claim human-experience-filter-art session 0019 (placeholder) + sessions.json entry

The affect channel previously gated on BOTH knobs (strength = min(left, right)),
so the analytical Left brain co-controlled the emotion words. Per operator
direction, emotions are now driven by the Right (dreamlike) knob ALONE — Left no
longer gates them. This sharpens the split: Left = measurement (detections +
measurements), Right = the dream AND the feeling it evokes.

- player/alteration.py: `_affect_strength(right) = right` (was min(left,right));
  `_affect_intensity` keyed off Right. AffectOverlay + is_identity docs updated
  (is_identity still holds: right>0 ⇒ dream.strength>0).
- simulator/static/app.js: renderAffect comments (gating is Right via `strength`);
  the client logic already keyed min_level/tier off the passed strength + right.
- Affect design spec: revision note + every min(left,right) → right.
- Tests rewritten: affect is Right-driven (full Right + Left 0 surfaces affect;
  Right 0 + Left 4 surfaces none).

271 passed, 2 skipped. Live API verified: left=0/right=4 → strength 4; left=4/
right=0 → strength 0.

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

docs/content-candidate-pool.md

@@ -27,16 +27,27 @@ stays non‑commercial**.
 
 | id | clip | source | window (s) | license / credit |
 |----|------|--------|-----------|------------------|
-| `cosmos` | Orion Nebula flythrough | NASA/JPL‑Caltech — https://images.nasa.gov/details/JPL-20221122-SOLSYSf-0001-Orion%20Dust%20and%20Death | ~30–54 | PD (17 U.S.C. §105) |
+| `cosmos` | Cosmic Cliffs — Carina Nebula flythrough | NASA SVS 31348 — https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/31348/ (`Clifs-3d-STScI.mp4`, *Exploring the Cosmic Cliffs in 3D*, Webb NIRCam, **4K**) | 10–34 | CC‑BY‑class — credit **NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI** |
+
+> ℹ️ **Cosmos primary swapped to the Webb "Cosmic Cliffs" flythrough (2026-06-25, session 0018).**
+> History: the original primary was NASA/JPL's *"Orion: Dust and Death"* (captions
+> burned in → cropping lost framing); it was then swapped to STScI's text-free
+> *Flight Through the Orion Nebula* (SVS 30957, visible light). The operator found
+> the Orion clip merely good and asked for a more dramatic nebula, so the primary is
+> now STScI's **Exploring the Cosmic Cliffs in 3D** (Carina Nebula, Webb NIRCam,
+> **SVS 31348**) — a full-frame, text-free 3D flythrough sourced from its **4K**
+> master (`Clifs-3d-STScI.mp4`, 3840×2160) → supersampled 1080p base + 4K master.
+> Trim 10–34s clears the opening title card (gone by ~8s) and the end-credit card
+> (~102s). The earlier `decaption_cosmos` crop helper remains removed.
 | `cosmos_galaxies` | Flying Through Galaxies | NASA SVS — https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014900/a014950/14950_Galaxies_FlyThrough_4k.mp4 | 8–32 | PD |
 | `cosmos_hudf` | Hubble Ultra Deep Field zoom | NASA SVS — https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a030000/a030600/a030687/hudf-b-1920x1080p30.mov | 20–44 | CC‑BY‑class — credit **NASA, ESA, STScI** |
 | `cosmos_xdf` | eXtreme Deep Field flythrough | NASA SVS — https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a030000/a030600/a030681/hxdf_fly-b-1920x1080p30.mov | 2–26 | CC‑BY‑class — credit **NASA, ESA, STScI** |
 
 > ⚠️ **DISCREPANCY to fix next session.** Operator selected cosmos **#1, #3
 > (Orion), #4, #5**. During processing, **#6 Galaxy Traverse was run by mistake
-> instead of #3 Orion**. The Orion clip (#3) is text‑free and already lives at
-> `simulator/sample_media/cosmos/base.mp4` (the prior real base), so the pool above
-> is correct. **`cosmos_traverse` is an UNSELECTED extra on disk — drop it** (or
+> instead of #3 Orion**. The cosmos primary now lives at
+> `simulator/sample_media/cosmos/base.mp4` as the Webb Cosmic Cliffs flythrough
+> (SVS 31348 — see the cosmos-primary note above). **`cosmos_traverse` is an UNSELECTED extra on disk — drop it** (or
 > confirm with operator). The current ring scale id is `cosmos`; when the pool is
 > wired, `cosmos` becomes one pool member.
 
@@ -108,5 +119,5 @@ Removed from local media (all were gitignored, so repo-invisible):
 - `forest` — the old Yosemite base, superseded by the `coast` pool. **dropped.**
 - `reef` — the original placeholder/early reef base, superseded by `reef_*`. **dropped.**
 - `orbit` / `abyss` — the Increment‑1 single real bases (NASA ISS Exp65 / ctenophore),
-  not in the new pools. **dropped** (the cosmos Orion base stays as the cosmos pool primary).
+  not in the new pools. **dropped** (the cosmos base — now the Webb Cosmic Cliffs flythrough, SVS 31348 — stays as the cosmos pool primary).
 - `review.html` gallery — now `.gitignore`d (local‑only, re‑buildable).

docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-22-affect-channel-hud-design.md

@@ -1,27 +1,36 @@
 # Affect channel — emotions in the Left-brain HUD
 
-**Status:** approved (session 0013, 2026-06-22)
+**Status:** approved (session 0013, 2026-06-22); **revised session 0018, 2026-06-26**
 **Surface:** simulator preview (`simulator/`, `player/alteration.py`)
 **Builds on:** the machine-altered-perception design SPEC; the Left HUD look-and-feel
 pass (same session).
 
+> **Revision (session 0018) — affect is a RIGHT-brain output.** The original design
+> gated emotions on *both* knobs (`strength = min(left, right)`). Per operator
+> direction, **emotions are now controlled by the Right (dreamlike) knob alone** —
+> the analytical Left knob no longer gates them. This sharpens the left/right split:
+> Left = measurement (detections + measurements), Right = the dream **and** the
+> feeling it evokes. Every `min(left, right)` below now reads `right`. The data
+> shape, rendering, and per-word `min_level` mechanic are unchanged — only the knob
+> the strength is keyed off.
+
 ## Idea
 
 A third HUD channel beside the cyan *detections* and amber *measurements*: soft,
 glowing **emotion-words** that surface the feelings the experience may invoke.
-They appear only when *both* the analytical (Left) and dreamlike (Right) knobs are
-up — the dream leaking into the machine's reading. This is the uncanny edge of the
-thesis: the machine trying to quantify not just what is there, but how you are
-meant to feel.
+They are a **right-brain output: driven by the dreamlike Right knob alone** (the
+analytical Left knob does not gate them) — the dream surfacing as the machine's
+felt reading. This is the uncanny edge of the thesis: the machine trying to
+quantify not just what is there, but how you are meant to feel.
 
 ## Behaviour
 
-- **Trigger / intensity.** Affect strength = `min(left, right)` (0–4). Either knob
-  at 0 → no emotions at all. Opacity scales with that strength × `overlay_gain`.
-- **Escalation.** A **stable emotional palette per scene** — higher combined
-  strength reveals *more* words at higher opacity. Each word carries a `min_level`
-  (the same mechanic the detection channel uses), but compared against the
-  *combined* `min(left, right)` strength rather than Left alone.
+- **Trigger / intensity.** Affect strength = `right` (0–4). Right at 0 → no
+  emotions at all, regardless of Left. Opacity scales with that strength ×
+  `overlay_gain`.
+- **Escalation.** A **stable emotional palette per scene** — higher Right reveals
+  *more* words at higher opacity. Each word carries a `min_level` (the same
+  mechanic the detection channel uses), compared against the `right` strength.
 - **Rendering.** Floating words at authored scene positions — **no boxes or
   reticles**, lowercase, semi-transparent with a soft glow, in a distinct **violet**
   register so they read as affective and clearly *softer* than the hard clinical
@@ -33,15 +42,15 @@ Consistent with the existing split (alteration math in Python, label-selection i
 the client):
 
 - `player/alteration.py` gains an `AffectOverlay(strength, intensity)` on the
-  `RenderPlan`. `strength = min(left, right)`; `intensity = clamp(overlay_gain *
-  min(left,right) / KNOB_MAX, 0, 1)`. Returned in `render_plan_to_dict` under
-  `"affect"`. Pure, unit-tested.
+  `RenderPlan`. `strength = right`; `intensity = clamp(overlay_gain * right /
+  KNOB_MAX, 0, 1)`. Returned in `render_plan_to_dict` under `"affect"`. Pure,
+  unit-tested.
 - The simulator client picks *which* words to show by comparing each affect
   entry's `min_level` to `plan.affect.strength`, and renders them at
   `plan.affect.intensity` opacity.
 
-`is_identity` is unaffected: `min(left,right) > 0` implies `left > 0`, which already
-makes `overlay.level > 0`.
+`is_identity` is unaffected: `affect.strength == right`, and `right > 0` already
+makes `dream.strength > 0`.
 
 ## Data
 

docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-25-simulator-dev-mode-design.md

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+# Simulator Dev Mode — design
+
+> 2026-06-25 · session 0017 · planning-and-executing
+> Anchor: leaf task (simulator dev-tooling — R2b, no upstream design needed)
+
+## Problem
+
+While previewing the experience, the operator can't choose *which* clip in an
+altitude's rotating pool is shown — the server picks a random pool member on each
+landing (content-pipeline §11.1). For by-eye review they want to step through every
+clip in a pool on demand, and to see the engine/clip data behind what's on screen.
+The RenderPlan JSON readout is also always visible, cluttering what should read as
+an audience-facing preview.
+
+## Goal
+
+A single **Dev Mode** toggle at the bottom of the control panel. Off by default
+(persisted in `localStorage`). When on, a panel appears directly below it with all
+dev controls and data; when off, the normal view is just the experience + the three
+control fieldsets.
+
+## Scope
+
+Frontend only — `simulator/static/{index.html,app.js,style.css}`. No API changes:
+every datum Dev Mode shows is already available client-side (`/api/clips`,
+`/api/ring`, the `/api/alteration` response, and the in-memory preload cache). The
+separate `/author.html` remains the place to *edit* labels; Dev Mode is
+inspect-and-select only.
+
+## Dev panel contents (top → bottom)
+
+1. **Pool picker** — a `<select>` of the current altitude's pool members
+   (`clip_id · title`), its value reflecting the clip currently playing. Choosing a
+   member sets `activeClipId` to it and reloads the base media, overriding the random
+   landing pick. A `🎲 Re-roll random` button re-runs the server-canonical random
+   pick for the current scale. The dropdown is rebuilt on every scale landing, so it
+   always lists the current pool; single-clip scales (cosmos/orbit) show one entry.
+2. **Active clip** — `id`, `title`, `source`, `license`, `base_file`.
+3. **Annotations & affect** — each annotation key with salience (or legacy
+   `min_level`), time window (`appear`–`disappear`), and tier count; each affect key
+   with `min_level` and tier count. Read-only.
+4. **RenderPlan** — the relocated `#readout` (the `/api/alteration` JSON).
+5. **Cache & playback** — preload status (`N/total cached`), whether the active
+   clip is served **from memory** (a preloaded blob) vs the network, and live video
+   resolution / duration / loop position.
+
+## Behavior
+
+- **Pool override is per-landing.** Changing altitude re-rolls randomly as today;
+  the operator then picks again from the new scale's pool. The pick is not persisted
+  across landings (YAGNI — "select any video while on an altitude").
+- **Refresh points.** Pool picker + clip metadata + annotations rebuild whenever the
+  scale lands (hooked into `renderScaleReadout()`) and after a manual pick/re-roll.
+  The RenderPlan readout updates on each `update()` (knob change) as today. The
+  cache/playback stats refresh on a light interval (~500 ms) while Dev Mode is on,
+  and the cache count also ticks up as the preloader fills.
+- **`pickRandomMember()`** is factored out of `landScale()` so the initial landing,
+  ring advances, and the Re-roll button all share the one server-canonical pick.
+
+## Testing
+
+No JS unit harness in the repo and no API change, so verification is: `node --check`
+on `app.js`, the Python suite stays green (unaffected), and by-eye review by the
+operator (no headless browser yet — §9 E2E policy noted, machinery pending).

player/alteration.py

@@ -88,11 +88,12 @@ class AnalyticalOverlay:
 
 @dataclass(frozen=True)
 class AffectOverlay:
-    """Affect channel (Left x Right): emotion-words surfaced only when BOTH the
-    analytical (Left) and dreamlike (Right) knobs are up. `strength` is
-    `min(left, right)` (0..4) — a runtime affect track picks which feeling words
-    appear by it; `intensity` 0..1 is their opacity. The dream leaking into the
-    machine's reading (affect-channel design, session 0013)."""
+    """Affect channel (RIGHT brain): emotion-words surfaced by the Right (dreamlike)
+    knob alone — the analytical Left knob does NOT gate them. `strength` is the Right
+    knob (0..4) — a runtime affect track picks which feeling words appear by it;
+    `intensity` 0..1 is their opacity. Feeling is the right brain's output, surfaced
+    as the machine's felt reading (affect-channel design, session 0013; Right-only
+    since session 0018)."""
 
     strength: int
     intensity: float
@@ -122,8 +123,9 @@ class RenderPlan:
     @property
     def is_identity(self) -> bool:
         """True when the plan leaves the neutral base un-altered. Affect needs no
-        clause: `min(left,right) > 0` implies `left > 0`, so `overlay.level > 0`
-        already makes a plan with active affect non-identity."""
+        clause: `affect.strength == right`, and `right > 0` already makes
+        `dream.strength > 0`, so an active-affect plan is non-identity via the
+        dream check below."""
         return (
             self.grade.is_identity
             and self.overlay.level == 0
@@ -135,13 +137,14 @@ def _overlay_intensity(left: int, cal: Calibration) -> float:
     return _clamp(cal.overlay_gain * left / KNOB_MAX, 0.0, 1.0)
 
 
-def _affect_strength(left: int, right: int) -> int:
-    """Affect surfaces only when BOTH knobs are up — gated by the smaller one."""
-    return min(left, right)
+def _affect_strength(right: int) -> int:
+    """Affect is a RIGHT-brain output: the emotion channel is driven by the Right
+    (dreamlike) knob alone — the analytical Left knob no longer gates it."""
+    return right
 
 
-def _affect_intensity(left: int, right: int, cal: Calibration) -> float:
-    return _clamp(cal.overlay_gain * _affect_strength(left, right) / KNOB_MAX, 0.0, 1.0)
+def _affect_intensity(right: int, cal: Calibration) -> float:
+    return _clamp(cal.overlay_gain * _affect_strength(right) / KNOB_MAX, 0.0, 1.0)
 
 
 def _dream_intensity(right: int, cal: Calibration) -> float:
@@ -163,8 +166,8 @@ def plan_alteration(
             intensity=_overlay_intensity(coord.left, calibration),
         ),
         affect=AffectOverlay(
-            strength=_affect_strength(coord.left, coord.right),
-            intensity=_affect_intensity(coord.left, coord.right, calibration),
+            strength=_affect_strength(coord.right),
+            intensity=_affect_intensity(coord.right, calibration),
         ),
         dream=Dream(
             strength=coord.right,

sessions/0016/SESSION-0016.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-24T17-48--2026-06-24T21-46.md

@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+# Session 0016.0 — Transcript
+
+> App: human-experience-filter-art
+> Start: 2026-06-24T17-48 (PST)
+> Type: planning-and-executing
+> Posture: yolo
+> Claude-Session: 0fde1d36-7c64-414f-8f49-8669b5dd2263
+> Status: **FINALIZED**
+
+## Launch prompt
+
+`/goal` Content pipeline Increment 2 (expanded) — rotating clip pools + time-windowed
+TRACKED labels + progressive left-brain detail + progressive right-brain emotions.
+Short design pass first (schema changes), then build.
+
+> Anchor: design `docs/superpowers/specs/2026-06-24-content-pipeline-design.md`
+> (graduated, R2a-eligible). Repo is roadmap-anchored, no Gitea issue tracker (R1
+> deviation, as all prior sessions). Increment 2 of that design.
+
+## Pre-state
+
+`main` at `b28f930` (PR #15 — operator-curated rotating-pool doc merged). All 19
+vetted pool clips on disk (gitignored) plus the leftovers to drop. The ring was the
+Increment-1 one-base-per-scale model (cosmos/orbit/forest/reef/abyss), flat
+`min_level` label gating, static or simple-track boxes, scene-level affect gated by
+`min(left,right)`. `tools/pipeline/` had stages 1–4 + 6 (no `track.py`). 246 tests.
+
+## Arc
+
+1. **Session gate + init.** Classified the `/goal` as planning-and-executing,
+   claimed session **0016** (peeked an ENDED-UNFINALIZED 0015 — its PR #15 work was
+   already merged, not live — and proceeded; no worktree needed, solo session).
+   Verified clean `main`, read the pool doc + spec + sub-project-3 memory + the live
+   code (ring, clips, app, app.js, alteration, pipeline).
+2. **Design pass (operator asked for it — schema changes).** Appended **§11** to the
+   content-pipeline spec pinning the concrete shapes: rotating pool, time-windowed
+   tracks, progressive Left detail tiers (salience + tiered strings), progressive
+   Right emotion tiers, and the `track.py` + author-mode tooling. Key call: tiers
+   need **no engine change** — the client reads `overlay.level` (Left) and
+   `dream.strength` (Right) already in the `RenderPlan`.
+3. **PR #16 — the experience.** `Scale.pool` + pure `pick_clip_id` (injected
+   randomness); server-side random pick at the API boundary (delta=0 = initial pick).
+   `forest`→`coast` rename + ring reorder + orphan-media cleanup. Time-windowed
+   tracked labels (`appear`/`disappear`, seam-wrapping). Salience-gated +
+   tier-escalating Left labels; tier-escalating Right emotions; tiered-or-static
+   strings (back-compat). New `build_pool_manifest.py` emits the 19-clip pool
+   manifest (abyss+reef authored as tracked/windowed showcase). Merged via Gitea API.
+4. **PR #17 — the tooling.** `tools/pipeline/track.py`: classical LK optical-flow box
+   tracker (this opencv build has no CSRT) → sparse keyframed track + window; optional
+   lazy ML path. Simulator AUTHOR MODE (`/author.html` + `/api/author/{track,clip}`):
+   scrub, drag a seed box, run tracker, author tiers/affect, save to manifest
+   (idempotent upsert, keeps provenance). Repointed the pipeline integration test off
+   the retired forest base; USER_GUIDE sim section brought current. Merged.
+
+## Cut state
+
+`main` at `c445239` (PR #17 merge). **267 passed / 2 skipped.** Clean tree, fully
+pushed, no open PRs. Both feature branches deleted. All 5 goal items delivered.
+
+Verification was API/logic-level + JS syntax + live-server probes (5 scales with
+pools, rotating picks, new edges, 19 clips served, tracker returns keyframes on real
+abyss_wow footage, committed manifest untouched by the read-only probe). **The
+VISUAL look was not screenshot-verified — no Chrome on this box** — so operator
+by-eye review is the next step (matches the established deferred-review pattern).
+
+## Follow-up (post-finalize, same conversation) — PR #18
+
+Operator asked to replace the scale-ring `⊖ out / in ⊕` buttons with a **circular
+"Altitude" knob** that turns all the way around (including abyss→cosmos). Built a
+turnable SVG dial in `simulator/static/app.js` (`buildDial` / `renderDial` / drag +
+wheel handlers) + `style.css`: cosmos (highest) at top, clockwise descends
+cosmos→orbit→coast→reef→abyss and **wraps** back up. Dragging accumulates rotation
+and commits whole detents on release (a big spin → one fast blended pass, reusing
+the proven wheel/detent path); scroll the knob to step; tap a label to jump the
+shortest way around. **Pure frontend** — the endless ring + wrap already existed
+server-side, so no engine/API change. JS syntax-checked; 23 sim-API tests green;
+live probe confirmed the dial replaced the buttons and the abyss→cosmos wrap is
+intact. Merged as **PR #18** (`main` at `7a32ff1`). Visual look still operator-by-eye
+(no Chrome on this box).
+
+## Deployment pipeline (§9)
+
+No stage run: the HEF simulator is a **local dev tool** (simulator-first directive),
+not a deployed app — it has no PPE/prod infra. Nothing shippable through the §9
+pipeline this session; the session output is the merged code on `main`.
+
+## Plan archival
+
+No separate `superpowers:writing-plans` artifact was produced — the design pass was a
+spec §11 edit (merged in PR #16) and execution was direct TDD tracked by the
+transcript `## Plan` block + the task list. Nothing to `submit-plan.sh`; this app has
+no content repo anyway (roadmap-anchored).
+
+## Deferred decisions
+
+- **Adopting/finalizing the ENDED-UNFINALIZED session 0015 placeholder** was skipped
+  — its PR #15 work is already on `main` and its outcomes are fully recorded in
+  memory; finalizing a prior dead session was judged an unnecessary detour. Low
+  confidence; flagging for the operator.
+- **By-eye visual review deferred** to the operator (no Chrome here) — consistent with
+  the prior-session pattern, but the look of the tiers/windows/pool rotation AND the
+  new Altitude knob is unconfirmed visually.
+- **Light-vs-rich label authoring:** only abyss + reef + the scale primaries are
+  richly authored; the other pool members carry lighter labels. Finishing them is the
+  author-mode follow-up (next goal).
+
+## Next-session prompt
+
+`/goal` Operator by-eye review of Increment 2 + the Altitude knob in the sim
+(`make sim-local`, :8000): turn the Altitude knob (drag/scroll, wraps abyss→cosmos;
+pools rotate per landing), sweep Left (progressive label tiers
+general→scientific+fact), sweep Right with Left up (progressive emotions
+basic→compound), watch abyss/reef time-windowed tracked labels enter/leave + track,
+and exercise `/author.html`. Then author real labels for the remaining pool members
+via author mode. After the content is liked, the next build frontier is the deferred
+i2v ring transitions (generative-video model + adjacent real bases) and/or the Pi
+renderer + serial/firmware (per [[simulator-first-before-hardware]]), per ROADMAP.md.

sessions/0017/SESSION-0017.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-25T07-41--INPROGRESS.md

@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
-# Session 0016.0 — Transcript
+# Session 0017.0 — Transcript
 
 > App: human-experience-filter-art
-> Start: 2026-06-24T17-48 (PST)
+> Start: 2026-06-25T07-41 (PST)
 > Type: planning-and-executing
 > Posture: yolo
-> Claude-Session: 0fde1d36-7c64-414f-8f49-8669b5dd2263
+> Claude-Session: bcb069f2-0fba-4a66-ae8e-f40b7917a48c
 > Status: **PLACEHOLDER — claimed at session start; finalized at session end.**
 >
-> This file reserves session ID 0016 for human-experience-filter-art. The driver replaces this
+> This file reserves session ID 0017 for human-experience-filter-art. The driver replaces this
 > body with the full transcript and renames the file to its final
-> SESSION-0016.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-24T17-48--<end>.md form at session end.
+> SESSION-0017.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-25T07-41--<end>.md form at session end.
 
 ## Launch prompt
 

sessions/0018/SESSION-0018.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-25T09-42--INPROGRESS.md

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# Session 0018.0 — Transcript
+
+> App: human-experience-filter-art
+> Start: 2026-06-25T09-42 (PST)
+> Type: planning-and-executing
+> Posture: yolo
+> Claude-Session: b96041e5-c682-49f5-88ee-380ea7abb6af
+> Status: **PLACEHOLDER — claimed at session start; finalized at session end.**
+>
+> This file reserves session ID 0018 for human-experience-filter-art. The driver replaces this
+> body with the full transcript and renames the file to its final
+> SESSION-0018.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-25T09-42--<end>.md form at session end.
+
+## Launch prompt
+
+```
+Find a better public-domain nebula flythrough video for the cosmos scale (the current text-free SVS Orion clip lost quality when cropped to remove its text overlay), or upscale the existing one if no better source exists.
+
+```
+
+## 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/0019/SESSION-0019.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-26T04-47--INPROGRESS.md

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+# Session 0019.0 — Transcript
+
+> App: human-experience-filter-art
+> Start: 2026-06-26T04-47 (PST)
+> Type: brainstorming
+> Posture: careful
+> Claude-Session: d6ed1203-92b6-471f-80a4-4c773b645ca1
+> Status: **PLACEHOLDER — claimed at session start; finalized at session end.**
+>
+> This file reserves session ID 0019 for human-experience-filter-art. The driver replaces this
+> body with the full transcript and renames the file to its final
+> SESSION-0019.0-TRANSCRIPT-2026-06-26T04-47--<end>.md form at session end.
+
+## Launch prompt
+
+```
+Let's start talking about hardware. Let's assume for the first version I'm ok having my computer or laptop do the rendering. We'd still want a controller but it could be connected to the computer via wifi, USB, or bluetooth and would send commands to the software we've already written that would adjust left brain, right brain, etc. We'd prototype this by having a controller simulator run on another device, such as an ipad (just riffing here) but eventually move to a physical remote running on an Arduino or similar
+
+```
+
+## 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/sessions.json

@@ -46,5 +46,14 @@
   },
   "0016": {
     "title": ""
+  },
+  "0017": {
+    "title": ""
+  },
+  "0018": {
+    "title": ""
+  },
+  "0019": {
+    "title": ""
   }
 }

simulator/app.py

@@ -59,6 +59,41 @@ def _asset_version() -> str:
     return hashlib.sha1("|".join(parts).encode()).hexdigest()[:16]
 
 
+# Content-hash tokens for served media, so the client can append `?v=<hash>` to a
+# /media URL. A clip re-baked under the SAME path (e.g. a re-sourced cosmos base)
+# changes its hash → its URL → a fresh fetch, busting any cached prior bytes
+# permanently (even an immutable-pinned entry a plain reload can't revalidate).
+# Cached by (mtime_ns, size) so the full-file hash is recomputed only when the
+# file actually changes — a re-bake is picked up without a server restart.
+_media_hash_cache: dict[str, tuple[int, int, str]] = {}
+
+
+def _media_version(rel: str) -> Optional[str]:
+    """Short content hash of the media file at `rel` under MEDIA_DIR, or None if
+    it's absent. Cheap on repeat calls: re-hashes only when (mtime, size) change."""
+    path = MEDIA_DIR / rel
+    try:
+        st = path.stat()
+    except OSError:
+        return None
+    cached = _media_hash_cache.get(rel)
+    if cached and cached[0] == st.st_mtime_ns and cached[1] == st.st_size:
+        return cached[2]
+    h = hashlib.sha1()
+    with path.open("rb") as f:
+        for chunk in iter(lambda: f.read(1 << 20), b""):
+            h.update(chunk)
+    token = h.hexdigest()[:12]
+    _media_hash_cache[rel] = (st.st_mtime_ns, st.st_size, token)
+    return token
+
+
+def _rev_file(file: str) -> str:
+    """The baked zoom-out companion path for a transition file (mirrors the
+    client's `reverseFile`): `<edge>.mp4` -> `<edge>.rev.mp4`."""
+    return file[:-4] + ".rev.mp4" if file.endswith(".mp4") else file
+
+
 class ControlsModel(BaseModel):
     content: str
     left: int = Field(ge=0, le=4)
@@ -160,6 +195,24 @@ def create_app(manifest_path: Optional[Path] = None) -> FastAPI:
     def api_clips():
         return {"clips": [c.to_dict() for c in app.state.clips]}
 
+    @app.get("/api/media-versions")
+    def api_media_versions():
+        """Per-file content-hash tokens the client appends to /media URLs as
+        `?v=<hash>`. Covers every served file: each clip's base footage plus each
+        ring transition and its baked reverse. A re-baked clip's hash changes, so
+        its URL changes and the browser refetches — a permanent cache-bust."""
+        files = {c.base_file for c in app.state.clips}
+        if app.state.ring is not None:
+            for t in app.state.ring.transitions:
+                files.add(t.file)
+                files.add(_rev_file(t.file))
+        versions = {}
+        for f in sorted(files):
+            v = _media_version(f)
+            if v:
+                versions[f] = v
+        return {"versions": versions}
+
     @app.get("/api/ring")
     def api_ring():
         if app.state.ring is None:
@@ -234,12 +287,20 @@ def create_app(manifest_path: Optional[Path] = None) -> FastAPI:
         return {"ok": True, "clip": merged}
 
     @app.middleware("http")
-    async def _no_cache(request, call_next):
-        # Dev preview server: never let a browser serve a stale app.js/style.css.
-        # The whole point is by-eye iteration, so a plain refresh must always get
-        # the latest assets (the heuristic cache otherwise hides JS/CSS edits).
+    async def _cache_policy(request, call_next):
+        # Dev preview server: never let a browser serve a stale app.js/style.css —
+        # by-eye iteration needs a plain refresh to always get the latest assets.
+        # Media uses `no-cache` (store, but REVALIDATE every load): instant altitude
+        # swaps already come from the in-memory blob preload (static/app.js), so the
+        # HTTP cache only matters on (re)load — where a conditional request returns a
+        # cheap 304 when unchanged, yet picks up a re-sourced/re-cropped clip
+        # immediately. `immutable` was wrong here: it pinned stale footage for a year
+        # so edited clips never showed without a manual cache clear.
         response = await call_next(request)
-        response.headers["Cache-Control"] = "no-cache, no-store, must-revalidate"
+        if request.url.path.startswith("/media/"):
+            response.headers["Cache-Control"] = "no-cache"
+        else:
+            response.headers["Cache-Control"] = "no-cache, no-store, must-revalidate"
         return response
 
     if MEDIA_DIR.exists():

simulator/build_pool_manifest.py

@@ -51,12 +51,14 @@ RING_ORDER = ["cosmos", "orbit", "coast", "reef", "abyss"]
 PD = "public-domain (US Gov, 17 U.S.C. §105)"
 PD_NPS = "public-domain (NPS, no © — 17 U.S.C. §105)"
 CCBY_STSCI = "CC-BY-class — credit NASA, ESA, STScI"
+CCBY_WEBB = "CC-BY-class — credit NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI"
 
 # --- Per-clip provenance: id -> (title, license, source) ---
 META: dict[str, tuple[str, str, str]] = {
     # cosmos
-    "cosmos": ("Orion Nebula flythrough (NASA/JPL-Caltech)", PD,
-               "NASA/JPL-Caltech — images.nasa.gov JPL-20221122-SOLSYSf-0001 (Orion); trim ~30–54s, crossfade-loop"),
+    "cosmos": ("Cosmic Cliffs — Carina Nebula flythrough (NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI)", CCBY_WEBB,
+               "NASA SVS 31348 Clifs-3d-STScI (Exploring the Cosmic Cliffs in 3D, Webb NIRCam); "
+               "4K source, trim 10–34s, crossfade-loop. Text-free — replaces the Orion SVS 30957 flythrough."),
     "cosmos_galaxies": ("Flying Through Galaxies (NASA SVS)", PD,
                         "NASA SVS a014950 14950_Galaxies_FlyThrough_4k; trim 8–32s, crossfade-loop"),
     "cosmos_hudf": ("Hubble Ultra Deep Field zoom (NASA/ESA/STScI)", CCBY_STSCI,
@@ -161,9 +163,9 @@ def measure(key, value, box, min_level):
 LABELS: dict[str, list[dict]] = {
     # ---------- cosmos ----------
     "cosmos": [
-        static_label("detected.nebula", 4, ["cloud", "nebula", "emission nebula", "emission nebula · ionized H II region"], [0.32, 0.28, 0.34, 0.36]),
-        static_label("detected.star", 2, ["star", "young star", "protostar", "protostar · <1 Myr old"], [0.60, 0.30, 0.10, 0.12]),
-        measure("measure.redshift", "z ≈ 0.0", [0.36, 0.70, 0.18, 0.08], 4),
+        static_label("detected.nebula", 4, ["cloud", "nebula", "emission nebula", "emission nebula · the Carina star-forming region"], [0.20, 0.42, 0.5, 0.42]),
+        static_label("detected.star", 2, ["star", "young star", "protostar", "protostar · a newborn star, <1 Myr old"], [0.54, 0.12, 0.12, 0.14]),
+        measure("measure.distance", "≈7,500 ly", [0.06, 0.06, 0.2, 0.08], 3),
     ],
     "cosmos_galaxies": [
         static_label("detected.galaxy", 4, ["galaxy", "spiral galaxy", "barred spiral", "barred spiral · ~10¹¹ stars"], [0.34, 0.30, 0.30, 0.34]),
@@ -355,7 +357,7 @@ def build_manifest() -> dict:
     return {"clips": clips, "ring": {"scales": scales, "transitions": transitions}}
 
 
-# --- Optional: generate the NEW transition placeholders (orbit-coast, coast-reef) ---
+# --- Generate the per-edge transition clips (zoom morph + reversed companion) ---
 
 def _ffmpeg() -> str:
     if shutil.which("ffmpeg"):
@@ -365,8 +367,10 @@ def _ffmpeg() -> str:
 
 
 def _make_transition(ff: str, scale_a: str, scale_b: str) -> Path:
-    """A placeholder zoom/warp morph between two scales, from their PRIMARY pool
-    members' bases (mirrors setup_scales_media.py but keyed by scale->primary)."""
+    """A zoom/warp morph between two scales, from their PRIMARY pool members'
+    bases (mirrors setup_scales_media.py but keyed by scale->primary). This is the
+    recipe behind the well-liked orbit-coast edge; generate_media() now applies it
+    uniformly to every edge so none carry stale footage from an earlier ring."""
     a = MEDIA / POOLS[scale_a][0] / "base.mp4"
     b = MEDIA / POOLS[scale_b][0] / "base.mp4"
     out = MEDIA / "transitions" / f"{scale_a}-{scale_b}.mp4"
@@ -381,13 +385,29 @@ def _make_transition(ff: str, scale_a: str, scale_b: str) -> Path:
     return out
 
 
+def _make_reverse(ff: str, forward: Path) -> Path:
+    """The zoom-OUT companion of a forward (zoom-in) edge: the same clip played
+    backward, written alongside it as `<edge>.rev.mp4`. An ascending ring move
+    crosses its edge `reversed`; the renderer then plays this file, so zooming out
+    recedes from the current scale back to the higher one instead of zooming in."""
+    out = forward.with_suffix(".rev.mp4")
+    subprocess.run([
+        ff, "-y", "-i", str(forward), "-vf", "reverse", "-an", str(out),
+    ], check=True, capture_output=True)
+    return out
+
+
 def generate_media() -> None:
-    """Generate the new ring edges introduced by the coast scale; the cosmos-orbit,
-    reef-abyss and abyss-cosmos edges already exist from the prior 5-scale ring."""
+    """(Re)build EVERY ring-edge transition from the current real primary bases —
+    the orbit-coast recipe applied uniformly, overwriting any stale clips left from
+    an earlier ring — plus a reversed companion per edge for zoom-out moves."""
     ff = _ffmpeg()
-    for a, b in [("orbit", "coast"), ("coast", "reef")]:
-        _make_transition(ff, a, b)
-        print(f"generated transitions/{a}-{b}.mp4 (placeholder zoom)")
+    n = len(RING_ORDER)
+    for i in range(n):
+        a, b = RING_ORDER[i], RING_ORDER[(i + 1) % n]
+        fwd = _make_transition(ff, a, b)
+        _make_reverse(ff, fwd)
+        print(f"generated transitions/{a}-{b}.mp4 (+ .rev) from real bases")
 
 
 def main(argv: list[str]) -> None:

simulator/sample_media/manifest.json

@@ -2,41 +2,41 @@
   "clips": [
     {
       "id": "cosmos",
-      "title": "Orion Nebula flythrough (NASA/JPL-Caltech)",
+      "title": "Cosmic Cliffs — Carina Nebula flythrough (NASA/ESA/CSA/STScI)",
       "base_file": "cosmos/base.mp4",
-      "license": "public-domain (US Gov, 17 U.S.C. §105)",
-      "source": "NASA/JPL-Caltech — images.nasa.gov JPL-20221122-SOLSYSf-0001 (Orion); trim ~30–54s, crossfade-loop",
+      "license": "CC-BY-class — credit NASA, ESA, CSA, STScI",
+      "source": "NASA SVS 31348 Clifs-3d-STScI (Exploring the Cosmic Cliffs in 3D, Webb NIRCam); 4K source, trim 10–34s, crossfade-loop. Text-free — replaces the Orion SVS 30957 flythrough.",
       "right_variants": {},
       "annotations": [
         {
           "key": "detected.nebula",
           "salience": 4,
           "box": [
-            0.32,
-            0.28,
-            0.34,
-            0.36
+            0.2,
+            0.42,
+            0.5,
+            0.42
           ]
         },
         {
           "key": "detected.star",
           "salience": 2,
           "box": [
-            0.6,
-            0.3,
-            0.1,
-            0.12
+            0.54,
+            0.12,
+            0.12,
+            0.14
           ]
         },
         {
-          "key": "measure.redshift",
+          "key": "measure.distance",
           "box": [
-            0.36,
-            0.7,
-            0.18,
+            0.06,
+            0.06,
+            0.2,
             0.08
           ],
-          "min_level": 4
+          "min_level": 3
         }
       ],
       "affect": [
@@ -79,15 +79,15 @@
             "cloud",
             "nebula",
             "emission nebula",
-            "emission nebula · ionized H II region"
+            "emission nebula · the Carina star-forming region"
           ],
           "detected.star": [
             "star",
             "young star",
             "protostar",
-            "protostar · <1 Myr old"
+            "protostar · a newborn star, <1 Myr old"
           ],
-          "measure.redshift": "z ≈ 0.0",
+          "measure.distance": "≈7,500 ly",
           "feel.wonder": [
             "wow",
             "wonder",

simulator/static/app.js

@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ let lastOverlay = null;    // {level, intensity} from the most-recent renderOver
 async function loadData() {
   const clips = (await (await fetch("/api/clips")).json()).clips || [];
   clipsById = Object.fromEntries(clips.map((c) => [c.id, c]));
+  // Per-file content-hash tokens → appended to /media URLs as ?v=<hash> so a
+  // re-baked clip (new bytes, same path) gets a fresh URL the browser can't serve
+  // stale. Best-effort: an empty map just yields un-versioned URLs.
+  try { mediaVersions = (await (await fetch("/api/media-versions")).json()).versions || {}; }
+  catch (_) { mediaVersions = {}; }
   const r = await fetch("/api/ring");
   serverRing = r.ok;
   ring = r.ok ? await r.json() : null;
@@ -52,22 +57,28 @@ async function loadData() {
   ringIndex = 0;
 }
 
-// Land on the current scale: pick a random pool member (content-pipeline §11.1).
-// A real server ring picks via a delta=0 advance (Python-canonical pick); the
-// synthesized fallback ring has a pool of one, so it just takes that member.
-async function landScale() {
+// Server-canonical random pick of a pool member for the current scale: a delta=0
+// advance (content-pipeline §11.1, Python owns the randomness). The synthesized
+// fallback ring has a pool of one, so it just returns that member. Returns a
+// clip_id or null. Shared by the initial landing AND the Dev Mode re-roll button.
+async function pickRandomMember() {
   const scale = ring && ring.scales[ringIndex];
-  if (!scale) { activeClipId = null; return; }
+  if (!scale) return null;
   if (serverRing) {
     try {
       const resp = await fetch("/api/ring/advance", {
         method: "POST", headers: { "content-type": "application/json" },
         body: JSON.stringify({ from_index: ringIndex, delta: 0 }),
       });
-      if (resp.ok) { activeClipId = (await resp.json()).target_clip_id; currentClipId = null; return; }
+      if (resp.ok) return (await resp.json()).target_clip_id;
     } catch (_) { /* fall through to the primary member */ }
   }
-  activeClipId = scale.clip_id;
+  return scale.clip_id;
+}
+
+// Land on the current scale: pick a random pool member and force its media to load.
+async function landScale() {
+  activeClipId = await pickRandomMember();
   currentClipId = null;
 }
 
@@ -75,7 +86,93 @@ function activeClip() {
   return clipsById[activeClipId] || null;
 }
 
-function mediaUrl(file) { return "/media/" + file; }
+// In-memory preload cache: media file path -> blob object URL. Once a clip's bytes
+// are cached, mediaUrl() hands the <video> an in-memory blob instead of a network
+// path, so swapping the altitude scale loads near-instantly (no fetch round-trip).
+// Falls back to the network path for anything not yet (or never) cached.
+const mediaBlobs = {};
+let mediaVersions = {};   // file -> content-hash token (from /api/media-versions)
+// Network path for a media file, content-hash-versioned so a re-baked clip's URL
+// changes with its bytes (permanent cache-bust). The blob cache, when present,
+// wins — those bytes are already the current ones for this session.
+function mediaNetUrl(file) { const v = mediaVersions[file]; return "/media/" + file + (v ? "?v=" + v : ""); }
+function mediaUrl(file) { return mediaBlobs[file] || mediaNetUrl(file); }
+
+// Every media file the ring can show: each scale-pool clip's base footage plus the
+// per-edge transition clips. This is the full preload set (~two dozen files).
+function preloadList() {
+  const files = new Set();
+  for (const c of Object.values(clipsById)) if (c && c.base_file) files.add(c.base_file);
+  // Each ring edge ships both directions: the forward (zoom-in) clip and its baked
+  // reverse (zoom-out) companion — cache both so up and down moves are instant.
+  if (ring && ring.transitions) for (const t of ring.transitions) {
+    if (t && t.file) { files.add(t.file); files.add(reverseFile(t.file)); }
+  }
+  return [...files];
+}
+
+// Order the preload so the clips most likely to be shown next come first: the
+// current scale's pool, then outward to neighboring scales, then transitions.
+function preloadOrder() {
+  if (!ring || !ring.scales) return preloadList();
+  const n = ring.scales.length, seen = new Set(), ordered = [];
+  const add = (f) => { if (f && !seen.has(f)) { seen.add(f); ordered.push(f); } };
+  for (let d = 0; d < n; d++) {
+    for (const sign of d === 0 ? [0] : [1, -1]) {
+      const s = ring.scales[((ringIndex + sign * d) % n + n) % n];
+      if (s && s.pool) for (const m of s.pool) add((clipsById[m.clip_id] || {}).base_file);
+      else if (s) add((clipsById[s.clip_id] || {}).base_file);
+    }
+  }
+  if (ring.transitions) for (const t of ring.transitions) { add(t.file); add(reverseFile(t.file)); }
+  for (const f of preloadList()) add(f);   // sweep up anything not on the ring
+  return ordered;
+}
+
+// Fetch every clip into the blob cache in the background — non-blocking, so the
+// first scale plays immediately while the rest stream in. Bounded concurrency keeps
+// the ~350 MB fetch from stampeding. A tiny progress chip self-removes when done.
+async function preloadAllMedia(concurrency = 4) {
+  const files = preloadOrder();
+  if (!files.length) return;
+  let done = 0;
+  const total = files.length;
+  const chip = preloadChip();
+  const tick = () => { if (chip) chip.textContent = `⬇ caching clips ${done}/${total}`; };
+  tick();
+  let i = 0;
+  async function worker() {
+    while (i < files.length) {
+      const file = files[i++];
+      if (!mediaBlobs[file]) {
+        try {
+          // The content-hash `?v=` already makes a re-baked clip's URL unique, but
+          // `cache: "reload"` is belt-and-suspenders: it bypasses the HTTP cache for
+          // this fetch (so even an un-versioned or immutable-pinned prior entry can't
+          // serve stale) and refreshes the entry. The blob cache above still gives
+          // instant in-session swaps; this only affects the one fetch per (re)load.
+          const blob = await (await fetch(mediaNetUrl(file), { cache: "reload" })).blob();
+          mediaBlobs[file] = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
+        } catch (_) { /* leave it to the network path on demand */ }
+      }
+      done++; tick();
+    }
+  }
+  await Promise.all(Array.from({ length: Math.min(concurrency, files.length) }, worker));
+  if (chip) chip.remove();
+}
+
+function preloadChip() {
+  let c = document.getElementById("preload-chip");
+  if (!c) {
+    c = document.createElement("div");
+    c.id = "preload-chip";
+    c.style.cssText = "position:fixed;bottom:8px;right:10px;z-index:9998;background:rgba(0,0,0,.55);" +
+      "color:#9fe;font:11px/1.4 monospace;padding:4px 8px;border-radius:4px;pointer-events:none;";
+    document.body.appendChild(c);
+  }
+  return c;
+}
 
 // Load the active scale's BASE footage into the video (the painterly canvas reads
 // its frames live). The Right knob no longer swaps the source — it only drives the
@@ -359,10 +456,11 @@ function renderOverlay(level, intensity) {
   lastOverlay = { level, intensity };
 }
 
-// Affect channel: soft, glowing emotion-words surfaced only when BOTH knobs are
-// up. `strength` = min(left, right); `intensity` is the layer opacity. Words are
-// placed at authored scene points (no boxes — feelings are scene-level) and read
-// softer than the clinical reticles — the dream leaking into the machine's read.
+// Affect channel: soft, glowing emotion-words — a RIGHT-brain output, surfaced by
+// the Right (dreamlike) knob alone (`strength` = right; the Left analytical knob no
+// longer gates them). `intensity` is the layer opacity. Words are placed at authored
+// scene points (no boxes — feelings are scene-level) and read softer than the
+// clinical reticles — feeling, not measurement.
 function renderAffect(strength, intensity, right) {
   const clip = activeClip();
   if (!affectLayer) return;      // tolerate a stale page missing the affect layer
@@ -375,7 +473,7 @@ function renderAffect(strength, intensity, right) {
     const [x, y] = f.at.map((n) => n * 100);
     const t = svg("text", { x, y, "text-anchor": "middle", class: "hud-affect" }, affectLayer);
     // RIGHT emotion tier: the vocabulary escalates basic -> compound as the Right
-    // knob rises (appearance still gated by min(left,right) above).
+    // knob rises (appearance is gated by the Right knob via `strength` above).
     const raw = strings[f.key];
     t.textContent = pickTier(raw !== undefined ? raw : f.key, clamp(right || 0, 1, tierCount(raw)));
   }
@@ -390,6 +488,7 @@ function renderScaleReadout() {
   const poolTag = poolN > 1 ? ` · pool ${poolN}` : "";
   $("scale-name").textContent = `${s.id} · ${member}  (${ringIndex + 1}/${ring.scales.length}${poolTag})`;
   renderDial();
+  refreshDevClip();      // keep the Dev Mode pool picker + clip data in sync with the landing
 }
 
 function controls() {
@@ -415,7 +514,7 @@ async function update() {
   if (!resp.ok) { readout.textContent = "invalid: " + resp.status; return; }
   const data = await resp.json();
   readout.textContent = JSON.stringify(data, null, 2);
-  if (!data.content.video) { black.classList.remove("hidden"); return; }
+  if (!data.content.video) { black.style.opacity = "1"; black.classList.remove("hidden"); return; }
   black.classList.add("hidden");
   try {
     ensureClipMedia();
@@ -436,11 +535,17 @@ function debounced() { clearTimeout(timer); timer = setTimeout(update, 80); }
 
 const FAST_BLEND_RATE = 2.5;   // playback speed for a collapsed fast-spin pass
 
-function playTransition(file, blended) {
+// The zoom-OUT companion of an edge clip: the baked `<edge>.rev.mp4` reverse. A
+// `reversed` step (an ascending / zoom-out ring move) plays this instead of the
+// forward zoom-in clip, so going up recedes from the current scale.
+function reverseFile(file) { return file.replace(/\.mp4$/, ".rev.mp4"); }
+
+function playTransition(file, blended, reversed) {
   // Play one zoom/warp transition clip start-to-finish, with the alteration
   // layers hidden. A `blended` (fast-spin) pass runs at FAST_BLEND_RATE so a
   // quick encoder spin lands fast instead of grinding through every morph.
-  // Resolves on 'ended' (or a safety timeout that scales with playback rate).
+  // Zoom-out moves (`reversed`) play the baked reverse clip. Resolves on 'ended'
+  // (or a safety timeout that scales with playback rate).
   return new Promise((resolve) => {
     overlay.style.opacity = "0";
     affectLayer.style.opacity = "0";
@@ -448,7 +553,7 @@ function playTransition(file, blended) {
     vid.style.filter = "none";
     vid.loop = false;
     vid.style.opacity = "1";
-    vid.src = mediaUrl(file);
+    vid.src = mediaUrl(reversed ? reverseFile(file) : file);
     vid.playbackRate = blended ? FAST_BLEND_RATE : 1;
     let done = false;
     const finish = () => {
@@ -464,6 +569,29 @@ function playTransition(file, blended) {
   });
 }
 
+// Briefly fade through the #black overlay while `swap` changes the displayed clip,
+// so a content swap reads as a deliberate cut, not a jarring jump. Restores #black
+// to its hidden/opaque resting state (the video-off use) afterward.
+function fadeThroughBlack(swap) {
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    black.style.opacity = "0";
+    black.classList.remove("hidden");
+    void black.offsetWidth;                  // reflow so the 0 -> 1 transition runs
+    black.style.opacity = "1";
+    setTimeout(() => {
+      try { swap(); } catch (_) {}
+      setTimeout(() => {
+        black.style.opacity = "0";
+        setTimeout(() => {
+          black.classList.add("hidden");
+          black.style.opacity = "";          // back to CSS default for the video-off use
+          resolve();
+        }, 210);
+      }, 160);                               // let the chosen clip decode under black
+    }, 210);
+  });
+}
+
 async function advance(delta) {
   if (busy || !ring || ring.scales.length < 2) return;
   busy = true;
@@ -477,12 +605,20 @@ async function advance(delta) {
     // A fast spin comes back collapsed to a single blended step (move.fast);
     // a slow spin chains one full transition per scale crossed.
     for (const step of move.steps) {
-      await playTransition(step.file, step.blended);
+      await playTransition(step.file, step.blended, step.reversed);
     }
     ringIndex = move.to_index;
     activeClipId = move.target_clip_id;   // the randomly-picked pool member to load
-    currentClipId = null;                 // force the target scale's base media to (re)load
     renderScaleReadout();
+    // The baked transition lands on the scale PRIMARY; if the rotating pool picked a
+    // DIFFERENT member, mask the swap behind a fade to black so it doesn't hard-cut
+    // from the primary to the chosen clip (e.g. coast birdrock -> surfgrass).
+    const landedPrimary = (ring.scales[move.to_index] || {}).clip_id;
+    if (move.target_clip_id && move.target_clip_id !== landedPrimary) {
+      await fadeThroughBlack(() => { currentClipId = null; ensureClipMedia(); });
+    } else {
+      currentClipId = null;               // same clip the transition ended on — plain (re)load
+    }
   } finally {
     busy = false;
     update();
@@ -613,6 +749,136 @@ function jumpToScale(idx) {
   if (d) advance(d);
 }
 
+// --- Dev Mode: pool picker + live analysis, all under one toggle ---
+// Off by default, state persisted in localStorage. Everything here is read from
+// data the renderer already has (clips, ring, the alteration response, the preload
+// cache) — no server endpoints. Editing labels stays in /author.html.
+const DEV_KEY = "hef.devMode";
+let devMode = false;
+let devStatsTimer = null;
+
+const escapeHtml = (s) => String(s).replace(/[&<>"]/g,
+  (c) => ({ "&": "&amp;", "<": "&lt;", ">": "&gt;", '"': "&quot;" }[c]));
+
+function applyDevVisibility() {
+  const panel = $("dev-panel");
+  if (panel) panel.classList.toggle("hidden", !devMode);
+  if (devMode) { refreshDevClip(); renderDevStats(); }
+}
+
+function initDev() {
+  const toggle = $("dev-mode");
+  if (!toggle) return;
+  try { devMode = localStorage.getItem(DEV_KEY) === "1"; } catch (_) { devMode = false; }
+  toggle.checked = devMode;
+  toggle.addEventListener("change", () => {
+    devMode = toggle.checked;
+    try { localStorage.setItem(DEV_KEY, devMode ? "1" : "0"); } catch (_) {}
+    applyDevVisibility();
+  });
+  $("pool-select").addEventListener("change", onPoolSelect);
+  $("pool-reroll").addEventListener("click", reroll);
+  // Cache + playback stats are live-ish; cheap to repaint twice a second when shown.
+  devStatsTimer = setInterval(() => { if (devMode) renderDevStats(); }, 500);
+  applyDevVisibility();
+}
+
+// Rebuild the pool picker for the current scale and repaint the clip data. Cheap
+// (pools are <= a handful), so just rebuild on every landing/pick.
+function refreshDevClip() {
+  if (!devMode) return;
+  const sel = $("pool-select");
+  const scale = ring && ring.scales[ringIndex];
+  if (sel && scale) {
+    const pool = (scale.pool && scale.pool.length) ? scale.pool : [{ clip_id: scale.clip_id, title: scale.title }];
+    sel.innerHTML = "";
+    for (const m of pool) {
+      const o = document.createElement("option");
+      o.value = m.clip_id;
+      o.textContent = `${m.clip_id} · ${m.title || (clipsById[m.clip_id] || {}).title || ""}`;
+      sel.appendChild(o);
+    }
+    if (activeClipId) sel.value = activeClipId;
+    sel.disabled = pool.length < 2;
+  }
+  renderDevMeta();
+  renderDevAnno();
+}
+
+function renderDevMeta() {
+  const dl = $("clip-meta");
+  const c = activeClip();
+  if (!dl) return;
+  if (!c) { dl.innerHTML = "<dt>—</dt><dd>no clip</dd>"; return; }
+  const rows = [["id", c.id], ["title", c.title], ["source", c.source],
+               ["license", c.license], ["base_file", c.base_file]];
+  dl.innerHTML = rows.map(([k, v]) =>
+    `<dt>${escapeHtml(k)}</dt><dd>${escapeHtml(v != null ? v : "—")}</dd>`).join("");
+}
+
+function renderDevAnno() {
+  const box = $("clip-anno");
+  const c = activeClip();
+  if (!box) return;
+  const strings = (c && c.strings && c.strings.en) || {};
+  const win = (a) => (typeof a.appear === "number" || typeof a.disappear === "number")
+    ? ` win ${(a.appear ?? 0).toFixed(2)}–${(a.disappear ?? 1).toFixed(2)}` : "";
+  const rows = [];
+  for (const a of (c && c.annotations) || []) {
+    const measure = a.key.startsWith("measure.");
+    const sal = typeof a.salience === "number" ? `sal ${a.salience}`
+              : typeof a.min_level === "number" ? `min L${a.min_level}` : "sal 1";
+    const tiers = tierCount(strings[a.key]);
+    rows.push(`<div class="anno-row"><span class="anno-key ${measure ? "measure" : ""}">${escapeHtml(a.key)}</span>` +
+      `<span class="anno-meta"> · ${sal} · ${tiers} tier${tiers > 1 ? "s" : ""}${win(a)}</span></div>`);
+  }
+  for (const f of (c && c.affect) || []) {
+    const tiers = tierCount(strings[f.key]);
+    rows.push(`<div class="anno-row"><span class="anno-key affect">${escapeHtml(f.key)}</span>` +
+      `<span class="anno-meta"> · min L${f.min_level ?? 1} · ${tiers} tier${tiers > 1 ? "s" : ""}</span></div>`);
+  }
+  box.innerHTML = rows.length ? rows.join("") : `<div class="anno-empty">no annotations or affect</div>`;
+}
+
+function renderDevStats() {
+  const dl = $("dev-stats");
+  if (!dl) return;
+  const c = activeClip();
+  const total = preloadList().length;
+  const cached = Object.keys(mediaBlobs).length;
+  const fromMem = !!(c && mediaBlobs[c.base_file]);
+  const res = vid.videoWidth ? `${vid.videoWidth}×${vid.videoHeight}` : "—";
+  const dur = vid.duration ? `${vid.duration.toFixed(1)}s` : "—";
+  const loop = vid.duration ? `${Math.round(loopT() * 100)}%` : "—";
+  dl.innerHTML =
+    `<dt>cache</dt><dd>${cached}/${total} cached</dd>` +
+    `<dt>active source</dt><dd class="${fromMem ? "mem" : "net"}">${fromMem ? "memory (blob)" : "network"}</dd>` +
+    `<dt>resolution</dt><dd>${res}</dd>` +
+    `<dt>duration</dt><dd>${dur}</dd>` +
+    `<dt>loop pos</dt><dd>${loop}</dd>`;
+}
+
+// Pick a specific pool member (Dev Mode override of the random landing pick).
+function onPoolSelect() {
+  const id = $("pool-select").value;
+  if (!id || id === activeClipId) return;
+  activeClipId = id;
+  currentClipId = null;          // force the base media to reload
+  renderScaleReadout();          // refresh scale name + dev clip data
+  update();                      // reload media + plan
+}
+
+// Re-roll: a fresh server-canonical random pick for the current scale.
+async function reroll() {
+  if (busy) return;
+  const id = await pickRandomMember();
+  if (!id) return;
+  activeClipId = id;
+  currentClipId = null;
+  renderScaleReadout();
+  update();
+}
+
 // Dev live-reload: poll the asset version and reload when it changes, so an open
 // tab never keeps running a stale renderer while we iterate (the readout updates
 // from the live API and masks it otherwise). Reloads on my edits AND on a server
@@ -633,7 +899,9 @@ async function main() {
   try { initPaint(); } catch (e) { paintOK = false; paint.style.display = "none"; showError("WebGL init: " + e.message); }
   await loadData();
   await landScale();          // pick the initial scale's pool member before first render
+  preloadAllMedia();          // background: cache every clip in memory for instant altitude swaps
   buildDial();                // draw the altitude knob from the ring's scales
+  initDev();                  // wire the Dev Mode toggle + pool picker (reads persisted state)
   renderScaleReadout();
   for (const id of ["content", "left", "right", "mood"]) {
     $(id).addEventListener("input", debounced);

simulator/static/index.html

@@ -50,11 +50,40 @@
         <label>Mood — dark ◀ 0 ▶ light <input type="range" id="mood" min="-4" max="4" value="0" /></label>
       </fieldset>
 
+      <!-- Dev Mode: a single toggle; everything dev (pool picker + analysis) lives below it. -->
+      <label class="dev-switch" for="dev-mode">
+        <input type="checkbox" id="dev-mode" />
+        <span class="dev-switch-track"><span class="dev-switch-thumb"></span></span>
+        <span class="dev-switch-label">Dev Mode</span>
+      </label>
 
-      <fieldset>
-        <legend>RenderPlan readout</legend>
-        <pre id="readout">—</pre>
-      </fieldset>
+      <div id="dev-panel" class="dev-panel hidden">
+        <fieldset>
+          <legend>Pool — pick a clip</legend>
+          <select id="pool-select" aria-label="Choose a clip from this altitude's pool"></select>
+          <button type="button" id="pool-reroll" class="dev-btn">🎲 Re-roll random</button>
+        </fieldset>
+
+        <fieldset>
+          <legend>Active clip</legend>
+          <dl id="clip-meta" class="dev-dl"></dl>
+        </fieldset>
+
+        <fieldset>
+          <legend>Annotations &amp; affect</legend>
+          <div id="clip-anno" class="dev-anno"></div>
+        </fieldset>
+
+        <fieldset>
+          <legend>RenderPlan</legend>
+          <pre id="readout">—</pre>
+        </fieldset>
+
+        <fieldset>
+          <legend>Cache &amp; playback</legend>
+          <dl id="dev-stats" class="dev-dl"></dl>
+        </fieldset>
+      </div>
     </section>
   </main>
   <script src="/app.js"></script>

simulator/static/style.css

@@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ main { display: flex; gap: 1rem; padding: 1rem; flex-wrap: wrap; }
 .hud-chip-text.measure { fill: #ffd79a; }
 .hud-conf { fill: #6cf; opacity: 0.8; }
 .hud-status { fill: #8fdcff; font: 2.4px monospace; opacity: 0.9; letter-spacing: 0.15px; }
-.black { position: absolute; inset: 0; background: #000; }
+.black { position: absolute; inset: 0; background: #000; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 200ms ease; }
 .hidden { display: none; }
 .panel { flex: 0 0 280px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.8rem; }
 fieldset { border: 1px solid #333; border-radius: 6px; }
@@ -66,3 +66,37 @@ input[type=range], select { width: 100%; }
 .dial-hub { fill: #2c3c5c; stroke: #9cf; stroke-width: 0.6; }
 .scale-name { display: block; text-align: center; font-size: 12px; color: #cde; }
 .hint { margin: 0.3rem 0 0; font-size: 11px; color: #789; }
+
+/* --- Dev Mode --- a single switch; all dev controls/data live in #dev-panel below it. */
+.dev-switch { display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem; cursor: pointer;
+              padding: 0.5rem 0.2rem 0.2rem; border-top: 1px solid #222; user-select: none; }
+.dev-switch input { position: absolute; opacity: 0; width: 0; height: 0; }
+.dev-switch-track { position: relative; width: 34px; height: 18px; border-radius: 9px;
+                    background: #2a2a2a; border: 1px solid #444; transition: background 0.15s; }
+.dev-switch-thumb { position: absolute; top: 1px; left: 1px; width: 14px; height: 14px;
+                    border-radius: 50%; background: #888; transition: transform 0.15s, background 0.15s; }
+.dev-switch input:checked + .dev-switch-track { background: #1d3a2a; border-color: #2e6; }
+.dev-switch input:checked + .dev-switch-track .dev-switch-thumb { transform: translateX(16px); background: #4e9; }
+.dev-switch input:focus-visible + .dev-switch-track { outline: 2px solid #9af; outline-offset: 1px; }
+.dev-switch-label { color: #9af; font-weight: 600; letter-spacing: 0.3px; }
+.dev-panel { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 0.8rem; }
+/* Beat the generic `.hidden` (defined earlier, equal specificity): two classes
+   win, so the panel truly collapses when Dev Mode is off. */
+.dev-panel.hidden { display: none; }
+.dev-panel legend { color: #4e9; }
+.dev-btn { margin-top: 0.5rem; width: 100%; padding: 0.4rem; cursor: pointer;
+           background: #182028; color: #cde; border: 1px solid #2c3c5c; border-radius: 4px; }
+.dev-btn:hover { background: #20303f; }
+.dev-dl { margin: 0; display: grid; grid-template-columns: auto 1fr; gap: 0.15rem 0.6rem; font-size: 12px; }
+.dev-dl dt { color: #789; }
+.dev-dl dd { margin: 0; color: #dde; word-break: break-word; }
+.dev-dl dd.mem { color: #4e9; }
+.dev-dl dd.net { color: #fc6; }
+.dev-anno { font-size: 11px; max-height: 220px; overflow: auto;
+            font-family: ui-monospace, monospace; }
+.dev-anno .anno-row { padding: 0.2rem 0; border-bottom: 1px solid #1d1d1d; }
+.dev-anno .anno-key { color: #aee6ff; }
+.dev-anno .anno-key.affect { color: #e3cfff; }
+.dev-anno .anno-key.measure { color: #ffd79a; }
+.dev-anno .anno-meta { color: #678; }
+.dev-anno .anno-empty { color: #567; font-style: italic; }

tests/test_player_alteration.py

@@ -55,42 +55,44 @@ def test_left_and_right_stack_not_cancel():
     assert plan.dream.intensity == 1.0
 
 
-def test_affect_needs_both_knobs_up():
-    # affect-channel design (session 0013): emotion-words surface only when BOTH
-    # the Left and Right knobs are up — either at 0 means no affect at all.
+def test_affect_is_driven_by_the_right_knob_alone():
+    # Right-brain affect (session 0018): emotion-words are controlled by the Right
+    # knob alone — Right at 0 means no affect regardless of Left, and Left no longer
+    # gates the channel (full Right with Left at 0 still surfaces affect).
     assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=0)).affect.strength == 0
-    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=4)).affect.strength == 0
     assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=0)).affect.intensity == 0.0
-    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=4)).affect.intensity == 0.0
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=4)).affect.strength == 4
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=4)).affect.intensity == 1.0
 
 
-def test_affect_strength_is_the_smaller_knob():
-    # strength = min(left, right) — the smaller knob gates the channel.
-    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=2, right=4)).affect.strength == 2
+def test_affect_strength_is_the_right_knob():
+    # strength = right — Left is irrelevant to the affect channel.
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=2, right=4)).affect.strength == 4
     assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=2)).affect.strength == 2
-    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=4)).affect.strength == 4
-    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=3, right=1)).affect.strength == 1
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=3)).affect.strength == 3
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=1)).affect.strength == 1
 
 
-def test_affect_intensity_scales_with_strength_over_full_scale():
-    for lo in range(5):
-        plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=lo, right=4))
-        assert plan.affect.intensity == pytest.approx(lo / 4)
-    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=4)).affect.intensity == 1.0
+def test_affect_intensity_scales_with_right_over_full_scale():
+    for r in range(5):
+        plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=r))
+        assert plan.affect.intensity == pytest.approx(r / 4)
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=4)).affect.intensity == 1.0
 
 
 def test_affect_intensity_honors_overlay_gain():
-    # affect rides the same overlay_gain as the analytical HUD it belongs to.
+    # affect text rides the overlay-opacity gain, but is keyed off the Right knob.
     cal = Calibration(overlay_gain=0.5)
-    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=4), cal).affect.intensity == pytest.approx(0.5)
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=4), cal).affect.intensity == pytest.approx(0.5)
     clamp = Calibration(overlay_gain=10.0)
-    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=4, right=4), clamp).affect.intensity == 1.0
+    assert plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=4), clamp).affect.intensity == 1.0
 
 
 def test_affect_active_implies_non_identity():
-    # min(left,right) > 0 implies left > 0, so an active affect plan is never identity.
-    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=2, right=3))
-    assert plan.affect.strength == 2
+    # affect.strength == right, and right > 0 makes dream.strength > 0, so an active
+    # affect plan (even with Left at 0) is never identity.
+    plan = plan_alteration(_coord(left=0, right=3))
+    assert plan.affect.strength == 3
     assert not plan.is_identity
 
 

tests/test_simulator_api.py

@@ -76,6 +76,30 @@ def test_clips_returns_the_manifest(client):
     assert data["clips"][0]["annotations"][0]["key"] == "detected.water"
 
 
+def test_media_versions_endpoint_shape(client):
+    resp = client.get("/api/media-versions")
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    assert isinstance(resp.json()["versions"], dict)
+
+
+def test_media_version_is_a_content_hash(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    import hashlib
+
+    import simulator.app as appmod
+
+    # Point the media root at a temp dir (the served dir is otherwise fixed).
+    monkeypatch.setattr(appmod, "MEDIA_DIR", tmp_path)
+    (tmp_path / "clip").mkdir()
+    f = tmp_path / "clip" / "base.mp4"
+    f.write_bytes(b"hello-bytes")
+    assert appmod._media_version("clip/base.mp4") == hashlib.sha1(b"hello-bytes").hexdigest()[:12]
+    # Absent file -> None (it's simply omitted from the versions map).
+    assert appmod._media_version("clip/missing.mp4") is None
+    # Re-baked under the same path (new bytes) -> a new token, not the cached one.
+    f.write_bytes(b"different-bytes-entirely")
+    assert appmod._media_version("clip/base.mp4") == hashlib.sha1(b"different-bytes-entirely").hexdigest()[:12]
+
+
 def test_retired_selection_endpoints_are_gone(client):
     # The route no longer exists; the static catch-all yields 404 on GET and
     # 405 on the (now-unrouted) POST. Either proves the endpoint is gone.
@@ -91,6 +115,35 @@ def test_index_is_served():
     assert "Alteration" in resp.text
 
 
+def test_app_assets_are_not_cached(client):
+    # Dev iteration relies on the browser never serving stale renderer code.
+    resp = client.get("/")
+    assert "no-store" in resp.headers.get("cache-control", "")
+
+
+def test_media_is_cacheable(tmp_path, monkeypatch):
+    # Media is static: it must be browser-cacheable so the preloader's fetch (and
+    # any fallback) doesn't re-hit the network on every altitude change.
+    import simulator.app as appmod
+
+    media = tmp_path / "media"
+    (media / "cosmos").mkdir(parents=True)
+    (media / "cosmos" / "base.mp4").write_bytes(b"\x00\x00\x00\x18ftyp")
+    monkeypatch.setattr(appmod, "MEDIA_DIR", media)
+    manifest = tmp_path / "manifest.json"
+    manifest.write_text(json.dumps({"clips": []}))
+
+    client = TestClient(create_app(manifest_path=manifest))
+    resp = client.get("/media/cosmos/base.mp4")
+    assert resp.status_code == 200
+    cc = resp.headers.get("cache-control", "")
+    # Stored but revalidated: not no-store (so the blob preload can cache it), and
+    # not pinned immutable (so a re-sourced/re-cropped clip shows on a plain reload).
+    assert "no-store" not in cc
+    assert "immutable" not in cc
+    assert "no-cache" in cc
+
+
 @pytest.fixture
 def ring_manifest_path(tmp_path):
     p = tmp_path / "manifest.json"