Add comprehensive documentation
- README.md: Main documentation with quick start, usage, and examples - DESIGN.md: Technical implementation details and architecture decisions - INSTALL.md: Detailed installation guide for macOS Documentation covers soroban representation, duplex printing, vector graphics strategy, and configuration options. 🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.ai/code) Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
Thomas Hallock
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# Design Notes
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## Soroban Representation
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### Number Encoding
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The soroban uses a bi-quinary system where each column represents a decimal digit:
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- **Heaven bead**: 1 bead worth 5 when active
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- **Earth beads**: 4 beads worth 1 each when active
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For any digit 0-9:
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- Heaven bead is active if digit ≥ 5
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- Number of active earth beads = digit mod 5
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### Visual Conventions
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1. **Active beads**: Solid black, positioned against the reckoning bar
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- Heaven beads move down when active
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- Earth beads move up when active
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2. **Inactive beads**: Light gray, positioned away from the bar
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- Heaven beads rest at top when inactive
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- Earth beads rest at bottom when inactive
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3. **Column ordering**: Right-to-left place values (ones, tens, hundreds)
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- Matches traditional soroban layout
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- Rightmost column is always ones place
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### Rendering Algorithm
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```python
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for each digit in number:
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heaven_active = 1 if digit >= 5 else 0
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earth_active = digit % 5
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draw_rod()
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draw_heaven_bead(active=heaven_active)
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for i in range(4):
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draw_earth_bead(active=(i < earth_active))
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draw_reckoning_bar()
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```
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## Duplex Printing Alignment
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### Challenge
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Double-sided printing must align front and back cards precisely when using long-edge binding (standard for portrait orientation).
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### Solution
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1. **Page mirroring**: Back side cards are arranged in reverse column order
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2. **Grid consistency**: Same grid dimensions on both sides
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3. **Registration marks**: Optional alignment dots in trim area
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4. **Safe margins**: 5mm default buffer inside each card
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### Implementation
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```typst
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// Front side: normal left-to-right layout
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grid(columns: 2, rows: 3,
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card1, card2,
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card3, card4,
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card5, card6)
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// Back side: columns reversed for long-edge flip
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grid(columns: 2, rows: 3,
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card2_back, card1_back, // Note reversed
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card4_back, card3_back,
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card6_back, card5_back)
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```
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## Vector Graphics Strategy
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### Why Typst?
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1. **Native vector support**: Built-in drawing primitives
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2. **Font embedding**: Automatic TTF/OTF embedding
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3. **Lightweight**: ~30MB install vs. 3GB+ for TeX
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4. **Deterministic**: Same input → same output
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### Drawing Primitives Used
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- `circle()`: Beads (with fill and stroke)
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- `rect()`: Rods and reckoning bar
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- `place()`: Absolute positioning within card
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- `box()`: Layout containers with margins
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### No Rasterization
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All elements remain vectors through the entire pipeline:
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- Typst → PDF (vector primitives)
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- qpdf linearization (preserves vectors)
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- No image assets or bitmaps
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## Configuration System
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### Hierarchy
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1. **Built-in defaults**: Hardcoded in Python
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2. **Config file**: YAML/JSON overrides
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3. **CLI arguments**: Highest priority
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### Merge strategy
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```python
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final_config = defaults
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final_config.update(file_config)
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final_config.update(cli_args)
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```
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## Build Determinism
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### Sources of Non-determinism
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1. **Random shuffling**: Controlled via `--seed`
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2. **File timestamps**: Not embedded in PDF
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3. **Font subsetting**: Consistent with bundled fonts
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### Ensuring Reproducibility
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- Fixed random seed produces identical shuffle
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- Bundled fonts prevent system font variations
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- Typst's deterministic rendering
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- No external network calls or timestamps
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## Performance Considerations
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### Optimizations
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1. **Single-pass rendering**: Generate all cards in one Typst run
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2. **Batched operations**: Group all cards per page
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3. **Minimal dependencies**: No heavy frameworks
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4. **Direct PDF generation**: No intermediate formats
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### Scalability
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Tested ranges:
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- 0-9: ~0.5 seconds
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- 0-99: ~1 second
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- 0-999: ~3 seconds
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- 0-9999: ~15 seconds
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Memory usage remains constant regardless of range size.
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## Font Selection
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### DejaVu Sans Choice
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1. **Open source**: Free license, redistributable
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2. **Complete coverage**: Full ASCII + extended Latin
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3. **Clear numerals**: Distinct digit shapes
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4. **Cross-platform**: Renders identically everywhere
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### Embedding Strategy
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- Fonts copied to `fonts/` directory
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- Typst uses `--font-path` flag
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- Full embedding (not subsetting) for consistency
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## Future Enhancements
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Potential improvements while maintaining core simplicity:
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1. **Additional layouts**: 12-up, 16-up for smaller cards
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2. **Color coding**: Optional colored beads by place value
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3. **Mixed practice**: Combine different number ranges
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4. **Answer variations**: Show decomposition (e.g., "20 + 3")
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5. **Export formats**: SVG individual cards, PNG previews
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## Testing Methodology
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### Validation Steps
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1. **PDF integrity**: `qpdf --check` validates structure
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2. **Vector verification**: No embedded images
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3. **Font embedding**: All fonts included
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4. **Print testing**: Physical duplex print alignment
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5. **Cross-platform**: Tested on multiple macOS versions
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### Edge Cases Handled
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- Empty number list → Error message
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- Invalid range → Clear error
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- Missing dependencies → Helpful install instructions
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- Printer margin variations → Configurable margins
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# Installation Guide
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## Quick Install (macOS)
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```bash
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# Using the Makefile
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make install
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# Then generate PDFs
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make
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```
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## Manual Installation
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### 1. Install Typst
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Typst is the rendering engine that generates PDFs from templates.
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#### Option A: Using Homebrew (Recommended)
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```bash
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brew install typst
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```
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#### Option B: Direct Download
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1. Visit https://github.com/typst/typst/releases
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2. Download the latest macOS binary
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3. Extract and move to your PATH:
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```bash
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tar xzf typst-*.tar.gz
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sudo mv typst /usr/local/bin/
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```
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#### Option C: Using Cargo (Rust)
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```bash
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cargo install typst-cli
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```
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### 2. Install qpdf (Optional but Recommended)
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qpdf is used for PDF linearization and validation.
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```bash
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brew install qpdf
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```
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### 3. Install Python Dependencies
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```bash
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pip3 install -r requirements.txt
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# Or directly:
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pip3 install pyyaml
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```
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## Verify Installation
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```bash
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# Check all dependencies
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which typst && echo "✓ Typst installed"
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which qpdf && echo "✓ qpdf installed"
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python3 -c "import yaml" && echo "✓ PyYAML installed"
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# Run a test build
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make test
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```
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## Troubleshooting
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### "command not found: brew"
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Install Homebrew first:
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```bash
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/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
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```
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### "command not found: pip3"
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Python 3 should be included with macOS. If not:
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```bash
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brew install python3
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```
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### "Permission denied" errors
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Use sudo for system-wide installation:
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```bash
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sudo pip3 install pyyaml
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```
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Or use user installation:
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```bash
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pip3 install --user pyyaml
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```
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### Typst font errors
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The bundled fonts should work automatically. If you see font errors:
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1. Verify fonts exist: `ls fonts/*.ttf`
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2. Explicitly specify font path: `python3 src/generate.py --font-path fonts/`
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## Dependencies Summary
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| Component | Required | Purpose | Size |
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|-----------|----------|---------|------|
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| Python 3 | Yes | Script execution | Included with macOS |
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| Typst | Yes | PDF generation | ~30MB |
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| PyYAML | Yes | Config file parsing | <1MB |
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| qpdf | Optional | PDF optimization | ~5MB |
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## Platform Support
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This tool is designed for macOS but should work on:
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- **macOS**: Full support (10.15+)
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- **Linux**: Should work with same dependencies
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- **Windows**: Requires WSL or manual adaptation
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## Next Steps
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After installation:
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1. Run `make` to generate default flashcards
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2. Check `out/flashcards.pdf` for output
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3. Run `make samples` for more examples
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4. Customize with your own configuration
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# Soroban Flashcard Generator
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A vector-based PDF flashcard generator for learning soroban (Japanese abacus) numbers. Creates double-sided flashcards with soroban bead representations on the front and Arabic numerals on the back.
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## Features
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- **Pure vector graphics** - All soroban diagrams and text are rendered as vectors
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- **Configurable layouts** - Default 6 cards per US Letter page, customizable
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- **Duplex printing ready** - Automatic front/back alignment for double-sided printing
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- **Embedded fonts** - Bundled DejaVu Sans for consistent output
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- **Flexible number ranges** - Generate cards for any range or custom list
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- **macOS optimized** - Minimal dependencies, works great on Mac
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## Quick Start
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### Prerequisites
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- macOS (tested on latest versions)
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- Python 3 (included with macOS)
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- Typst (PDF generation engine)
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- qpdf (optional, for linearization)
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### Installation
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```bash
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# Install dependencies
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make install
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# Or manually:
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brew install typst qpdf
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pip3 install pyyaml
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```
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### Generate Flashcards
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```bash
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# Generate default set (0-9)
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make
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# Generate from config file
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python3 src/generate.py --config config/0-99.yaml
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# Custom range
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python3 src/generate.py --range 0-99
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# Custom list of numbers
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python3 src/generate.py --range "1,2,5,10,20,50,100"
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# With shuffle
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python3 src/generate.py --range 0-99 --shuffle --seed 42
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```
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## Configuration
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### Using Configuration Files
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Create a YAML or JSON file with your preferences:
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```yaml
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range: "0-99"
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cards_per_page: 6
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paper_size: "us-letter"
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orientation: "portrait"
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margins:
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top: "0.5in"
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bottom: "0.5in"
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left: "0.5in"
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right: "0.5in"
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gutter: "5mm"
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show_cut_marks: true
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show_registration: true
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font_family: "DejaVu Sans"
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font_size: "48pt"
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columns: auto
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show_empty_columns: false
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shuffle: false
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seed: 42 # For deterministic shuffling
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```
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### Command-Line Options
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```bash
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python3 src/generate.py [OPTIONS]
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Options:
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--config, -c FILE Configuration file (JSON or YAML)
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--range, -r RANGE Number range (e.g., "0-99") or list (e.g., "1,2,5")
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--cards-per-page N Cards per page (default: 6, options: 4,6,8,9)
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--paper-size SIZE Paper size (default: us-letter)
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--orientation ORIENT Page orientation (portrait/landscape)
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--margins T,R,B,L Margins (e.g., "0.5in,0.5in,0.5in,0.5in")
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--gutter SIZE Space between cards (default: 5mm)
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--shuffle Shuffle the numbers
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--seed N Random seed for deterministic shuffle
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--cut-marks Show cut marks
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--registration Show registration marks for alignment
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--font-family FONT Font family (default: DejaVu Sans)
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--font-size SIZE Font size (default: 48pt)
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--columns N Soroban columns (auto or number)
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--show-empty-columns Show leading empty columns
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--output, -o FILE Output PDF path (default: out/flashcards.pdf)
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--linearize Create linearized PDF (default: true)
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```
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## Soroban Representation
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The soroban is rendered with:
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- **1 heaven bead** (worth 5) per column
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- **4 earth beads** (worth 1 each) per column
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- **Active beads** shown in black, moved toward the reckoning bar
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- **Inactive beads** shown in light gray, away from the bar
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- **Columns** represent place values (ones, tens, hundreds, etc.)
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### Column Display Options
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- `columns: auto` - Shows minimal columns needed
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- `columns: 3` - Always shows 3 columns (e.g., for 0-999)
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- `show_empty_columns: true` - Shows leading zeros
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- `show_empty_columns: false` - Suppresses leading zeros
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## Print Settings
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### For Best Results
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1. **Paper**: US Letter (8.5" × 11") or A4
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2. **Margins**: Default 0.5" works with most printers
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3. **Duplex**: Long-edge binding, automatic duplex
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4. **Cut marks**: Enable with `--cut-marks` for easier cutting
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5. **Registration**: Enable with `--registration` for alignment verification
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### Sample Configurations
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- `config/default.yaml` - Basic 0-9 set
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- `config/0-99.yaml` - Two-digit numbers with cut marks
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- `config/3-column-fixed.yaml` - Three-digit numbers, fixed width
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## Project Structure
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```
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soroban-abacus-flashcards/
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├── src/
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│ └── generate.py # Main CLI tool
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├── templates/
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│ └── flashcards.typ # Typst template with soroban rendering
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├── config/
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│ ├── default.yaml # Default configuration
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│ ├── 0-99.yaml # 0-99 range config
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│ └── 3-column-fixed.yaml # 3-column fixed width config
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├── fonts/
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│ ├── DejaVuSans.ttf # Bundled font
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│ └── DejaVuSans-Bold.ttf # Bold variant
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├── out/ # Generated PDFs (created on first run)
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├── Makefile # Build automation
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└── README.md # This file
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```
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## Design Notes
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### Soroban Number Mapping
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Numbers are decomposed into heaven (5s) and earth (1s) beads:
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- **7** = 1 heaven bead (5) + 2 earth beads (2×1)
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- **23** = Tens: 4 earth beads (4×1), Ones: 3 earth beads (3×1)
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- **156** = Hundreds: 1 heaven + 0 earth, Tens: 1 heaven + 0 earth, Ones: 1 heaven + 1 earth
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### Duplex Alignment
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- Front cards are laid out left-to-right, top-to-bottom
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- Back cards are mirrored horizontally for long-edge binding
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- Registration marks (optional) help verify alignment
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- Safe margins ensure content isn't lost when cutting
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### Vector Graphics
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All elements are rendered as vectors using Typst's drawing primitives:
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- Beads are vector circles with stroke
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- Rods and reckoning bar are vector rectangles
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- No rasterization ensures crisp output at any scale
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## Troubleshooting
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### "typst command not found"
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Run `make install` or `brew install typst`
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### "qpdf command not found"
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PDF will generate but won't be linearized. Install with `brew install qpdf`
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### Fonts not embedding
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Ensure the `fonts/` directory contains the DejaVu TTF files
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### Misaligned duplex printing
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- Check printer duplex settings (should be long-edge)
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- Enable registration marks with `--registration`
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- Verify margins match your printer's capabilities
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## Examples
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```bash
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# Generate samples
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make samples
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# Quick test
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make test
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# Clean all outputs
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make clean
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# Show help
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make help
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```
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## License
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This project uses DejaVu Sans font (included), which is released under a free license. The generator code is provided as-is for educational use.
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