1 files changed, 316 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/template/DIALOG_STATE_PATTERN.md b/template/DIALOG_STATE_PATTERN.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..08f34b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/template/DIALOG_STATE_PATTERN.md
@@ -0,0 +1,316 @@
+# Dialog State Pattern
+
+This document explains how to implement Zelda-style dialog systems using the GameState push/pop stack pattern.
+
+## Overview
+
+The GameState system supports a **state stack** that allows you to temporarily push a new state (like a dialog) on top of the current game state, then pop back when done. This is perfect for:
+
+- Dialog systems (Zelda-style text boxes)
+- Pause menus
+- Inventory screens
+- Any UI that needs exclusive input control
+
+## How It Works
+
+```lua
+GameState.push(newState)  -- Pushes current state to stack, switches to new state
+GameState.pop()           -- Returns to previous state from stack
+```
+
+When you `push()` a state:
+- Current state's `leave()` is called
+- New state's `enter()` is called
+- Current state remains in memory on the stack
+
+When you `pop()`:
+- Current state's `leave()` is called
+- Previous state's `resume()` is called (not `enter()`)
+- Previous state gets control back
+
+## Example: Dialog System
+
+### Step 1: Create Dialog State
+
+Create `states/dialog.lua`:
+
+```lua
+local Object = require("lib.classic")
+local GameState = require("lib.gamestate")
+local DialogState = Object:extend()
+
+function DialogState:new(dialogData)
+  self.texts = dialogData.texts or {"Default dialog text"}
+  self.currentIndex = 1
+  self.characterName = dialogData.name or ""
+  self.portrait = dialogData.portrait or nil
+  self.textSpeed = dialogData.textSpeed or 50  -- chars per second
+  self.currentCharIndex = 0
+  self.displayedText = ""
+  self.isComplete = false
+end
+
+function DialogState:enter(previous)
+  print("Dialog opened")
+  self.currentCharIndex = 0
+  self.displayedText = ""
+  self.isComplete = false
+end
+
+function DialogState:update(dt)
+  local currentText = self.texts[self.currentIndex]
+  
+  -- Animate text reveal
+  if not self.isComplete then
+    self.currentCharIndex = self.currentCharIndex + self.textSpeed * dt
+    if self.currentCharIndex >= #currentText then
+      self.currentCharIndex = #currentText
+      self.isComplete = true
+    end
+    self.displayedText = currentText:sub(1, math.floor(self.currentCharIndex))
+  end
+  
+  -- Handle input
+  if RL.IsKeyPressed(RL.KEY_ENTER) or RL.IsKeyPressed(RL.KEY_SPACE) then
+    if not self.isComplete then
+      -- Skip to end of current text
+      self.currentCharIndex = #currentText
+      self.displayedText = currentText
+      self.isComplete = true
+    else
+      -- Move to next text or close dialog
+      if self.currentIndex < #self.texts then
+        self.currentIndex = self.currentIndex + 1
+        self.currentCharIndex = 0
+        self.displayedText = ""
+        self.isComplete = false
+      else
+        -- Dialog finished, return to game
+        GameState.pop()
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
+
+function DialogState:draw()
+  local screenSize = RL.GetScreenSize()
+  local boxHeight = 200
+  local boxY = screenSize[2] - boxHeight - 20
+  local padding = 20
+  
+  -- Draw dialog box
+  RL.DrawRectangle({0, boxY, screenSize[1], boxHeight}, {20, 20, 30, 240})
+  RL.DrawRectangleLines({0, boxY, screenSize[1], boxHeight}, 3, RL.WHITE)
+  
+  -- Draw character name if present
+  if self.characterName ~= "" then
+    local nameBoxWidth = 200
+    local nameBoxHeight = 40
+    RL.DrawRectangle({padding, boxY - nameBoxHeight + 5, nameBoxWidth, nameBoxHeight}, {40, 40, 50, 255})
+    RL.DrawRectangleLines({padding, boxY - nameBoxHeight + 5, nameBoxWidth, nameBoxHeight}, 2, RL.WHITE)
+    RL.DrawText(self.characterName, {padding + 15, boxY - nameBoxHeight + 15}, 20, RL.WHITE)
+  end
+  
+  -- Draw portrait if present
+  local textX = padding + 10
+  if self.portrait then
+    RL.DrawTexture(self.portrait, {padding + 10, boxY + padding}, RL.WHITE)
+    textX = textX + self.portrait.width + 20
+  end
+  
+  -- Draw text
+  RL.DrawText(self.displayedText, {textX, boxY + padding}, 20, RL.WHITE)
+  
+  -- Draw continue indicator
+  if self.isComplete then
+    local indicator = "▼"
+    if self.currentIndex < #self.texts then
+      indicator = "Press ENTER to continue"
+    else
+      indicator = "Press ENTER to close"
+    end
+    local indicatorSize = 16
+    local indicatorWidth = RL.MeasureText(indicator, indicatorSize)
+    RL.DrawText(indicator, {screenSize[1] - indicatorWidth - padding, boxY + boxHeight - padding - 20}, indicatorSize, RL.LIGHTGRAY)
+  end
+end
+
+function DialogState:leave()
+  print("Dialog closed")
+end
+
+return DialogState
+```
+
+### Step 2: Use Dialog in Game State
+
+Modify `states/game.lua`:
+
+```lua
+local Object = require("lib.classic")
+local GameState = require("lib.gamestate")
+local Animation = require("lib.animation")
+local DialogState = require("states.dialog")
+local GameState_Class = Object:extend()
+
+-- ... (Player class code) ...
+
+function GameState_Class:new()
+  self.player = nil
+  self.paused = false
+end
+
+function GameState_Class:enter(previous)
+  print("Entered game state")
+  
+  local screenSize = RL.GetScreenSize()
+  self.player = Player(screenSize[1] / 2 - 16, screenSize[2] / 2 - 16)
+  
+  -- Example: Show dialog when entering game (for testing)
+  -- Remove this after testing
+  local welcomeDialog = DialogState({
+    name = "System",
+    texts = {
+      "Welcome to the game!",
+      "Use WASD or Arrow keys to move around.",
+      "Press ENTER to continue through dialogs."
+    },
+    textSpeed = 30
+  })
+  GameState.push(welcomeDialog)
+end
+
+function GameState_Class:update(dt)
+  -- ESC pauses game
+  if RL.IsKeyPressed(RL.KEY_ESCAPE) then
+    self.paused = not self.paused
+  end
+  
+  if self.paused then
+    return
+  end
+  
+  -- Example: Press T to trigger dialog (for testing)
+  if RL.IsKeyPressed(RL.KEY_T) then
+    local testDialog = DialogState({
+      name = "NPC",
+      texts = {
+        "Hello traveler!",
+        "This is an example dialog system.",
+        "You can have multiple text boxes.",
+        "Press ENTER to continue!"
+      },
+      textSpeed = 40
+    })
+    GameState.push(testDialog)
+  end
+  
+  -- Update game objects (only when not in dialog)
+  if self.player then
+    self.player:update(dt)
+  end
+end
+
+function GameState_Class:resume(previous)
+  -- Called when returning from dialog
+  print("Resumed game state from: " .. tostring(previous))
+  -- You can handle post-dialog logic here
+  -- Example: Give item, update quest state, etc.
+end
+
+function GameState_Class:draw()
+  RL.ClearBackground({50, 50, 50, 255})
+  
+  -- Draw game objects
+  if self.player then
+    self.player:draw()
+  end
+  
+  -- Draw pause overlay
+  if self.paused then
+    local screenSize = RL.GetScreenSize()
+    local centerX = screenSize[1] / 2
+    local centerY = screenSize[2] / 2
+    
+    RL.DrawRectangle({0, 0, screenSize[1], screenSize[2]}, {0, 0, 0, 128})
+    
+    local text = "PAUSED"
+    local size = 40
+    local width = RL.MeasureText(text, size)
+    RL.DrawText(text, {centerX - width / 2, centerY - 20}, size, RL.WHITE)
+  end
+  
+  -- Draw controls hint
+  local hint = "WASD/ARROWS: Move  |  T: Test Dialog  |  ESC: Pause"
+  local hintSize = 16
+  local screenSize = RL.GetScreenSize()
+  RL.DrawText(hint, {10, screenSize[2] - 30}, hintSize, RL.LIGHTGRAY)
+end
+
+function GameState_Class:leave()
+  print("Left game state")
+end
+
+return GameState_Class
+```
+
+## Key Benefits
+
+✅ **Clean Separation**: Dialog has its own file and logic
+✅ **Input Control**: Dialog gets exclusive control when active
+✅ **No Coupling**: Game doesn't need to know about dialog internals
+✅ **Automatic Pause**: Game automatically stops updating when dialog is pushed
+✅ **Easy Extension**: Add more dialog types (shops, menus) using same pattern
+✅ **Post-Dialog Logic**: Use `resume()` callback to handle what happens after dialog closes
+
+## Advanced: Passing Data Back to Game
+
+You can pass data when popping:
+
+```lua
+-- In dialog state
+function DialogState:update(dt)
+  if playerMadeChoice then
+    GameState.pop(choiceData)  -- Pass choice back to game
+  end
+end
+
+-- In game state
+function GameState_Class:resume(previous, choiceData)
+  if choiceData then
+    print("Player chose: " .. choiceData.choice)
+    -- Handle the choice
+  end
+end
+```
+
+## State Stack Visual
+
+```
+Initial:   [Game State]
+           
+After push: [Game State] -> [Dialog State]  (Dialog has control)
+           
+After pop:  [Game State]                     (Game has control back)
+```
+
+## When to Use Push/Pop vs Flags
+
+**Use Push/Pop for:**
+- Dialog systems
+- Pause menus
+- Shop interfaces
+- Inventory screens
+- Any state that needs exclusive control
+
+**Use Flags (self.paused, etc.) for:**
+- Simple on/off toggles
+- Quick state checks
+- Non-blocking overlays
+- Debug info displays
+
+## See Also
+
+- `lib/gamestate.lua` - Full GameState implementation
+- `states/game.lua` - Example game state
+- `states/menu.lua` - Example menu state