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From: "google-labs-jules[bot]"
 <161369871+google-labs-jules[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:35:45 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] =?UTF-8?q?=F0=9F=8E=A8=20Palette:=20Add=20live=20high-sco?=
 =?UTF-8?q?re=20feedback=20and=20inclusive=20achievement=20logic?=
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- Added a real-time high-score display (e.g., "Score: 10 | High: 10") to gameplay.
- Updated achievement logic to show "NEW BEST! 🥳" for first-time players.
- Improved terminal UI updates using the \033[K (Erase in Line) ANSI sequence.
- Added a journal entry to .Jules/palette.md regarding live feedback.

Co-authored-by: aidasofialily-cmd <247843425+aidasofialily-cmd@users.noreply.github.com>
---
 .Jules/palette.md | 4 ++++
 src/main.cpp      | 9 +++++----
 2 files changed, 9 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.Jules/palette.md b/.Jules/palette.md
index c4e3778..57672db 100644
--- a/.Jules/palette.md
+++ b/.Jules/palette.md
@@ -25,3 +25,7 @@
 ## 2026-03-02 - Hiding the Cursor in CLI Games
 **Learning:** In terminal applications that require rapid visual updates or where user input doesn't involve typing text, an actively blinking cursor can be a visual distraction. Hiding it during interaction (`\033[?25l`) and rigorously ensuring it is restored (`\033[?25h`) on exit—including signal interrupts—significantly improves the aesthetic and focus.
 **Action:** Always hide the cursor for interactive CLI games and explicitly restore it across all exit paths, including async-signal-safe signal handlers.
+
+## 2026-05-24 - Live High-Score Feedback for First-Time Players
+**Learning:** In competitive CLI games, displaying a live high-score target (e.g., 'Score: 10 | High: 10') provides immediate tactile reward and engagement. Furthermore, gating "NEW BEST!" indicators behind an `initialHighscore > 0` check prevents first-time players from experiencing that initial "delight" of setting their first record.
+**Action:** Always include a live high-score display and ensure achievement logic is inclusive of first-time players by comparing against the session's starting score regardless of its initial value.
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index e72f1da..4721fe0 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -137,10 +137,11 @@ int main() {
         }
 
         if (updateUI) {
-            std::cout << "\r" << CLR_SCORE << "Score: " << score << CLR_RESET << " "
+            std::cout << "\r" << CLR_SCORE << "Score: " << score << CLR_RESET
+                      << " | High: " << std::max(score, highscore) << " "
                       << (hardMode ? CLR_HARD "[HARD MODE]" : CLR_NORM "[NORMAL MODE]")
-                      << (score > initialHighscore && initialHighscore > 0 ? " NEW BEST! 🥳" : "")
-                      << "           " << std::flush;
+                      << (score > initialHighscore ? " NEW BEST! 🥳" : "")
+                      << "\033[K" << std::flush;
             updateUI = false;
         }
     }
@@ -151,7 +152,7 @@ int main() {
 
     tcsetattr(STDIN_FILENO, TCSANOW, &oldt);
     std::cout << "\n\n" << CLR_SCORE << "Final Score: " << score << CLR_RESET << "\n";
-    if (score > initialHighscore && initialHighscore > 0) {
+    if (score > initialHighscore) {
         std::cout << "Congratulations! A new personal best!\n";
     }
     std::cout << "Thanks for playing!\n";