# Hacking A-La-Karte

This document is intended for contributors who want to build, run, and debug A-La-Karte locally.

## Build

### Configure

```bash
cmake -B build -S . -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Debug
```

### Build

```bash
cmake --build build
```

### Run from the build directory

```bash
./build/bin/alakarte
```

## Code Map

- `src/main.cpp`
  - Application entry point, `KAboutData`, and QML engine setup.
- `src/app.*`
  - Singleton exposed to QML. Owns `GameModel`, `GameLauncher`, `Config`, and `SteamGridDB`.
- `src/game.*`
  - In-memory game object + JSON serialization.
- `src/gamemodel.*`, `src/gamesortfiltermodel.*`
  - Model + filtering/sorting used by the UI.
- `src/*importer.*`
  - Importers for different sources (Steam, Lutris, Heroic, Bottles, Desktop Entries, Flatpak, etc.).
- `src/gamelauncher.*`
  - Launches games and records last played on launch.
- `src/qml/`
  - Kirigami/Qt Quick UI.

## Repeatable Local Smoke Tests (No real library required)

### Run with isolated XDG dirs

This avoids touching your real config and library:

```bash
export XDG_CONFIG_HOME="$(mktemp -d)"
export XDG_DATA_HOME="$(mktemp -d)"
./build/bin/alakarte
```

### Desktop Entries importer fixture

You can create a temporary desktop entry under the isolated `$XDG_DATA_HOME`:

```bash
mkdir -p "$XDG_DATA_HOME/applications"
cat > "$XDG_DATA_HOME/applications/alakarte-test-game.desktop" <<'EOF'
[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=A-La-Karte Test Game
Exec=sh -lc 'sleep 1'
Icon=applications-games
Categories=Game;
EOF
```

Then:

- Use the import sheet and run the Desktop Entries import.
- Verify the entry appears and launches.
- Verify `Last played` updates after launch.

### Manual entry / launcher smoke test

- Create a manual entry with a harmless command, e.g. `sh -lc 'sleep 2'`.
- Launch it.
- Confirm the app stays responsive and the game transitions out of the running state.

## Notes

- SteamGridDB cover fetching requires an API key.
- KRunner integration and gamepad navigation are optional at build time (depending on available dependencies).