Data-Driven Upgrade Library: Upgrades are now fully modular - create a .upgrade asset file and it auto-appears in the shop, saves, and tracks stats. No C# changes needed.

UpgradeManager: Central manager with generic API (GetLevel, GetEffect, PurchaseUpgrade). Replaces hardcoded switch statements.

OreRegistry: Auto-discovers all .cube assets. Provides cached lookups by path, tier, and weighted random pick.

RecipeRegistry: Auto-discovers all .recipe assets. Provides lookups by output type, input ore, and affordability checks.

TradeRegistry: Auto-discovers all .trade assets. Generates daily trades and handles execution.

Per-Upgrade Stat Tracking: Each upgrade purchase fires upgrade_{id} and upgrade_{id}_level stats to the backend automatically.

Per-Ore Stat Tracking: Every ore type tracks ore_{id}_destroyed and ore_{id}_collected automatically via StatId.

Upgrade Categories: Mining, Automation, Smelting, Economy, Storage, Movement, Combat, Utility, Prestige.

Upgrade Unlock Conditions: Min prestige, min expansion, required upgrade, required weapon, min player level.

Card-Based Shop UI: Hardware and Augments tabs use a compact card grid layout with flex-flow: row wrap.

Card-Based Trading Panel: Black Market uses the same card grid pattern.

8 New Trade Offers: Gold Rush, Mythril Exchange, Silver Lining, Tin Stockpile, Bulk Smelt Deal, Iron Surplus, Diamond Heist, Platinum Deal.

Hired Crew (NPC Workers): Purchase workers from the shop to mine ore autonomously. They pathfind to nodes, swing pickaxes, collect drops, and deliver to the smelter.

Worker Management Panel: Interact (E) with any NPC worker to Promote, Praise, or Fire them.

Worker Tiers: Each worker has a mining tier. Higher tiers mine tougher nodes faster.

Morale System: Praising a worker gives a temporary speed buff that decays over time.

Ore Node Tier HUD: Looking at a node shows its name, rarity, and whether your tool is effective.

Mining Drone: A flying drone that orbits nodes and chips away passively - scales with upgrade level.

Base Expansion System: Unlock new rooms to expand worker capacity and extraction bays. [One new room for now]

Trading Post: Exchange surplus materials at rotating daily rates.

Smelter Output Crate: Finished ingots drop into a physical crate to collect from.

Crate Contents Panel: Floating display above crates showing stored ingots.

Pause Menu: Escape for resume, settings, and quit-to-menu.