From 1ecbde8dfce75600b2ac3e1c65d3a2c9826e90c3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "google-labs-jules[bot]"
 <161369871+google-labs-jules[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Mon, 13 Jul 2026 12:29:43 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] =?UTF-8?q?=F0=9F=8E=A8=20Palette:=20Add=20explicit=20empt?=
 =?UTF-8?q?y=20state=20for=20highscore?=
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When no highscore exists, show an encouraging empty state rather than just
hiding the element. This clarifies system capabilities for new users.

Co-authored-by: EiJackGH <172181576+EiJackGH@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 .Jules/palette.md | 3 +++
 .gitignore        | 1 +
 src/main.cpp      | 2 ++
 3 files changed, 6 insertions(+)

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 "