Session 35 — Content Architecture & Hybrid Metadata System

Session 35 — May 2, 2026

Summary

Completed the full content architecture redesign for Today’s Specials. Built a hybrid metadata system (flat files + section grouping) and created the foundational lore documents that ground the game’s traveling diner world. All game content now has section and order metadata for intelligent landing page organization.

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✅ Locked: Project Name & Tagline

Official Name: Today’s Specials
Tagline: Serving up the dish you need

This shift reflects the traveling diner world and removes chef-role constraints.

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✅ Created: Foundational Lore Documents

New files:

• the-world.md — The traveling diner cosmology, the unknown sender, how it travels
• the-seeds.md — Recipe cards, order tickets, chalkboard explained
• job-creation.md — Narrative overview of job building, connecting to the world

Updated with lore intros:

• exploration.md — “Into the Unknown” narrative frame
• cooking.md — “The Cook-Down” narrative frame
• presentation.md — “The Moment” narrative frame
• introduction.md — Added world context to opening

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✅ Locked: Hybrid Section Metadata System

Structure: Flat file + metadata-driven organization

All game content now tagged with:

• section — One of: world, crew, play, reference, project
• sectionOrder — Reading order within section (1, 2, 3…)

Five Sections Defined:

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Files Organized with Metadata

The World:

1. introduction.md
2. the-world.md
3. the-seeds.md
4. session-0.md

Your Crew:

1. character-class.md
2. character-personality.md
3. character-calling.md
4. character-creation.md

Play a Session:

1. game-loop.md
2. job-creation.md
3. job-client.md
4. job-event.md
5. job-location.md
6. job-urgency.md
7. exploration.md
8. exploration-red.md
9. exploration-black.md
10. cooking.md
11. cooking-red.md
12. cooking-black.md
13. presentation.md
14. presentation-reactions.md

Reference:

1. misc-tables.md
2. misc-complications.md
3. misc-dish-names.md
4. example-playthrough.md

Project:

1. project-truths.md
2. ai-transparency.md
3. credits.md

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Next Steps (Priorities for Session 36)

Priority 1: Rulebook Landing Page Redesign

• Rebuild src/pages/projects/todays-specials/rulebook.astro
• Group sections with context headings
• Show entry points for different user types:
  • “New to the game?” → The World
  • “Ready to play?” → Play a Session
  • “Need a rule?” → Reference
• Add section descriptions

Priority 2: Polish Content Tables

• Add world-building tone to:
  • cooking-red.md — Match exploration table style
  • cooking-black.md — Match exploration table style
  • Optional: review misc-tables.md for consistency
• Final em dash audit across all sections

Priority 3: Retire Old Files

• page-budget.md — Remove from collection
• Verify archive cleanup

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Decisions Locked

• Hybrid metadata system replaces pure flat-file structure — provides hierarchy without route changes
• Section organization enables intelligent landing page without modifying routes
• Lore-first approach: world documents precede mechanics for new players
• All game content has both altitude and section metadata for multi-dimensional organization

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Captured Session 35 — May 2, 2026. Content architecture complete, metadata system live, next: rebuild rulebook landing page.