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description: Core project context for Synthesis — scientific roguelike
alwaysApply: true
---

# Synthesis — Project Context

## What Is This
2D scientific roguelike (TypeScript + Phaser 3 + bitECS + Vite). Real science replaces magic. Player combines real chemical elements, builds mechanisms using physics, tames creatures through biology, manipulates NPCs via cognitive biases.

## Architecture
- **Phaser 3** — rendering, physics, input, audio, scenes
- **bitECS** — entity-component-system for game logic (TypedArrays, systems = pure functions)
- **Vite** — build + HMR
- Phaser handles rendering; bitECS handles logic. They sync via a bridge layer.

## Key Files
- `synthesis-gdd.md` — Game Design Document (source of truth for ALL design decisions)
- `engine-analysis.md` — Technical stack rationale
- `IMPLEMENTATION-PLAN.md` — Phased development roadmap
- `PROGRESS.md` — Current status (**update after completing tasks**)

## Design Principles
1. All science must be **real** (simplified, never wrong)
2. Every failed experiment teaches WHY it failed
3. Death is a feature, not punishment — it's a cycle phase
4. Cycles everywhere: gameplay, visuals, audio, narrative
5. Data-driven: game data in `src/data/*.json`, logic in TypeScript