feat(theme): Refine NERV palette contrast and readability

conductor/tracks.md

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ This file tracks all major tracks for the project. Each track has its own detail
    *Link: [./tracks/markdown_highlighting_20260308/](./tracks/markdown_highlighting_20260308/)*
    *Goal: Add rich text rendering with GFM support and syntax highlighting for PowerShell, Python, and JSON/TOML in read-only message and log views.*
 
-5. [x] **Track: NERV UI Theme Integration**
+5. [~] **Track: NERV UI Theme Integration**
    *Link: [./tracks/nerv_ui_theme_20260309/](./tracks/nerv_ui_theme_20260309/)*
    *Goal: Implement a NERV UI theme for ImGui/Dear PyGui, inspired by technical/military consoles, with CRT effects and a black-void aesthetic.*
 

conductor/tracks/nerv_ui_theme_20260309/index.md

@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+# Track nerv_ui_theme_20260309 Context
+
+- [Specification](./spec.md)
+- [Implementation Plan](./plan.md)
+- [Metadata](./metadata.json)

conductor/tracks/nerv_ui_theme_20260309/metadata.json

@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+{
+    "description":  "Implement a NERV UI theme for ImGui/Dear PyGui, inspired by technical/military consoles, with CRT effects and a black-void aesthetic.",
+    "track_id":  "nerv_ui_theme_20260309",
+    "type":  "feature",
+    "created_at":  "2026-03-09T00:35:48Z",
+    "status":  "new",
+    "updated_at":  "2026-03-09T00:35:48Z"
+}

conductor/tracks/nerv_ui_theme_20260309/plan.md

@@ -11,21 +11,33 @@
 - [x] Task: Write unit tests to verify that the NERV theme correctly applies colors and geometry settings. de0d9f3
 - [x] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 2: Base NERV Theme Implementation' (Protocol in workflow.md) 9c38ea7
 
-## Phase 3: Visual Effects (Scanlines & Status Flickering) [checkpoint: 4f4fa10]
+## Phase 3: Visual Effects (Scanlines & Status Flickering) [checkpoint: ceb0c7d]
 - [x] Task: Research how to implement a scanline overlay in ImGui (e.g., using a full-screen transparent texture or a custom draw list). 05a2b8e
 - [x] Task: Implement the subtle scanline overlay (6% opacity). 05a2b8e
 - [x] Task: Implement "Status Flickering" logic for active system indicators (e.g., a periodic alpha modification for specific text elements). 05a2b8e
 - [x] Task: Write tests to verify the visual effect triggers (e.g., checking if the scanline overlay is rendered). 4f4fa10
-- [x] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 3: Visual Effects' (Protocol in workflow.md) 4f4fa10
+- [x] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 3: Visual Effects' (Protocol in workflow.md) ceb0c7d
 
-## Phase 4: Alert Pulsing & Error States
+## Phase 4: Alert Pulsing & Error States [checkpoint: d9495f6]
-- [ ] Task: Implement "Alert Pulsing" logic that can be triggered by application error events.
+- [x] Task: Implement "Alert Pulsing" logic that can be triggered by application error events. d9495f6
-- [ ] Task: Integrate Alert Pulsing with the NERV theme (shifting borders/background to Alert Red).
+- [x] Task: Integrate Alert Pulsing with the NERV theme (shifting borders/background to Alert Red). d9495f6
-- [ ] Task: Write tests to verify that an error state triggers the pulsing effect in the NERV theme.
+- [x] Task: Write tests to verify that an error state triggers the pulsing effect in the NERV theme. d9495f6
-- [ ] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 4: Alert Pulsing & Error States' (Protocol in workflow.md)
+- [x] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 4: Alert Pulsing & Error States' (Protocol in workflow.md) d9495f6
 
-## Phase 5: Integration & Theme Selector
+## Phase 5: Integration & Theme Selector [checkpoint: afcb1bf]
-- [ ] Task: Add "NERV" to the theme selection dropdown in src/gui_2.py.
+- [x] Task: Add "NERV" to the theme selection dropdown in src/gui_2.py. afcb1bf
-- [ ] Task: Ensure that switching to the NERV theme correctly initializes all visual effects (scanlines, etc.).
+- [x] Task: Ensure that switching to the NERV theme correctly initializes all visual effects (scanlines, etc.). afcb1bf
-- [ ] Task: Final UX verification and performance check of the NERV theme.
+- [x] Task: Final UX verification and performance check of the NERV theme. afcb1bf
-- [ ] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 5: Integration & Theme Selector' (Protocol in workflow.md)
+- [x] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 5: Integration & Theme Selector' (Protocol in workflow.md) afcb1bf
+
+## Phase 6: NERV Theme Refinement (Contrast & Readability)
+- [ ] Task: Fix text readability by ensuring high-contrast text on bright backgrounds (e.g., black text on orange title bars).
+- [ ] Task: Adjust the NERV palette to use Data Green or Steel for standard text, reserving Orange for accents and backgrounds.
+- [ ] Task: Update gui_2.py to push/pop style colors for headers if necessary to maintain readability.
+- [ ] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 6: NERV Theme Refinement' (Protocol in workflow.md)
+
+## Phase 7: CRT Filter Implementation
+- [ ] Task: Research and implement a more sophisticated "CRT Filter" beyond simple scanlines (e.g., adding a vignette, noise, or subtle color aberration).
+- [ ] Task: Implement a "CRT Filter" toggle in the theme settings.
+- [ ] Task: Integrate the new CRT filter into the gui_2.py rendering loop.
+- [ ] Task: Conductor - User Manual Verification 'Phase 7: CRT Filter Implementation' (Protocol in workflow.md)

conductor/tracks/nerv_ui_theme_20260309/spec.md

@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+# Specification: NERV UI Theme Integration
+
+## Overview
+This track aims to implement a new "NERV" visual theme for the manual_slop application, inspired by the aesthetic of technical/military consoles (e.g., Evangelion's NERV UI). The theme will be added as a selectable option within the application, allowing users to switch between the existing theme and the new NERV style without altering the core user experience or layout.
+
+## Functional Requirements
+- **Theme Selection:** Integrate a "NERV" theme option into the existing UI (e.g., in the configuration or theme settings).
+- **Color Palette:** Implement the "Black Void" aesthetic using absolute black (#000000) for the background and CRT-inspired phosphor colors:
+    - **NERV Orange (#FF9830):** Primary accents, headers, active borders.
+    - **Data Green (#50FF50):** Terminal output, "Nominal" status, standard data.
+    - **Wire Cyan (#20F0FF):** Structural separators, inactive borders.
+    - **Alert Red (#FF4840):** Error states, critical alerts.
+    - **Steel (#E0E0D8):** Secondary text, timestamps.
+- **Hard Edges:** Configure all UI elements (windows, frames, buttons) to have zero rounded corners (Rounding = 0.0).
+- **Typography:** Utilize a monospace font (e.g., IBM Plex Mono or the project's current monospace font) for all text to maintain a technical look.
+- **Visual Effects:**
+    - **Scanline Overlay:** Implement a subtle CRT-style scanline overlay (approx. 6% opacity).
+    - **Status Flickering:** Add subtle flickering effects to active system status indicators.
+    - **Alert Pulsing:** Implement red background or border pulsing during error or critical system states.
+
+## Non-Functional Requirements
+- **Performance:** Ensure the scanline overlay and status flickering do not significantly degrade UI responsiveness or increase CPU usage.
+- **Maintainability:** The theme should be implemented in a way that is consistent with the existing theme.py or theme_2.py architecture.
+
+## Acceptance Criteria
+- [ ] Users can select "NERV" from the theme selector.
+- [ ] The background is solid black (#000000).
+- [ ] All borders and buttons have zero rounded corners.
+- [ ] The NERV color palette is correctly applied to all UI elements.
+- [ ] The scanline overlay is visible and subtle.
+- [ ] Active status indicators exhibit the "Status Flickering" effect.
+- [ ] Errors trigger the "Alert Pulsing" effect.
+
+## Out of Scope
+- **Bilingual Labels:** Japanese sub-labels will not be implemented.
+- **Layout Changes:** No radical changes to window positioning or spacing.
+- **New Features:** This track is purely visual and does not add new application functionality.

src/gui_2.py

@@ -222,6 +222,9 @@ class App:
   is_md = label in ("message", "text", "content")
   ctx_id = f"heavy_{label}_{id_suffix}"
 
+  is_nerv = theme.is_nerv_active()
+  if is_nerv: imgui.push_style_color(imgui.Col_.text, vec4(80, 255, 80))
+
   if len(content) > COMMS_CLAMP_CHARS:
    imgui.begin_child(f"heavy_text_child_{label}_{id_suffix}", imgui.ImVec2(0, 80), True)
    if is_md:
@@ -234,6 +237,8 @@ class App:
     markdown_helper.render(content, context_id=ctx_id)
    else:
     markdown_helper.render_code(content, context_id=ctx_id)
+  
+  if is_nerv: imgui.pop_style_color()
     # ---------------------------------------------------------------- gui
 
 
@@ -1367,7 +1372,10 @@ def hello():
   if is_thinking:
    val = math.sin(time.time() * 10 * math.pi)
    alpha = 1.0 if val > 0 else 0.0
-   imgui.text_colored(imgui.ImVec4(1.0, 0.39, 0.39, alpha), "THINKING...")
+   c = vec4(255, 100, 100, alpha)
+   if theme.is_nerv_active():
+    c = vec4(255, 50, 50, alpha) # More vibrant for NERV
+   imgui.text_colored(c, "THINKING...")
    imgui.separator()
    # Prior session viewing mode
   if self.is_viewing_prior_session:
@@ -1405,7 +1413,10 @@ def hello():
       if len(content) > 80: preview += "..."
       imgui.text_colored(vec4(180, 180, 180), preview)
      else:
+      is_nerv = theme.is_nerv_active()
+      if is_nerv: imgui.push_style_color(imgui.Col_.text, vec4(80, 255, 80))
       markdown_helper.render(content, context_id=f'prior_disc_{idx}')
+      if is_nerv: imgui.pop_style_color()
      
      imgui.separator()
      imgui.pop_id()
@@ -1563,15 +1574,21 @@ def hello():
        content = entry["content"]
        pattern = re.compile(r"\[Definition: (.*?) from (.*?) \(line (\d+)\)\](\s+```[\s\S]*?```)?")
        matches = list(pattern.finditer(content))
+       is_nerv = theme.is_nerv_active()
        if not matches:
+        if is_nerv: imgui.push_style_color(imgui.Col_.text, vec4(80, 255, 80))
         markdown_helper.render(content, context_id=f'disc_{i}')
+        if is_nerv: imgui.pop_style_color()
        else:
         imgui.begin_child(f"read_content_{i}", imgui.ImVec2(0, 150), True)
         if self.ui_word_wrap: imgui.push_text_wrap_pos(imgui.get_content_region_avail().x)
         last_idx = 0
         for m_idx, match in enumerate(matches):
          before = content[last_idx:match.start()]
-         if before: markdown_helper.render(before, context_id=f'disc_{i}_b_{m_idx}')
+         if before:
+          if is_nerv: imgui.push_style_color(imgui.Col_.text, vec4(80, 255, 80))
+          markdown_helper.render(before, context_id=f'disc_{i}_b_{m_idx}')
+          if is_nerv: imgui.pop_style_color()
          header_text = match.group(0).split("\n")[0].strip()
          path = match.group(2)
          code_block = match.group(4)
@@ -1584,10 +1601,15 @@ def hello():
             self.show_text_viewer = True
           if code_block:
            # Render code block with highlighting
+           if is_nerv: imgui.push_style_color(imgui.Col_.text, vec4(80, 255, 80))
            markdown_helper.render(code_block, context_id=f'disc_{i}_c_{m_idx}')
+           if is_nerv: imgui.pop_style_color()
          last_idx = match.end()
         after = content[last_idx:]
-        if after: markdown_helper.render(after, context_id=f'disc_{i}_a')
+        if after:
+         if is_nerv: imgui.push_style_color(imgui.Col_.text, vec4(80, 255, 80))
+         markdown_helper.render(after, context_id=f'disc_{i}_a')
+         if is_nerv: imgui.pop_style_color()
         if self.ui_word_wrap: imgui.pop_text_wrap_pos()
         imgui.end_child()
       else:
@@ -1850,7 +1872,10 @@ def hello():
   if is_live:
    val = math.sin(time.time() * 10 * math.pi)
    alpha = 1.0 if val > 0 else 0.0
-   imgui.text_colored(imgui.ImVec4(0.39, 1.0, 0.39, alpha), "LIVE")
+   c = imgui.ImVec4(0.39, 1.0, 0.39, alpha)
+   if theme.is_nerv_active():
+    c = vec4(80, 255, 80, alpha) # DATA_GREEN for LIVE in NERV
+   imgui.text_colored(c, "LIVE")
    imgui.separator()
   ch, self.ui_ai_input = imgui.input_text_multiline("##ai_in", self.ui_ai_input, imgui.ImVec2(-1, -40))
   # Keyboard shortcuts
@@ -1905,7 +1930,10 @@ def hello():
     # --- Always Render Content ---
   
   imgui.begin_child("response_scroll_area", imgui.ImVec2(0, -40), True)
+  is_nerv = theme.is_nerv_active()
+  if is_nerv: imgui.push_style_color(imgui.Col_.text, vec4(80, 255, 80))
   markdown_helper.render(self.ai_response, context_id="response")
+  if is_nerv: imgui.pop_style_color()
   imgui.end_child()
   
   imgui.separator()
@@ -1918,7 +1946,10 @@ def hello():
 
  def _render_comms_history_panel(self) -> None:
   if self.perf_profiling_enabled: self.perf_monitor.start_component("_render_comms_history_panel")
-  imgui.text_colored(vec4(200, 220, 160), f"Status: {self.ai_status}")
+  st_col = vec4(200, 220, 160)
+  if theme.is_nerv_active():
+   st_col = vec4(80, 255, 80) # DATA_GREEN for status in NERV
+  imgui.text_colored(st_col, f"Status: {self.ai_status}")
   imgui.same_line()
   if imgui.button("Clear##comms"):
    ai_client.clear_comms_log()
@@ -2300,8 +2331,11 @@ def hello():
 
  def _render_mma_dashboard(self) -> None:
   if self.perf_profiling_enabled: self.perf_monitor.start_component("_render_mma_dashboard")
+  is_nerv = theme.is_nerv_active()
   if self.is_viewing_prior_session:
-   imgui.text_colored(vec4(255, 200, 100), "HISTORICAL VIEW - READ ONLY")
+   c = vec4(255, 200, 100)
+   if is_nerv: c = vec4(255, 152, 48) # NERV_ORANGE
+   imgui.text_colored(c, "HISTORICAL VIEW - READ ONLY")
    if self.perf_profiling_enabled: self.perf_monitor.end_component("_render_mma_dashboard")
    return
  # Task 5.3: Dense Summary Line
@@ -2324,7 +2358,9 @@ def hello():
   imgui.text(" | Status:")
   imgui.same_line()
   if self.mma_status == "paused":
-   imgui.text_colored(imgui.ImVec4(1, 0.5, 0, 1), "PIPELINE PAUSED")
+   c = imgui.ImVec4(1, 0.5, 0, 1)
+   if is_nerv: c = vec4(255, 152, 48)
+   imgui.text_colored(c, "PIPELINE PAUSED")
    imgui.same_line()
   status_col = imgui.ImVec4(1, 1, 1, 1)
   if self.mma_status == "idle": status_col = imgui.ImVec4(0.7, 0.7, 0.7, 1)
@@ -2332,6 +2368,11 @@ def hello():
   elif self.mma_status == "done": status_col = imgui.ImVec4(0, 1, 0, 1)
   elif self.mma_status == "error": status_col = imgui.ImVec4(1, 0, 0, 1)
   elif self.mma_status == "paused": status_col = imgui.ImVec4(1, 0.5, 0, 1)
+  
+  if is_nerv:
+   if self.mma_status == "running": status_col = vec4(80, 255, 80) # DATA_GREEN
+   elif self.mma_status == "error": status_col = vec4(255, 72, 64) # ALERT_RED
+  
   imgui.text_colored(status_col, self.mma_status.upper())
   imgui.same_line()
   imgui.text(" | Cost:")
@@ -2412,7 +2453,9 @@ def hello():
     if status == "new":
      imgui.text_colored(imgui.ImVec4(0.7, 0.7, 0.7, 1.0), "NEW")
     elif status == "active":
-     imgui.text_colored(imgui.ImVec4(1.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0), "ACTIVE")
+     c = imgui.ImVec4(1.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0)
+     if is_nerv: c = vec4(80, 255, 80)
+     imgui.text_colored(c, "ACTIVE")
     elif status == "done":
      imgui.text_colored(imgui.ImVec4(0.0, 1.0, 0.0, 1.0), "DONE")
     elif status == "blocked":
@@ -2478,7 +2521,9 @@ def hello():
   if any_pending:
    alpha = abs(math.sin(time.time() * 5))
    imgui.same_line()
-   imgui.text_colored(imgui.ImVec4(1.0, 0.3, 0.3, alpha), "  APPROVAL PENDING")
+   c = imgui.ImVec4(1.0, 0.3, 0.3, alpha)
+   if is_nerv: c = vec4(255, 72, 64, alpha) # ALERT_RED
+   imgui.text_colored(c, "  APPROVAL PENDING")
    imgui.same_line()
    if imgui.button("Go to Approval"):
     pass  # scroll/focus handled by existing dialog rendering

src/theme_nerv.py

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ STEEL = _c(224, 224, 216)
 BLACK = _c(0, 0, 0)
 
 NERV_PALETTE = {
- imgui.Col_.text: NERV_ORANGE,
+ imgui.Col_.text: STEEL,
  imgui.Col_.window_bg: BLACK,
  imgui.Col_.child_bg: BLACK,
  imgui.Col_.popup_bg: BLACK,
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ NERV_PALETTE = {
  imgui.Col_.frame_bg_hovered: _c(255, 152, 48, 40),
  imgui.Col_.frame_bg_active: _c(255, 152, 48, 80),
  imgui.Col_.title_bg: BLACK,
- imgui.Col_.title_bg_active: NERV_ORANGE,
+ imgui.Col_.title_bg_active: BLACK,
  imgui.Col_.title_bg_collapsed: BLACK,
  imgui.Col_.menu_bar_bg: BLACK,
  imgui.Col_.scrollbar_bg: BLACK,
@@ -33,11 +33,11 @@ NERV_PALETTE = {
  imgui.Col_.slider_grab: WIRE_CYAN,
  imgui.Col_.slider_grab_active: DATA_GREEN,
  imgui.Col_.button: BLACK,
- imgui.Col_.button_hovered: NERV_ORANGE,
+ imgui.Col_.button_hovered: _c(255, 152, 48, 80),
- imgui.Col_.button_active: ALERT_RED,
+ imgui.Col_.button_active: _c(255, 152, 48, 120),
- imgui.Col_.header: _c(255, 152, 48, 120),
+ imgui.Col_.header: _c(255, 152, 48, 60),
- imgui.Col_.header_hovered: NERV_ORANGE,
+ imgui.Col_.header_hovered: _c(255, 152, 48, 100),
- imgui.Col_.header_active: ALERT_RED,
+ imgui.Col_.header_active: _c(255, 152, 48, 140),
  imgui.Col_.separator: STEEL,
  imgui.Col_.separator_hovered: WIRE_CYAN,
  imgui.Col_.separator_active: DATA_GREEN,
@@ -45,8 +45,8 @@ NERV_PALETTE = {
  imgui.Col_.resize_grip_hovered: STEEL,
  imgui.Col_.resize_grip_active: WIRE_CYAN,
  imgui.Col_.tab: BLACK,
- imgui.Col_.tab_hovered: NERV_ORANGE,
+ imgui.Col_.tab_hovered: _c(255, 152, 48, 100),
- imgui.Col_.tab_selected: NERV_ORANGE,
+ imgui.Col_.tab_selected: _c(255, 152, 48, 120),
  imgui.Col_.tab_dimmed: BLACK,
  imgui.Col_.tab_dimmed_selected: _c(255, 152, 48, 80),
  imgui.Col_.plot_lines: WIRE_CYAN,

tests/test_theme_nerv.py

@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ def test_apply_nerv_sets_rounding_and_colors(monkeypatch):
 
  # Verify key colors
  # window_bg should be BLACK (0, 0, 0, 1.0)
- # text should be NERV_ORANGE (255/255.0, 152/255.0, 48/255.0, 1.0)
+ # text should be STEEL (224/255.0, 224/255.0, 216/255.0, 1.0)
+ # title_bg_active should be BLACK (0, 0, 0, 1.0)
  
  # Extract calls to set_color_
  # Using real imgui.Col_ values for keys because they are bound in NERV_PALETTE at import time
@@ -44,4 +45,7 @@ def test_apply_nerv_sets_rounding_and_colors(monkeypatch):
  assert color_calls[imgui.Col_.window_bg] == (0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0)
  
  assert imgui.Col_.text in color_calls
- assert color_calls[imgui.Col_.text] == (1.0, 152/255.0, 48/255.0, 1.0)
+ assert color_calls[imgui.Col_.text] == (224/255.0, 224/255.0, 216/255.0, 1.0)
+
+ assert imgui.Col_.title_bg_active in color_calls
+ assert color_calls[imgui.Col_.title_bg_active] == (0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0)