Skip to content

Documentation Formatting and Rules Enhancement (January 21, 2025)

Major documentation refactoring focused on standardizing markdown formatting and reorganizing content structure. Implemented Python-Markdown configuration across all documentation files. Consolidated combat system documentation from individual files into a centralized structure under world_building/. Removed redundant version history sections (29 files) and replaced with monitoring metrics. Migrated AI Development Index to meta/implementation/ai/. Updated mkdocs.yml with streamlined navigation and enhanced styling. Added Windsurf rules for automated log and social update formatting.

Session Overview

type: Documentation and Infrastructure
duration_hours: 11
hashtags: [documentation-format, python-markdown, windsurf-rules, combat-system, navigation-structure, mkdocs, material-theme, game-dev, cultural-gaming, edge-ai, build-in-public, raspberry-pi, ai-gaming]

blockers: None

Focus Areas

Key Focus Points

  • Documentation formatting standardization

  • Combat system reorganization

  • Navigation structure optimization

  • Markdown configuration

  • Content consolidation

  • Documentation automation

Changes Made

Documentation Structure

Structure Changes

  • Implemented Python-Markdown configuration:

    • Added auto-format settings for *.md files

    • Configured program settings in .windsurfrules

    • Standardized list formatting using *

  • Reorganized combat system documentation:

    • Migrated from combat_system/ to world_building/

    • Consolidated 6 class files into single classes.md

    • Updated balance_and_meta.md with concrete examples

    • Added comprehensive testing methodologies

  • Optimized navigation structure:

    • Enhanced mkdocs.yml organization

    • Added purple section labels

    • Implemented consistent bold weights

    • Maintained sticky navigation features

  • Migrated key documentation:

    • Moved AI Development Index to meta/implementation/ai/

Improvements

  • Refactored documentation structure for better organization and readability

  • Updated mkdocs.yml to reflect new navigation structure

Script Relocation

Script Updates

  • Moved scripts to dedicated directories for better separation of concerns

  • Updated paths in Makefile and GitHub Actions workflows to reflect new locations

Python-Markdown Configuration

Configuration Changes

  • Implemented Python-Markdown configuration across all documentation files.

  • Standardized formatting and ensured consistency throughout the documentation.

GitHub Actions

GitHub Actions Updates

  • Updated GitHub Actions workflow to ensure compatibility with new script locations.

Content Updates

Content Updates

  • Enhanced combat system documentation:

    • Added role specialization examples

    • Documented synergy and counter mechanics

    • Updated resource economy details

    • Added meta-game considerations

  • Updated character system:

    • Consolidated class documentation

    • Simplified stat system

    • Removed luck attribute

    • Added team composition analysis

  • Added automation rules:

    • Implemented pre-create hooks for logs

    • Added format consistency checks

    • Automated social update formatting

    • Added documentation review requirements

  • Added Wraithwood Seer class with psychic abilities and ESP powers

  • Updated class comparisons and team compositions

  • Added new synergies and balance considerations

  • Integrated Wraithwood Grove lore into world-building

Code Formatting and Linting

Code Formatting and Linting

  • Enhanced code formatting and linting:

    • Added autopep8 for automatic Python code style fixes

    • Updated flake8 configuration to ignore site/ directory

    • Increased max line length to 100 characters

    • Added whitespace and blank line rules

  • Improved documentation scripts:

    • Fixed unused imports across validation scripts

    • Standardized string quotes and formatting

    • Enhanced code organization with proper spacing

  • Updated README:

    • Added autoformat command documentation

    • Clarified linting success behavior

    • Added log management script descriptions

Image Management

Image Processing Updates

  • Enhanced image_processing.py:

    • Added check mode with --check flag

    • Added directory scanning with --directory

    • Added logging with timestamps

    • Added image validation

  • Improved image processing:

    • Automatic metadata removal

    • Size optimization

    • DPI standardization

    • Format validation

  • Added Makefile targets:

    • check-images: Verify image optimization

    • process-images: Run image processing

  • GitHub Actions integration:

    • Added image check step

    • Added image processing step

    • Added validation before deployment

    • Added automatic optimization

Improvements

  • Automated image optimization

  • Added validation checks

  • Enhanced logging output

  • Improved error handling

  • Added GitHub Actions integration

  • Simplified image processing workflow

Documentation Updates

README Updates

Updated project README to document the complete development journey through research spikes:

  • Added reference to the original Simulat33 prototype (Python/Jupyter implementation)

  • Added reference to huMon-gen spike for character stat generation and balancing

  • Added reference to golang_turnbased_game_spike

  • Clarified how each spike contributed to the current implementation

Combat Balance Analysis

Analysis Overview

Using AI-driven analysis of Schreiber and Romero's "Game Balance" book, we extracted and systematized key balance principles applicable to our combat system. The analysis focused on translating theoretical concepts into concrete, measurable parameters while maintaining the core game design vision.

Balance Fundamentals

  • Core Principles

    • Quantifiable metrics for objective assessment

    • Role differentiation with flexibility

    • Dynamic combat pacing

    • Meaningful strategic choices

    • Purposeful complexity

Character Roles

  • Tank

    • Focus: Damage mitigation and control

    • Primary: Defensive abilities

    • Secondary: Crowd control

  • Support

    • Focus: Team buffs and healing

    • Primary: Healing abilities

    • Secondary: Utility spells

  • DPS

    • Focus: Damage output

    • Primary: Sustained or burst damage

    • Secondary: Self-buffs

  • Hybrid

    • Focus: Versatility

    • Primary: Mixed abilities

    • Secondary: Role flexibility

Resource Systems

Resource Management

  • Primary Resource

    • Energy (100 base)

    • Universal across classes

  • Secondary Resources

    • Class-specific mechanics

    • Unique generation methods

  • Cooldown System

    • Major abilities: 3-5 turns

    • Ultimate abilities: 8-10 turns

Combat Mechanics

  • Turn Structure

    • Speed determines order

    • Major and minor actions

  • Effect Duration

    • Status effects: 2-3 turns

    • Crowd control: 1 turn max

  • Action Economy

    • 1 major + 1 minor per turn

    • Movement separate from actions

Balance Metrics

Critical Thresholds

  • Win Rates

    • Target: 45-55%

    • Maximum: 60%

    • Minimum: 40%

  • Match Duration

    • Average: 5-7 minutes

    • Maximum: 15 minutes

  • Resource Usage

    • 70-80% efficiency target

    • No resource waste mechanics

Meta Management

  • Patch Schedule

    • Minor: Every 2 weeks

    • Major: Every 3 months

  • Balance Process

    • Data collection

    • Community feedback

    • Tournament analysis

    • AI simulation testing

Technical Details

File Changes

modified_files: 29
created_files: 1
deleted_files: 9
file_patterns:
  - "*.md"

  - "docs/*.md"

  - "docs/meta/logs/*.md"

  - "docs/meta/social/**/*.md"

Configuration Updates

markdown:
  auto_format: true
  program: python-markdown

  bullet_style: "*"

  indentation: 4 spaces

pre_create_hooks:
  logs:
    - Review 3 random existing logs

    - Check current day updates

    - Enforce format consistency

  social:
    - Review existing format

    - Check current day updates

    - Maintain consistency

structure_updates:
  - Moved combat system to world_building/

  - Relocated AI Development Index

  - Updated cross-references

  - Enhanced section styling

Challenges and Solutions

  • Challenge: Fragmented combat system documentation

    • Solution: Consolidated into world_building/ with centralized files

  • Challenge: Inconsistent markdown formatting

    • Solution: Implemented Python-Markdown configuration with standardized rules

  • Challenge: Documentation maintenance overhead

    • Solution: Added automated pre-create hooks and format checks

  • Challenge: Navigation complexity

    • Solution: Streamlined structure and enhanced visual hierarchy

Additional Updates

Documentation Automation

Automation Updates

  • Enhanced GitHub Actions workflow:

    • Added image processing automation

    • Added validation before deployment

    • Added code style checks

    • Improved deployment reliability

  • Added development hours tracking:

    • Created calculate_dev_hours.py script

    • Fixed script to only modify index.md

    • Added total hours display to main page

    • Fixed duplicate counter text issue

  • Added documentation formatting:

    • Created format_docs.py script

    • Added automatic formatting to validation

    • Fixed spacing and whitespace issues

    • Enhanced markdown consistency

  • Enhanced code style:

    • Added ruff for fast linting with auto-fix

    • Configured black and isort

    • Added lenient code style rules

    • Integrated with GitHub Actions

Improvements

  • Automated image processing in deployment

  • Added development progress tracking

  • Enhanced log file consistency

  • Improved deployment workflow

  • Added automatic documentation formatting

  • Enhanced markdown validation

  • Added automated code style checks

  • Simplified development workflow

Documentation Scripts

Script Updates

  • Enhanced calculate_dev_hours.py:

    • Fixed duplicate counter text issue

    • Improved regex pattern for admonition

    • Fixed to only modify index.md

    • Enhanced logging output

  • Updated format_docs.py:

    • Added support for nested admonitions

    • Fixed spacing in lists

    • Improved whitespace handling

    • Enhanced markdown consistency

  • Updated update_logs.py:

    • Fixed to exclude README.md

    • Improved file collection logic

    • Added better error handling

    • Enhanced logging

  • Enhanced Makefile:

    • Combined format targets

    • Fixed update-docs target

    • Updated help text

    • Improved target organization

Changes

  • Fixed development hours counter

  • Improved documentation formatting

  • Fixed script file handling

  • Updated deployment process

  • Added code style automation

Recent Updates

  1. Enhanced Makefile commands:

  2. Renamed scrub-images to process-images for clarity

  3. Added automatic validation after processing

  4. Improved command descriptions and prompts

  5. Added comprehensive image optimization steps

  6. Updated documentation terminology:

  7. More inclusive language for image processing

  8. Better descriptions of optimization features

  9. Clearer command usage instructions

  10. Added detailed processing steps

  11. Automated Documentation Workflow:

  12. Added image processing to GitHub Actions

  13. Automated validation before deployment

  14. Added pull request checks

  15. Improved deployment reliability

  16. Files Modified:

    • Makefile: Updated image processing commands

    • docs/scripts/README.md: Updated terminology

    • docs/scripts/image_management/README.md: Improved documentation

    • .github/workflows/deploy-docs.yml: Enhanced deployment

  17. Improvements:

    • Automated image optimization

    • Enhanced documentation clarity

    • Improved code organization

    • Enhanced deployment reliability

Notes

* All scripts now have clear installation instructions

* Documentation is consistently formatted

* Code style is enforced automatically

* Images are optimized during deployment