Add plugin receive loop & remote player state

Add a networking receive loop and in-plugin remote-player storage. Introduces F4TRemotePlayerState (header + implementation) to track assigned playerId and remote player snapshots with thread-safe access. Expands F4TNetworking to start/stop a background receive thread, parse newline-separated JSON packets (welcome, transform, disconnect), validate fields, update remote state, throttle logs, and handle socket/thread synchronization. Add nlohmann_json to xmake and plugin build. Update docs and dev log to reflect the new receive behavior and current prototype scope.

docs/architecture.md

@@ -3,27 +3,27 @@
 ## Current Architecture
 
 ```text
-Fallout 4 Plugin
+Fallout 4 Plugin ↔ Local Python Server ↔ Other Clients
         ↓
-Local Python Server
+Plugin Remote Player State
-        ↓
-Fake Client Remote Player State
 ```
 
-The current system is one-way from the Fallout 4 plugin to the fake client:
+The current system is still a local prototype, but the Fallout 4 plugin now has
+both send and receive paths:
 
 1. The Fallout 4 plugin reads local player transform data.
 2. The plugin sends transform packets to the local Python server on
    `127.0.0.1:7777`.
 3. The server assigns `playerId` values and sends `welcome` packets.
-4. The server adds `playerId` and `serverTime` to transform packets.
+4. The plugin receives its `welcome` packet and stores its assigned `playerId`.
-5. The server broadcasts transform packets to other connected clients.
+5. The server adds `playerId` and `serverTime` to transform packets.
-6. `server/fake_client.py` stores remote player state by `playerId`.
+6. The server broadcasts transform packets to other connected clients.
-7. The server broadcasts `disconnect` packets when clients disconnect.
+7. The plugin and `server/fake_client.py` store remote player state by `playerId`.
-8. The fake client removes disconnected players from its remote player table.
+8. The server broadcasts `disconnect` packets when clients disconnect.
+9. The plugin and fake client remove disconnected players from their remote
+   player tables.
 
-The Fallout 4 plugin does not yet receive remote transforms from the server.
+The Fallout 4 plugin still does not spawn or move remote actors.
-There is no plugin receive loop and no remote actor spawning yet.
 
 ## Main Components
 
@@ -34,11 +34,11 @@ The native plugin is responsible for:
 - Loading into Fallout 4
 - Reading local player state
 - Sending local player data to the server
+- Receiving server packets on a background thread
+- Storing assigned and remote `playerId` state internally
 
 Planned later:
 
-- Receiving remote player data
-- Storing remote player state inside the plugin
 - Applying remote player updates safely
 - Spawning or moving remote actors
 
@@ -79,24 +79,23 @@ The Creation Kit side is planned later and may be responsible for:
 
 ## Threading Model
 
-This is planned for the Fallout 4 receiving client. It is not implemented yet.
-
 Networking should run separately from game update logic.
 
-Recommended approach:
+Current approach:
 
 ```text
 Networking thread receives packets
 Networking thread stores remote player state
 Game update reads remote player state
-Game update applies actor movement
+Future game update applies actor movement
 ```
 
-The networking thread should avoid directly modifying Fallout 4 game objects unless the operation is known to be safe.
+The networking receive thread does not directly modify Fallout 4 actors or game
+objects. It parses newline-separated JSON, updates plain C++ remote-player
+state, and leaves actor spawning or movement for a later game-thread milestone.
 
 ## Out Of Scope For Current Prototype
 
-- Fallout 4 receive-loop processing
 - Remote actor spawning
 - Combat sync
 - Quest sync

docs/dev-log.md

@@ -483,6 +483,39 @@ Player position: X=2048.00, Y=2048.00, Z=0.00, AngleZ=0.00
 
 ---
 
+## 2026-05-31 - Plugin Receive State Implemented
+
+### What Changed
+
+- Added plugin-side receiving for server `welcome`, `transform`, and `disconnect` packets.
+- Added internal remote player state storage keyed by server-assigned `playerId`.
+- Added defensive packet parsing so malformed or unknown packets are ignored without crashing the plugin.
+- Kept remote actor spawning and movement out of scope.
+
+### What Worked
+
+- The plugin now stores its assigned server `playerId`.
+- Remote transforms can be stored internally without touching Fallout 4 actors or game objects.
+- Disconnect packets remove remote player state.
+- `xmake build` succeeds.
+
+### What Broke
+
+- Nothing recorded.
+
+### Notes
+
+- The receive loop runs on a background networking thread.
+- Remote transform logging is throttled so `Fallout4Together.log` remains readable.
+- Actor spawning, actor movement, animation sync, combat sync, inventory sync, quest sync, and settlement sync remain planned later.
+
+### Next Steps
+
+- Test with Fallout 4 launched through F4SE against `server/server.py`.
+- Add a controlled game-thread reader for remote player snapshots before any actor spawning work.
+
+---
+
 ## Entry Template
 
 Use this format for future updates:

plugin/include/F4TRemotePlayerState.h

@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <chrono>
+#include <cstdint>
+#include <optional>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace F4T::RemotePlayerState
+{
+	struct RemotePlayerState
+	{
+		std::uint32_t playerId{};
+		float x{};
+		float y{};
+		float z{};
+		float angleZ{};
+		std::string movementType;
+		std::string cellId;
+		std::string worldspaceId;
+		std::optional<double> clientTime;
+		std::optional<double> serverTime;
+		std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point lastReceivedLocalTime{};
+	};
+
+	void SetAssignedPlayerId(std::uint32_t a_playerId);
+	std::optional<std::uint32_t> GetAssignedPlayerId();
+	bool IsAssignedPlayerId(std::uint32_t a_playerId);
+	void ClearAssignedPlayerId();
+
+	void UpdateRemotePlayer(RemotePlayerState a_state);
+	bool RemoveRemotePlayer(std::uint32_t a_playerId);
+	void ClearRemotePlayers();
+	std::vector<RemotePlayerState> GetRemotePlayerSnapshot();
+}

plugin/setup.md

@@ -21,7 +21,8 @@ Expected Install Path: Data/F4SE/Plugins/Fallout4Together.dll
 
 ## Current Goal
 
-The current goal is to build an empty plugin and confirm it loads through F4SE.
+The current goal is to build the F4SE plugin, confirm it loads through F4SE, and
+verify the local networking prototype against `server/server.py`.
 
 This means the plugin should be able to:
 
@@ -30,16 +31,17 @@ This means the plugin should be able to:
 * Be copied into `Data/F4SE/Plugins/`
 * Load when Fallout 4 is launched through F4SE
 * Create or write to a `Fallout4Together.log` file
+* Connect to the local server on `127.0.0.1:7777`
+* Send local transform packets
+* Receive `welcome`, `transform`, and `disconnect` packets
+* Store remote player state internally without spawning actors
 
 ## Not Included Yet
 
 The plugin does not currently include:
 
-* Networking
 * Actor sync
-* Player transform sync
 * Creation Kit test cell integration
-* Server connection
 * Remote player spawning
 * Combat sync
 * Quest sync
@@ -103,9 +105,13 @@ Use this checklist for the first plugin test:
 * [ ] Game reaches the main menu without crashing
 * [ ] Plugin log file is created
 * [ ] Plugin log confirms that the plugin loaded
+* [ ] Local server is running before gameplay networking tests
+* [ ] Plugin log shows `Assigned server playerId: N`
+* [ ] Plugin logs remote player updates from another connected client
+* [ ] Plugin logs remote player removal after a disconnect
 
 ## Notes
 
-Do not start multiplayer networking work until the empty plugin can build and load consistently.
+Remote actor spawning is intentionally not part of the current networking
-
+prototype. The receive loop stores plain remote-player state first so later
-The first real technical milestone is not player sync. The first milestone is simply proving that Fallout 4 can load `Fallout4Together.dll` through F4SE.
+actor work can be added from a stable data source.

plugin/src/F4TNetworking.cpp

@@ -1,15 +1,26 @@
 #include "pch.h"
 
 #include "F4TNetworking.h"
+#include "F4TRemotePlayerState.h"
 
 #include <WinSock2.h>
 #include <WS2tcpip.h>
 
 #include <array>
+#include <atomic>
+#include <charconv>
 #include <chrono>
 #include <cstddef>
 #include <cstdio>
+#include <limits>
 #include <memory>
+#include <mutex>
+#include <optional>
+#include <string>
+#include <thread>
+#include <unordered_map>
+
+#include <nlohmann/json.hpp>
 
 namespace
 {
@@ -17,19 +28,37 @@ namespace
 	constexpr auto kLocalServerPort = 7777;
 	constexpr auto kReconnectCooldown = 10s;
 	constexpr auto kConnectTimeoutMilliseconds = 100;
+	constexpr auto kReceiveIdleSleep = 25ms;
+	constexpr auto kRemoteUpdateLogInterval = 1s;
+	constexpr auto kWarningLogInterval = 2s;
+	constexpr auto kMaximumReceiveBufferSize = 64uz * 1024uz;
 
 	SOCKET g_socket = INVALID_SOCKET;
+	std::mutex g_socketMutex;
 	bool g_winsockInitialized = false;
 	auto g_lastConnectAttempt = std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point{};
+	std::atomic_bool g_receiveThreadRunning{ false };
+	std::thread g_receiveThread;
+	std::unordered_map<std::uint32_t, std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point> g_lastRemoteUpdateLogTimes;
+	std::unordered_map<std::string, std::chrono::steady_clock::time_point> g_lastWarningLogTimes;
+
+	using Json = nlohmann::json;
 
 	void CloseSocket()
 	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_socketMutex);
 		if (g_socket != INVALID_SOCKET) {
 			closesocket(g_socket);
 			g_socket = INVALID_SOCKET;
 		}
 	}
 
+	SOCKET GetSocket()
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_socketMutex);
+		return g_socket;
+	}
+
 	bool EnsureWinsockInitialized()
 	{
 		if (g_winsockInitialized) {
@@ -92,6 +121,321 @@ namespace
 		g_lastConnectAttempt = now;
 		return true;
 	}
+
+	bool ShouldLogWarning(std::string a_key)
+	{
+		const auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
+		const auto lastLog = g_lastWarningLogTimes.find(a_key);
+		if (lastLog != g_lastWarningLogTimes.end() && now - lastLog->second < kWarningLogInterval) {
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		g_lastWarningLogTimes[std::move(a_key)] = now;
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	void LogThrottledWarning(const std::string& a_key, const char* a_message)
+	{
+		if (ShouldLogWarning(a_key)) {
+			REX::WARN("{}", a_message);
+		}
+	}
+
+	void TrimPacketLine(std::string& a_line)
+	{
+		while (!a_line.empty() && (a_line.back() == '\r' || a_line.back() == ' ' || a_line.back() == '\t')) {
+			a_line.pop_back();
+		}
+	}
+
+	std::optional<std::uint32_t> ReadPlayerId(const Json& a_packet)
+	{
+		const auto playerId = a_packet.find("playerId");
+		if (playerId == a_packet.end()) {
+			return std::nullopt;
+		}
+
+		try {
+			if (playerId->is_number_integer()) {
+				const auto value = playerId->get<std::int64_t>();
+				if (value >= 0 && value <= (std::numeric_limits<std::uint32_t>::max)()) {
+					return static_cast<std::uint32_t>(value);
+				}
+			}
+
+			if (playerId->is_string()) {
+				const auto text = playerId->get<std::string>();
+				std::uint32_t value = 0;
+				const auto* begin = text.data();
+				const auto* end = begin + text.size();
+				const auto result = std::from_chars(begin, end, value);
+				if (result.ec == std::errc{} && result.ptr == end) {
+					return value;
+				}
+			}
+		} catch (const std::exception&) {
+			return std::nullopt;
+		}
+
+		return std::nullopt;
+	}
+
+	std::optional<double> ReadDouble(const Json& a_packet, const char* a_fieldName)
+	{
+		const auto field = a_packet.find(a_fieldName);
+		if (field == a_packet.end()) {
+			return std::nullopt;
+		}
+
+		try {
+			if (field->is_number()) {
+				return field->get<double>();
+			}
+
+			if (field->is_string()) {
+				const auto text = field->get<std::string>();
+				std::size_t parsedCharacters = 0;
+				const auto value = std::stod(text, std::addressof(parsedCharacters));
+				if (parsedCharacters == text.size()) {
+					return value;
+				}
+			}
+		} catch (const std::exception&) {
+			return std::nullopt;
+		}
+
+		return std::nullopt;
+	}
+
+	std::optional<std::string> ReadString(const Json& a_packet, const char* a_fieldName)
+	{
+		const auto field = a_packet.find(a_fieldName);
+		if (field == a_packet.end() || !field->is_string()) {
+			return std::nullopt;
+		}
+
+		return field->get<std::string>();
+	}
+
+	bool ShouldLogRemoteUpdate(std::uint32_t a_playerId)
+	{
+		const auto now = std::chrono::steady_clock::now();
+		const auto lastLog = g_lastRemoteUpdateLogTimes.find(a_playerId);
+		if (lastLog != g_lastRemoteUpdateLogTimes.end() && now - lastLog->second < kRemoteUpdateLogInterval) {
+			return false;
+		}
+
+		g_lastRemoteUpdateLogTimes[a_playerId] = now;
+		return true;
+	}
+
+	void HandleWelcomePacket(const Json& a_packet)
+	{
+		const auto playerId = ReadPlayerId(a_packet);
+		if (!playerId) {
+			LogThrottledWarning("welcome_playerId", "Ignoring welcome packet without a valid playerId.");
+			return;
+		}
+
+		F4T::RemotePlayerState::SetAssignedPlayerId(*playerId);
+		REX::INFO("Assigned server playerId: {}", *playerId);
+	}
+
+	void HandleTransformPacket(const Json& a_packet)
+	{
+		const auto playerId = ReadPlayerId(a_packet);
+		const auto x = ReadDouble(a_packet, "x");
+		const auto y = ReadDouble(a_packet, "y");
+		const auto z = ReadDouble(a_packet, "z");
+		const auto angleZ = ReadDouble(a_packet, "angleZ");
+		const auto movementType = ReadString(a_packet, "movementType");
+		const auto cellId = ReadString(a_packet, "cellId");
+		const auto worldspaceId = ReadString(a_packet, "worldspaceId");
+
+		if (!playerId || !x || !y || !z || !angleZ || !movementType || !cellId || !worldspaceId) {
+			LogThrottledWarning("transform_invalid", "Ignoring transform packet with missing or invalid required fields.");
+			return;
+		}
+
+		if (F4T::RemotePlayerState::IsAssignedPlayerId(*playerId)) {
+			return;
+		}
+
+		F4T::RemotePlayerState::RemotePlayerState remoteState{
+			*playerId,
+			static_cast<float>(*x),
+			static_cast<float>(*y),
+			static_cast<float>(*z),
+			static_cast<float>(*angleZ),
+			*movementType,
+			*cellId,
+			*worldspaceId,
+			ReadDouble(a_packet, "clientTime"),
+			ReadDouble(a_packet, "serverTime"),
+			std::chrono::steady_clock::now()
+		};
+
+		F4T::RemotePlayerState::UpdateRemotePlayer(remoteState);
+
+		// TODO: A later milestone can read this plain state from the game thread and
+		// spawn or move remote actors. The networking thread must not touch actors.
+		if (ShouldLogRemoteUpdate(*playerId)) {
+			REX::INFO(
+				"Remote player {} updated: X={:.2f}, Y={:.2f}, Z={:.2f}, AngleZ={:.2f}, Cell={}, Worldspace={}",
+				remoteState.playerId,
+				remoteState.x,
+				remoteState.y,
+				remoteState.z,
+				remoteState.angleZ,
+				remoteState.cellId,
+				remoteState.worldspaceId);
+		}
+	}
+
+	void HandleDisconnectPacket(const Json& a_packet)
+	{
+		const auto playerId = ReadPlayerId(a_packet);
+		if (!playerId) {
+			LogThrottledWarning("disconnect_playerId", "Ignoring disconnect packet without a valid playerId.");
+			return;
+		}
+
+		g_lastRemoteUpdateLogTimes.erase(*playerId);
+
+		if (F4T::RemotePlayerState::RemoveRemotePlayer(*playerId)) {
+			REX::INFO("Remote player {} disconnected and was removed.", *playerId);
+		} else {
+			REX::INFO("Received disconnect for unknown remote player {}.", *playerId);
+		}
+	}
+
+	void HandleUnknownPacket(const Json& a_packet)
+	{
+		const auto type = ReadString(a_packet, "type").value_or("<missing>");
+		if (ShouldLogWarning("unknown_" + type)) {
+			REX::WARN("Ignoring unknown server packet type: {}", type);
+		}
+	}
+
+	void HandlePacketLine(const std::string& a_line)
+	{
+		if (a_line.empty()) {
+			return;
+		}
+
+		Json packet;
+		try {
+			packet = Json::parse(a_line);
+		} catch (const std::exception& a_error) {
+			if (ShouldLogWarning("json_parse")) {
+				REX::WARN("Ignoring invalid JSON packet from server: {}", a_error.what());
+			}
+			return;
+		}
+
+		if (!packet.is_object()) {
+			LogThrottledWarning("json_object", "Ignoring server packet that was not a JSON object.");
+			return;
+		}
+
+		const auto packetType = ReadString(packet, "type");
+		if (!packetType) {
+			LogThrottledWarning("packet_type", "Ignoring server packet without a string type field.");
+			return;
+		}
+
+		if (*packetType == "welcome") {
+			HandleWelcomePacket(packet);
+		} else if (*packetType == "transform") {
+			HandleTransformPacket(packet);
+		} else if (*packetType == "disconnect") {
+			HandleDisconnectPacket(packet);
+		} else {
+			HandleUnknownPacket(packet);
+		}
+	}
+
+	void ProcessReceiveBuffer(std::string& a_receiveBuffer)
+	{
+		std::size_t newlinePosition = 0;
+		while ((newlinePosition = a_receiveBuffer.find('\n')) != std::string::npos) {
+			auto line = a_receiveBuffer.substr(0, newlinePosition);
+			a_receiveBuffer.erase(0, newlinePosition + 1);
+			TrimPacketLine(line);
+			HandlePacketLine(line);
+		}
+
+		if (a_receiveBuffer.size() > kMaximumReceiveBufferSize) {
+			a_receiveBuffer.clear();
+			LogThrottledWarning("receive_buffer", "Cleared oversized server receive buffer.");
+		}
+	}
+
+	void ReceiveLoop()
+	{
+		std::array<char, 4096> receiveChunk{};
+		std::string receiveBuffer;
+
+		while (g_receiveThreadRunning.load()) {
+			int bytesReceived = 0;
+			{
+				const std::scoped_lock lock(g_socketMutex);
+				if (g_socket == INVALID_SOCKET) {
+					break;
+				}
+
+				bytesReceived = recv(g_socket, receiveChunk.data(), static_cast<int>(receiveChunk.size()), 0);
+			}
+
+			if (bytesReceived > 0) {
+				receiveBuffer.append(receiveChunk.data(), static_cast<std::size_t>(bytesReceived));
+				ProcessReceiveBuffer(receiveBuffer);
+				continue;
+			}
+
+			if (bytesReceived == 0) {
+				REX::WARN("Fallout 4 Together local server closed the connection.");
+				CloseSocket();
+				break;
+			}
+
+			const auto error = WSAGetLastError();
+			if (error == WSAEWOULDBLOCK) {
+				std::this_thread::sleep_for(kReceiveIdleSleep);
+				continue;
+			}
+
+			if (g_receiveThreadRunning.load()) {
+				REX::WARN("Lost connection to Fallout 4 Together local server while receiving.");
+			}
+			CloseSocket();
+			break;
+		}
+
+		g_receiveThreadRunning.store(false);
+	}
+
+	void StopReceiveThread()
+	{
+		g_receiveThreadRunning.store(false);
+		CloseSocket();
+
+		if (g_receiveThread.joinable() && g_receiveThread.get_id() != std::this_thread::get_id()) {
+			g_receiveThread.join();
+		}
+	}
+
+	void StartReceiveThread()
+	{
+		if (g_receiveThread.joinable()) {
+			g_receiveThread.join();
+		}
+
+		// Receiving server packets is deliberately isolated from Fallout 4 objects.
+		// This thread only parses network data and updates plain remote-player state.
+		g_receiveThreadRunning.store(true);
+		g_receiveThread = std::thread(ReceiveLoop);
+	}
 }
 
 namespace F4T::Networking
@@ -146,16 +490,26 @@ namespace F4T::Networking
 			return false;
 		}
 
+		{
+			const std::scoped_lock lock(g_socketMutex);
 			g_socket = localSocket;
+		}
+
+		F4T::RemotePlayerState::ClearAssignedPlayerId();
+		F4T::RemotePlayerState::ClearRemotePlayers();
+		g_lastRemoteUpdateLogTimes.clear();
+		StartReceiveThread();
+
 		REX::INFO("Connected to Fallout 4 Together local server.");
-		// TODO: Read and log the server welcome packet once the plugin has a small
-		// non-blocking receive path. For now the server owns player IDs entirely.
 		return true;
 	}
 
 	void DisconnectFromLocalServer()
 	{
-		CloseSocket();
+		StopReceiveThread();
+		F4T::RemotePlayerState::ClearAssignedPlayerId();
+		F4T::RemotePlayerState::ClearRemotePlayers();
+		g_lastRemoteUpdateLogTimes.clear();
 
 		if (g_winsockInitialized) {
 			WSACleanup();
@@ -165,7 +519,7 @@ namespace F4T::Networking
 
 	bool IsConnectedToServer()
 	{
-		return g_socket != INVALID_SOCKET;
+		return GetSocket() != INVALID_SOCKET;
 	}
 
 	bool SendTransformPacket(
@@ -244,7 +598,16 @@ namespace F4T::Networking
 
 		packetSize += appended;
 
-		const auto bytesSent = send(g_socket, packet.data(), packetSize, 0);
+		int bytesSent = 0;
+		{
+			const std::scoped_lock lock(g_socketMutex);
+			if (g_socket == INVALID_SOCKET) {
+				return false;
+			}
+
+			bytesSent = send(g_socket, packet.data(), packetSize, 0);
+		}
+
 		if (bytesSent == SOCKET_ERROR) {
 			const auto error = WSAGetLastError();
 			if (error != WSAEWOULDBLOCK) {

plugin/src/F4TRemotePlayerState.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,73 @@
+#include "pch.h"
+
+#include "F4TRemotePlayerState.h"
+
+#include <mutex>
+#include <optional>
+#include <unordered_map>
+#include <vector>
+
+namespace
+{
+	std::mutex g_stateMutex;
+	std::optional<std::uint32_t> g_assignedPlayerId;
+	std::unordered_map<std::uint32_t, F4T::RemotePlayerState::RemotePlayerState> g_remotePlayers;
+}
+
+namespace F4T::RemotePlayerState
+{
+	void SetAssignedPlayerId(std::uint32_t a_playerId)
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_stateMutex);
+		g_assignedPlayerId = a_playerId;
+	}
+
+	std::optional<std::uint32_t> GetAssignedPlayerId()
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_stateMutex);
+		return g_assignedPlayerId;
+	}
+
+	bool IsAssignedPlayerId(std::uint32_t a_playerId)
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_stateMutex);
+		return g_assignedPlayerId.has_value() && *g_assignedPlayerId == a_playerId;
+	}
+
+	void ClearAssignedPlayerId()
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_stateMutex);
+		g_assignedPlayerId.reset();
+	}
+
+	void UpdateRemotePlayer(RemotePlayerState a_state)
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_stateMutex);
+		g_remotePlayers[a_state.playerId] = std::move(a_state);
+	}
+
+	bool RemoveRemotePlayer(std::uint32_t a_playerId)
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_stateMutex);
+		return g_remotePlayers.erase(a_playerId) > 0;
+	}
+
+	void ClearRemotePlayers()
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_stateMutex);
+		g_remotePlayers.clear();
+	}
+
+	std::vector<RemotePlayerState> GetRemotePlayerSnapshot()
+	{
+		const std::scoped_lock lock(g_stateMutex);
+
+		std::vector<RemotePlayerState> snapshot;
+		snapshot.reserve(g_remotePlayers.size());
+		for (const auto& [_, player] : g_remotePlayers) {
+			snapshot.push_back(player);
+		}
+
+		return snapshot;
+	}
+}

plugin/xmake.lua

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ set_warnings("allextra")
 -- add common rules
 add_rules("mode.debug", "mode.releasedbg")
 add_rules("plugin.vsxmake.autoupdate")
+add_requires("nlohmann_json")
 
 -- define targets
 target("Fallout4Together")
@@ -26,5 +27,6 @@ target("Fallout4Together")
     add_headerfiles("include/**.h")
     add_includedirs("src")
     add_includedirs("include")
+    add_packages("nlohmann_json")
     add_syslinks("ws2_32")
     set_pcxxheader("src/pch.h")

protocol/message-types.md

@@ -20,12 +20,13 @@ Current behavior:
   broadcast to other connected clients.
 - `disconnect` is sent by the server when a client disconnects.
 
-The Fallout 4 plugin currently sends transform packets only. It does not yet
+The Fallout 4 plugin sends transform packets and receives `welcome`,
-receive or process server packets.
+`transform`, and `disconnect` packets. Received transforms are stored as plain
+remote-player state only.
 
-## Working In Fake Client Only
+## Current Receivers
 
-`server/fake_client.py` currently receives:
+The Fallout 4 plugin and `server/fake_client.py` currently receive:
 
 ```text
 welcome
@@ -33,8 +34,8 @@ transform
 disconnect
 ```
 
-The fake client stores broadcast transform packets in an in-memory remote player
+The plugin and fake client store broadcast transform packets in in-memory remote
-state table and removes entries when disconnect packets arrive.
+player state tables and remove entries when disconnect packets arrive.
 
 ## Planned Later
 

protocol/packets.md

@@ -40,8 +40,8 @@ playerId    Server-assigned player ID for this connection.
 serverTime  Server timestamp when the welcome packet was created.
 ```
 
-The Fallout 4 plugin does not yet read this packet. `server/fake_client.py`
+The Fallout 4 plugin and `server/fake_client.py` receive this packet. The plugin
-currently receives and prints it.
+stores the assigned `playerId` for filtering its own future transform echoes.
 
 ### Transform Packet
 
@@ -117,20 +117,24 @@ playerId    Server-assigned player ID that disconnected.
 serverTime  Server timestamp when the disconnect packet was created.
 ```
 
-`server/fake_client.py` currently uses this packet to remove remote players from
+The Fallout 4 plugin and `server/fake_client.py` use this packet to remove
-its in-memory state table.
+remote players from their in-memory state tables.
 
-## Working In Fake Client Only
+## Receiver Behavior
 
-- Receiving `welcome` packets.
+The Fallout 4 plugin and fake client both receive:
-- Receiving broadcast `transform` packets from other clients.
+
-- Storing remote player state by `playerId`.
+```text
-- Removing remote player state when `disconnect` packets arrive.
+welcome
+transform
+disconnect
+```
+
+The plugin receive loop runs on a background networking thread. It stores plain
+remote-player state only and does not spawn actors or touch Fallout 4 game
+objects.
 
 ## Planned Later
 
-- Fallout 4 plugin receive loop.
-- Plugin-side parsing of `welcome`, `transform`, and `disconnect` packets.
-- Plugin-side remote player state storage.
 - Remote actor spawning.
 - Gameplay synchronization.

protocol/player-sync.md

@@ -6,23 +6,24 @@ The current implementation is still a local networking prototype.
 ## Current Implemented Flow
 
 ```text
-Fallout 4 Plugin
+Fallout 4 Plugin ↔ Local Python Server ↔ Other Clients
         ↓
-Local Python Server
+Plugin Remote Player State
-        ↓
-Fake Client Remote Player State
 ```
 
 The Fallout 4 plugin currently reads the local player's transform and sends it
 to the local Python server. The server assigns a `playerId`, adds `serverTime`,
 and broadcasts transform packets to other connected clients.
 
-The Fallout 4 plugin does not yet receive remote transforms from the server.
+The Fallout 4 plugin also receives server packets on a background networking
-The current receiver is `server/fake_client.py`.
+thread. It stores its assigned `playerId`, stores remote transform state by
+remote `playerId`, and removes remote state when disconnect packets arrive.
+`server/fake_client.py` remains a lightweight test receiver for the same packet
+lifecycle.
 
 ## Current Remote Player State Model
 
-The fake client stores remote players by `playerId`.
+The plugin and fake client store remote players by `playerId`.
 
 Each remote player state entry tracks:
 
@@ -40,13 +41,16 @@ serverTime
 lastReceivedLocalTime
 ```
 
-This model is a prototype for the eventual Fallout 4 receiving client. The goal
+This model proves the data shape and lifecycle before spawning remote actors.
-is to prove the data shape and lifecycle before adding a plugin receive loop or
-spawning remote actors.
 
 ## Implemented
 
 - The plugin sends local player transform packets.
+- The plugin receives `welcome` packets and stores its assigned `playerId`.
+- The plugin receives broadcast transform packets.
+- The plugin ignores transform packets for its own assigned `playerId`.
+- The plugin stores remote player state by `playerId`.
+- The plugin receives `disconnect` packets and removes remote player state.
 - The server assigns incrementing `playerId` values.
 - The server sends `welcome` packets.
 - The server adds `playerId` and `serverTime` to transform packets.
@@ -55,19 +59,10 @@ spawning remote actors.
 - The server broadcasts `disconnect` packets.
 - The fake client removes disconnected remote players from its state table.
 
-## Working In Fake Client Only
-
-- Receiving broadcast transform packets.
-- Tracking remote player state.
-- Handling disconnect cleanup.
-
 No Fallout 4 remote actor is spawned yet.
 
 ## Planned Later
 
-- Add a Fallout 4 plugin receive loop.
-- Parse `welcome`, `transform`, and `disconnect` packets in the plugin.
-- Store remote player state inside the plugin.
 - Add interpolation or smoothing after plugin-side state exists.
 - Spawn and move remote actors only after the receive loop is stable.