# Cursor AI Coding Rules for gogo2 Trading Dashboard Project

## Environment
- we are on windows 11 machine

## Unicode and Encoding Rules
- **NEVER use Unicode characters that may not be supported by Windows console (cp1252)**
- **ABSOLUTELY NO EMOJIS** in any code, logs, or console output (e.g., ✅, ✓, ❌, ⚠️, 🚀, 📊, 💾, 🔄, ⏳, 🎯, 📈, 📉, 🔍, ⚡, 💡, 🛠️, 🔧, 🎉, ⭐, 📁, 📋)
- Use plain ASCII text for all log messages, print statements, and console output
- Replace emojis with descriptive text (e.g., "OK", "ERROR", "WARNING", "SUCCESS")


## Code Structure and Versioning Rules
- **NEVER create multiple versions of the same functionality** (e.g., _fixed, _enhanced, _v2)
- **ALWAYS work with existing code structure** and modify in place
- **ASK FOR EXPLICIT APPROVAL** before creating new implementations of existing features
- When fixing issues, modify the original file rather than creating copies
- Use descriptive commit messages but avoid creating parallel implementations
- If major refactoring is needed, discuss the approach first

## Dashboard Development Rules
- Focus on the main clean dashboard (`web/clean_dashboard.py`)
- Do not create alternative dashboard implementations unless explicitly requested
- Fix issues in the existing codebase rather than creating workarounds
- Ensure all callback registrations are properly handled
- Test callback functionality thoroughly before deployment

## Logging Best Practices
- Use structured logging with clear, ASCII-only messages
- **NEVER use emojis or Unicode symbols in log messages**
- Include relevant context in log messages without Unicode characters
- Use logger.info(), logger.error(), etc. with plain text only
- Use descriptive prefixes instead of emojis (e.g., "SUCCESS:", "ERROR:", "WARNING:")
- Example: `logger.info("TRADING: Starting Live Scalping Dashboard at http://127.0.0.1:8051")`
- Example: `logger.info("SUCCESS: Model checkpoint loaded successfully")`

## Error Handling
- Always include proper exception handling
- Log errors with ASCII-only characters - **NO EMOJIS**
- Provide meaningful error messages using plain text descriptors
- Use text prefixes like "ERROR:", "FAILED:", "WARNING:" instead of emoji symbols
- Include stack traces for debugging when appropriate

## File Naming Conventions
- Use descriptive names without version suffixes
- Avoid creating multiple files for the same purpose
- Use clear, concise names that indicate the file's purpose

## Testing Guidelines
- Create focused test files for specific functionality
- Use temporary test files that can be easily cleaned up
- Name test files clearly (e.g., `test_callback_registration.py`)
- Remove or archive test files after issues are resolved

## Windows Compatibility
- Ensure all code works properly on Windows systems
- Handle Windows-specific path separators correctly
- Use appropriate encoding for file operations
- Test console output compatibility with Windows Command Prompt and PowerShell

## Dashboard Callback Rules
- Ensure all Dash callbacks are properly registered
- Use consistent callback patterns across the application
- Handle callback errors gracefully with fallback values
- Test callback functionality with direct HTTP requests when debugging

## Code Review Checklist
Before submitting code changes, verify:
- [ ] **ABSOLUTELY NO EMOJIS OR UNICODE SYMBOLS** in any code, logs, or output
- [ ] All log messages use plain ASCII text only (logger.info, logger.error, print, etc.)
- [ ] No duplicate implementations of existing functionality
- [ ] Proper error handling with ASCII-only messages
- [ ] Windows compatibility maintained (PowerShell console safe)
- [ ] Existing code structure preserved and enhanced rather than replaced
- [ ] Use descriptive text instead of symbols: "OK" not "✓", "ERROR" not "❌", "SUCCESS" not "✅"