# Decision History Log ## Project Foundation Decisions ### Technology Stack Selection **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Use Vanilla HTML5/JavaScript instead of frameworks **Rationale**: - Maximum performance with minimal overhead - No build system complexity for prototype stage - Educational value in understanding core web technologies - Easier deployment and debugging - Future framework migration possible if needed **Alternatives Considered**: React, Vue.js, Svelte **Trade-offs Accepted**: More manual DOM management, less component reusability **Status**: ✅ Confirmed working well ### Graphics Technology Choice **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Canvas 2D API for game rendering **Rationale**: - Excellent performance for 2D graphics - Wide browser compatibility - Precise control over rendering pipeline - Suitable for particle effects and animations - Simpler than WebGL for current scope **Alternatives Considered**: WebGL, SVG, DOM manipulation **Trade-offs Accepted**: Limited 3D capabilities, manual optimization needed **Status**: ✅ Excellent performance achieved ### Single-File Architecture **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Keep entire game in single `index.html` file **Rationale**: - Instant deployment to any static host - No build process required - Easy to share and debug - Suitable for prototype/early development - Can be refactored later if needed **Alternatives Considered**: Modular file structure, bundler setup **Trade-offs Accepted**: Harder to maintain as codebase grows **Status**: ✅ Working well for current scope, monitor for refactoring needs ## Game Design Decisions ### Neural Network Theme **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Neural network connectivity as core theme **Rationale**: - Contemporary and relevant to current AI trends - Visually appealing with glowing nodes and connections - Natural fit for puzzle mechanics - Educational value about networks and connectivity - Distinctive in puzzle game market **Alternatives Considered**: Circuit boards, constellation patterns, molecule structures **Trade-offs Accepted**: Theme might become dated, technical complexity in explanation **Status**: ✅ Positive player feedback on theme ### Time-Based Challenges **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Include timer-based pressure in gameplay **Rationale**: - Creates urgency and excitement - Encourages replay for better scores - Natural difficulty progression (decreasing time limits) - Prevents analysis paralysis - Standard in successful puzzle games **Alternatives Considered**: Move-limited puzzles, no time pressure **Trade-offs Accepted**: May stress some players, could alienate casual audience **Status**: ✅ Balancing seems appropriate, monitor feedback ### Progressive Difficulty Scaling **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Gradual increase in nodes and connections per level **Rationale**: - Maintains player engagement without overwhelming - Natural learning curve - Allows pattern recognition skills to develop - Industry standard for puzzle games - Accommodates different skill levels **Alternatives Considered**: Fixed difficulty, random difficulty spikes **Trade-offs Accepted**: May become predictable, skilled players might get bored **Status**: ✅ Working well, consider adding difficulty options later ## Visual Design Decisions ### Glassmorphism UI Style **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Modern glassmorphism design with blur effects **Rationale**: - Contemporary and visually appealing - Creates depth and sophistication - Works well with neural network theme - Distinctive from traditional game UIs - Trending in modern web design **Alternatives Considered**: Flat design, skeuomorphic, neon cyberpunk **Trade-offs Accepted**: Performance cost of backdrop-filter, may not age well **Status**: ✅ Performance acceptable, positive visual impact ### Color Palette Selection **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Cyan/magenta gradient with neural-themed colors **Rationale**: - High contrast for accessibility - Futuristic feel appropriate for neural theme - Good visibility on various screen types - Distinctive brand identity - Works in both light and dark environments **Alternatives Considered**: Green/blue matrix theme, warm orange/red, monochrome **Trade-offs Accepted**: May be too "sci-fi" for some players **Status**: ✅ Good accessibility, positive feedback ### Particle Effects Implementation **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: DOM-based particles for connection feedback **Rationale**: - Simpler implementation than Canvas particles - Good performance for small numbers - CSS animations provide smooth effects - Easy to modify and customize - Adequate for current scope **Alternatives Considered**: Canvas-based particles, no particle effects **Trade-offs Accepted**: Limited scalability, potential DOM pollution **Status**: ✅ Good performance, consider Canvas particles for complex effects ## Performance & Technical Decisions ### Target Frame Rate Strategy **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: 60fps desktop, 30fps+ mobile targets **Rationale**: - Smooth gameplay experience on primary platforms - Realistic given hardware constraints - Allows for visual effects without compromise - Industry standard for web games - Performance budget management **Alternatives Considered**: Fixed 30fps, adaptive frame rate **Trade-offs Accepted**: More complex optimization needed **Status**: ✅ Targets achieved on test devices ### Object Pooling Strategy **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Implement object pooling for particles **Rationale**: - Prevents garbage collection hitches - Better memory management - Consistent performance during effects - Standard practice for game development - Scalable for future features **Alternatives Considered**: Create/destroy on demand, pre-allocate fixed arrays **Trade-offs Accepted**: Additional code complexity **Status**: ✅ Smooth performance improvements observed ### Cross-Platform Input Handling **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Unified mouse/touch event system **Rationale**: - Single codebase for all platforms - Consistent behavior across devices - Easier maintenance and testing - Future-proof for new input methods - Industry best practice **Alternatives Considered**: Separate mouse/touch handlers, input library **Trade-offs Accepted**: Some platform-specific optimizations lost **Status**: ✅ Working well across all test devices ## Deployment & Distribution Decisions ### GitHub Pages Hosting **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Use GitHub Pages for primary deployment **Rationale**: - Free and reliable hosting - Automatic deployment from repository - Good performance with CDN - Easy domain setup if needed - Integration with development workflow **Alternatives Considered**: Netlify, Vercel, custom hosting **Trade-offs Accepted**: Limited server-side capabilities **Status**: ✅ Working perfectly, fast loading times ### Open Source License **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: MIT License for both game and documentation **Rationale**: - Permissive licensing encourages use - Educational value for other developers - Simple and well-understood terms - Allows commercial adaptation - Standard for web development projects **Alternatives Considered**: GPL, Apache, proprietary **Trade-offs Accepted**: No commercial protection **Status**: ✅ Appropriate for project goals ## Development Workflow Decisions ### Dual Repository Strategy **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Separate repos for game and Claude Project documentation **Rationale**: - Clean separation of concerns - Game repo focuses on product - Documentation repo demonstrates methodology - Different audiences for each repository - Professional presentation **Alternatives Considered**: Single repository, multiple branches **Trade-offs Accepted**: Additional maintenance overhead **Status**: ✅ Clear organization, positive feedback ### Claude Project Integration **Date**: June 13, 2025 **Decision**: Use Claude Projects for persistent development context **Rationale**: - Maintains context across sessions - Systematic knowledge accumulation - Consistent development approach - Documented decision making - Efficient AI collaboration **Alternatives Considered**: Regular chat sessions, external documentation **Trade-offs Accepted**: Learning curve for new methodology **Status**: ✅ Significant productivity improvements ## Future Decision Points ### Audio System Implementation (Pending) **Decision Needed**: Web Audio API vs HTML5 Audio elements **Considerations**: Performance, browser compatibility, feature requirements **Timeline**: Phase 1 development **Research Status**: Investigating options ### Save System Architecture (Pending) **Decision Needed**: LocalStorage vs IndexedDB vs Cloud storage **Considerations**: Data size, offline capability, sync requirements **Timeline**: Phase 1 development **Research Status**: LocalStorage preferred for MVP ### Framework Migration (Future) **Decision Needed**: When to migrate from vanilla JS to framework **Considerations**: Code complexity, team size, maintenance burden **Timeline**: If codebase exceeds 2000 lines or team grows **Research Status**: Monitor codebase growth ### Mobile App Distribution (Future) **Decision Needed**: PWA vs Native app stores vs Hybrid approach **Considerations**: Distribution channels, native features, development cost **Timeline**: Phase 3 development **Research Status**: PWA seems most appropriate ## Decision Review Process ### Monthly Review - Assess whether past decisions are still valid - Identify new decision points from development experience - Update trade-off assessments based on real usage - Plan upcoming decisions and research needed ### Decision Reversal Protocol 1. Document why original decision no longer optimal 2. Research alternatives with current constraints 3. Assess migration cost and timeline 4. Make new decision with full context 5. Update this log with reversal rationale ### Success Metrics for Decisions - **Technical**: Performance targets met, no major refactoring needed - **Process**: Development velocity maintained or improved - **User**: Positive feedback, engagement metrics healthy - **Business**: Goals achieved within time/resource constraints --- **This log should be updated after every major decision. Regular review helps ensure decisions remain optimal as the project evolves.**