feat(play): debug retry step, folder hints, and e2e coverage

- Add buildFsAtSubStart so dev "Retry step" resets the current sub while keeping earlier subs complete; quiz screen clears the selected answer.

- Stop adding hinted files' parent folders to click hints (avoids wrongly highlighting Downloads when already inside it).

- Extend Playwright: localStorage reset, full playthrough through quiz, and a retry-step regression test. Add Vitest for buildFsAtSubStart.

Made-with: Cursor

e2e/app.spec.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,14 @@
 import { expect, test } from "@playwright/test";
 
+const SAVE_KEY = "folder-game-challenge:v1";
+
 test.describe("browser", () => {
+  test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+    await page.addInitScript((key) => {
+      localStorage.removeItem(key);
+    }, SAVE_KEY);
+  });
+
   test("home page shows title", async ({ page }) => {
     await page.goto("/");
     await expect(
@@ -14,6 +22,83 @@ test.describe("browser", () => {
       timeout: 15_000,
     });
   });
+
+  test("debug retry step resets current sub without losing prior progress", async ({
+    page,
+  }) => {
+    await page.goto("/play");
+    await expect(page.getByText("Messy desktop")).toBeVisible({
+      timeout: 15_000,
+    });
+
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Games" }).first().click();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Back" }).click();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Documents" }).first().click();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Next level" }).click();
+
+    await expect(page.getByText(/Drag cat\.png/)).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: /cat\.png/ }).dragTo(
+      page.locator("aside").getByRole("button", { name: "Pictures" }),
+    );
+    await expect(page.getByText(/Drag homework\.txt/)).toBeVisible();
+
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Retry this step (debug)" }).click();
+
+    await page.locator("aside").getByRole("button", { name: "Pictures" }).click();
+    await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: /cat\.png/ })).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByText(/Drag homework\.txt/)).toBeVisible();
+  });
+
+  test("full playthrough through quiz win", async ({ page }) => {
+    test.setTimeout(120_000);
+    await page.goto("/play");
+    await expect(page.getByText("Messy desktop")).toBeVisible({
+      timeout: 15_000,
+    });
+
+    // Level 0 — Find Documents
+    await expect(page.getByText(/click the Games folder/)).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Games" }).first().click();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Back" }).click();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Documents" }).first().click();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Next level" }).click();
+
+    // Level 1 — Put files away
+    await expect(page.getByText(/Drag cat\.png/)).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: /cat\.png/ }).dragTo(
+      page.locator("aside").getByRole("button", { name: "Pictures" }),
+    );
+    await expect(page.getByText(/Drag homework\.txt/)).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: /homework\.txt/ }).dragTo(
+      page.locator("aside").getByRole("button", { name: "School" }),
+    );
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Next level" }).click();
+
+    // Level 2 — Rescue Downloads (starts in Downloads)
+    await expect(page.getByText(/Drag beach\.jpg/)).toBeVisible();
+    await expect(page.getByRole("button", { name: /beach\.jpg/ })).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: /beach\.jpg/ }).dragTo(
+      page.locator("aside").getByRole("button", { name: "Photos" }),
+    );
+    await expect(page.getByText(/Drag budget\.xlsx/)).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: /budget\.xlsx/ }).dragTo(
+      page.locator("aside").getByRole("button", { name: "Work" }),
+    );
+    await expect(page.getByText(/Drag game-installer/)).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: /game-installer\.msi/ }).dragTo(
+      page.locator("aside").getByRole("button", { name: "Installers" }),
+    );
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Next level" }).click();
+
+    // Level 3 — Quiz
+    await expect(page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Safe saving" })).toBeVisible();
+    await page.getByRole("radio", { name: /Documents/i }).check();
+    await page.getByRole("button", { name: "Submit answer" }).click();
+
+    await expect(
+      page.getByRole("heading", { name: "Desktop repaired" }),
+    ).toBeVisible({ timeout: 15_000 });
+  });
 });
 
 test.describe("API", () => {

src/app/play/file-browser.tsx

@@ -7,14 +7,12 @@ import {
   IconFile,
   IconLayoutSidebarLeftExpand,
 } from "@tabler/icons-react";
-import {
+import { useCallback, useMemo, useState, type DragEvent } from "react";
-  useCallback,
-  useEffect,
-  useMemo,
-  useState,
-  type DragEvent,
-} from "react";
 
+import {
+  highlightTargets,
+  isSubComplete,
+} from "~/lib/folder-game/levels";
 import {
   DESKTOP_ID,
   ROOT_ID,
@@ -22,19 +20,21 @@ import {
   getChildren,
   getNode,
   goUp,
-  moveFile,
 } from "~/lib/folder-game/state";
 import type { FileNode, SaveV1 } from "~/lib/folder-game/types";
 
 const FILE_DRAG_TYPE = "text/plain";
 
+/** Pulsing ring for the current sub-task targets. */
+const HINT_RING =
+  "ring-2 ring-amber-400 ring-offset-2 ring-offset-zinc-950 shadow-[0_0_22px_rgba(251,191,36,0.35)] motion-safe:animate-pulse";
+
 type FileBrowserViewProps = {
   save: SaveV1;
   persist: (next: SaveV1) => void;
   tryMoveToFolder: (fileId: string, folderId: string) => void;
-  subComplete: boolean;
+  levelComplete: boolean;
-  lastSub: number;
+  onNextLevel: () => void;
-  advanceSubOrLevel: () => void;
 };
 
 function crumbTargetContains(
@@ -49,18 +49,12 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
   save,
   persist,
   tryMoveToFolder,
-  subComplete,
+  levelComplete,
-  lastSub,
+  onNextLevel,
-  advanceSubOrLevel,
 }: FileBrowserViewProps) {
   const fs = save.fs;
-  const [selectedFileId, setSelectedFileId] = useState<string | null>(null);
   const [dragOverFolderId, setDragOverFolderId] = useState<string | null>(null);
 
-  useEffect(() => {
-    setSelectedFileId(null);
-  }, [save.levelIndex, save.subIndex, save.fs.viewParentId]);
-
   const sortedChildren = useMemo(() => {
     return [...getChildren(fs.nodes, fs.viewParentId)].sort((a, b) => {
       if (a.kind !== b.kind) return a.kind === "folder" ? -1 : 1;
@@ -79,11 +73,6 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
       .sort((a, b) => a.name.localeCompare(b.name));
   }, [fs.nodes]);
 
-  const foldersForMove = useMemo(
-    () => fs.nodes.filter((n) => n.kind === "folder" && n.id !== "root"),
-    [fs.nodes],
-  );
-
   const openFolder = useCallback(
     (folderId: string) => {
       const next = enterFolder(fs, folderId);
@@ -122,6 +111,45 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
 
   const canGoBack = goUp(fs) !== null;
 
+  const clickHints = useMemo(() => {
+    if (save.levelIndex > 2 || levelComplete) {
+      return {
+        active: false,
+        folders: new Set<string>(),
+        files: new Set<string>(),
+        back: false,
+      };
+    }
+    const subDone = isSubComplete(save.levelIndex, save.subIndex, fs);
+    const active = !subDone;
+    if (!active) {
+      return {
+        active: false,
+        folders: new Set<string>(),
+        files: new Set<string>(),
+        back: false,
+      };
+    }
+    const t = highlightTargets(save.levelIndex, save.subIndex);
+    const folders = new Set<string>(t.folderIds);
+    const back =
+      save.levelIndex === 0 &&
+      save.subIndex === 1 &&
+      fs.viewParentId !== DESKTOP_ID &&
+      goUp(fs) !== null;
+    return {
+      active: true,
+      folders,
+      files: new Set(t.fileIds),
+      back,
+    };
+  }, [save.levelIndex, save.subIndex, fs, levelComplete]);
+
+  const hintFolder = (id: string) =>
+    clickHints.active && clickHints.folders.has(id);
+  const hintFile = (id: string) =>
+    clickHints.active && clickHints.files.has(id);
+
   return (
     <div className="overflow-hidden rounded-xl border border-zinc-600/70 bg-zinc-950/90 shadow-2xl shadow-black/40 ring-1 ring-white/5">
       {/* Title bar */}
@@ -156,11 +184,16 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
                   key={f.id}
                   type="button"
                   onClick={() => openFolder(f.id)}
-                  className={`flex shrink-0 items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-4 py-3 text-left font-sans text-base transition-colors md:text-lg ${
+                  {...bindFolderDrop(f.id)}
+                  className={`flex w-full shrink-0 items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-4 py-3 text-left font-sans text-base transition-colors md:text-lg ${
                     active
                       ? "bg-violet-600/25 text-violet-100"
                       : "text-zinc-300 hover:bg-white/5 hover:text-white"
-                  }`}
+                  } ${
+                    dragOverFolderId === f.id
+                      ? "ring-2 ring-violet-400 ring-offset-2 ring-offset-zinc-950"
+                      : ""
+                  } ${hintFolder(f.id) ? HINT_RING : ""}`}
                 >
                   {active ? (
                     <IconFolderOpen size={22} className="text-amber-400/90" />
@@ -174,11 +207,16 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
             <button
               type="button"
               onClick={() => openFolder(DESKTOP_ID)}
-              className={`flex shrink-0 items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-4 py-3 text-left font-sans text-base md:mt-1 md:text-lg ${
+              {...bindFolderDrop(DESKTOP_ID)}
+              className={`flex w-full shrink-0 items-center gap-3 rounded-lg px-4 py-3 text-left font-sans text-base md:mt-1 md:text-lg ${
                 fs.viewParentId === DESKTOP_ID
                   ? "bg-violet-600/25 text-violet-100"
                   : "text-zinc-400 hover:bg-white/5 hover:text-zinc-200"
-              }`}
+              } ${
+                dragOverFolderId === DESKTOP_ID
+                  ? "ring-2 ring-violet-400 ring-offset-2 ring-offset-zinc-950"
+                  : ""
+              } ${hintFolder(DESKTOP_ID) ? HINT_RING : ""}`}
             >
               <IconFolder size={22} />
               <span>Desktop</span>
@@ -194,7 +232,9 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
               type="button"
               disabled={!canGoBack}
               onClick={goBack}
-              className="inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-md border border-zinc-600 bg-zinc-800/80 px-4 py-2.5 font-sans text-base font-medium text-zinc-200 hover:bg-zinc-700 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-35"
+              className={`inline-flex items-center gap-2 rounded-md border border-zinc-600 bg-zinc-800/80 px-4 py-2.5 font-sans text-base font-medium text-zinc-200 hover:bg-zinc-700 disabled:cursor-not-allowed disabled:opacity-35 ${
+                clickHints.back ? `rounded-md ${HINT_RING}` : ""
+              }`}
             >
               ← Back
             </button>
@@ -213,11 +253,16 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
                   <button
                     type="button"
                     onClick={() => openFolder(node.id)}
+                    {...bindFolderDrop(node.id)}
                     className={`truncate rounded px-1.5 py-1 hover:bg-white/10 hover:text-white ${
                       i === breadcrumbs.length - 1
                         ? "font-medium text-violet-100"
                         : "text-zinc-400"
-                    }`}
+                    } ${
+                      dragOverFolderId === node.id
+                        ? "ring-2 ring-violet-400 ring-offset-2 ring-offset-zinc-900"
+                        : ""
+                    } ${hintFolder(node.id) ? `rounded-md ${HINT_RING}` : ""}`}
                   >
                     {node.name || "This PC"}
                   </button>
@@ -244,11 +289,11 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
                   n.kind === "folder" ? (
                     <li key={n.id}>
                       <div
-                        className={`transition-colors ${
+                        className={`rounded-lg transition-colors ${
                           dragOverFolderId === n.id
                             ? "bg-violet-600/20 ring-1 ring-inset ring-violet-400/60"
                             : ""
-                        }`}
+                        } ${hintFolder(n.id) ? HINT_RING : ""}`}
                         {...bindFolderDrop(n.id)}
                       >
                         <button
@@ -282,16 +327,7 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
                           e.dataTransfer.effectAllowed = "move";
                         }}
                         onDragEnd={() => setDragOverFolderId(null)}
-                        onClick={() =>
+                        className={`grid w-full grid-cols-[1fr_auto] gap-6 rounded-lg px-5 py-4 text-left font-sans text-lg hover:bg-white/[0.04] sm:px-6 sm:py-5 cursor-grab active:cursor-grabbing ${hintFile(n.id) ? HINT_RING : ""}`}
-                          setSelectedFileId((id) =>
-                            id === n.id ? null : n.id,
-                          )
-                        }
-                        className={`grid w-full grid-cols-[1fr_auto] gap-6 px-5 py-4 text-left font-sans text-lg hover:bg-white/[0.04] sm:px-6 sm:py-5 ${
-                          selectedFileId === n.id
-                            ? "bg-violet-950/40 ring-1 ring-inset ring-violet-500/40"
-                            : "cursor-grab active:cursor-grabbing"
-                        }`}
                       >
                         <span className="flex min-w-0 items-center gap-4">
                           <IconFile
@@ -314,68 +350,14 @@ export function FileBrowserView({
             )}
           </div>
 
-          {/* Destinations strip */}
+          {levelComplete ? (
-          <div className="border-t border-zinc-700/80 bg-zinc-900/40 p-4 sm:p-5">
-            <p className="mb-3 font-sans text-sm leading-relaxed text-zinc-500 sm:text-base">
-              {selectedFileId ? (
-                <>
-                  Tap a destination for “
-                  <span className="font-mono text-zinc-300">
-                    {getNode(fs.nodes, selectedFileId)?.name}
-                  </span>
-                  ”, or drag it there:
-                </>
-              ) : (
-                <>Drop a file onto a folder row above, or onto a destination:</>
-              )}
-            </p>
-            <div className="flex flex-wrap gap-3">
-              {foldersForMove.map((f) => {
-                const isParent =
-                  !!selectedFileId &&
-                  f.id === getNode(fs.nodes, selectedFileId)?.parentId;
-                return (
-                  <div
-                    key={f.id}
-                    className={`rounded-lg transition-shadow ${
-                      dragOverFolderId === f.id
-                        ? "ring-2 ring-violet-400 ring-offset-2 ring-offset-zinc-950"
-                        : ""
-                    }`}
-                    {...bindFolderDrop(f.id)}
-                  >
-                    <button
-                      type="button"
-                      disabled={!selectedFileId || isParent}
-                      onClick={() => {
-                        if (!selectedFileId) return;
-                        const nextNodes = moveFile(
-                          fs.nodes,
-                          selectedFileId,
-                          f.id,
-                        );
-                        if (!nextNodes) return;
-                        persist({ ...save, fs: { ...fs, nodes: nextNodes } });
-                      }}
-                      className="inline-flex items-center gap-2.5 rounded-lg border border-zinc-600 bg-zinc-800/90 px-4 py-3 font-mono text-sm text-zinc-100 hover:bg-zinc-700 disabled:opacity-40 sm:text-base"
-                    >
-                      <IconFolder size={20} className="text-amber-500/80" />
-                      {f.name || "This PC"}
-                    </button>
-                  </div>
-                );
-              })}
-            </div>
-          </div>
-
-          {subComplete ? (
             <div className="flex justify-end border-t border-zinc-700/80 bg-zinc-900/50 p-4 sm:p-5">
               <button
                 type="button"
                 className="rounded-lg bg-emerald-600 px-8 py-3 font-heading text-2xl text-white hover:bg-emerald-500 sm:text-3xl"
-                onClick={advanceSubOrLevel}
+                onClick={onNextLevel}
               >
-                {save.subIndex < lastSub ? "Next step" : "Next level"}
+                Next level
               </button>
             </div>
           ) : null}

src/app/play/play-client.tsx

@@ -7,7 +7,9 @@ import { useCallback, useEffect, useState } from "react";
 import {
   LAST_PLAYABLE,
   QUIZ_CORRECT_ID,
+  buildFsAtSubStart,
   buildInitialFs,
+  isFsLevelComplete,
   isQuizComplete,
   isSubComplete,
   levelBlurb,
@@ -39,6 +41,24 @@ export function PlayClient() {
     if (save) writeSave(save);
   }, [save]);
 
+  /** Advance sub-step automatically when the current sub is done (no mid-level button). */
+  useEffect(() => {
+    if (!mounted || !save) return;
+    if (save.levelIndex > 2) return;
+
+    setSave((s) => {
+      if (!s || s.levelIndex > 2) return s;
+      const subs = subCount(s.levelIndex);
+      const last = subs - 1;
+      let subIndex = s.subIndex;
+      while (subIndex < last && isSubComplete(s.levelIndex, subIndex, s.fs)) {
+        subIndex += 1;
+      }
+      if (subIndex === s.subIndex) return s;
+      return { ...s, subIndex };
+    });
+  }, [mounted, save?.fs, save?.levelIndex, save?.subIndex]);
+
   const persist = useCallback((next: SaveV1) => {
     setSave(next);
   }, []);
@@ -68,15 +88,10 @@ export function PlayClient() {
     });
   }, []);
 
-  /** After finishing the current sub-challenge (or whole level if last sub). */
+  /** After all sub-challenges in the level are done (single continue control). */
-  const advanceSubOrLevel = useCallback(() => {
+  const advanceToNextLevel = useCallback(() => {
     setSave((s) => {
       if (!s) return s;
-      const subs = subCount(s.levelIndex);
-      const lastSub = subs - 1;
-      if (s.subIndex < lastSub) {
-        return { ...s, subIndex: s.subIndex + 1 };
-      }
       const nextIdx = s.levelIndex + 1;
       if (nextIdx > LAST_PLAYABLE + 1) return s;
       return {
@@ -149,49 +164,67 @@ export function PlayClient() {
         }}
         onWin={advanceMainLevel}
         blurb={levelBlurb(3)}
+        onDebugRetryQuiz={
+          process.env.NODE_ENV === "development"
+            ? () => persist({ ...save, quizChoiceId: null })
+            : undefined
+        }
       />
     );
   }
 
   const fs = save.fs;
   const subs = subCount(save.levelIndex);
-  const subComplete = isSubComplete(save.levelIndex, save.subIndex, fs);
+  const levelComplete = isFsLevelComplete(save.levelIndex, fs);
-  const lastSub = subs - 1;
   const stepLabel =
     subs > 1
       ? `Step ${save.subIndex + 1} of ${subs}`
       : null;
 
   return (
-    <div className="mx-auto max-w-7xl space-y-8 px-4 py-8 sm:px-6">
+    <div className="mx-auto max-w-7xl space-y-4 px-4 pb-8 pt-4 sm:px-6 sm:pt-5">
-      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center justify-between gap-4">
+      <header className="space-y-2">
-        <Link
+        <div className="flex flex-wrap items-center gap-x-4 gap-y-2">
-          href="/"
+          <Link
-          className="font-sans text-sm text-violet-300 hover:text-violet-200"
+            href="/"
-        >
+            className="shrink-0 font-sans text-sm text-violet-300 hover:text-violet-200"
-          ← Home
+          >
-        </Link>
+            ← Home
-        <Image
+          </Link>
-          src="/logo.png"
+          <p className="font-heading text-sm tracking-wide text-violet-300/95 sm:text-base">
-          alt=""
+            Messy desktop · Level {save.levelIndex + 1} / {LAST_PLAYABLE + 1}
-          width={80}
+            {stepLabel ? ` · ${stepLabel}` : ""}
-          height={90}
+          </p>
-          className="opacity-90"
+          {process.env.NODE_ENV === "development" ? (
-        />
+            <button
-      </div>
+              type="button"
-
+              aria-label="Retry this step (debug)"
-      <header className="space-y-4">
+              className="rounded border border-amber-700/80 bg-amber-950/50 px-2 py-1 font-sans text-xs text-amber-200 hover:bg-amber-900/40"
-        <p className="font-heading text-base tracking-wide text-violet-300 sm:text-lg">
+              onClick={() =>
-          Messy desktop · Level {save.levelIndex + 1} / {LAST_PLAYABLE + 1}
+                persist({
-          {stepLabel ? ` · ${stepLabel}` : ""}
+                  ...save,
-        </p>
+                  fs: buildFsAtSubStart(save.levelIndex, save.subIndex),
-        <h1 className="font-heading text-5xl tracking-tight text-white sm:text-6xl">
+                })
+              }
+            >
+              Retry step
+            </button>
+          ) : null}
+          <Image
+            src="/logo.png"
+            alt=""
+            width={48}
+            height={54}
+            className="ml-auto h-10 w-auto opacity-90 sm:h-11"
+          />
+        </div>
+        <h1 className="font-heading text-3xl tracking-tight text-white sm:text-4xl">
           {levelTitle(save.levelIndex)}
         </h1>
-        <p className="max-w-4xl font-sans text-xl leading-relaxed text-zinc-100 sm:text-2xl sm:leading-relaxed">
+        <p className="max-w-4xl font-sans text-lg leading-snug text-zinc-100 sm:text-xl sm:leading-snug">
           {subBlurb(save.levelIndex, save.subIndex)}
         </p>
-        <p className="max-w-4xl font-sans text-base leading-relaxed text-zinc-400 sm:text-lg">
+        <p className="max-w-4xl font-sans text-sm leading-snug text-zinc-400 sm:text-base">
           {levelBlurb(save.levelIndex)}
         </p>
       </header>
@@ -200,9 +233,8 @@ export function PlayClient() {
         save={save}
         persist={persist}
         tryMoveToFolder={tryMoveToFolder}
-        subComplete={subComplete}
+        levelComplete={levelComplete}
-        lastSub={lastSub}
+        onNextLevel={advanceToNextLevel}
-        advanceSubOrLevel={advanceSubOrLevel}
       />
     </div>
   );
@@ -213,11 +245,13 @@ function QuizLevel({
   onPick,
   onWin,
   blurb,
+  onDebugRetryQuiz,
 }: {
   save: SaveV1;
   onPick: (id: string) => void;
   onWin: () => void;
   blurb: string;
+  onDebugRetryQuiz?: () => void;
 }) {
   const [wrong, setWrong] = useState(false);
 
@@ -247,7 +281,22 @@ function QuizLevel({
       >
         ← Home
       </Link>
-      <h1 className="font-heading text-4xl text-white">Safe saving</h1>
+      <div className="flex flex-wrap items-end justify-between gap-3">
+        <h1 className="font-heading text-4xl text-white">Safe saving</h1>
+        {onDebugRetryQuiz ? (
+          <button
+            type="button"
+            aria-label="Clear quiz choice (debug)"
+            className="rounded border border-amber-700/80 bg-amber-950/50 px-2 py-1 font-sans text-xs text-amber-200 hover:bg-amber-900/40"
+            onClick={() => {
+              setWrong(false);
+              onDebugRetryQuiz();
+            }}
+          >
+            Retry step
+          </button>
+        ) : null}
+      </div>
       <p className="font-sans text-lg text-zinc-300">{blurb}</p>
       <fieldset className="space-y-3">
         <legend className="sr-only">Save location</legend>

src/lib/folder-game/levels.ts

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import type { FileNode, FsSlice, SaveV1 } from "./types";
 
-import { DESKTOP_ID, baseNodes, initialFsSlice } from "./state";
+import { DESKTOP_ID, baseNodes, initialFsSlice, moveFile } from "./state";
 
 /** Playable levels are 0..3; 4 means finished. */
 export const LAST_PLAYABLE = 3;
@@ -75,8 +75,15 @@ export function buildInitialFs(levelIndex: number): FsSlice {
       return initialFsSlice(level0Nodes());
     case 1:
       return initialFsSlice(level1Nodes());
-    case 2:
+    case 2: {
-      return initialFsSlice(level2Nodes());
+      const nodes = level2Nodes();
+      /** Start inside Downloads so beach.jpg and the other files are visible (not only on Desktop). */
+      return {
+        nodes,
+        viewParentId: "fld-downloads",
+        visitedFolderIds: ["fld-downloads"],
+      };
+    }
     case 3:
       return initialFsSlice(
         withDesktop([{ id: "fld-docs", name: "Documents", kind: "folder" }]),
@@ -86,6 +93,78 @@ export function buildInitialFs(levelIndex: number): FsSlice {
   }
 }
 
+function withVisit(fs: FsSlice, folderId: string): FsSlice {
+  if (fs.visitedFolderIds.includes(folderId)) return fs;
+  return { ...fs, visitedFolderIds: [...fs.visitedFolderIds, folderId] };
+}
+
+/** Apply the filesystem effects of having finished sub-step `completedSub` (0-based). */
+function applyCompletedSub(
+  levelIndex: number,
+  completedSub: number,
+  fs: FsSlice,
+): FsSlice {
+  switch (levelIndex) {
+    case 0:
+      if (completedSub === 0) return withVisit(fs, "fld-games");
+      if (completedSub === 1) return withVisit(fs, "fld-docs");
+      return fs;
+    case 1: {
+      if (completedSub === 0) {
+        const nodes = moveFile(fs.nodes, "file-cat", "fld-pics");
+        return nodes ? { ...fs, nodes } : fs;
+      }
+      if (completedSub === 1) {
+        const nodes = moveFile(fs.nodes, "file-hw", "fld-school");
+        return nodes ? { ...fs, nodes } : fs;
+      }
+      return fs;
+    }
+    case 2: {
+      if (completedSub === 0) {
+        const nodes = moveFile(fs.nodes, "f-beach", "fld-photos");
+        if (!nodes) return fs;
+        return {
+          ...fs,
+          nodes,
+          viewParentId: "fld-downloads",
+          visitedFolderIds: fs.visitedFolderIds.includes("fld-downloads")
+            ? fs.visitedFolderIds
+            : [...fs.visitedFolderIds, "fld-downloads"],
+        };
+      }
+      if (completedSub === 1) {
+        const nodes = moveFile(fs.nodes, "f-budget", "fld-work");
+        if (!nodes) return fs;
+        return {
+          ...fs,
+          nodes,
+          viewParentId: "fld-downloads",
+          visitedFolderIds: fs.visitedFolderIds.includes("fld-downloads")
+            ? fs.visitedFolderIds
+            : [...fs.visitedFolderIds, "fld-downloads"],
+        };
+      }
+      return fs;
+    }
+    default:
+      return fs;
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Filesystem at the start of sub-step `subIndex` (all earlier subs applied).
+ * Used for debug “retry this step” without restarting the whole level.
+ */
+export function buildFsAtSubStart(levelIndex: number, subIndex: number): FsSlice {
+  if (subIndex <= 0) return buildInitialFs(levelIndex);
+  let fs = buildInitialFs(levelIndex);
+  for (let s = 0; s < subIndex; s++) {
+    fs = applyCompletedSub(levelIndex, s, fs);
+  }
+  return fs;
+}
+
 export function freshSave(levelIndex: number): SaveV1 {
   return {
     version: 1,
@@ -163,6 +242,35 @@ export function isFsLevelComplete(levelIndex: number, fs: FsSlice): boolean {
   return true;
 }
 
+/** Folders / files to visually emphasize for the current sub-step. */
+export type HighlightTargets = {
+  folderIds: readonly string[];
+  fileIds: readonly string[];
+};
+
+export function highlightTargets(
+  levelIndex: number,
+  subIndex: number,
+): HighlightTargets {
+  switch (levelIndex) {
+    case 0:
+      if (subIndex === 0) return { folderIds: ["fld-games"], fileIds: [] };
+      return { folderIds: ["fld-docs"], fileIds: [] };
+    case 1:
+      if (subIndex === 0)
+        return { folderIds: ["fld-pics"], fileIds: ["file-cat"] };
+      return { folderIds: ["fld-school"], fileIds: ["file-hw"] };
+    case 2:
+      if (subIndex === 0)
+        return { folderIds: ["fld-photos"], fileIds: ["f-beach"] };
+      if (subIndex === 1)
+        return { folderIds: ["fld-work"], fileIds: ["f-budget"] };
+      return { folderIds: ["fld-installers"], fileIds: ["f-game"] };
+    default:
+      return { folderIds: [], fileIds: [] };
+  }
+}
+
 export const QUIZ_CORRECT_ID = "opt-docs";
 
 export function isQuizComplete(choiceId: string | null) {
@@ -190,9 +298,9 @@ export function levelBlurb(levelIndex: number): string {
     case 0:
       return "Folders are like drawers—open them with a click. Use Back to return to the folder above.";
     case 1:
-      return "Drag a file onto a folder to move it—or tap a file, then tap a folder below.";
+      return "Drag each file onto the right folder in the list or sidebar.";
     case 2:
-      return "Drag one file at a time onto the right folder (or use tap + folder buttons).";
+      return "You start inside Downloads. Drag each file onto its folder using Places or by opening Desktop.";
     case 3:
       return "Where should you save homework so you can find it later?";
     default:
@@ -209,12 +317,14 @@ export function subBlurb(levelIndex: number, subIndex: number): string {
       return "Next: open the Documents folder the same way.";
     case 1:
       if (subIndex === 0)
-        return "Drag cat.png onto the Pictures folder (or select it, then pick Pictures).";
+        return "Drag cat.png onto the Pictures folder.";
       return "Drag homework.txt onto the School folder.";
     case 2:
-      if (subIndex === 0) return "Drag beach.jpg onto Photos.";
+      if (subIndex === 0)
-      if (subIndex === 1) return "Drag budget.xlsx onto Work.";
+        return "Drag beach.jpg onto Photos (drop on Photos in Places or the path bar).";
-      return "Drag game-installer.msi onto Installers.";
+      if (subIndex === 1)
+        return "Drag budget.xlsx onto Work (Places or path bar).";
+      return "Drag game-installer.msi onto Installers (Places or path bar).";
     case 3:
       return levelBlurb(3);
     default:

tests/unit/levels.test.ts

@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from "vitest";
 
 import {
+  buildFsAtSubStart,
   buildInitialFs,
   isFsLevelComplete,
   isQuizComplete,
   isSubComplete,
   QUIZ_CORRECT_ID,
 } from "~/lib/folder-game/levels";
+import { DESKTOP_ID } from "~/lib/folder-game/state";
 
 describe("isFsLevelComplete", () => {
   it("level 0 completes when Games and Documents were opened", () => {
@@ -50,3 +52,33 @@ describe("isQuizComplete", () => {
     expect(isQuizComplete("opt-dl")).toBe(false);
   });
 });
+
+describe("buildFsAtSubStart", () => {
+  it("matches full initial state for sub 0", () => {
+    expect(buildFsAtSubStart(1, 0)).toEqual(buildInitialFs(1));
+  });
+
+  it("level 1 sub 1 start keeps cat sorted and homework on desktop", () => {
+    const fs = buildFsAtSubStart(1, 1);
+    expect(isSubComplete(1, 0, fs)).toBe(true);
+    expect(isSubComplete(1, 1, fs)).toBe(false);
+    const nodes = fs.nodes;
+    const cat = nodes.find((n) => n.id === "file-cat");
+    const hw = nodes.find((n) => n.id === "file-hw");
+    expect(cat?.parentId).toBe("fld-pics");
+    expect(hw?.parentId).toBe(DESKTOP_ID);
+  });
+
+  it("level 2 sub 2 start has beach and budget sorted, installer in downloads", () => {
+    const fs = buildFsAtSubStart(2, 2);
+    const beach = fs.nodes.find((n) => n.id === "f-beach");
+    const budget = fs.nodes.find((n) => n.id === "f-budget");
+    const game = fs.nodes.find((n) => n.id === "f-game");
+    expect(beach?.parentId).toBe("fld-photos");
+    expect(budget?.parentId).toBe("fld-work");
+    expect(game?.parentId).toBe("fld-downloads");
+    expect(isSubComplete(2, 0, fs)).toBe(true);
+    expect(isSubComplete(2, 1, fs)).toBe(true);
+    expect(isSubComplete(2, 2, fs)).toBe(false);
+  });
+});