diff --git a/.Jules/palette.md b/.Jules/palette.md
index 05d4366..7b26c95 100644
--- a/.Jules/palette.md
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -33,3 +33,6 @@
 ## 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.
+## 2024-07-13 - Empty States in CLI
+**Learning:** Hiding UI elements (like high scores) when data is absent leaves users guessing if the feature exists. Providing an explicit, encouraging empty state clarifies system capabilities and improves onboarding.
+**Action:** Always provide explicit empty states for data or achievements rather than hiding the UI element when empty.
diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index eb2c19a..d07c78a 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -44,3 +44,4 @@ highscore.txt
 
 # Persistent data
 highscore.txt
+venv/
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 60ae556..4cee545 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_SCORE << "None yet - go set a record!" << CLR_RESET << "\n\n";
     }
 
     std::cout << "Controls:\n " << CLR_CTRL << "[h]" << CLR_RESET << " Toggle Hard Mode (10x Speed!)\n "