# NPC Lazy-Loading Implementation Status

**Project**: Break Escape - NPC Lazy-Loading Architecture  
**Started**: November 6, 2025  
**Status**: ⏳ Planning complete, ready to implement  
**Target**: Clean NPC architecture + lazy-loading to prevent config cheating

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## Planning Documents (✅ Complete)

| Document | Lines | Purpose | Status |
|----------|-------|---------|--------|
| `00-executive_summary.md` | 449 | Leadership overview, decisions | ✅ Updated Nov 6 |
| `01-lazy_load_plan.md` | 1,023 | Full technical architecture | ✅ Complete |
| `02-scenario_migration_guide.md` | 587 | Content migration instructions | ✅ Complete |
| `03-server_api_specification.md` | 857 | REST API design (reference) | ✅ Complete |
| `04-testing_checklist.md` | 718 | QA procedures | ✅ Complete |
| `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md` | 822 | **PRIMARY ACTIONABLE GUIDE** | ✅ Complete |
| `README.md` | 448 | Navigation guide | ✅ Complete |
| `VISUAL_GUIDE.md` | 594 | Diagrams and quick reference | ✅ Complete |
| `DELIVERY_SUMMARY.md` | 395 | Project completion summary | ✅ Complete |

**Total Planning**: 5,893 lines of documentation

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## Implementation Phases (⏳ Ready to Start)

### Phase 0: Setup & Understanding (1-2 hours) ⏳ NOT STARTED
**Next Action**: Review current code  
**Key Files**: 
- `js/core/game.js` (lines 448-468)
- `js/systems/npc-manager.js`
- `js/core/rooms.js`

### Phase 1: Scenario JSON Migration (3-4 hours) ⏳ NOT STARTED
**Next Action**: Move person NPCs from root to `rooms[roomId].npcs`  
**Key Files**:
- `scenarios/ceo_exfil.json`
- `scenarios/npc-sprite-test2.json`
- `scenarios/biometric_breach.json`
- Others as needed

### Phase 2: NPCLazyLoader Creation (4-5 hours) ⏳ NOT STARTED
**Next Action**: Create new module `js/systems/npc-lazy-loader.js`  
**Key Files**:
- `js/systems/npc-lazy-loader.js` (new)
- `js/systems/npc-manager.js` (add unregisterNPC method)

### Phase 3: Wire Into Room Loading (4-5 hours) ⏳ NOT STARTED
**Next Action**: Update room loading to call lazy-loader  
**Key Files**:
- `js/main.js` (initialize lazy loader)
- `js/core/rooms.js` (hook into loadRoom)
- `js/core/game.js` (register only root NPCs)

### Phase 4: Phone NPCs in Rooms (2-3 hours) ⏳ NOT STARTED
**Next Action**: Support phone NPCs defined in rooms  
**Key Files**:
- `js/core/game.js` (filter root NPC registration)
- `js/systems/npc-lazy-loader.js` (already supports)

### Phase 5: Testing & Validation (6-8 hours) ⏳ NOT STARTED
**Next Action**: Create unit and integration tests  
**Key Files**:
- `test/npc-lazy-loader.test.js` (new)
- `test/npc-manager.test.js` (update)
- Manual testing on real scenarios

### Phase 6: Documentation & Cleanup (2-3 hours) ⏳ NOT STARTED
**Next Action**: Update copilot instructions and README  
**Key Files**:
- `js/core/copilot-instructions.md`
- `js/systems/NPC_ARCHITECTURE.md` (new)
- Root `README.md`

**Total Estimated Time**: 22-30 hours

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## Key Decisions Made

✅ **NPC Definition Location**
- Phone NPCs: Root level `npcs[]` (global, load at startup)
- Person NPCs: Room level `rooms[roomId].npcs[]` (scoped, lazy-load)
- Phone NPCs in rooms: Also supported in `rooms[roomId].npcs[]`

✅ **Loading Strategy**
- Lazy-load when room enters (prevents config inspection)
- Unload when room exits (clean up memory)
- Cache Ink stories to avoid refetching

✅ **Backward Compatibility**
- Lazy loader can fall back to old format if needed
- No breaking changes to existing scenarios initially
- Plan: Full migration optional after validation

✅ **Server Readiness**
- Client handles: Dialogue, animations, event logic
- Server validates: Room access, item unlocks, objectives (future)
- Foundation clean for Phase 4+ integration

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## How to Continue

### Starting Implementation
1. Read `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md` carefully
2. Start with **Phase 0: Setup & Understanding**
3. Follow each TODO item sequentially
4. Test after each phase with validation commands provided
5. Move to next phase only when current phase tests pass

### Questions to Answer First
- [ ] Have you read `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md` completely?
- [ ] Do you understand current NPC loading architecture?
- [ ] Do you understand the room loading lifecycle?
- [ ] Are you ready to start Phase 0?

### Support Resources
- `05-DEVELOPMENT_GUIDE.md` - Detailed step-by-step instructions
- `01-lazy_load_plan.md` - Technical deep-dive
- `02-scenario_migration_guide.md` - JSON format examples
- `03-server_api_specification.md` - Reference (ignore for now)
- `04-testing_checklist.md` - Testing procedures
- Console logs will show progress (✅, ℹ️, ❌ emoji prefix)

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## Success Criteria

✅ Project is successful when ALL of these are true:

1. NPCs load on demand (when room enters)
2. Phone NPCs available at game start
3. Person NPCs defined in rooms (not global)
4. All test scenarios work with new format
5. Unit tests pass (>90% coverage)
6. Integration tests pass
7. Manual testing passes all scenarios
8. Documentation updated
9. No regressions in existing gameplay
10. Architecture is clean & maintainable for future server work

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## Last Updated
- **Date**: November 6, 2025
- **By**: GitHub Copilot (AI Assistant)
- **Next**: Phase 0 - Code Review (when you're ready to begin)
