wizard2/handle-step-submit` now sets `x-transition-type` (forward on advance, backward on Back,
+  `none` on a same-step validation re-render) + `HX-reswap: outerHTML swap:0.16s` (the swap delay
+  that lets the slide-out play). Direction is computed from the step order (`transition-type`).
+- The earlier per-card `fade-in` (interim) was removed in favor of this.
+- CSS rebuilt so the `group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-*` variants (16 fwd + 16 back) are compiled.
+- Applies to ALL wizards (new-invoice, vendor, client, pay, transaction-rule) since it lives in the
+  engine. REPL-verified: `open-wizard` emits the transitioner, the form carries the slide classes,
+  and submit responses carry `x-transition-type` + the `HX-reswap` swap delay.
+- **Live-verify caveat:** the long-lived dev server froze its route table at startup
+  (`auto-ap.handler/match->handler-lookup` is a `def` that merged the per-ns `key->handler` maps), so
+  an nREPL reload of leaf namespaces does NOT reach the running router — a server refresh
+  (`stop jetty → tools.namespace refresh → user/start-http`) or a fresh `lein run` is needed to see
+  it live. (Documented hazard; see the QA memory.)
 
 ## 4. Bug list + fixes (prioritized task list)
 
diff --git a/resources/public/output.css b/resources/public/output.css
index f7ece718..de06df74 100644
--- a/resources/public/output.css
+++ b/resources/public/output.css
@@ -1609,10 +1609,6 @@ input:checked + .toggle-bg {
   width: 5em;
 }
 
-.w-\[600px\] {
-  width: 600px;
-}
-
 .w-\[700px\] {
   width: 700px;
 }
@@ -3996,6 +3992,44 @@ input:checked + .toggle-bg {
   opacity: 0;
 }
 
+.group\/transition.backward .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:translate-x-1\/4.htmx-swapping {
+  --tw-translate-x: 25%;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:-translate-x-1\/4.htmx-swapping {
+  --tw-translate-x: -25%;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:scale-75.htmx-swapping {
+  --tw-scale-x: .75;
+  --tw-scale-y: .75;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:scale-75.htmx-swapping {
+  --tw-scale-x: .75;
+  --tw-scale-y: .75;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:opacity-0.htmx-swapping {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:opacity-0.htmx-swapping {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:ease-in.htmx-swapping {
+  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:ease-in.htmx-swapping {
+  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);
+}
+
 .htmx-swapping .htmx-swapping\:-translate-x-2\/3 {
   --tw-translate-x: -66.666667%;
   transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
@@ -4011,6 +4045,44 @@ input:checked + .toggle-bg {
   opacity: 0;
 }
 
+.group\/transition.backward .htmx-swapping .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:translate-x-1\/4 {
+  --tw-translate-x: 25%;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .htmx-swapping .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:-translate-x-1\/4 {
+  --tw-translate-x: -25%;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .htmx-swapping .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:scale-75 {
+  --tw-scale-x: .75;
+  --tw-scale-y: .75;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .htmx-swapping .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:scale-75 {
+  --tw-scale-x: .75;
+  --tw-scale-y: .75;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .htmx-swapping .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:opacity-0 {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .htmx-swapping .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:opacity-0 {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .htmx-swapping .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:ease-in {
+  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .htmx-swapping .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-swapping\:ease-in {
+  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0.4, 0, 1, 1);
+}
+
 .htmx-added\:translate-x-2\/3.htmx-added {
   --tw-translate-x: 66.666667%;
   transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
@@ -4026,6 +4098,44 @@ input:checked + .toggle-bg {
   opacity: 0;
 }
 
+.group\/transition.backward .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:-translate-x-1\/4.htmx-added {
+  --tw-translate-x: -25%;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:translate-x-1\/4.htmx-added {
+  --tw-translate-x: 25%;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:scale-75.htmx-added {
+  --tw-scale-x: .75;
+  --tw-scale-y: .75;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:scale-75.htmx-added {
+  --tw-scale-x: .75;
+  --tw-scale-y: .75;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:opacity-0.htmx-added {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:opacity-0.htmx-added {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:ease-out.htmx-added {
+  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1);
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:ease-out.htmx-added {
+  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1);
+}
+
 .htmx-added .htmx-added\:translate-x-2\/3 {
   --tw-translate-x: 66.666667%;
   transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
@@ -4041,6 +4151,44 @@ input:checked + .toggle-bg {
   opacity: 0;
 }
 
+.group\/transition.backward .htmx-added .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:-translate-x-1\/4 {
+  --tw-translate-x: -25%;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .htmx-added .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:translate-x-1\/4 {
+  --tw-translate-x: 25%;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .htmx-added .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:scale-75 {
+  --tw-scale-x: .75;
+  --tw-scale-y: .75;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .htmx-added .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:scale-75 {
+  --tw-scale-x: .75;
+  --tw-scale-y: .75;
+  transform: translate(var(--tw-translate-x), var(--tw-translate-y)) rotate(var(--tw-rotate)) skewX(var(--tw-skew-x)) skewY(var(--tw-skew-y)) scaleX(var(--tw-scale-x)) scaleY(var(--tw-scale-y));
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .htmx-added .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:opacity-0 {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .htmx-added .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:opacity-0 {
+  opacity: 0;
+}
+
+.group\/transition.backward .htmx-added .group-\[\.backward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:ease-out {
+  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1);
+}
+
+.group\/transition.forward .htmx-added .group-\[\.forward\]\/transition\:htmx-added\:ease-out {
+  transition-timing-function: cubic-bezier(0, 0, 0.2, 1);
+}
+
 :is(.dark .dark\:border-blue-500) {
   --tw-border-opacity: 1;
   border-color: rgb(0 156 234 / var(--tw-border-opacity));
diff --git a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/clients.clj b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/clients.clj
index c7296953..a7791eb3 100644
--- a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/clients.clj
+++ b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/clients.clj
@@ -517,7 +517,7 @@
   [{:keys [title active all-data nav body]}]
   (com/modal-card-advanced
    {"@keydown.enter.prevent.stop" "if ($refs.next) {$refs.next.click()}"
-    :class " md:w-[820px] md:h-[560px] w-full h-full fade-in transition-opacity duration-300"
+    :class " md:w-[820px] md:h-[560px] w-full h-full"
     :x-data (hx/json {"clientName" (:client/name all-data)})}
    (com/modal-header {} [:div.flex [:div.p-2 title]
                          [:p.ml-2.rounded.bg-gray-50.p-2.dark:bg-gray-600 [:span {:x-text "clientName"}]]])
@@ -1216,7 +1216,7 @@
    :form-id "wizard-form"
    :submit-route (bidi/path-for ssr-routes/only-routes ::route/save)
    :form-attrs {:hx-ext "response-targets" :hx-target-400 "#form-errors"}
-   :open-response (fn [form] (modal-response [:div#transitioner.flex-1 form]))
+   :open-response (fn [form] (modal-response (wizard2/transitioner form)))
    :init-fn client-init-fn
    :steps [{:key :info :decode decode-info :validate (partial validate-with info-schema) :render render-info :next (fn [_] :matches)}
            {:key :matches :decode (partial decode-with matches-schema) :validate (partial validate-with matches-schema) :render render-matches :next (fn [_] :contact)}
diff --git a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/transaction_rules.clj b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/transaction_rules.clj
index 70b245a7..b4801bd9 100644
--- a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/transaction_rules.clj
+++ b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/transaction_rules.clj
@@ -827,7 +827,7 @@
    ;; new/edit routes are just (partial wizard2/open-wizard config) -- no hand-rolled
    ;; create!/render/wrap/thread boilerplate.
    :open-response (fn [form]
-                    (modal-response [:div#transitioner.flex-1 form]))
+                    (modal-response (wizard2/transitioner form)))
    :steps [{:key :edit
             :decode decode-rule-form
             :validate rule-form-errors
diff --git a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/vendors.clj b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/vendors.clj
index 85ef0557..5e416527 100644
--- a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/vendors.clj
+++ b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/admin/vendors.clj
@@ -373,7 +373,7 @@
   [{:keys [title active all-data nav body]}]
   (com/modal-card-advanced
    {"@keydown.enter.prevent.stop" "if ($refs.next) {$refs.next.click()}"
-    :class " md:w-[760px] md:h-[520px] w-full h-full fade-in transition-opacity duration-300"
+    :class " md:w-[760px] md:h-[520px] w-full h-full"
     :x-data (hx/json {"vendorName" (:vendor/name all-data)
                       "showPrintAs" (boolean (not-empty (:vendor/print-as all-data)))
                       "printAs" (:vendor/print-as all-data)})}
@@ -672,7 +672,7 @@
    :form-id "wizard-form"
    :submit-route (bidi/path-for ssr-routes/only-routes ::route/save)
    :form-attrs {:hx-ext "response-targets" :hx-target-400 "#form-errors"}
-   :open-response (fn [form] (modal-response [:div#transitioner.flex-1 form]))
+   :open-response (fn [form] (modal-response (wizard2/transitioner form)))
    :init-fn vendor-init-fn
    :steps [{:key :info    :decode (partial decode-with info-schema)    :validate (partial validate-with info-schema)    :render render-info    :next (fn [_] :terms)}
            {:key :terms   :decode (partial decode-with terms-schema)   :validate (partial validate-with terms-schema)   :render render-terms   :next (fn [_] :account)}
diff --git a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/components/wizard2.clj b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/components/wizard2.clj
index 9d8b5f72..52e99169 100644
--- a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/components/wizard2.clj
+++ b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/components/wizard2.clj
@@ -33,11 +33,15 @@
   (:require
    [auto-ap.ssr.components :as com]
    [auto-ap.ssr.components.wizard-state :as ws]
+   [auto-ap.ssr.hx :as hx]
    [auto-ap.ssr.utils :refer [html-response]]))
 
 (defn- step-by-key [config k]
   (first (filter #(= (:key %) k) (:steps config))))
 
+(defn- step-index [config k]
+  (.indexOf (mapv :key (:steps config)) k))
+
 (defn- prev-step
   "The step key before `k` in the linear step order (or `k` itself if first)."
   [config k]
@@ -45,13 +49,68 @@
         i (.indexOf keys k)]
     (if (pos? i) (nth keys (dec i)) k)))
 
+(defn- transition-type
+  "forward when advancing to a later step, backward when returning to an earlier one, nil
+   when staying on the same step (a validation re-render) — used to drive the slide."
+  [config from-key to-key]
+  (let [fi (step-index config from-key)
+        ti (step-index config to-key)]
+    (cond
+      (or (neg? fi) (neg? ti) (= fi ti)) nil
+      (> fi ti) "backward"
+      :else "forward")))
+
+(def step-slide-classes
+  "Forward/back slide variants applied to the swapped wizard <form>. The #transitioner
+   ancestor (see `transitioner`) carries `group/transition` + `forward`|`backward`; during a
+   step swap the outgoing form gets `htmx-swapping` and the incoming one `htmx-added`, so
+   these variants animate the card sliding/​fading in the matching direction."
+  (str "group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-swapping:opacity-0 "
+       "group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-swapping:-translate-x-1/4 "
+       "group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-swapping:scale-75 "
+       "group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-swapping:ease-in "
+       "group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-added:opacity-0 "
+       "group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-added:scale-75 "
+       "group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-added:translate-x-1/4 "
+       "group-[.forward]/transition:htmx-added:ease-out "
+       "group-[.backward]/transition:htmx-swapping:opacity-0 "
+       "group-[.backward]/transition:htmx-swapping:translate-x-1/4 "
+       "group-[.backward]/transition:htmx-swapping:scale-75 "
+       "group-[.backward]/transition:htmx-swapping:ease-in "
+       "group-[.backward]/transition:htmx-added:opacity-0 "
+       "group-[.backward]/transition:htmx-added:scale-75 "
+       "group-[.backward]/transition:htmx-added:-translate-x-1/4 "
+       "group-[.backward]/transition:htmx-added:ease-out "
+       "opacity-100 translate-x-0 scale-100 transition duration-150"))
+
+(defn transitioner
+  "Wrap the opened wizard form in the #transitioner the slide animation hooks onto. After
+   each step swap it reads the `x-transition-type` response header and toggles
+   `group/transition` + `forward`|`backward` on itself, which drives `step-slide-classes` on
+   the swapped form. Rendered once on open; the form swaps itself inside it, so this node
+   (and its Alpine state) persists across steps."
+  [form]
+  [:div#transitioner.flex-1
+   {:x-data (hx/json {"transitionType" "none"})
+    :x-ref "transitioner"
+    "@htmx:after-request" (str "if (event.detail.xhr.getResponseHeader('x-transition-type') && "
+                               "event.detail.xhr.getResponseHeader('x-transition-type') !== 'none') {"
+                               " $refs.transitioner.classList.remove('forward');"
+                               " $refs.transitioner.classList.remove('backward');"
+                               " $refs.transitioner.classList.add('group/transition');"
+                               " $refs.transitioner.classList.add(event.detail.xhr.getResponseHeader('x-transition-type'));"
+                               "} else { $refs.transitioner.classList.remove('group/transition'); }")}
+   form])
+
 (defn wizard-form
   "Wrap a step body in the wizard <form>: the form posts to the submit route, and only the
    wizard-id + current-step ride along (no accumulated data — that lives in the session).
    Enter is guarded so it triggers the step's primary nav button (the one marked
-   `data-primary`) rather than whichever submit button the browser picks first."
+   `data-primary`) rather than whichever submit button the browser picks first. The form
+   carries `step-slide-classes` so the whole-form swap animates as a directional slide."
   [config wizard-id current-step body]
   [:form (merge {:id (:form-id config "wizard-form")
+                 :class step-slide-classes
                  :hx-post (:submit-route config)
                  :hx-target "this"
                  :hx-swap "outerHTML"
@@ -115,6 +174,17 @@
                                            extra)))
       (assoc :session session)))
 
+(defn- with-transition
+  "Attach the slide headers the #transitioner reads: `x-transition-type` (forward/backward)
+   plus an `HX-reswap` swap delay so the outgoing form's slide-out is visible before the
+   swap. nil tt -> `none` (a same-step validation re-render does not animate)."
+  [resp tt]
+  (if tt
+    (-> resp
+        (assoc-in [:headers "x-transition-type"] tt)
+        (assoc-in [:headers "HX-reswap"] "outerHTML swap:0.16s"))
+    (assoc-in resp [:headers "x-transition-type"] "none")))
+
 (defn open-wizard
   "Create a wizard instance in the session, render its first step, and return a Ring
    response with the updated session threaded. `:init-fn` returns {:context ..., :init-data
@@ -158,9 +228,11 @@
       (expired-response config request)
 
       (= direction "back")
-      (render-response config wizard-id
-                       (ws/set-step session wizard-id (prev-step config current-step))
-                       request)
+      (let [prev (prev-step config current-step)]
+        (-> (render-response config wizard-id
+                             (ws/set-step session wizard-id prev)
+                             request)
+            (with-transition (transition-type config current-step prev))))
 
       :else
       (let [step (step-by-key config current-step)
@@ -171,13 +243,16 @@
             posted ((:decode step) clean)
             errors (when-let [v (:validate step)] (v posted request))]
         (if (seq errors)
-          (render-response config wizard-id session request
-                           {:step-errors errors :step-posted posted})
+          ;; same step -> no slide (with-transition nil => "none")
+          (-> (render-response config wizard-id session request
+                               {:step-errors errors :step-posted posted})
+              (with-transition nil))
           (let [session' (ws/put-step session wizard-id current-step posted)
                 nxt ((:next step) posted)]
             (if (= nxt :done)
               (-> ((:done-fn config) (ws/get-all session' wizard-id) request)
                   (assoc :session (ws/forget session' wizard-id)))
-              (render-response config wizard-id
-                               (ws/set-step session' wizard-id nxt)
-                               request))))))))
+              (-> (render-response config wizard-id
+                                   (ws/set-step session' wizard-id nxt)
+                                   request)
+                  (with-transition (transition-type config current-step nxt))))))))))
diff --git a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/invoice/new_invoice_wizard.clj b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/invoice/new_invoice_wizard.clj
index f75d6952..d7b586f4 100644
--- a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/invoice/new_invoice_wizard.clj
+++ b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/invoice/new_invoice_wizard.clj
@@ -333,7 +333,7 @@
           client-val (or (:invoice/client data) client-from-req)]
       (com/modal-card-advanced
        {"@keydown.enter.prevent.stop" "if ($refs.next) {$refs.next.click()}"
-        :class " md:w-[750px] md:h-[600px] w-full h-full fade-in transition-opacity duration-300"
+        :class " md:w-[750px] md:h-[600px] w-full h-full"
         "x-data" ""}
        (com/modal-header {} [:div.p-2 (if extant? "Edit invoice" "New invoice")])
        (com/modal-body
@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@
           total (expense-accounts-total* rows)]
       (com/modal-card-advanced
        {"@keydown.enter.prevent.stop" "if ($refs.next) {$refs.next.click()}"
-        :class " md:w-[750px] md:h-[600px] w-full h-full fade-in transition-opacity duration-300"
+        :class " md:w-[750px] md:h-[600px] w-full h-full"
         "x-data" ""}
        (com/modal-header {} [:div.p-2 "Invoice accounts "])
        (com/modal-body
@@ -778,7 +778,7 @@
    :submit-route (bidi/path-for ssr-routes/only-routes ::route/new-invoice-submit)
    :form-attrs {:hx-ext "response-targets"
                 :hx-target-400 "#form-errors"}
-   :open-response (fn [form] (modal-response [:div#transitioner.flex-1 form]))
+   :open-response (fn [form] (modal-response (wizard2/transitioner form)))
    :init-fn new-init-fn
    :steps [{:key :basic-details
             :decode decode-basic-details
diff --git a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/invoices.clj b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/invoices.clj
index d9d789cf..07c67389 100644
--- a/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/invoices.clj
+++ b/src/clj/auto_ap/ssr/invoices.clj
@@ -1366,7 +1366,7 @@
    :submit-route (bidi/path-for ssr-routes/only-routes ::route/pay-submit)
    :form-attrs {:hx-ext "response-targets"
                 :hx-target-400 "#form-errors"}
-   :open-response (fn [form] (modal-response [:div#transitioner.flex-1 form]))
+   :open-response (fn [form] (modal-response (wizard2/transitioner form)))
    :init-fn pay-init-fn
    :steps [{:key :choose-method
             :decode decode-choose-method