# 🚀 Quick Start: Begin Implementation Now

**This is your entry point.** Start here.

---

## What You Need to Know

✅ **Complete planning is done** - 9 comprehensive documents ready  
✅ **Implementation guide ready** - `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md` has everything  
✅ **You can start immediately** - No dependencies, clear steps  
✅ **Expected duration** - 22-30 hours, sequential phases

---

## Your First 5 Steps

### Step 1️⃣: Read the Development Guide
```bash
# Open this file in your editor:
planning_notes/npc/prepare_for_server_client/05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md
```
**Time**: 15-20 minutes  
**Why**: Understand the full approach before coding anything  
**What to look for**: Phase structure, TODO items, success criteria

### Step 2️⃣: Run the Dev Server
```bash
cd /home/cliffe/Files/Projects/Code/BreakEscape/BreakEscape
python3 -m http.server
# Access: http://localhost:8000/scenario_select.html
```
**Time**: 2 minutes  
**Why**: Need running game to test as you go

### Step 3️⃣: Begin Phase 0 (Setup & Understanding)
From `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md`, follow **Phase 0** section:
- Read the identified code files
- Understand current NPC loading
- Verify assumptions

**Time**: 1-2 hours  
**Expected Output**: Deep understanding of current architecture

### Step 4️⃣: Begin Phase 1 (Scenario JSON Migration)
From `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md`, follow **Phase 1** section:
- Update scenario JSON format
- Move person NPCs to rooms
- Keep phone NPCs at root

**Time**: 3-4 hours  
**Expected Output**: Scenarios updated to new format

### Step 5️⃣: Begin Phase 2 (NPCLazyLoader Creation)
From `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md`, follow **Phase 2** section:
- Create new lazy-loader module
- Add unregisterNPC to npcManager
- Test with validation commands

**Time**: 4-5 hours  
**Expected Output**: Lazy loader module ready

---

## The Master Plan

```
Phase 0  │ Setup & Understanding       │ 1-2 hrs │ ⏳ Ready
Phase 1  │ Scenario JSON Migration    │ 3-4 hrs │ ⏳ Ready
Phase 2  │ NPCLazyLoader Creation     │ 4-5 hrs │ ⏳ Ready
Phase 3  │ Wire Into Room Loading     │ 4-5 hrs │ ⏳ Ready
Phase 4  │ Phone NPCs in Rooms        │ 2-3 hrs │ ⏳ Ready
Phase 5  │ Testing & Validation       │ 6-8 hrs │ ⏳ Ready
Phase 6  │ Documentation & Cleanup    │ 2-3 hrs │ ⏳ Ready
─────────┼────────────────────────────┼─────────┼──────────
TOTAL    │ Full Implementation        │22-30 hrs│ Ready!
```

**Each phase has clear TODO items, validation steps, and test procedures.**

---

## Navigation Map

| Document | Purpose | When to Read |
|----------|---------|--------------|
| **05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md** | **👈 START HERE** | Right now (primary actionable guide) |
| `IMPLEMENTATION_STATUS.md` | Track progress | Between phases (status updates) |
| `00-executive_summary.md` | Quick context | If you need decision background |
| `01-lazy_load_plan.md` | Technical deep-dive | If you have technical questions |
| `02-scenario_migration_guide.md` | JSON format examples | During Phase 1 |
| `04-testing_checklist.md` | Testing procedures | During Phase 5 |
| `VISUAL_GUIDE.md` | Diagrams & reference | Anytime for quick lookup |
| `README.md` | Full navigation | If lost |

---

## Key Files You'll Be Editing

### Phase 0 (Understanding - no changes yet)
- Read: `js/core/game.js`
- Read: `js/systems/npc-manager.js`
- Read: `js/core/rooms.js`

### Phase 1 (JSON Migration)
- Edit: `scenarios/ceo_exfil.json`
- Edit: `scenarios/npc-sprite-test2.json`
- Edit: `scenarios/biometric_breach.json`

### Phase 2 (Core Logic)
- Create: `js/systems/npc-lazy-loader.js`
- Edit: `js/systems/npc-manager.js` (add unregisterNPC)

### Phase 3 (Integration)
- Edit: `js/main.js`
- Edit: `js/core/rooms.js`
- Edit: `js/core/game.js`

### Phase 4-6 (Refinement)
- Edit: Scenario files
- Create: Test files
- Edit: Documentation

---

## Success Indicators

After each phase, you should see:

**Phase 0**: ✅ "Wow, I understand how NPCs load currently"  
**Phase 1**: ✅ "All scenarios updated to new JSON format"  
**Phase 2**: ✅ "NPCLazyLoader module compiles and tests pass"  
**Phase 3**: ✅ "Game loads rooms with NPCs appearing on demand"  
**Phase 4**: ✅ "Phone NPCs work when defined in rooms"  
**Phase 5**: ✅ "All tests pass, manual testing complete"  
**Phase 6**: ✅ "Documentation updated, ready for future work"  

---

## Red Flags (If You See These, Check Documentation)

🚨 **"NPC not found for unregistration"** → Check NPCLazyLoader is calling unloadNPCsForRoom  
🚨 **"Cannot read property 'npcs' of undefined"** → Check scenario.rooms structure  
🚨 **"Sprite sheet not found"** → Check person NPC has spriteSheet field  
🚨 **"ReferenceError: window.npcLazyLoader is undefined"** → Check initialization in main.js  
🚨 **"Ink story failed to load"** → Check story path and file exists  

**Solution for all**: Check console logs, search for `❌` emoji, read error messages

---

## Questions Before You Start?

**Q: Do I need to do all 6 phases now?**  
A: Yes. Each phase depends on previous. Do them sequentially.

**Q: What if a test fails?**  
A: Check the specific TODO item, read the validation section, debug using console logs.

**Q: Can I skip Phase 5 (testing)?**  
A: Not recommended. Tests catch regressions. Phase 5 includes comprehensive manual testing.

**Q: Do I need server work for this?**  
A: No. Server validation is Phase 4+ (future). This is client-side architecture only.

**Q: What if I get stuck?**  
A: 1) Check console for errors with ❌ emoji  
     2) Re-read relevant TODO section  
     3) Check validation commands  
     4) Review examples in `02-scenario_migration_guide.md`

---

## Let's Go! 🎯

1. **Open**: `planning_notes/npc/prepare_for_server_client/05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md`
2. **Read**: Entire document (takes ~30 min)
3. **Understand**: Architecture and phases
4. **Start**: Phase 0 - Code Review
5. **Execute**: Each TODO item sequentially
6. **Validate**: After each phase
7. **Celebrate**: When done! 🎉

**You have everything you need. Let's build a clean NPC architecture!**

---

**Last Updated**: November 6, 2025  
**Status**: Ready to implement  
**Next Action**: Open `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md` and begin Phase 0
