Add CONFIG-REFERENCE.md and workflow guidance

.kilo/agent/lyndas_mod.md

@@ -116,6 +116,16 @@ The following v3 mods are available in the mod launcher (under `C:\7D2D\v3\`):
 - Welcome to Purgatory
 - Wild West Mod
 
+## Finding What to Change
+
+When Lynda wants to make a specific change but doesn't know which file to edit, use `CONFIG-REFERENCE.md` to identify the relevant XML config file. Common entry points:
+- **Player/zombie stats**: `archetypes.xml`, `entityclasses.xml`
+- **Items/crafting**: `items.xml`, `recipes.xml`, `progression.xml`
+- **Loot/spawning**: `loot.xml`, `spawning.xml`, `entitygroups.xml`
+- **World/environment**: `biomes.xml`, `worldglobal.xml`, `weathersurvival.xml`
+- **UI changes**: `XUi_Common/xui.xml`, `XUi_InGame/xui.xml`
+- **Simple stat tweaks**: Often achievable with a few XPath lines in a modlet
+
 ## Notes
 
 - The ModLauncher config has stale `SteamPaths` pointing to `e:\steam\steamapps\common\7 Days To Die\` but the actual Steam install is at `C:\Steam\steamapps\common\7 Days To Die`.

CONFIG-REFERENCE.md

@@ -0,0 +1,108 @@
+# 7 Days to Die Config Reference
+
+This document inventories the XML config files found in the vanilla game install and describes what they control. Use this to figure out where to make specific changes.
+
+## Core Gameplay Configs
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `archetypes.xml` | Base archetype definitions (player, zombie, animal stats) |
+| `entityclasses.xml` | Entity class definitions (items, blocks, tools, weapons) |
+| `items.xml` | Item definitions (stats, weight, value, crafting requirements) |
+| `blocks.xml` | Block definitions (building materials, strength, crafting) |
+| `materials.xml` | Material definitions (harvesting, repair costs) |
+| `recipes.xml` | Crafting recipes |
+| `progression.xml` | Skill/level progression, XP requirements, perks |
+| `loot.xml` | Loot tables for containers, zombies, world spawns |
+| `spawning.xml` | Zombie/wildlife spawn rates, biomes, gamestage scaling |
+
+## World & Environment
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `biomes.xml` | Biome definitions (forest, desert, snow, wasteland) |
+| `worldglobal.xml` | Global world settings (day/night cycle, weather) |
+| `weathersurvival.xml` | Weather effects, temperature, survival mechanics |
+| `rwgmixer.xml` | Random World Generator (RWG) rules for POI placement |
+| `events.xml` | World events (horde night, wandering hordes) |
+| `gameevents.xml` | Event timing and triggers |
+
+## Entities & AI
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `entitygroups.xml` | Entity spawn groups (zombie types per biome/gamestage) |
+| `gamestages.xml` | Gamestage definitions and scaling |
+| `utilityai.xml` | NPC/zombie AI behaviors and tasks |
+| `npc.xml` | NPC definitions (traders, quest givers) |
+| `vehicles.xml` | Vehicle definitions and stats |
+| `buffs.xml` | Status effects (poison, bleeding, infection, etc.) |
+
+## UI & Display
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `ui_display.xml` | UI element positioning and visibility |
+| `XUi_Common/xui.xml` | Common UI layout definitions |
+| `XUi_Common/styles.xml` | UI style definitions |
+| `XUi_Common/templates.xml` | Reusable UI templates |
+| `XUi_InGame/xui.xml` | In-game UI layout (toolbelt, inventory, map) |
+| `XUi_InGame/windows.xml` | In-game window definitions |
+| `XUi_Menu/xui.xml` | Main menu UI layout |
+| `XUi_Menu/windows.xml` | Main menu window definitions |
+
+## Other Configs
+
+| File | Purpose |
+|------|---------|
+| `challenges.xml` | Challenge definitions (kill X zombies, etc.) |
+| `quests.xml` | Quest definitions and rewards |
+| `traders.xml` | Trader definitions and inventory |
+| `dialogs.xml` | NPC dialog text and options |
+| `sounds.xml` | Sound effect definitions |
+| `music.xml` | Music track definitions |
+| `painting.xml` | Player painting/decoration system |
+| `physicsbodies.xml` | Physics body definitions for blocks |
+| `qualityinfo.xml` | Item quality tiers and durability |
+| `item_modifiers.xml` | Item attachment modifiers (scopes, silencers, etc.) |
+| `signs.xml` | Sign definitions and text rendering |
+| `shapes.xml` | 3D shape/mesh definitions |
+| `dmscontent.xml` | DMS (Dynamic Music System) content |
+| `loadingscreen.xml` | Loading screen tips and images |
+| `twitch.xml` | Twitch integration settings |
+| `twitch_events.xml` | Twitch event definitions |
+| `videos.xml` | Video playback definitions |
+| `misc.xml` | Miscellaneous game settings |
+| `nav_objects.xml` | Navigation mesh objects |
+| `subtitles.xml` | Subtitle definitions |
+| `blockplaceholders.xml` | Block placeholder definitions |
+
+## How to Find Specific Settings
+
+When you want to change a specific game mechanic, use these approaches:
+
+1. **Search for keywords** — Search the entire `Data/Config` folder for terms like "zombie", "health", "damage", etc.
+2. **Check archetypes.xml first** — Many base stats are defined here
+3. **Look at entityclasses.xml** — Item and block properties
+4. **Check progression.xml** — Skill and level changes
+5. **Search the web** — The 7 Days to Die modding community has extensive documentation
+
+## Common XPath Targets for Simple Modlets
+
+For very simple changes, you can use XPath in modlet config files:
+
+- `/player/@maxHealth` — Player max health
+- `/player/@health` — Player starting health
+- `/zombie/@health` — Zombie base health multiplier
+- `/loot/@quantity` — Loot quantity multiplier
+- `/day/@length` — Day length in minutes
+- `/night/@length` — Night length in minutes
+- `/bloodmoon/@enabled` — Enable/disable blood moon
+- `/xp/@multiplier` — XP gain multiplier
+
+## Notes
+
+- Always back up original XML files before editing
+- Use the mod launcher for complex mods that modify many files
+- Use simple modlets for single-file XML changes
+- Test changes in a new save — existing saves may not pick up config changes

README.md

@@ -30,4 +30,5 @@ Use 7D2DModLauncherV5 to manage v3 mods under `C:\7D2D\v3\`.
 ## Documentation
 
 - `ENVIRONMENT.md` — Complete environment and path reference
+- `CONFIG-REFERENCE.md` — Inventory of game XML config files and what they control
 - `mods/README.md` — Modlet development guide