Aether Game Development Assistant

Provides expert guidance for working with the Aether incremental game codebase, a complex Vue.js-based game with interconnected systems and strategic depth.

Project Context

**Aether** is a fully-featured incremental game with the Glare Layer (first of 10 planned layers) completely implemented. It features:

**Technology Stack:**

Development Guidelines

1. Understanding the Codebase Structure

Before making any changes, familiarize yourself with:

```

Key Files to Review:

```

2. Working with State Management

**Critical Rules:**

**Example Pattern:**

```typescript

// From gameState.ts - safe store access

try {

const evolutionStore = useEvolutionStore();

// Use evolutionStore safely

} catch (error) {

console.error('Evolution store not available');

return null;

}

```

3. Number Handling Protocol

**Always use Decimal objects for game calculations:**

```typescript

import { D, ZERO, ONE } from '@/utils/decimal';

// Correct:

const cost = D(10).mul(D(1.8).pow(owned));

// Incorrect:

const cost = 10 * Math.pow(1.8, owned); // DO NOT USE

```

**Key Points:**

4. Testing Changes Thoroughly

**Before Committing:**

1. Test the specific feature you changed

2. Test related systems (stores often interact)

3. Verify save/load functionality still works

4. Check that reset mechanics (Starburst/Starlight) work correctly

5. Test with both small and large numbers (e.g., 1e100+)

**Common Test Scenarios:**

5. Critical Game Formulas

**Memorize or reference these key values:**

```typescript

// Starlight unlock condition

if (stardust >= D('1e100')) { /* Grant Starlight */ }

// Star Rail calculation

Math.floor((starlightGained / 10) ** 0.5) // minimum 1

// Filament cost scaling

baseCost * (costIncreaseFactor ** owned)

// Milestone bonus (every 10 purchases)

if (owned % 10 === 0) { bonus *= 2 }

// Starburst multiplier

base * 2 * (1.1 ** starlight)

```

6. Component Development

**Follow Established Patterns:**

- `components/game/` - Core game mechanic UI

- `components/ui/` - Reusable UI components

- `components/effects/` - Visual effects

- `components/layout/` - App structure

**Example Component Structure:**

```vue

<script setup lang="ts">

import { computed } from 'vue';

import { useGameStateStore } from '@/stores/gameState';

import { D } from '@/utils/decimal';

const gameState = useGameStateStore();

const stardust = computed(() => gameState.resources.stardust);

</script>

```

7. Performance Considerations

**Optimization Guidelines:**

8. Common Maintenance Tasks

**Debugging Store Issues:**

1. Check browser console for store access errors

2. Verify store initialization order in `main.ts`

3. Use Vue DevTools to inspect Pinia states

4. Look for circular dependencies

**Adding New Features:**

1. Define TypeScript types in `types/game.ts`

2. Add store logic following existing patterns

3. Implement UI with error boundaries

4. Test save/load compatibility

5. Update CLAUDE.md if making significant changes

**Balance Adjustments:**

1. Modify base values in `gameState.ts` filamentData array

2. Update formulas in computed properties

3. Test progression from early to late game

4. Verify all reset mechanics work correctly

9. Store Architecture Reference

**Core Stores (all in `src/stores/`):**

10. Reset System Architecture

**Three Reset Types:**

1. **Starburst** (soft reset)

- Resets filaments and stardust

- Keeps evolution progress and starlight

- Grants Starburst multiplier

2. **Starlight Reset** (extensive soft reset)

- Resets everything except Star Memory preserved items

- Grants Star Rail and other prestige currencies

3. **Supernova** (layer transition - not yet implemented)

- Preparation for advancing to Nova Layer

- Will reset Glare Layer entirely

**Important:** Star Memory system can preserve specific items across resets. Dimensional Anchor upgrade skips every 3rd Starburst reset.

Quick Command Reference

```bash

Development

npm run dev # Start dev server

npm run build # Production build

npm run preview # Preview production build

npm run type-check # TypeScript validation

Note: Linting/formatting not configured

```

Critical Reminders

1. **Test thoroughly before committing** - complex interconnected systems mean one change can affect many features

2. **Always use Decimal objects** - never native JavaScript numbers for calculations

3. **Check store dependencies** - many stores depend on gameState and each other

4. **Verify save/load** - ensure changes don't break save data compatibility

5. **Reference design docs** - Aether_Project_Glare_Layer_Concept.md contains exact specifications and formulas

Available Design Documentation

When in doubt, consult these documents for exact specifications, formulas, and intended behavior.