- Introduce a dynamic "system" research category built at runtime with two techs: `{System} Map` (granted on entry) and `Unlock {System} Jumpgates` (researchable once every NAV point is discovered).
- Wire gate activation through the research effects seam so completing the jumpgate tech activates the system's gates plus linked return gates, anchors level-1 tethers at each activated gate, and saves/restores via a new `activatedGates` set.
- Extend ResearchModel with optional tree hooks (`available`, `lockNote`) so dynamic categories can gate research on live world state without adding static requires.
- Add map and gate procedural icons, update tests for the new category contract and icon roster, and document the system category in project notes.
- Define the two-sided unlock contract: research nodes declare `unlocks.builds`/`unlocks.research`, builds declare `requires` as "category/node id" (authoritative gate); ResearchModel exposes `unlocksOf`, `buildDefs`, `unlockIssues`, `buildIssues`
- Add `tether-l2` build entry (planet/station targets, credits+minerals cost, level-2 tether effect) and link it from `exploration/tether_l2`
- Show an UNLOCKS line in the research dossier so the console surfaces what a tech opens
- Extend dev/research-builds.test.mjs to validate both sides of the gate and the new model helpers
- Update data/builds.json, research.json, exploration.json `_comment`s and PROJECT_NOTES to document the contract
- Full-screen RESEARCH window: looping archive feed, category tabs, branching
DAG tech tree (top-down layout), per-tech dossier + RESEARCH button, deck
progress bar
- Pure rules layer (ResearchModel / ResearchState) is Node-testable; the
window is a passive view and GameScene owns effects, toasts, and saves
- First category **Exploration** (Tether Level 1–4, Tether Anchoring, Signal
Amplification) lives in data/research/exploration.json; adding a category
= one JSON file + one registry line + one manifest line
- Effects seam: `tether.level` grows the home tether via TetherField.setLevel;
`capability` flags land on scene.researchCapabilities for future systems
- Save/restore round-trips an in-flight project (remainingMs captured at save,
startedAt rebuilt on load); old saves without research still load
- Dev tooling: dev/cdp-shot.mjs (CDP screenshot with readiness wait),
dev/research-shot.html/.mjs (boots the console + starts a run for a shot)
- Assets: gasgiant planet frame 03, takeoff/landing clips, research-computer
feed; planets.png/.psd updated
- New ActionBar component (js/ui/ActionBar.js) renders a procedural cyberpunk
bottom bar with six slots (Research, Build, Ship, two reserved, Menu),
boot flicker, rail comet, glitch bursts, and RGB shimmer; fully driven by
data/actionbar.json
- Data contracts for the player's progression loop: research.json (time-based,
one project at a time, gates builds/research) and builds.json (credits +
minerals, ship/planet/station categories), both with _template docs and
empty maps; registered in manifest.json
- GameScene wires the deck in, routes clicks over it away from fly-to, pins
the hint above the bar, and drives per-frame update/shutdown
- New dev/research-builds.test.mjs pins the data contract (manifest entries,
rule knobs, template fields, six-slot order)
- cdpshot.mjs: cross-platform temp dir + --no-sandbox for container/CI
- README and PROJECT_NOTES updated with the new loop, deck docs, and a Phaser
v4 scrollFactor-on-screen-fixed-container quirk
Brian Fertig