Pick'n'play helps groups fairly and transparently choose what game to play next. Players can suggest options, score them independently, and move through structured phases that keep the process organized and anonymous. It solves the classic “what should we play?” chaos by turning group decision-making into a clear, balanced, and drama-free flow.

## Accounts & Login

### How do I create an account?

Register with: 
- A **unique username** (max 24 characters)
- A **password**
- A **display name** (max 16 characters)

Your display name is required ‒ it appears next to all of your suggestions and scores.

### Do I need admin privileges?

If you've been given an **admin key**, enter it during registration. If the key is invalid, the request is rejected.
Admin access cannot be added later. To become an admin, you must re-register with the correct key.

## Phases at a Glance

### Personal phases

Each player progresses independently through the phases:

**Suggest → Vote → Results**

Click **"Next"** to move forward. Admins can move themselves backward if needed.
In the **Suggest** phase, **Next** stays disabled until your account has at least one own game suggestion.

## Suggesting Games

### How many games can I suggest?

Up to **5 suggestions per player**.

### Required fields and limits

-   **Name** ‒ required (max 100 characters)
-   **Genre** ‒ optional (max 50 characters)
-   **Description** ‒ optional (max 500 characters)
-   **Links** ‒ optional (URLs up to 2048 characters)

### Min/Max players

- Must be filled together (or both left empty)
- Values must be between **1 and 32**
- Minimum must be ≤ maximum

### Screenshot rules

If you include a screenshot URL, it must:
  - Use **http or https**
  - End with a valid image extension (`png`, `jpg`, `jpeg`, `gif`, `webp`, `avif`)
  - Be directly accessible (no redirects)
  - Load within ~3 seconds
  - Be under **5 MB**
  - Not point to local or private hosts

Screenshots are optional.

### Other links

Game links and YouTube links must use **http or https**. Other URL schemes are rejected.

### Editing a suggestion

Click the **edit (pencil) icon** on a game card to update any field at any time.

### Deleting a suggestion

Click the **delete (cross) icon** on a game card to remove it ‒ unless you're already in the Vote phase (see below).

### Why was my suggestion blocked?

Common reasons:
- Missing display name
- Already reached the 5-suggestion limit
- Name exceeds character limit
- Screenshot URL is invalid, unreachable, or too large
- Min/max players missing or invalid
- Attempting to add a suggestion in the wrong phase

Check the bottom-right corner of the screen for error messages.

## Jokers (Late Additions)

### What is a joker?

A **joker** is a one-time extra suggestion slot available only during the **Vote phase**. An admin must grant it to you.

### How it works

If you receive a joker:
 - A button appears in the top bar allowing you to add one more game.
 - Once used, the joker is consumed immediately.
 - Your ballot becomes unfinalized.
 - All players are unfinalized so the new game can be scored.

Admins may grant additional jokers if necessary.

## Voting

### Who can vote?

Authenticated players during the **Vote phase**.

### How do I score games?

Use the slider to assign a whole number from **0 to 10**.

### Editing during Vote

-   You can still edit most game details.
-   The **game name becomes locked** during the Vote phase.
-   You can no longer delete your own suggestions.
-   Admins may delete suggestions if necessary.

### Linked duplicates

If an admin links duplicate games:
 - Changing the score for one updates all linked entries.
 - Scores are stored per group, not per individual entry.

### Finalizing your ballot

Toggling **"Finalize"** locks your scores. Toggle it off to edit again.

Finalize is only available during the Vote phase and will automatically reset if:
 - A joker adds a new game
 - An admin links or unlinks games

### Voting after changes

If new games are added or links are modified:
 - Affected votes are cleared
 - You are automatically unfinalized

Review your list and rescore before finalizing again.

## Results

### When are results visible?

Results are hidden until an admin opens them. When opened, all players are automatically moved to the **Results phase**.
If needed, an admin can close the Results: everyone returns to the Vote phase, and all ballots are unfinalized for adjustments.

### Can I edit anything in Results?

No. Suggestions and votes are read-only. Contact an admin for assistance.

## Admin Tools (For Hosts)

### What can admin accounts do?

-   Grant jokers during Vote
-   Link or unlink duplicate suggestions
-   Delete suggestions
-   View vote readiness (who has finalized)
-   Delete a player (removes their suggestions and votes)
-   Reset the database to factory defaults
-   Move backward to previous phases

### What can't admin accounts do?

-   View individual player votes

Voting remains anonymous and fair.

## Common Errors & Fixes

### "Screenshot URL must be http(s) and end with an image file extension."

Make sure:
- The link is direct (not a page or html content)
- It ends with a valid image extension
- The file is under 5 MB
- There are no redirects

### "You have reached the 5 suggestion limit."

Wait for the Vote phase and request a joker if needed.

### "Add at least one suggestion before entering the Vote phase."

Add at least one game suggestion with your current account. Only then can you move from Suggest to Vote. This behavior hinders the submission of multiple votes per user.

### "Invalid admin key."

Register again using the correct key from the host ‒ or leave it blank to create a regular account.

## Data & Privacy

-   Suggestions, votes, and phase states are stored in a shared **SQLite database**.
-   Passwords are stored with a SHA256 encryption.
-   Logging out clears your authentication cookie.
-   If an admin deletes your player account, your suggestions and votes are removed as well.
