# Product Brief

## Name

The official app name is Steam Backlog Helper.

Use neutral technical identifiers where possible:

- Repository name: `steam-backlog-helper`
- Package ID: `com.boris.backloghelper`
- Internal slug: `backlog-helper`

## Purpose

Build a cross-platform desktop app that helps a Steam user pick a game from a large backlog.

The app should reduce decision fatigue by combining Steam library data, public metadata, completion-time estimates, review signals, and a short set of user answers.

## Target User

The initial user is a Steam user with a large library and many unplayed or lightly played games.

Secondary users may include:

- Players trying to finish owned games before buying more.
- Players who want recommendations based on time available.
- Players who want to rediscover forgotten purchases.
- Players who want a randomizer with more context than pure chance.

## Core Problem

Steam libraries often contain many owned, unplayed, partially played, or forgotten games. Steam itself exposes library and playtime data, but it does not provide a focused workflow for choosing what to play next based on the user's current situation.

## Product Principles

- Fast decision-making over exhaustive catalog management.
- Recommendations should be explainable.
- The user should answer only a short set of questions before receiving useful options.
- True random should remain available as a toggle.
- Local-first storage is required for the first version.
- Small app size matters more than fastest possible development.
- The app should support Steam launch links for selected games.

## Initial Success Criteria

- The user can enter a Steam profile and Steam Web API key during setup.
- The app imports owned Steam games for public or API-accessible libraries.
- The app excludes demos, tools, soundtracks, and DLC by default while keeping free-to-play games.
- The app asks short recommendation questions covering time available, genre preference, completion preference, review-score tolerance, and randomness.
- The app presents a short dynamic list of games to play now.
- The app includes a slot-machine style picker animation.
- The app can open selected games through Steam app ID launch links.
- The app runs on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

## Non-Goals For The First Version

- Replacing Steam as a launcher.
- Full library management.
- Manual metadata editing.
- Private-profile fallback imports.
- Installed-game detection.
- Recommendation history.
- Import/export.
- Mood tagging.
- Social recommendations.
- Multiplayer matchmaking.
- Full achievement tracking dashboards.
- Cloud account infrastructure.
- Mobile app support.