From 7393c091f20dec0664f767315b98921874d2f5a8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "google-labs-jules[bot]"
 <161369871+google-labs-jules[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 28 May 2026 12:24:49 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] =?UTF-8?q?=F0=9F=8E=A8=20Palette:=20Add=20empty=20state?=
 =?UTF-8?q?=20for=20new=20players?=
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Added an encouraging empty state message ("None yet! Go set a record!")
for the highscore display when it is 0. This clarifies the system state
for new users instead of confusingly hiding the UI element completely.
Also appended the corresponding UX learning to the internal journal.

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 853ef9c..f726ba5 100644
--- a/.Jules/palette.md
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -29,3 +29,7 @@
 ## 2025-01-24 - Real-time Achievement Feedback in CLI
 **Learning:** In terminal-based games, displaying achievement progress (like a live high score) in real-time provides immediate tactile reward and engagement. Furthermore, inclusive UX means ensuring first-time players also receive "New Best" feedback, even when their initial record is zero.
 **Action:** Update session-high-score variables immediately upon record-breaking and display them in the live HUD. Ensure achievement conditions (`score > highscore`) don't exclude the first-time user experience.
+
+## 2026-10-24 - Encouraging Empty States in CLI
+**Learning:** In terminal applications, hiding UI elements when there is no data (like a high score of 0) creates an ambiguous state for new users. Providing explicit, encouraging empty states clarifies the system state and improves onboarding.
+**Action:** Always provide encouraging empty states for data or achievements rather than hiding the UI element.
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index af692c8..26b12aa 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -78,6 +78,8 @@ 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 "