feat(app): bindAll() now checks NODE_ENV in addition to USE_DEV_SEED

Three-rule resolution order in bindAll() (first match wins):

  1. USE_DEV_SEED === 'true'   → bindAllDevSeed (explicit override)
  2. NODE_ENV    === 'production' → bindAllProduction
  3. otherwise                  → bindAllDevSeed (developer default)

Rationale: 'pnpm dev' should boot the app without requiring Payload to
be running locally — dev seed is the more useful default for non-
production environments. Production servers explicitly set
NODE_ENV=production and get the real binding. The USE_DEV_SEED override
remains the escape hatch (force seed in any NODE_ENV — e.g. staging
preview, design review).

bind-production.test.ts grows from 3 tests to 8 — covers the dispatcher
matrix:
- USE_DEV_SEED='true' wins even when NODE_ENV='production'
- NODE_ENV='production' (no override) → production
- NODE_ENV='development' → dev seed (default)
- NODE_ENV unset → dev seed (default)
- USE_DEV_SEED='false' treated as not-set (only the literal 'true' triggers)
- Pre-existing 'binds all five repos' test now also asserts bindProductionMedia

di-explainer.html conditions table + mode flag strings updated to match
the new three-rule logic.

apps/web-next/src/server/bind-production.ts

@@ -46,16 +46,34 @@ export async function bindAllDevSeed(): Promise<void> {
 }
 
 /**
- * Boot dispatcher: pick the binder based on `process.env.USE_DEV_SEED`.
- * Idempotent — guarded by the same `bound` flag as `bindAllProduction`.
+ * Boot dispatcher: pick the binder based on the environment.
  *
- * Call this from server entry points (route handlers, page server components)
- * before resolving any feature controller.
+ * Resolution order (first match wins):
+ *
+ *   1. `USE_DEV_SEED === "true"`  → dev seed (explicit override; works in
+ *                                    any NODE_ENV — useful for staging,
+ *                                    storybook, design review).
+ *   2. `NODE_ENV === "production"` → real Payload via bindAllProduction(config).
+ *   3. otherwise                   → dev seed (developer-friendly default;
+ *                                    `pnpm dev` works without Payload booted).
+ *
+ * To force production locally without changing NODE_ENV, set
+ * `USE_DEV_SEED=false` is NOT enough — set `NODE_ENV=production` instead.
+ *
+ * Idempotent: guarded by the same `bound` flag the underlying binders share.
+ * Call from server entry points (route handlers, page server components,
+ * tRPC route handlers) before resolving any feature controller.
  */
 export async function bindAll(): Promise<void> {
   if (process.env.USE_DEV_SEED === "true") {
     await bindAllDevSeed();
     return;
   }
-  await bindAllProduction();
+  if (process.env.NODE_ENV === "production") {
+    await bindAllProduction();
+    return;
+  }
+  // Default for dev / test / unset NODE_ENV: dev seed so the app boots
+  // without Payload running.
+  await bindAllDevSeed();
 }