docs(spec): simulator alteration preview design (session 0007)

Bring the slice-1 alteration engine into the simulator so the experience
look can be tuned before hardware (operator simulator-first directive).
Python-canonical engine, thin browser renderer; Dark/Light as a live
runtime grade, Left/Right as a 5x5 grid of pre-baked authored variant
clips selected by coordinate.

Revises the machine-altered-perception design SS4.3/SS10: the Left HUD is
now baked into authored variant videos (authorial precision over the HUD)
rather than a runtime overlay, trading away near-free multilingual support.
Retires the simulator's selection-era X-ray view + endpoints.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.8 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

.gitignore

@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@ __pycache__/
 .venv/
 media/
 .superpowers/
+*.egg-info/

docs/ROADMAP.md

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ Design reference: [`specs/2026-06-04-human-experience-filter-design.md`](./super
 |---|---------------------------------|---------------|----------|
 | 1 | Catalog & Selection Core        | ✅ Done        | everything |
 | 2 | Ingest & Tagging / Review tools | ✅ Done        | a real library |
-| 3 | Player Runtime (Pi)             | ⏳ Next        | the room runs |
+| 3 | Player Runtime (Pi)             | ⏳ In progress | the room runs |
 | 4 | Arduino Firmware (control panel)| ◻ Not started | real knobs |
 | 5 | ~~Procedural Side Walls~~       | ❌ Dropped     | — (superseded) |
 
@@ -95,29 +95,60 @@ was `validate_catalog` + `index_by_id`.
 
 ---
 
-## 3. Player Runtime (Pi) ⏳ (next)
+## 3. Player Runtime (Pi) ⏳ (in progress)
 
-**Goal:** the thing that makes the room run — read the controls, pick media, play
-it across the single panoramic projector.
+**Goal:** the thing that makes the room run — read the controls, **alter** the
+neutral base footage toward the knob state, and play it across the single
+panoramic projector. Per the machine-altered-perception revision the knobs no
+longer *select* a pre-tagged clip; they drive an **alteration engine** (design
+§4/§5) over a small neutral base library.
 
-**Delivers (`player/`):**
+**Slice 1 — alteration engine + player core (pure logic) ✅ Done.** Merged to
+`main` (session 0006); 56 tests. The new `player/` package, with all I/O
+(video/audio/serial) behind injected interfaces:
 
-- Read the five control values from the Arduino over USB serial.
-- Call `hef.selection.select()` on each change; loop the chosen 5–15 min segment
-  until the knobs move; **crossfade** on change.
-- `None` mode → fade to black + silence.
-- Drive the **single panoramic projector** spanning the three walls with the real
-  selected video (no primary/side split; no side-wall feed — sub-project 5 dropped).
+- `player/controls.py` — `Controls`, the full panel state (7-way content dial +
+  4 experience knobs + volume + brightness); the serial-contract data shape
+  shared with sub-project 4.
+- `player/content.py` — `resolve_content`, the §6 7-way dial → (audio source,
+  video on/off) table.
+- `player/alteration.py` — `plan_alteration`, knob vector → `RenderPlan`
+  (mood `ColorGrade` with center=identity §5; Left `AnalyticalOverlay`; Right
+  `Restyle`), encoding the §4.2 layering rule (substrate vs overlay; Left & Right
+  stack).
+- `player/state.py` — `Player`, the state machine that diffs successive controls
+  into transitions (`FADE_TO_BLACK`/`FADE_FROM_BLACK` on video on/off,
+  `CROSSFADE` on clip/restyle-variant swap, `LIVE_UPDATE` for the continuous
+  grade/overlay/level ops per §4.3, `NONE` when unchanged).
 
-**Depends on:** sub-project 1 (`select`); a populated catalog from sub-project 2
-to be meaningful, but can be developed against a hand-authored catalog and a
-**keyboard/serial stand-in** before firmware exists.
-**Done when:** given a catalog and a stream of control values, it plays the
-correct segment, loops, crossfades, and goes dark on `None` — testable with the
-serial input mocked.
-**Hardware:** Raspberry Pi 5 (holds the drive + catalog).
+Plan: [`2026-06-05-player-alteration-core.md`](./superpowers/plans/2026-06-05-player-alteration-core.md).
+
+**Remaining slices (not started):**
+
+- **Runtime renderer** — drive the single panoramic projector via mpv/ffmpeg;
+  GPU shaders for the luma-keyed mood grade + analytical-overlay compositing;
+  realize crossfade/fade timing and the 5–15 min loop. (Open decision: player
+  stack — mpv via IPC vs. ffmpeg vs. custom.)
+- **Serial input** — real USB-serial reader on the Pi + the **3⇄4 framing
+  contract** with the firmware (the keyboard/serial stand-in already works via a
+  `Controls` stream).
+- **White-noise generation** — runtime white/pink noise for that content position.
+- **Offline v2v variant pipeline** — author the pre-baked Right restyle variants
+  (the only paid AI step, design §9) + the multilingual label/string tables + TTS.
+- **Catalog model changes** — audio *source* + "neutral base" vs "altered
+  variant" flag (sub-project 2 territory, design §13).
+
+**Depends on:** sub-project 1 (`Coordinate`); a neutral base library from
+sub-project 2 to be meaningful, but developable against a hand-authored library
+and a **keyboard/serial stand-in** before firmware exists.
+**Done when:** given a base library and a stream of control values, it plays the
+correct altered segment, loops, crossfades, and goes dark on `Off` — the
+decision logic is covered (slice 1, serial mocked); the renderer realizes it.
+**Hardware:** Raspberry Pi 5 (holds the drive + base library + variants).
 **Open decisions:** player stack (mpv via IPC vs. ffmpeg vs. custom); whether the
-player hard-restricts to `approved` records.
+player hard-restricts to `approved` records (the `approved_only` flag is plumbed
+but inert until backed by a real catalog); knob→strength calibration (the §3 vs
+§4.2/§5 reconciliation — see the slice-1 plan / session 0006 transcript).
 
 ---
 

docs/superpowers/plans/2026-06-05-player-alteration-core.md

@@ -0,0 +1,867 @@
+# Player Alteration Core Implementation Plan
+
+> **For agentic workers:** REQUIRED SUB-SKILL: Use superpowers:subagent-driven-development (recommended) or superpowers:executing-plans to implement this plan task-by-task. Steps use checkbox (`- [ ]`) syntax for tracking.
+
+**Goal:** Build the pure-logic core of sub-project 3 (the Player Runtime + alteration engine) — a new `player/` package that turns control-panel state into a render plan and playback transitions, fully unit-tested with all I/O (video/audio/serial) behind injected interfaces.
+
+**Architecture:** Four small, pure modules mirroring `hef/` conventions (frozen dataclasses, `from __future__ import annotations`, string-constant frozensets, thorough unit tests, no heavy deps). `controls` models the panel state (the serial-contract data shape shared with sub-project 4); `content` resolves the 7-way content dial; `alteration` is the heart — knob vector → `RenderPlan` per design §4/§5; `state` is the player state machine that diffs successive controls into playback transitions (crossfade / fade-to-black / live-update). No mpv, no GPU, no real serial, no white-noise DSP, no v2v pipeline — those are later integration slices.
+
+**Tech Stack:** Python 3.11+, stdlib only (`dataclasses`, `math`), pytest. Reuses `hef.selection.Coordinate` for the knob vector.
+
+**Design reference:** `docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-05-machine-altered-perception-design.md` (§4 alteration engine, §5 mood grade, §6 7-way content dial, §7 intensity) and `docs/ROADMAP.md` §3 (Player Runtime "done when").
+
+**Calibration decision (flagged for operator):** brain knobs use `strength = value/4` (0=off, 4=max); mood uses `tone = (light−dark)/4` (equal dark/light = identity per §5). This reads §3's "(2,2,2,2) neutral" as a vestige of the old coordinate-grid center. The calibration lives in three one-line helpers so the convention can be flipped trivially. See the session 0006 transcript's Deferred decisions.
+
+---
+
+## File Structure
+
+- `player/__init__.py` — package marker (empty).
+- `player/controls.py` — `Controls` frozen dataclass (content position + 4 experience knobs + volume + brightness), `CONTENT_POSITIONS`, `validate_controls`, `parse_controls` (from a decoded mapping; wire framing is the separate 3⇄4 serial contract).
+- `player/content.py` — `ContentResolution` (audio source + video flag), `AUDIO_SOURCES`, `resolve_content` (the §6 7-row table, single source of truth).
+- `player/alteration.py` — `ColorGrade`, `AnalyticalOverlay`, `Restyle`, `RenderPlan`, `plan_alteration(coord)`, and the calibration helpers `_overlay_intensity`, `_restyle_blend`, `_mood_tone`.
+- `player/state.py` — `Playback`, `TransitionKind`, `Transition`, `Player` (consumes a stream of `Controls`, emits a `Transition` per update; output sink is injected/duck-typed; base-clip choice is an injected callable).
+- `pyproject.toml` — add `"player"` to `[tool.setuptools] packages`.
+
+Tests (one per module): `tests/test_player_controls.py`, `tests/test_player_content.py`, `tests/test_player_alteration.py`, `tests/test_player_state.py`.
+
+---
+
+## Task 1: Controls model (the serial-contract data shape)
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `player/__init__.py`
+- Create: `player/controls.py`
+- Test: `tests/test_player_controls.py`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write the failing tests**
+
+```python
+# tests/test_player_controls.py
+import pytest
+
+from player.controls import (
+    Controls,
+    CONTENT_POSITIONS,
+    ControlsError,
+    validate_controls,
+    parse_controls,
+)
+
+
+def test_content_positions_are_the_seven_from_the_spec():
+    assert CONTENT_POSITIONS == frozenset(
+        {"off", "white_noise", "music", "audio_track", "video", "music_video", "audio_video"}
+    )
+
+
+def test_valid_controls_pass_validation():
+    c = Controls(content="video", left=0, right=4, dark=2, light=2, volume=3, brightness=4)
+    validate_controls(c)  # does not raise
+
+
+def test_invalid_content_position_rejected():
+    c = Controls(content="bogus", left=0, right=0, dark=0, light=0, volume=0, brightness=0)
+    with pytest.raises(ControlsError):
+        validate_controls(c)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("field", ["left", "right", "dark", "light", "volume", "brightness"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("bad", [-1, 5, True])
+def test_out_of_range_or_non_int_knob_rejected(field, bad):
+    kwargs = dict(content="off", left=0, right=0, dark=0, light=0, volume=0, brightness=0)
+    kwargs[field] = bad
+    with pytest.raises(ControlsError):
+        validate_controls(Controls(**kwargs))
+
+
+def test_parse_controls_from_mapping():
+    c = parse_controls(
+        {"content": "music_video", "left": 1, "right": 2, "dark": 3, "light": 0, "volume": 2, "brightness": 1}
+    )
+    assert c == Controls("music_video", 1, 2, 3, 0, 2, 1)
+
+
+def test_parse_controls_rejects_unknown_keys():
+    with pytest.raises(ControlsError):
+        parse_controls({"content": "off", "left": 0, "right": 0, "dark": 0,
+                        "light": 0, "volume": 0, "brightness": 0, "bogus": 1})
+
+
+def test_parse_controls_rejects_missing_keys():
+    with pytest.raises(ControlsError):
+        parse_controls({"content": "off", "left": 0})
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to verify they fail**
+
+Run: `pytest tests/test_player_controls.py -v`
+Expected: FAIL with `ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'player'`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Write minimal implementation**
+
+```python
+# player/__init__.py
+```
+(empty file)
+
+```python
+# player/controls.py
+"""Control-panel state: the data shape read from the Arduino over serial.
+
+This is the serial-contract payload shared with sub-project 4 (firmware). It
+models the full panel from design §6/§7: the 7-way content dial, the four
+experience knobs (0..4), and the two intensity levels (volume, brightness).
+The wire framing itself is the separate 3<->4 serial contract; this module is
+the *decoded* form.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass, fields
+
+# The seven positions of the content dial (design §6).
+CONTENT_POSITIONS = frozenset(
+    {"off", "white_noise", "music", "audio_track", "video", "music_video", "audio_video"}
+)
+
+KNOB_FIELDS = ("left", "right", "dark", "light", "volume", "brightness")
+KNOB_MIN = 0
+KNOB_MAX = 4
+
+
+class ControlsError(ValueError):
+    """Raised when a Controls payload is structurally invalid."""
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Controls:
+    content: str
+    left: int
+    right: int
+    dark: int
+    light: int
+    volume: int
+    brightness: int
+
+
+def validate_controls(c: Controls) -> None:
+    """Raise ControlsError if the payload is structurally invalid."""
+    if c.content not in CONTENT_POSITIONS:
+        raise ControlsError(
+            f"invalid content position {c.content!r}; "
+            f"expected one of {sorted(CONTENT_POSITIONS)}"
+        )
+    for name in KNOB_FIELDS:
+        value = getattr(c, name)
+        if isinstance(value, bool) or not isinstance(value, int):
+            raise ControlsError(f"knob {name} must be an int, got {value!r}")
+        if not (KNOB_MIN <= value <= KNOB_MAX):
+            raise ControlsError(
+                f"knob {name}={value} out of range {KNOB_MIN}..{KNOB_MAX}"
+            )
+
+
+def parse_controls(data: dict) -> Controls:
+    """Build a validated Controls from a decoded mapping, rejecting unknown or
+    missing keys."""
+    known = {f.name for f in fields(Controls)}
+    unknown = set(data) - known
+    if unknown:
+        raise ControlsError(f"unknown keys: {sorted(unknown)}")
+    missing = known - set(data)
+    if missing:
+        raise ControlsError(f"missing keys: {sorted(missing)}")
+    c = Controls(**data)
+    validate_controls(c)
+    return c
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to verify they pass**
+
+Run: `pytest tests/test_player_controls.py -v`
+Expected: PASS (all cases).
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add player/__init__.py player/controls.py tests/test_player_controls.py
+git commit -m "feat(player): Controls panel model (serial-contract data shape)
+
+Sub-project 3 slice 1, per ROADMAP.md §3 and design §6/§7."
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 2: Content-dial resolution (§6)
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `player/content.py`
+- Test: `tests/test_player_content.py`
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write the failing tests**
+
+```python
+# tests/test_player_content.py
+import pytest
+
+from player.content import AUDIO_SOURCES, ContentResolution, resolve_content
+
+
+def test_audio_sources_are_the_four_distinct_sources():
+    assert AUDIO_SOURCES == frozenset({"none", "white_noise", "music", "audio_track"})
+
+
+# The §6 table, row by row: position -> (audio_source, video).
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "position,audio_source,video",
+    [
+        ("off", "none", False),
+        ("white_noise", "white_noise", False),
+        ("music", "music", False),
+        ("audio_track", "audio_track", False),
+        ("video", "none", True),
+        ("music_video", "music", True),
+        ("audio_video", "audio_track", True),
+    ],
+)
+def test_resolve_content_matches_spec_table(position, audio_source, video):
+    assert resolve_content(position) == ContentResolution(audio_source=audio_source, video=video)
+
+
+def test_off_is_void_state_black_and_silent():
+    r = resolve_content("off")
+    assert r.video is False and r.audio_source == "none"
+
+
+def test_resolve_content_rejects_unknown_position():
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        resolve_content("bogus")
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to verify they fail**
+
+Run: `pytest tests/test_player_content.py -v`
+Expected: FAIL with `ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'player.content'`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Write minimal implementation**
+
+```python
+# player/content.py
+"""Resolve the 7-way content dial into an audio source + video on/off (§6).
+
+The single source of truth for design §6's table: which audio source plays and
+whether the projector shows video, for each dial position.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+# The four distinct audio sources. "white_noise" is generated at runtime;
+# "music" is the public-domain classical pool; "audio_track" is the clip's own
+# field audio; "none" is silence.
+AUDIO_SOURCES = frozenset({"none", "white_noise", "music", "audio_track"})
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ContentResolution:
+    audio_source: str
+    video: bool
+
+
+# Design §6, one row per dial position.
+_TABLE = {
+    "off": ContentResolution("none", False),
+    "white_noise": ContentResolution("white_noise", False),
+    "music": ContentResolution("music", False),
+    "audio_track": ContentResolution("audio_track", False),
+    "video": ContentResolution("none", True),
+    "music_video": ContentResolution("music", True),
+    "audio_video": ContentResolution("audio_track", True),
+}
+
+
+def resolve_content(position: str) -> ContentResolution:
+    """Map a content-dial position to its audio source and video flag (§6)."""
+    try:
+        return _TABLE[position]
+    except KeyError:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"unknown content position {position!r}; expected one of {sorted(_TABLE)}"
+        ) from None
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to verify they pass**
+
+Run: `pytest tests/test_player_content.py -v`
+Expected: PASS.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add player/content.py tests/test_player_content.py
+git commit -m "feat(player): 7-way content-dial resolution (design §6)"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 3: Alteration engine — knob vector to RenderPlan (§4, §5)
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `player/alteration.py`
+- Test: `tests/test_player_alteration.py`
+
+The engine maps a knob vector `(left, right, dark, light)` to a layered `RenderPlan` per design §4.2:
+- **Substrate** transforms (alter pixels): `Restyle` (Right, v2v) blended with `ColorGrade` (mood, Dark/Light).
+- **Overlay** on top: `AnalyticalOverlay` (Left, HUD/labels).
+
+`ColorGrade.tone` is signed: `>0` warm yellow→white (light pole), `<0` cool blue→black (dark pole), `0` identity/raw (§5). Calibration (flagged decision): `overlay = left/4`, `restyle = right/4`, `tone = (light − dark)/4`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write the failing tests**
+
+```python
+# tests/test_player_alteration.py
+import pytest
+
+from hef.selection import Coordinate
+from player.alteration import (
+    AnalyticalOverlay,
+    ColorGrade,
+    RenderPlan,
+    Restyle,
+    plan_alteration,
+)
+
+
+def _coord(left=0, right=0, dark=0, light=0):
+    return Coordinate(left=left, right=right, dark=dark, light=light)
+
+
+def test_all_zero_knobs_is_the_unaltered_base():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord())
+    assert plan.is_identity
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 0.0
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 0.0
+    assert plan.grade.tone == 0.0
+    assert plan.grade.is_identity
+
+
+def test_left_drives_the_analytical_overlay_only():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=4))
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 1.0
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 0.0  # Left does not touch the substrate
+    assert plan.grade.tone == 0.0
+
+
+def test_right_drives_the_restyle_substrate_only():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(right=2))
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 0.5
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 0.0  # Right does not add overlay
+
+
+def test_left_and_right_stack_not_cancel():
+    # design §4.2: whole-brain corner = dreamlike substrate WITH labels on top
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=4))
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 1.0
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 1.0
+
+
+def test_light_pole_grades_warm_positive_tone():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(light=4))
+    assert plan.grade.tone == 1.0
+    assert not plan.grade.is_identity
+
+
+def test_dark_pole_grades_cool_negative_tone():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(dark=4))
+    assert plan.grade.tone == -1.0
+
+
+def test_equal_dark_and_light_is_identity_grade():
+    # design §5: the mood center is the raw, ungraded footage
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(dark=3, light=3)).grade.is_identity
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(dark=2, light=2)).grade.is_identity
+
+
+def test_dark_minus_light_sets_intermediate_tone():
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(dark=4, light=2)).grade.tone == pytest.approx(-0.5)
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(dark=1, light=3)).grade.tone == pytest.approx(0.5)
+
+
+def test_whole_brain_dark_corner_stacks_grade_substrate_and_overlay():
+    # design §4.2 "Dark + analytical": cold measurement over a melancholy scene
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=2, dark=4, light=0))
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 1.0
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 0.5
+    assert plan.grade.tone == -1.0
+    assert not plan.is_identity
+
+
+def test_render_plan_is_frozen():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord())
+    with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        plan.grade.tone = 0.5  # type: ignore[misc]
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to verify they fail**
+
+Run: `pytest tests/test_player_alteration.py -v`
+Expected: FAIL with `ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'player.alteration'`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Write minimal implementation**
+
+```python
+# player/alteration.py
+"""The alteration engine: a knob vector -> a layered RenderPlan (design §4, §5).
+
+Replaces the 2026-06-04 nearest-match *selection* with a *transformation* of a
+neutral base clip. Given the four experience knobs, it produces three layers
+that compose per §4.2:
+
+  - Substrate transforms (alter pixels, blend with each other):
+      * Restyle  -- the Right axis: a pre-baked generative v2v dreamlike restyle.
+      * ColorGrade -- the mood axis (Dark/Light): a deterministic color grade.
+  - Overlay (composited on top of the substrate):
+      * AnalyticalOverlay -- the Left axis: HUD/labels/measurement.
+
+Left and Right are NOT opposites; they live on different layers and stack
+(§4.2). Dark and Light are the two poles of one mood grade whose center is the
+identity (§5).
+
+Calibration note: the knob->strength curves below are the single source of
+truth for how a 0..4 position maps to a transform strength. See the session
+0006 transcript Deferred decisions for the §3-vs-§4.2/§5 reconciliation.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+from hef.selection import Coordinate
+
+KNOB_MAX = 4  # knob full-scale (0..4)
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ColorGrade:
+    """Mood-axis grade (§5). `tone` is signed: >0 warm yellow->white (light),
+    <0 cool blue->black (dark), 0 = identity (raw, ungraded)."""
+
+    tone: float
+
+    @property
+    def is_identity(self) -> bool:
+        return self.tone == 0.0
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class AnalyticalOverlay:
+    """Left axis (§4.1): analytical HUD/annotation/labels, composited on top.
+    `intensity` 0..1 (0 = no overlay)."""
+
+    intensity: float
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Restyle:
+    """Right axis (§4.1): pre-baked generative v2v dreamlike substrate.
+    `blend` 0..1 (0 = raw substrate, no restyle)."""
+
+    blend: float
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class RenderPlan:
+    """The full layered alteration for one knob vector (§4.2)."""
+
+    grade: ColorGrade
+    overlay: AnalyticalOverlay
+    restyle: Restyle
+
+    @property
+    def is_identity(self) -> bool:
+        """True when the plan leaves the neutral base un-altered."""
+        return (
+            self.grade.is_identity
+            and self.overlay.intensity == 0.0
+            and self.restyle.blend == 0.0
+        )
+
+
+def _overlay_intensity(left: int) -> float:
+    """Left knob -> analytical-overlay intensity (0..1)."""
+    return left / KNOB_MAX
+
+
+def _restyle_blend(right: int) -> float:
+    """Right knob -> v2v restyle blend (0..1)."""
+    return right / KNOB_MAX
+
+
+def _mood_tone(dark: int, light: int) -> float:
+    """(dark, light) -> signed mood grade in [-1, 1]; equal -> 0 identity (§5)."""
+    return (light - dark) / KNOB_MAX
+
+
+def plan_alteration(coord: Coordinate) -> RenderPlan:
+    """Map a knob vector to its layered RenderPlan (design §4)."""
+    return RenderPlan(
+        grade=ColorGrade(tone=_mood_tone(coord.dark, coord.light)),
+        overlay=AnalyticalOverlay(intensity=_overlay_intensity(coord.left)),
+        restyle=Restyle(blend=_restyle_blend(coord.right)),
+    )
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to verify they pass**
+
+Run: `pytest tests/test_player_alteration.py -v`
+Expected: PASS.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add player/alteration.py tests/test_player_alteration.py
+git commit -m "feat(player): alteration engine — knob vector to RenderPlan (design §4/§5)"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 4: Player state machine — controls stream to transitions
+
+**Files:**
+- Create: `player/state.py`
+- Test: `tests/test_player_state.py`
+
+The `Player` holds a base-clip library and the current `Playback`. Each `update(controls)` resolves the desired `Playback` (chosen base clip + RenderPlan + content resolution + volume/brightness) and returns the `Transition` from the previous playback:
+
+- target video off, was on → `FADE_TO_BLACK`
+- target video on, was off → `FADE_FROM_BLACK`
+- both video on, clip or restyle variant changed → `CROSSFADE`
+- both video on, only grade/overlay/level changed → `LIVE_UPDATE` (§4.3: grade + overlay are continuous runtime ops)
+- both video off, audio/level changed → `LIVE_UPDATE`
+- nothing changed → `NONE`
+
+Base-clip choice is an injected callable (default: first clip); knobs no longer *select* (the base is neutral) — they *transform*. The library is duck-typed objects with an `.id`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Write the failing tests**
+
+```python
+# tests/test_player_state.py
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+import pytest
+
+from player.controls import Controls
+from player.state import Player, Playback, Transition, TransitionKind
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class FakeClip:
+    id: str
+
+
+LIB = [FakeClip("base-a"), FakeClip("base-b")]
+
+
+def _controls(content="video", left=0, right=0, dark=0, light=0, volume=2, brightness=2):
+    return Controls(content, left, right, dark, light, volume, brightness)
+
+
+def test_first_update_to_video_fades_in_from_black():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video"))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.FADE_FROM_BLACK
+    assert t.playback.clip_id == "base-a"
+    assert t.playback.content.video is True
+
+
+def test_off_from_video_fades_to_black_and_silences():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video"))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="off"))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.FADE_TO_BLACK
+    assert t.playback.clip_id is None
+    assert t.playback.content.audio_source == "none"
+
+
+def test_no_change_yields_none_transition():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", left=1))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", left=1))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.NONE
+
+
+def test_grade_change_is_a_live_update_not_a_crossfade():
+    # design §4.3: the Dark/Light grade is a continuous runtime op
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", dark=0, light=0))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", dark=4, light=0))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+    assert t.playback.plan.grade.tone == -1.0
+
+
+def test_overlay_change_is_a_live_update():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", left=0))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", left=4))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+    assert t.playback.plan.overlay.intensity == 1.0
+
+
+def test_restyle_change_crossfades_the_substrate():
+    # design §4.3: the Right v2v substrate is a pre-baked variant swap
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", right=0))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", right=4))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.CROSSFADE
+    assert t.playback.plan.restyle.blend == 1.0
+
+
+def test_volume_only_change_is_a_live_update():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", volume=1))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", volume=4))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+    assert t.playback.volume == 4
+
+
+def test_audio_source_change_while_black_is_a_live_update():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="white_noise"))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="music"))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+    assert t.playback.content.audio_source == "music"
+
+
+def test_injected_base_chooser_is_used():
+    p = Player(LIB, choose_base=lambda lib: lib[1])
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video"))
+    assert t.playback.clip_id == "base-b"
+
+
+def test_empty_library_with_video_raises():
+    p = Player([])
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        p.update(_controls(content="video"))
+
+
+def test_off_with_empty_library_is_fine():
+    p = Player([])
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="off"))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.NONE  # already black at init
+    assert t.playback.clip_id is None
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run tests to verify they fail**
+
+Run: `pytest tests/test_player_state.py -v`
+Expected: FAIL with `ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'player.state'`.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Write minimal implementation**
+
+```python
+# player/state.py
+"""The player state machine: a stream of Controls -> playback transitions.
+
+Pure decision logic — no mpv, no audio, no serial. Each update() resolves the
+desired Playback (which neutral base clip, how it is altered, what audio plays,
+at what levels) and returns the Transition from the previous Playback. The
+transition KIND encodes design §4.3: the Dark/Light grade and the Left overlay
+are continuous runtime ops (LIVE_UPDATE), whereas swapping the clip or the
+pre-baked Right v2v variant needs a CROSSFADE, and toggling video on/off
+fades to/from black.
+
+Knobs no longer *select* a clip (the base library is neutral by construction);
+they *transform* it. Which neutral base to show is an injected policy
+(`choose_base`), defaulting to the first clip; richer rotation is a later slice.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Callable, Optional
+
+from hef.selection import Coordinate
+from player.alteration import RenderPlan, plan_alteration
+from player.content import ContentResolution, resolve_content
+from player.controls import Controls
+
+
+class TransitionKind:
+    NONE = "none"
+    LIVE_UPDATE = "live_update"
+    CROSSFADE = "crossfade"
+    FADE_TO_BLACK = "fade_to_black"
+    FADE_FROM_BLACK = "fade_from_black"
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Playback:
+    """What should currently be playing."""
+
+    clip_id: Optional[str]            # None = black walls
+    plan: Optional[RenderPlan]        # None when black
+    content: ContentResolution
+    volume: int
+    brightness: int
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Transition:
+    kind: str
+    playback: Playback
+
+
+def _first(library):
+    if not library:
+        raise ValueError("no base clips available to play video")
+    return library[0]
+
+
+_BLACK = Playback(
+    clip_id=None,
+    plan=None,
+    content=ContentResolution("none", False),
+    volume=0,
+    brightness=0,
+)
+
+
+class Player:
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        base_library,
+        *,
+        choose_base: Callable = _first,
+        approved_only: bool = False,
+    ):
+        self._library = list(base_library)
+        self._choose_base = choose_base
+        self._approved_only = approved_only  # reserved for catalog-backed libs
+        self._current = _BLACK
+
+    def _resolve(self, controls: Controls) -> Playback:
+        content = resolve_content(controls.content)
+        if not content.video:
+            return Playback(
+                clip_id=None,
+                plan=None,
+                content=content,
+                volume=controls.volume,
+                brightness=controls.brightness,
+            )
+        clip = self._choose_base(self._library)
+        coord = Coordinate(controls.left, controls.right, controls.dark, controls.light)
+        return Playback(
+            clip_id=clip.id,
+            plan=plan_alteration(coord),
+            content=content,
+            volume=controls.volume,
+            brightness=controls.brightness,
+        )
+
+    def _classify(self, prev: Playback, nxt: Playback) -> str:
+        prev_video = prev.clip_id is not None
+        next_video = nxt.clip_id is not None
+        if prev == nxt:
+            return TransitionKind.NONE
+        if prev_video and not next_video:
+            return TransitionKind.FADE_TO_BLACK
+        if next_video and not prev_video:
+            return TransitionKind.FADE_FROM_BLACK
+        if next_video and prev_video:
+            if nxt.clip_id != prev.clip_id or nxt.plan.restyle != prev.plan.restyle:
+                return TransitionKind.CROSSFADE
+            return TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+        # both black: only audio/levels could have changed
+        return TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+
+    def update(self, controls: Controls) -> Transition:
+        nxt = self._resolve(controls)
+        kind = self._classify(self._current, nxt)
+        self._current = nxt
+        return Transition(kind=kind, playback=nxt)
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 4: Run tests to verify they pass**
+
+Run: `pytest tests/test_player_state.py -v`
+Expected: PASS.
+
+- [ ] **Step 5: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add player/state.py tests/test_player_state.py
+git commit -m "feat(player): player state machine — controls stream to transitions"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 5: Register the package and run the full suite
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `pyproject.toml` (`[tool.setuptools] packages`)
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Add `"player"` to the packages list**
+
+In `pyproject.toml`, change:
+
+```toml
+[tool.setuptools]
+packages = ["hef", "tools", "simulator"]
+```
+to:
+```toml
+[tool.setuptools]
+packages = ["hef", "tools", "simulator", "player"]
+```
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Run the entire test suite**
+
+Run: `pytest -q`
+Expected: all prior tests still pass plus the new `test_player_*` files; no failures.
+
+- [ ] **Step 3: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add pyproject.toml
+git commit -m "build(player): register the player package"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Task 6: Update the roadmap to reflect slice 1 shipped
+
+**Files:**
+- Modify: `docs/ROADMAP.md` (§3 Player Runtime)
+
+- [ ] **Step 1: Update §3 status and deliverables**
+
+Under "## 3. Player Runtime (Pi)", note that the **alteration-engine + player-core slice** (pure logic) is done and tested, link this plan, and list the remaining slices (mpv/ffmpeg runtime integration + GPU grade/overlay shaders; real USB-serial reader + the 3⇄4 framing contract; white-noise DSP; offline v2v variant build pipeline; catalog model changes for audio-source + neutral-base flag). Keep the table's status marker for sub-project 3 as in-progress (⏳), not done.
+
+- [ ] **Step 2: Commit**
+
+```bash
+git add docs/ROADMAP.md
+git commit -m "docs(roadmap): sub-project 3 alteration-engine + player-core slice shipped"
+```
+
+---
+
+## Self-Review
+
+**Spec coverage:**
+- §4.1 per-axis alteration → Task 3 (overlay=Left, restyle=Right, grade=mood). ✓
+- §4.2 composition rule (substrate vs overlay; Left+Right stack) → Task 3 tests `test_left_and_right_stack_not_cancel`, `test_whole_brain_dark_corner_*`. ✓
+- §4.3 runtime vs pre-baked (grade/overlay continuous; restyle variant swap) → Task 4 transition kinds (`LIVE_UPDATE` vs `CROSSFADE`). ✓
+- §5 mood grade, center = identity → Task 3 `test_equal_dark_and_light_is_identity_grade`, signed tone. ✓
+- §6 7-way content dial → Task 2 full table. ✓
+- §7 volume + brightness intensity → Task 1 (modeled) + Task 4 (`test_volume_only_change_is_a_live_update`). ✓
+- Roadmap §3 "done when: plays correct segment, loops, crossfades, goes dark on None, testable with serial mocked" → Task 4 (transitions incl. fade-to-black; serial mocked as a `Controls` stream). Looping is implicit (a clip plays until the desired playback changes); explicit loop timing belongs to the mpv integration slice (deferred, noted in Task 6). ✓ (with the runtime-loop portion deferred and documented).
+
+**Deferred (documented, not gaps):** mpv/ffmpeg + GPU; real serial + framing; white-noise DSP; v2v offline pipeline; catalog audio-source/neutral-base fields; base-clip rotation policy; `approved_only` enforcement against a real catalog (the flag is plumbed but inert here).
+
+**Placeholder scan:** none — every step has concrete code/commands.
+
+**Type consistency:** `Controls(content,left,right,dark,light,volume,brightness)` used identically in Tasks 1 & 4; `RenderPlan.{grade,overlay,restyle}` and `.is_identity` consistent across Tasks 3 & 4; `ContentResolution(audio_source,video)` consistent across Tasks 2 & 4; `TransitionKind` constants consistent. `Coordinate(left,right,dark,light)` matches `hef/selection.py`.

docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-05-machine-altered-perception-design.md

@@ -0,0 +1,360 @@
+# Human Experience Filter — Machine-Altered Perception (Design Revision)
+
+**Date:** 2026-06-05
+**Status:** Approved design (pre-implementation)
+**Repo:** `human-experience-filter-art`
+**Supersedes:** the thesis (§1), selection model (§3), tagging division (§5), and
+sourcing strategy (§8) of
+[`2026-06-04-human-experience-filter-design.md`](./2026-06-04-human-experience-filter-design.md),
+and substantially expands its control panel (§2 selector) and hardware (§6). The
+coordinate model (§2 axes) and the single-panoramic-projector display are
+**preserved**.
+
+> **Why this revision exists.** The 2026-06-04 design framed the piece as an
+> *experience filter over found human artifacts* ("curation is the artwork; not
+> algorithmically generated filler"). This revision **changes the artistic
+> thesis** to one about **how humans interact with machines and how that interaction
+> reshapes their nervous systems** — and in doing so makes machine alteration of
+> the imagery the *subject* of the piece rather than a betrayal of it.
+
+---
+
+## 1. What this is (the new thesis)
+
+A single-viewer immersive installation about **a machine reshaping your
+perception — for better and for worse.**
+
+One person sits in a chair in a small room. A single panoramic projector wraps the
+walls they face. The source is **neutral**: real, calm, public-domain nature
+footage that sits at the *center* of the experience-space — neither analytical nor
+emotional, neither bright nor dark. The viewer turns knobs on a wooden control
+panel, and **the machine alters that neutral reality toward whatever they dial
+in.** The piece is the felt, bodily experience of a machine bending your inner
+state — and crucially it bends **both ways**: it can soothe you or disturb you,
+clarify the world or manipulate it, name your feelings or colonize them.
+
+You don't read that thesis on a wall label. You feel it in your nervous system as
+your own hand moves the knobs.
+
+Design constraints (carried from the original, one relaxed):
+
+- **One viewer, one room, all-local at runtime.** No networking, no streaming, no
+  multi-user, no session recording. (All AI alteration happens **offline at
+  authoring time**; the room plays pre-built media + cheap runtime grading.)
+- **Real footage as the substrate.** The base library is real public-domain
+  nature footage. The machine *alters* it — it does not invent from nothing. This
+  preserves real-world motion/composition (and some lineage to the original
+  found-media thesis) while making the alteration the point. *(This relaxes the
+  original "no generated content" rule: generation/alteration is now the
+  subject.)*
+- **Built to grow.** A small, deliberate base library; the data model and tooling
+  designed to expand.
+
+---
+
+## 2. What changes vs. 2026-06-04
+
+| Area | 2026-06-04 | This revision |
+|---|---|---|
+| Thesis (§1) | filter over found human artifacts | **machine reshapes perception, good & bad** |
+| Content | large found library pre-matched to coordinates | **small NEUTRAL base library, machine-altered to the knob state** |
+| Engine (§3) | nearest-match **lookup** in a tagged catalog | **transform from neutral** (knobs = a transformation, not a lookup) |
+| Sourcing (§8) | find media that already matches each cell | source **neutral** clips; the machine produces the variants |
+| Control panel (§2) | 4-way mode + 4 knobs | **7-way content dial + 4 experience knobs + volume + brightness**, on a tactile wooden panel |
+| Display | single pano projector | **unchanged** |
+| Coordinate axes (§2) | Left/Right/Dark/Light, two planes | **unchanged** (reinterpreted as transform targets) |
+
+---
+
+## 3. Coordinate model (preserved, reinterpreted)
+
+The four experience knobs and two planes from the 2026-06-04 §2 are unchanged:
+
+- **Brain plane** = Left × Right. Left = analytical / verbal / structured. Right =
+  artistic / emotional / abstract. Both high → "whole brain."
+- **Mood plane** = Dark × Light. Dark = somber / heavy. Light = uplifting / serene.
+
+Each knob is `0–4`. What changes is the *meaning of a knob position*: it is no
+longer "find the catalog piece nearest this coordinate" but **"how hard the machine
+pushes the neutral base toward this pole."** `(2,2,2,2)` is the neutral origin —
+the un-altered base clip.
+
+---
+
+## 4. The alteration engine (replaces the §3 selection algorithm)
+
+The engine's job changes from **choosing** a clip to **altering** one. Given a
+neutral base clip and a knob vector `(left, right, dark, light)`, it applies a
+**transformation toward each active pole** and composites the result.
+
+### 4.1 Per-axis alteration
+
+| Pole | What the machine does | How |
+|---|---|---|
+| **Left** (analytical/verbal) | **imposes analytical structure** on the scene — annotation, measurement, labels, grids, tracking boxes, data HUD; the machine *dissecting* the world into data | **overlay** layer composited on top |
+| **Right** (artistic/emotional) | **dissolves realism** toward painterly / dreamlike / abstract | **generative video-to-video (v2v)** restyle of the pixels |
+| **Dark** (somber/heavy) | drains toward the cool/melancholy/night grade (see §5) | **color grade** (deterministic) |
+| **Light** (uplifting/serene) | warms toward the bright/serene grade (see §5) | **color grade** (deterministic) |
+
+### 4.2 The composition rule
+
+The four axes are **two kinds of operation** that **layer** rather than blend-and-
+cancel:
+
+- **Substrate transforms** — Right (v2v restyle) + Dark + Light (color grades).
+  They alter the **pixels** and blend with each other.
+- **Overlay** — Left (annotation / labels / HUD). It composites **on top** of
+  whatever the substrate is.
+
+So Left and Right are **not** mutually-exclusive opposites; they stack on different
+layers. This single rule covers the whole `5×5×5×5` space:
+
+- **Max Left + Max Right** = maximally dissolved dreamlike substrate **with the
+  machine's labels on the feelings themselves** — *"awe," "grief," "detected:
+  longing 0.82,"* tracking boxes around emotional content. This is the "whole
+  brain" corner (§3): the machine that both **induces** emotion and
+  **names/quantifies** it — affective computing made visceral. (Good/bad duality:
+  is being told your own feeling clarifying, or invasive?)
+- **Dark + analytical** = a drained, melancholy scene with cold measurement
+  overlaid.
+- **Light + emotional** = a warm, dreamlike wash, unlabeled.
+
+### 4.3 Where each transform runs
+
+- **Runtime, on the Pi (free, continuous, full-res):** the Dark/Light color grade
+  and the Left analytical overlay. These are cheap (LUT/curves + luma key, and
+  text/graphics compositing) and can move continuously with the knob.
+- **Pre-baked offline (the only AI cost):** the Right generative v2v restyle.
+  Generative v2v cannot run real-time on a Pi, so a small set of restyled variants
+  is rendered offline and selected/blended at runtime.
+
+> **Crucial consequence — the Left labels are a RUNTIME OVERLAY, never baked into
+> the v2v pixels.** This is what makes multilingual support nearly free (§10).
+
+---
+
+## 5. Mood-axis color grade
+
+The Dark↔Light knob is a three-stop color ramp whose **center is the identity** —
+the raw, ungraded footage, no color transform applied. Turning toward a pole grades
+*away* from the raw clip. Hue carries emotional valence; the **negative-space
+value** (a luma-keyed grade — the brightest/darkest regions pushed toward
+white/black) carries the literal light/dark reading, so the image *is* lighter or
+darker even before the hue registers.
+
+| Mood knob | Hue | Negative space | Feeling |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| **Light** | warm **yellow** | → **white** | uplifting, serene, airy |
+| **Center** | **none — raw, ungraded video** | unchanged | the un-altered base |
+| **Dark** | cool **blue** | → **black** | melancholy, somber, night, cold |
+
+*(Red/alarm was considered for Dark and set aside: red reads as threat/alarm, not
+the intended melancholy. Dark is the cool, mournful blue. The center applies no
+grade at all — it is simply the raw clip.)*
+
+---
+
+## 6. Content model — the 7-way content dial
+
+The 2026-06-04 4-way selector (None/Audio/Video/A+V) expands to **seven positions**,
+letting the viewer choose channel **and audio source**:
+
+| Position | Audio source | Video |
+|---|---|---|
+| **Off** | — | black |
+| **White Noise** | generated white/pink noise (not from catalog) | black |
+| **Music** | public-domain classical (Musopen pool) | black |
+| **Audio Track** | the nature clip's **own** audio | black |
+| **Video** | — | the (altered) nature video |
+| **Music + Video** | public-domain classical (Musopen pool) | the (altered) nature video |
+| **Audio Track + Video** | the nature clip's own audio | the (altered) nature video |
+
+Notes:
+
+- "Music" (classical) and "Audio Track" (the clip's own field audio) are now
+  **distinct sources**; "White Noise" is **generated** at runtime, not a catalog
+  record. This touches the catalog/`mode` model (the 2026-06-04 §4 schema), which
+  must represent audio *source* in addition to channel.
+- **Off** is the void/rest state: black walls, silence.
+- Audio alteration (steering the *sound* by knob, parallel to the video) is **out
+  of scope for this revision** — the experience knobs alter video; audio is chosen
+  by source only. (Future work.)
+
+---
+
+## 7. Intensity controls
+
+Two knobs, orthogonal to the four experience axes, exist so a viewer can take the
+experience at **whatever intensity they want**:
+
+- **Volume** — audio output level.
+- **Brightness** — projector output luminance.
+
+These are pure output levels, distinct from the Dark/Light *mood grade* (which
+changes hue and tone, not raw output). Brightness is "how much light hits the
+wall"; Light is "how the world is colored."
+
+---
+
+## 8. Content sourcing — neutral base library
+
+The library is now **small and neutral**. Instead of hunting for footage that
+matches 625 coordinate cells, source a deliberate set of **neutral, calm,
+real public-domain nature clips** (centered on all four axes) and let the machine
+produce every variant.
+
+- **Reuse sub-project 2** (the built ingest/tagging/review tooling) to pull
+  neutral public-domain nature footage and populate mechanical fields.
+- **License stance** unchanged: prefer Public Domain / CC0; record license +
+  source per clip. Altered/generated variants record the model and that they are
+  machine-derived.
+- **Size:** dozens of neutral base clips (not hundreds), each yielding many
+  altered variants. Short, seamless loops (≈20–60 s) suit a looping installation
+  and are the v2v models' native sweet spot.
+
+---
+
+## 9. Economics (why this is feasible)
+
+At the original scale (120–800 pieces × ~10-min segments) AI involvement was
+~$15k–45k+ and not viable. Under this design it drops to **a few hundred to a few
+thousand dollars**, because:
+
+- The library is small (generate-to-order, not find-to-cover).
+- Pieces are short seamless loops (cheaper **and** higher-quality for the models).
+- Only the **Right** transform uses paid generative v2v; Dark/Light/Left are free
+  deterministic runtime operations.
+
+Indicative offline v2v build (2026 rates — Kling 3.0 / Sora 2 Standard ≈ $0.10/s,
+Veo 3.1 Lite / Runway Turbo ≈ $0.05/s; ×~4 retry yield): **~$300–3k** for a small
+base library × a handful of restyle variants. A flat authoring subscription
+(Runway $28–76/mo, Kling from ~$6/mo) may be cheaper than per-second API for a
+one-time build.
+
+---
+
+## 10. Accessibility, i18n, and the translation-cost finding
+
+The piece is operable **blind, in the dark, in your language**, via four redundant
+channels on the control panel: **touch** (engraved symbol shape), **low-light
+color** (LEDs), **braille**, and **audio** (a read-aloud button on a small *local*
+speaker, separate from the main audio system).
+
+Because "the human experience from a communication perspective is not universal" is
+itself on-thesis, the piece supports **many languages**. The cost of that hinges on
+one architectural decision:
+
+- **❌ Labels baked into the v2v render** → re-render every label-bearing variant
+  per language → video cost **× number of languages** (≈ $9k raw / $27–45k with
+  retries for ~50 languages). A budget landmine.
+- **✅ Labels as a runtime overlay** (which §4.2 already requires) → the v2v
+  substrate is rendered **once**, language-agnostic; a new language is a translated
+  string table + font + TTS voice. **Marginal video cost per language ≈ $0.**
+
+So multilingual support costs only cheap text work: machine-translating a small
+label/script vocabulary into ~100 languages is a few dollars; optional human review
+of a curated tier is ~$0.10/word (~$50–200/language); TTS for the read-aloud button
+is pennies per language. **Net: supporting *every* language is essentially free on
+the expensive part, provided labels stay a runtime overlay.**
+
+---
+
+## 11. The physical control panel
+
+A **wood** panel. Each control has a **tactile engraved symbol** below it —
+distinguishable by fingertip in the dark, and shaped to evoke the control's
+meaning — with **braille** beneath, a **dim color-coded LED** backlighting the
+engraving, and a **read-aloud button** that speaks the control's function on a
+small local speaker.
+
+Layout principle: the **four experience knobs are two opposing pairs**, with the
+opposition encoded *in the touch* (angular vs flowing, heavy-down vs radiant-up).
+The **utility controls** use a more conventional AV shape-language so they are
+never confused with the experience four.
+
+| Control | Engraved symbol | Touch | LED |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| **Left** (analytical) | parallel straight ridges / grid `≡` `▦` | flat, hard, orthogonal edges | — |
+| **Right** (emotional) | spiral / flowing wave `∿` | one continuous curve, no corners | — |
+| **Dark** (somber) | crescent / downward wedge `☾` `▼` | smooth solid mass, sinking | **blue** |
+| **Light** (serene) | radial sunburst `☀` | center with radial spikes | **yellow / white** |
+| **Content dial** (7) | per-position micro-icons: Off `○` · White-Noise `∴` · Music `♪` · Audio-Track `)))` · Video `▷` · Music+Video `♪▷` · A+V `▷)))` | detented clicks | neutral |
+| **Volume** | growing wedge `◁` | a slope that thickens | neutral |
+| **Brightness** | half-disc contrast `◐` | a circle, half raised | neutral |
+
+Design notes:
+
+- **Light vs Brightness** is the one collision trap (both are "bright"). Light =
+  radial sunburst (a *mood*, glows the hue it imparts); Brightness = half-disc
+  contrast (an *output level*) — distinct to finger and eye.
+- **LEDs equal the hue the knob imparts:** Dark glows blue, Light glows
+  yellow/white, the mood center is neutral — tying the panel to the projection.
+- **Negative-space symbols:** symbols differ by gross **edge profile** (curve vs
+  corner vs radial vs slope), not fine detail, so they read under a fingertip.
+
+This substantially fleshes out **sub-project 4 (Arduino firmware / control panel)**,
+previously only sketched: 7 controls + a read-aloud button + LEDs + braille, with
+the Arduino reading positions and the read-aloud/LED behavior coordinated with the
+Pi.
+
+---
+
+## 12. Hardware (revises §6)
+
+Unchanged from the 2026-06-04 single-pano revision except for the richer panel:
+
+- **Arduino** — reads the 7-way content dial, 4 experience knobs, volume,
+  brightness, and the read-aloud button; drives the panel LEDs; sends values to the
+  Pi over USB serial. (Bigger than the original 5-value panel.)
+- **Raspberry Pi 5 (or mini-PC)** — holds the base library + altered variants,
+  runs the alteration engine (runtime grading + overlay compositing + variant
+  selection), drives the single panoramic projector, plays audio, and serves the
+  read-aloud clips to the local panel speaker.
+- **Single panoramic projector** spanning the three walls — **unchanged**.
+- **Small local speaker** on/near the panel for the read-aloud button (separate
+  from the main audio).
+
+---
+
+## 13. Roadmap impact
+
+- **Sub-project 2 (ingest/tagging)** — reused to source the **neutral** base
+  clips; coordinate *drafting* matters less (the base is neutral by selection), but
+  mechanical tagging + license capture still apply; add a flag for "neutral base"
+  vs "altered variant," and model audio *source*.
+- **Sub-project 3 (player)** — grows an **alteration engine**: runtime color grade
+  (luma-keyed), runtime analytical-overlay compositor (multilingual, from string
+  tables), generated white noise, and selection/blending of pre-baked v2v variants.
+- **Sub-project 4 (firmware/panel)** — grows from a 5-value panel to the full
+  tactile/accessible panel in §11.
+- **New offline pipeline** — author neutral→restyled v2v variants (the only paid
+  AI step) and the label/string tables + TTS per language.
+
+---
+
+## 14. Open questions (for the plan, not blockers)
+
+- **Pano resolution strategy** — v2v models output ~16:9 720p–1080p; the three-wall
+  pano wants ultra-wide/high-res. Generate-at-max + upscale, native-ultrawide
+  tooling, or accept the look?
+- **Negative-space luma key** — exact curve/mask for "brights→white, darks→black"
+  on arbitrary nature footage.
+- **Transform composition order** — order of grade vs v2v substrate when several
+  poles are active; how variant blending interpolates between pre-baked restyle
+  levels.
+- **Neutral base count** — how many base clips for a satisfying launch.
+- **Language tier** — which languages get human-reviewed translation vs
+  machine-only; default UI language and switching.
+- **Runtime grading performance** — confirm the Pi can do luma-keyed grade +
+  overlay compositing at projector resolution/framerate (GPU shaders via mpv/ffmpeg).
+- **`approved`-only enforcement** in the player (carried from the original).
+
+---
+
+## 15. Out of scope (YAGNI)
+
+- Networking / streaming at runtime — all alteration is offline; the room is local.
+- Runtime/on-demand generation (breaks all-local; slow; unbounded cost).
+- Audio alteration by knob (video-only this revision).
+- Multi-user / multi-viewer; session recording or analytics.
+- Automatic ML coordinate tagging — base clips are chosen neutral by hand.

docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-06-simulator-alteration-preview-design.md

@@ -0,0 +1,242 @@
+# Human Experience Filter — Simulator Alteration Preview (Design)
+
+**Date:** 2026-06-06
+**Status:** Approved design (pre-implementation)
+**Repo:** `human-experience-filter-art`
+**Builds on:** the alteration engine of
+[`2026-06-05-machine-altered-perception-design.md`](./2026-06-05-machine-altered-perception-design.md)
+(the "design" below) and the simulator scaffold of
+[`2026-06-04-experience-simulator-design.md`](./2026-06-04-experience-simulator-design.md).
+**Revises the design:** §4.3 and §10 — the Left analytical HUD is **no longer a
+runtime overlay**; it is **baked into authored variant videos** (see §8 below).
+This is a deliberate trade of near-free multilingual support for authorial
+precision over the HUD.
+**Retires:** the simulator's selection-era "curator's X-ray" view and its
+`/api/select` + `/api/catalog/meta` endpoints (the selection model they
+visualize was superseded by the alteration model).
+
+> **Why this exists.** Operator directive (session 0007): *build and design only
+> things that run in the simulator, and get the whole experience working the way
+> we like in the simulator before moving to hardware.* The slice-1 alteration
+> engine (PR #5) is pure logic with **no simulator surface** — you cannot yet turn
+> the experience knobs and *see* the result. This design brings the alteration
+> into the simulator so the look can be tuned and liked before any Pi/serial work.
+
+---
+
+## 1. Scope
+
+A browser **alteration preview**: turn the four experience knobs and the content
+dial, and see the neutral base footage altered toward the knob state, in real
+time, on a looping clip. The purpose is to **tune the look** of the filter and to
+**settle the knob→strength calibration by eye** (the open §3-vs-§4.2/§5 question
+from session 0006).
+
+**In scope**
+- Live preview of the four experience knobs (Left/Right/Dark/Light) on a looping
+  base clip.
+- **Dark/Light** rendered as a live, deterministic runtime color grade.
+- **Left/Right** rendered by selecting a **pre-baked authored variant clip** from
+  a 5×5 grid and crossfading on change.
+- A **calibration panel** that adjusts the grade curve live; the chosen values are
+  baked back into `player/alteration.py` defaults.
+- A **RenderPlan readout** (the project's "X-ray" honesty): always show the exact
+  numbers the engine produced.
+- The content dial's **video on/off** behavior (so "Off" goes to black), driven by
+  the existing `resolve_content`.
+- Placeholder variant generation so the mechanism is testable before the operator
+  authors real videos.
+
+**Out of scope (this slice)** — real generative v2v; serial input / the 3⇄4
+framing contract; audio playback (music / white-noise / audio-track); the Pi/mpv
+runtime renderer; the full transition/crossfade timing engine; multilingual label
+tables; catalog-model changes. These remain later roadmap slices.
+
+---
+
+## 2. Architecture — Python-canonical, thin browser renderer
+
+`player/alteration.py` stays the **single source of truth** for the alteration
+math (handbook §4.2 — deterministic core, thin I/O). The browser owns only
+*rendering*. Data flow:
+
+```mermaid
+flowchart LR
+  subgraph Browser
+    K[4 experience knobs +<br/>content dial +<br/>calibration sliders]
+    V["&lt;video&gt; variant + canvas grade"]
+    RO[RenderPlan readout]
+  end
+  subgraph FastAPI [simulator/app.py]
+    EP["POST /api/alteration"]
+    CL["GET /api/clips"]
+  end
+  ENG["player.alteration.plan_alteration(coord, calibration)"]
+  K -- "debounced POST {controls, calibration}" --> EP
+  EP --> ENG --> EP -- "RenderPlan {variant, grade}" --> V
+  EP --> RO
+  CL -- "base clip + variant manifest" --> V
+```
+
+- The browser sends control/calibration changes (debounced) and receives a
+  `RenderPlan`. Video filtering itself runs continuously in the browser; only a
+  *plan recompute* makes a round-trip. On localhost these JSON round-trips are
+  imperceptible.
+- "Bake the calibration winner in" = change the `Calibration` defaults in Python.
+  Nothing in the browser is canonical.
+
+---
+
+## 3. The four axes — how each is rendered
+
+| Axis | Engine output | Browser rendering |
+|---|---|---|
+| **Dark / Light** | `ColorGrade.tone` ∈ [−1, 1], center = identity | live color grade on the `<video>`: Light → warm/yellow + negative space toward white; Dark → cool/blue + negative space toward black; 0 = raw. (Confirmed direction in brainstorm.) |
+| **Left / Right** | `VariantRef(left, right)` | select the authored variant clip for `(left, right)`; **crossfade** when it changes; `(0,0)` → raw base. The analytical HUD (Left) and dreamlike restyle (Right) are **baked into the clip** (§8). |
+
+Dark/Light is the only continuously-tunable axis in this slice; Left/Right is a
+discrete selection by coordinate.
+
+---
+
+## 4. The variant grid (per base clip)
+
+Each base clip carries a 5×5 grid keyed by the two baked axes:
+
+- Rows = **Left** (analytical / HUD), 0–4. Columns = **Right** (artistic /
+  dreamlike restyle), 0–4.
+- `(0,0)` = the raw base clip — no authored file needed.
+- The other **24 cells are authored videos** (4 analytical-edge + 4 dreamlike-edge
+  + 16 combined core). This is **per base clip**; authoring load multiplies by the
+  number of base clips (and by language, since the HUD is baked — §8).
+
+The grid is **data**, not code: a manifest the simulator reads (see §6).
+
+---
+
+## 5. Engine reconciliation (`player/alteration.py`)
+
+The slice-1 engine modeled Left/Right as continuous runtime layers
+(`AnalyticalOverlay.intensity`, `Restyle.blend`). Baked variants make that
+obsolete. Changes:
+
+- **`RenderPlan`** becomes `{ grade: ColorGrade, variant: VariantRef }`.
+  - `ColorGrade` — unchanged.
+  - `VariantRef(left, right)` — new; identity selection by coordinate.
+- **Remove** `AnalyticalOverlay` and `Restyle` (their content is now baked into the
+  variant clip) rather than leaving dead fields.
+- **`Calibration`** — a new frozen dataclass parameterizing the grade curve (e.g.
+  `mood_center`, per-axis curve), defaulting to **today's exact behavior**
+  (behavior-preserving). `plan_alteration(coord, calibration=DEFAULT_CALIBRATION)`.
+- **`player/state.py`** — the `CROSSFADE` trigger switches from "restyle changed"
+  to "variant changed"; `LIVE_UPDATE` still covers a grade-only change. Video
+  on/off fades unchanged.
+
+These are framework-code changes that keep the engine pure and unit-tested; they
+do **not** bake any deployment-shape decision into the engine.
+
+---
+
+## 6. Data & endpoints
+
+- **`simulator/clips.py`** (replaces `simulator/fixtures.py`): reads a base-clip +
+  variant manifest. Each base clip: `{ id, title, base_file, license, source,
+  variants: { "L,R": { file, model?, hud_lang? } } }`. Missing cells fall back to
+  the raw base (and are flagged in the readout as "raw / unauthored").
+- **`POST /api/alteration`**: body `{ controls, calibration }` → `RenderPlan`
+  (plus the `ContentResolution` from `resolve_content`, so the dial's video-on/off
+  is honored). The endpoint calls the real `plan_alteration`.
+- **`GET /api/clips`**: the base-clip list + variant manifest for the active base.
+- Video files served as static assets from a sample-media directory.
+- **Removed**: `POST /api/select`, `GET /api/catalog/meta`.
+- `hef.selection` (the library, incl. `Coordinate`) is **untouched**; only the
+  simulator's selection view/endpoints retire. (`ranked_candidates`, added for the
+  old X-ray, may become unused by the simulator — noted, not removed here.)
+
+---
+
+## 7. Calibration tuning
+
+The calibration panel exposes the grade-curve parameters (the two conventions in
+tension: `(2,2,2,2)`-centered vs the `value/4` reading currently implemented, plus
+curve shape). Changing them re-requests the plan and the footage responds live.
+When the operator is happy, the chosen values are written into
+`DEFAULT_CALIBRATION` in `player/alteration.py` and locked in by a unit test.
+
+---
+
+## 8. Baked HUD — the §4.3/§10 revision (accepted trade)
+
+The design's §4.3/§10 kept the Left HUD a **runtime overlay** specifically so the
+v2v substrate is language-agnostic and multilingual support is near-free. This
+design **reverses that for the Left/Right plane**: the operator authors the HUD
+**into** the variant videos to get pixel-precise control over the HUD and the
+analytical↔feeling balance.
+
+**Consequences (accepted):**
+- Multilingual support is **no longer near-free**: baked HUD text means a new
+  language re-renders every label-bearing variant (the §10 "budget landmine").
+  The piece is English-first; broad i18n is deferred/expensive.
+- The live Dark/Light grade is applied **on top** of the baked cell, so it **tints
+  the baked HUD** too (a "Dark" mood cools/darkens the HUD). With baked overlays
+  the grade cannot skip the HUD. Escape hatch: author HUD colors that survive
+  grading, or (future) reinstate a runtime HUD layer.
+
+The parent design's §4.3/§10 must be updated to point at this revision (a task for
+the implementation plan).
+
+---
+
+## 9. Bootstrapping before authored videos exist
+
+The operator will author the 24 variants per base clip; none exist yet. So the
+mechanism is testable immediately, the build includes a **placeholder generator**:
+for at least one base clip, produce the 24 cells by burning the cell's `L,R` (and
+a stub HUD caption) into the base loop via ffmpeg. Real authored clips drop into
+the manifest with **no code change**.
+
+---
+
+## 10. Testing
+
+- **`player/` unit tests:** `DEFAULT_CALIBRATION` is behavior-preserving vs the
+  current helpers; the two calibration conventions produce the expected plans;
+  `VariantRef` selection (incl. `(0,0)` → raw) and the `state.py` crossfade
+  trigger on variant change.
+- **Simulator API tests** (rewrite `tests/test_simulator_api.py`):
+  `POST /api/alteration` returns the engine's plan for given controls/calibration;
+  `GET /api/clips` returns the manifest; the removed endpoints are gone.
+- **No browser/E2E automation** this slice (manual visual tuning is the point);
+  the rendering JS is kept thin and the engine logic stays in tested Python.
+
+---
+
+## 11. What ships
+
+- `player/alteration.py` (parameterized `Calibration`, `VariantRef`, slimmed
+  `RenderPlan`) + `player/state.py` crossfade-trigger update.
+- `simulator/clips.py` (variant manifest) replacing `fixtures.py`.
+- `simulator/app.py` new endpoints; selection endpoints removed.
+- `simulator/static/` rewritten as the Player preview (variant `<video>` +
+  crossfade, live grade, calibration panel, RenderPlan readout, content dial).
+- Placeholder-variant generator + a sample base clip.
+- Tests above; `docs/USER_GUIDE.md` "Playing with the simulator" rewritten;
+  parent design §4.3/§10 pointer updated; `docs/ROADMAP.md` §3 updated.
+
+---
+
+## 12. Open questions (for the plan, not blockers)
+
+- **Grade vs baked HUD interaction** — accepted that the grade tints the HUD;
+  revisit only if it reads badly once real authored clips exist.
+- **Sample base clip** — pick one CC0 nature loop for the placeholder grid.
+- **Crossfade timing in the browser** — a simple opacity crossfade is enough for
+  tuning; the real timing engine is a later slice.
+
+---
+
+## 13. Out of scope (YAGNI)
+
+Real generative v2v; serial / firmware; audio playback; the Pi renderer; the full
+transition engine; multilingual tables; catalog-model changes; retiring
+`hef.selection.ranked_candidates`. All remain later roadmap work.

player/alteration.py

@@ -0,0 +1,98 @@
+"""The alteration engine: a knob vector -> a layered RenderPlan (design §4, §5).
+
+Replaces the 2026-06-04 nearest-match *selection* with a *transformation* of a
+neutral base clip. Given the four experience knobs, it produces three layers
+that compose per §4.2:
+
+  - Substrate transforms (alter pixels, blend with each other):
+      * Restyle  -- the Right axis: a pre-baked generative v2v dreamlike restyle.
+      * ColorGrade -- the mood axis (Dark/Light): a deterministic color grade.
+  - Overlay (composited on top of the substrate):
+      * AnalyticalOverlay -- the Left axis: HUD/labels/measurement.
+
+Left and Right are NOT opposites; they live on different layers and stack
+(§4.2). Dark and Light are the two poles of one mood grade whose center is the
+identity (§5).
+
+Calibration note: the knob->strength curves below are the single source of
+truth for how a 0..4 position maps to a transform strength. See the session
+0006 transcript Deferred decisions for the §3-vs-§4.2/§5 reconciliation.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+from hef.selection import Coordinate
+
+KNOB_MAX = 4  # knob full-scale (0..4)
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ColorGrade:
+    """Mood-axis grade (§5). `tone` is signed: >0 warm yellow->white (light),
+    <0 cool blue->black (dark), 0 = identity (raw, ungraded)."""
+
+    tone: float
+
+    @property
+    def is_identity(self) -> bool:
+        return self.tone == 0.0
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class AnalyticalOverlay:
+    """Left axis (§4.1): analytical HUD/annotation/labels, composited on top.
+    `intensity` 0..1 (0 = no overlay)."""
+
+    intensity: float
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Restyle:
+    """Right axis (§4.1): pre-baked generative v2v dreamlike substrate.
+    `blend` 0..1 (0 = raw substrate, no restyle)."""
+
+    blend: float
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class RenderPlan:
+    """The full layered alteration for one knob vector (§4.2)."""
+
+    grade: ColorGrade
+    overlay: AnalyticalOverlay
+    restyle: Restyle
+
+    @property
+    def is_identity(self) -> bool:
+        """True when the plan leaves the neutral base un-altered."""
+        return (
+            self.grade.is_identity
+            and self.overlay.intensity == 0.0
+            and self.restyle.blend == 0.0
+        )
+
+
+def _overlay_intensity(left: int) -> float:
+    """Left knob -> analytical-overlay intensity (0..1)."""
+    return left / KNOB_MAX
+
+
+def _restyle_blend(right: int) -> float:
+    """Right knob -> v2v restyle blend (0..1)."""
+    return right / KNOB_MAX
+
+
+def _mood_tone(dark: int, light: int) -> float:
+    """(dark, light) -> signed mood grade in [-1, 1]; equal -> 0 identity (§5)."""
+    return (light - dark) / KNOB_MAX
+
+
+def plan_alteration(coord: Coordinate) -> RenderPlan:
+    """Map a knob vector to its layered RenderPlan (design §4)."""
+    return RenderPlan(
+        grade=ColorGrade(tone=_mood_tone(coord.dark, coord.light)),
+        overlay=AnalyticalOverlay(intensity=_overlay_intensity(coord.left)),
+        restyle=Restyle(blend=_restyle_blend(coord.right)),
+    )

player/content.py

@@ -0,0 +1,42 @@
+"""Resolve the 7-way content dial into an audio source + video on/off (§6).
+
+The single source of truth for design §6's table: which audio source plays and
+whether the projector shows video, for each dial position.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+# The four distinct audio sources. "white_noise" is generated at runtime;
+# "music" is the public-domain classical pool; "audio_track" is the clip's own
+# field audio; "none" is silence.
+AUDIO_SOURCES = frozenset({"none", "white_noise", "music", "audio_track"})
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class ContentResolution:
+    audio_source: str
+    video: bool
+
+
+# Design §6, one row per dial position.
+_TABLE = {
+    "off": ContentResolution("none", False),
+    "white_noise": ContentResolution("white_noise", False),
+    "music": ContentResolution("music", False),
+    "audio_track": ContentResolution("audio_track", False),
+    "video": ContentResolution("none", True),
+    "music_video": ContentResolution("music", True),
+    "audio_video": ContentResolution("audio_track", True),
+}
+
+
+def resolve_content(position: str) -> ContentResolution:
+    """Map a content-dial position to its audio source and video flag (§6)."""
+    try:
+        return _TABLE[position]
+    except KeyError:
+        raise ValueError(
+            f"unknown content position {position!r}; expected one of {sorted(_TABLE)}"
+        ) from None

player/controls.py

@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+"""Control-panel state: the data shape read from the Arduino over serial.
+
+This is the serial-contract payload shared with sub-project 4 (firmware). It
+models the full panel from design §6/§7: the 7-way content dial, the four
+experience knobs (0..4), and the two intensity levels (volume, brightness).
+The wire framing itself is the separate 3<->4 serial contract; this module is
+the *decoded* form.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass, fields
+
+# The seven positions of the content dial (design §6).
+CONTENT_POSITIONS = frozenset(
+    {"off", "white_noise", "music", "audio_track", "video", "music_video", "audio_video"}
+)
+
+KNOB_FIELDS = ("left", "right", "dark", "light", "volume", "brightness")
+KNOB_MIN = 0
+KNOB_MAX = 4
+
+
+class ControlsError(ValueError):
+    """Raised when a Controls payload is structurally invalid."""
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Controls:
+    content: str
+    left: int
+    right: int
+    dark: int
+    light: int
+    volume: int
+    brightness: int
+
+
+def validate_controls(c: Controls) -> None:
+    """Raise ControlsError if the payload is structurally invalid."""
+    if c.content not in CONTENT_POSITIONS:
+        raise ControlsError(
+            f"invalid content position {c.content!r}; "
+            f"expected one of {sorted(CONTENT_POSITIONS)}"
+        )
+    for name in KNOB_FIELDS:
+        value = getattr(c, name)
+        if isinstance(value, bool) or not isinstance(value, int):
+            raise ControlsError(f"knob {name} must be an int, got {value!r}")
+        if not (KNOB_MIN <= value <= KNOB_MAX):
+            raise ControlsError(
+                f"knob {name}={value} out of range {KNOB_MIN}..{KNOB_MAX}"
+            )
+
+
+def parse_controls(data: dict) -> Controls:
+    """Build a validated Controls from a decoded mapping, rejecting unknown or
+    missing keys."""
+    known = {f.name for f in fields(Controls)}
+    unknown = set(data) - known
+    if unknown:
+        raise ControlsError(f"unknown keys: {sorted(unknown)}")
+    missing = known - set(data)
+    if missing:
+        raise ControlsError(f"missing keys: {sorted(missing)}")
+    c = Controls(**data)
+    validate_controls(c)
+    return c

player/state.py

@@ -0,0 +1,120 @@
+"""The player state machine: a stream of Controls -> playback transitions.
+
+Pure decision logic — no mpv, no audio, no serial. Each update() resolves the
+desired Playback (which neutral base clip, how it is altered, what audio plays,
+at what levels) and returns the Transition from the previous Playback. The
+transition KIND encodes design §4.3: the Dark/Light grade and the Left overlay
+are continuous runtime ops (LIVE_UPDATE), whereas swapping the clip or the
+pre-baked Right v2v variant needs a CROSSFADE, and toggling video on/off
+fades to/from black.
+
+Knobs no longer *select* a clip (the base library is neutral by construction);
+they *transform* it. Which neutral base to show is an injected policy
+(`choose_base`), defaulting to the first clip; richer rotation is a later slice.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+from typing import Callable, Optional
+
+from hef.selection import Coordinate
+from player.alteration import RenderPlan, plan_alteration
+from player.content import ContentResolution, resolve_content
+from player.controls import Controls
+
+
+class TransitionKind:
+    NONE = "none"
+    LIVE_UPDATE = "live_update"
+    CROSSFADE = "crossfade"
+    FADE_TO_BLACK = "fade_to_black"
+    FADE_FROM_BLACK = "fade_from_black"
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Playback:
+    """What should currently be playing."""
+
+    clip_id: Optional[str]            # None = black walls
+    plan: Optional[RenderPlan]        # None when black
+    content: ContentResolution
+    volume: int
+    brightness: int
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class Transition:
+    kind: str
+    playback: Playback
+
+
+def _first(library):
+    if not library:
+        raise ValueError("no base clips available to play video")
+    return library[0]
+
+
+_BLACK = Playback(
+    clip_id=None,
+    plan=None,
+    content=ContentResolution("none", False),
+    volume=0,
+    brightness=0,
+)
+
+
+class Player:
+    def __init__(
+        self,
+        base_library,
+        *,
+        choose_base: Callable = _first,
+        approved_only: bool = False,
+    ):
+        self._library = list(base_library)
+        self._choose_base = choose_base
+        self._approved_only = approved_only  # reserved for catalog-backed libs
+        self._current = _BLACK
+
+    def _resolve(self, controls: Controls) -> Playback:
+        content = resolve_content(controls.content)
+        if not content.video:
+            return Playback(
+                clip_id=None,
+                plan=None,
+                content=content,
+                volume=controls.volume,
+                brightness=controls.brightness,
+            )
+        clip = self._choose_base(self._library)
+        coord = Coordinate(controls.left, controls.right, controls.dark, controls.light)
+        return Playback(
+            clip_id=clip.id,
+            plan=plan_alteration(coord),
+            content=content,
+            volume=controls.volume,
+            brightness=controls.brightness,
+        )
+
+    def _classify(self, prev: Playback, nxt: Playback) -> str:
+        prev_video = prev.clip_id is not None
+        next_video = nxt.clip_id is not None
+        if prev == nxt:
+            return TransitionKind.NONE
+        if prev_video and not next_video:
+            return TransitionKind.FADE_TO_BLACK
+        if next_video and not prev_video:
+            return TransitionKind.FADE_FROM_BLACK
+        if next_video and prev_video:
+            if nxt.clip_id != prev.clip_id or nxt.plan.restyle != prev.plan.restyle:
+                return TransitionKind.CROSSFADE
+            return TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+        # both black: only audio/levels could have changed
+        return TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+
+    def update(self, controls: Controls) -> Transition:
+        nxt = self._resolve(controls)
+        kind = self._classify(self._current, nxt)
+        self._current = nxt
+        return Transition(kind=kind, playback=nxt)

pyproject.toml

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ requires = ["setuptools>=68"]
 build-backend = "setuptools.build_meta"
 
 [tool.setuptools]
-packages = ["hef", "tools", "simulator"]
+packages = ["hef", "tools", "simulator", "player"]
 
 [project.scripts]
 hef-ingest = "tools.ingest_cli:main"

sessions/0004/SESSION-0004.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-05T03-32--2026-06-05T03-56.md

@@ -0,0 +1,125 @@
+# Session 0004.0 — Transcript
+
+> App: human-experience-filter-art
+> Type: coding
+> Start: 2026-06-05T03-32 (PST) · End: 2026-06-05T03-56 (PST)
+> Goal: Execute the experience-simulator (curator's X-ray) implementation plan.
+> Outcome: **Shipped.** All 7 plan tasks built TDD-first and merged to `main`
+> via PR #3. Suite: 133 passed, 2 skipped. Docker image builds + serves.
+
+## Plan
+
+Execute `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-06-04-experience-simulator.md` via
+`superpowers:executing-plans`: build the `simulator/` package — a FastAPI service
+wiring the five dials to the **real** `hef.selection` code and serving a
+vanilla-JS "X-ray" (picked piece + ranked candidate pool with distances +
+brain/mood 5×5 maps), fed by a deterministic synthetic fixture catalog since
+`catalog/library.jsonl` is empty. The only `hef/` change is additive:
+`hef.selection.ranked_candidates()` with `select()` refactored onto it. 7 tasks,
+TDD throughout; Docker + compose + `make` targets package it for localhost.
+
+## Pre-session state
+
+- Clean `main`, synced with `origin/main` at `ddec45d`; 111 tests green, 2 skipped.
+- Memory pointer: simulator spec + BDDs + plan produced in discovery 0003
+  (2026-06-04); next coding session runs `/executing-plans` on the simulator plan.
+- Discovery session **0003** still `--INPROGRESS` (committed its artifacts to main
+  but never finalized) — dormant, not actively editing the tree.
+- `fastapi` not yet installed; `python` not on PATH (use `.venv/bin/python`).
+
+## Turn-by-turn arc
+
+1. **Session gate → coding init.** Classified the `/executing-plans` launch as a
+   coding session; ran `wgl-session-coding-init`. Dry-run peek surfaced the
+   in-flight 0003 placeholder; autonomous default → noted it and proceeded.
+   Claimed session **0004**. Reconciled an initially-stale "ahead 2" read:
+   local `main` == `origin/main` == `ddec45d` (the 0003 spec/BDD/plan commits are
+   on origin). Verified clean baseline: **111 passed, 2 skipped**.
+2. **Plan review.** Read the plan + `hef/selection.py`, `hef/catalog.py`,
+   `pyproject.toml`. Critical review: all assumed symbols exist
+   (`Coordinate`/`Weights`/`distance`/`candidates_for_mode`/`select`,
+   `CONTENT_MODES`/`SELECTOR_MODES`; `Record` carries every fixture field). No
+   blockers. Confirmed Docker present, `docs/USER_GUIDE.md` + `features/` exist.
+3. **Workspace.** `using-git-worktrees` → native `EnterWorktree`
+   (`worktree-experience-simulator`, branched from `origin/main`). Fresh `.venv`
+   in the worktree; base package + pytest installed; baseline re-confirmed
+   **111 passed, 2 skipped**.
+4. **Tasks 1–7, TDD (red → green → commit each):**
+   - **T1** `hef.selection.ranked_candidates()` + `select()` refactored onto it
+     (single source of truth; behavior-preserving) — 24 passed (new + existing
+     selection suite unchanged).
+   - **T2** declare `simulator` package + `[project.optional-dependencies] sim`
+     (fastapi/uvicorn/httpx); installed `-e ".[sim]"`; imports resolve.
+   - **T3** `simulator/fixtures.py` — deterministic 625-cell synthetic catalog
+     (all modes, mixed review status, no media) — 6 passed.
+   - **T4** `simulator/app.py` — FastAPI `create_app`, `POST /api/select`
+     (pick + ranked pool with distance/rank + coverage), `GET /api/catalog/meta`,
+     real-catalog-or-fixtures loader, guarded static mount — 6 passed.
+   - **T5** `simulator/static/` X-ray UI (dials, model knobs, ranked pool,
+     brain/mood maps) + static smoke test — 7 passed. Manual browser eyeball
+     substituted with live `curl` verification (no interactive browser): `/` 200,
+     `/api/catalog/meta` 625 records all-modes/mixed-status, `/api/select` ranked
+     pool ascending distances (1.0 → 1.41…), `none` → void, static assets 200.
+   - **T6** Dockerfile + compose + `Makefile` (literal-tab recipes). First build
+     **failed**: `package directory 'tools' does not exist` — `tools` is a
+     declared setuptools package but wasn't copied into the image. Root-caused
+     from the build log; fixed by adding `COPY tools ./tools`. Rebuilt → container
+     serves (`/` 200, 625-record fixture catalog). Torn down.
+   - **T7** USER_GUIDE "Playing with the simulator" section; **full suite: 133
+     passed, 2 skipped** (baseline 111 + 22 new).
+5. **Finish branch.** `finishing-a-development-branch` (autonomous): pushed branch
+   as `experience-simulator`; created **PR #3** via the Gitea API
+   (`wgl-gitea-admin` token mechanism, `git.benstull.org`); merged it (merge
+   commit `618b691`); deleted the merged remote branch; FF'd local `main`;
+   re-verified the merged result **133 passed, 2 skipped**; removed the worktree
+   (all 7 commits confirmed ancestors of `main` first).
+6. **Finalize.** Added `*.egg-info/` to `.gitignore` (editable-install artifact)
+   and pushed to `main` (`40dfbfd`); updated memory; published this transcript.
+
+## Cut state (final)
+
+- `main` @ `40dfbfd`, clean, synced with `origin/main`. No open PRs, no dangling
+  branches, worktree removed.
+- **133 passed, 2 skipped.** Docker `make sim` builds and serves; `make sim-local`
+  runs uvicorn. Simulator is operator-runnable on localhost.
+- The simulator is a **curator's discovery tool**, not a roadmap sub-project — the
+  roadmap frontier is unchanged.
+
+## Deferred decisions
+
+Autonomous-mode calls made without operator input:
+
+1. **Dockerfile `COPY tools ./tools` (plan deviation).** The plan's Dockerfile
+   copied only `hef`/`simulator`/`catalog`, but `pyproject.toml` declares
+   `packages = ["hef", "tools", "simulator"]`, so the in-image editable install
+   failed. Added the missing COPY. *Alternative:* trim `tools` from the package
+   list — rejected (it's a real, used package). High confidence; the image now
+   matches the declared packages.
+2. **Manual browser eyeball → programmatic curl (T5 Step 7).** No interactive
+   browser available, so verified the running server with `curl` (HTML, meta,
+   `/api/select`, void, static assets) instead of visually. Behavior fully
+   exercised, but no human visual confirmation of the rendered UI.
+3. **Autonomous PR-merge instead of the interactive finish menu.** Per §6.5
+   autonomous default + §5.4 (branch→PR→merge), pushed + opened + merged PR #3
+   without surfacing the 4-option finish prompt. The preferred path was
+   unambiguous and the merge is revertible.
+4. **`*.egg-info/` gitignore committed straight to `main`.** Trivial one-line
+   hygiene; landed directly rather than via PR.
+
+## Next-session prompt
+
+The simulator is shipped. The roadmap's next milestone is **sub-project 3
+(Player Runtime / Pi)** — no spec/plan yet, so it starts with discovery.
+
+```
+/goal Develop sub-project 3 (Player Runtime / Pi): read the controls, call hef.selection.select(), play the chosen segment across the single panoramic projector, crossfade on change, dark on None — start with a discovery session to produce BDDs + spec, per docs/ROADMAP.md §3
+```
+
+Read first: memory `experience-simulator-ready-to-build.md` (what shipped + the
+Dockerfile-copies-every-package gotcha), `pano-projector-nature-video.md` (single
+pano projector, sub-project 5 dropped), and `docs/ROADMAP.md §3`. Open decisions
+to settle: player stack (mpv/ffmpeg/custom), `approved`-only enforcement, and the
+serial protocol framing shared with sub-project 4.
+
+> Housekeeping: discovery session **0003** is still `--INPROGRESS` in
+> `sessions/0003/` (artifacts long since merged) — finalize or close it out.

sessions/0004/SESSION-0004.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-05T03-32--INPROGRESS.md

@@ -1,20 +0,0 @@
-# Session 0004.0 — Transcript
-
-> App: human-experience-filter-art
-> Start: 2026-06-05T03-32 (PST)
-> Type: coding
-> Status: **PLACEHOLDER — claimed at session start; finalized at session end.**
->
-> This file reserves session ID 0004 for human-experience-filter-art. The driver replaces this
-> body with the full transcript and renames the file to its final
-> SESSION-0004.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-05T03-32--<end>.md form at session end.
-
-## Launch prompt
-
-_(launch prompt not captured at claim time)_
-
-## Deferred decisions
-
-_Autonomous-mode low-confidence calls the driver made and would have
-liked operator input on. Appended as the session runs; surfaced at
-finalize. Empty if none._

sessions/0005/SESSION-0005.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-05T08-30--2026-06-05T17-48.md

@@ -0,0 +1,126 @@
+# Session 0005.0 — Transcript
+
+> App: human-experience-filter-art
+> Type: discovery
+> Start: 2026-06-05T08-30 (PST) · End: 2026-06-05T17-48 (PST)
+> Goal: Explore whether AI-generated/altered video is a viable content path for the
+>       pano projector — economics + fit with the design — and capture the outcome.
+> Outcome: **Artistic thesis pivoted** and a full design-spec revision written,
+>          reviewed, and **merged to `main` via PR #4** (merge commit `77746e4`).
+>          Implementation deferred to a sub-project-3 coding session.
+
+## Plan
+
+Discovery session opened from the operator's question: "can we write/generate
+scene descriptions and generate the video with AI — would the economics work?"
+The session ran as a brainstorming exploration that converged on a new thesis and
+produced a design spec as its artifact.
+
+## Launch prompt
+
+```
+I'm not sure if hte economics would work out (can you do a best effort calculation?) but maybe we could write up/generate scene descriptions and generate the video with AI. What do you think?
+```
+
+## Pre-session state
+
+- `main` @ `3510236`. Sub-projects 1 & 2 done/merged; roadmap frontier = sub-project
+  3 (Pi player). A stale, already-merged worktree (`feature/BuildSimulator11`,
+  same commit as main) was the session's launch cwd.
+- Design of record: `2026-06-04-human-experience-filter-design.md` — single pano
+  projector + **found** nature video; §1 constraint "real found media, **not
+  algorithmically generated filler. Curation is the artwork.**"
+
+## Turn-by-turn arc
+
+1. **Gate / classify.** Operator's prompt was ambiguous between discovery and a
+   quick chat; asked → operator chose **Discovery (tracked)**. Ran
+   `wgl-session-discovery-init`.
+2. **Claim snag (kept in the record).** `resolve-app.py` reported **ambiguous** —
+   the nested worktree's `app.json` (`.worktrees/feature-BuildSimulator11/app.json`)
+   was discovered alongside the canonical main-repo `app.json`, both listing the
+   repo. Worked around with `WGL_APP_SCAN_DEPTH=3` (excludes the depth-5 worktree
+   copy). Claimed session **0005**, type discovery, at `850f67a`.
+3. **Economics, v1 (the original question).** Researched 2026 AI-video API rates
+   (Sora 2 ~$0.10/s, Kling 3.0 ~$0.10/s, Veo 3.1 Lite/Runway Turbo ~$0.05/s, Veo 3
+   +audio ~$0.75/s). At the spec's scale (120–800 pieces × ~10-min segments) →
+   **~$15k–45k+** with retries; **not viable**, and it doesn't reduce the real
+   constraint (curation labor). Also flagged the §1 thesis conflict ("not generated
+   filler").
+4. **Thesis pivot.** Operator: willing to change the thesis — the piece is "about
+   **how humans interact with machines and how it impacts their nervous systems**."
+   Under that thesis AI alteration *is* the subject. Invoked `brainstorming`.
+   Scope = **re-skin the meaning** (keep apparatus); content = **AI-altered
+   primary**.
+5. **Economics, v2 (the flip).** New thesis unlocks two cost levers: small
+   **generate-to-order** library + short **seamless loops** → **~$300–3k**. Feasible.
+6. **The strong concept crystallizes.** Operator: start from **neutral** real
+   nature footage and let the machine **alter it toward the knob state** — "a great
+   expression of how machines alter our experience, good and bad." Established the
+   per-axis mapping (Left = analytical overlay; Right = generative v2v dissolve;
+   Dark/Light = color grade), the **substrate-vs-overlay composition rule**, and the
+   "whole-brain" corner (feeling, *labeled*).
+7. **Control panel + i18n.** Operator added a 7-way content dial (Off/White
+   Noise/Music/Audio Track/Video/Music+Video/Audio Track+Video), volume + brightness
+   knobs, and a tactile **wooden** panel (engraved symbols, braille, color LEDs,
+   read-aloud button). Designed touch-distinct/engravable symbols. Key finding on
+   the **translation cost**: because the Left **labels are a runtime overlay**, the
+   v2v renders once (language-agnostic) and supporting *every* language is ~free on
+   the video — only cheap text translation + TTS. (Baking labels in would multiply
+   video cost × #languages — the avoided landmine.)
+8. **Mood color grade.** Operator: Light = yellow / white negative space; center =
+   raw ungraded video; Dark = blue / black negative space. (First draft mis-set
+   Dark=red and center=grey; operator corrected → Dark = melancholy **blue** not
+   alarm red; center = **raw video**, no grade.)
+9. **Wrote the spec.** Branched `feature/machine-altered-perception-spec` off main,
+   wrote `docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-05-machine-altered-perception-design.md`
+   (15 sections), committed, self-reviewed; operator reviewed and gave 4
+   corrections (center=raw, add Music+Video → 7-way, audio-alteration deferred,
+   red gone) → applied, commit amended to `c5952c6`.
+10. **Wrap.** Operator chose to wrap the discovery session here (spec is the
+    artifact; build later). Pushed branch; first PR-creation attempt was **blocked
+    by the auto-mode classifier** (treated as routing around PR authorization) —
+    surfaced it rather than working around. Operator then explicitly authorized
+    opening + merging the PR → **PR #4 opened and merged to `main`** (merge commit
+    `77746e4`, branch deleted), local `main` fast-forwarded.
+
+## Cut state (end of session)
+
+| Item | State |
+|---|---|
+| Design spec | **Merged to `main`** — `docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-05-machine-altered-perception-design.md` |
+| Branch commit | `c5952c6` (spec, amended with review fixes) |
+| Merge commit | `77746e4` (PR #4), feature branch deleted |
+| `main` | fast-forwarded to `77746e4` (local + origin) |
+| Roadmap | unchanged on disk; spec §13 describes how sub-projects 2/3/4 + a new offline v2v pipeline are reshaped (a roadmap-edit pass is future work) |
+| Memory | `ai-generated-content-thesis-pivot.md` (full design rationale + status) + `MEMORY.md` index updated |
+
+## What lands on the operator's plate
+
+- Nothing blocking. The spec is canonical and merged.
+- Optional future passes the spec itself lists (§14): pano resolution strategy,
+  negative-space luma key, transform composition order, neutral-base count,
+  language tier, runtime-grading perf on the Pi.
+- A roadmap-edit pass to reflect the reshaped sub-projects 2/3/4 (the design spec
+  carries it for now).
+
+## Deferred decisions
+
+No substantive low-confidence design calls — every design decision (thesis,
+per-axis mapping, composition rule, color grade, the 7-way dial, the panel) was
+operator-confirmed in-session. Two mechanical judgment calls worth flagging:
+
+- **`WGL_APP_SCAN_DEPTH=3` workaround** for the nested-worktree `app.json`
+  ambiguity in `resolve-app.py`. This is a genuine plugin friction (a worktree
+  nested under the main repo makes the resolver ambiguous) — a candidate for
+  `wgl-dev-plugin-feedback` (resolver should skip `.worktrees/`).
+- **Repurposed the stale `feature/BuildSimulator11` worktree** to a fresh
+  `feature/machine-altered-perception-spec` branch off its HEAD (= main) rather
+  than removing it (harness had cwd anchored there; removal risked breaking the
+  shell).
+
+## Prompt the operator can paste into the next session
+
+```
+/goal Implement sub-project 3 (the player / alteration engine) per docs/ROADMAP.md and the new docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-05-machine-altered-perception-design.md. Read memory ai-generated-content-thesis-pivot.md first. Build the alteration engine: runtime luma-keyed mood grade (Light=yellow/white → raw → Dark=blue/black), runtime analytical-overlay compositor (multilingual, from string tables), generated white noise, and selection/blending of pre-baked v2v variants over a small neutral base library; resolve the spec §14 open questions (pano resolution, composition order) as you go.
+```

sessions/0006/SESSION-0006.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-05T17-52--2026-06-05T18-15.md

@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+# Session 0006.0 — Transcript
+
+> App: human-experience-filter-art
+> Type: coding
+> Start: 2026-06-05T17-52 (PST) · End: 2026-06-05T18-15 (PST)
+> Goal: `/goal next` — drive the roadmap to its next frontier item (sub-project 3,
+>       the player / machine-alteration engine), and build it.
+> Outcome: **Sub-project 3 slice 1 — the pure-logic alteration-engine + player
+>          core — built and MERGED to `main` via PR #5** (merge commit `aeeed66`).
+>          New `player/` package; 56 new tests (189 passed / 2 skipped total).
+>          Sub-project 3 advanced from "next" to "in progress."
+
+## Plan
+
+Begin sub-project 3 (Player Runtime + alteration engine) per `docs/ROADMAP.md` §3
+and the approved machine-altered-perception design (§4 alteration engine, §5 mood
+grade, §6 7-way content dial, §7 intensity). Sub-project 3 is large (runtime
+grading + overlay compositing + v2v variant selection + serial input + mpv/GPU +
+white-noise DSP); this session ships **slice 1 — the pure-logic core** as a new
+`player/` package, fully unit-tested with all I/O behind injected interfaces,
+mirroring how sub-project 1 was the pure-logic dependency root. Process:
+writing-plans → TDD → branch → PR → merge.
+
+## Launch prompt
+
+```
+/goal next — drive the roadmap to its next frontier item.
+
+Per project memory (session 0005, machine-altered-perception design SPEC merged
+to main via PR #4), the roadmap frontier is sub-project 3: the player /
+machine-alteration engine. This coding session builds that.
+```
+
+## Pre-session state
+
+- `main` @ `77746e4` locally (behind `origin/main` by 2 — session 0005's finalized
+  transcript + this session's claim placeholder); fast-forwarded to `origin/main`
+  during init.
+- Sub-projects 1 & 2 done/merged; design of record = the machine-altered-perception
+  revision (PR #4). No `player/` package and no sub-project-3 plan existed yet.
+- Launch cwd was the stale, already-merged worktree
+  `.worktrees/feature-BuildSimulator11/` (branch `feature/machine-altered-perception-spec`,
+  remote gone) — same situation as session 0005.
+
+## Turn-by-turn arc
+
+1. **Gate / classify.** `/goal next` → unambiguously a coding session (roadmap
+   frontier = sub-project 3 build). Ran `wgl-session-coding-init`.
+2. **Claim snag (same as 0005, kept in the record).** `resolve-app.py` reported
+   **ambiguous** — the nested worktree's `app.json` discovered alongside the main
+   clone's. Read the resolver to confirm root cause (`find_app_jsons` prunes
+   `.git/node_modules/…` but not `.worktrees/`). Worked around with
+   `WGL_APP_SCAN_DEPTH=4` (prunes the depth-5 worktree copy, keeps the depth-3 main
+   one). Claimed session **0006**, type coding, at `e694489`. Filed a plugin-feedback
+   note for the recurring gap (`feedback/2026-06-05T18-13-resolver-nested-worktree-ambiguous.md`).
+3. **Baseline + branch.** Fast-forwarded the main clone; confirmed PR #4 merged;
+   created `feature/player-alteration-core` off `origin/main` in the worktree.
+4. **Read the design.** Read ROADMAP §3 + the machine-altered-perception spec
+   (§4 alteration engine, §5 mood grade, §6 7-way dial, §7 intensity), and the
+   existing `hef/` conventions (frozen dataclasses, pure modules, heavy unit tests).
+5. **Scoped the session → slice 1.** Sub-project 3 is too large for one session;
+   chose the pure-logic core (controls model, content-dial resolver, alteration
+   render-plan, player state machine) with all I/O behind injected interfaces, and
+   deferred the renderer/serial/white-noise/v2v/catalog slices (named in the plan).
+6. **Surfaced a spec ambiguity (Deferred decision).** §3 "(2,2,2,2) neutral" vs
+   §4.2 (Left/Right stack as independent layers) vs §5 (mood center = identity)
+   cannot all be literally true for four independent knobs. Resolved with a
+   swappable calibration: brain `value/4`, mood `(light−dark)/4`; flagged for
+   operator confirm.
+7. **writing-plans.** Wrote `docs/superpowers/plans/2026-06-05-player-alteration-core.md`
+   (6 TDD tasks, full code + tests, self-review against the spec).
+8. **TDD implementation.** Red→green→commit per module: `player/controls.py`
+   (Controls, validation, parse), `player/content.py` (§6 7-way table),
+   `player/alteration.py` (RenderPlan: ColorGrade/AnalyticalOverlay/Restyle +
+   calibration helpers), `player/state.py` (Player state machine + Transition
+   kinds). Registered the package in `pyproject.toml`; updated ROADMAP §3.
+9. **Verify.** Full suite green: **189 passed, 2 skipped** (the opt-in ffprobe
+   tests), 56 of them new player tests. No regressions.
+10. **Ship.** Pushed the branch; created **PR #5** and merged it via the Gitea API
+    helper (merge commit `aeeed66`); synced the main clone; deleted the remote
+    feature branch.
+11. **Wrap.** Filed plugin feedback, updated memory, finalized.
+
+## Cut state
+
+- `main` @ `aeeed66` (PR #5 merged). `player/` package present: `controls.py`,
+  `content.py`, `alteration.py`, `state.py` + 4 test files. Full suite 189 passed /
+  2 skipped.
+- Sub-project 3 = **⏳ in progress**. Slice 1 done; remaining slices listed in
+  ROADMAP §3 and `[[sub-project-3-player-progress]]`.
+- Working tree clean. Remote feature branch deleted; the local worktree remains on
+  the now-merged `feature/player-alteration-core` branch (harmless).
+
+## Deferred decisions (operator plate)
+
+Two low-confidence calls made autonomously this session — both flagged for operator
+confirmation:
+
+1. **Knob→strength calibration (§3 vs §4.2/§5 conflict).** §3 says "(2,2,2,2) is
+   neutral," but §4.2 (Left/Right stack as independent layers: overlay vs substrate)
+   and §5 (mood center = identity) conflict with that for four independent physical
+   knobs. Implemented: brain knobs `strength = value/4` (0 = off, 4 = max — full
+   range, honors §4.2 stacking), mood `tone = (light − dark)/4` (equal dark/light →
+   identity, honors §5). Under this the un-altered base is `(0,0,·,·)` with
+   `dark==light`, **not** `(2,2,2,2)` — read as a vestige of the old coordinate-grid
+   *center*. The calibration is three one-line helpers in `player/alteration.py`;
+   flipping to a "centered at 2 = no push" convention is a localized change that
+   leaves the RenderPlan shape and all downstream logic untouched. **Recommend
+   operator confirm the intended panel UX.**
+2. **Volume/Brightness granularity.** Modeled as `0..4` ints for uniformity with the
+   experience knobs and the Arduino's `0..4` quantization (roadmap §4). The spec
+   calls them "levels" without fixing granularity; revisit if the panel warrants
+   finer steps.
+
+## Next-session prompt
+
+The roadmap frontier is now the remaining sub-project-3 slices. Read
+`[[sub-project-3-player-progress]]` and the slice-1 plan first. Two strong
+candidates for the next slice — the **runtime renderer** (makes the core visible)
+or the **serial framing contract + input adapter** (unblocks sub-project 4 in
+parallel):
+
+```
+/goal Sub-project 3 slice 2 — settle the 3⇄4 serial framing contract and build the
+USB-serial / keyboard input adapter that feeds the player a `Controls` stream
+(unblocks sub-project 4), per docs/ROADMAP.md §3 and docs/superpowers/plans/2026-06-05-player-alteration-core.md.
+Alternatively start the runtime renderer (mpv/ffmpeg + grade/overlay). First
+confirm the open knob→strength calibration decision (§3 vs §4.2/§5).
+```
+
+Gotcha to carry forward: running from the nested `.worktrees/…` checkout breaks
+`resolve-app.py` (ambiguous app.json) — run from the main clone, or use
+`WGL_APP_SCAN_DEPTH=4` on claim and explicit `--sessions-*` flags on publish, until
+the plugin fix lands.

sessions/sessions.json

@@ -10,5 +10,11 @@
   },
   "0004": {
     "title": ""
+  },
+  "0005": {
+    "title": ""
+  },
+  "0006": {
+    "title": ""
   }
 }

tests/test_player_alteration.py

@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+import pytest
+
+from hef.selection import Coordinate
+from player.alteration import (
+    AnalyticalOverlay,
+    ColorGrade,
+    RenderPlan,
+    Restyle,
+    plan_alteration,
+)
+
+
+def _coord(left=0, right=0, dark=0, light=0):
+    return Coordinate(left=left, right=right, dark=dark, light=light)
+
+
+def test_all_zero_knobs_is_the_unaltered_base():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord())
+    assert plan.is_identity
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 0.0
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 0.0
+    assert plan.grade.tone == 0.0
+    assert plan.grade.is_identity
+
+
+def test_left_drives_the_analytical_overlay_only():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=4))
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 1.0
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 0.0  # Left does not touch the substrate
+    assert plan.grade.tone == 0.0
+
+
+def test_right_drives_the_restyle_substrate_only():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(right=2))
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 0.5
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 0.0  # Right does not add overlay
+
+
+def test_left_and_right_stack_not_cancel():
+    # design §4.2: whole-brain corner = dreamlike substrate WITH labels on top
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=4))
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 1.0
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 1.0
+
+
+def test_light_pole_grades_warm_positive_tone():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(light=4))
+    assert plan.grade.tone == 1.0
+    assert not plan.grade.is_identity
+
+
+def test_dark_pole_grades_cool_negative_tone():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(dark=4))
+    assert plan.grade.tone == -1.0
+
+
+def test_equal_dark_and_light_is_identity_grade():
+    # design §5: the mood center is the raw, ungraded footage
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(dark=3, light=3)).grade.is_identity
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(dark=2, light=2)).grade.is_identity
+
+
+def test_dark_minus_light_sets_intermediate_tone():
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(dark=4, light=2)).grade.tone == pytest.approx(-0.5)
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(dark=1, light=3)).grade.tone == pytest.approx(0.5)
+
+
+def test_whole_brain_dark_corner_stacks_grade_substrate_and_overlay():
+    # design §4.2 "Dark + analytical": cold measurement over a melancholy scene
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=2, dark=4, light=0))
+    assert plan.overlay.intensity == 1.0
+    assert plan.restyle.blend == 0.5
+    assert plan.grade.tone == -1.0
+    assert not plan.is_identity
+
+
+def test_render_plan_is_frozen():
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord())
+    with pytest.raises(Exception):
+        plan.grade.tone = 0.5  # type: ignore[misc]

tests/test_player_content.py

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+import pytest
+
+from player.content import AUDIO_SOURCES, ContentResolution, resolve_content
+
+
+def test_audio_sources_are_the_four_distinct_sources():
+    assert AUDIO_SOURCES == frozenset({"none", "white_noise", "music", "audio_track"})
+
+
+# The §6 table, row by row: position -> (audio_source, video).
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    "position,audio_source,video",
+    [
+        ("off", "none", False),
+        ("white_noise", "white_noise", False),
+        ("music", "music", False),
+        ("audio_track", "audio_track", False),
+        ("video", "none", True),
+        ("music_video", "music", True),
+        ("audio_video", "audio_track", True),
+    ],
+)
+def test_resolve_content_matches_spec_table(position, audio_source, video):
+    assert resolve_content(position) == ContentResolution(audio_source=audio_source, video=video)
+
+
+def test_off_is_void_state_black_and_silent():
+    r = resolve_content("off")
+    assert r.video is False and r.audio_source == "none"
+
+
+def test_resolve_content_rejects_unknown_position():
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        resolve_content("bogus")

tests/test_player_controls.py

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+import pytest
+
+from player.controls import (
+    Controls,
+    CONTENT_POSITIONS,
+    ControlsError,
+    validate_controls,
+    parse_controls,
+)
+
+
+def test_content_positions_are_the_seven_from_the_spec():
+    assert CONTENT_POSITIONS == frozenset(
+        {"off", "white_noise", "music", "audio_track", "video", "music_video", "audio_video"}
+    )
+
+
+def test_valid_controls_pass_validation():
+    c = Controls(content="video", left=0, right=4, dark=2, light=2, volume=3, brightness=4)
+    validate_controls(c)  # does not raise
+
+
+def test_invalid_content_position_rejected():
+    c = Controls(content="bogus", left=0, right=0, dark=0, light=0, volume=0, brightness=0)
+    with pytest.raises(ControlsError):
+        validate_controls(c)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("field", ["left", "right", "dark", "light", "volume", "brightness"])
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("bad", [-1, 5, True])
+def test_out_of_range_or_non_int_knob_rejected(field, bad):
+    kwargs = dict(content="off", left=0, right=0, dark=0, light=0, volume=0, brightness=0)
+    kwargs[field] = bad
+    with pytest.raises(ControlsError):
+        validate_controls(Controls(**kwargs))
+
+
+def test_parse_controls_from_mapping():
+    c = parse_controls(
+        {"content": "music_video", "left": 1, "right": 2, "dark": 3, "light": 0, "volume": 2, "brightness": 1}
+    )
+    assert c == Controls("music_video", 1, 2, 3, 0, 2, 1)
+
+
+def test_parse_controls_rejects_unknown_keys():
+    with pytest.raises(ControlsError):
+        parse_controls({"content": "off", "left": 0, "right": 0, "dark": 0,
+                        "light": 0, "volume": 0, "brightness": 0, "bogus": 1})
+
+
+def test_parse_controls_rejects_missing_keys():
+    with pytest.raises(ControlsError):
+        parse_controls({"content": "off", "left": 0})

tests/test_player_state.py

@@ -0,0 +1,112 @@
+from dataclasses import dataclass
+
+import pytest
+
+from player.controls import Controls
+from player.state import Player, Playback, Transition, TransitionKind
+
+
+@dataclass(frozen=True)
+class FakeClip:
+    id: str
+
+
+LIB = [FakeClip("base-a"), FakeClip("base-b")]
+
+
+def _controls(content="video", left=0, right=0, dark=0, light=0, volume=2, brightness=2):
+    return Controls(content, left, right, dark, light, volume, brightness)
+
+
+def test_first_update_to_video_fades_in_from_black():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video"))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.FADE_FROM_BLACK
+    assert t.playback.clip_id == "base-a"
+    assert t.playback.content.video is True
+
+
+def test_off_from_video_fades_to_black_and_silences():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video"))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="off"))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.FADE_TO_BLACK
+    assert t.playback.clip_id is None
+    assert t.playback.content.audio_source == "none"
+
+
+def test_no_change_yields_none_transition():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", left=1))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", left=1))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.NONE
+
+
+def test_grade_change_is_a_live_update_not_a_crossfade():
+    # design §4.3: the Dark/Light grade is a continuous runtime op
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", dark=0, light=0))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", dark=4, light=0))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+    assert t.playback.plan.grade.tone == -1.0
+
+
+def test_overlay_change_is_a_live_update():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", left=0))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", left=4))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+    assert t.playback.plan.overlay.intensity == 1.0
+
+
+def test_restyle_change_crossfades_the_substrate():
+    # design §4.3: the Right v2v substrate is a pre-baked variant swap
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", right=0))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", right=4))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.CROSSFADE
+    assert t.playback.plan.restyle.blend == 1.0
+
+
+def test_volume_only_change_is_a_live_update():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="video", volume=1))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video", volume=4))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+    assert t.playback.volume == 4
+
+
+def test_audio_source_change_while_black_is_a_live_update():
+    p = Player(LIB)
+    p.update(_controls(content="white_noise"))
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="music"))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE
+    assert t.playback.content.audio_source == "music"
+
+
+def test_injected_base_chooser_is_used():
+    p = Player(LIB, choose_base=lambda lib: lib[1])
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="video"))
+    assert t.playback.clip_id == "base-b"
+
+
+def test_empty_library_with_video_raises():
+    p = Player([])
+    with pytest.raises(ValueError):
+        p.update(_controls(content="video"))
+
+
+def test_off_with_empty_library_is_fine():
+    p = Player([])
+    # levels at 0 match the initial black state, so this is a no-op transition
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="off", volume=0, brightness=0))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.NONE  # already black at init
+    assert t.playback.clip_id is None
+
+
+def test_off_with_levels_from_black_is_a_live_update():
+    p = Player([])
+    t = p.update(_controls(content="off", volume=3, brightness=2))
+    assert t.kind == TransitionKind.LIVE_UPDATE  # black->black, levels set
+    assert t.playback.clip_id is None
+    assert t.playback.volume == 3