From 2a8a8f69e29a890a14083030c5c59e5a6ecd3cf4 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "google-labs-jules[bot]"
 <161369871+google-labs-jules[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2026 12:44:35 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Add encouraging empty state for highscore display

This commit adds an explicitly encouraging message ("None yet! Set a record!") when the user's high score is 0, rather than silently hiding the section. This improves the onboarding experience for new players by clarifying the system state and providing a friendly call-to-action.

Co-authored-by: EiJackGH <172181576+EiJackGH@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 .Jules/palette.md | 4 ++++
 src/main.cpp      | 2 ++
 2 files changed, 6 insertions(+)

diff --git a/.Jules/palette.md b/.Jules/palette.md
index 05d4366..7480139 100644
--- a/.Jules/palette.md
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -33,3 +33,7 @@
 ## 2024-04-24 - Avoiding Trailing Artifacts in CLI Applications
 **Learning:** When dynamically updating terminal lines using carriage return (`\r`), relying on hardcoded padding spaces to overwrite old text is brittle and leads to trailing text artifacts when new lines are shorter than previous ones.
 **Action:** Always use the ANSI escape sequence `\033[K` (Erase in Line) immediately after the carriage return (`\r`) to cleanly clear the line before writing new content, rather than manually managing padding spaces.
+
+## 2026-06-01 - Welcoming Empty States in CLI
+**Learning:** In CLI applications, explicitly displaying encouraging empty states (e.g., "None yet! Set a record!") for data or achievements clarifies the system state and improves user onboarding, rather than silently hiding the UI element when empty.
+**Action:** Always provide explicit, encouraging empty states for data or achievements to clarify system state and improve user onboarding.
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 60ae556..9938143 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -79,6 +79,8 @@ int main() {
 
     if (highscore > 0) {
         std::cout << " Personal Best: " << CLR_SCORE << highscore << CLR_RESET << "\n\n";
+    } else {
+        std::cout << " Personal Best: " << CLR_NORM << "None yet! Set a record!" << CLR_RESET << "\n\n";
     }
 
     std::cout << "Controls:\n " << CLR_CTRL << "[h]" << CLR_RESET << " Toggle Hard Mode (10x Speed!)\n "