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+# Mission 3 Scenario Creation Status
+
+**Date:** 2025-12-27
+**Task:** Create scenario files for Mission 3 "Ghost in the Machine"
+**Status:** IN PROGRESS - Schema Validation Issues Identified
+
+---
+
+## Files Created
+
+### ✅ mission.json
+**Location:** `/scenarios/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/mission.json`
+**Status:** Complete and committed
+**Commit:** `a743d49`
+
+**Contents:**
+- Display name: "Ghost in the Machine"
+- Difficulty level: 2 (intermediate)
+- Collection: season_1
+- 6 CyBOK knowledge areas (NS, MAT, AC, HF, SS, RM)
+- Complete mission description
+
+**Validation:** No errors (mission.json not validated separately)
+
+---
+
+### ⚠️ scenario.json.erb
+**Location:** `/scenarios/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/scenario.json.erb`
+**Status:** Created but requires schema fixes
+**Commits:**
+- `de283bb` - Initial scenario structure
+- `9a888c2` - Fix Unicode arrow character
+- `f76d90e` - Add JSON escaping for multi-line content
+- `ecbbbec` - Backup before restructuring
+
+**Current State:**
+- ERB rendering: ✅ Success (no syntax errors)
+- JSON validity: ✅ Valid JSON structure
+- Schema validation: ❌ 46 validation errors
+
+---
+
+## Validation Results
+
+**Validation Command:**
+```bash
+ruby scripts/validate_scenario.rb scenarios/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/scenario.json.erb
+```
+
+**Summary:**
+- ✓ ERB rendered successfully
+- ✓ Valid JSON output
+- ✗ Schema validation failed with 46 error(s)
+
+### Critical Schema Issues
+
+#### 1. Objectives Structure (4 errors)
+**Problem:** Missing required 'order' field on all 4 objectives
+
+**Error Messages:**
+```
+The property '#/objectives/0' did not contain a required property of 'order'
+The property '#/objectives/1' did not contain a required property of 'order'
+The property '#/objectives/2' did not contain a required property of 'order'
+The property '#/objectives/3' did not contain a required property of 'order'
+```
+
+**Current Structure:**
+```json
+{
+  "aimId": "main_mission",
+  "title": "Zero Day Intelligence",
+  "status": "active",
+  "optional": false,
+  "aims": [...]
+}
+```
+
+**Required Structure:**
+```json
+{
+  "aimId": "main_mission",
+  "title": "Zero Day Intelligence",
+  "status": "active",
+  "order": 0,
+  "tasks": [...]
+}
+```
+
+**Additional Issue:** Current structure uses nested "aims" arrays, but schema expects flat objectives with "tasks" arrays directly.
+
+---
+
+#### 2. Room Type Missing (7 rooms × 1 error = 7 errors)
+**Problem:** All 7 rooms missing required 'type' field
+
+**Error Messages:**
+```
+The property '#/rooms/reception_lobby' did not contain a required property of 'type'
+The property '#/rooms/main_hallway' did not contain a required property of 'type'
+The property '#/rooms/conference_room_01' did not contain a required property of 'type'
+...
+```
+
+**Valid Room Types (from schema):**
+- room_reception
+- room_office
+- room_ceo
+- room_closet
+- room_servers
+- room_lab
+- small_room_1x1gu
+- hall_1x2gu
+
+**Fix Needed:**
+```json
+"reception_lobby": {
+  "type": "room_reception",  // ADD THIS
+  "name": "Reception Lobby",
+  ...
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+#### 3. Object/Item Types Invalid (~20 errors)
+**Problem:** Using custom type values instead of schema enum values
+
+**Invalid Types Used:**
+- "container" - Not in schema
+- "document" - Not in schema
+- "interactable" - Not in schema
+- "terminal" - Not in schema
+- "computer" - Not in schema
+- "usb_device" - Not in schema
+- "email" - Not in schema
+- "lore_document" - Not in schema
+
+**Valid Item Types (from schema):**
+```
+notes, notes4, phone, workstation, lab-workstation, lockpick, key, keycard,
+pc, tablet, safe, suitcase, bluetooth_scanner, fingerprint_kit, pin-cracker,
+vm-launcher, flag-station, text_file, id_badge, rfid_cloner
+```
+
+**Example Fix:**
+```json
+// BEFORE (invalid)
+{
+  "id": "filing_cabinet",
+  "type": "container",
+  "contents": [...]
+}
+
+// AFTER (valid)
+{
+  "type": "safe",  // Use closest valid type
+  "name": "Filing Cabinet",
+  "locked": true,
+  "lockType": "lockpick",
+  ...
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+#### 4. NPC Structure Issues (~10 errors)
+**Problem:** Using wrong property names for NPCs
+
+**Current (Invalid):**
+```json
+{
+  "id": "receptionist_npc",
+  "name": "Receptionist",      // WRONG - should be "displayName"
+  "type": "person",             // WRONG - should be "npcType"
+  "dialogue_script": "...",     // WRONG - should be "storyPath"
+  ...
+}
+```
+
+**Required (Valid):**
+```json
+{
+  "id": "receptionist_npc",
+  "displayName": "Receptionist",    // CORRECT
+  "npcType": "person",              // CORRECT (enum: person|phone)
+  "storyPath": "...",               // CORRECT
+  "position": {"x": 300, "y": 200},
+  ...
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+#### 5. Task Types Missing
+**Problem:** Tasks in objectives don't have required 'type' field
+
+**Required Task Types (from schema):**
+- enter_room
+- npc_conversation
+- collect_items
+- unlock_room
+- unlock_object
+- submit_flags
+- custom
+
+**Example Fix:**
+```json
+{
+  "taskId": "meet_victoria",
+  "title": "Meet Victoria Sterling",
+  "description": "...",
+  "type": "npc_conversation",  // ADD THIS
+  "targetNPC": "victoria_sterling",
+  "status": "active"
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+#### 6. Unsupported Custom Features
+**Problem:** Using features not defined in schema
+
+**Unsupported Features Used:**
+1. **Room-level `events` arrays** - Not in schema
+   ```json
+   "events": [
+     {
+       "id": "operational_logs_spawn",
+       "trigger": "task_completed:distcc_exploit",
+       ...
+     }
+   ]
+   ```
+
+2. **Room-level `dialogue_triggers` arrays** - Not in schema
+   ```json
+   "dialogue_triggers": [
+     {
+       "id": "james_moral_choice",
+       "trigger": "variable:james_innocence_confirmed == true",
+       ...
+     }
+   ]
+   ```
+
+3. **Top-level `phone_contacts` array** - Not in schema
+   ```json
+   "phone_contacts": [...]
+   ```
+
+4. **Top-level `mission_events` array** - Not in schema
+   ```json
+   "mission_events": [...]
+   ```
+
+5. **Top-level `global_variables` object** - Schema uses `globalVariables` (camelCase)
+   ```json
+   "global_variables": {...}  // WRONG
+   "globalVariables": {...}   // CORRECT
+   ```
+
+6. **Custom object properties:**
+   - `contents` arrays - Not in schema
+   - `examination_text` - Not in schema
+   - `position` as `{"x": 3, "y": 2}` for objects - Schema uses pixel coordinates for NPCs only
+
+**Workaround:**
+- Use NPC `eventMappings` for event-driven dialogue
+- Use `timedConversation` for scripted events
+- Phone contacts should be NPCs with `npcType: "phone"`
+- Room events may need to be handled via NPC eventMappings
+
+---
+
+## Working Examples from M2
+
+### Correct Objective Structure
+```json
+{
+  "aimId": "infiltrate_hospital",
+  "title": "Infiltrate Hospital",
+  "description": "Enter hospital and meet key staff",
+  "status": "active",
+  "order": 0,
+  "tasks": [
+    {
+      "taskId": "arrive_at_hospital",
+      "title": "Arrive at hospital reception",
+      "type": "enter_room",
+      "targetRoom": "reception_lobby",
+      "status": "active"
+    },
+    {
+      "taskId": "meet_dr_kim",
+      "title": "Meet Dr. Sarah Kim",
+      "type": "npc_conversation",
+      "targetNPC": "dr_sarah_kim",
+      "status": "locked"
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+### Correct Room Structure
+```json
+"reception_lobby": {
+  "type": "room_reception",
+  "dimensions": {
+    "width": 15,
+    "height": 12
+  },
+  "connections": {
+    "north": "hallway_north",
+    "east": "it_department"
+  },
+  "npcs": [
+    {
+      "id": "receptionist",
+      "displayName": "Hospital Receptionist",
+      "npcType": "person",
+      "position": {"x": 600, "y": 500},
+      "spriteSheet": "hacker-red",
+      "interactionType": "simple_dialogue",
+      "dialogue": "Welcome to the hospital."
+    }
+  ],
+  "objects": [
+    {
+      "type": "notes",
+      "name": "Visitor Log",
+      "takeable": false,
+      "readable": true,
+      "text": "Visitor log content...",
+      "observations": "Notes about the log"
+    },
+    {
+      "type": "safe",
+      "name": "Emergency Equipment Safe",
+      "takeable": false,
+      "locked": true,
+      "lockType": "pin",
+      "keyPins": [1, 9, 8, 7],
+      "difficulty": "medium",
+      "observations": "4-digit PIN safe",
+      "itemsHeld": [
+        {
+          "type": "keycard",
+          "name": "Offline Backup Encryption Keys",
+          "takeable": true
+        }
+      ]
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+### Correct NPC Structure (Phone Contact)
+```json
+{
+  "id": "agent_0x99",
+  "displayName": "Agent 0x99",
+  "npcType": "phone",
+  "storyPath": "scenarios/m02_ransomed_trust/ink/m02_phone_agent0x99.json",
+  "avatar": "assets/npc/avatars/npc_helper.png",
+  "phoneId": "player_phone",
+  "currentKnot": "first_call",
+  "eventMappings": [
+    {
+      "eventPattern": "room_entered:server_room",
+      "targetKnot": "event_server_room_entered",
+      "onceOnly": true
+    }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Required Restructuring Work
+
+### High Priority (Blocking)
+
+1. **Flatten objectives structure**
+   - Convert nested "aims" to top-level objectives
+   - Add "order" field to each objective (0, 1, 2, 3...)
+   - Move tasks from aims to direct objective children
+
+2. **Add missing required fields**
+   - Add "type" to all tasks
+   - Add "type" to all rooms
+   - Convert NPC "name" → "displayName"
+   - Convert NPC "type" → "npcType"
+
+3. **Fix object types**
+   - Replace "container" with appropriate valid types (safe, suitcase, etc.)
+   - Replace "document" with "notes" or "text_file"
+   - Replace "terminal" with "workstation", "pc", or "vm-launcher"
+   - Replace "computer" with "pc"
+   - Remove "interactable" objects or convert to valid types
+
+### Medium Priority (Quality)
+
+4. **Refactor custom features**
+   - Move room-level events to NPC eventMappings
+   - Convert phone_contacts to regular NPCs with npcType: "phone"
+   - Convert mission_events to NPC eventMappings
+   - Rename global_variables → globalVariables
+
+5. **Simplify object structure**
+   - Remove nested "contents" arrays
+   - Use "itemsHeld" array for containers
+   - Remove custom properties not in schema (examination_text, decoded_text, etc.)
+   - Use "observations" and "text" fields appropriately
+
+### Low Priority (Enhancement)
+
+6. **Add recommended fields**
+   - Consider adding `startItemsInInventory` with phone, lockpick, rfid_cloner
+   - Add `player` configuration object
+   - Improve NPC sprite configurations
+
+---
+
+## Estimated Restructuring Effort
+
+**Time Estimate:** 4-6 hours
+
+**Breakdown:**
+1. Objectives restructuring: 1-1.5 hours
+2. Room type additions: 30 minutes
+3. Object type conversions: 1-2 hours
+4. NPC structure fixes: 1 hour
+5. Custom feature refactoring: 1-1.5 hours
+6. Testing and validation fixes: 30-45 minutes
+
+---
+
+## Next Steps
+
+### Option 1: Complete Restructure (Recommended)
+1. Study M2 scenario.json.erb structure in detail
+2. Create simplified M3 scenario matching M2 patterns
+3. Focus on core functionality first (basic objectives, rooms, NPCs)
+4. Validate incrementally after each major section
+5. Expand with advanced features once core validates
+
+### Option 2: Incremental Fixes
+1. Fix objectives (add order, flatten structure)
+2. Run validation → fix next batch of errors
+3. Repeat until validation passes
+4. May take longer but preserves more custom features
+
+### Option 3: Minimal Viable Scenario
+1. Create bare minimum scenario with just:
+   - 3-4 core objectives
+   - 3-4 essential rooms
+   - 2-3 key NPCs
+   - Simplified objects
+2. Get validation passing quickly
+3. Iterate and expand later
+
+---
+
+## Files for Reference
+
+**Schema Definition:**
+- `/scripts/scenario-schema.json` - Complete schema specification
+
+**Working Examples:**
+- `/scenarios/m02_ransomed_trust/scenario.json.erb` - Complete working M2 scenario
+- `/scenarios/m02_ransomed_trust/mission.json` - M2 mission metadata
+
+**M3 Planning Documents:**
+- `/stages/stage_4/objectives.json` - Original M3 objectives structure
+- `/stages/stage_5/room_design.md` - Complete M3 room specifications
+- `/stages/stage_7/*.json` - 9 compiled Ink dialogue scripts
+- `/stages/stage_9_prep/IMPLEMENTATION_ROADMAP.md` - Implementation guide
+
+---
+
+## Current Commit History
+
+```
+ecbbbec - Backup scenario.json.erb before schema restructuring
+f76d90e - Add JSON escaping for multi-line content strings
+9a888c2 - Fix Unicode arrow character in operational log content
+de283bb - Add Mission 3 scenario structure (scenario.json.erb)
+a743d49 - Add Mission 3 metadata (mission.json)
+```
+
+---
+
+## Conclusion
+
+**Status:** Mission 3 scenario files created but require schema compliance fixes
+
+**Immediate Next Action:** Choose restructuring approach (Option 1, 2, or 3) and begin systematic schema compliance work
+
+**Blocker:** 46 schema validation errors must be resolved before scenario can be used in game
+
+**Estimated Time to Working Scenario:** 4-6 hours of focused restructuring work
+
+---
+
+**Document Created:** 2025-12-27
+**Last Updated:** 2025-12-27
+**Status:** SCENARIO CREATION IN PROGRESS - SCHEMA FIXES REQUIRED