Arena polish: in-run HUD, no free loot, retire-with-winnings

- HUD arena status (top center): live wave number and run gold,
  driven by GameState signals, torn down cleanly on HUD.reset()
- Free floor weapons removed: the initial sword/shield spawn is gone
  and manually placed level.tscn weapons are deleted server-side at
  init. Gear now only enters play via the armory or enemy drops.
- Retire to Camp: new escape-menu button (shown only while alive in
  an active run) banks 100% of run gold and keeps all gear - the
  counterweight to death's 10% settlement. Exit Game and window close
  also bank winnings before quitting.
- CLAUDE.md rewritten for the gladiator arena era: core loop,
  autoloads, economy API, RPC patterns, verification workflow.

CLAUDE.md

@@ -4,111 +4,127 @@ This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with co
 
 ## Project Overview
 
-This is a 3D multiplayer fighting game built in Godot 4.5 using an inheritance-based architecture. The game uses ENet for client-server networking with the Network singleton (autoload) managing all multiplayer connections.
+**Survival of the Snippest** — a 3D multiplayer gladiator arena survival roguelike built in Godot 4.5.
+Outfit a gladiator with banked gold, enter the colosseum, survive escalating enemy waves, earn gold
+from kills and wave clears, and either retire alive (keep everything) or die (keep 10% of your total
+value, floored at the 500-gold fresh start). Uses ENet client-server networking.
 
 ## Key Commands
 
 ### Running the Game
-- Open the project in Godot Editor and press F5 to run
-- Or use: `godot --path . res://level/scenes/level.tscn`
+- Open the project in Godot Editor and press F5, or: `godot --path . res://level/scenes/level.tscn`
+- Headless script-error check: `godot --headless --path . --quit`
 
 ### Testing Multiplayer Locally
-1. Run the main scene (level.tscn)
-2. Click "Host" on one instance to create a server (default port 8080)
-3. Run another instance and click "Join" to connect as a client
+1. Run one instance, click ENTER ARENA to host (port 8080)
+2. Run a second instance, click JOIN FRIEND to connect (IP 127.0.0.1)
+
+### In-Game Debug Keys
+- `N` — start next enemy wave (server only)
+- `H` — toggle hitbox/hurtbox debug visualization (off by default)
+
+## The Core Loop
+
+1. **Outfitting screen** (main menu): armory shop on the left/middle, Character Sheet in preview
+   mode on the right showing the pending loadout live. Buy weapons with banked gold; hand rules
+   enforced (two-handers and off-hands displace each other).
+2. **Arena run**: chosen loadout auto-equips on spawn. Waves spawn on a timer; kills pay gold
+   (server-credited to the killer's peer), wave clears pay a bonus to all players.
+3. **Run end**:
+   - **Death** (permadeath, no respawn): results screen; keep `max(500, 10% of total value)`;
+     gear and loadout liquidated.
+   - **Retire** (escape menu, or quitting alive): bank 100% of run gold, keep all gear.
 
 ## Architecture
 
-### Inheritance Structure
-The codebase follows an inheritance-based design pattern:
-- **BaseUnit** (base class) - Common functionality for all game entities that can take damage/have health
-- **Character** extends **CharacterBody3D** - Player character class (class_name: Character)
-  - Currently implements movement, jumping, sprinting, respawning, and skin customization
-  - Uses multiplayer authority for input handling (only the owner processes input)
+### Autoloads (singletons)
+- **Network** (`level/scripts/network.gd`) — ENet setup, host/join, `players` dict keyed by peer_id
+  (`{"nick": String, "skin": Character.SkinColor}`). Server = peer 1, MAX_PLAYERS = 10.
+- **GameState** (`level/scripts/game_state.gd`) — the economy. Persists `banked_gold`,
+  `owned_items`, `selected_loadout` to `user://save.cfg`. Per-run: `run_gold`, `current_wave`,
+  `kills_this_run`, `run_active`. Key API: `buy_item`, `equip_loadout_item`, `start_run`,
+  `end_run` (death settlement, double-call guarded), `retire_run` (bank everything),
+  `server_credit_kill/gold` (server → owning peer RPCs), `server_sync_wave`.
+  No compile-time dependency on Network — keep it that way (testable standalone via `--script`).
+- **HUD** (`level/ui/scripts/hud_manager.gd`) — builds all in-run UI for the local player
+  (action bar, unit frame, character sheet, arena status wave/gold readout, escape menu,
+  run results on death). `reset()` tears everything down when returning to the menu —
+  autoload children survive scene reloads, so always reset before `reload_current_scene()`.
 
-### Networking (Network.gd)
-- **Type**: Autoload singleton (accessible via `Network` globally)
-- **Protocol**: ENet (UDP-based)
-- **Architecture**: Client-Server (one host, multiple clients up to MAX_PLAYERS=10)
-- **Player Data**: Stored in `Network.players` dictionary keyed by peer_id
-  - Contains: `{"nick": String, "skin": Character.SkinColor}`
+### Class hierarchy
+- **BaseUnit** (`base_unit.gd`) — health, damage, death, respawn, passive regen. Server validates
+  all damage. NOTE: `died` can fire twice on the host (direct emit + call_local sync) — guard
+  anything expensive hooked to it.
+- **Character** (`player.gd`, class_name Character) — player: movement, dash, attacks, blocking,
+  weapon equip/drop/pickup. `can_respawn = false` (death ends the run). Attacks snap the body to
+  camera facing and lock direction for startup+active (`_lock_facing_to_camera`); dash locks
+  direction for its duration.
+- **BaseEnemy** (`base_enemy.gd`) — targeting, `gold_reward` (basic 10, armed 25). Enemies are
+  server-authoritative (authority = 1).
+  - **BasicEnemy** — melee chaser; `can_respawn = false`, despawns after death, 40% health orb drop.
+  - **ArmedEnemy** — player-model enemy that seeks/equips weapons and drops them on death.
+    `can_respawn = false` (respawning would be a gold farm). Practice dummies DO respawn and
+    deliberately pay no gold.
+
+### Weapons
+- **WeaponData** (`weapon_data.gd`) — Resource in `level/resources/*.tres`: combat stats, hand type
+  (MAIN_HAND / OFF_HAND / TWO_HAND), block stats, `cost`/`tier` for the shop, `icon` (optional —
+  weapon slots fall back to name text when missing).
+- **BaseWeapon** — equipped instance on a hand bone; **WorldWeapon** — pickable RigidBody3D.
+- No free floor weapons: manually placed WorldWeapons in level.tscn are removed at init on the
+  server (`_remove_manual_weapons_on_server`). Gear enters play via the shop or enemy drops only.
+- The shop catalog is auto-discovered: any WeaponData `.tres` in `level/resources/` appears in
+  the armory (`outfitting_screen.gd`).
+
+### UI
+- `character_sheet.gd` has two modes: live player (Tab in-game) and `preview_mode` (embedded in
+  the outfitting screen, rendering from a loadout dictionary). Keep both paths working.
+- UI is largely built in code; match that style for new components.
 
 ### RPC Patterns
-The project uses Godot 4's RPC system for multiplayer synchronization:
-- Use `@rpc("any_peer", "reliable")` for critical data (health, damage)
-- Use `@rpc("any_peer", "unreliable")` for frequent position updates
-- The server (multiplayer.is_server()) is authoritative for game state
-- Use `multiplayer.get_remote_sender_id()` to identify RPC sender
-- Use `rpc_id(peer_id, "method_name")` for targeted RPCs
+- `@rpc("any_peer", "reliable")` — server-validated actions (damage, heal); server checks
+  `multiplayer.is_server()` inside.
+- `@rpc("any_peer", "call_local", "reliable")` — state sync to all peers (spawns, equips, health).
+- `@rpc("authority", ...)` — server-initiated (GameState credits, wave sync).
+- Use `rpc_id(peer_id, ...)` for targeted sync (late-join). When the server targets itself
+  (peer 1), call the method directly instead of `rpc_id(1, ...)`.
+- Late-join sync lives in `level.gd _on_player_connected` — new networked object types must be
+  added there (players, weapons, enemies, orbs, equipped gear all have precedents).
 
-### Scene Structure
-- **level/scenes/level.tscn** - Main scene with menu UI, chat, and PlayersContainer
-  - level.gd spawns players dynamically when they connect
-- **level/scenes/player.tscn** - Player character scene
-  - Instantiated by server when players connect
-  - Named with peer_id for easy lookup
+### Scene Structure (level.tscn)
+- Containers the code expects by name: `PlayersContainer`, `WeaponsContainer`, `EnemiesContainer`,
+  `OrbsContainer`, `PlayerSpawnPoints`, `EnemySpawner` (spawn points are its children named
+  `EnemySpawnPoint*`).
+- Networked nodes are named deterministically for lookup: players by peer_id, `WorldWeapon_<id>`,
+  `Enemy_<wave>_<n>`, `ArmedEnemy_<n>`, `HealthOrb_<id>`.
 
 ### Physics Layers
-- Layer 1: "player" - Player collision
-- Layer 2: "world" - Environment collision
+1 player · 2 world · 3 weapon · 4 hitbox · 5 hurtbox
 
-### Input Actions
-Defined in project.godot:
-- `move_left`, `move_right`, `move_forward`, `move_backward` (WASD)
-- `jump` (Space)
-- `shift` (Left Shift for sprinting)
-- `quit` (Escape)
-- `toggle_chat` (Enter)
+### Input Actions (project.godot)
+`move_left/right/forward/backward` (WASD), `jump` (Space), `shift` (sprint), `dash` (F),
+`attack` (LMB), `block` (RMB), `pickup` (E), `toggle_character_sheet` (Tab),
+`toggle_chat` (F12), `quit` (Esc).
 
 ## Development Guidelines
 
 ### Git Commits
-When creating git commits, do NOT include "🤖 Generated with [Claude Code]" or "Co-Authored-By: Claude" in commit messages. Keep commit messages clean and professional.
+When creating git commits, do NOT include "🤖 Generated with [Claude Code]" or
+"Co-Authored-By: Claude" in commit messages. Keep commit messages clean and professional.
 
-### Adding New Components
-1. Create scripts in `level/scripts/`
-2. For multiplayer-synchronized components:
-   - Always check `is_multiplayer_authority()` before processing input
-   - Use RPC for state changes that need to replicate
-   - Server should validate all important state changes
+### Verification
+- Always run `godot --headless --path . --quit` after script changes and check for SCRIPT ERROR.
+  (Pre-existing "invalid UID" warnings on mesh/theme assets are known noise.)
+- Economy logic can be tested standalone: a SceneTree script that instantiates
+  `game_state.gd` and exercises the API (`--script` mode; autoload `_ready` doesn't fire there,
+  call `load_save()` manually). Restore the default save afterwards.
+- Test multiplayer with 2 instances (host + client); check late joins and death/retire flows.
 
-### Adding New Unit Types (Enemies, NPCs)
-1. Create a new class that extends BaseUnit
-2. Implement required virtual methods
-3. Add any unique behavior in _physics_process/_process
-4. Ensure multiplayer authority is set correctly
-
-### Testing Multiplayer
-- Always test with at least 2 instances (1 host, 1 client)
-- Test edge cases: late joins, disconnections, packet loss
-- Verify state is synchronized correctly across all clients
-
-## Common Patterns
-
-### Spawning Networked Entities
-```gdscript
-# Server-side only
-if multiplayer.is_server():
-    var entity = entity_scene.instantiate()
-    entity.name = str(unique_id)  # Name with ID for easy lookup
-    entity.set_multiplayer_authority(owner_peer_id)
-    container.add_child(entity, true)  # true = force readable name
-```
-
-### Multiplayer Authority Check
-```gdscript
-func _physics_process(delta):
-    if not is_multiplayer_authority():
-        return
-    # Only the authority processes input/logic
-```
-
-### RPC for State Changes
-```gdscript
-@rpc("any_peer", "reliable")
-func take_damage(amount: int, attacker_id: int):
-    if not multiplayer.is_server():
-        return  # Server validates
-    # Apply damage logic
-    rpc("sync_health", current_health)  # Broadcast to all
-```
+### Adding Content
+- **New weapon**: create a WeaponData `.tres` in `level/resources/` with `cost`/`tier` — the shop
+  picks it up automatically.
+- **New enemy**: extend BaseEnemy, set `gold_reward`, decide `can_respawn` (respawning enemies
+  must not pay gold), add scene to the EnemySpawner pool or spawn via level.gd (connect its
+  `died` signal for gold there).
+- **Multiplayer state changes**: server validates, then syncs via RPC; check
+  `is_multiplayer_authority()` before processing input.

level/scripts/game_state.gd

@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@ signal loadout_changed(loadout: Dictionary)
 func _ready() -> void:
 	load_save()
 
+func _notification(what: int) -> void:
+	# Closing the window mid-run counts as walking out alive - bank the winnings
+	if what == NOTIFICATION_WM_CLOSE_REQUEST and run_active:
+		retire_run()
+
 # --- Persistence ---------------------------------------------------------
 
 func load_save() -> void:
@@ -186,6 +191,31 @@ func end_run() -> Dictionary:
 	run_ended.emit(last_run_stats)
 	return last_run_stats
 
+## Walk out of the arena alive: bank 100% of run gold, keep all gear.
+## The reward for retiring instead of dying (death only keeps 10%).
+func retire_run() -> Dictionary:
+	if not run_active:
+		return last_run_stats
+	run_active = false
+
+	last_run_stats = {
+		"waves": current_wave,
+		"kills": kills_this_run,
+		"time": get_run_time(),
+		"gold_earned": run_gold,
+		"total_value": get_total_value(),
+		"kept": banked_gold + run_gold,
+		"retired": true,
+	}
+
+	banked_gold += run_gold
+	run_gold = 0
+	gold_changed.emit(banked_gold)
+	run_gold_changed.emit(run_gold)
+	save_game()
+	run_ended.emit(last_run_stats)
+	return last_run_stats
+
 # --- Multiplayer crediting (server -> owning peer) ------------------------
 # GameState is an autoload, so it exists at the same path on every peer with
 # the server (peer 1) as its multiplayer authority. The server decides who

level/scripts/level.gd

@@ -100,11 +100,9 @@ func initialize_multiplayer():
 		Network.connect("player_connected", Callable(self, "_on_player_connected"))
 		multiplayer.peer_disconnected.connect(_remove_player)
 
-		# Initialize any manually placed weapons in the scene
-		_initialize_manual_weapons()
-
-		# Spawn initial weapons when server starts
-		_spawn_initial_weapons()
+		# Remove any manually placed weapons - free floor loot undermines the shop.
+		# Weapons only enter the arena via the armory or dropped by slain enemies.
+		_remove_manual_weapons_on_server()
 
 		# Spawn practice dummies
 		_spawn_practice_dummies()
@@ -154,81 +152,25 @@ func _cleanup_manual_weapons_on_client():
 		weapons_container.remove_child(weapon)
 		weapon.free()
 
-func _initialize_manual_weapons():
-	"""Initialize any WorldWeapon nodes manually placed in the level scene"""
+func _remove_manual_weapons_on_server():
+	"""Remove WorldWeapon nodes manually placed in level.tscn (server side).
+	Clients already remove their local copies in _cleanup_manual_weapons_on_client.
+	The arena economy requires gear to be bought or looted from slain enemies."""
 	if not multiplayer.is_server():
 		return
 
 	if not weapons_container:
 		return
 
-	# Find all WorldWeapon nodes in the weapons container
-	var manual_weapons = []
+	var removed = 0
 	for child in weapons_container.get_children():
-		if child is WorldWeapon:
-			manual_weapons.append(child)
+		if child is WorldWeapon and child.weapon_id == -1:
+			weapons_container.remove_child(child)
+			child.free()
+			removed += 1
 
-	if manual_weapons.is_empty():
-		print("[Server] No manually placed weapons found")
-		return
-
-	print("[Server] Found ", manual_weapons.size(), " manually placed weapon(s)")
-
-	# Initialize each manually placed weapon
-	for weapon in manual_weapons:
-		# Skip if already initialized (weapon_id != -1)
-		if weapon.weapon_id != -1:
-			continue
-
-		# Assign unique ID
-		_weapon_spawn_counter += 1
-		weapon.weapon_id = _weapon_spawn_counter
-
-		# Set deterministic name for networking
-		var old_name = weapon.name
-		weapon.name = "WorldWeapon_" + str(weapon.weapon_id)
-
-		# Track in active weapons
-		_active_weapons[weapon.weapon_id] = weapon
-
-		# Connect cleanup signal
-		weapon.tree_exiting.connect(_on_weapon_removed.bind(weapon.weapon_id))
-
-		print("[Server] Initialized manual weapon '", old_name, "' with ID: ", weapon.weapon_id, " at position: ", weapon.global_position)
-
-		# Verify weapon_data is set
-		if not weapon.weapon_data:
-			push_error("Manual weapon '", old_name, "' has no WeaponData assigned!")
-			continue
-
-func _spawn_initial_weapons():
-	if not multiplayer.is_server():
-		return
-
-	# Wait a frame for everything to be ready
-	await get_tree().process_frame
-
-	print("[Server] _spawn_initial_weapons - Connected peers: ", multiplayer.get_peers())
-
-	# Spawn a sword
-	_weapon_spawn_counter += 1
-	print("[Server] Calling RPC to spawn sword with ID: ", _weapon_spawn_counter)
-	rpc("spawn_world_weapon",
-		"res://level/resources/weapon_sword.tres",
-		Vector3(5, 1, 0),
-		Vector3.ZERO,
-		_weapon_spawn_counter
-	)
-
-	# Spawn a shield
-	_weapon_spawn_counter += 1
-	print("[Server] Calling RPC to spawn shield with ID: ", _weapon_spawn_counter)
-	rpc("spawn_world_weapon",
-		"res://level/resources/weapon_shield.tres",
-		Vector3(-5, 1, 0),
-		Vector3.ZERO,
-		_weapon_spawn_counter
-	)
+	if removed > 0:
+		print("[Server] Removed ", removed, " manually placed floor weapon(s)")
 
 func _on_player_connected(peer_id, player_info):
 	print("[Server] _on_player_connected called for peer ", peer_id, " with info: ", player_info)

level/ui/scripts/escape_menu.gd

@@ -9,11 +9,27 @@ var is_visible: bool = false
 # Player reference (to control mouse mode)
 var player: Character = null
 
+var _retire_button: Button = null
+
 func _ready():
 	# Start hidden
 	hide()
 	is_visible = false
 
+	# Insert "Retire to Camp" between Resume and Exit - leave alive, bank everything
+	var vbox = get_node_or_null("Panel/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer")
+	var exit_button = get_node_or_null("Panel/MarginContainer/VBoxContainer/ExitButton")
+	if vbox and exit_button:
+		_retire_button = Button.new()
+		_retire_button.name = "RetireButton"
+		_retire_button.custom_minimum_size = Vector2(0, 50)
+		_retire_button.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Color.WHITE)
+		_retire_button.add_theme_color_override("font_hover_color", Color(1, 0.8, 0))
+		_retire_button.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 20)
+		_retire_button.pressed.connect(_on_retire_pressed)
+		vbox.add_child(_retire_button)
+		vbox.move_child(_retire_button, exit_button.get_index())
+
 func _input(event):
 	# Toggle on Escape press
 	if event.is_action_pressed("quit"):
@@ -29,6 +45,7 @@ func toggle_menu():
 	is_visible = !is_visible
 	if is_visible:
 		show()
+		_update_retire_button()
 		# Release mouse when opening menu
 		Input.mouse_mode = Input.MOUSE_MODE_VISIBLE
 	else:
@@ -37,10 +54,35 @@ func toggle_menu():
 		if player and player.is_multiplayer_authority():
 			Input.mouse_mode = Input.MOUSE_MODE_CAPTURED
 
+## Retiring is only possible while alive with an active run
+func _update_retire_button():
+	if not _retire_button:
+		return
+	var can_retire = GameState.run_active and player and not player.is_dead
+	_retire_button.visible = can_retire
+	if can_retire:
+		_retire_button.text = "Retire to Camp (+%dg)" % GameState.run_gold
+
 ## Called when Resume button is clicked
 func _on_resume_pressed():
 	toggle_menu()
 
+## Walk out alive: bank all run gold, keep gear, return to the menu
+func _on_retire_pressed():
+	GameState.retire_run()
+
+	multiplayer.multiplayer_peer = null
+	Network.players.clear()
+
+	if has_node("/root/HUD"):
+		get_node("/root/HUD").reset()
+
+	Input.mouse_mode = Input.MOUSE_MODE_VISIBLE
+	get_tree().reload_current_scene()
+
 ## Called when Exit button is clicked
 func _on_exit_pressed():
+	# Leaving alive still banks your winnings (GameState also catches window close)
+	if GameState.run_active and player and not player.is_dead:
+		GameState.retire_run()
 	get_tree().quit()

level/ui/scripts/hud_manager.gd

@@ -11,6 +11,9 @@ var tab_hint: Control = null
 var keybind_hint: Control = null
 var escape_menu: Control = null
 var run_results: Control = null
+var arena_status: Control = null
+var _wave_label: Label = null
+var _gold_label: Label = null
 
 # Player reference
 var local_player: Character = null
@@ -81,6 +84,7 @@ func _create_ui_components():
 	_create_tab_hint()
 	_create_keybind_hint()
 	_create_escape_menu()
+	_create_arena_status()
 
 ## Create action bar at bottom of screen
 func _create_action_bar():
@@ -150,6 +154,57 @@ func _create_escape_menu():
 	else:
 		push_error("[HUD] Failed to load escape_menu.tscn")
 
+## Create the arena status readout (wave + run gold, top center)
+func _create_arena_status():
+	arena_status = PanelContainer.new()
+	arena_status.name = "ArenaStatus"
+	arena_status.set_anchors_preset(Control.PRESET_CENTER_TOP)
+	arena_status.offset_top = 10
+	arena_status.grow_horizontal = Control.GROW_DIRECTION_BOTH
+	add_child(arena_status)
+
+	var margin = MarginContainer.new()
+	margin.add_theme_constant_override("margin_left", 18)
+	margin.add_theme_constant_override("margin_right", 18)
+	margin.add_theme_constant_override("margin_top", 6)
+	margin.add_theme_constant_override("margin_bottom", 6)
+	arena_status.add_child(margin)
+
+	var hbox = HBoxContainer.new()
+	hbox.add_theme_constant_override("separation", 24)
+	margin.add_child(hbox)
+
+	_wave_label = Label.new()
+	_wave_label.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 22)
+	_wave_label.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Color(1.0, 0.8, 0.0))
+	_wave_label.add_theme_color_override("font_outline_color", Color.BLACK)
+	_wave_label.add_theme_constant_override("outline_size", 2)
+	hbox.add_child(_wave_label)
+
+	_gold_label = Label.new()
+	_gold_label.add_theme_font_size_override("font_size", 22)
+	_gold_label.add_theme_color_override("font_color", Color(1.0, 0.85, 0.2))
+	_gold_label.add_theme_color_override("font_outline_color", Color.BLACK)
+	_gold_label.add_theme_constant_override("outline_size", 2)
+	hbox.add_child(_gold_label)
+
+	# Live updates from the economy
+	GameState.wave_changed.connect(_on_wave_changed)
+	GameState.run_gold_changed.connect(_on_run_gold_changed)
+
+	# Seed with current values (run may already be underway)
+	_on_wave_changed(GameState.current_wave)
+	_on_run_gold_changed(GameState.run_gold)
+	print("[HUD] Arena status created")
+
+func _on_wave_changed(wave: int):
+	if _wave_label:
+		_wave_label.text = "Wave %d" % wave if wave > 0 else "Prepare..."
+
+func _on_run_gold_changed(gold: int):
+	if _gold_label:
+		_gold_label.text = "Gold +%d" % gold
+
 ## Show all UI components
 func show_hud():
 	show()
@@ -165,6 +220,13 @@ func reset():
 		_disconnect_player_signals()
 	local_player = null
 
+	# Drop GameState connections so they don't fire on freed labels
+	# (and don't double-connect when the next run creates a new status bar)
+	if GameState.wave_changed.is_connected(_on_wave_changed):
+		GameState.wave_changed.disconnect(_on_wave_changed)
+	if GameState.run_gold_changed.is_connected(_on_run_gold_changed):
+		GameState.run_gold_changed.disconnect(_on_run_gold_changed)
+
 	for child in get_children():
 		child.queue_free()
 
@@ -176,6 +238,9 @@ func reset():
 	keybind_hint = null
 	escape_menu = null
 	run_results = null
+	arena_status = null
+	_wave_label = null
+	_gold_label = null
 	print("[HUD] Reset - all UI components removed")
 
 ## Player signal callbacks