chat_grid/docs/item-types.md

Item Types

This is behavior-focused documentation for item types and their defaults.

Shared Item Behavior

• Items are server-authoritative.
• Global per-type fields are injected by the server and are not persisted per-instance:
  • capabilities
  • useSound
  • emitSound
  • useCooldownMs (from item catalog)
  • emitRange (spatial range in squares)
  • directional (directional attenuation enabled)
• Instance fields are persisted in server/runtime/items.json.

radio_station

Defaults

• Title: radio
• Params:
  • streamUrl=""
  • enabled=true
  • channel="stereo"
  • volume=50
  • effect="off"
  • effectValue=50
  • facing=0
  • emitRange=20
• Global:
  • useSound=none
  • emitSound=none
  • useCooldownMs=1000
  • emitRange=20
  • directional=true

Use

• use toggles enabled on/off and broadcasts chat status.

Validation

• channel: stereo | mono | left | right
• volume: integer 0..100
• effect: reverb | echo | flanger | high_pass | low_pass | off
• effectValue: number 0..100 with 0.1 precision
• facing: number 0..360 with 0.1 precision
• emitRange: integer 5..20

dice

Defaults

• Title: Dice
• Params:
  • sides=6
  • number=2
• Global:
  • useSound=sounds/roll.ogg
  • emitSound=none
  • useCooldownMs=1000
  • emitRange=15
  • directional=false

Use

• Rolls number dice with sides sides and reports values + total.

Validation

• sides: integer 1..100
• number: integer 1..100

wheel

Defaults

• Title: wheel
• Params:
  • spaces="yes, no"
• Global:
  • useSound=sounds/spin.ogg
  • emitSound=none
  • useCooldownMs=4000
  • emitRange=15
  • directional=false

Use

• Announces spin immediately.
• Result is sent after delay.

Validation

• spaces: comma-delimited values
• At least 1 entry
• Max 100 entries
• Max 80 chars per entry

clock

Defaults

• Title: clock
• Params:
  • timeZone="America/Detroit"
  • use24Hour=false
• Global:
  • useSound=none
  • emitSound=sounds/clock.ogg
  • useCooldownMs=1000
  • emitRange=10
  • directional=false

Use

• Reports current time from item timezone and format.

Validation

• timeZone: one of CLOCK_TIME_ZONE_OPTIONS in server/app/item_catalog.py
• use24Hour: boolean or on/off style input

Adding A New Item Type (Registry V1)

Item types are currently code-registered on both server and client so new types are additive instead of editing one large branch.

For a full copy/paste example with plain-English explanation, see docs/item-type-template.md.

1. Server catalog: add global defaults in server/app/item_catalog.py (ITEM_DEFINITIONS).
2. Server handlers: add validate_update + use logic in server/app/item_type_handlers.py and register it in ITEM_TYPE_HANDLERS.
3. Server models: extend ItemType literals in server/app/models.py and any packet enums that list item types.
4. Client registry: add type metadata in client/src/items/itemRegistry.ts (ITEM_TYPE_SEQUENCE, editable properties, and global property hints).
5. Client protocol types: update item-type unions in client/src/network/protocol.ts and client/src/state/gameState.ts.
6. Tests: add or update server tests under server/tests/ for use/update validation and cooldown behavior.

Example Shape

A minimal new item type usually needs:

• Catalog defaults:
  • default_title
  • default_params
  • use_sound / emit_sound
  • use_cooldown_ms
• Handler behavior:
  • validate params on update
  • build self/others use messages
  • optionally return delayed result text