the-beacon/docs/DEAD_CODE_AUDIT_2026-04-12.md

# Dead Code Audit — the-beacon
_2026-04-12, Perplexity QA_

## Findings

### Dead Code — Resolved (2026-04-15, Issue #192)

The following files were confirmed dead code — never imported by any runtime module.
They have been moved to `docs/reference/` as prototype reference code.

| File | Original | Resolution |
|------|----------|------------|
| `game/npc-logic.js` | PR #79 (GOFAI NPC State Machine) | **Moved to `docs/reference/npc-logic-prototype.js`** — ES module using `export default`, incompatible with the global-script loading pattern. Concept (NPC state machine) is sound but not wired into any game system. |
| `scripts/guardrails.js` | PR #80 (GOFAI Symbolic Guardrails) | **Moved to `docs/reference/guardrails-prototype.js`** — validates HP/MP/stats concepts that don't exist in The Beacon's resource system. The `scripts/guardrails.sh` (bash CI script) remains active. |

### game.js Bloat (PR #76)

PR #76 (Gemini GOFAI Mega Integration) added +3,258 lines to `game.js`
with 0 deletions, ostensibly for two small accessibility/debuff fixes.

**Likely cause:** Gemini rewrote the entire file instead of making targeted edits.

**Action:** Diff `game.js` before and after PR #76 to identify:
- Dead functions that were rewritten but the originals not removed
- Duplicate logic
- Style regressions

PR #77 (Timmy, +9/-8) was the corrective patch — verify it addressed the bloat.

### Recommendations

1. Add a `js/imports.md` or similar manifest listing which files are
   actually loaded by the game runtime
2. Consider a build step or linter that flags unused exports
3. Review any future Gemini PRs for whole-file rewrites vs targeted edits

---

_This audit was generated from the post-merge review pass. The findings
are based on file structure analysis, not runtime testing._