docs/TODO.md

Crossword Puzzle Webapp - TODO List

Implementation Tasks

Phase 1: Project Setup

• Set up project structure and initialize repositories
  • Create frontend/ and backend/ directories
  • Initialize package.json files
  • Set up Git repository
  • Configure ESLint and Prettier

Phase 2: Database & Data Management

• Create database schema and seed data
  • Design PostgreSQL tables (Topics, Words, Clues)
  • Create migration scripts
  • Seed database with initial word lists by topic
  • Set up Prisma ORM configuration

Phase 3: Core Algorithm Development

• Implement crossword generation algorithm
  • Word selection logic based on topics
  • Grid placement algorithm with intersections
  • Backtracking for conflict resolution
  • Grid optimization (minimize size, maximize density)

Phase 4: Backend API

• Build backend API endpoints
  • GET /topics - List available topics
  • POST /generate - Generate crossword puzzle
  • POST /validate - Validate user answers
  • Error handling and validation middleware
  • CORS configuration

Phase 5: Frontend Components

• Create frontend components (TopicSelector, PuzzleGrid, ClueList)
  • TopicSelector with multi-select functionality
  • PuzzleGrid with CSS Grid layout
  • ClueList component (Across/Down)
  • LoadingSpinner for generation feedback
  • PuzzleControls (Reset/New/Difficulty)

Phase 6: Interactive Features

• Implement interactive crossword grid functionality
  • Click-to-focus input cells
  • Keyboard navigation (arrow keys, tab)
  • Real-time input validation
  • Highlight current word being filled
  • Auto-advance to next cell

Phase 7: User Experience

• Add puzzle validation and user input handling
  • Check answers against solution
  • Provide visual feedback (correct/incorrect)
  • Show completion status
  • Reset and new puzzle functionality

Phase 8: Styling & Polish

• Style the application and improve UX
  • Responsive design for mobile/desktop
  • Professional color scheme
  • Smooth animations and transitions
  • Loading states and error messages
  • Print-friendly styles

Phase 9: Environment Setup

• Set up development and production environments
  • Configure environment variables
  • Set up local development database
  • Configure build scripts
  • Set up CI/CD pipeline with GitHub Actions

Phase 10: Deployment

• Deploy application and test end-to-end
  • Deploy backend to Railway/Heroku
  • Deploy frontend to Vercel/Netlify
  • Configure production database
  • End-to-end testing
  • Performance optimization

Detailed Sub-tasks

Technical Specifications

• Database Schema: See database-schema.sql
• API Endpoints: See api-specification.md

Component Props

// TopicSelector.jsx
const TopicSelector = ({ topics, selectedTopics, onTopicChange, loading }) => {}

// PuzzleGrid.jsx  
const PuzzleGrid = ({ grid, onCellChange, currentCell, answers }) => {}

// ClueList.jsx
const ClueList = ({ clues, direction, onClueClick, completedClues }) => {}

Key Files to Create

• backend/src/services/crosswordGenerator.js - Core algorithm
• backend/src/controllers/puzzleController.js - API handlers
• frontend/src/hooks/useCrossword.js - State management
• frontend/src/utils/gridHelpers.js - Grid utilities
• frontend/src/styles/puzzle.css - Crossword styling

Priority Order

1. Setup project structure and basic backend
2. Implement word placement algorithm
3. Create basic frontend with grid display
4. Add topic selection and API integration
5. Implement interactive features
6. Polish UI/UX and deploy