♻️ remove silhouette — Nisse always render above world objects

Depth fixed at 900; isOccluded() and outlineSprite removed.
WorldSystem.hasResourceAt() stays as a useful utility.

src/scenes/GameScene.ts

@@ -179,18 +179,19 @@ export class GameScene extends Phaser.Scene {
       const name = `bobj_${building.id}`
       if (this.children.getByName(name)) continue
 
+      const worldDepth = building.tileY + 5
       if (building.kind === 'chest') {
-        const g = this.add.graphics().setName(name).setDepth(8)
+        const g = this.add.graphics().setName(name).setDepth(worldDepth)
         g.fillStyle(0x8B4513); g.fillRect(wx - 10, wy - 7, 20, 14)
         g.fillStyle(0xCD853F); g.fillRect(wx - 9, wy - 6, 18, 6)
         g.lineStyle(1, 0x5C3317); g.strokeRect(wx - 10, wy - 7, 20, 14)
       } else if (building.kind === 'bed') {
-        this.add.image(wx, wy, 'bed_obj').setName(name).setDepth(8)
+        this.add.image(wx, wy, 'bed_obj').setName(name).setDepth(worldDepth)
       } else if (building.kind === 'stockpile_zone') {
         this.add.image(wx, wy, 'stockpile_obj').setName(name).setDepth(4).setAlpha(0.8)
       } else if (building.kind === 'forester_hut') {
         // Draw a simple log-cabin silhouette for the forester hut
-        const g = this.add.graphics().setName(name).setDepth(8)
+        const g = this.add.graphics().setName(name).setDepth(worldDepth)
         // Body
         g.fillStyle(0x6B3F16); g.fillRect(wx - 12, wy - 9, 24, 18)
         // Roof

src/scenes/UIScene.ts

@@ -22,8 +22,6 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
   private villagerPanelVisible = false
   private buildModeText!: Phaser.GameObjects.Text
   private farmToolText!: Phaser.GameObjects.Text
-  private coordsText!: Phaser.GameObjects.Text
-  private controlsHintText!: Phaser.GameObjects.Text
   private popText!: Phaser.GameObjects.Text
   private stockpileTitleText!: Phaser.GameObjects.Text
   private contextMenuGroup!: Phaser.GameObjects.Group
@@ -61,6 +59,18 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
   /** True while the zone-edit tool is active (shown in ESC priority stack). */
   private inForesterZoneEdit = false
 
+  // ── Action Bar ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+  private static readonly BAR_H = 48
+  private static readonly TRAY_H = 68
+  private actionBarBg!: Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle
+  private actionBuildBtn!: Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle
+  private actionBuildLabel!: Phaser.GameObjects.Text
+  private actionNisseBtn!: Phaser.GameObjects.Rectangle
+  private actionNisseLabel!: Phaser.GameObjects.Text
+  private actionTrayGroup!: Phaser.GameObjects.Group
+  private actionTrayVisible = false
+  private activeCategory: 'build' | 'nisse' | null = null
+
   constructor() { super({ key: 'UI' }) }
 
   /**
@@ -75,15 +85,14 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.createBuildMenu()
     this.createBuildModeIndicator()
     this.createFarmToolIndicator()
-    this.createCoordsDisplay()
     this.createDebugPanel()
+    this.createActionBar()
 
     const gameScene = this.scene.get('Game')
     gameScene.events.on('buildModeChanged', (a: boolean, b: BuildingType) => this.onBuildModeChanged(a, b))
     gameScene.events.on('farmToolChanged',  (t: FarmingTool, l: string) => this.onFarmToolChanged(t, l))
     gameScene.events.on('toast',            (m: string) => this.showToast(m))
     gameScene.events.on('openBuildMenu',    () => this.toggleBuildMenu())
-    gameScene.events.on('cameraMoved',      (pos: { tileX: number; tileY: number }) => this.onCameraMoved(pos))
 
     this.input.keyboard!.addKey(Phaser.Input.Keyboard.KeyCodes.B)
       .on('down', () => gameScene.events.emit('uiRequestBuildMenu'))
@@ -103,6 +112,7 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.nisseInfoGroup    = this.add.group()
     this.settingsGroup     = this.add.group()
     this.foresterPanelGroup = this.add.group()
+    this.actionTrayGroup    = this.add.group()
 
     gameScene.events.on('foresterHutClicked',    (id: string) => this.openForesterPanel(id))
     gameScene.events.on('foresterZoneEditEnded', () => this.onForesterEditEnded())
@@ -175,7 +185,7 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
 
   /** Creates the centered hint text element near the bottom of the screen. */
   private createHintText(): void {
-    this.hintText = this.add.text(this.scale.width / 2, this.scale.height - 40, '', {
+    this.hintText = this.add.text(this.scale.width / 2, this.scale.height - UIScene.BAR_H - 24, '', {
       fontSize: '14px', color: '#ffff88', fontFamily: 'monospace',
       backgroundColor: '#00000099', padding: { x: 10, y: 5 },
     }).setOrigin(0.5).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(100).setVisible(false)
@@ -270,6 +280,10 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.villagerPanelVisible = false
     this.villagerPanelGroup?.destroy(true)
     this.scene.get('Game').events.emit('uiMenuClose')
+    if (this.activeCategory === 'nisse') {
+      this.activeCategory = null
+      this.updateCategoryHighlights()
+    }
   }
 
   /**
@@ -386,24 +400,6 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     this.farmToolText.setText(tool === 'none' ? '' : `[F] Farm: ${label}  [RMB cancel]`).setVisible(tool !== 'none')
   }
 
-  // ─── Coords + controls ────────────────────────────────────────────────────
-
-  /** Creates the tile-coordinate display and controls hint at the bottom-left. */
-  private createCoordsDisplay(): void {
-    this.coordsText = this.add.text(10, this.scale.height - 24, '', { fontSize: '11px', color: '#666666', fontFamily: 'monospace' }).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(100)
-    this.controlsHintText = this.add.text(10, this.scale.height - 42, '[WASD] Pan  [Scroll] Zoom  [F] Farm  [B] Build  [V] Nisse  [F3] Debug', {
-      fontSize: '10px', color: '#444444', fontFamily: 'monospace', backgroundColor: '#00000066', padding: { x: 4, y: 2 }
-    }).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(100)
-  }
-
-  /**
-   * Updates the tile-coordinate display when the camera moves.
-   * @param pos - Tile position of the camera center
-   */
-  private onCameraMoved(pos: { tileX: number; tileY: number }): void {
-    this.coordsText.setText(`Tile: ${pos.tileX}, ${pos.tileY}`)
-  }
-
   // ─── Debug Panel (F3) ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
   /** Creates the debug panel text object (initially hidden). */
@@ -547,6 +543,7 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     if (this.foresterPanelVisible) { this.closeForesterPanel();                       return }
     if (this.contextMenuVisible)   { this.hideContextMenu();                          return }
     if (this.buildMenuVisible)     { this.closeBuildMenu();                           return }
+    if (this.actionTrayVisible)    { this.closeActionTray();                          return }
     if (this.villagerPanelVisible) { this.closeVillagerPanel();                       return }
     if (this.nisseInfoVisible)     { this.closeNisseInfoPanel();                      return }
     if (this.settingsVisible)      { this.closeSettings();                            return }
@@ -589,8 +586,9 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
       { label: '⚙️  Settings',   action: () => this.doSettings() },
       { label: '🆕  New Game',   action: () => this.doNewGame() },
     ]
-    // 32px header + entries × (btnH + 8px gap) + 8px bottom padding
-    const menuH = 32 + entries.length * (btnH + 8) + 8
+    const keysBlock = '[WASD] Pan  [Scroll] Zoom\n[F] Farm  [B] Build  [V] Nisse\n[F3] Debug  [ESC] Menu'
+    // 32px header + entries × (btnH + 8px gap) + 8px sep + 46px keys block + 12px bottom padding
+    const menuH = 32 + entries.length * (btnH + 8) + 8 + 46 + 12
     const mx = this.scale.width  / 2 - menuW / 2
     const my = this.scale.height / 2 - menuH / 2
 
@@ -617,6 +615,14 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
         }).setOrigin(0, 0.5).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(402)
       )
     })
+
+    // Keyboard shortcuts reference at the bottom of the menu
+    const keysY = my + 32 + entries.length * (btnH + 8) + 8
+    this.escMenuGroup.add(
+      this.add.text(mx + menuW / 2, keysY, keysBlock, {
+        fontSize: '10px', color: '#555555', fontFamily: 'monospace', align: 'center',
+      }).setOrigin(0.5, 0).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(401)
+    )
   }
 
   /** Saves the game and shows a toast confirmation. */
@@ -1150,6 +1156,152 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     }
   }
 
+  // ─── Action Bar ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+  /**
+   * Creates the persistent bottom action bar with Build and Nisse category buttons.
+   * The bar is always visible; individual button highlights change with the active category.
+   */
+  private createActionBar(): void {
+    const { width, height } = this.scale
+    const barY = height - UIScene.BAR_H
+
+    this.actionBarBg = this.add.rectangle(0, barY, width, UIScene.BAR_H, 0x080808, 0.92)
+      .setOrigin(0, 0).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(300)
+
+    this.actionBuildBtn = this.add.rectangle(8, barY + 8, 88, 32, 0x1a3a1a, 0.9)
+      .setOrigin(0, 0).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(301).setInteractive()
+    this.actionBuildBtn.on('pointerover', () => {
+      if (this.activeCategory !== 'build') this.actionBuildBtn.setFillStyle(0x2a5a2a, 0.9)
+    })
+    this.actionBuildBtn.on('pointerout', () => {
+      if (this.activeCategory !== 'build') this.actionBuildBtn.setFillStyle(0x1a3a1a, 0.9)
+    })
+    this.actionBuildBtn.on('pointerdown', () => this.toggleCategory('build'))
+
+    this.actionBuildLabel = this.add.text(52, barY + UIScene.BAR_H / 2, '🔨 Build', {
+      fontSize: '12px', color: '#cccccc', fontFamily: 'monospace',
+    }).setOrigin(0.5, 0.5).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(302)
+
+    this.actionNisseBtn = this.add.rectangle(104, barY + 8, 88, 32, 0x1a1a3a, 0.9)
+      .setOrigin(0, 0).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(301).setInteractive()
+    this.actionNisseBtn.on('pointerover', () => {
+      if (this.activeCategory !== 'nisse') this.actionNisseBtn.setFillStyle(0x2a2a5a, 0.9)
+    })
+    this.actionNisseBtn.on('pointerout', () => {
+      if (this.activeCategory !== 'nisse') this.actionNisseBtn.setFillStyle(0x1a1a3a, 0.9)
+    })
+    this.actionNisseBtn.on('pointerdown', () => this.toggleCategory('nisse'))
+
+    this.actionNisseLabel = this.add.text(148, barY + UIScene.BAR_H / 2, '👥 Nisse', {
+      fontSize: '12px', color: '#cccccc', fontFamily: 'monospace',
+    }).setOrigin(0.5, 0.5).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(302)
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Toggles the given action bar category on or off.
+   * Selecting the active category deselects it; selecting a new one closes the previous.
+   * @param cat - The category to toggle ('build' or 'nisse')
+   */
+  private toggleCategory(cat: 'build' | 'nisse'): void {
+    if (this.activeCategory === cat) {
+      this.deactivateCategory()
+      return
+    }
+    // Close whatever was open before
+    if (this.activeCategory === 'build') this.closeActionTray()
+    if (this.activeCategory === 'nisse' && this.villagerPanelVisible) this.closeVillagerPanel()
+
+    this.activeCategory = cat
+    this.updateCategoryHighlights()
+
+    if (cat === 'build') {
+      this.openActionTray()
+    } else {
+      this.openVillagerPanel()
+    }
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Deactivates the currently active category, closing its associated panel or tray.
+   */
+  private deactivateCategory(): void {
+    if (this.activeCategory === 'build') this.closeActionTray()
+    if (this.activeCategory === 'nisse' && this.villagerPanelVisible) this.closeVillagerPanel()
+    this.activeCategory = null
+    this.updateCategoryHighlights()
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Updates the visual highlight of the Build and Nisse buttons
+   * to reflect the current active category.
+   */
+  private updateCategoryHighlights(): void {
+    this.actionBuildBtn.setFillStyle(this.activeCategory === 'build' ? 0x3d7a3d : 0x1a3a1a, 0.9)
+    this.actionNisseBtn.setFillStyle(this.activeCategory === 'nisse' ? 0x3d3d7a : 0x1a1a3a, 0.9)
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Builds and shows the building tool tray above the action bar.
+   * Each building is shown as a clickable tile with emoji and name.
+   */
+  private openActionTray(): void {
+    if (this.actionTrayVisible) return
+    this.actionTrayVisible = true
+    this.actionTrayGroup.destroy(true)
+    this.actionTrayGroup = this.add.group()
+
+    const { width, height } = this.scale
+    const trayY = height - UIScene.BAR_H - UIScene.TRAY_H
+
+    const bg = this.add.rectangle(0, trayY, width, UIScene.TRAY_H, 0x0d0d0d, 0.88)
+      .setOrigin(0, 0).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(300)
+    this.actionTrayGroup.add(bg)
+
+    const buildings: { kind: BuildingType; emoji: string; label: string }[] = [
+      { kind: 'floor',          emoji: '🪵', label: 'Floor'       },
+      { kind: 'wall',           emoji: '🧱', label: 'Wall'        },
+      { kind: 'chest',          emoji: '📦', label: 'Chest'       },
+      { kind: 'bed',            emoji: '🛏',  label: 'Bed'         },
+      { kind: 'stockpile_zone', emoji: '📦', label: 'Stockpile'  },
+      { kind: 'forester_hut',   emoji: '🌲', label: 'Forester'   },
+    ]
+
+    const itemW = 84
+    buildings.forEach((b, i) => {
+      const bx = 8 + i * (itemW + 4)
+      const btn = this.add.rectangle(bx, trayY + 4, itemW, UIScene.TRAY_H - 8, 0x1a2a1a, 0.9)
+        .setOrigin(0, 0).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(301).setInteractive()
+      btn.on('pointerover', () => btn.setFillStyle(0x2d4a2d, 0.9))
+      btn.on('pointerout',  () => btn.setFillStyle(0x1a2a1a, 0.9))
+      btn.on('pointerdown', () => {
+        this.closeActionTray()
+        this.deactivateCategory()
+        this.scene.get('Game').events.emit('selectBuilding', b.kind)
+      })
+      this.actionTrayGroup.add(btn)
+      this.actionTrayGroup.add(
+        this.add.text(bx + itemW / 2, trayY + 18, b.emoji, { fontSize: '18px' })
+          .setOrigin(0.5, 0.5).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(302)
+      )
+      this.actionTrayGroup.add(
+        this.add.text(bx + itemW / 2, trayY + 44, b.label, {
+          fontSize: '10px', color: '#cccccc', fontFamily: 'monospace',
+        }).setOrigin(0.5, 0.5).setScrollFactor(0).setDepth(302)
+      )
+    })
+  }
+
+  /**
+   * Hides and destroys the building tool tray.
+   */
+  private closeActionTray(): void {
+    if (!this.actionTrayVisible) return
+    this.actionTrayVisible = false
+    this.actionTrayGroup.destroy(true)
+    this.actionTrayGroup = this.add.group()
+  }
+
   // ─── Resize ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
 
   /**
@@ -1170,11 +1322,16 @@ export class UIScene extends Phaser.Scene {
     }
 
     // Bottom elements
-    this.hintText.setPosition(width / 2, height - 40)
+    this.hintText.setPosition(width / 2, height - UIScene.BAR_H - 24)
     this.toastText.setPosition(width / 2, 60)
-    this.coordsText.setPosition(10, height - 24)
-    this.controlsHintText.setPosition(10, height - 42)
 
+    // Action bar — reposition persistent elements
+    this.actionBarBg.setPosition(0, height - UIScene.BAR_H).setSize(width, UIScene.BAR_H)
+    this.actionBuildBtn.setPosition(8,   height - UIScene.BAR_H + 8)
+    this.actionBuildLabel.setPosition(48, height - UIScene.BAR_H + UIScene.BAR_H / 2)
+    this.actionNisseBtn.setPosition(104, height - UIScene.BAR_H + 8)
+    this.actionNisseLabel.setPosition(144, height - UIScene.BAR_H + UIScene.BAR_H / 2)
+    if (this.actionTrayVisible) this.closeActionTray()
     // Close centered panels — their position is calculated on open, so they
     // would be off-center if left open during a resize
     if (this.buildMenuVisible)     this.closeBuildMenu()

src/systems/BuildingSystem.ts

@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export class BuildingSystem {
 
   create(): void {
     this.ghost = this.scene.add.rectangle(0, 0, TILE_SIZE, TILE_SIZE, 0x00FF00, 0.35)
-    this.ghost.setDepth(20)
+    this.ghost.setDepth(1000)
     this.ghost.setVisible(false)
     this.ghost.setStrokeStyle(2, 0x00FF00, 0.8)
 
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ export class BuildingSystem {
       fontSize: '10px', color: '#ffffff', fontFamily: 'monospace',
       backgroundColor: '#000000aa', padding: { x: 3, y: 2 }
     })
-    this.ghostLabel.setDepth(21)
+    this.ghostLabel.setDepth(1001)
     this.ghostLabel.setVisible(false)
     this.ghostLabel.setOrigin(0.5, 1)
 

src/systems/ResourceSystem.ts

@@ -47,10 +47,10 @@ export class ResourceSystem {
       sprite.setOrigin(0.5, 0.75)
     }
 
-    sprite.setDepth(5)
+    sprite.setDepth(node.tileY + 5)
 
     const healthBar = this.scene.add.graphics()
-    healthBar.setDepth(6)
+    healthBar.setDepth(node.tileY + 6)
     healthBar.setVisible(false)
 
     this.sprites.set(node.id, { sprite, node, healthBar })

src/systems/TreeSeedlingSystem.ts

@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ export class TreeSeedlingSystem {
     const key = `seedling_${Math.min(s.stage, 2)}`
     const sprite = this.scene.add.image(x, y, key)
       .setOrigin(0.5, 0.85)
-      .setDepth(5)
+      .setDepth(s.tileY + 5)
     this.sprites.set(s.id, sprite)
   }
 

src/systems/VillagerSystem.ts

@@ -118,8 +118,9 @@ export class VillagerSystem {
       case 'sleeping':this.tickSleeping(v, rt, delta);      break
     }
 
-    // Sync sprite to state position
+    // Nisse always render above world objects
     rt.sprite.setPosition(v.x, v.y)
+
     rt.nameLabel.setPosition(v.x, v.y - 22)
     rt.energyBar.setPosition(0, 0)
     this.drawEnergyBar(rt.energyBar, v.x, v.y, v.energy)
@@ -569,16 +570,23 @@ export class VillagerSystem {
    * for a newly added Nisse.
    * @param v - Villager state to create sprites for
    */
+  /**
+   * Creates and registers all runtime objects (sprite, outline, label, energy bar, icon)
+   * for a newly added Nisse.
+   * @param v - Villager state to create sprites for
+   */
   private spawnSprite(v: VillagerState): void {
-    const sprite = this.scene.add.image(v.x, v.y, 'villager').setDepth(11)
+    // Nisse always render above trees, buildings and other world objects.
+    const sprite = this.scene.add.image(v.x, v.y, 'villager')
+      .setDepth(900)
 
     const nameLabel = this.scene.add.text(v.x, v.y - 22, v.name, {
       fontSize: '8px', color: '#ffffff', fontFamily: 'monospace',
       backgroundColor: '#00000088', padding: { x: 2, y: 1 },
-    }).setOrigin(0.5, 1).setDepth(12)
+    }).setOrigin(0.5, 1).setDepth(901)
 
-    const energyBar = this.scene.add.graphics().setDepth(12)
-    const jobIcon   = this.scene.add.text(v.x, v.y - 18, '', { fontSize: '10px' }).setDepth(13)
+    const energyBar = this.scene.add.graphics().setDepth(901)
+    const jobIcon   = this.scene.add.text(v.x, v.y - 18, '', { fontSize: '10px' }).setDepth(902)
 
     sprite.setInteractive()
     sprite.on('pointerdown', () => this.onNisseClick?.(v.id))
@@ -667,6 +675,14 @@ export class VillagerSystem {
     return result
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Destroys all Nisse sprites and clears the runtime map.
+   * Should be called when the scene shuts down.
+   */
+  /**
+   * Destroys all Nisse sprites and clears the runtime map.
+   * Should be called when the scene shuts down.
+   */
   /**
    * Destroys all Nisse sprites and clears the runtime map.
    * Should be called when the scene shuts down.

src/systems/WorldSystem.ts

@@ -172,6 +172,16 @@ export class WorldSystem {
     this.resourceTiles.delete(tileY * WORLD_TILES + tileX)
   }
 
+  /**
+   * Returns true if a resource (tree or rock) occupies the given tile.
+   * Uses the O(1) resourceTiles index.
+   * @param tileX - Tile column
+   * @param tileY - Tile row
+   */
+  hasResourceAt(tileX: number, tileY: number): boolean {
+    return this.resourceTiles.has(tileY * WORLD_TILES + tileX)
+  }
+
   /**
    * Converts world pixel coordinates to tile coordinates.
    * @param worldX - World X in pixels