Release ledger

What's new in SimDeck

A version-by-version record of the improvements, mirrored from the SimDeck release ledger in Linear.

Version 0.08

June 9, 2026

Safer classroom operations

The latest work makes live classroom use calmer and more reversible.

Why it matters

- David can pause risky student actions while setting up or ending a simulation.
- Mistaken sends and used cards are easier to reverse.

Verification

- Smoke tests were updated for teacher and student route coverage.

Added a command center safety panel for turning student sending/use on or off, requiring transfer approval, and locking a simulation.
Added immediate student undo after sending a card, so a mistaken send can be taken back quickly.
Expanded the role assignment wizard so David can choose a role, select multiple students, preview the package, and deal once.
Improved the print backup with student, active, used, and archived card totals at the top.
Updated smoke tests so they can run against an existing local server and catch teacher/student route regressions.

Version 0.07

June 9, 2026

Sharper visual system

SimDeck moved away from generic rounded admin UI toward a more deliberate classroom desk style.

Why it matters

- The app feels more like a classroom tool and less like a generic admin panel.
- The visual system is more consistent across public, teacher, and student screens.

Verification

- Theme contrast checks passed after the palette work.

Squared off buttons, panels, forms, cards, and controls across the app.
Removed gradient styling and kept surfaces flatter and more classroom-tool-like.
Refined Egypt, China, and Classroom themes with stronger contrast and less visual overload.
Made China more seal red and Egypt more muted gold while keeping accessibility checks passing.
Set the SimDeck favicon and site metadata.

Version 0.06

June 5, 2026

David's card libraries

David's Egypt and China card materials became structured SimDeck card data and import/audit artifacts.

Why it matters

- The app reflects David's actual Tut 2026 and Zhongguo 2025 materials instead of placeholder cards.
- Repeated cards are easier to maintain as templates.

Verification

- PDF import/audit tooling was added for card coverage review.

Added extracted card data and import/audit tooling for David Millians' Tut 2026 and Zhongguo 2025 materials.
Added card audit docs for Egypt and China coverage.
Kept repeated cards as reusable templates so future games can be easier to maintain.
Added card search and selected-card editing so the library is manageable without scrolling through every control at once.

Version 0.05

June 9, 2026

Backendless demo resilience

The public demo became safe to share even when the live backend is unavailable or paused.

Why it matters

- Shared demo links do not expose real student data.
- The demo can still be reviewed even if the backend is paused.

Verification

- Backendless demo verification was added.

Made `/demo` a backendless sandbox with local mock data only.
Kept real teacher and student routes backed by Appwrite as the system of record.
Added demo/data separation guardrails and visible demo labels.
Cleaned user-facing copy so teachers see SimDeck language instead of backend vendor terminology.

Safer classroom operations

The latest work makes live classroom use calmer and more reversible.

Why it matters

- David can pause risky student actions while setting up or ending a simulation.
- Mistaken sends and used cards are easier to reverse.

Verification

- Smoke tests were updated for teacher and student route coverage.

Added a command center safety panel for turning student sending/use on or off, requiring transfer approval, and locking a simulation.

Added immediate student undo after sending a card, so a mistaken send can be taken back quickly.

Expanded the role assignment wizard so David can choose a role, select multiple students, preview the package, and deal once.

Improved the print backup with student, active, used, and archived card totals at the top.

Updated smoke tests so they can run against an existing local server and catch teacher/student route regressions.

Sharper visual system

SimDeck moved away from generic rounded admin UI toward a more deliberate classroom desk style.

Why it matters

- The app feels more like a classroom tool and less like a generic admin panel.
- The visual system is more consistent across public, teacher, and student screens.

Verification

- Theme contrast checks passed after the palette work.

Squared off buttons, panels, forms, cards, and controls across the app.

Removed gradient styling and kept surfaces flatter and more classroom-tool-like.

Refined Egypt, China, and Classroom themes with stronger contrast and less visual overload.

Made China more seal red and Egypt more muted gold while keeping accessibility checks passing.

Set the SimDeck favicon and site metadata.

David's card libraries

David's Egypt and China card materials became structured SimDeck card data and import/audit artifacts.

Why it matters

- The app reflects David's actual Tut 2026 and Zhongguo 2025 materials instead of placeholder cards.
- Repeated cards are easier to maintain as templates.

Verification

- PDF import/audit tooling was added for card coverage review.

Added extracted card data and import/audit tooling for David Millians' Tut 2026 and Zhongguo 2025 materials.

Added card audit docs for Egypt and China coverage.

Kept repeated cards as reusable templates so future games can be easier to maintain.

Added card search and selected-card editing so the library is manageable without scrolling through every control at once.

Backendless demo resilience

The public demo became safe to share even when the live backend is unavailable or paused.

Why it matters

- Shared demo links do not expose real student data.
- The demo can still be reviewed even if the backend is paused.

Verification

- Backendless demo verification was added.

Made `/demo` a backendless sandbox with local mock data only.

Kept real teacher and student routes backed by Appwrite as the system of record.

Added demo/data separation guardrails and visible demo labels.

Cleaned user-facing copy so teachers see SimDeck language instead of backend vendor terminology.