name recipes after their process, not their product

bin/app/data/config/recipes.toml

@@ -6,6 +6,10 @@
 # realized: tier 1 ratios are 1:1, tier 2 ratios are 2:3, tier 3+ ratios
 # are deliberately strange.
 #
+# A recipe id names the process, not the product — the display name shown in
+# the UI is derived from it — so an item and the recipe that makes it never
+# carry the same name.
+#
 # Input chain per game phase — each phase transition adds exactly one new
 # base input:
 #
@@ -27,21 +31,21 @@
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "mine_iron_ore"
+id = "iron_mining"
 building = "miner"
 inputs = []
 outputs = [{item = "iron_ore", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 1.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "mine_copper_ore"
+id = "copper_mining"
 building = "miner"
 inputs = []
 outputs = [{item = "copper_ore", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 1.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "mine_quartz"
+id = "quartz_mining"
 building = "miner"
 inputs = []
 outputs = [{item = "quartz", amount = 1}]
@@ -52,21 +56,21 @@ duration_seconds = 2.0
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "iron_ingot"
+id = "iron_smelting"
 building = "smelter"
 inputs = [{item = "iron_ore", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "iron_ingot", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 1.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "copper_ingot"
+id = "copper_smelting"
 building = "smelter"
 inputs = [{item = "copper_ore", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "copper_ingot", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 1.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "silicon"
+id = "quartz_reduction"
 building = "smelter"
 inputs = [{item = "quartz", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "silicon", amount = 1}]
@@ -90,7 +94,7 @@ duration_seconds = 1.0
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "reprocessing_cycle"
+id = "scrap_reprocessing"
 building = "reprocessing_plant"
 inputs = [{item = "scrap", amount = 4}]
 duration_seconds = 4.0
@@ -120,21 +124,21 @@ duration_seconds = 4.0
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "steel_plate"
+id = "steel_rolling"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "iron_ingot", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 3.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "copper_wire"
+id = "wire_drawing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "copper_ingot", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "copper_wire", amount = 2}]
 duration_seconds = 1.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "copper_coil"
+id = "coil_winding"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "copper_wire", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "copper_coil", amount = 1}]
@@ -145,7 +149,7 @@ duration_seconds = 1.5
 # unlocked_at_start: building blocks appear in no schematic's materials, so the
 # implicit item graph can never reach this recipe (REQ-LOCK-IMPLICIT).
 [[recipe]]
-id = "building_block"
+id = "block_pressing"
 building = "assembler"
 unlocked_at_start = true
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 2}]
@@ -157,14 +161,14 @@ duration_seconds = 2.0
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "control_chip"
+id = "chip_etching"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "silicon", amount = 1}, {item = "copper_wire", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "control_chip", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 5.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "capacitor_bank"
+id = "capacitor_assembly"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "copper_coil", amount = 2}, {item = "silicon", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "capacitor_bank", amount = 1}]
@@ -173,21 +177,21 @@ duration_seconds = 5.0
 # The quality gate for m+ hulls: a deliberately long-running recipe
 # (time-heavy archetype).
 [[recipe]]
-id = "hardened_steel"
+id = "steel_hardening"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 3}]
 outputs = [{item = "hardened_steel", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 12.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "ceramic_plate"
+id = "ceramic_firing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "quartz", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "ceramic_plate", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 4.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "drive_unit"
+id = "drive_assembly"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "steel_plate", amount = 2},
@@ -202,14 +206,14 @@ duration_seconds = 8.0
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "voidsteel_plate"
+id = "voidsteel_forging"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "voidsteel", amount = 1}, {item = "hardened_steel", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "voidsteel_plate", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 8.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "capital_core"
+id = "core_assembly"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "voidsteel", amount = 2},
@@ -223,25 +227,26 @@ duration_seconds = 10.0
 # Shortcut recipes — drop-only assembler recipes, gated by unlock groups in
 # unlocks.toml (REQ-LOCK-EXPLICIT). Pure rewards: item threat stays defined by
 # the base (expensive) path via the max rule, so shortcuts give real factory
-# efficiency without shifting any balance.
+# efficiency without shifting any balance. Named "direct_*" after the base
+# process they skip a step of, so the reward reads as what it is.
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "shortcut_steel_plate"
+id = "direct_rolling"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "iron_ore", amount = 3}]
 outputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 2.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "shortcut_control_chip"
+id = "direct_etching"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "quartz", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "control_chip", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 4.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "shortcut_hardened_steel"
+id = "direct_hardening"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "iron_ingot", amount = 4}]
 outputs = [{item = "hardened_steel", amount = 1}]
@@ -252,35 +257,35 @@ duration_seconds = 8.0
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "drone_hull"
+id = "drone_framing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "iron_ingot", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "drone_hull", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 1.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "frigate_hull"
+id = "frigate_framing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 2}, {item = "copper_wire", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "frigate_hull", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 2.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "destroyer_hull"
+id = "destroyer_framing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 3}, {item = "copper_coil", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "destroyer_hull", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 4.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "cruiser_hull"
+id = "cruiser_framing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "hardened_steel", amount = 2}, {item = "control_chip", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "cruiser_hull", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 6.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "battlecruiser_hull"
+id = "battlecruiser_framing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "hardened_steel", amount = 3},
@@ -291,7 +296,7 @@ outputs = [{item = "battlecruiser_hull", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 8.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "battleship_hull"
+id = "battleship_framing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "voidsteel_plate", amount = 3},
@@ -302,7 +307,7 @@ outputs = [{item = "battleship_hull", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 10.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "dreadnought_hull"
+id = "dreadnought_framing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "voidsteel_plate", amount = 5},
@@ -313,7 +318,7 @@ outputs = [{item = "dreadnought_hull", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 12.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "carrier_hull"
+id = "carrier_framing"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "voidsteel_plate", amount = 5},
@@ -328,21 +333,21 @@ duration_seconds = 12.0
 # -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "railgun_s_module"
+id = "railgun_s_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "copper_coil", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "railgun_s_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 1.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "salvager_module"
+id = "salvager_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 1}, {item = "copper_wire", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "salvager_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 2.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "repair_tool_module"
+id = "repair_tool_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 1}, {item = "copper_wire", amount = 2}]
 outputs = [{item = "repair_tool_module", amount = 1}]
@@ -350,56 +355,56 @@ duration_seconds = 2.0
 
 # Material-heavy, fast: the armor archetype.
 [[recipe]]
-id = "armor_plates_module"
+id = "armor_plates_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 4}]
 outputs = [{item = "armor_plates_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 3.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "maneuvering_thrusters_module"
+id = "maneuvering_thrusters_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 1}, {item = "copper_coil", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "maneuvering_thrusters_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 2.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "sensor_booster_module"
+id = "sensor_booster_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "copper_wire", amount = 2}, {item = "copper_coil", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "sensor_booster_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 2.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "afterburner_module"
+id = "afterburner_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "copper_coil", amount = 2}, {item = "steel_plate", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "afterburner_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 3.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "weapon_stabilizer_module"
+id = "weapon_stabilizer_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "steel_plate", amount = 1}, {item = "copper_coil", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "weapon_stabilizer_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 2.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "weapon_primer_module"
+id = "weapon_primer_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "capacitor_bank", amount = 1}, {item = "copper_coil", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "weapon_primer_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 4.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "weapon_upgrade_module"
+id = "weapon_upgrade_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [{item = "control_chip", amount = 1}, {item = "copper_coil", amount = 1}]
 outputs = [{item = "weapon_upgrade_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 4.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "railgun_m_module"
+id = "railgun_m_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "capacitor_bank", amount = 1},
@@ -410,7 +415,7 @@ outputs = [{item = "railgun_m_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 4.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "drone_bay_module"
+id = "drone_bay_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "control_chip", amount = 1},
@@ -421,7 +426,7 @@ outputs = [{item = "drone_bay_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 4.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "railgun_l_module"
+id = "railgun_l_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "capacitor_bank", amount = 1},
@@ -432,7 +437,7 @@ outputs = [{item = "railgun_l_module", amount = 1}]
 duration_seconds = 6.0
 
 [[recipe]]
-id = "drone_hangar_module"
+id = "drone_hangar_kit"
 building = "assembler"
 inputs = [
     {item = "voidsteel_plate", amount = 1},

bin/app/data/config/unlocks.toml

@@ -125,16 +125,16 @@ modules = ["drone_hangar"]
 # --- Assembler recipes -----------------------------------------------------
 
 [[unlock]]
-id = "shortcut_steel_plate"
+id = "direct_rolling"
 station_level = 1
-recipes = ["shortcut_steel_plate"]
+recipes = ["direct_rolling"]
 
 [[unlock]]
-id = "shortcut_control_chip"
+id = "direct_etching"
 station_level = 2
-recipes = ["shortcut_control_chip"]
+recipes = ["direct_etching"]
 
 [[unlock]]
-id = "shortcut_hardened_steel"
+id = "direct_hardening"
 station_level = 2
-recipes = ["shortcut_hardened_steel"]
+recipes = ["direct_hardening"]

docs/balancing/derived.md

@@ -44,9 +44,9 @@ move. Combat stats were tuned empirically against the arena suite in
 | capital_core | 2 voidsteel + 1 capacitor_bank + 1 control_chip | 10 | 1 | 240 |
 
 Shortcut recipes (drop-only; item threat stays defined by the base path
-via the max rule): `shortcut_steel_plate` 3 iron_ore → 1 plate (2 s,
-level 1), `shortcut_control_chip` 2 quartz → 1 chip (4 s, level 2),
-`shortcut_hardened_steel` 4 iron_ingot → 1 hardened (8 s, level 2).
+via the max rule): `direct_rolling` 3 iron_ore → 1 plate (2 s,
+level 1), `direct_etching` 2 quartz → 1 chip (4 s, level 2),
+`direct_hardening` 4 iron_ingot → 1 hardened (8 s, level 2).
 
 Ratio curve realized: t1 all 1:1 (miner:smelter); t2 clean 2:3
 (ingot→plate, wire→coil); t3 strange — 2:5 (silicon→chip), 3:5
@@ -122,13 +122,13 @@ range 120, scrap 40. Enemy station: 3000+1500x HP, 25+12x dmg,
 ## Pacing
 
 **Unlock ladder** (level → unlocks; ← marks `unlock_requires`; starting
-set at −1: drone, frigate, railgun_s, salvager, building_block recipe):
+set at −1: drone, frigate, railgun_s, salvager, block_pressing recipe):
 
 | level | ships | modules | recipes |
 |---|---|---|---|
 | 0 | destroyer | repair_tool, armor_plates | |
-| 1 | | maneuvering_thrusters, sensor_booster | shortcut_steel_plate |
-| 2 | cruiser | railgun_m, afterburner | shortcut_control_chip, shortcut_hardened_steel |
+| 1 | | maneuvering_thrusters, sensor_booster | direct_rolling |
+| 2 | cruiser | railgun_m, afterburner | direct_etching, direct_hardening |
 | 3 | | weapon_stabilizer | |
 | 4 | battlecruiser ← cruiser | weapon_primer, weapon_upgrade | |
 | 5 | | drone_bay | |