| Categories | Single `category` string column on `worlds` (indexed). Free-form for MVP; a distinct-categories list is derived with a `SELECT DISTINCT` |
| Tags | PostgreSQL `ARRAY(String)` column on `worlds` with a GIN index for `@>` tag containment search |
| Play count | `play_count` integer (default 0) on `worlds`, incremented atomically on visit |
| Recency signal | `last_played_at` timestamp on `worlds` + append-only `world_visits` table for the trending heuristic |
| Trending (MVP) | Weighted score over recent visits: `sum(decay_weight(age))` over the last N days, no ML |
| Concurrency | `SELECT ... FOR UPDATE` on the wallet row inside the mutation transaction; never read-modify-write from stale data. |
| Payments | Pluggable `PaymentProvider` interface with a **no-op default** that simulates a confirmed payment for dev/testing (clearly flagged). Stripe/PayPal later. |
| Marketplace items | `catalog_items` (what is sold) + `marketplace_listings` (a seller's offer with a price/status). One item can have multiple listings over time. |
| Purchase flow | Atomic transaction: debit buyer → hold funds in escrow (`pending_escrow`) → grant item. Platform fee computed server-side. |
| Escrow | Configurable hold window (default 72h) before `pending_escrow` becomes available seller earnings. Refunds during the window reverse the sale. |
| Creator balance | `creator_balances` table: `available` (earned, payable), `pending` (inside an open payout request), `lifetime_earned`. Updated in the same transaction as the sale completion. |
| Payouts | Pluggable `PayoutProvider.pay()` with a no-op default (simulated external ref). Minimum payout threshold, admin review for large payouts. |
| Idempotency | Every money-moving request carries a client-generated `Idempotency-Key`; duplicate keys return the original result. |
| Rate limiting | Redis token-bucket dependency reused from the social feature for purchase/listing/payout endpoints. |
| Moderation | Listings enforce content flags + age gate; moderators can `delist`/`remove`; fraud/chargeback reversal is an audited admin action. |
## 5. User stories
### US-1 Currency & wallet
As a player, I can see my Credit balance and transaction history, and the system
credits/debits my wallet only through server-authoritative events.
**Acceptance criteria**
- Exactly one wallet per user, created lazily on first use.
- Balance is always a non-negative integer; no operation can make it negative.
- Every mutation appends an immutable ledger row with amount, resulting balance,
reference, and idempotency key.
- Retrying a request with the same idempotency key does not double-apply.
-`GET` endpoints expose current balance and paged transaction history.
### US-2 Premium purchase (buy Credits)
As a player, I can purchase Credits with real money and have them credited only
after the payment is confirmed.
**Acceptance criteria**
- A purchase session is created through the payment provider (or the no-op
default) and is idempotent.
- Credits are granted exactly once, only after a verified provider confirmation
(webhook/confirm endpoint), never on client claim.
- Purchase amounts are bounded and server-defined; clients cannot pick arbitrary
prices.
- Confirmation is idempotent and audited (provider reference recorded).
### US-3 Marketplace listing (sell)
As a creator, I can list a catalog item for sale at a Credit price and
manage/remove my listings.
**Acceptance criteria**
- A listing references a valid `catalog_item` owned by the seller (or an
authorized seller).
- Price is bounded (min/max) and set server-side; status transitions are
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