LucasHT22 · Oct 15, 2026 · Oct 11, 2026 · Oct 11, 2026 · Oct 11, 2026 · Oct 11, 2026
diff --git a/.github/scripts/auto-triage.mjs b/.github/scripts/auto-triage.mjs
@@ -3,22 +3,28 @@ import path from "node:path";
 import {
 	REVIEW_BOT_MARKER,
 	addLabels,
+	buildMetadataSnippet,
 	ensureReviewLabels,
+	extractAboutAndGameplay,
+	extractAuthor,
 	getIssueLabels,
 	getMetadataValue,
 	getRepository,
 	githubPaginated,
 	githubRequest,
 	hasLabel,
+	inferSubmissionMetadata,
 	parseTags,
 	readGitHubEvent,
 	removeLabel,
 	setStateLabel,
 	upsertBotComment,
+	validateMetadataHeader,
 } from "./review-utils.mjs";
 import { buildSubmissionManifest } from "./submission-manifest.mjs";
 import {
 	DUPLICATE_LABEL,
+	LEGACY_DUPLICATE_LABEL,
 	DUPLICATE_NOTICE_MARKER,
 	buildLatestWarning,
 	buildOlderCheckDetail,
@@ -236,10 +242,12 @@ async function applyDuplicateActions({ group, failed }) {
 	if (failed) return;
 	if (!group) {
 		await removeLabel({ owner, repo, token, issueNumber: prNumber, label: DUPLICATE_LABEL });
+		await removeLabel({ owner, repo, token, issueNumber: prNumber, label: LEGACY_DUPLICATE_LABEL });
 		await removeOlderNotice(prNumber);
 		return;
 	}
 
+	await removeLabel({ owner, repo, token, issueNumber: prNumber, label: LEGACY_DUPLICATE_LABEL });
 	await addLabels({ owner, repo, token, issueNumber: prNumber, labels: [DUPLICATE_LABEL] });
 	if (!group.isLatest) {
 		await syncOlderNotice({ issueNumber: prNumber, latestNumber: group.latestNumber, restart: event.action === "reopened" });
@@ -248,6 +256,7 @@ async function applyDuplicateActions({ group, failed }) {
 
 	for (const olderNumber of group.older) {
 		try {
+			await removeLabel({ owner, repo, token, issueNumber: olderNumber, label: LEGACY_DUPLICATE_LABEL });
 			await addLabels({ owner, repo, token, issueNumber: olderNumber, labels: [DUPLICATE_LABEL] });
 			await syncOlderNotice({ issueNumber: olderNumber, latestNumber: prNumber, restart: false });
 		} catch (error) {
@@ -359,6 +368,7 @@ async function validateSubmission({ pullRequest, pullFiles, workspace, reviewBas
 		warnings,
 		metadata: metadata?.values ?? null,
 		gameFile: gameFile?.filename ?? null,
+		content,
 		rawUrl,
 		playUrl,
 		screenshotUrl,
@@ -380,133 +390,8 @@ function validatePullRequestBody(body) {
 	return { checks };
 }
 
-function getSectionBlocks(body, heading) {
-	const pattern = new RegExp(String.raw`(?:^|\n)#+\s*${heading}[^\n]*\n([\s\S]*?)(?=\n#+\s|$)`, "i");
-	const match = body.match(pattern);
-	if (!match) return [];
-	const clean = stripTemplateNoise(match[1]);
-	return clean
-		.split(/\n\s*\n+/)
-		.map((p) => normalizeFieldValue(p))
-		.filter(Boolean);
-}
-
-function extractAuthor(body) {
-	const direct = extractBoldField(body, "Author");
-	if (direct) return direct;
-	const blocks = getSectionBlocks(body, "Author(?:\\s+name)?");
-	for (const block of blocks) {
-		if (/^author:?$/i.test(block)) continue;
-		const clean = block.replace(/^author:\s*/i, "").trim();
-		if (clean) return clean;
-	}
-	return "";
-}
-
-function extractAboutAndGameplay(body) {
-	let about = extractBoldField(body, "What is your game about?");
-	let gameplay = extractBoldField(body, "How do you play your game?");
-	if (about && gameplay) return { about, gameplay };
-
-	const isPrompt = (text) =>
-		/what is your game about/i.test(text) ||
-		/how do you play your game/i.test(text);
-
-	const blocks = getSectionBlocks(body, "About your game").filter((b) => !isPrompt(b));
-
-	if (!about && blocks.length > 0) about = blocks[0];
-	if (!gameplay && blocks.length > 1) gameplay = blocks[1];
-
-	return { about, gameplay };
-}
-
-function extractBoldField(body, label) {
-	const escaped = label.replace(/[.*+?^${}()|[\]\\]/g, String.raw`\$&`);
-
-	const boldPattern = new RegExp(String.raw`\*\*${escaped}:?\*\*\s*([\s\S]*?)(?=\n\s*(?:\*\*|#{1,6})|$)`, "i");
-	const boldMatch = body.match(boldPattern);
-	if (boldMatch) {
-		const value = normalizeFieldValue(stripTemplateNoise(boldMatch[1]));
-		if (value) return value;
-	}
-
-	const fullBoldPattern = new RegExp(String.raw`(?:\*\*|\*)${escaped}\s*:\s*(.+?)(?:\*\*|\*)(?:\r?\n|$)`, "i");
-	const fullBoldMatch = body.match(fullBoldPattern);
-	if (fullBoldMatch) {
-		const value = normalizeFieldValue(stripTemplateNoise(fullBoldMatch[1]));
-		if (value) return value;
-	}
-
-	const plainPattern = new RegExp(String.raw`(?:^|\n)\s*(?:[-*]|\d+\.)*\s*(?:\*\*|\*)?${escaped}\s*:\s*([^\n]+)`, "i");
-	const plainMatch = body.match(plainPattern);
-	if (plainMatch) {
-		const value = normalizeFieldValue(stripTemplateNoise(plainMatch[1]));
-		if (value) return value;
-	}
-
-	return "";
-}
-
-function normalizeFieldValue(value) {
-	return value
-		.replace(/\[([^\]]+)\]\([^)]*\)/g, "$1")
-		.replace(/^[*`_~]+|[*`_~]+$/g, "")
-		.trim();
-}
-
-function stripTemplateNoise(value) {
-	return value
-		.replace(/<!--[\s\S]*?-->/g, "")
-		.replace(/^>\s?.*$/gm, "")
-		.trim();
-}
-
 async function validateMetadata(content, filename, workspace) {
-	const checks = [];
-	const values = {
-		title: getMetadataValue(content, "title"),
-		author: getMetadataValue(content, "author"),
-		description: getMetadataValue(content, "description"),
-		tags: getMetadataValue(content, "tags"),
-		addedOn: getMetadataValue(content, "addedOn"),
-	};
-
-	const add = (name, ok, detail) => checks.push({ name, ok, detail });
-
-	for (const [key, value] of Object.entries(values)) {
-		add(
-			`Metadata @${key}`,
-			Boolean(value),
-			value ? `@${key} is filled.` : `Metadata in \`${filename}\` is missing or has empty \`@${key}:\`.`
-		);
-	}
-
-	const parsedTags = parseTags(values.tags);
-	const tagsValid = Boolean(parsedTags.tags && parsedTags.tags.length > 0);
-	add(
-		"Metadata tags parse",
-		tagsValid,
-		tagsValid
-			? "Tags are formatted correctly."
-			: `Format \`@tags:\` as a list of tags in quotes and brackets, for example \`@tags: ['maze', 'puzzle']\`.\nReason: ${parsedTags.issue ?? "Tags list cannot be empty."}`
-	);
-
-	checkMetadataDate(values.addedOn, add);
-
-	const titleLooksLikeTemplate = /^getting(_|\s)started$/i.test(values.title?.trim()) || /^template$/i.test(values.title?.trim()) || /^my game$/i.test(values.title?.trim());
-	const authorLooksLikeTemplate = /leo,\s*edits/i.test(values.author) || /^my name$/i.test(values.author?.trim());
-	const descriptionLooksLikeTemplate = /short description about the game/i.test(values.description?.trim());
-	const hasExampleTags = parsedTags.tags?.some(t => ["tag1", "tag2", "example", "another-example"].includes(t.toLowerCase()));
-
-	const hasTemplateValues = titleLooksLikeTemplate || authorLooksLikeTemplate || descriptionLooksLikeTemplate || hasExampleTags;
-
-	add(
-		"Metadata template values",
-		!hasTemplateValues,
-		!hasTemplateValues
-			? "No template metadata values found."
-			: "Replace example/template values in the metadata header (like 'MY GAME', 'MY NAME', 'Short description...', or placeholder tags)."
-	);
+	const { checks, values, hasHeader } = validateMetadataHeader(content, filename);
 
 	const TUTORIAL_FILES = ["getting_started.js", "maze_game_starter.js", "sprig_dodge.js"];
 	const isTutorial = TUTORIAL_FILES.some((tutFile) => {
@@ -516,25 +401,29 @@ async function validateMetadata(content, filename, workspace) {
 			return normalizeCode(content) === normalizeCode(tutContent);
 		} catch { return false; }
 	});
-	add(
-		"Not a tutorial game",
-		!isTutorial,
-		isTutorial
+	checks.push({
+		name: "Not a tutorial game",
+		ok: !isTutorial,
+		detail: isTutorial
 			? "This looks like an unmodified tutorial or starter game. Submit your own original game instead."
-			: "Game does not appear to be an unmodified tutorial."
-	);
+			: "Game does not appear to be an unmodified tutorial.",
+	});
+
+	if (!hasHeader) {
+		return { checks, values };
+	}
 
 	const safeTitle = values.title ? values.title.replace(/`/g, "'") : "";
 	const titleConflict = values.title ? await findTitleConflict(values.title, filename, workspace) : null;
-	add(
-		"Unique game title",
-		!titleConflict,
-		titleConflict
+	checks.push({
+		name: "Unique game title",
+		ok: !titleConflict,
+		detail: titleConflict
 			? `Game title \`${safeTitle}\` already appears in \`${titleConflict}\`; choose a unique title.`
-			: "Game title appears unique."
-	);
+			: "Game title appears unique.",
+	});
 
-	return { checks, values: { ...values, tags: parsedTags.tags ?? values.tags } };
+	return { checks, values };
 }
 
 async function findTitleConflict(title, filename, workspace) {
@@ -706,6 +595,7 @@ function buildComment(result) {
 		"Code checklist": "pr",
 		"Image checklist": "pr",
 
+		"Metadata header": "metadata",
 		"Metadata @title": "metadata",
 		"Metadata @author": "metadata",
 		"Metadata @description": "metadata",
@@ -728,6 +618,10 @@ function buildComment(result) {
 		categories[catKey].checks.push(check);
 	}
 
+	const headRepo = pullRequest.head.repo?.full_name ?? `${owner}/${repo}`;
+	const headRef = pullRequest.head.ref;
+	const editUrl = `https://github.com/${headRepo}/edit/${headRef}/${result.gameFile ?? ""}`;
+
 	const failedChecks = result.checks.filter((c) => !c.ok);
 
 	let checksSection = "";
@@ -737,6 +631,19 @@ function buildComment(result) {
 			checksSection += `> - ❌ **${check.name}:** ${check.detail}\n`;
 		}
 		checksSection += "\n";
+
+		const hasMetadataFailure = failedChecks.some((c) => categoryMap[c.name] === "metadata");
+		if (hasMetadataFailure && result.gameFile) {
+			const inferred = inferSubmissionMetadata({
+				content: result.content,
+				filename: result.gameFile,
+				pullRequest,
+				existingMetadata: metadata,
+			});
+			const snippet = buildMetadataSnippet(inferred);
+
+			checksSection += `> [!TIP]\n> **How to fix metadata:**\n> Click **[Edit Game File](${editUrl})** and paste this block at the very top (line 1) of \`${result.gameFile}\`.\n>\n> *Note: We generated this header automatically from your PR details to help you out. Please review it and update any details (like your title, description, or tags) to make sure they match your game before committing!*\n> \`\`\`javascript\n> ${snippet.split("\n").join("\n> ")}\n> \`\`\`\n\n`;
+		}
 	}
 
 	checksSection += "#### Checks Status\n";
@@ -757,10 +664,6 @@ function buildComment(result) {
 		}
 	}
 
-	const headRepo = pullRequest.head.repo?.full_name ?? `${owner}/${repo}`;
-	const headRef = pullRequest.head.ref;
-	const editUrl = `https://github.com/${headRepo}/edit/${headRef}/${result.gameFile ?? ""}`;
-
 	const links = [];
 	if (result.playUrl) links.push(`- [Play in Sprig Editor](${result.playUrl})`);
 	if (result.gameFile) links.push(`- [Edit Game File](${editUrl})`);
@@ -779,7 +682,7 @@ function buildComment(result) {
 	return `${REVIEW_BOT_MARKER}
 ### ${status}
 
-${result.ok ? "This submission is ready for human playtest." : "This submission needs author fixes before normal review."}
+${result.ok ? "All automated checks passed! Your game is ready for a reviewer to playtest." : "Thanks for submitting! There are just a few quick fixes needed before we can playtest your game."}
 
 #### Submission
 - Game: ${metadata.title ? `\`${metadata.title}\`` : "unknown"}
@@ -792,39 +695,14 @@ ${links.join("\n")}
 
 ${checksSection}${warningLines.join("\n")}
 
-${result.ok ? "Reviewers: please use the play link to playtest, then approve or request changes." : `@${pullRequest.user.login}: push fixes to this PR ([edit file](${editUrl})). These checks rerun automatically.\n If you are in trouble, don't hesitate to ask for help in the #sprig channel on Slack or ping @LucasHT22 here.`}
+${result.ok ? "Reviewers: please use the play link to playtest, then approve or request changes." : `@${pullRequest.user.login}: you can update your game right here ([edit file](${editUrl})) or push new commits. Once you do, these checks will rerun automatically! If you get stuck or have questions, ask in the #sprig channel on Slack or ping @LucasHT22 here.`}
 `;
 }
 
 function formatPercent(value) {
 	return `${Math.round(value * 100)}%`;
 }
 
-function checkMetadataDate(addedOn, add) {
-	const validFormat = /^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}$/.test(addedOn);
-	const parsedDate = validFormat ? new Date(`${addedOn}T00:00:00Z`) : null;
-	const isRealDate = Boolean(
-		validFormat &&
-		parsedDate &&
-		!Number.isNaN(parsedDate.getTime()) &&
-		parsedDate.toISOString().slice(0, 10) === addedOn
-	);
-	const now = new Date();
-	const tooOld = isRealDate ? Math.abs(now.getTime() - parsedDate.getTime()) > 183 * 86_400_000 : true;
-	const ok = isRealDate && !tooOld;
-	let detail = "Date looks current.";
-	if (!ok) {
-		if (isRealDate && tooOld) {
-			detail = "Set `@addedOn:` to a recent date in `YYYY-MM-DD` format (must be within the last 6 months).";
-		} else if (/\n/.test(addedOn) || /\b\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}\b/.test(addedOn)) {
-			detail = "Set `@addedOn:` to a recent date in `YYYY-MM-DD` format. Close the metadata header with `*/` immediately after `@addedOn` before any instructions or other comments.";
-		} else {
-			detail = "Set `@addedOn:` to a valid recent date in `YYYY-MM-DD` format.";
-		}
-	}
-	add("Metadata date", ok, detail);
-}
-
 function validateSubmissionFiles(pullFiles, addCheck) {
 	const manifest = buildSubmissionManifest(pullFiles);
 	const { gameFiles: jsFiles, gameFilesLoose, imageFiles, disallowedFiles, uppercaseGames, changedNonAddedFiles } = manifest;

diff --git a/.github/scripts/duplicate-detection.mjs b/.github/scripts/duplicate-detection.mjs
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
-export const DUPLICATE_LABEL = "Potential Duplicate";
+export const DUPLICATE_LABEL = "Multiple Submissions";
+// ponytail: temporary alias for legacy "Potential Duplicate" label on pre-existing PRs; remove once all PRs opened before October 2026 are closed
+export const LEGACY_DUPLICATE_LABEL = "Potential Duplicate";
 export const DUPLICATE_NOTICE_MARKER = "<!-- sprig-duplicate-notice -->";
 export const DUPLICATE_CLOSE_AFTER_DAYS = 3;
 
@@ -23,23 +25,24 @@ export function parseOlderNotice(body) {
 }
 
 export function buildOlderCheckDetail({ number, latestNumber }) {
-	return `You have multiple open submission PRs (newer: #${latestNumber}). We suggest keeping #${latestNumber} and closing this one (#${number}), but you can keep whichever PR you prefer (just close the others). If no action is taken, this older PR will be closed automatically in ${DUPLICATE_CLOSE_AFTER_DAYS} days.`;
+	return `You have multiple open submission PRs (newer: #${latestNumber}). To keep reviews fair and fast, each author can only have one open submission at a time. If this is the same game, please keep the PR with your best version and close the other. If these are different games, choose the one you would like reviewed first and close the other. If no action is taken, this older PR will close automatically in ${DUPLICATE_CLOSE_AFTER_DAYS} days.`;
 }
 
 export function buildOlderNotice({ number, latestNumber, since }) {
 	return `${DUPLICATE_NOTICE_MARKER}
 ${olderMarker(latestNumber, since)}
 ### Multiple open PRs
 
-You have multiple open submission PRs (newer: **#${latestNumber}**).
+Thanks for submitting! We noticed you have multiple open submission PRs (newer: **#${latestNumber}**).
 
-- Each author should only have one open submission PR at a time.
-- You don't need a new PR to update your game: pushing commits (or editing files) in an existing PR updates it automatically.
-- We suggest keeping your newest PR (**#${latestNumber}**) and closing this one (**#${number}**), but you can keep whichever PR you prefer — just close the other one(s).
-- If no action is taken and both remain open, this older PR will be closed automatically in ${DUPLICATE_CLOSE_AFTER_DAYS} days. If you'd rather keep this one, close #${latestNumber} instead (or leave a comment if you need help).`;
+To keep reviews fair and fast for everyone, authors can only have one submission PR open at a time:
+
+- **Same game?** You do not need to open a new PR to update your game! Pushing commits or editing files in your existing PR updates it automatically. Usually your newer PR (**#${latestNumber}**) has your latest changes, but please check which PR has your best version, keep that one, and close the other.
+- **Different games?** That is awesome, but our review team can only review one game per author at a time. Please choose which game you would like reviewed first, keep that PR open, and close the other. You can submit your next game once this one is merged!
+- **Next steps:** If no action is taken, this older PR will close automatically in ${DUPLICATE_CLOSE_AFTER_DAYS} days so your newest PR can move forward. If you prefer to keep this older PR instead, please close #${latestNumber}. If you need any help, feel free to ask in the #sprig channel on Slack!`;
 }
 
 export function buildLatestWarning({ older }) {
 	const list = older.map((n) => `#${n}`).join(", ");
-	return `You have older open PRs (${list}) labeled "${DUPLICATE_LABEL}". We suggest keeping this PR and closing older ones, but you can keep whichever PR you prefer. Older inactive duplicates will be closed automatically after ${DUPLICATE_CLOSE_AFTER_DAYS} days.`;
+	return `You have older open PRs (${list}) labeled "${DUPLICATE_LABEL}". To keep review times fast for everyone, please keep only one game submission open at a time. If these are for the same game, check which PR has your best version, keep that one, and close the others. If these are different games, please keep only the game you want reviewed first and close the others (you can submit your next game once this one merges). Older inactive duplicates will close automatically after ${DUPLICATE_CLOSE_AFTER_DAYS} days.`;
 }