Schema Reference

DINOForge uses JSON Schema and YAML Schema definitions to validate all pack content before runtime. Schemas live in the schemas/ directory at the repository root.

Available Schemas

Schema	File	Description
Pack Manifest	pack-manifest.schema.yaml / .json	Required metadata for every pack
Unit	unit.schema.yaml / .json	Unit definitions with stats, weapons, behavior
Faction	faction.schema.yaml / .json	Faction identity, roster, economy, visuals
Building	building.schema.json	Structure definitions
Weapon	weapon.schema.json	Weapon class definitions
Projectile	projectile.schema.json	Projectile behavior and visuals
Doctrine	doctrine.schema.json	Combat doctrine modifiers
Skill	skill.schema.json	Unit abilities and special actions
Wave	wave.schema.json	Enemy wave composition templates
Squad	squad.schema.json	Squad formation definitions
Stat Override	stat-override.schema.json	Balance mod stat modifications
Scenario	scenario.schema.json	Scenario scripting, conditions, victory/loss
Economy Profile	economy-profile.schema.json	Resource rates, trade, economy balance
Universe Bible	universe-bible.json	Total conversion lore, naming, style guides
Asset Manifest	asset-manifest.schema.json	Intake manifest with technical and IP provenance states

Pack Manifest

Every pack must include a pack.yaml conforming to this schema.

Required Fields

Field	Type	Pattern	Description
id	string	^[a-z][a-z0-9-]*$	Unique pack identifier
name	string	—	Human-readable name
version	string	semver	Semantic version (0.1.0)
framework_version	string	range	Compatible DINOForge range
author	string	—	Author name
type	enum	—	content, balance, ruleset, total_conversion, utility

Optional Fields

Field	Type	Default	Description
description	string	—	Brief description
depends_on	string[]	[]	Required pack IDs
conflicts_with	string[]	[]	Incompatible pack IDs
load_order	integer	100	Load priority (lower = earlier)
game_version	string	—	Compatible DINO version range
loads	object	—	Content declarations
overrides	object	—	Registry entries this pack overrides
asset_policy	object	—	Asset sourcing metadata

Content Declarations (loads)

loads:
  factions: []
  units: []
  buildings: []
  weapons: []
  projectiles: []
  effects: []
  doctrines: []
  audio: []
  visuals: []
  localization: []
  wave_templates: []
  tech_nodes: []
  scenarios: []

Unit Schema

Units define combat entities with stats, weapons, defense tags, and behavior.

Required Fields

Field	Type	Description
id	string (^[a-z][a-z0-9_]*$)	Unique unit identifier
display_name	string	Shown in-game
unit_class	enum	Combat classification
faction_id	string	Owning faction
stats	object	HP, damage, range, speed, cost

Unit Classes

MilitiaLight, CoreLineInfantry, EliteLineInfantry, HeavyInfantry, Skirmisher, AntiArmor, ShockMelee, SwarmFodder, FastVehicle, MainBattleVehicle, HeavySiege, Artillery, WalkerHeavy, StaticMG, StaticAT, StaticArtillery, SupportEngineer, Recon, HeroCommander, AirstrikeProxy, ShieldedElite

Stats Block

stats:
  hp: 100          # minimum: 1
  damage: 15       # minimum: 0
  armor: 0         # default: 0
  range: 6         # minimum: 0
  speed: 3.5       # minimum: 0
  cost:
    resource_1: 30
    resource_2: 10
    resource_3: 0
    resource_4: 0
    population: 1
  accuracy: 0.7    # 0.0 - 1.0
  fire_rate: 1.0   # minimum: 0
  morale: 100

Defense Tags

Unarmored, InfantryArmor, HeavyArmor, Fortified, Shielded, Mechanical, Biological, Heroic

Behavior Tags

HoldLine, AdvanceFire, Charge, Kite, Swarm, SiegePriority, AntiStructure, AntiMass, AntiArmor, MoralePressure

Faction Schema

Factions define a complete army identity: roster, economy modifiers, visuals, and audio.

Required Sections

Section	Description
faction	Identity: id, theme, archetype, display name
economy	Gather bonus, upkeep, research/build speed
army	Morale style, unit cap, elite cost, spawn rate
roster	Maps abstract roles to concrete unit IDs
buildings	Maps abstract building roles to concrete IDs
visuals	Colors, projectile pack, UI skin
audio	Weapon, structure, ambient, music packs

Themes

starwars, modern, futuristic, fantasy, custom

Archetypes

order, industrial_swarm, asymmetric, custom

Roster Slots

cheap_infantry, line_infantry, elite_infantry, anti_armor, support_weapon, recon, light_vehicle, heavy_vehicle, artillery, hero_commander, spike_unit

Weapon Schema

Weapon classes used in the weapon field of unit definitions:

BallisticLight, BallisticHeavy, BlasterLight, BlasterHeavy, ExplosiveAT, ExplosiveHE, BeamPrecision, FlameArea, MissileGuided, SuppressionWeapon, MeleeLight, MeleeHeavy