From 9e4f4edb92f4f3c89af58baaf0b247d4bd382f70 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Orkuncakilkaya <orkuncakilkaya@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2026 01:29:32 +0300
Subject: [PATCH] refactor(packages): 0.R5 - jobs, session, settings, hints and
 net make their tables when the state is made, not on the first question
 (jobs__ensure, session__init and ply_init, sg_init, hn_mute_ensure, net__init
 gone); their questions read

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 5.5 <noreply@anthropic.com>
---
 packages/ludic.hints/mute.ludic               | 25 +++----
 packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic               |  5 +-
 packages/ludic.jobs/boards.ludic              |  7 +-
 packages/ludic.jobs/count.ludic               |  3 -
 packages/ludic.jobs/jobs.ludic                | 17 ++---
 packages/ludic.jobs/lists.ludic               |  8 +--
 packages/ludic.jobs/posts.ludic               | 24 +++----
 packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic                |  1 -
 packages/ludic.jobs/state.ludic               | 72 +++++++++----------
 packages/ludic.jobs/system.ludic              |  6 +-
 packages/ludic.net/codec.ludic                |  5 +-
 packages/ludic.net/room.ludic                 |  1 -
 packages/ludic.net/session.ludic              |  5 --
 packages/ludic.net/state.ludic                | 30 ++++----
 packages/ludic.session/README.md              |  2 +-
 packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic           |  2 -
 packages/ludic.session/state.ludic            | 15 ++--
 .../ludic.session/tests/session_test.ludic    |  7 --
 packages/ludic.settings/file.ludic            |  4 +-
 packages/ludic.settings/rules.ludic           |  3 -
 packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic           | 19 ++---
 21 files changed, 98 insertions(+), 163 deletions(-)

diff --git a/packages/ludic.hints/mute.ludic b/packages/ludic.hints/mute.ludic
index ae57306c..6c5eb26f 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.hints/mute.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.hints/mute.ludic
@@ -1,27 +1,18 @@
 # mute.ludic - the cards a player has said they know, kept BY KEY: a card added, removed or moved in
 # the registry leaves every other mute where it was, and a key this build does not know is carried
 
-function hn_mute_ensure(hints_st: mut HintsState) -> void {
-  if hints_st.hn_mute != null { return }
-  hints_st.hn_mute = new []bool
-  for i in 0 .. HINT_COUNT { push(hints_st.hn_mute, false) }
-  hints_st.hn_foreign = new []string
-}
 
-export function hints_muted(hints_st: mut HintsState, id: int) -> bool {
-  hn_mute_ensure(hints_st)
+export function hints_muted(hints_st: HintsState, id: int) -> bool {
   if id < 0 or id >= HINT_COUNT { return false }
   return hints_st.hn_mute[id]
 }
 
 export function hints_mute(hints_st: mut HintsState, id: int, on: bool) -> void {
-  hn_mute_ensure(hints_st)
   if id < 0 or id >= HINT_COUNT { return }
   hints_st.hn_mute[id] = on
 }
 
-export function hints_mute_count(hints_st: mut HintsState) -> int {
-  hn_mute_ensure(hints_st)
+export function hints_mute_count(hints_st: HintsState) -> int {
   var n = 0
   for i in 0 .. HINT_COUNT { if hints_st.hn_mute[i] { n += 1 } }
   return n
@@ -29,7 +20,6 @@ export function hints_mute_count(hints_st: mut HintsState) -> int {
 
 # every muted card given back, from the next pass
 export function hints_unmute_all(hints_st: mut HintsState) -> void {
-  hn_mute_ensure(hints_st)
   for i in 0 .. HINT_COUNT { hints_st.hn_mute[i] = false }
   hints_st.hn_foreign = new []string
   hints_st.hn_t = 0.0
@@ -37,8 +27,7 @@ export function hints_unmute_all(hints_st: mut HintsState) -> void {
 }
 
 # the mutes as a list of keys, for wherever the game keeps the player's own choices
-export function hints_mutes_save(hints_st: mut HintsState) -> Val {
-  hn_mute_ensure(hints_st)
+export function hints_mutes_save(hints_st: HintsState) -> Val {
   let l = Value.list()
   for i in 0 .. HINT_COUNT { if hints_st.hn_mute[i] { Value.add(l, Value.str(Hints[i].key)) } }
   for i in 0 .. len(hints_st.hn_foreign) { Value.add(l, Value.str(hints_st.hn_foreign[i])) }
@@ -47,8 +36,7 @@ export function hints_mutes_save(hints_st: mut HintsState) -> Val {
 
 # a list of keys read back; anything that is not a list is no mutes
 export function hints_mutes_load(hints_st: mut HintsState, l: Val) -> void {
-  hints_st.hn_mute = null
-  hn_mute_ensure(hints_st)
+  hints_st.hn_mute = hn_mutes()
   if l == null or Value.kind(l) != 5 { return }
   for i in 0 .. Value.count(l) {
     let e = Value.at(l, i)
@@ -58,3 +46,8 @@ export function hints_mutes_load(hints_st: mut HintsState, l: Val) -> void {
     if id >= 0 { hints_st.hn_mute[id] = true } else { push(hints_st.hn_foreign, k) }
   }
 }
+function hn_mutes() -> []bool {
+  let out = new []bool
+  for i in 0 .. HINT_COUNT { push(out, false) }
+  return out
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic b/packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic
index 20943b0b..5dcdf044 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.hints/rail.ludic
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 # rail.ludic - the rail: once a pass (a second by default) the most urgent true cards, up to a few,
 # muted ones left out; in a tie the registry's order decides
 export state HintsState {
-  hn_mute: []bool = null
-  hn_foreign: []string = null      # muted keys with no card in this build, written back as read
+  hn_mute: []bool = hn_mutes()
+  hn_foreign: []string = new []string      # muted keys with no card in this build, written back as read
   hn_shown: int = 3            # how many the rail holds
   hn_every: float = 1.0        # seconds between passes
   hn_top: []int = null         # the cards on the rail this pass
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@ function hn_ensure(hints_st: mut HintsState) -> void {
     hints_st.hn_top = new []int
     for i in 0 .. hints_st.hn_shown { push(hints_st.hn_top, -1) }
   }
-  hn_mute_ensure(hints_st)
 }
 
 # the next pass comes on the next tick rather than in a second
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/boards.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/boards.ludic
index e3947460..d87e9d86 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/boards.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/boards.ludic
@@ -2,14 +2,12 @@
 # the jobs' own dice seeded by the day, so a board never moves anyone else's rolls
 export function jobs_board_ok(b: int) -> bool { return b >= 0 and b < BOARD_COUNT }
 
-function jobs__at(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
+function jobs__at(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int {
   return jobs_st.jobs__off[b] + s
 }
 
 # a whole number in [lo, hi] from the jobs' dice: what JobsWorld.roll draws with
-export function jobs_roll(jobs_st: mut JobsState, lo: int, hi: int) -> int {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
+export function jobs_roll(jobs_st: JobsState, lo: int, hi: int) -> int {
   return rng_between(jobs_st.jobs__dice, lo, hi)
 }
 
@@ -51,7 +49,6 @@ function jobs__repost(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> void {
 # a new day, on the boards this machine keeps: an empty or stale post is replaced, and one
 # finished on an earlier day
 export function jobs_morning(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> void {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
   let day = JobsWorld.day()
   for b in 0 .. BOARD_COUNT {
     let bd = JobBoards[b]
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/count.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/count.ludic
index bb8a955d..4c4c9ea6 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/count.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/count.ludic
@@ -17,7 +17,6 @@ function jobs__takes(only: int, scope: int) -> bool {
 }
 
 function jobs__count(jobs_st: mut JobsState, only: int, kind: int, param: int, n: int) -> void {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
   for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT {
     let d = Jobs[i]
     if jobs_st.jobs__st[i] != JOBS_ACTIVE or not jobs__takes(only, d.scope) { continue }
@@ -49,7 +48,6 @@ function jobs__recheck_one(jobs_st: mut JobsState, i: int) -> void {
 # every job under way against what the state already proves: work done before it was taken counts
 # for a written job; a post counts only what came after it went up
 export function jobs_recheck(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> void {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
   for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT { jobs__recheck_one(jobs_st, i) }
   for b in 0 .. BOARD_COUNT {
     if not JobsWorld.owns(JobBoards[b].scope) { continue }
@@ -64,7 +62,6 @@ export function jobs_recheck(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> void {
 
 # offers newly open are said once; the first look after a reset says none of them
 function jobs__offers(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> void {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
   for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT {
     let now = jobs_offered(jobs_st, i)
     if now and not jobs_st.jobs__seen[i] and jobs_st.jobs__primed { jobs__fact(jobs_st, JOBS_F_OFFERED, i, -1, -1, 0, Jobs[i].need) }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/jobs.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/jobs.ludic
index d3656b0a..2ec1c933 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/jobs.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/jobs.ludic
@@ -1,26 +1,24 @@
 # jobs.ludic - the written jobs: offered by standing and story, taken, readied, handed in and paid
 export function jobs_ok(i: int) -> bool { return i >= 0 and i < JOB_COUNT }
 
-export function jobs_state(jobs_st: mut JobsState, i: int) -> int {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
+export function jobs_state(jobs_st: JobsState, i: int) -> int {
   return jobs_st.jobs__st[i]
 }
 
-export function jobs_have(jobs_st: mut JobsState, i: int) -> int {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
+export function jobs_have(jobs_st: JobsState, i: int) -> int {
   return jobs_st.jobs__hv[i]
 }
 
-export function jobs_ready_now(jobs_st: mut JobsState, i: int) -> bool { return jobs_state(jobs_st, i) == JOBS_READY }
+export function jobs_ready_now(jobs_st: JobsState, i: int) -> bool { return jobs_state(jobs_st, i) == JOBS_READY }
 
 # taken and not yet paid
-export function jobs_under_way(jobs_st: mut JobsState, i: int) -> bool {
+export function jobs_under_way(jobs_st: JobsState, i: int) -> bool {
   let s = jobs_state(jobs_st, i)
   return s == JOBS_ACTIVE or s == JOBS_READY
 }
 
 # on offer: not taken, the scope's standing and the story far enough, and the game allowing it
-export function jobs_offered(jobs_st: mut JobsState, i: int) -> bool {
+export function jobs_offered(jobs_st: JobsState, i: int) -> bool {
   let d = Jobs[i]
   if jobs_state(jobs_st, i) != JOBS_OFFERED { return false }
   return JobsWorld.rep(d.scope) >= d.minrep and JobsWorld.stage() >= d.minstage and JobsWorld.open(i)
@@ -79,18 +77,15 @@ export function jobs_complete(jobs_st: mut JobsState, i: int) -> bool {
 
 # the state outright: the host's word for a party job, a test
 export function jobs_set(jobs_st: mut JobsState, i: int, state: int, have: int) -> void {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
   jobs_st.jobs__st[i] = state
   jobs_st.jobs__hv[i] = have
 }
 
-export function jobs_done(jobs_st: mut JobsState, group: int) -> int {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
+export function jobs_done(jobs_st: JobsState, group: int) -> int {
   if group < 0 or group >= JOBS_GROUPS { return 0 }
   return jobs_st.jobs__done_n[group]
 }
 
 export function jobs_set_done(jobs_st: mut JobsState, group: int, n: int) -> void {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
   if group >= 0 and group < JOBS_GROUPS { jobs_st.jobs__done_n[group] = n }
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/lists.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/lists.ludic
index 6e827343..a50d3506 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/lists.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/lists.ludic
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # lists.ludic - the written jobs as a screen lists them: a vendor's, the taken, the ones to show
 # a vendor's offers and the ones it can take back, in a group (-1 every vendor)
-export function jobs_at(jobs_st: mut JobsState, group: int, vendor: int) -> []int {
+export function jobs_at(jobs_st: JobsState, group: int, vendor: int) -> []int {
   let out = new []int
   for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT {
     let d = Jobs[i]
@@ -13,14 +13,14 @@ export function jobs_at(jobs_st: mut JobsState, group: int, vendor: int) -> []in
 }
 
 # every job of a group taken at some point, done ones too
-export function jobs_taken(jobs_st: mut JobsState, group: int) -> []int {
+export function jobs_taken(jobs_st: JobsState, group: int) -> []int {
   let out = new []int
   for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT { if Jobs[i].group == group and jobs_state(jobs_st, i) != JOBS_OFFERED { push(out, i) } }
   return out
 }
 
 # the first `most` of a group under way
-export function jobs_shown(jobs_st: mut JobsState, group: int, most: int) -> []int {
+export function jobs_shown(jobs_st: JobsState, group: int, most: int) -> []int {
   let out = new []int
   for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT {
     if len(out) >= most { break }
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ export function jobs_shown(jobs_st: mut JobsState, group: int, most: int) -> []i
 }
 
 # the first under way and not yet met, or -1
-export function jobs_first_open(jobs_st: mut JobsState, group: int) -> int {
+export function jobs_first_open(jobs_st: JobsState, group: int) -> int {
   for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT { if Jobs[i].group == group and jobs_state(jobs_st, i) == JOBS_ACTIVE { return i } }
   return -1
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/posts.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/posts.ludic
index e264ec2a..a56ff4c9 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/posts.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/posts.ludic
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
 # posts.ludic - what is on a board, slot by slot, and a board as the host says it
-export function jobs_post_kind(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pk[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
-export function jobs_post_param(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pp[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
-export function jobs_post_need(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pn[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
-export function jobs_post_have(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__ph[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
-export function jobs_post_money(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pm[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
-export function jobs_post_rep(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pr[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
-export function jobs_post_state(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__ps[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
-export function jobs_post_day(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pd[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
+export function jobs_post_kind(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pk[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
+export function jobs_post_param(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pp[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
+export function jobs_post_need(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pn[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
+export function jobs_post_have(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__ph[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
+export function jobs_post_money(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pm[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
+export function jobs_post_rep(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pr[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
+export function jobs_post_state(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__ps[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
+export function jobs_post_day(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int, s: int) -> int { return jobs_st.jobs__pd[jobs__at(jobs_st, b, s)] }
 
 export function jobs_slots(b: int) -> int {
   if not jobs_board_ok(b) { return 0 }
@@ -14,21 +14,20 @@ export function jobs_slots(b: int) -> int {
 }
 
 # the slots with something posted, in order
-export function jobs_posted(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int) -> []int {
+export function jobs_posted(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int) -> []int {
   let out = new []int
   for s in 0 .. jobs_slots(b) { if jobs_post_kind(jobs_st, b, s) >= 0 { push(out, s) } }
   return out
 }
 
 # how many of a board's posts are paid
-export function jobs_posts_done(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int) -> int {
+export function jobs_posts_done(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int) -> int {
   var n = 0
   for s in 0 .. jobs_slots(b) { if jobs_post_kind(jobs_st, b, s) >= 0 and jobs_post_state(jobs_st, b, s) == JOBS_DONE { n += 1 } }
   return n
 }
 
-export function jobs_total(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int) -> int {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
+export function jobs_total(jobs_st: JobsState, b: int) -> int {
   return jobs_st.jobs__total[b]
 }
 
@@ -46,6 +45,5 @@ export function jobs_post_set(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, s: int, kind: int,
 }
 
 export function jobs_set_total(jobs_st: mut JobsState, b: int, n: int) -> void {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
   jobs_st.jobs__total[b] = n
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic
index 375823cc..46a15a0e 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/save.ludic
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 # save.ludic - a scope's jobs and boards in a section of their own, by key: a job the game has since
 # removed is dropped, a new one starts offered
 function jobs__reset_scope(jobs_st: mut JobsState, sc: int) -> void {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
   for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT {
     if Jobs[i].scope != sc { continue }
     jobs_st.jobs__st[i] = JOBS_OFFERED
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/state.ludic
index da541b3d..c3c2b7d8 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/state.ludic
@@ -1,25 +1,25 @@
 # state.ludic - each job's state and count, the posts on the boards, the done counts, the dice and
-# the facts. Made on first use, so the registries are complete by then.
+# the facts, each sized from the registries when the state is made.
 export state JobsState {
-  jobs__st: []int = null
-  jobs__hv: []int = null
-  jobs__seen: []bool = null      # an offer already said
+  jobs__st: []int = jobs__ints(JOB_COUNT, JOBS_OFFERED)
+  jobs__hv: []int = jobs__ints(JOB_COUNT, 0)
+  jobs__seen: []bool = jobs__bools(JOB_COUNT)      # an offer already said
   jobs__primed: bool = false     # the first tick after a reset learns the offers quietly
-  jobs__done_n: []int = null     # handed in, per group
-  jobs__off: []int = null
-  jobs__pk: []int = null         # kind, -1 empty
-  jobs__pp: []int = null
-  jobs__pn: []int = null
-  jobs__ph: []int = null
-  jobs__pb: []int = null         # the evidence when it went up
-  jobs__pm: []int = null
-  jobs__pr: []int = null
-  jobs__ps: []int = null
-  jobs__pd: []int = null         # the day it went up
-  jobs__total: []int = null      # handed in, per board
-  jobs__serial: []int = null     # posts made, per board: each roll its own seed
+  jobs__done_n: []int = jobs__ints(JOBS_GROUPS, 0)     # handed in, per group
+  jobs__off: []int = jobs__offsets()
+  jobs__pk: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), -1)         # kind, -1 empty
+  jobs__pp: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), -1)
+  jobs__pn: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), 0)
+  jobs__ph: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), 0)
+  jobs__pb: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), 0)         # the evidence when it went up
+  jobs__pm: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), 0)
+  jobs__pr: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), 0)
+  jobs__ps: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), JOBS_OFFERED)
+  jobs__pd: []int = jobs__ints(jobs__slots(), 0)         # the day it went up
+  jobs__total: []int = jobs__ints(BOARD_COUNT, 0)      # handed in, per board
+  jobs__serial: []int = jobs__ints(BOARD_COUNT, 0)     # posts made, per board: each roll its own seed
   jobs__seed: int = 1000
-  jobs__dice: Rng = null
+  jobs__dice: Rng = rng_new(1000)
   jobs__q: Queue<JobsFact> = jobs__q__new()
 }
 
@@ -32,31 +32,25 @@ function jobs__ints(n: int, v: int) -> []int {
   return out
 }
 
-function jobs__ensure(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> void {
-  if jobs_st.jobs__st != null { return }
-  jobs_st.jobs__st = jobs__ints(JOB_COUNT, JOBS_OFFERED)
-  jobs_st.jobs__hv = jobs__ints(JOB_COUNT, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__seen = new []bool
-  for i in 0 .. JOB_COUNT { push(jobs_st.jobs__seen, false) }
-  jobs_st.jobs__done_n = jobs__ints(JOBS_GROUPS, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__off = new []int
+function jobs__bools(n: int) -> []bool {
+  let out = new []bool
+  for i in 0 .. n { push(out, false) }
+  return out
+}
+# every board's slots end to end: where each board's start, and how many in all
+function jobs__offsets() -> []int {
+  let out = new []int
   var n = 0
   for b in 0 .. BOARD_COUNT {
-    push(jobs_st.jobs__off, n)
+    push(out, n)
     n += JobBoards[b].slots
   }
-  jobs_st.jobs__pk = jobs__ints(n, -1)
-  jobs_st.jobs__pp = jobs__ints(n, -1)
-  jobs_st.jobs__pn = jobs__ints(n, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__ph = jobs__ints(n, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__pb = jobs__ints(n, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__pm = jobs__ints(n, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__pr = jobs__ints(n, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__ps = jobs__ints(n, JOBS_OFFERED)
-  jobs_st.jobs__pd = jobs__ints(n, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__total = jobs__ints(BOARD_COUNT, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__serial = jobs__ints(BOARD_COUNT, 0)
-  jobs_st.jobs__dice = rng_new(jobs_st.jobs__seed)
+  return out
+}
+function jobs__slots() -> int {
+  var n = 0
+  for b in 0 .. BOARD_COUNT { n += JobBoards[b].slots }
+  return n
 }
 
 export function jobs_facts(jobs_st: JobsState) -> Queue<JobsFact> {
diff --git a/packages/ludic.jobs/system.ludic b/packages/ludic.jobs/system.ludic
index f75641a8..936157ae 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.jobs/system.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.jobs/system.ludic
@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@ export function jobs_reset(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> void {
 
 export function jobs_party_reset(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> void { jobs__reset_scope(jobs_st, JOBS_PARTY) }
 
-export function jobs_save(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> Val {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
+export function jobs_save(jobs_st: JobsState) -> Val {
   let v = jobs__save_scope(jobs_st, JOBS_SELF)
   sv_put_ints(v, "done", jobs_st.jobs__done_n)
   return v
@@ -24,8 +23,7 @@ export function jobs_load(jobs_st: mut JobsState, v: Val, version: int) -> void
   }
 }
 
-export function jobs_party_save(jobs_st: mut JobsState) -> Val {
-  jobs__ensure(jobs_st)
+export function jobs_party_save(jobs_st: JobsState) -> Val {
   return jobs__save_scope(jobs_st, JOBS_PARTY)
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/ludic.net/codec.ludic b/packages/ludic.net/codec.ludic
index be7dd5a1..6be5b9fc 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.net/codec.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.net/codec.ludic
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ export function nb_copy(dst: []byte, d: int, src: []byte, s: int, n: int) -> voi
 
 # the writer: past the MTU it counts on and keeps nothing, and np_queue cuts the message there
 export function nw_begin(net_st: mut NetState) -> void {
-  net__init(net_st)
   net_st.net__wl = 0
 }
 
@@ -82,7 +81,6 @@ export function nr_bad(net_st: NetState) -> bool { return net_st.net__rbad }
 
 # a message that came in, made the one nr_* reads
 export function net_read(net_st: mut NetState, m: NetMessage) -> void {
-  net__init(net_st)
   nb_copy(net_st.net__rb, 0, m.data, 0, m.len)
   net_st.net__rl = m.len
   net_st.net__rp = 0
@@ -90,8 +88,7 @@ export function net_read(net_st: mut NetState, m: NetMessage) -> void {
 }
 
 # the message just written, as if it had come in (a loopback: a test, a host telling itself)
-export function net_written(net_st: mut NetState) -> NetMessage {
-  net__init(net_st)
+export function net_written(net_st: NetState) -> NetMessage {
   let m = new NetMessage
   m.from = net_st.net__my_pid
   m.len = min(net_st.net__wl, NET_MTU)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.net/room.ludic b/packages/ludic.net/room.ludic
index 62427a34..fb8e9e3e 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.net/room.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.net/room.ludic
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ export function net_room_join(net_st: mut NetState, code: string) -> bool {
     net_st.net__why = NET_WHY_NO_MATCHMAKER
     return false
   }
-  net__init(net_st)
   if not net__socket(net_st) { return false }
   net_st.net__r_role = 2
   net_st.net__room = Text.upper(code)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.net/session.ludic b/packages/ludic.net/session.ludic
index 81641d10..22896df5 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.net/session.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.net/session.ludic
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 
 # open a socket on `port` and take guests; false (net_why) when the port is taken
 export function net_host(net_st: mut NetState, port: int, token: int) -> bool {
-  net__init(net_st)
   if net_live(net_st) { return true }
   net_st.net__sock = NetSocket.open(port)
   if net_st.net__sock <= 0 {
@@ -20,7 +19,6 @@ export function net_host(net_st: mut NetState, port: int, token: int) -> bool {
 
 # dial a host at an address; the hello (net_hello_set) goes until a welcome or a refusal
 export function net_join(net_st: mut NetState, ip: int, port: int) -> bool {
-  net__init(net_st)
   if net_live(net_st) { return false }
   if not net__socket(net_st) { return false }
   for i in 0 .. NET_PEERS { np_close(net_st, i) }
@@ -42,7 +40,6 @@ function net__socket(net_st: mut NetState) -> bool {
 
 # the message just written is the hello: what a host is asked to let this machine in with
 export function net_hello_set(net_st: mut NetState) -> void {
-  net__init(net_st)
   nb_copy(net_st.net__hello_b, 0, net_st.net__wb, 0, net_st.net__wl)
   net_st.net__hello_l = net_st.net__wl
   if net_st.net__hello_l > NET_MTU - 40 { net_st.net__hello_l = NET_MTU - 40 }
@@ -50,7 +47,6 @@ export function net_hello_set(net_st: mut NetState) -> void {
 
 # (again) to that address, with a fresh connection and the hello sent anew
 export function net_dial(net_st: mut NetState, ip: int, port: int) -> void {
-  net__init(net_st)
   np_close(net_st, 0)
   net_st.net__join_ip = ip
   net_st.net__join_port = port
@@ -70,7 +66,6 @@ export function net_follow(net_st: mut NetState, ip: int, port: int) -> void {
 export function net_stand_alone(net_st: mut NetState) -> void { net_st.net__state = NET_IDLE }
 
 export function net_become_host(net_st: mut NetState, token: int) -> void {
-  net__init(net_st)
   net_st.net__state = NET_HOSTING
   net_st.net__my_pid = 1
   net_st.net__next_pid = 2
diff --git a/packages/ludic.net/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.net/state.ludic
index 312fb3dc..4a0cdeff 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.net/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.net/state.ludic
@@ -79,17 +79,17 @@ export state NetState {
   net__token: int = 0
   net__my_pid: int = 0
   net__next_pid: int = 2
-  net__peers: []NetPeer = null
-  net__in: []byte = null
-  net__out: []byte = null
-  net__wb: []byte = null          # the message being written
+  net__peers: []NetPeer = net__peers_new()
+  net__in: []byte = buffer(NET_MTU + 64)
+  net__out: []byte = buffer(NET_MTU + 64)
+  net__wb: []byte = buffer(NET_MTU)          # the message being written
   net__wl: int = 0
-  net__rb: []byte = null          # the message being read
+  net__rb: []byte = buffer(NET_MTU)          # the message being read
   net__rl: int = 0
   net__rp: int = 0
   net__rbad: bool = false
   net__tb: []byte = buffer(NET_MTU)          # text read out of a message, through one scratch buffer
-  net__hello_b: []byte = null     # the game's hello, sent again on every dial
+  net__hello_b: []byte = buffer(NET_MTU)     # the game's hello, sent again on every dial
   net__hello_l: int = 0
   net__hello_t: float = 0.0       # seconds since it went; -1 not yet
   net__wait_more: int = 0         # extra seconds a slow host is given (a map switch, a matchmaker)
@@ -111,19 +111,15 @@ export function net_inbox(net_st: NetState) -> Queue<NetMessage> {
   return net_st.net__inbox
 }
 
-function net__init(net_st: mut NetState) -> void {
-  if net_st.net__peers != null { return }
-  net_st.net__peers = new []NetPeer
+function net__facts__new() -> Queue<NetFact> { return queue_new("net.facts") }
+function net__inbox__new() -> Queue<NetMessage> { return queue_new("net.inbox") }
+# every peer slot, each with its own queue
+function net__peers_new() -> []NetPeer {
+  let out = new []NetPeer
   for i in 0 .. NET_PEERS {
     let p = new NetPeer
     p.queue = new []NetMsg
-    push(net_st.net__peers, p)
+    push(out, p)
   }
-  net_st.net__in = buffer(NET_MTU + 64)
-  net_st.net__out = buffer(NET_MTU + 64)
-  net_st.net__wb = buffer(NET_MTU)
-  net_st.net__rb = buffer(NET_MTU)
-  net_st.net__hello_b = buffer(NET_MTU)
+  return out
 }
-function net__facts__new() -> Queue<NetFact> { return queue_new("net.facts") }
-function net__inbox__new() -> Queue<NetMessage> { return queue_new("net.inbox") }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.session/README.md b/packages/ludic.session/README.md
index 6dc31662..e5e4b4d6 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.session/README.md
+++ b/packages/ludic.session/README.md
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ down ends the night). The transport says what this machine became (`ses_set_role
 
 | | |
 | --- | --- |
-| `ply_init()`, `ply_join(pid) -> slot`, `ply_leave(p)`, `ply_leave_all()` | the roster (-1: full, or pid 0) |
+| `ply_join(pid) -> slot`, `ply_leave(p)`, `ply_leave_all()` | the roster (-1: full, or pid 0) |
 | `ply_report(p, x, y, z, yaw, speed)`, `ply_report_rest(p, rest, sleeping)`, `ply_report_name(p, name)` | what a remote machine said |
 | `ply_on`, `ply_is_local`, `ply_slot_of(pid)`, `ply_count`, `ply_pid`, `ply_name`, `ply_x/y/z/yaw/speed/rest(p)`, `ply_sleeping(p)` | who and where |
 | `ply_near(x, z)`, `ply_near_d2`, `ply_near_i()`, `ply_dist(p, x, z)` | the nearest player |
diff --git a/packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic b/packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic
index 9e5e5e8e..2b176ad3 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.session/roster.ludic
@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 # roster.ludic - who is here. Slot 0 is this machine's player and reads the SessionLocal port
 # live; slots 1.. are remote players, filled by what their machines report.
-export function ply_init(session_st: mut SessionState) -> void { session__init(session_st) }
 
 export function ply_on(session_st: SessionState, p: int) -> bool {
   if p == 0 { return true }
@@ -26,7 +25,6 @@ export function ply_count(session_st: SessionState) -> int {
 # a remote player comes in, standing where this one stands until they say: the first free
 # slot, or -1 when the party is full
 export function ply_join(session_st: mut SessionState, pid: int) -> int {
-  session__init(session_st)
   if pid <= 0 { return -1 }                  # 0 is this machine's player
   for p in 1 .. PLY_MAX {
     if session_st.session__slot[p].on { continue }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.session/state.ludic b/packages/ludic.session/state.ludic
index bb059151..cdd71ab5 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.session/state.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.session/state.ludic
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ function session__nameless() -> string { return "" }
 
 export state SessionState {
   session__me_sleeping: bool = false
-  session__slot: []PartyMember = null
+  session__slot: []PartyMember = session__slots()
   session__role: int = 0
   session__max: int = 4
   session__open: bool = true
@@ -92,10 +92,11 @@ function session__fact(session_st: SessionState, what: int, slot: int, pid: int)
   return f
 }
 
-function session__init(session_st: mut SessionState) -> void {
-  if session_st.session__slot != null { return }
-  session_st.session__slot = new []PartyMember
-  for i in 0 .. PLY_MAX { push(session_st.session__slot, new PartyMember) }
-  session_st.session__slot[0].on = true
-}
 function session__facts__new() -> Queue<SessionFact> { return queue_new("session.facts") }
+# the roster's slots, slot 0 this machine's own and on
+function session__slots() -> []PartyMember {
+  let out = new []PartyMember
+  for i in 0 .. PLY_MAX { push(out, new PartyMember) }
+  out[0].on = true
+  return out
+}
diff --git a/packages/ludic.session/tests/session_test.ludic b/packages/ludic.session/tests/session_test.ludic
index dd7ce8da..a2429d2f 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.session/tests/session_test.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.session/tests/session_test.ludic
@@ -30,14 +30,12 @@ program SessionTest {
 
   # a host with n guests, pids 2.., facts drained
   function party(session_st: mut SessionState, n: int) -> void {
-    ply_init(session_st)
     ses_set_role(session_st, SES_HOST)
     for i in 0 .. n { ply_join(session_st, 2 + i) }
     q_clear(ses_facts(session_st))
   }
 
   test "slot 0 is the local player, read live; others join at its feet and leave" (session_st: mut SessionState, session_test_st: mut SessionTestState) {
-    ply_init(session_st)
     session_test_st.me_x = 5.0
     expect(ply_on(session_st, 0))
     expect_near(ply_x(session_st, 0), 5.0, 0.001)
@@ -58,14 +56,12 @@ program SessionTest {
   }
 
   test "the roster fills at twelve" (session_st: mut SessionState) {
-    ply_init(session_st)
     for i in 0 .. PLY_MAX - 1 { expect(ply_join(session_st, 10 + i) > 0) }
     expect_eq(ply_join(session_st, 99), -1)
     expect_eq(ply_count(session_st), PLY_MAX)
   }
 
   test "the nearest player, whoever it is" (session_st: mut SessionState, session_test_st: mut SessionTestState) {
-    ply_init(session_st)
     session_test_st.me_x = 100.0
     let p = ply_join(session_st, 2)
     ply_report(session_st, p, 3.0, 0.0, 4.0, 0.0, 1.0)
@@ -75,7 +71,6 @@ program SessionTest {
   }
 
   test "roles: alone owns the world, a guest does not, and a change is a fact" (session_st: mut SessionState) {
-    ply_init(session_st)
     expect(ses_owns_world(session_st))
     expect(not ses_live(session_st))
     expect(ses_night_passes(session_st))
@@ -115,7 +110,6 @@ program SessionTest {
   }
 
   test "a guest's turning in is a fact for the host to hear; alone a bed just sleeps" (session_st: mut SessionState) {
-    ply_init(session_st)
     expect(not ses_sleep(session_st, true))
     ses_set_role(session_st, SES_GUEST)
     q_clear(ses_facts(session_st))
@@ -153,7 +147,6 @@ program SessionTest {
   }
 
   test "alone it may go; a guest may not, and its vote goes to the host" (session_st: mut SessionState) {
-    ply_init(session_st)
     expect_eq(ses_may(session_st, 1, 0, "x"), SES_MAY_GO)
     ses_set_role(session_st, SES_GUEST)
     expect_eq(ses_may(session_st, 1, 0, "x"), SES_MAY_HOSTS)
diff --git a/packages/ludic.settings/file.ludic b/packages/ludic.settings/file.ludic
index f50314d2..e58a0514 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.settings/file.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.settings/file.ludic
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
 # ludic.settings/file.ludic - the store as a JSON object, by key: a switch is 0 or 1, a whole number
 # is itself, a float is thousandths (sv_put_float), text is a string. A key the file lacks keeps
 # what the store holds, and a key the store does not know is ignored.
-export function settings_to_json(settings_st: mut SettingsState) -> Val {
-  sg_init(settings_st)
+export function settings_to_json(settings_st: SettingsState) -> Val {
   let v = Value.object()
   for i in 0 .. len(settings_st.sg_defs) { settings_put(settings_st, v, i) }
   return v
@@ -23,7 +22,6 @@ export function settings_put(settings_st: SettingsState, v: Val, id: int) -> voi
 
 # every key `v` names, held to its range; quiet, since a load is applied whole by its caller
 export function settings_from_json(settings_st: mut SettingsState, v: Val) -> void {
-  sg_init(settings_st)
   if v == null { return }
   for i in 0 .. len(settings_st.sg_defs) { sg_read(settings_st, v, i) }
 }
diff --git a/packages/ludic.settings/rules.ludic b/packages/ludic.settings/rules.ludic
index 48102475..e1d351c3 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.settings/rules.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.settings/rules.ludic
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 # ludic.settings/rules.ludic - the whole store at once: every setting to its default, every one
 # held to its range, and the rescue set. None of these is news: whoever calls them applies it all
 export function settings_reset_all(settings_st: mut SettingsState) -> void {
-  sg_init(settings_st)
   for i in 0 .. len(settings_st.sg_defs) {
     settings_st.sg_num[i] = settings_st.sg_defs[i].num
     settings_st.sg_text[i] = settings_st.sg_defs[i].text
@@ -11,14 +10,12 @@ export function settings_reset_all(settings_st: mut SettingsState) -> void {
 # a hand-edited file, or one from a build with more choices, never hands the game a value it has
 # no case for
 export function settings_clamp_all(settings_st: mut SettingsState) -> void {
-  sg_init(settings_st)
   for i in 0 .. len(settings_st.sg_defs) { settings_st.sg_num[i] = settings_held(settings_st, i, settings_st.sg_num[i]) }
 }
 
 # the values every machine can run: each setting marked `rescue` back to its default, and the
 # rest (keys, language, volume) left the player's
 export function settings_rescue(settings_st: mut SettingsState) -> void {
-  sg_init(settings_st)
   for i in 0 .. len(settings_st.sg_defs) {
     if settings_st.sg_defs[i].rescue {
       settings_st.sg_num[i] = settings_st.sg_defs[i].num
diff --git a/packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic b/packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic
index fd8f0d81..fd44329c 100644
--- a/packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic
+++ b/packages/ludic.settings/store.ludic
@@ -1,18 +1,12 @@
 # ludic.settings/store.ludic - the values, by id (a setting's place in the order it was added),
 # and the verbs: nothing else holds a setting, and every set that changes one is a fact
 export state SettingsState {
-  sg_defs: []SettingDef = null
-  sg_num: []float = null
-  sg_text: []string = null
+  sg_defs: []SettingDef = new []SettingDef
+  sg_num: []float = new []float
+  sg_text: []string = new []string
   sg_changes: Queue<SettingChanged> = sg_changes__new()
 }
 
-function sg_init(settings_st: mut SettingsState) -> void {
-  if settings_st.sg_defs != null { return }
-  settings_st.sg_defs = new []SettingDef
-  settings_st.sg_num = new []float
-  settings_st.sg_text = new []string
-}
 
 export function settings_changes(settings_st: SettingsState) -> Queue<SettingChanged> {
   return settings_st.sg_changes
@@ -28,23 +22,20 @@ export function settings_clear(settings_st: mut SettingsState) -> void {
 
 # a setting, at its default; its id is its place in the order added
 export function settings_add(settings_st: mut SettingsState, d: SettingDef) -> int {
-  sg_init(settings_st)
   push(settings_st.sg_defs, d)
   push(settings_st.sg_num, d.num)
   push(settings_st.sg_text, d.text)
   return len(settings_st.sg_defs) - 1
 }
 
-export function settings_count(settings_st: mut SettingsState) -> int {
-  sg_init(settings_st)
+export function settings_count(settings_st: SettingsState) -> int {
   return len(settings_st.sg_defs)
 }
 
 export function settings_def(settings_st: SettingsState, id: int) -> SettingDef { return settings_st.sg_defs[id] }
 
 # the id of `key`, or -1
-export function settings_id_of(settings_st: mut SettingsState, key: string) -> int {
-  sg_init(settings_st)
+export function settings_id_of(settings_st: SettingsState, key: string) -> int {
   for i in 0 .. len(settings_st.sg_defs) { if settings_st.sg_defs[i].key == key { return i } }
   return -1
 }