# NPC Patrol Features - Master Documentation Index

## Overview

Two major NPC patrol features have been designed and fully documented:

1. **Waypoint Patrol** - NPCs follow predefined tile coordinates (3-8 range)
2. **Cross-Room Navigation** - NPCs patrol across multiple connected rooms

All documentation is complete and ready for implementation.

---

## Documentation Structure

### 📋 For Quick Overview (Start Here)

**`NPC_FEATURES_COMPLETE_SUMMARY.md`**
- What was requested vs what was designed
- Feature comparison matrix
- Architecture overview
- Configuration examples (3 examples)
- Implementation phases
- Next steps

**Recommended Reading Time:** 10 minutes

---

### 🚀 For Implementation

**`NPC_WAYPOINTS_AND_CROSSROOM_QUICK_REFERENCE.md`**
- Quick configuration guide
- Both features side-by-side
- Implementation roadmap
- Code location reference
- Configuration validation rules
- Common questions & troubleshooting

**Recommended Reading Time:** 15 minutes
**Use When:** Starting to code

---

### 📚 For Detailed Feature Documentation

**`NPC_PATROL_WAYPOINTS.md` (Feature 1)**
- Complete waypoint patrol specification
- Three waypoint modes (sequential, random, hybrid)
- Coordinate system explanation
- Implementation details with code samples
- Validation rules
- Configuration examples (3 examples)
- Advantages/disadvantages
- Testing checklist

**Recommended Reading Time:** 25 minutes
**Use When:** Implementing Phase 1

---

**`NPC_CROSS_ROOM_NAVIGATION.md` (Feature 2)**
- Complete multi-room architecture design
- How cross-room navigation works
- Implementation approach (5 steps)
- State management details
- Door transition detection
- Room lifecycle coordination
- Example multi-room scenario
- Implementation phases (3 phases)
- Validation & error handling
- Performance considerations
- Future enhancements

**Recommended Reading Time:** 35 minutes
**Use When:** Planning Phase 2

---

### 🎨 For Architecture & Visualization

**`NPC_FEATURES_VISUAL_ARCHITECTURE.md`**
- System diagrams (current, Feature 1, Feature 2)
- Data flow diagrams (waypoint patrol, multi-room route)
- State machine visualization (waypoint patrol)
- Coordinate system explanation with ASCII art
- Room connection example
- Validation tree (both features)
- Integration points with existing systems
- Code change summary
- Timeline estimate
- Success criteria

**Recommended Reading Time:** 20 minutes
**Use When:** Understanding architecture

---

### 📖 For Existing Patrol System

**`PATROL_CONFIGURATION_GUIDE.md`**
- Current random patrol configuration
- How patrol.enabled, speed, changeDirectionInterval, bounds work
- How patrol works behind the scenes
- Combining patrol with other behaviors
- Debugging patrol issues

**Recommended Reading Time:** 15 minutes
**Use When:** Understanding existing system

---

## Quick File Reference

| Document | Purpose | Length | When to Read |
|----------|---------|--------|--------------|
| `NPC_FEATURES_COMPLETE_SUMMARY.md` | Overview & comparison | 5 pages | First |
| `NPC_WAYPOINTS_AND_CROSSROOM_QUICK_REFERENCE.md` | Implementation guide | 4 pages | Before coding |
| `NPC_PATROL_WAYPOINTS.md` | Feature 1 spec | 6 pages | Implementing Phase 1 |
| `NPC_CROSS_ROOM_NAVIGATION.md` | Feature 2 spec | 8 pages | Planning Phase 2 |
| `NPC_FEATURES_VISUAL_ARCHITECTURE.md` | Architecture & diagrams | 7 pages | Understanding design |
| `PATROL_CONFIGURATION_GUIDE.md` | Existing system | 5 pages | Reference |

---

## Implementation Roadmap

### ✅ Complete (Design Phase)
- Feature 1 specification documented
- Feature 2 architecture designed
- Examples created
- Validation rules defined
- Integration points identified

### 🔄 Ready for Implementation

#### Phase 1: Single-Room Waypoints (2-4 hours)
**Status:** Ready to start
**Complexity:** Medium
**Risk:** Low

```
Steps:
1. Modify npc-behavior.js parseConfig()
2. Add waypoint validation
3. Update chooseNewPatrolTarget()
4. Add dwell time support
5. Test with scenario
```

**See:** `NPC_PATROL_WAYPOINTS.md` (section: "Code Changes Required")

---

#### Phase 2: Multi-Room Routes (4-8 hours)
**Status:** Design complete, wait for Phase 1
**Complexity:** Medium-High
**Risk:** Medium

```
Steps:
1. Extend patrol config for routes
2. Implement room transition logic
3. Add pathfinding across rooms
4. Update sprite management
5. Test with multi-room scenario
```

**See:** `NPC_CROSS_ROOM_NAVIGATION.md` (section: "Implementation Approach")

---

### 📋 Recommended Reading Order

1. **Start Here:**
   - Read `NPC_FEATURES_COMPLETE_SUMMARY.md` (5 min)
   - Understand: what was requested, what was designed

2. **Review Examples:**
   - Look at configuration examples in summary
   - See: 3 example configurations

3. **Before Coding:**
   - Read `NPC_WAYPOINTS_AND_CROSSROOM_QUICK_REFERENCE.md` (15 min)
   - Know: code locations, validation rules

4. **For Phase 1 Implementation:**
   - Read `NPC_PATROL_WAYPOINTS.md` (25 min)
   - Reference: code samples, validation logic
   - Use: `NPC_FEATURES_VISUAL_ARCHITECTURE.md` for state machine

5. **For Phase 2 Implementation (after Phase 1):**
   - Read `NPC_CROSS_ROOM_NAVIGATION.md` (35 min)
   - Reference: implementation approach, error handling
   - Use: architecture diagrams for room transitions

---

## Key Concepts

### Feature 1: Waypoint Patrol

```json
{
  "patrol": {
    "waypoints": [
      {"x": 3, "y": 3},
      {"x": 6, "y": 6},
      {"x": 3, "y": 6}
    ],
    "waypointMode": "sequential"  // or "random"
  }
}
```

**Key Points:**
- ✅ Tile coordinates (3-8 range)
- ✅ Validates walkable
- ✅ Sequential or random selection
- ✅ Optional dwell time
- ✅ Falls back gracefully

---

### Feature 2: Cross-Room Navigation

```json
{
  "startRoom": "lobby",
  "patrol": {
    "multiRoom": true,
    "route": [
      {"room": "lobby", "waypoints": [...]},
      {"room": "hallway", "waypoints": [...]}
    ]
  }
}
```

**Key Points:**
- ✅ Spans multiple connected rooms
- ✅ All route rooms pre-loaded
- ✅ NPC teleports between rooms
- ✅ Validates connections
- ✅ Falls back gracefully

---

## Configuration Examples

### Simple Waypoint Patrol
```json
{
  "id": "guard",
  "behavior": {
    "patrol": {
      "enabled": true,
      "speed": 100,
      "waypoints": [
        {"x": 3, "y": 3},
        {"x": 6, "y": 3},
        {"x": 6, "y": 6}
      ]
    }
  }
}
```
**Result:** Guard follows 3-waypoint route sequentially

---

### Waypoint with Dwell
```json
{
  "id": "checkpoint_guard",
  "behavior": {
    "patrol": {
      "enabled": true,
      "speed": 60,
      "waypoints": [
        {"x": 4, "y": 3, "dwellTime": 3000},
        {"x": 4, "y": 7, "dwellTime": 3000}
      ]
    }
  }
}
```
**Result:** Guard stands at each checkpoint for 3 seconds

---

### Multi-Room Patrol
```json
{
  "id": "security",
  "startRoom": "lobby",
  "behavior": {
    "patrol": {
      "enabled": true,
      "speed": 80,
      "multiRoom": true,
      "route": [
        {"room": "lobby", "waypoints": [{"x": 4, "y": 3}]},
        {"room": "hallway", "waypoints": [{"x": 3, "y": 4}]},
        {"room": "office", "waypoints": [{"x": 5, "y": 5}]}
      ]
    }
  }
}
```
**Result:** Guard patrols through 3 rooms in sequence

---

## File Changes Summary

### Phase 1 (Waypoint Patrol)

**Modified Files:**
- `js/systems/npc-behavior.js`
  - `parseConfig()` - Add waypoint parsing
  - `chooseNewPatrolTarget()` - Add waypoint selection
  - `updatePatrol()` - Add dwell time

**New Methods:**
- `validateWaypoints()` - Waypoint validation
- `getNextWaypoint()` - Waypoint selection logic

---

### Phase 2 (Multi-Room Routes)

**Modified Files:**
- `js/systems/npc-behavior.js`
  - `transitionToNextRoom()` - Room transition logic

- `js/systems/npc-pathfinding.js`
  - `findPathAcrossRooms()` - Cross-room pathfinding
  - `getRoomConnectionDoor()` - Door detection

- `js/systems/npc-sprites.js`
  - `relocateNPCSprite()` - Sprite relocation

- `js/core/rooms.js`
  - Pre-load multi-room routes

---

## Performance Impact

### Memory
- **Phase 1:** ~1KB per NPC (waypoint list)
- **Phase 2:** ~160KB per loaded room × number of rooms

### CPU
- **Phase 1:** No additional cost (uses existing pathfinding)
- **Phase 2:** ~50ms per room (one-time pathfinder init)

### Result
- Phase 1: ✅ Negligible impact
- Phase 2: 🟡 Acceptable for most scenarios

---

## Testing Checklist

### Phase 1 Tests
- [ ] Waypoint patrol enabled
- [ ] NPC follows waypoints in order
- [ ] NPC reaches each waypoint
- [ ] NPC loops back to start
- [ ] Waypoint validation rejects invalid waypoints
- [ ] Fallback to random patrol works
- [ ] Dwell time pauses correctly
- [ ] Console shows waypoint selection

### Phase 2 Tests
- [ ] NPC spawns in startRoom
- [ ] NPC patrols first room
- [ ] NPC transitions to next room
- [ ] Sprite appears in new room
- [ ] NPC continues patrol in new room
- [ ] NPC loops through all rooms
- [ ] Route validation catches errors
- [ ] Graceful fallback if route invalid

---

## Common Questions

**Q: Which feature do I implement first?**
A: Phase 1 (waypoints) first. It's simpler and Foundation for Phase 2.

**Q: Are these backward compatible?**
A: Yes! Existing scenarios work unchanged. New features are opt-in.

**Q: Can both features be used together?**
A: Yes! Waypoints are used within multi-room routes.

**Q: What if a waypoint is unreachable?**
A: NPC logs warning and falls back to random patrol.

**Q: How much memory do multi-room routes need?**
A: ~160KB per loaded room. For 3 rooms: ~480KB total.

---

## Troubleshooting Guide

### Waypoint Issues
1. NPC not following waypoints
   - Check console for validation errors
   - Verify waypoints are within bounds (3-8 range)
   - Verify waypoints are walkable (not in walls)

2. NPC stuck on waypoint
   - Verify waypoint reachable via pathfinding
   - Check for obstacles between waypoints
   - Try adjusting waypoint position

### Multi-Room Issues
1. NPC not transitioning between rooms
   - Verify all route rooms exist in scenario
   - Check rooms are connected with doors
   - Verify `startRoom` exists

2. Performance issues
   - Check total rooms loaded (may exceed memory)
   - Consider reducing number of route rooms
   - Add dwell time to slow movement

---

## Next Steps

### Immediate
1. ✅ Read `NPC_FEATURES_COMPLETE_SUMMARY.md`
2. ✅ Review configuration examples
3. ✅ Understand feature comparison

### Before Implementation
1. Read `NPC_PATROL_WAYPOINTS.md`
2. Review code change requirements
3. Check integration points

### Implementation
1. Start Phase 1 (2-4 hours)
2. Create test scenario
3. Verify with console debugging
4. Then proceed to Phase 2

---

## Document Statistics

```
Total Documentation: 7 comprehensive guides
Total Word Count: ~15,000+ words
Total Code Examples: 20+ examples
Total Diagrams: 12+ diagrams/flowcharts
Implementation Effort: 6-12 hours total
Risk Level: Low (Phase 1) to Medium (Phase 2)
Complexity: Medium overall
```

---

## Document Cross-References

```
NPC_FEATURES_COMPLETE_SUMMARY.md
├─ References: All other documents
└─ Referenced by: Quick reference guide

NPC_WAYPOINTS_AND_CROSSROOM_QUICK_REFERENCE.md
├─ References: Implementation details in feature specs
└─ Referenced by: All implementation documents

NPC_PATROL_WAYPOINTS.md (Feature 1)
├─ References: Visual architecture, quick reference
└─ Referenced by: Implementation guide

NPC_CROSS_ROOM_NAVIGATION.md (Feature 2)
├─ References: Visual architecture, quick reference
└─ Referenced by: Implementation guide

NPC_FEATURES_VISUAL_ARCHITECTURE.md
├─ References: All feature documents
└─ Referenced by: Implementation guides

PATROL_CONFIGURATION_GUIDE.md
├─ References: Existing system (random patrol)
└─ Referenced by: Quick reference, complete summary
```

---

## Support & Questions

### For Overview
→ `NPC_FEATURES_COMPLETE_SUMMARY.md`

### For Configuration
→ `NPC_WAYPOINTS_AND_CROSSROOM_QUICK_REFERENCE.md`

### For Implementation (Phase 1)
→ `NPC_PATROL_WAYPOINTS.md`

### For Implementation (Phase 2)
→ `NPC_CROSS_ROOM_NAVIGATION.md`

### For Architecture
→ `NPC_FEATURES_VISUAL_ARCHITECTURE.md`

### For Existing System
→ `PATROL_CONFIGURATION_GUIDE.md`

---

## Ready to Implement? 🚀

All documentation is complete and ready for development!

**Recommended Next Step:**
1. Read `NPC_FEATURES_COMPLETE_SUMMARY.md` (5 min)
2. Review configuration examples
3. Start Phase 1 implementation using `NPC_PATROL_WAYPOINTS.md`

**Good luck! Let me know if you have questions about the design.** ✅

