Roadmap: Integrate July 12 transcript analysis - critical tutorial blockers

URGENT: RoguelikeDev event starts July 15 (3 days) Critical Blockers Identified: - Animation system blocking tutorial Part 2 (input queueing, collision) - Grid clicking completely broken in headless mode - Python API consistency issues found during tutorial writing - Object splitting bug: derived classes lose type in collections Added Sections: - Detailed tutorial status with specific blockers - Animation system critical issues breakdown - Grid clicking discovery (all events commented out) - Python API consistency crisis details - Proposed architecture improvements (OOP overhaul) - Claude Code quality concerns after 6-7 weeks - Comprehensive 34-issue list from transcript analysis Immediate Actions Required: 1. Fix animation input queueing TODAY 2. Fix grid clicking implementation TODAY 3. Create tutorial announcement if blockers fixed 4. Regenerate Parts 3-6 (machine drafts broken) 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.ai/code) Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
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+# McRogueFace - Development Roadmap
+
+## 🚨 URGENT PRIORITIES - July 12, 2025 🚨
+
+### CRITICAL: RoguelikeDev Tutorial Event starts July 15! (3 days)
+
+#### 1. Tutorial Status & Blockers
+- [x] **Part 0**: Complete (Starting McRogueFace) 
+- [x] **Part 1**: Complete (Setting up grid and tile sheet)
+- [ ] **Part 2**: Draft exists but BLOCKED by animation issues - PRIORITY FIX!
+- [ ] **Parts 3-6**: Machine-generated drafts need complete rework
+- [ ] **Parts 7-15**: Need creation this weekend
+
+**Key Blockers**:
+- Need smooth character movement animation (Pokemon-style)
+- Grid needs walkable grass center, non-walkable tree edges
+- Input queueing during animations not working properly
+
+#### 2. Animation System Critical Issues 🚨
+**BLOCKER FOR TUTORIAL PART 2**:
+- [ ] **Input Queue System**: Holding arrow keys doesn't queue movements
+  - Animation must complete before next input accepted
+  - Need "press and hold" that queues ONE additional move
+  - Goal: Pokemon-style smooth continuous movement
+- [ ] **Collision Reservation**: When entity starts moving, should block destination
+  - Prevents overlapping movements
+  - Already claimed tiles should reject incoming entities
+- [x] **Segfault Fix**: Refactored from bare pointers to weak references ✅
+
+#### 3. Grid Clicking BROKEN in Headless Mode 🚨
+**MAJOR DISCOVERY**: All click events commented out!
+- [ ] **Automation System Non-Functional**: Claude Code "didn't even try"
+- [ ] **Grid Click Coordinates**: Need tile coords, not just mouse coords
+- [ ] **Nested Grid Support**: Clicks must work on grids within frames
+- [ ] **No Error Reporting**: System claimed complete but isn't
+
+#### 4. Python API Consistency Crisis
+**Tutorial Writing Reveals Major Issues**:
+- [ ] **Inconsistent Constructors**: Each class has different requirements
+- [ ] **Vector Class Broken**: No [0], [1] indexing like tuples
+- [ ] **Object Splitting Bug**: Python derived classes lose type in collections
+  - Shared pointer extracted, Python reference discarded
+  - Retrieved objects are base class only
+  - No way to cast back to derived type
+- [ ] **Need Systematic Generation**: All bindings should be consistent
+- [x] **UIGrid TCOD Integration** (8 hours) ✅ COMPLETED!
+  - ✅ Add TCODMap* to UIGrid constructor with proper lifecycle
+  - ✅ Implement complete Dijkstra pathfinding system
+  - ✅ Create mcrfpy.libtcod submodule with Python bindings
+  - ✅ Fix critical PyArg bug preventing Color object assignments
+  - ✅ Implement FOV with perspective rendering
+  - [ ] Add batch operations for NumPy-style access (deferred)
+  - [ ] Create CellView for ergonomic .at((x,y)) access (deferred)
+- [x] **UIEntity Pathfinding** (4 hours) ✅ COMPLETED!
+  - ✅ Implement Dijkstra maps for multiple targets in UIGrid
+  - ✅ Add path_to(target) method using A* to UIEntity
+  - ✅ Cache paths in UIEntity for performance
+
+#### 3. Performance Critical Path
+- [ ] **Implement SpatialHash** for 10,000+ entities (2 hours)
+- [ ] **Add dirty flag system** to UIGrid (1 hour)
+- [ ] **Batch update context managers** (2 hours)
+- [ ] **Memory pool for entities** (2 hours)
+
+#### 4. Bug Fixing Pipeline
+- [ ] Set up GitHub Issues automation
+- [ ] Create test for each bug before fixing
+- [ ] Track: Memory leaks, Segfaults, Python/C++ boundary errors
+
+---
+
+## 🏗️ PROPOSED ARCHITECTURE IMPROVEMENTS (From July 12 Analysis)
+
+### Object-Oriented Design Overhaul
+1. **Scene System Revolution**:
+   - [ ] Make Scene derive from Drawable (scenes are drawn!)
+   - [ ] Give scenes position and visibility properties
+   - [ ] Scene selection by visibility (auto-hide old scene)
+   - [ ] Replace transition system with animations
+
+2. **Animation System Enhancements**:
+   - [ ] Add proper completion callbacks (object + animation params)
+   - [ ] Prevent property conflicts (exclusive locking)
+   - [ ] Currently using timer sync workarounds
+
+3. **Timer System Improvements**:
+   - [ ] Replace string-dictionary system with objects
+   - [ ] Add start(), stop(), pause() methods
+   - [ ] Implement proper one-shot mode
+   - [ ] Pass timer object to callbacks (not just ms)
+
+4. **Parent-Child UI Relationships**:
+   - [ ] Add parent field to UI drawables (like entities have)
+   - [ ] Implement append/remove/extend with auto-parent updates
+   - [ ] Auto-remove from old parent when adding to new
+
+### Performance Optimizations Needed
+- [ ] **Grid Rendering**: Consider texture caching vs real-time
+- [ ] **Subgrid System**: Split large grids into 256x256 chunks
+- [ ] **Dirty Flagging**: Propagate from base class up
+- [ ] **Animation Features**: Tile color animation, sprite cycling
+
+---
+
+## ⚠️ CLAUDE CODE QUALITY CONCERNS (6-7 Weeks In)
+
+### Issues Observed:
+1. **Declining Quality**: High quantity but low quality results
+2. **Not Following Requirements**: Ignoring specific implementation needs
+3. **Bad Practices**:
+   - Creating parallel copies (animation_RAII.cpp, _fixed, _final versions)
+   - Should use Git, not file copies
+   - Claims functionality "done" when stubbed out
+4. **File Management Problems**:
+   - Git operations reset timestamps
+   - Can't determine creation order of multiple versions
+
+### Recommendations:
+- Use Git for version control exclusively
+- Fix things in place, not copies
+- Acknowledge incomplete functionality
+- Follow project's implementation style
+
+---
+
+## 🎯 STRATEGIC ARCHITECTURE VISION
+
+### Three-Layer Grid Architecture (From Compass Research)
+Following successful roguelike patterns (Caves of Qud, Cogmind, DCSS):
+
+1. **Visual Layer** (UIGridPoint) - Sprites, colors, animations
+2. **World State Layer** (TCODMap) - Walkability, transparency, physics
+3. **Entity Perspective Layer** (UIGridPointState) - Per-entity FOV, knowledge
+
+### Performance Architecture (Critical for 1000x1000 maps)
+- **Spatial Hashing** for entity queries (not quadtrees!)
+- **Batch Operations** with context managers (10-100x speedup)
+- **Memory Pooling** for entities and components
+- **Dirty Flag System** to avoid unnecessary updates
+- **Zero-Copy NumPy Integration** via buffer protocol
+
+### Key Insight from Research
+"Minimizing Python/C++ boundary crossings matters more than individual function complexity"
+- Batch everything possible
+- Use context managers for logical operations
+- Expose arrays, not individual cells
+- Profile and optimize hot paths only
+
+---
+
+## Project Status: 🎉 ALPHA 0.1 RELEASE! 🎉
+
+**Current State**: Documentation system complete, TCOD integration urgent  
+**Latest Update**: Tutorial Parts 0-6 complete with documentation (2025-07-11)  
+**Branch**: alpha_streamline_2  
+**Open Issues**: ~46 remaining + URGENT TCOD/Tutorial work
+
+---
+
+## 📋 TCOD Integration Implementation Details
+
+### Phase 1: Core UIGrid Integration (Day 1 Morning)
+```cpp
+// UIGrid.h additions
+class UIGrid : public UIDrawable {
+private:
+    TCODMap* world_state;  // Add TCOD map
+    std::unordered_map<int, UIGridPointState*> entity_perspectives;
+    bool batch_mode = false;
+    std::vector<CellUpdate> pending_updates;
+```
+
+### Phase 2: Python Bindings (Day 1 Afternoon)
+```python
+# New API surface
+grid = mcrfpy.Grid(100, 100)
+grid.compute_fov(player.x, player.y, radius=10)  # Returns visible cells
+grid.at((x, y)).walkable = False  # Ergonomic access
+with grid.batch_update():  # Context manager for performance
+    # All updates batched
+```
+
+### Phase 3: Entity Integration (Day 2 Morning)
+```python
+# UIEntity additions
+entity.path_to(target_x, target_y)  # A* pathfinding
+entity.flee_from(threat)  # Dijkstra map
+entity.can_see(other_entity)  # FOV check
+```
+
+### Critical Success Factors:
+1. **Batch everything** - Never update single cells in loops
+2. **Lazy evaluation** - Only compute FOV for entities that need it
+3. **Sparse storage** - Don't store full grids per entity
+4. **Profile early** - Find the 20% of code taking 80% of time
+
+---
+
+## Recent Achievements
+
+### 2025-07-12: Animation System RAII Overhaul - Critical Segfault Fix! 🛡️
+**Fixed two major crashes in AnimationManager**
+- ✅ Race condition when creating animations in timer callbacks
+- ✅ Exit crash when animations outlive their targets
+- ✅ Implemented weak_ptr tracking for automatic cleanup
+- ✅ Added complete() and hasValidTarget() methods
+- ✅ No more use-after-free bugs - proper RAII design
+- ✅ Extensively tested with stress tests and production demos
+
+### 2025-07-10: Complete FOV, A* Pathfinding & GUI Text Widgets! 👁️🗺️⌨️
+**Engine Feature Sprint - Major Capabilities Added**
+- ✅ Complete FOV (Field of View) system with perspective rendering
+  - UIGrid.perspective property controls which entity's view to render
+  - Three-layer overlay system: unexplored (black), explored (dark), visible (normal)
+  - Per-entity visibility state tracking with UIGridPointState
+  - Perfect knowledge updates - only explored areas persist
+- ✅ A* Pathfinding implementation
+  - Entity.path_to(x, y) method for direct pathfinding
+  - UIGrid compute_astar() and get_astar_path() methods
+  - Path caching in entities for performance
+  - Complete test suite comparing A* vs Dijkstra performance
+- ✅ GUI Text Input Widget System
+  - Full-featured TextInputWidget class with cursor, selection, scrolling
+  - Improved widget with proper text rendering and multi-line support
+  - Example showcase demonstrating multiple input fields
+  - Foundation for in-game consoles, chat systems, and text entry
+- ✅ Sizzle Reel Demos
+  - path_vision_sizzle_reel.py combines pathfinding with FOV
+  - Interactive visibility demos showing real-time FOV updates
+  - Performance demonstrations with multiple entities
+
+### 2025-07-09: Dijkstra Pathfinding & Critical Bug Fix! 🗺️
+**TCOD Integration Sprint - Major Progress**
+- ✅ Complete Dijkstra pathfinding implementation in UIGrid
+  - compute_dijkstra(), get_dijkstra_distance(), get_dijkstra_path() methods
+  - Full TCODMap and TCODDijkstra integration with proper memory management
+  - Comprehensive test suite with both headless and interactive demos
+- ✅ **CRITICAL FIX**: PyArg bug in UIGridPoint color setter
+  - Now supports both mcrfpy.Color objects and (r,g,b,a) tuples
+  - Eliminated mysterious "SystemError: new style getargs format" crashes
+  - Proper error handling and exception propagation
+- ✅ mcrfpy.libtcod submodule with Python bindings
+  - dijkstra_compute(), dijkstra_get_distance(), dijkstra_get_path()
+  - line() function for corridor generation
+  - Foundation ready for FOV implementation
+- ✅ Test consolidation: 6 broken demos → 2 clean, working versions
+
+### 2025-07-08: PyArgHelpers Infrastructure Complete! 🔧
+**Standardized Python API Argument Parsing**
+- Unified position handling: (x, y) tuples or separate x, y args
+- Consistent size parsing: (w, h) tuples or width, height args
+- Grid-specific helpers for tile-based positioning
+- Proper conflict detection between positional and keyword args
+- All UI components migrated: Frame, Caption, Sprite, Grid, Entity
+- Improved error messages: "Value must be a number (int or float)"
+- Foundation for Phase 7 documentation efforts
+
+### 2025-07-05: ALPHA 0.1 ACHIEVED! 🎊🍾
+**All Alpha Blockers Resolved!**
+- Z-order rendering with performance optimization (Issue #63)
+- Python Sequence Protocol for collections (Issue #69)
+- Comprehensive Animation System (Issue #59)
+- Moved RenderTexture to Beta (not needed for Alpha)
+- **McRogueFace is ready for Alpha release!**
+
+### 2025-07-05: Z-order Rendering Complete! 🎉
+**Issue #63 Resolved**: Consistent z-order rendering with performance optimization
+- Dirty flag pattern prevents unnecessary per-frame sorting
+- Lazy sorting for both Scene elements and Frame children
+- Frame children now respect z_index (fixed inconsistency)
+- Automatic dirty marking on z_index changes and collection modifications
+- Performance: O(1) check for static scenes vs O(n log n) every frame
+
+### 2025-07-05: Python Sequence Protocol Complete! 🎉
+**Issue #69 Resolved**: Full sequence protocol implementation for collections
+- Complete __setitem__, __delitem__, __contains__ support
+- Slice operations with extended slice support (step != 1)
+- Concatenation (+) and in-place concatenation (+=) with validation
+- Negative indexing throughout, index() and count() methods
+- Type safety: UICollection (Frame/Caption/Sprite/Grid), EntityCollection (Entity only)
+- Default value support: None for texture/font parameters uses engine defaults
+
+### 2025-07-05: Animation System Complete! 🎉
+**Issue #59 Resolved**: Comprehensive animation system with 30+ easing functions
+- Property-based animations for all UI classes (Frame, Caption, Sprite, Grid, Entity)
+- Individual color component animation (r/g/b/a)
+- Sprite sequence animation and text typewriter effects
+- Pure C++ execution without Python callbacks
+- Delta animation support for relative values
+
+### 2025-01-03: Major Stability Update
+**Major Cleanup**: Removed deprecated registerPyAction system (-180 lines)
+**Bug Fixes**: 12 critical issues including Grid segfault, Issue #78 (middle click), Entity setters
+**New Features**: Entity.index() (#73), EntityCollection.extend() (#27), Sprite validation (#33)
+**Test Coverage**: Comprehensive test suite with timer callback pattern established
+
+---
+
+## 🔧 CURRENT WORK: Alpha Streamline 2 - Major Architecture Improvements
+
+### Recent Completions:
+- ✅ **Phase 1-4 Complete** - Foundation, API Polish, Entity Lifecycle, Visibility/Performance
+- ✅ **Phase 5 Complete** - Window/Scene Architecture fully implemented!
+  - Window singleton with properties (#34)
+  - OOP Scene support with lifecycle methods (#61)
+  - Window resize events (#1)
+  - Scene transitions with animations (#105)
+- ✅ **Phase 6 Complete** - Rendering Revolution achieved!
+  - Grid background colors (#50) ✅
+  - RenderTexture overhaul (#6) ✅
+  - UIFrame clipping support ✅
+  - Viewport-based rendering (#8) ✅
+
+### Active Development:
+- **Branch**: alpha_streamline_2
+- **Current Phase**: Phase 7 - Documentation & Distribution
+- **Achievement**: PyArgHelpers infrastructure complete - standardized Python API
+- **Strategic Vision**: See STRATEGIC_VISION.md for platform roadmap
+- **Latest**: All UI components now use consistent argument parsing patterns!
+
+### 🏗️ Architectural Dependencies Map
+
+```
+Foundation Layer:
+├── #71 Base Class (_Drawable) 
+│   ├── #10 Visibility System (needs AABB from base)
+│   ├── #87 visible property
+│   └── #88 opacity property
+│
+├── #7 Safe Constructors (affects all classes)
+│   └── Blocks any new class creation until resolved
+│
+└── #30 Entity/Grid Integration (lifecycle management)
+    └── Enables reliable entity management
+
+Window/Scene Layer:
+├── #34 Window Object
+│   ├── #61 Scene Object (depends on Window)
+│   ├── #14 SFML Exposure (helps implement Window)
+│   └── Future: Multi-window support
+
+Rendering Layer:
+└── #6 RenderTexture Overhaul
+    ├── Enables clipping
+    ├── Off-screen rendering
+    └── Post-processing effects
+```
+
+## 🚀 Alpha Streamline 2 - Comprehensive Phase Plan
+
+### Phase 1: Foundation Stabilization (1-2 weeks)
+**Goal**: Safe, predictable base for all future work
+```
+1. #7 - Audit and fix unsafe constructors (CRITICAL - do first!)
+   - Find all manually implemented no-arg constructors
+   - Verify map compatibility requirements
+   - Make pointer-safe or remove
+   
+2. #71 - _Drawable base class implementation
+   - Common properties: x, y, w, h, visible, opacity
+   - Virtual methods: get_bounds(), render()
+   - Proper Python inheritance setup
+   
+3. #87 - visible property
+   - Add to base class
+   - Update all render methods to check
+   
+4. #88 - opacity property (depends on #87)
+   - 0.0-1.0 float range
+   - Apply in render methods
+   
+5. #89 - get_bounds() method
+   - Virtual method returning (x, y, w, h)
+   - Override in each UI class
+   
+6. #98 - move()/resize() convenience methods
+   - move(dx, dy) - relative movement
+   - resize(w, h) - absolute sizing
+```
+*Rationale*: Can't build on unsafe foundations. Base class enables all UI improvements.
+
+### Phase 2: Constructor & API Polish (1 week)
+**Goal**: Pythonic, intuitive API
+```
+1. #101 - Standardize (0,0) defaults for all positions
+2. #38 - Frame children parameter: Frame(children=[...])
+3. #42 - Click handler in __init__: Button(click=callback)
+4. #90 - Grid size tuple: Grid(grid_size=(10, 10))
+5. #19 - Sprite texture swapping: sprite.texture = new_texture
+6. #52 - Grid skip out-of-bounds entities (performance)
+```
+*Rationale*: Quick wins that make the API more pleasant before bigger changes.
+
+### Phase 3: Entity Lifecycle Management (1 week)
+**Goal**: Bulletproof entity/grid relationships
+```
+1. #30 - Entity.die() and grid association
+   - Grid.entities.append(e) sets e.grid = self
+   - Grid.entities.remove(e) sets e.grid = None
+   - Entity.die() calls self.grid.remove(self)
+   - Entity can only be in 0 or 1 grid
+   
+2. #93 - Vector arithmetic methods
+   - add, subtract, multiply, divide
+   - distance, normalize, dot product
+   
+3. #94 - Color helper methods
+   - from_hex("#FF0000"), to_hex()
+   - lerp(other_color, t) for interpolation
+   
+4. #103 - Timer objects
+   timer = mcrfpy.Timer("my_timer", callback, 1000)
+   timer.pause()
+   timer.resume()
+   timer.cancel()
+```
+*Rationale*: Games need reliable entity management. Timer objects enable entity AI.
+
+### Phase 4: Visibility & Performance (1-2 weeks)
+**Goal**: Only render/process what's needed
+```
+1. #10 - [UNSCHEDULED] Full visibility system with AABB
+   - Postponed: UIDrawables can exist in multiple collections
+   - Cannot reliably determine screen position due to multiple render contexts
+   - Needs architectural solution for parent-child relationships
+   
+2. #52 - Grid culling (COMPLETED in Phase 2)
+   
+3. #39/40/41 - Name system for finding elements
+   - name="button1" property on all UIDrawables
+   - only_one=True for unique names
+   - scene.find("button1") returns element
+   - collection.find("enemy*") returns list
+   
+4. #104 - Basic profiling/metrics
+   - Frame time tracking
+   - Draw call counting
+   - Python vs C++ time split
+```
+*Rationale*: Performance is feature. Finding elements by name is huge QoL.
+
+### Phase 5: Window/Scene Architecture ✅ COMPLETE! (2025-07-06)
+**Goal**: Modern, flexible architecture
+```
+1. ✅ #34 - Window object (singleton first)
+   window = mcrfpy.Window.get()
+   window.resolution = (1920, 1080)
+   window.fullscreen = True
+   window.vsync = True
+   
+2. ✅ #1 - Window resize events
+   scene.on_resize(self, width, height) callback implemented
+   
+3. ✅ #61 - Scene object (OOP scenes)
+   class MenuScene(mcrfpy.Scene):
+       def on_keypress(self, key, state):
+           # handle input
+       def on_enter(self):
+           # setup UI
+       def on_exit(self):
+           # cleanup
+       def update(self, dt):
+           # frame update
+           
+4. ✅ #14 - SFML exposure research
+   - Completed comprehensive analysis
+   - Recommendation: Direct integration as mcrfpy.sfml
+   - SFML 3.0 migration deferred to late 2025
+   
+5. ✅ #105 - Scene transitions
+   mcrfpy.setScene("menu", "fade", 1.0)
+   # Supports: fade, slide_left, slide_right, slide_up, slide_down
+```
+*Result*: Entire window/scene system modernized with OOP design!
+
+### Phase 6: Rendering Revolution (3-4 weeks) ✅ COMPLETE!
+**Goal**: Professional rendering capabilities
+```
+1. ✅ #50 - Grid background colors [COMPLETED]
+   grid.background_color = mcrfpy.Color(50, 50, 50)
+   - Added background_color property with animation support
+   - Default dark gray background (8, 8, 8, 255)
+   
+2. ✅ #6 - RenderTexture overhaul [COMPLETED]
+   ✅ Base infrastructure in UIDrawable
+   ✅ UIFrame clip_children property
+   ✅ Dirty flag optimization system
+   ✅ Nested clipping support
+   ✅ UIGrid already has appropriate RenderTexture implementation
+   ❌ UICaption/UISprite clipping not needed (no children)
+   
+3. ✅ #8 - Viewport-based rendering [COMPLETED]
+   - Fixed game resolution (window.game_resolution)
+   - Three scaling modes: "center", "stretch", "fit"
+   - Window to game coordinate transformation
+   - Mouse input properly scaled with windowToGameCoords()
+   - Python API fully integrated
+   - Tests: test_viewport_simple.py, test_viewport_visual.py, test_viewport_scaling.py
+   
+4. #106 - Shader support [DEFERRED TO POST-PHASE 7]
+   sprite.shader = mcrfpy.Shader.load("glow.frag")
+   frame.shader_params = {"intensity": 0.5}
+   
+5. #107 - Particle system [DEFERRED TO POST-PHASE 7]
+   emitter = mcrfpy.ParticleEmitter()
+   emitter.texture = spark_texture
+   emitter.emission_rate = 100
+   emitter.lifetime = (0.5, 2.0)
+```
+
+**Phase 6 Achievement Summary**:
+- Grid backgrounds (#50) ✅ - Customizable background colors with animation
+- RenderTexture overhaul (#6) ✅ - UIFrame clipping with opt-in architecture
+- Viewport rendering (#8) ✅ - Three scaling modes with coordinate transformation
+- UIGrid already had optimal RenderTexture implementation for its use case
+- UICaption/UISprite clipping unnecessary (no children to clip)
+- Performance optimized with dirty flag system
+- Backward compatibility preserved throughout
+- Effects/Shader/Particle systems deferred for focused delivery
+
+*Rationale*: This unlocks professional visual effects but is complex.
+
+### Phase 7: Documentation & Distribution (1-2 weeks)
+**Goal**: Ready for the world
+```
+1. ✅ #85 - Replace all "docstring" placeholders [COMPLETED 2025-07-08]
+2. ✅ #86 - Add parameter documentation [COMPLETED 2025-07-08]
+3. ✅ #108 - Generate .pyi type stubs for IDE support [COMPLETED 2025-07-08]
+4. ❌ #70 - PyPI wheel preparation [CANCELLED - Architectural mismatch]
+5. API reference generator tool
+```
+
+## 📋 Critical Path & Parallel Tracks
+
+### 🔴 **Critical Path** (Must do in order)
+**Safe Constructors (#7)** → **Base Class (#71)** → **Visibility (#10)** → **Window (#34)** → **Scene (#61)**
+
+### 🟡 **Parallel Tracks** (Can be done alongside critical path)
+
+**Track A: Entity Systems**
+- Entity/Grid integration (#30)
+- Timer objects (#103)
+- Vector/Color helpers (#93, #94)
+
+**Track B: API Polish**  
+- Constructor improvements (#101, #38, #42, #90)
+- Sprite texture swap (#19)
+- Name/search system (#39/40/41)
+
+**Track C: Performance**
+- Grid culling (#52)
+- Visibility culling (part of #10)
+- Profiling tools (#104)
+
+### 💎 **Quick Wins to Sprinkle Throughout**
+1. Color helpers (#94) - 1 hour
+2. Vector methods (#93) - 1 hour  
+3. Grid backgrounds (#50) - 30 minutes
+4. Default positions (#101) - 30 minutes
+
+### 🎯 **Recommended Execution Order**
+
+**Week 1-2**: Foundation (Critical constructors + base class)  
+**Week 3**: Entity lifecycle + API polish  
+**Week 4**: Visibility system + performance  
+**Week 5-6**: Window/Scene architecture  
+**Week 7-9**: Rendering revolution (or defer to gamma)  
+**Week 10**: Documentation + release prep
+
+### 🆕 **New Issues to Create/Track**
+
+1. [x] **Timer Objects** - Pythonic timer management (#103) - *Completed Phase 3*
+2. [ ] **Event System Enhancement** - Mouse enter/leave, drag, right-click  
+3. [ ] **Resource Manager** - Centralized asset loading
+4. [ ] **Serialization System** - Save/load game state
+5. [x] **Scene Transitions** - Fade, slide, custom effects (#105) - *Completed Phase 5*
+6. [x] **Profiling Tools** - Performance metrics (#104) - *Completed Phase 4*
+7. [ ] **Particle System** - Visual effects framework (#107)
+8. [ ] **Shader Support** - Custom rendering effects (#106)
+
+---
+
+## 📋 Phase 6 Implementation Strategy
+
+### RenderTexture Overhaul (#6) - Technical Approach
+
+**Current State**:
+- UIGrid already uses RenderTexture for entity rendering
+- Scene transitions use RenderTextures for smooth animations
+- Direct rendering to window for Frame, Caption, Sprite
+
+**Implementation Plan**:
+1. **Base Infrastructure**:
+   - Add `sf::RenderTexture* target` to UIDrawable base
+   - Modify `render()` to check if target exists
+   - If target: render to texture, then draw texture to parent
+   - If no target: render directly (backward compatible)
+
+2. **Clipping Support**:
+   - Frame enforces bounds on children via RenderTexture
+   - Children outside bounds are automatically clipped
+   - Nested frames create render texture hierarchy
+
+3. **Performance Optimization**:
+   - Lazy RenderTexture creation (only when needed)
+   - Dirty flag system (only re-render when changed)
+   - Texture pooling for commonly used sizes
+
+4. **Integration Points**:
+   - Scene transitions already working with RenderTextures
+   - UIGrid can be reference implementation
+   - Test with deeply nested UI structures
+
+**Quick Wins Before Core Work**:
+1. **Grid Background (#50)** - 30 min implementation
+   - Add `background_color` and `background_texture` properties
+   - Render before entities in UIGrid::render()
+   - Good warm-up before tackling RenderTexture
+
+2. **Research Tasks**:
+   - Study UIGrid's current RenderTexture usage
+   - Profile scene transition performance
+   - Identify potential texture size limits
+
+---
+
+## 🚀 NEXT PHASE: Beta Features & Polish
+
+### Alpha Complete! Moving to Beta Priorities:
+1. ~~**#69** - Python Sequence Protocol for collections~~ - *Completed! (2025-07-05)*
+2. ~~**#63** - Z-order rendering for UIDrawables~~ - *Completed! (2025-07-05)*
+3. ~~**#59** - Animation system~~ - *Completed! (2025-07-05)*
+4. **#6** - RenderTexture concept - *Extensive Overhaul*
+5. ~~**#47** - New README.md for Alpha release~~ - *Completed*
+- [x] **#78** - Middle Mouse Click sends "C" keyboard event - *Fixed*
+- [x] **#77** - Fix error message copy/paste bug - *Fixed*
+- [x] **#74** - Add missing `Grid.grid_y` property - *Fixed*  
+- [ ] **#37** - Fix Windows build module import from "scripts" directory - *Isolated Fix*
+      Issue #37 is **on hold** until we have a Windows build environment available. I actually suspect this is already fixed by the updates to the makefile, anyway.
+- [x] **Entity Property Setters** - Fix "new style getargs format" error - *Fixed*
+- [x] **Sprite Texture Setter** - Fix "error return without exception set" - *Fixed*
+- [x] **keypressScene() Validation** - Add proper error handling - *Fixed*
+
+### 🔄 Complete Iterator System
+**Status**: Core iterators complete (#72 closed), Grid point iterators still pending
+
+- [ ] **Grid Point Iterator Implementation** - Complete the remaining grid iteration work
+- [x] **#73** - Add `entity.index()` method for collection removal - *Fixed*
+- [x] **#69** ⚠️ **Alpha Blocker** - Refactor all collections to use Python Sequence Protocol - *Completed! (2025-07-05)*
+
+**Dependencies**: Grid point iterators → #73 entity.index() → #69 Sequence Protocol overhaul
+
+---
+
+## 🗂 ISSUE TRIAGE BY SYSTEM (78 Total Issues)
+
+### 🎮 Core Engine Systems
+
+#### Iterator/Collection System (2 issues)
+- [x] **#73** - Entity index() method for removal - *Fixed*
+- [x] **#69** ⚠️ **Alpha Blocker** - Sequence Protocol refactor - *Completed! (2025-07-05)*
+
+#### Python/C++ Integration (7 issues)  
+- [x] **#76** - UIEntity derived type preservation in collections - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#71** - Drawable base class hierarchy - *Extensive Overhaul*
+- [ ] **#70** - PyPI wheel distribution - *Extensive Overhaul*
+- [~] **#32** - Executable behave like `python` command - *Extensive Overhaul* *(90% Complete: -h, -V, -c, -m, -i, script execution, sys.argv, --exec all implemented. Only stdin (-) support missing)*
+- [ ] **#35** - TCOD as built-in module - *Extensive Overhaul*  
+- [~] **#14** - Expose SFML as built-in module - *Research Complete, Implementation Pending*
+- [ ] **#46** - Subinterpreter threading tests - *Multiple Integrations*
+
+#### UI/Rendering System (12 issues)
+- [x] **#63** ⚠️ **Alpha Blocker** - Z-order for UIDrawables - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [x] **#59** ⚠️ **Alpha Blocker** - Animation system - *Completed! (2025-07-05)*  
+- [ ] **#6** ⚠️ **Alpha Blocker** - RenderTexture for all UIDrawables - *Extensive Overhaul*
+- [ ] **#10** - UIDrawable visibility/AABB system - *Extensive Overhaul*
+- [ ] **#8** - UIGrid RenderTexture viewport sizing - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [x] **#9** - UIGrid RenderTexture resize handling - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#52** - UIGrid skip out-of-bounds entities - *Isolated Fix*
+- [ ] **#50** - UIGrid background color field - *Isolated Fix*
+- [ ] **#19** - Sprite get/set texture methods - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#17** - Move UISprite position into sf::Sprite - *Isolated Fix*
+- [x] **#33** - Sprite index validation against texture range - *Fixed*
+
+#### Grid/Entity System (6 issues)
+- [ ] **#30** - Entity/Grid association management (.die() method) - *Extensive Overhaul*
+- [ ] **#16** - Grid strict mode for entity knowledge/visibility - *Extensive Overhaul*  
+- [ ] **#67** - Grid stitching for infinite worlds - *Extensive Overhaul*
+- [ ] **#15** - UIGridPointState cleanup and standardization - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#20** - UIGrid get_grid_size standardization - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [x] **#12** - GridPoint/GridPointState forbid direct init - *Isolated Fix*
+
+#### Scene/Window Management (5 issues) 
+- [x] **#61** - Scene object encapsulating key callbacks - *Completed Phase 5*
+- [x] **#34** - Window object for resolution/scaling - *Completed Phase 5*
+- [ ] **#62** - Multiple windows support - *Extensive Overhaul*  
+- [ ] **#49** - Window resolution & viewport controls - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [x] **#1** - Scene resize event handling - *Completed Phase 5*
+
+### 🔧 Quality of Life Features
+
+#### UI Enhancement Features (8 issues)
+- [ ] **#39** - Name field on UIDrawables - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#40** - `only_one` arg for unique naming - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#41** - `.find(name)` method for collections - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#38** - `children` arg for Frame initialization - *Isolated Fix*
+- [ ] **#42** - Click callback arg for UIDrawable init - *Isolated Fix*  
+- [x] **#27** - UIEntityCollection.extend() method - *Fixed*
+- [ ] **#28** - UICollectionIter for scene ui iteration - *Isolated Fix*
+- [ ] **#26** - UIEntityCollectionIter implementation - *Isolated Fix*
+
+### 🧹 Refactoring & Cleanup
+
+#### Code Cleanup (7 issues)
+- [x] **#3** ⚠️ **Alpha Blocker** - Remove `McRFPy_API::player_input` - *Completed*
+- [x] **#2** ⚠️ **Alpha Blocker** - Review `registerPyAction` necessity - *Completed*
+- [ ] **#7** - Remove unsafe no-argument constructors - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#21** - PyUIGrid dealloc cleanup - *Isolated Fix*
+- [ ] **#75** - REPL thread separation from SFML window - *Multiple Integrations*
+
+### 📚 Demo & Documentation
+
+#### Documentation (2 issues)
+- [x] **#47** ⚠️ **Alpha Blocker** - Alpha release README.md - *Isolated Fix*
+- [ ] **#48** - Dependency compilation documentation - *Isolated Fix*
+
+#### Demo Projects (6 issues)  
+- [ ] **#54** - Jupyter notebook integration demo - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#55** - Hunt the Wumpus AI demo - *Multiple Integrations*
+- [ ] **#53** - Web interface input demo - *Multiple Integrations* *(New automation API could help)*
+- [ ] **#45** - Accessibility mode demos - *Multiple Integrations* *(New automation API could help test)*
+- [ ] **#36** - Dear ImGui integration tests - *Extensive Overhaul*
+- [ ] **#65** - Python Explorer scene (replaces uitest) - *Extensive Overhaul*
+
+---
+
+## 🎮 STRATEGIC DIRECTION
+
+### Engine Philosophy Maintained
+- **C++ First**: Performance-critical code stays in C++
+- **Python Close Behind**: Rich scripting without frame-rate impact  
+- **Game-Ready**: Each improvement should benefit actual game development
+
+### Architecture Goals
+1. **Clean Inheritance**: Drawable → UI components, proper type preservation
+2. **Collection Consistency**: Uniform iteration, indexing, and search patterns
+3. **Resource Management**: RAII everywhere, proper lifecycle handling
+4. **Multi-Platform**: Windows/Linux feature parity maintained
+
+---
+
+## 📚 REFERENCES & CONTEXT
+
+**Issue Dependencies** (Key Chains):
+- Iterator System: Grid points → #73 → #69 (Alpha Blocker)
+- UI Hierarchy: #71 → #63 (Alpha Blocker) 
+- Rendering: #6 (Alpha Blocker) → #8, #9 → #10
+- Entity System: #30 → #16 → #67
+- Window Management: #34 → #49, #61 → #62
+
+**Commit References**:
+- 167636c: Iterator improvements (UICollection/UIEntityCollection complete)
+- Recent work: 7DRL 2025 completion, RPATH updates, console improvements
+
+**Architecture Files**:
+- Iterator patterns: src/UICollection.cpp, src/UIGrid.cpp
+- Python integration: src/McRFPy_API.cpp, src/PyObjectUtils.h
+- Game implementation: src/scripts/ (Crypt of Sokoban complete game)
+
+---
+
+## 🔮 FUTURE VISION: Pure Python Extension Architecture
+
+### Concept: McRogueFace as a Traditional Python Package
+**Status**: Unscheduled - Long-term vision
+**Complexity**: Major architectural overhaul
+
+Instead of being a C++ application that embeds Python, McRogueFace could be redesigned as a pure Python extension module that can be installed via `pip install mcrogueface`.
+
+### Technical Approach
+1. **Separate Core Engine from Python Embedding**
+   - Extract SFML rendering, audio, and input into C++ extension modules
+   - Remove embedded CPython interpreter
+   - Use Python's C API to expose functionality
+
+2. **Module Structure**
+   ```
+   mcrfpy/
+   ├── __init__.py          # Pure Python coordinator
+   ├── _core.so             # C++ rendering/game loop extension
+   ├── _sfml.so             # SFML bindings
+   ├── _audio.so            # Audio system bindings
+   └── engine.py            # Python game engine logic
+   ```
+
+3. **Inverted Control Flow**
+   - Python drives the main loop instead of C++
+   - C++ extensions handle performance-critical operations
+   - Python manages game logic, scenes, and entity systems
+
+### Benefits
+- **Standard Python Packaging**: `pip install mcrogueface`
+- **Virtual Environment Support**: Works with venv, conda, poetry
+- **Better IDE Integration**: Standard Python development workflow  
+- **Easier Testing**: Use pytest, standard Python testing tools
+- **Cross-Python Compatibility**: Support multiple Python versions
+- **Modular Architecture**: Users can import only what they need
+
+### Challenges
+- **Major Refactoring**: Complete restructure of codebase
+- **Performance Considerations**: Python-driven main loop overhead
+- **Build Complexity**: Multiple extension modules to compile
+- **Platform Support**: Need wheels for many platform/Python combinations
+- **API Stability**: Would need careful design to maintain compatibility
+
+### Implementation Phases (If Pursued)
+1. **Proof of Concept**: Simple SFML binding as Python extension
+2. **Core Extraction**: Separate rendering from Python embedding
+3. **Module Design**: Define clean API boundaries
+4. **Incremental Migration**: Move systems one at a time
+5. **Compatibility Layer**: Support existing games during transition
+
+### Example Usage (Future Vision)
+```python
+import mcrfpy
+from mcrfpy import Scene, Frame, Sprite, Grid
+
+# Create game directly in Python
+game = mcrfpy.Game(width=1024, height=768)
+
+# Define scenes using Python classes
+class MainMenu(Scene):
+    def on_enter(self):
+        self.ui.append(Frame(100, 100, 200, 50))
+        self.ui.append(Sprite("logo.png", x=400, y=100))
+    
+    def on_keypress(self, key, pressed):
+        if key == "ENTER" and pressed:
+            self.game.set_scene("game")
+
+# Run the game
+game.add_scene("menu", MainMenu())
+game.run()
+```
+
+This architecture would make McRogueFace a first-class Python citizen, following standard Python packaging conventions while maintaining high performance through C++ extensions.
+
+---
+
+## 🚀 IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS (Priority Order)
+
+### TODAY (July 12) - CRITICAL PATH:
+1. **FIX ANIMATION BLOCKERS** for Tutorial Part 2:
+   - Implement input queueing during animations
+   - Add destination square reservation
+   - Test Pokemon-style continuous movement
+2. **FIX GRID CLICKING** (discovered broken in headless):
+   - Uncomment and implement click events
+   - Add tile coordinate conversion
+   - Enable nested grid support
+3. **CREATE TUTORIAL ANNOUNCEMENT** if blockers fixed
+
+### Weekend (July 13-14) - Tutorial Sprint:
+1. **Regenerate Parts 3-6** (machine drafts are broken)
+2. **Create Parts 7-10**: Interface, Items, Targeting, Save/Load
+3. **Create Parts 11-15**: Dungeon levels, difficulty, equipment
+4. **Post more frequently during event** (narrator emphasis)
+
+### Architecture Decision Log:
+- **DECIDED**: Use three-layer architecture (visual/world/perspective)
+- **DECIDED**: Spatial hashing over quadtrees for entities
+- **DECIDED**: Batch operations are mandatory, not optional
+- **DECIDED**: TCOD integration as mcrfpy.libtcod submodule
+- **DECIDED**: Tutorial must showcase McRogueFace strengths, not mimic TCOD
+
+### Risk Mitigation:
+- **If TCOD integration delays**: Use pure Python FOV for tutorial
+- **If performance issues**: Focus on <100x100 maps for demos
+- **If tutorial incomplete**: Ship with 4 solid parts + roadmap
+- **If bugs block progress**: Document as "known issues" and continue
+
+---
+
+## 📋 COMPREHENSIVE ISSUES FROM TRANSCRIPT ANALYSIS
+
+### Animation System (6 issues)
+1. **Input Queue During Animation**: Queue one additional move during animation
+2. **Destination Square Reservation**: Block target when movement begins  
+3. **Pokemon-Style Movement**: Smooth continuous movement with input handling
+4. **Animation Callbacks**: Add completion callbacks with parameters
+5. **Property Conflict Prevention**: Prevent multiple animations on same property
+6. **Remove Bare Pointers**: Complete refactoring to weak references ✅
+
+### Grid System (6 issues)
+7. **Grid Click Implementation**: Fix commented-out events in headless
+8. **Tile Coordinate Conversion**: Convert mouse to tile coordinates
+9. **Nested Grid Support**: Enable clicking on grids within grids
+10. **Grid Rendering Performance**: Implement 256x256 subgrid system
+11. **Dirty Flagging**: Add dirty flag propagation from base
+12. **Grid Point Animation**: Enable animating individual tiles
+
+### Python API (6 issues)
+13. **Regenerate Python Bindings**: Create consistent interface generation
+14. **Vector Class Enhancement**: Add [0], [1] indexing to vectors
+15. **Fix Object Splitting**: Preserve Python derived class types
+16. **Standardize Constructors**: Make all constructors consistent
+17. **Color Class Bindings**: Properly expose SFML Color class
+18. **Font Class Bindings**: Properly expose SFML Font class
+
+### Architecture (8 issues)
+19. **Scene as Drawable**: Refactor Scene to inherit from Drawable
+20. **Scene Visibility System**: Implement exclusive visibility switching
+21. **Replace Transition System**: Use animations not special transitions
+22. **Parent-Child UI**: Add parent field to UI drawables
+23. **Collection Methods**: Implement append/remove/extend with parent updates
+24. **Timer Object System**: Replace string-dictionary timers
+25. **One-Shot Timer Mode**: Implement proper one-shot functionality
+26. **Button Mechanics**: Any entity type can trigger buttons
+
+### Entity System (4 issues)
+27. **Step-On Entities**: Implement trigger when stepped on
+28. **Bump Interaction**: Add bump-to-interact behavior
+29. **Type-Aware Interactions**: Entity interactions based on type
+30. **Button Mechanics**: Any entity can trigger buttons
+
+### Tutorial & Documentation (4 issues)
+31. **Fix Part 2 Tutorial**: Unblock with animation fixes
+32. **Regenerate Parts 3-6**: Replace machine-generated content
+33. **API Documentation**: Document ergonomic improvements
+34. **Tutorial Alignment**: Ensure parts match TCOD structure
+
+---
+
+*Last Updated: 2025-07-12 (CRITICAL TUTORIAL SPRINT)*
+*Next Review: July 15 after event start*