# Code review — NEO-48 perk state GET + branch selection POST

**Date:** 2026-05-17  
**Scope:** Branch `NEO-48-perk-state-get-branch-selection-post-bruno` · commits `5290044`–`39c54c3` vs `main`  
**Base:** `main`  
**Follow-up:** Suggestions 1–3 and nit 1 addressed on branch; r2 follow-up (`aba2644`) closed fixture/testing items — see [`2026-05-17-NEO-48-r2.md`](2026-05-17-NEO-48-r2.md).

## Verdict

**Approve**

## Summary

NEO-48 adds thin HTTP mapping for versioned **`GET`/`POST /game/players/{id}/perk-state`**: read model (`branchPicks`, `unlockedPerkIds`), branch selection via **`PerkUnlockEngine.TrySelectBranch`**, and structured **`selected`** / **`reasonCode`** / **`perkState`** / **`unlockedEvents`** envelopes mirroring NEO-38 grant patterns. Eight integration tests cover 404/400 gates, happy tier-1 pick after XP grant, `level_too_low` / `branch_already_chosen` denies, and path-auto **`unlockedEvents`** at level 4+. Bruno folder, README, manual QA, and E2.M3 decomposition rows align with the implementation plan. **185** server tests pass locally. Low merge risk; no engine or persistence logic duplicated in the API layer.

## Documentation checked

| Document | Result |
|----------|--------|
| [`docs/plans/NEO-48-implementation-plan.md`](../plans/NEO-48-implementation-plan.md) | **Matches** — same-path GET/POST, schema v1, deny envelope, `unlockedEvents` on success, position-state 404 gate, Bruno/README/tests/manual QA; acceptance checklist complete. |
| [`docs/decomposition/modules/E2_M3_MasteryAndPerkUnlocks.md`](../decomposition/modules/E2_M3_MasteryAndPerkUnlocks.md) | **Matches** — NEO-48 handoff section; HTTP responsibility listed under module responsibilities. |
| [`docs/decomposition/modules/documentation_and_implementation_alignment.md`](../decomposition/modules/documentation_and_implementation_alignment.md) | **Matches** — E2.M3 row cites NEO-48 landed + README/Bruno links. |
| [`docs/decomposition/modules/module_dependency_register.md`](../decomposition/modules/module_dependency_register.md) | **Matches** — E2.M3 note includes NEO-48 perk-state HTTP. |
| [`docs/decomposition/modules/client_server_authority.md`](../decomposition/modules/client_server_authority.md) | **Matches** — branch picks and unlock evaluation remain server-authoritative; no client changes (out of scope). |
| [`docs/plans/NEO-47-implementation-plan.md`](../plans/NEO-47-implementation-plan.md) | **Matches** — API delegates to engine/store; no duplicate unlock rules; telemetry stays in `TryUnlockPerks` (NEO-49). |

Register/tracking: E2.M3 module doc, alignment row, and register note updated in implementation commit.

## Blocking issues

None.

## Suggestions

1. ~~**Bruno deny for `branch_already_chosen`** — Plan and manual QA describe a second POST to the same tier with a different branch; automated tests cover it (`PostPerkState_ShouldDenyBranchAlreadyChosen_OnSecondPick`), but Bruno only ships `Post branch select deny level too low.bru`. A fourth request (grant + first pick + conflicting second pick) would make the collection self-contained for CI/manual runs without relying on manual QA alone.~~ **Done.** Added `Post branch select deny branch already chosen.bru` with `script:pre-request` grant + first pick via `bru.sendRequest`.
2. ~~**Optional thin HTTP deny smoke** — Engine tests lock `unknown_track`, `unknown_tier`, and `unknown_branch`; one API test each (bad `skillId`, bad `tierIndex`, bad `branchId` on dev player after level gate) would guard JSON field mapping if DTOs change. Non-blocking given `PerkUnlockEngineTests` coverage.~~ **Done.** `PostPerkState_ShouldDenyUnknownTrack_*`, `UnknownTier_*`, `UnknownBranch_*` in `PerkStateApiTests`.
3. ~~**POST null body** — Handlers return **400** for `body is null` (same as skill-progression). Neither API suite asserts empty-body **400** today; add a one-liner in `PerkStateApiTests` if you want parity documentation in tests.~~ **Done.** `PostPerkState_ShouldReturnBadRequest_WhenBodyNull`.

## Nits

- ~~Nit: `Post branch select deny level too low.bru` intentionally passes when salvage is already leveled (restart note) — acceptable for shared dev player; document in Bruno folder `docs` if operators hit false greens often.~~ **Done.** Folder `docs` block in `perk-state/folder.bru`.
- ~~Nit: Path-auto tier-2 unlocks surfaced in **`unlockedEvents`** use **`source: level_up`** (not `branch_pick`) — consistent with NEO-47/NEO-49 notes; clients/telemetry should treat `source` as unlock channel, not HTTP verb.~~ **Deferred.** Documented in NEO-47/NEO-49; no API change required for NEO-48.
- ~~Nit: `PostPerkState_ShouldSelectTier1_AndGetReflectsPick_AfterSalvageLevel2` issues a follow-up **GET** inside **Assert** for end-to-end verification — valid AAA (verification in Assert); grant status checks in **Arrange** match other API tests in the repo.~~ **Deferred.** Accepted integration-test pattern; no change.

## Verification

```bash
# From repo root
dotnet test NeonSprawl.sln --filter "FullyQualifiedName~PerkStateApi"

# Full server suite (195 tests at final verification)
dotnet test NeonSprawl.sln

# Manual / Bruno
# docs/manual-qa/NEO-48.md
# bruno/neon-sprawl-server/perk-state/
```

Confirm **GET** empty state, **POST** tier-1 happy path after salvage grant (100 XP), **POST** deny codes, and **GET** reflects persisted pick; optional path-auto **`unlockedEvents`** at level 4+ (500 total XP before pick).
