Validate ordered Age writing and highlight Binder errors (#30)

build.gradle

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ tasks.named('wrapper', Wrapper).configure {
 version = mod_version
 group = mod_group_id
 
-List<String> archivedGameTestSuites = ['linking', 'writing', 'desk', 'binder', 'mixer', 'recipe']
+List<String> archivedGameTestSuites = ['linking', 'writing', 'grammar', 'desk', 'binder', 'mixer', 'recipe']
 List<String> selectedArchivedGameTestSuites = providers.gradleProperty('withArchivedGameTests')
         .map { it.toBoolean() }.orElse(false).get() ? archivedGameTestSuites
         : providers.gradleProperty('archivedGameTestSuites').orElse('').get()

docs/GAMETESTS.md

@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 # GameTest suites
 
-The default dedicated-server run is a small smoke suite: 17 Rivencraft tests
+The default dedicated-server run is a small smoke suite: 19 Rivencraft tests
 cover core linking, deterministic Age definition, writing persistence, legacy
 data migration, workstation transactions, and forged/replayed menu actions.
-NeoForge currently adds two of its own tests, so the runner reports 19.
+NeoForge currently adds two of its own tests, so the runner reports 21.
 
 ```shell
 ./gradlew runGameTestServer
 ```
 
-The remaining 47 Rivencraft tests are archived, not deleted. They cover
+The remaining 49 Rivencraft tests are archived, not deleted. They cover
 completed milestone details such as every Age terrain profile, Notebook and
 Desk surface interactions, refill edge cases, book assembly controls, and
 workstation break/drop behavior. Run only the relevant archive alongside the
@@ -17,11 +17,11 @@ core tests when investigating an issue:
 
 ```shell
 ./gradlew runGameTestServer -ParchivedGameTestSuites=desk
-./gradlew runGameTestServer -ParchivedGameTestSuites=linking,binder
+./gradlew runGameTestServer -ParchivedGameTestSuites=grammar,binder
 ```
 
-Available suite names are `linking`, `writing`, `desk`, `binder`, `mixer`, and
-`recipe`. Run all 64 Rivencraft tests (66 including NeoForge's two) before a
+Available suite names are `linking`, `writing`, `grammar`, `desk`, `binder`, `mixer`, and
+`recipe`. Run all 68 Rivencraft tests (70 including NeoForge's two) before a
 release or after broad cross-system changes:
 
 ```shell

docs/SYMBOL_SEMANTICS.md

@@ -39,6 +39,6 @@ These are schema bounds, not claims that Legacy shipped numeric config ranges. S
 
 The server rejects a v2 definition with an unknown top-level or semantics field, missing/incorrectly typed field, unknown role or choice, malformed/non-canonical resource ID, or out-of-range/non-finite number. An invalid definition is logged with its file ID and excluded from the active catalog. Saved pages and books still retain that ID, allowing the player to recover them if the data pack is corrected. A reload atomically replaces the catalog rather than mutating saved writing.
 
-Schema v1 definitions remain readable as **display-only** symbols; existing packs need not be rewritten merely to show or copy pages. A v1 definition cannot add a `semantics` field. To make one eligible for future Age compilation, publish a v2 definition with the **same file path and ID**, adding a valid role and value. Do not rename the page ID or reorder a book's `OrderedWriting`. The client receives only `SymbolDisplayMetadata` (ID, translation keys, category, resolved flag); semantic definitions are not serialized to it. This slice defines and validates meaning but does **not yet apply** written symbols to Age generation; issues #30 and #31 implement parsing and compilation.
+Schema v1 definitions remain readable as **display-only** symbols; existing packs need not be rewritten merely to show or copy pages. A v1 definition cannot add a `semantics` field. To make one eligible for Age grammar parsing, publish a v2 definition with the **same file path and ID**, adding a valid role and value. Do not rename the page ID or reorder a book's `OrderedWriting`. The client receives only `SymbolDisplayMetadata` (ID, translation keys, category, resolved flag); semantic definitions are not serialized to it. The [ordered-writing parser](WRITING_GRAMMAR.md) validates new books, but does **not yet apply** written symbols to Age generation; issue #31 adds compilation.
 
 The six built-in definitions demonstrate terrain, biome-controller, lighting, weather, celestial, and feature roles. A third-party pack may add its own definitions under its namespace. Use an explicit semantic role even when the display category has the same name; the two fields serve different purposes.

docs/WRITING_GRAMMAR.md

@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+# Ordered Descriptive Book grammar (Milestone 5, issue #30)
+
+`WritingGrammar` interprets the saved `OrderedWriting` on the server using only `SymbolCatalog`'s schema-v2 semantics. Client display metadata, page names, and supplied translations never determine an Age's meaning. The parser is pure: it returns immutable parsed entries and indexed diagnostics without changing a book or its pages.
+
+New Binder writing has at most one Link Panel plus 27 symbol pages. The Link Panel must be first. A Link-Panel-only book, or an older book with no writing component, keeps the existing random Age path. Any authored supported symbol makes the book a partial or complete grammar, even though **0.4.2.0 still generates a random Age**; issue #31 will compile it into a persistent plan before chunk generation.
+
+The supported order follows the representable subset of the [Legacy grammar audit](LEGACY_AGE_GRAMMAR_AUDIT.md): terrain; zero or more biome pages; biome controller; weather; lighting; zero or more period, angle, or phase modifiers; one celestial page; then zero or more distinct features. Biome pages precede the controller that consumes them, and celestial modifiers precede the celestial page. Terrain, controller, weather, lighting, and celestial are single-choice categories; identical repeats are duplicates and differing values conflict. Repeated modifiers are intentional. Biome pages may repeat, preserving author order and any future weighting; feature IDs may not repeat.
+
+Missing terrain, controller, weather, lighting, celestial, or the controller's minimum biome count is an **incomplete** warning, not an error: issue #31 will fill those branches deterministically from the Age seed. The minimum is zero for Native, one for Single, two for Tiled/Grid, and three for Tiny–Huge. Native cannot consume authored biome pages; Single accepts only one. Unknown IDs, schema-v1 display-only symbols, wrong ordering, misplaced modifiers, duplicates, conflicts, missing/extra Link Panels, and oversized writing are errors. The Binder disables output and exposes the first error on the result-slot tooltip. When that error belongs to a page, its thumbnail is tinted and outlined red, the strip scrolls to it, and hovering it shows the diagnostic. This maps the parser's compact entry position back through any empty page positions. Rejected inputs remain removable. Binding an unwritten Descriptive Book rechecks its server-owned writing and reports the first error without creating an Age.
+
+This slice does not score instability, synthesize missing symbols, or apply symbol effects. Those responsibilities belong to issues #31–#35 and Milestone 6. Existing bound books are not revalidated or migrated merely because a data pack changes.

gradle.properties

@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ mod_name=Rivencraft
 # The license of the mod. Review your options at https://choosealicense.com/. All Rights Reserved is the default.
 mod_license=LGPL-3.0-or-later
 # The mod version. Rivencraft uses the x.y.z.b policy documented in README.md.
-mod_version=0.4.1.5
+mod_version=0.4.2.1
 immersive_portals_version=6.0.7
 # The group ID for the mod. It is only important when publishing as an artifact to a Maven repository.
 # This should match the base package used for the mod sources.

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/block/entity/BookBinderBlockEntity.java

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.NotebookContents;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.OrderedWriting;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.PageContent;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingGrammar;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingEntry;
 import net.minecraft.core.BlockPos;
 import net.minecraft.core.HolderLookup;
@@ -108,7 +109,40 @@ public final class BookBinderBlockEntity extends BlockEntity implements Containe
             if (!page.isEmpty() && (!validPage(page) || !PageItem.isUsableWriting(page) || page.getCount() != 1
                     || PageItem.content(page).kind() == PageContent.Kind.BLANK)) return false;
         }
-        return true;
+        return WritingGrammar.parse(currentWriting()).canCreate();
+    }
+
+    public WritingGrammar.Result writingGrammar() {
+        return WritingGrammar.parse(currentWriting());
+    }
+
+    /** Map the parser's compact entry index back to the visible strip, including empty page positions. */
+    public int writingStripIndex(int grammarIndex) {
+        if (grammarIndex < 0) return -1;
+        int entryIndex = 0;
+        if (canPlaceItem(LINK_PANEL, items.get(LINK_PANEL))) {
+            if (grammarIndex == 0) return 0;
+            entryIndex++;
+        }
+        for (int slot = FIRST_PAGE; slot < SIZE; slot++) {
+            ItemStack page = items.get(slot);
+            if (!page.isEmpty() && PageItem.content(page).symbol().isPresent()) {
+                if (entryIndex == grammarIndex) return slot - FIRST_PAGE + 1;
+                entryIndex++;
+            }
+        }
+        return -1;
+    }
+
+    private OrderedWriting currentWriting() {
+        List<WritingEntry> entries = new ArrayList<>();
+        if (canPlaceItem(LINK_PANEL, items.get(LINK_PANEL))) entries.add(WritingEntry.linkPanel());
+        for (int slot = FIRST_PAGE; slot < SIZE; slot++) {
+            ItemStack page = items.get(slot);
+            if (!page.isEmpty()) PageItem.content(page).symbol().ifPresent(reference ->
+                    entries.add(WritingEntry.symbol(reference)));
+        }
+        return new OrderedWriting(entries);
     }
 
     public ItemStack previewBook() {
@@ -117,15 +151,9 @@ public final class BookBinderBlockEntity extends BlockEntity implements Containe
             pendingAgeId = UUID.randomUUID();
             setChanged();
         }
-        List<WritingEntry> entries = new ArrayList<>();
-        entries.add(WritingEntry.linkPanel());
-        for (int slot = FIRST_PAGE; slot < SIZE; slot++) {
-            ItemStack page = items.get(slot);
-            if (!page.isEmpty()) entries.add(WritingEntry.symbol(PageItem.content(page).symbol().orElseThrow()));
-        }
         ItemStack book = new ItemStack(ModItems.DESCRIPTIVE_BOOK.get());
         book.set(ModDataComponents.AGE_REFERENCE.get(), new AgeReference(pendingAgeId, title));
-        book.set(ModDataComponents.BOOK_WRITING.get(), new OrderedWriting(entries));
+        book.set(ModDataComponents.BOOK_WRITING.get(), currentWriting());
         book.set(DataComponents.CUSTOM_NAME, Component.literal(title));
         return book;
     }

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/client/screen/BookBinderScreen.java

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.client.screen;
 
+import java.util.Locale;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.Rivencraft;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.block.entity.BookBinderBlockEntity;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.PageItem;
@@ -32,6 +33,7 @@ public final class BookBinderScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<BookBinderMe
 
     private EditBox titleInput;
     private int firstVisible;
+    private int lastGrammarErrorStripIndex = -1;
     private boolean stripClickPendingRelease;
 
     public BookBinderScreen(BookBinderMenu menu, Inventory inventory, Component title) {
@@ -86,6 +88,13 @@ public final class BookBinderScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<BookBinderMe
     @Override public void render(GuiGraphics graphics, int mouseX, int mouseY, float partialTick) {
         super.render(graphics, mouseX, mouseY, partialTick);
         firstVisible = Math.min(firstVisible, maxFirstVisible());
+        int errorStripIndex = menu.grammarErrorStripIndex();
+        if (errorStripIndex != lastGrammarErrorStripIndex) {
+            if (errorStripIndex >= 0
+                    && (errorStripIndex < firstVisible || errorStripIndex >= firstVisible + VISIBLE_PAGES))
+                firstVisible = Math.clamp(errorStripIndex - VISIBLE_PAGES + 1, 0, maxFirstVisible());
+            lastGrammarErrorStripIndex = errorStripIndex;
+        }
         graphics.enableScissor(leftPos + STRIP_X + 8, topPos + STRIP_Y,
                 leftPos + STRIP_X + STRIP_WIDTH - 8, topPos + STRIP_Y + STRIP_HEIGHT);
         int count = visiblePageCount();
@@ -97,6 +106,16 @@ public final class BookBinderScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<BookBinderMe
         }
         graphics.disableScissor();
         drawScrollEnds(graphics);
+        Component grammarTooltip = menu.grammarError().map(code -> Component.translatable(
+                "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar." + code.name().toLowerCase(Locale.ROOT),
+                errorStripIndex + 1)).orElse(null);
+        if (menu.getSlot(BookBinderMenu.RESULT).getItem().isEmpty()
+                && mouseX >= leftPos + 152 && mouseX < leftPos + 168
+                && mouseY >= topPos + 27 && mouseY < topPos + 43
+                && grammarTooltip != null) {
+            graphics.renderTooltip(font, grammarTooltip, mouseX, mouseY);
+            return;
+        }
         if (mouseY >= topPos + STRIP_Y && mouseY < topPos + STRIP_Y + STRIP_HEIGHT) {
             if (firstVisible > 0 && mouseX >= leftPos + STRIP_X && mouseX < leftPos + STRIP_X + 8)
                 graphics.renderTooltip(font, Component.translatable("screen.rivencraft.book_binder.previous_pages"), mouseX, mouseY);
@@ -111,7 +130,9 @@ public final class BookBinderScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<BookBinderMe
             return;
         }
         int hovered = pageIndexAt(mouseX, mouseY);
-        if (hovered >= 0 && hovered < displayedPages() && !pageAtIndex(hovered).isEmpty())
+        if (hovered >= 0 && hovered == errorStripIndex && grammarTooltip != null)
+            graphics.renderTooltip(font, grammarTooltip, mouseX, mouseY);
+        else if (hovered >= 0 && hovered < displayedPages() && !pageAtIndex(hovered).isEmpty())
             graphics.renderTooltip(font, pageAtIndex(hovered), mouseX, mouseY);
         else renderTooltip(graphics, mouseX, mouseY);
     }
@@ -148,6 +169,10 @@ public final class BookBinderScreen extends AbstractContainerScreen<BookBinderMe
             case SYMBOL, UNRESOLVED_SYMBOL -> graphics.blit(NotebookScreen.symbolTexture(page),
                     x + 1, y + 5, 24, 24, 0, 0, 128, 128, 128, 128);
         }
+        if (index == menu.grammarErrorStripIndex() && menu.grammarError().isPresent()) {
+            graphics.fill(x, y, x + PAGE_WIDTH, y + PAGE_HEIGHT, 0x55FF2020);
+            graphics.renderOutline(x, y, PAGE_WIDTH, PAGE_HEIGHT, 0xFFFF3030);
+        }
     }
 
     private void drawScrollEnds(GuiGraphics graphics) {

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/gametest/BookBinderGameTests.java

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.NotebookContents;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.OrderedWriting;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolReference;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolCatalog;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingEntry;
 import net.minecraft.core.BlockPos;
 import net.minecraft.gametest.framework.GameTest;
@@ -86,12 +87,41 @@ public final class BookBinderGameTests {
         restored.loadWithComponents(saved, helper.getLevel().registryAccess());
         helper.assertValueEqual(PageItem.content(restored.getItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.FIRST_PAGE))
                 .symbol().orElseThrow(), missing, "Reload must preserve the removed data-pack symbol ID");
-        helper.assertFalse(restored.canAssemble(), "Missing symbol cannot create a new written Age");
+        restored.getItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.FIRST_PAGE).set(ModDataComponents.PAGE_SYMBOL_DISPLAY.get(),
+                SymbolCatalog.display(new SymbolReference(ResourceLocation.parse("rivencraft:terrain/standard"))));
+        helper.assertFalse(restored.canAssemble(),
+                "Forged display metadata cannot make a missing symbol valid for a new Age");
         helper.assertTrue(restored.getItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.FIRST_PAGE).is(ModItems.PAGE.get()),
                 "Rejected writing must remain recoverable as a Page");
         helper.succeed();
     }
 
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void conflictingGrammarKeepsBinderInputsRecoverable(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        BookBinderBlockEntity binder = place(helper);
+        binder.setTitle("Recoverable Duplicate");
+        binder.setItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.COVER, new ItemStack(Items.LEATHER));
+        binder.setItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.LINK_PANEL, PageItem.createLinkPanelPage());
+        binder.setItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.FIRST_PAGE, terrainPage());
+        binder.setItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.FIRST_PAGE + 5, terrainPage());
+        helper.assertFalse(binder.canAssemble(), "Duplicate terrain must not assemble a new Age");
+        int errorEntry = binder.writingGrammar().firstError().orElseThrow().index();
+        helper.assertValueEqual(errorEntry, 2, "Parser must identify the second authored symbol");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(binder.writingStripIndex(errorEntry), 6,
+                "A grammar error must highlight the correct strip page despite empty positions");
+        helper.assertFalse(binder.consumeAssembly(), "Rejected grammar must not consume binder inputs");
+        helper.assertTrue(binder.getItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.COVER).is(Items.LEATHER),
+                "Rejected grammar must leave the cover recoverable");
+        helper.assertTrue(binder.getItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.LINK_PANEL).is(ModItems.PAGE.get()),
+                "Rejected grammar must leave the Link Panel recoverable");
+        helper.assertTrue(binder.getItem(BookBinderBlockEntity.FIRST_PAGE + 5).is(ModItems.PAGE.get()),
+                "Rejected grammar must leave the duplicate page removable");
+        ItemStack removed = binder.takePage(5);
+        helper.assertTrue(removed.is(ModItems.PAGE.get()), "Player must be able to correct the duplicate page");
+        helper.assertTrue(binder.canAssemble(), "Corrected partial writing must become assemblable");
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
     public static void assemblyIsAtomicAndRetainsPageOrder(GameTestHelper helper) {
         BookBinderBlockEntity binder = place(helper);
         binder.setTitle("A New Age");

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/gametest/CoreGameTests.java

@@ -47,6 +47,11 @@ public final class CoreGameTests {
         WritingDataGameTests.semanticSchemaIsServerOnlyBoundedAndV1Compatible(helper);
     }
 
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void orderedWritingGrammar(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        WritingGrammarGameTests.orderedGrammarAcceptsPartialWritingAndDiagnosesInvalidSequences(helper);
+    }
+
     @GameTest(template = "empty")
     public static void notebookPersistence(GameTestHelper helper) {
         WritingDataGameTests.notebookContentsPreserveOrderGapsNamesAndUnknownPages(helper);
@@ -82,6 +87,11 @@ public final class CoreGameTests {
         BookBinderGameTests.assemblyIsAtomicAndRetainsPageOrder(helper);
     }
 
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void binderRejectsConflictingGrammar(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        BookBinderGameTests.conflictingGrammarKeepsBinderInputsRecoverable(helper);
+    }
+
     @GameTest(template = "empty")
     public static void binderRejectsForgedAndReplayedActions(GameTestHelper helper) {
         BookBinderGameTests.forgedBinderActionsAndReplayedOutputCannotDuplicateBook(helper);

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/gametest/WritingGrammarGameTests.java

@@ -0,0 +1,143 @@
+package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.gametest;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Map;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.OrderedWriting;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolCatalog;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolDefinition;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolReference;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolSemantics;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingEntry;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingGrammar;
+import net.minecraft.gametest.framework.GameTest;
+import net.minecraft.gametest.framework.GameTestHelper;
+import net.minecraft.resources.ResourceLocation;
+import net.neoforged.neoforge.gametest.GameTestHolder;
+import net.neoforged.neoforge.gametest.PrefixGameTestTemplate;
+
+/** Issue #30: parsing must not mutate writing or trust client display metadata. */
+@GameTestHolder("rivencraft_archive_grammar")
+@PrefixGameTestTemplate(false)
+public final class WritingGrammarGameTests {
+    private WritingGrammarGameTests() {}
+
+    @GameTest(template = "empty")
+    public static void orderedGrammarAcceptsPartialWritingAndDiagnosesInvalidSequences(GameTestHelper helper) {
+        SymbolReference terrain = ref("rivencraft:terrain/standard");
+        SymbolReference nativeBiomes = ref("rivencraft:biome/native");
+        SymbolReference weather = ref("rivencraft:weather/normal");
+        SymbolReference lighting = ref("rivencraft:lighting/normal");
+        SymbolReference celestial = ref("rivencraft:celestial/normal_time");
+        SymbolReference caves = ref("rivencraft:feature/caves");
+        SymbolReference plains = ref("test:biome/plains");
+        SymbolReference forest = ref("test:biome/forest");
+        SymbolReference single = ref("test:controller/single");
+        SymbolReference alternateTerrain = ref("test:terrain/alternate");
+        SymbolReference periodHalf = ref("test:period/half");
+        SymbolReference periodFull = ref("test:period/full");
+        SymbolReference displayOnly = ref("test:display_only");
+        Map<SymbolReference, SymbolDefinition> definitions = Map.of(
+                plains, definition(SymbolSemantics.Role.BIOME,
+                        new SymbolSemantics.ResourceValue(ResourceLocation.parse("minecraft:plains"))),
+                forest, definition(SymbolSemantics.Role.BIOME,
+                        new SymbolSemantics.ResourceValue(ResourceLocation.parse("minecraft:forest"))),
+                single, definition(SymbolSemantics.Role.BIOME_CONTROLLER,
+                        new SymbolSemantics.ChoiceValue("single")),
+                alternateTerrain, definition(SymbolSemantics.Role.TERRAIN,
+                        new SymbolSemantics.ResourceValue(ResourceLocation.parse("test:alternate"))),
+                periodHalf, definition(SymbolSemantics.Role.PERIOD_MODIFIER,
+                        new SymbolSemantics.NumberValue(0.5)),
+                periodFull, definition(SymbolSemantics.Role.PERIOD_MODIFIER,
+                        new SymbolSemantics.NumberValue(1.0)),
+                displayOnly, new SymbolDefinition(1, "symbol.test", "symbol.test.description",
+                        ResourceLocation.parse("test:display"), Optional.empty(), ""));
+        java.util.function.Function<SymbolReference, Optional<SymbolDefinition>> resolver = reference ->
+                Optional.ofNullable(definitions.get(reference)).or(() -> SymbolCatalog.find(reference));
+
+        helper.assertTrue(parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel()).randomFallback(),
+                "Link-Panel-only writing must retain the random Age path");
+        helper.assertTrue(WritingGrammar.parse(OrderedWriting.EMPTY, resolver).randomFallback(),
+                "Old page-free books must retain the random Age path");
+        OrderedWriting partial = writing(WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(terrain));
+        WritingGrammar.Result incomplete = WritingGrammar.parse(partial, resolver);
+        helper.assertTrue(incomplete.canCreate() && !incomplete.randomFallback(),
+                "Partial authored writing must remain valid, without pretending it is page-free");
+        helper.assertTrue(incomplete.diagnostics().stream().anyMatch(d -> d.code() == WritingGrammar.Code.INCOMPLETE),
+                "Missing branches must be reported for deterministic completion");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(partial.entries().size(), 2, "Parsing must not rewrite saved page order");
+
+        WritingGrammar.Result complete = parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(terrain),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(plains), WritingEntry.symbol(single), WritingEntry.symbol(weather),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(lighting), WritingEntry.symbol(periodHalf), WritingEntry.symbol(celestial),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(caves));
+        helper.assertTrue(complete.canCreate(), "Legacy-ordered categories and prefix modifiers must parse");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(complete.symbols().size(), 8, "Parsed symbols must preserve every authored page");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(complete.symbols().get(1).reference(), plains,
+                "A biome page must precede the controller that consumes it");
+        helper.assertValueEqual(WritingGrammar.parse(writing(WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(terrain),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(plains), WritingEntry.symbol(single), WritingEntry.symbol(weather),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(lighting), WritingEntry.symbol(periodHalf), WritingEntry.symbol(celestial),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(caves)), resolver), complete,
+                "Identical ordered writing and server definitions must parse deterministically");
+
+        WritingGrammar.Result repeatedModifiers = parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(periodHalf), WritingEntry.symbol(periodFull), WritingEntry.symbol(celestial));
+        helper.assertTrue(repeatedModifiers.canCreate(), "Repeated period modifiers must remain legal");
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(terrain),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(terrain)), WritingGrammar.Code.DUPLICATE);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(terrain),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(alternateTerrain)), WritingGrammar.Code.CONFLICT);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(weather),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(terrain)), WritingGrammar.Code.OUT_OF_ORDER);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(celestial),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(periodHalf)), WritingGrammar.Code.MISPLACED_MODIFIER);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(nativeBiomes),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(plains)), WritingGrammar.Code.OUT_OF_ORDER);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(plains),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(nativeBiomes)), WritingGrammar.Code.CONFLICT);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(plains),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(forest), WritingEntry.symbol(single)), WritingGrammar.Code.CONFLICT);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(caves),
+                WritingEntry.symbol(caves)), WritingGrammar.Code.DUPLICATE);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(ref("test:missing"))),
+                WritingGrammar.Code.UNRESOLVED);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.symbol(displayOnly)),
+                WritingGrammar.Code.UNSUPPORTED);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.symbol(terrain)), WritingGrammar.Code.MISSING_PANEL);
+        assertCode(helper, parse(resolver, WritingEntry.linkPanel(), WritingEntry.linkPanel()),
+                WritingGrammar.Code.DUPLICATE_PANEL);
+
+        List<WritingEntry> oversized = new ArrayList<>();
+        for (int index = 0; index <= WritingGrammar.MAX_NEW_ENTRIES; index++)
+            oversized.add(WritingEntry.linkPanel());
+        assertCode(helper, WritingGrammar.parse(new OrderedWriting(oversized), resolver), WritingGrammar.Code.TOO_MANY);
+        helper.succeed();
+    }
+
+    private static SymbolReference ref(String id) {
+        return new SymbolReference(ResourceLocation.parse(id));
+    }
+
+    private static SymbolDefinition definition(SymbolSemantics.Role role, SymbolSemantics.Value value) {
+        return new SymbolDefinition(2, "symbol.test", "symbol.test.description",
+                ResourceLocation.parse("test:" + role.id()), Optional.of(new SymbolSemantics(role, value)), "");
+    }
+
+    private static OrderedWriting writing(WritingEntry... entries) {
+        return new OrderedWriting(List.of(entries));
+    }
+
+    private static WritingGrammar.Result parse(
+            java.util.function.Function<SymbolReference, Optional<SymbolDefinition>> resolver,
+            WritingEntry... entries) {
+        return WritingGrammar.parse(writing(entries), resolver);
+    }
+
+    private static void assertCode(GameTestHelper helper, WritingGrammar.Result result, WritingGrammar.Code code) {
+        helper.assertFalse(result.canCreate(), "Writing with " + code + " must not create a new Age");
+        helper.assertTrue(result.diagnostics().stream().anyMatch(diagnostic -> diagnostic.code() == code),
+                "Writing must report " + code + " rather than silently dropping a page");
+    }
+}

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/menu/BookBinderMenu.java

@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
 package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.menu;
 
+import java.util.Optional;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.block.entity.BookBinderBlockEntity;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.item.PageItem;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModItems;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.registry.ModMenus;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.PageContent;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingGrammar;
 import net.minecraft.network.RegistryFriendlyByteBuf;
 import net.minecraft.world.Container;
 import net.minecraft.world.SimpleContainer;
@@ -32,6 +34,8 @@ public final class BookBinderMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
     private final SimpleContainer result = new SimpleContainer(1);
     private final boolean clientSide;
     private int selectedPage = -1;
+    private int grammarErrorCode = -1;
+    private int grammarErrorStripIndex = -1;
 
     public BookBinderMenu(int id, Inventory inventory, RegistryFriendlyByteBuf data) {
         this(id, inventory, inventory.player.level().getBlockEntity(data.readBlockPos())
@@ -47,6 +51,20 @@ public final class BookBinderMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
             @Override public int get() { return selectedPage; }
             @Override public void set(int value) { selectedPage = value; }
         });
+        addDataSlot(new DataSlot() {
+            @Override public int get() {
+                return clientSide || binder == null ? grammarErrorCode : binder.writingGrammar().firstError()
+                        .map(error -> error.code().ordinal()).orElse(-1);
+            }
+            @Override public void set(int value) { grammarErrorCode = value; }
+        });
+        addDataSlot(new DataSlot() {
+            @Override public int get() {
+                return clientSide || binder == null ? grammarErrorStripIndex : binder.writingGrammar().firstError()
+                        .map(error -> binder.writingStripIndex(error.index())).orElse(-1);
+            }
+            @Override public void set(int value) { grammarErrorStripIndex = value; }
+        });
         addSlot(new BinderSlot(BookBinderBlockEntity.COVER, 8, 27, 64));
         addSlot(new BinderSlot(BookBinderBlockEntity.LINK_PANEL, -1000, -1000, 1));
         addSlot(new BinderSlot(BookBinderBlockEntity.NOTEBOOK, -1000, -1000, 1));
@@ -66,6 +84,12 @@ public final class BookBinderMenu extends AbstractContainerMenu {
     }
 
     public int selectedPage() { return selectedPage; }
+    public Optional<WritingGrammar.Code> grammarError() {
+        WritingGrammar.Code[] codes = WritingGrammar.Code.values();
+        return grammarErrorCode >= 0 && grammarErrorCode < codes.length
+                ? Optional.of(codes[grammarErrorCode]) : Optional.empty();
+    }
+    public int grammarErrorStripIndex() { return grammarErrorStripIndex; }
     public String title() { return binder == null ? "" : binder.title(); }
     public boolean setTitle(Player player, String title) {
         if (clientSide || !stillValid(player) || title == null

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/network/ModNetworking.java

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.OrderedWriting;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolCatalog;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolDisplayMetadata;
 import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingEntry;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.WritingGrammar;
 import net.minecraft.core.component.DataComponents;
 import net.minecraft.core.BlockPos;
 import net.minecraft.core.GlobalPos;
@@ -133,6 +134,14 @@ public final class ModNetworking {
             return;
         }
 
+        var grammar = WritingGrammar.parse(access.stack()
+                .getOrDefault(ModDataComponents.BOOK_WRITING.get(), OrderedWriting.EMPTY));
+        if (!grammar.canCreate()) {
+            player.displayClientMessage(Component.translatable("message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.invalid_writing",
+                    grammar.firstError().orElseThrow().message()), true);
+            return;
+        }
+
         WRITING_BOOKS.add(access.stack());
         try {
             AgeReference reference = new AgeReference(UUID.randomUUID(), title);

src/main/java/net/dnorberg/rivencraft/writing/WritingGrammar.java

@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
+package net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing;
+
+import java.util.ArrayList;
+import java.util.EnumMap;
+import java.util.HashSet;
+import java.util.List;
+import java.util.Objects;
+import java.util.Optional;
+import java.util.Set;
+import java.util.function.Function;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolSemantics.ChoiceValue;
+import net.dnorberg.rivencraft.writing.SymbolSemantics.Role;
+import net.minecraft.resources.ResourceLocation;
+
+/** Server-owned interpretation of ordered writing; compilation belongs to the next release slice. */
+public final class WritingGrammar {
+    // A newly assembled book has one Link Panel plus at most 27 page positions.
+    public static final int MAX_NEW_ENTRIES = NotebookContents.MAX_PAGES + 1;
+
+    private WritingGrammar() {}
+
+    public static Result parse(OrderedWriting writing) {
+        return parse(writing, SymbolCatalog::find);
+    }
+
+    /** The resolver must be the authoritative server catalog, never page display metadata. */
+    public static Result parse(OrderedWriting writing,
+                               Function<SymbolReference, Optional<SymbolDefinition>> resolver) {
+        Objects.requireNonNull(writing, "writing");
+        Objects.requireNonNull(resolver, "resolver");
+        List<ParsedSymbol> symbols = new ArrayList<>();
+        List<Diagnostic> diagnostics = new ArrayList<>();
+        if (writing.entries().size() > MAX_NEW_ENTRIES) {
+            diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.TOO_MANY, -1, "At most " + MAX_NEW_ENTRIES + " entries are allowed"));
+            return new Result(symbols, diagnostics);
+        }
+        if (writing.entries().isEmpty()) return new Result(symbols, diagnostics);
+
+        EnumMap<Role, ParsedSymbol> singular = new EnumMap<>(Role.class);
+        Set<ResourceLocation> features = new HashSet<>();
+        int panels = 0;
+        int lastStage = -1;
+        int biomeCount = 0;
+        for (int index = 0; index < writing.entries().size(); index++) {
+            WritingEntry entry = writing.entries().get(index);
+            if (entry.kind() == WritingEntry.Kind.LINK_PANEL) {
+                panels++;
+                if (panels > 1) diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.DUPLICATE_PANEL, index,
+                        "Use exactly one Link Panel"));
+                else if (index != 0) diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.PANEL_ORDER, index,
+                        "Move the Link Panel to the first position"));
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            SymbolReference reference = entry.symbol().orElseThrow();
+            Optional<SymbolDefinition> definition = resolver.apply(reference);
+            if (definition.isEmpty()) {
+                diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.UNRESOLVED, index,
+                        "Restore the data pack for " + reference.id() + " or remove this page"));
+                continue;
+            }
+            Optional<SymbolSemantics> semantics = definition.orElseThrow().semantics();
+            if (semantics.isEmpty()) {
+                diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.UNSUPPORTED, index,
+                        "Update " + reference.id() + " to semantic schema v2 or remove this page"));
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            Role role = semantics.orElseThrow().role();
+            ParsedSymbol parsed = new ParsedSymbol(index, reference, semantics.orElseThrow());
+            symbols.add(parsed);
+            if (singular(role)) {
+                ParsedSymbol previous = singular.putIfAbsent(role, parsed);
+                if (previous != null) {
+                    Code code = previous.semantics().value().equals(parsed.semantics().value())
+                            ? Code.DUPLICATE : Code.CONFLICT;
+                    diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(code, index,
+                            "Remove this " + role.id() + " page; position " + (previous.index() + 1)
+                                    + " already supplies that category"));
+                    continue;
+                }
+            } else if (role == Role.FEATURE && !features.add(reference.id())) {
+                diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.DUPLICATE, index,
+                        "Remove the repeated feature page " + reference.id()));
+                continue;
+            }
+            if (role == Role.BIOME) biomeCount++;
+            int stage = stage(role);
+            if (stage < lastStage) {
+                diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(modifier(role) ? Code.MISPLACED_MODIFIER : Code.OUT_OF_ORDER,
+                        index, "Move this " + role.id() + " page before later grammar categories"));
+            } else {
+                lastStage = stage;
+            }
+        }
+        if (panels == 0) diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.MISSING_PANEL, -1,
+                "Add a Link Panel as the first page"));
+        if (symbols.isEmpty()) return new Result(symbols, diagnostics);
+
+        ParsedSymbol controller = singular.get(Role.BIOME_CONTROLLER);
+        if (controller != null && controller.semantics().value() instanceof ChoiceValue choice
+                && choice.id().equals("native") && biomeCount > 0) {
+            diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.CONFLICT, controller.index(),
+                    "Native biome distribution cannot use authored biome pages"));
+        } else if (controller != null && controller.semantics().value() instanceof ChoiceValue choice
+                && choice.id().equals("single") && biomeCount > 1) {
+            diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.CONFLICT, controller.index(),
+                    "Single-biome distribution accepts only one authored biome page"));
+        }
+        for (Role required : List.of(Role.TERRAIN, Role.BIOME_CONTROLLER, Role.WEATHER,
+                Role.LIGHTING, Role.CELESTIAL)) {
+            if (!singular.containsKey(required)) diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.INCOMPLETE, -1,
+                    "The Age compiler will fill the missing " + required.id() + " branch from the Age seed"));
+        }
+        if (controller != null && controller.semantics().value() instanceof ChoiceValue choice) {
+            int minimum = switch (choice.id()) {
+                case "single" -> 1;
+                case "tiled", "grid" -> 2;
+                case "native" -> 0;
+                default -> 3;
+            };
+            if (biomeCount < minimum) diagnostics.add(new Diagnostic(Code.INCOMPLETE, -1,
+                    "The Age compiler will fill " + (minimum - biomeCount) + " missing biome page(s)"));
+        }
+        return new Result(symbols, diagnostics);
+    }
+
+    private static boolean singular(Role role) {
+        return switch (role) {
+            case TERRAIN, BIOME_CONTROLLER, WEATHER, LIGHTING, CELESTIAL -> true;
+            default -> false;
+        };
+    }
+
+    private static boolean modifier(Role role) {
+        return role == Role.PERIOD_MODIFIER || role == Role.ANGLE_MODIFIER || role == Role.PHASE_MODIFIER;
+    }
+
+    private static int stage(Role role) {
+        return switch (role) {
+            case TERRAIN -> 0;
+            case BIOME -> 1;
+            case BIOME_CONTROLLER -> 2;
+            case WEATHER -> 3;
+            case LIGHTING -> 4;
+            case PERIOD_MODIFIER, ANGLE_MODIFIER, PHASE_MODIFIER -> 5;
+            case CELESTIAL -> 6;
+            case FEATURE -> 7;
+        };
+    }
+
+    public enum Code {
+        TOO_MANY, MISSING_PANEL, PANEL_ORDER, DUPLICATE_PANEL, UNRESOLVED, UNSUPPORTED,
+        DUPLICATE, CONFLICT, OUT_OF_ORDER, MISPLACED_MODIFIER, INCOMPLETE
+    }
+
+    public record Diagnostic(Code code, int index, String message) {
+        public Diagnostic {
+            Objects.requireNonNull(code, "code");
+            Objects.requireNonNull(message, "message");
+        }
+
+        public boolean error() { return code != Code.INCOMPLETE; }
+    }
+
+    public record ParsedSymbol(int index, SymbolReference reference, SymbolSemantics semantics) {
+        public ParsedSymbol {
+            Objects.requireNonNull(reference, "reference");
+            Objects.requireNonNull(semantics, "semantics");
+        }
+    }
+
+    public record Result(List<ParsedSymbol> symbols, List<Diagnostic> diagnostics) {
+        public Result {
+            symbols = List.copyOf(symbols);
+            diagnostics = List.copyOf(diagnostics);
+        }
+
+        public boolean randomFallback() { return symbols.isEmpty() && diagnostics.isEmpty(); }
+        public boolean canCreate() { return diagnostics.stream().noneMatch(Diagnostic::error); }
+        public Optional<Diagnostic> firstError() { return diagnostics.stream().filter(Diagnostic::error).findFirst(); }
+    }
+}

src/main/resources/assets/rivencraft/lang/en_us.json

@@ -34,6 +34,16 @@
   "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.previous_pages": "Scroll pages left (Left Arrow)",
   "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.next_pages": "Scroll pages right (Right Arrow)",
   "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.select_hint": "Right-click page to select",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.too_many": "Too many pages for a new Age; remove excess pages",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.missing_panel": "Add a Link Panel as the first page",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.panel_order": "Page %s: move the Link Panel to the first position",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.duplicate_panel": "Page %s: remove the extra Link Panel",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.unresolved": "Page %s: missing symbol definition; restore its data pack or remove it",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.unsupported": "Page %s: this symbol needs semantic schema v2; update its data pack or remove it",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.duplicate": "Page %s: remove the duplicate symbol",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.conflict": "Page %s: replace the conflicting symbol",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.out_of_order": "Page %s: move this symbol before later categories",
+  "screen.rivencraft.book_binder.grammar.misplaced_modifier": "Page %s: move this modifier before its celestial page",
   "screen.rivencraft.writing_desk.ink": "Ink: %s/%s",
   "screen.rivencraft.writing_desk.search": "Search",
   "screen.rivencraft.writing_desk.sort": "Sort pages by name (A–Z)",
@@ -58,6 +68,7 @@
   "message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.unwritten": "This Descriptive Book is unwritten",
   "message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.created": "Created Age: %s",
   "message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.unavailable": "That Age is unavailable",
+  "message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.invalid_writing": "Writing cannot create an Age: %s",
   "message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.unsafe": "No safe destination was found in that Age",
   "message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.linked_first": "Linked to %s — a Return Link was created",
   "message.rivencraft.descriptive_book.linked": "Linked to %s",