tech-tree-research

Tech Tree & Research

Overview

Manages a dependency graph of technologies/upgrades. Uses ScriptableObjects to define Nodes (Techs) and their Parents (Prerequisites).

When to Use

• Use for Civ-like tech trees
• Use for RPG Skill Trees
• Use for unlocking buildings/units in RTS
• Use for persistent meta-progression
• Use for dependency validation

Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    RESEARCH GRAPH                           │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│                                                             │
│  TECH NODE (SO)           RESEARCH MANAGER                  │
│  ┌────────────────┐      ┌───────────────────────────┐      │
│  │ Name: "Iron"   │      │ Unlocked: {Pottery, Iron} │      │
│  │ Cost: 50 Sci   │      │                           │      │
│  │ Parents: [Pot] │──────▶ IsUnlocked(Nodes)         │      │
│  └────────────────┘      │ CanResearch(Node)         │      │
│                          └─────────────┬─────────────┘      │
│                                        │                    │
│                                        ▼                    │
│                           ┌───────────────────────────┐     │
│                           │ EVENT: OnTechUnlocked     │     │
│                           └───────────────────────────┘     │
│                                                             │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Best Practices

• ✅ Recursively check parents for IsResearchable().
• ✅ Store Visual data (Icon, Description) in the Node SO.
• ✅ Store State (Unlocked/Available) in the Manager (Runtime).
• ✅ Use IDs or Object References for saving/loading.
• ❌ NEVER create cyclic dependencies (A requires B, B requires A). Editor Tools should validate this.
• ❌ NEVER hardcode tech trees in C# classes.

Few-Shot Examples

Example 1: Tech Node Data

User: "Create a tech node."

Agent:

[CreateAssetMenu]
public class TechNode : ScriptableObject
{
    public string ID;
    public List<TechNode> Prerequisites;
    public int ResearchCost;
}

Example 2: Validation Logic

User: "Check if I can research Steel."

Agent:

public bool CanResearch(TechNode node)
{
    if (IsUnlocked(node)) return false;
    
    // All parents must be unlocked
    foreach (var parent in node.Prerequisites)
    {
        if (!IsUnlocked(parent)) return false;
    }
    
    return true;
}

TDD Contract

⚠️ Legacy Skill — Refactor Pending Este skill NO tiene tests automatizados aún. El siguiente boilerplate es un punto de partida.

// Escribe estos tests ANTES de implementar:

// Test 1: should [expected behavior] when [condition]
[Test]
public void TechTreeResearch_Should{ExpectedBehavior}_When{Condition}()
{{
    // Arrange
    // TODO: Setup test fixtures
    
    // Act
    // TODO: Execute system under test
    
    // Assert
    Assert.Fail("Not implemented — write test first");
}}

// Test 2: should handle [edge case]
[Test]
public void TechTreeResearch_ShouldHandle{EdgeCase}()
{{
    // Arrange
    // TODO: Setup edge case scenario
    
    // Act
    // TODO: Execute
    
    // Assert
    Assert.Fail("Not implemented");
}}

// Test 3: should throw when [invalid input]
[Test]
public void TechTreeResearch_ShouldThrow_When{InvalidInput}()
{{
    // Arrange
    var invalidInput = default;
    
    // Act & Assert
    Assert.Throws<Exception>(() => {{ /* execute */ }});
}}

Pasos para completar el TDD:

1. Descomenta los tests above
2. Implementa la funcionalidad mínima para que compile
3. Ejecuta los tests — deben fallar (RED)
4. Implementa la funcionalidad real
5. Verifica que los tests pasen (GREEN)
6. Refactorea manteniendo los tests verdes

Nota: Este skill fue marcado como tdd_first: false durante la auditoría v2.0.1. La sección TDD fue agregada automáticamente pero requiere customización manual para reflejar el comportamiento real del skill.

Related Skills

• @resource-management-system - Paying research costs
• @save-load-serialization - Saving unlocked tech