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+# Neural Nexus Development Guide
+
+## Quick Start
+
+```bash
+# Clone and run locally
+git clone https://github.com/AndersPier/neural-nexus-game.git
+cd neural-nexus-game
+npm start  # or python -m http.server 8000
+```
+
+Open http://localhost:8000 in your browser.
+
+## Architecture Overview
+
+Neural Nexus is built as a single HTML file containing all game logic, styled with modern CSS, and powered by vanilla JavaScript for maximum performance.
+
+### Core Components
+
+```javascript
+// Main game systems
+├── GameState          // Central state management
+├── Node               // Game node entities  
+├── Connection         // Node connection logic
+├── ParticleSystem     // Visual effects
+└── InputManager       // Mouse/touch handling
+```
+
+### File Structure
+
+```
+neural-nexus-game/
+├── index.html         # Complete game (19KB)
+├── package.json       # Development tools
+├── README.md          # Project overview
+└── docs/             # Technical documentation
+    ├── DEVELOPMENT.md # This file
+    ├── GAME_DESIGN.md # Mechanics and progression
+    └── PERFORMANCE.md # Optimization guide
+```
+
+## Development Workflow
+
+### Local Development
+```bash
+npm run dev        # Start development server
+npm run lighthouse # Run performance audit
+```
+
+### Code Organization
+The game uses modern JavaScript patterns:
+
+```javascript
+// ES6 Classes for game entities
+class Node {
+  constructor(x, y, id, type = 'normal') {
+    this.x = x;
+    this.y = y;
+    this.id = id;
+    this.type = type;
+  }
+  
+  draw() {
+    // Canvas rendering
+  }
+}
+
+// Event-driven input system
+canvas.addEventListener('mousedown', handlePointerStart);
+canvas.addEventListener('touchstart', handlePointerStart, {passive: false});
+```
+
+### Performance Targets
+- **Desktop**: 60fps consistent
+- **Mobile**: 30fps minimum  
+- **Memory**: <50MB during gameplay
+- **Load Time**: <3 seconds on 3G
+
+### Testing Protocol
+```markdown
+**Manual Testing Checklist:**
+- [ ] Chrome/Firefox/Safari desktop
+- [ ] iOS Safari mobile
+- [ ] Android Chrome mobile
+- [ ] Touch interactions responsive
+- [ ] Performance targets met
+```
+
+## Game Mechanics
+
+### Core Gameplay Loop
+1. **Level Generation**: Procedural pattern creation
+2. **Player Input**: Click/drag to connect nodes  
+3. **Validation**: Check against target pattern
+4. **Progression**: Advance to next level with score
+
+### Difficulty Scaling
+```javascript
+const progression = {
+  nodeCount: level => Math.min(3 + Math.floor(level / 2), 12),
+  timeLimit: level => Math.max(30, 60 - Math.floor(level / 3) * 2),
+  complexity: level => Math.min(level * 0.8 + 2, 10)
+};
+```
+
+## Technical Implementation
+
+### Canvas Rendering
+```javascript
+// Optimized game loop
+function gameLoop() {
+  ctx.clearRect(0, 0, canvas.width, canvas.height);
+  
+  if (!gameState.isPlaying) return;
+  
+  drawTargetPattern();
+  gameState.connections.forEach(conn => conn.draw());
+  gameState.nodes.forEach(node => node.draw());
+  
+  requestAnimationFrame(gameLoop);
+}
+```
+
+### Input Handling
+```javascript
+// Unified mouse/touch events
+function getPointerPosition(e) {
+  const rect = canvas.getBoundingClientRect();
+  const clientX = e.clientX || (e.touches && e.touches[0].clientX);
+  const clientY = e.clientY || (e.touches && e.touches[0].clientY);
+  
+  return {
+    x: clientX - rect.left,
+    y: clientY - rect.top
+  };
+}
+```
+
+### Memory Management
+```javascript
+// Object pooling for particles
+class ParticlePool {
+  constructor(size = 100) {
+    this.pool = [];
+    this.active = [];
+  }
+  
+  acquire() {
+    return this.pool.pop() || new Particle();
+  }
+  
+  release(particle) {
+    particle.reset();
+    this.pool.push(particle);
+  }
+}
+```
+
+## Deployment
+
+### GitHub Pages
+Automatic deployment is configured:
+- **Production**: https://andersPier.github.io/neural-nexus-game/
+- **Staging**: Any branch can be deployed for testing
+
+### Manual Deployment
+```bash
+# Copy single file to any static host
+cp index.html /path/to/web/server/
+```
+
+### Performance Monitoring
+```bash
+npm run lighthouse  # Generate performance report
+```
+
+## Future Enhancements
+
+### Planned Features
+- **Audio System**: Web Audio API integration
+- **Save System**: LocalStorage progress persistence  
+- **PWA**: Offline gameplay capability
+- **Level Editor**: Community content creation
+
+### Technical Debt
+- **Modularization**: Split single file into modules
+- **TypeScript**: Add type safety for larger codebase
+- **Testing**: Implement automated testing framework
+- **Build System**: Add bundling for production optimization
+
+## Contributing
+
+### Code Style
+- ES6+ JavaScript features
+- Meaningful variable names
+- Comments for complex game logic
+- Performance-first approach
+
+### Pull Request Process
+1. Fork repository
+2. Create feature branch
+3. Test thoroughly on multiple devices
+4. Submit PR with clear description
+
+### Performance Requirements
+- No frame rate regressions
+- Memory usage must remain stable
+- Mobile compatibility maintained
+- Load time not increased
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Common Issues
+
+**Game Not Loading:**
+- Check browser console for errors
+- Verify JavaScript is enabled
+- Try hard refresh (Ctrl+F5)
+
+**Poor Performance:**
+- Check frame rate in DevTools
+- Close other browser tabs
+- Try in incognito mode
+
+**Touch Not Working:**
+- Ensure using actual mobile device
+- Check preventDefault() calls
+- Verify touch event handling
+
+### Debug Tools
+```javascript
+// Development helpers (localhost only)
+if (location.hostname === 'localhost') {
+  window.gameDebug = {
+    fps: () => console.log('FPS monitoring enabled'),
+    skipLevel: () => showLevelComplete(),
+    godMode: () => gameState.timeLeft = 999
+  };
+}
+```
+
+## Related Documentation
+
+- **Claude Project**: [Development methodology and workflow](https://github.com/AndersPier/neural-nexus-claude-project)
+- **Game Design**: See GAME_DESIGN.md for mechanics details
+- **Performance**: See PERFORMANCE.md for optimization guide
+
+---
+
+**Last Updated**: June 2025
+**Current Version**: 1.0.0
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