Update to v0.2.44: UI, spinner, docs, and instructions

- Bump version to 0.2.44 BASIC in code and docs; update "Last Updated" dates
- Add "SKILLS" section to copilot-instructions.md for tool/skill listing before actions
- Refine DOM manipulation guidance and spinner removal logic (no window.parent fallback)
- Pass new parameter to CustomSpinner for initial load
- Update README changelog and reorganize previous entries for clarity

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -19,6 +19,13 @@
 ## Animation Effects
 - For text animation effects, use a custom text animation solution instead of `streamlit-extras let_it_rain`, focusing on falling direction only; no need to implement bottom-to-top animation.
 
+## DOM Manipulation
+- Prefer minimal DOM fixes that target the existing root element/class relationship directly, e.g., selecting `#root` when it carries the `bw-spinner-active` class instead of redesigning the logic.
+- Avoid using `window.parent` in iframe-related cleanup; use `document` and the current iframe DOM context directly, especially in `remove_spinner()`.
+
+## SKILLS
+"Before acting, list all available skills/tools. Check if any directly solves the task. If none fit, explicitly state the missing skill and how to acquire/create it (e.g. via code, new tool, or external resource). Only then execute or request the needed action."
+
 ## Project-Specific Rules
 - Remove AI generation of wordlists and audio system from the basic codebase
 - Keep challenge mode/HF storage and PWA support in the basic codebase

README.md

@@ -19,21 +19,20 @@ tags:
 
 > **This project is used by [huggingface.co](https://huggingface.co/spaces/Surn/Battlewords) as a demonstration of interactive word games in Python.**
 
-**Current Version:** 0.2.43 BASIC
+**Current Version:** 0.2.44 BASIC
 **Branch:** `basic`
-**Last Updated:** 2026-04-16
+**Last Updated:** 2026-05-21
 
 Battlewords is a vocabulary learning game inspired by classic Battleship mechanics. The objective is to discover hidden words on a grid, earning points for strategic guessing before all letters are revealed.
 
 ## Recent Changes
+version 0.2.44 (basic)
+    - UI Imporovements and refinements    
+
 version 0.2.43 (basic)
     - Update streamlit to 1.56.0 for improved security
     - Fix bug where Hall of Fantastics entries were not saving correctly due to missing `entry_type` in JSON schema 
 
-version 0.2.42 (basic)
-    - Add Hall of Fantastics (weekly Fantastic runs saved and viewable at ?page=fantastic)
-    - Fantastic runs (scores 42–45) can be saved to a weekly HF-backed leaderboard using Wrdler-style folders under `games/leaderboards/weekly/<ISO-week>/<wordlist>-<mode>-0-fantastic/settings.json`
-    - Game-over dialog now prompts Fantastic/Legendary qualifiers to save; Hall of Legends ranking numbers no longer show emoji medals (emojis retained for Hall of Fantastics)
 
 File naming convention for Hall of Fantastics
 
@@ -54,10 +53,10 @@ version 0.2.41 (basic)
     - Persist Hall entries using HF-backed Wrdler-compatible JSON schema
     - Minor UI: move leaderboard/hall routing to query-param `?page=hall` and integrate Hall save into Game Over dialog
 
- version 0.2.40 (basic)
-  - Fix missing submit button error
-  - UI refinements for smoother radar/grid rendering and transitions
-  - Fix Game Over Close button behavior
+version 0.2.40 (basic)
+    - Fix missing submit button error
+    - UI refinements for smoother radar/grid rendering and transitions
+    - Fix Game Over Close button behavior
 
 - version 0.2.39 (basic)
   - UI refinements for smooth game over and overlay transitions
@@ -223,6 +222,11 @@ docker run -p8501:8501 battlewords
 
 ## Changelog
 
+- version 0.2.42 (basic)
+   - Add Hall of Fantastics (weekly Fantastic runs saved and viewable at ?page=fantastic)
+   - Fantastic runs (scores 42–45) can be saved to a weekly HF-backed leaderboard using Wrdler-style folders under `games/leaderboards/weekly/<ISO-week>/<wordlist>-<mode>-0-fantastic/settings.json`
+   - Game-over dialog now prompts Fantastic/Legendary qualifiers to save; Hall of Legends ranking numbers no longer show emoji medals (emojis retained for Hall of Fantastics)
+
 - version 0.2.37 (basic)
   - Removed Challenge Mode / Share Links / Remote Storage (HF)
   - Removed PWA support

battlewords/__init__.py

@@ -1,2 +1,2 @@
-__version__ = "0.2.43 BASIC"
+__version__ = "0.2.44 BASIC"
 __all__ = ["models", "generator", "logic", "ui", "modules"]

battlewords/ui.py

@@ -1623,7 +1623,7 @@ def run_app():
     # Show spinner on initial load
     if not st.session_state.get("initial_page_loaded", False):
         spinner_placeholder = st.empty()
-        with CustomSpinner(spinner_placeholder, "Initial Load..."):
+        with CustomSpinner(spinner_placeholder, "Initial Load...", 0.85):
             st.session_state["initial_page_loaded"] = True
 
     # Basic branch: game page

battlewords/ui_helpers.py

@@ -444,20 +444,10 @@ def remove_spinner(duration_s: float = 0.5) -> None:
         <script>
         (function() {{
           try {{
-            var doc = document;
-            var root = doc.getElementById('root');
-            var el = doc.getElementById('bw-spinner-active');
-            if ((!root || !el) && window.parent && window.parent !== window) {{
-              try {{
-                var parentDoc = window.parent.document;
-                root = root || parentDoc.getElementById('root');
-                el = el || parentDoc.getElementById('bw-spinner-active');
-                doc = parentDoc;
-              }} catch (e) {{}}
-            }}
+            var root = document.getElementById('root');
+            var el = root && root.classList.contains('bw-spinner-active') ? root : null;
             if (!el) return;
             window.setTimeout(function() {{
-              try {{ el.remove(); }} catch (e) {{ /* no-op */ }}
               try {{
                 if (root) root.classList.remove('bw-spinner-active');
               }} catch (e) {{ /* no-op */ }}

claude.md

@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
 ## Project Overview
 Battlewords is a vocabulary learning game inspired by Battleship mechanics, built with Streamlit and Python. Players reveal cells on a 12×12 grid to discover hidden words.
 
-**Current Version:** 0.2.42 BASIC
+**Current Version:** 0.2.44 BASIC
 **Branch:** `basic`
-**Last Updated:** 2026-04-01
+**Last Updated:** 2026-05-21
 **Repository:** https://github.com/Oncorporation/Battlewords.git
 
 This file describes the intended scope of the `basic` branch only.

pyproject.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [project]
 name = "battlewords"
-version = "0.2.43"
+version = "0.2.44"
 description = "Battlewords vocabulary game (basic branch)"
 readme = "README.md"
 requires-python = ">=3.12,<3.13"

specs/basic.mdx

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Battlewords: Basic Branch Requirements
 
-**Current Version:** 0.2.43 BASIC
+**Current Version:** 0.2.44 BASIC
 **Branch:** `basic`
-**Last Updated:** 2026-04-16
+**Last Updated:** 2026-05-21
 
 This document defines the “basic” version scope for Battlewords on the `basic` branch. It intentionally limits features to a minimal, default-settings single-player experience.
 

specs/requirements.mdx

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Battlewords: Implementation Requirements
 
-**Current Version:** 0.2.43 BASIC
+**Current Version:** 0.2.44 BASIC
 **Branch:** `basic`
-**Last Updated:** 2026-04-16
+**Last Updated:** 2026-05-21
 
 This document captures the implementation requirements for the **basic** branch only (single-player, default settings, one play experience).
 

specs/specs.mdx

@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # Battlewords Game Requirements
 
-**Current Version:** 0.2.43 BASIC
+**Current Version:** 0.2.44 BASIC
 **Branch:** `basic`
-**Last Updated:** 2026-04-16
+**Last Updated:** 2026-05-21
 
 ## Overview
 Battlewords is inspired by the classic Battleship game, but uses words instead of ships. The objective is to discover hidden words on a grid, earning points for strategic guessing before all letters are revealed.