edition-data-author
Creates and validates catalog items for edition JSON files including spells, qualities, gear, augmentations, weapons, armor, adept powers, foci, and complex forms. Use when adding new items to core-rulebook.json or sourcebook files, or when validating existing catalog entries.
Installation
Follow the repository instructions for this skill and your agent. Review the files and dependencies before adding it to your workflow.
View source ↗GuidesSkill instructions
Edition Data Author
This skill guides the creation of catalog items for Shadowrun edition data files. All items live in /data/editions/{editionCode}/ JSON files.
Key Files
-
Type definitions:
/lib/types/edition.ts -
SR5 core data:
/data/editions/sr5/core-rulebook.json -
Rating spec types:
/lib/types/ratings.ts -
Quality types:
/lib/types/qualities.ts
Naming Conventions
All id, category, and subcategory values must use kebab-case (lowercase letters, numbers, and hyphens).
Validation regex: /^[a-z0-9]+(-[a-z0-9]+)*$/
Run pnpm verify-naming to validate all data files.
ID Examples
combat-sense
ares-predator-v
wired-reflexes
muscle-replacement
control-thoughts
push-the-limit
Category Examples
armor-modification (NOT armorModification)
rfid-tags (NOT rfidTags)
nervous-system
eyeware
Subcategory Examples
throwing-weapons (NOT throwingWeapons)
heavy-pistols
light-pistol
assault-rifles
Special Rules
For items with ratings, include the base name only (not the rating):
wired-reflexes (NOT wired-reflexes-1, wired-reflexes-2)
For items requiring a selection (attribute, skill, limit):
improved-physical-attribute (with requiresAttribute: true)
improved-ability (with requiresSkill: true)
Common Patterns
Availability Format
availability: number; // Base availability value (0-20+)
legality?: "restricted" | "forbidden"; // R or F suffix in books
Cost Patterns
// Fixed cost
cost: 5000;
// Cost with rating (use ratingSpec)
cost: 1000;
ratingSpec: {
rating: { hasRating: true, maxRating: 6 },
costScaling: { perRating: true }
}
Page References
page?: number; // Page number in source book
source?: string; // "SR5" or book abbreviation
Catalog Item Types
1. Spells
Location: modules.magic.payload.spells.{category}[]
Categories: combat, detection, health, illusion, manipulation
interface SpellCatalogItem {
id: string; // kebab-case
name: string; // Display name
category: "combat" | "detection" | "health" | "illusion" | "manipulation";
type: "mana" | "physical";
range: "touch" | "LOS" | "LOS(A)" | "self";
duration: "instant" | "sustained" | "permanent";
drain: string; // "F-2", "F", "F+1", etc.
damage?: string; // For combat spells: "(F-3)P", "(F)S", etc.
description: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
Example:
{
"id": "fireball",
"name": "Fireball",
"category": "combat",
"type": "physical",
"range": "LOS(A)",
"duration": "instant",
"drain": "F",
"damage": "(F)P",
"description": "Deals Fire damage in an area."
}
2. Qualities
Location: modules.qualities.payload.qualities[]
interface Quality {
id: string;
name: string;
type: "positive" | "negative";
category: "physical" | "mental" | "social" | "magical" | "mundane" | "metatype";
cost: number; // Karma cost (positive for positive qualities)
maxRating?: number; // If quality has levels (1-4 typically)
costPerRating?: boolean;
metatypeRestrictions?: string[]; // ["human", "elf"]
prerequisites?: QualityPrerequisites;
incompatible?: string[]; // IDs of incompatible qualities
description: string;
effects?: QualityEffect[];
source?: SourceReference;
}
Example:
{
"id": "toughness",
"name": "Toughness",
"type": "positive",
"category": "physical",
"cost": 9,
"description": "+1 to Physical damage resistance tests.",
"effects": [
{
"type": "dicePoolModifier",
"target": "damageResistance",
"modifier": 1
}
]
}
3. Cyberware
Location: modules.cyberware.payload.cyberware[]
Categories: headware, eyeware, earware, bodyware, cyberlimbs, nervous-system, biomonitors
interface CyberwareCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
category: CyberwareCategory;
essenceCost: number; // Base essence cost
cost: number; // Base nuyen cost
availability: number;
legality?: "restricted" | "forbidden";
// For rated items, use ratingSpec (preferred)
ratingSpec?: CatalogItemRatingSpec;
// Or legacy properties (deprecated but still work)
hasRating?: boolean;
maxRating?: number;
essencePerRating?: boolean;
costPerRating?: boolean;
// Capacity (for cyberlimbs that hold enhancements)
capacity?: number; // Capacity this provides
capacityCost?: number; // Capacity this consumes (for enhancements)
// Bonuses
attributeBonuses?: Record<string, number>;
initiativeDiceBonus?: number;
// Descriptions
description?: string;
wirelessBonus?: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
Example:
{
"id": "wired-reflexes",
"name": "Wired Reflexes",
"category": "nervous-system",
"essenceCost": 2,
"cost": 39000,
"availability": 8,
"legality": "restricted",
"ratingSpec": {
"rating": { "hasRating": true, "minRating": 1, "maxRating": 3 },
"essenceScaling": { "perRating": true },
"costScaling": { "values": [39000, 149000, 217000] }
},
"initiativeDiceBonus": 1,
"description": "Hardwired reflexes for faster reaction time.",
"wirelessBonus": "+1 Initiative Die while wireless enabled."
}
4. Bioware
Location: modules.bioware.payload.bioware[]
Categories: standard, cultured, cosmetic, biosculpting
interface BiowareCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
category: BiowareCategory;
essenceCost: number;
cost: number;
availability: number;
legality?: "restricted" | "forbidden";
ratingSpec?: CatalogItemRatingSpec;
hasRating?: boolean;
maxRating?: number;
attributeBonuses?: Record<string, number>;
description?: string;
wirelessBonus?: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
5. Weapons
Location: modules.gear.payload.weapons.{subcategory}[]
Subcategories: holdout-pistols, light-pistols, heavy-pistols, machine-pistols, smgs, assault-rifles, sniper-rifles, shotguns, lmgs, hmgs, assault-cannons, blades, clubs, exotic-weapons, throwing-weapons, bows, crossbows
interface WeaponCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
subcategory: string;
damage: string; // "5P", "8P(f)", "(STR+2)P"
accuracy: number;
ap: number; // Armor Penetration (usually negative)
mode?: string; // "SA", "SA/BF", "SA/BF/FA"
rc?: number; // Recoil compensation
ammo?: string; // "12(c)", "30(c)", "belt"
cost: number;
availability: number;
legality?: "restricted" | "forbidden";
reach?: number; // For melee weapons
concealability?: number; // Modifier for concealment
description?: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
Example:
{
"id": "ares-predator-v",
"name": "Ares Predator V",
"subcategory": "heavy-pistols",
"damage": "8P",
"accuracy": 5,
"ap": -1,
"mode": "SA",
"rc": 0,
"ammo": "15(c)",
"cost": 725,
"availability": 5,
"legality": "restricted",
"description": "The iconic sidearm of shadowrunners everywhere."
}
6. Armor
Location: modules.gear.payload.armor[]
interface ArmorCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
armorRating: number;
capacity: number; // For armor modifications
cost: number;
availability: number;
legality?: "restricted" | "forbidden";
encumbrance?: number; // Modifier to physical tests
concealability?: number;
description?: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
7. Weapon Modifications
Location: modules.modifications.payload.weaponMods[]
interface WeaponModificationCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
mount?: "top" | "under" | "side" | "barrel" | "stock" | "internal";
occupiedMounts?: WeaponMountType[]; // Additional mounts used
isBuiltIn?: boolean;
compatibleWeapons?: string[];
incompatibleWeapons?: string[];
minimumWeaponSize?: "holdout" | "light-pistol" | "heavy-pistol" | "smg" | "rifle" | "heavy";
cost: number;
costMultiplier?: number;
availability: number;
legality?: "restricted" | "forbidden";
ratingSpec?: CatalogItemRatingSpec;
hasRating?: boolean;
maxRating?: number;
recoilCompensation?: number;
accuracyModifier?: number;
concealabilityModifier?: number;
description?: string;
wirelessBonus?: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
8. Armor Modifications
Location: modules.modifications.payload.armorMods[]
interface ArmorModificationCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
capacityCost: number;
noCapacityCost?: boolean; // If true, doesn't use capacity (bracketed in book)
ratingSpec?: CatalogItemRatingSpec;
hasRating?: boolean;
maxRating?: number;
capacityPerRating?: boolean;
cost: number;
costPerRating?: boolean;
costMultiplier?: number;
availability: number;
availabilityModifier?: number;
legality?: "restricted" | "forbidden";
armorBonus?: number;
requirements?: string[]; // ["full body armor", "helmet"]
description?: string;
wirelessBonus?: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
9. Adept Powers
Location: modules.adeptPowers.payload.powers[]
interface AdeptPowerCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
cost: number | null; // Power point cost (null if table-based)
costType: "fixed" | "perLevel" | "table";
maxLevel?: number;
activation?: "free" | "simple" | "complex" | "interrupt";
// For powers requiring selection
requiresAttribute?: boolean;
validAttributes?: string[];
requiresSkill?: boolean;
validSkills?: string[];
requiresLimit?: boolean;
validLimits?: string[];
// For table-based costs (like Improved Reflexes)
levels?: Array<{
level: number;
cost: number;
bonus: string;
}>;
// For powers with variants (like Improved Sense)
variants?: Array<{
id: string;
name: string;
bonus?: string;
}>;
description: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
10. Foci
Location: modules.foci.payload.foci[]
interface FocusCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
type: "enchanting" | "metamagic" | "power" | "qi" | "spell" | "spirit" | "weapon";
costMultiplier: number; // Cost = Force × multiplier
bondingKarmaMultiplier: number; // Karma = Force × multiplier
availability: number;
legality?: "restricted" | "forbidden";
description?: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
11. Complex Forms
Location: modules.magic.payload.complexForms[]
interface ComplexFormCatalogItem {
id: string;
name: string;
target: "persona" | "device" | "file" | "sprite" | "host" | "self";
duration: "instant" | "sustained" | "permanent";
fading: string; // "L+1", "L-1", "L", etc.
description: string;
page?: number;
source?: string;
}
Unified Ratings Tables (PREFERRED)
For items with ratings, use unified ratings tables - explicit per-rating values that match how source books print data:
interface UnifiedRatingConfig {
hasRating: true; // Must be true to enable ratings
minRating?: number; // Default: 1
maxRating: number; // Maximum rating allowed
ratings: Record<
number,
{
// Explicit values for each rating
cost?: number; // Nuyen cost at this rating
availability?: number; // Availability at this rating
availabilitySuffix?: "R" | "F";
essenceCost?: number; // Essence cost (cyberware/bioware)
capacity?: number; // Capacity provided (cyberlimbs, cybereyes)
capacityCost?: number; // Capacity consumed (enhancements)
karmaCost?: number; // Karma cost (qualities)
powerPointCost?: number; // Power point cost (adept powers)
effects?: {
// Mechanical effects at this rating
attributeBonuses?: Record<string, number>;
initiativeDice?: number;
initiativeScore?: number;
limitBonus?: number;
armorBonus?: number;
};
}
>;
}
Example - Cybereyes (different capacity per rating):
{
"id": "cybereyes",
"name": "Cybereyes",
"category": "eyeware",
"hasRating": true,
"minRating": 1,
"maxRating": 4,
"ratings": {
"1": { "cost": 4000, "availability": 3, "essenceCost": 0.2, "capacity": 4 },
"2": { "cost": 6000, "availability": 6, "essenceCost": 0.3, "capacity": 8 },
"3": { "cost": 10000, "availability": 9, "essenceCost": 0.4, "capacity": 12 },
"4": { "cost": 14000, "availability": 12, "essenceCost": 0.5, "capacity": 16 }
},
"description": "Replacement eyes with customizable enhancements."
}
Example - Wired Reflexes (non-linear essence/cost):
{
"id": "wired-reflexes",
"name": "Wired Reflexes",
"category": "nervous-system",
"hasRating": true,
"minRating": 1,
"maxRating": 3,
"ratings": {
"1": {
"cost": 39000,
"availability": 8,
"essenceCost": 2,
"effects": { "initiativeDice": 1, "initiativeScore": 1 }
},
"2": {
"cost": 149000,
"availability": 12,
"essenceCost": 3,
"effects": { "initiativeDice": 2, "initiativeScore": 2 }
},
"3": {
"cost": 217000,
"availability": 20,
"essenceCost": 5,
"effects": { "initiativeDice": 3, "initiativeScore": 3 }
}
},
"legality": "restricted",
"description": "Hardwired reflexes for faster reaction time.",
"wirelessBonus": "+1 Initiative Die while wireless enabled."
}
Example - Quality with Levels (Toughness):
{
"id": "toughness",
"name": "Toughness",
"type": "positive",
"category": "physical",
"hasRating": true,
"minRating": 1,
"maxRating": 4,
"ratings": {
"1": { "karmaCost": 9 },
"2": { "karmaCost": 18 },
"3": { "karmaCost": 27 },
"4": { "karmaCost": 36 }
},
"summary": "+1 to Physical damage resistance tests per level."
}
Why Unified Ratings Tables?
- Matches source books - Books print tables, not formulas
- Non-linear scaling - Many items don't follow simple formulas
- Easier to audit - Direct comparison with source material
- Single code path - No special cases for different scaling types
- Complete data - All rating-dependent values in one place
Rating Spec (LEGACY FALLBACK)
The ratingSpec format is still supported for backward compatibility, but unified ratings tables are preferred for new data:
interface CatalogItemRatingSpec {
rating: {
hasRating: boolean;
minRating?: number; // Default: 1
maxRating: number;
};
essenceScaling?: {
perRating?: boolean;
values?: number[]; // Specific essence costs per rating
};
costScaling?: {
perRating?: boolean;
values?: number[]; // Specific costs per rating
};
capacityCostScaling?: {
perRating?: boolean;
values?: number[];
};
attributeBonusScaling?: Record<string, number>; // Bonus per rating
}
Legacy Example - Muscle Replacement (linear scaling):
{
"ratingSpec": {
"rating": { "hasRating": true, "maxRating": 4 },
"essenceScaling": { "perRating": true },
"costScaling": { "perRating": true },
"attributeBonusScaling": { "strength": 1, "agility": 1 }
}
}
Validation Checklist
When creating new items, verify:
- ID is unique within its category
- ID follows kebab-case convention
- Required fields are present (id, name, category/type-specific fields)
- Availability is reasonable (typically 0-20, rarely higher)
- Costs are positive numbers in appropriate ranges
- Legality is only set when restricted/forbidden (omit for legal items)
-
Rating specs are consistent:
- For rated items, prefer unified ratings tables over
ratingSpec - If
hasRating: true, must havemaxRatingandratingstable - Each rating in table should have appropriate cost/availability/essence values
- For rated items, prefer unified ratings tables over
- Page references are accurate (if provided)
- Descriptions are concise but informative
- Unified ratings tables match source book values exactly
Adding to JSON Files
Items are added to arrays within the module payloads:
{
"modules": {
"magic": {
"mergeStrategy": "merge",
"payload": {
"spells": {
"combat": [
{
/* spell 1 */
},
{
/* spell 2 */
}
]
}
}
}
}
}
For sourcebooks, use appropriate merge strategy:
-
merge- Combine with existing data (default) -
append- Add to arrays without replacing -
replace- Completely override module
Examples
Read the usage examples in the source repository.
View source ↗Source history
- Indexed on
- 2026-01-20
- Index updated
- 2026-01-26
- Branch
- main
Index and sync dates describe this directory. View the source repository for code history.
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