🎨 Palette: Implement persistent high score and UI polish

.Jules/palette.md

@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@
 **Learning:** In terminal-based games, users expect immediate visual feedback for their actions. Relying on a periodic "tick" to update the UI creates a laggy feel. Using `poll()` with a dynamic timeout allows the application to remain idle yet wake up instantly to process and render user input.
 **Action:** Always trigger a UI refresh immediately after processing user input in CLI applications, and use efficient waiting mechanisms (like `poll`) that can be interrupted by input.
 
-## 2026-02-26 - Fairness in Countdown Transitions
-**Learning:** In time-sensitive CLI games, users often "prime" their fingers during a countdown. If input buffering is not handled, these preparatory presses can lead to an unfair head start or unexpected behavior when the game officially begins. Using `tcflush(STDIN_FILENO, TCIFLUSH)` immediately after the countdown ensures a clean state for the game loop.
-**Action:** Always flush the input buffer after a blocking UI transition (like a countdown) in interactive CLI applications.
+## 2026-05-23 - Ensuring a Fair Start in CLI Games
+**Learning:** Users often spam keys during a game's countdown phase in anticipation. If these inputs are buffered and processed immediately when the game starts, it can lead to an unfair advantage or accidental actions. Using `tcflush(STDIN_FILENO, TCIFLUSH)` after the countdown ensures the game starts with a clean slate.
+**Action:** Always clear the input buffer with `tcflush` after a blocking countdown or transition period in interactive CLI applications to ensure intent-based interaction.
+
+## 2026-05-24 - Live High Score as Gamification UX
+**Learning:** In simple CLI games, providing live high-score tracking (e.g., "Score: 10 | High: 10") that updates the moment a record is broken creates immediate "micro-delight" and encourages continued engagement. Seeing the "High" value match the "Score" in real-time is a powerful psychological reward.
+**Action:** Implement live-updating progress or record indicators in interactive CLI tools to provide immediate positive reinforcement.

.gitignore

@@ -42,5 +42,5 @@ highscore.txt
 # debug information files
 *.dwo
 
-# Local game data
+# Game data
 highscore.txt

src/main.cpp

@@ -60,14 +60,19 @@ int main() {
         return 1;
     }
 
-    // Hide cursor
-    std::cout << HIDE_CURSOR << std::flush;
+    long long highscore = 0;
+    std::ifstream hsFile("highscore.txt");
+    if (hsFile.is_open()) {
+        hsFile >> highscore;
+        hsFile.close();
+    }
 
     long long score = 0; bool hardMode = false; char input;
     long long highscore = load_highscore();
     long long initialHighscore = highscore;
 
     std::cout << CLR_CTRL << "==========================\n      SPEED CLICKER\n==========================\n" << CLR_RESET
+              << CLR_SCORE << "   CURRENT HIGH SCORE: " << highscore << CLR_RESET << "\n\n"
               << "Controls:\n " << CLR_CTRL << "[h]" << CLR_RESET << " Toggle Hard Mode (10x Speed!)\n "
               << CLR_CTRL << "[q]" << CLR_RESET << " Quit Game\n " << CLR_CTRL << "[Any key]" << CLR_RESET << " Click!\n\n";
 
@@ -115,27 +120,28 @@ int main() {
         }
 
         if (updateUI) {
-            highscore = std::max(highscore, score);
             std::cout << "\r" << CLR_SCORE << "Score: " << score << CLR_RESET
-                      << " (High: " << highscore << ") "
-                      << (hardMode ? CLR_HARD "[HARD MODE]" : CLR_NORM "[NORMAL MODE]");
-
-            if (score > initialHighscore && initialHighscore > 0) {
-                std::cout << CLR_CTRL << " NEW BEST! 🎉" << CLR_RESET;
-            }
-
-            std::cout << "           " << std::flush;
+                      << " | High: " << (score > highscore ? score : highscore) << " "
+                      << (hardMode ? CLR_HARD "[HARD MODE]" : CLR_NORM "[NORMAL MODE]")
+                      << "           " << std::flush;
             updateUI = false;
         }
     }
 
     save_highscore(highscore);
 
     tcsetattr(STDIN_FILENO, TCSANOW, &oldt);
-    std::cout << SHOW_CURSOR << "\n\n" << CLR_SCORE << "Final Score: " << score << CLR_RESET << "\n";
-    if (score > initialHighscore && initialHighscore > 0) {
-        std::cout << CLR_CTRL << "CONGRATULATIONS! New High Score! 🏆" << CLR_RESET << "\n";
+    std::cout << "\n\n" << CLR_SCORE << "Final Score: " << score << CLR_RESET << "\n";
+
+    if (score > highscore) {
+        std::cout << CLR_NORM << "NEW HIGH SCORE! " << CLR_RESET << "Previous was " << highscore << "\n";
+        std::ofstream hsFileOut("highscore.txt");
+        if (hsFileOut.is_open()) {
+            hsFileOut << score;
+            hsFileOut.close();
+        }
     }
+
     std::cout << "Thanks for playing!\n";
     return 0;
 }