Refactor EntityBehavior SEEK/FLEE to use PathProvider strategy; refs #315

EntityBehavior no longer holds a direct DijkstraMap reference. A new
PathProvider interface has three concrete implementations:

- DijkstraProvider: steps along a (possibly inverted) DijkstraMap. SEEK
  descends a normal map toward roots; FLEE descends an inverted map away
  from threats.
- AStarProvider: follows a pre-computed AStarPath step-by-step.
- TargetProvider: takes a single (x, y) target and picks the Chebyshev
  neighbor closest to it each turn.

Entity.set_behavior() gains a pathfinder= kwarg accepting any of the above
(DijkstraMap, AStarPath, or (x, y) tuple). The old executeSeek/executeFlee
helpers collapse into a single executeProviderStep() that delegates to the
provider.

EntityBehavior.h forward-declares PathProvider so the header stays light.
EntityBehavior::reset() moves out of line to avoid pulling PathProvider
into the header.

New tests: tests/regression/issue_315_path_provider_test.py covers all three
providers driving SEEK, FLEE via inverted DijkstraMap, mid-run pathfinder
swap, and invalid-argument handling. grid_step_bench baseline refreshed
against the new provider dispatch path.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 (1M context) <noreply@anthropic.com>

src/EntityBehavior.cpp

@@ -2,9 +2,22 @@
 #include "UIEntity.h"
 #include "UIGrid.h"
 #include "UIGridPathfinding.h"
+#include "PathProvider.h"
 #include <random>
 #include <algorithm>
 
+// Out-of-line reset lives here so the header can forward-declare PathProvider.
+void EntityBehavior::reset() {
+    type = BehaviorType::IDLE;
+    waypoints.clear();
+    current_waypoint_index = 0;
+    patrol_direction = 1;
+    current_path.clear();
+    path_step_index = 0;
+    sleep_turns_remaining = 0;
+    path_provider.reset();
+}
+
 // Thread-local random engine for behavior randomness
 static thread_local std::mt19937 rng{std::random_device{}()};
 
@@ -226,78 +239,28 @@ static BehaviorOutput executeSleep(UIEntity& entity, UIGrid& grid) {
     return {BehaviorResult::NO_ACTION, {}};
 }
 
-static BehaviorOutput executeSeek(UIEntity& entity, UIGrid& grid) {
+// SEEK and FLEE share one implementation now: both delegate to the active
+// PathProvider. FLEE differs only in which map is stored in the provider -
+// DijkstraProvider over an inverted DijkstraMap descends away from the threat,
+// which matches the old max-distance-neighbor behavior.
+static BehaviorOutput executeProviderStep(UIEntity& entity, UIGrid& grid) {
     auto& behavior = entity.behavior;
-
+    if (!behavior.path_provider) {
-    if (!behavior.dijkstra_map) {
         return {BehaviorResult::NO_ACTION, {}};
     }
 
-    // Use Dijkstra map to find the lowest-distance neighbor (moving toward target)
     int cx = entity.cell_position.x;
     int cy = entity.cell_position.y;
-    float best_dist = std::numeric_limits<float>::max();
+    bool ok = false;
-    sf::Vector2i best_cell = {cx, cy};
+    sf::Vector2i next = behavior.path_provider->nextStep({cx, cy}, grid, &ok);
-    bool found = false;
 
-    sf::Vector2i dirs[] = {{0, -1}, {0, 1}, {-1, 0}, {1, 0},
+    if (!ok) {
-                           {-1, -1}, {1, -1}, {-1, 1}, {1, 1}};
-
-    for (auto& dir : dirs) {
-        int nx = cx + dir.x;
-        int ny = cy + dir.y;
-        if (!isCellWalkable(grid, nx, ny)) continue;
-
-        float dist = behavior.dijkstra_map->getDistance(nx, ny);
-        if (dist >= 0 && dist < best_dist) {
-            best_dist = dist;
-            best_cell = {nx, ny};
-            found = true;
-        }
-    }
-
-    if (!found || (best_cell.x == cx && best_cell.y == cy)) {
         return {BehaviorResult::BLOCKED, {cx, cy}};
     }
-
+    if (next.x == cx && next.y == cy) {
-    return {BehaviorResult::MOVED, best_cell};
-}
-
-static BehaviorOutput executeFlee(UIEntity& entity, UIGrid& grid) {
-    auto& behavior = entity.behavior;
-
-    if (!behavior.dijkstra_map) {
-        return {BehaviorResult::NO_ACTION, {}};
-    }
-
-    // Use Dijkstra map to find the highest-distance neighbor (fleeing from target)
-    int cx = entity.cell_position.x;
-    int cy = entity.cell_position.y;
-    float best_dist = -1.0f;
-    sf::Vector2i best_cell = {cx, cy};
-    bool found = false;
-
-    sf::Vector2i dirs[] = {{0, -1}, {0, 1}, {-1, 0}, {1, 0},
-                           {-1, -1}, {1, -1}, {-1, 1}, {1, 1}};
-
-    for (auto& dir : dirs) {
-        int nx = cx + dir.x;
-        int ny = cy + dir.y;
-        if (!isCellWalkable(grid, nx, ny)) continue;
-
-        float dist = behavior.dijkstra_map->getDistance(nx, ny);
-        if (dist >= 0 && dist > best_dist) {
-            best_dist = dist;
-            best_cell = {nx, ny};
-            found = true;
-        }
-    }
-
-    if (!found || (best_cell.x == cx && best_cell.y == cy)) {
         return {BehaviorResult::BLOCKED, {cx, cy}};
     }
-
+    return {BehaviorResult::MOVED, next};
-    return {BehaviorResult::MOVED, best_cell};
 }
 
 // =============================================================================
@@ -314,8 +277,8 @@ BehaviorOutput executeBehavior(UIEntity& entity, UIGrid& grid) {
         case BehaviorType::PATROL:   return executePatrol(entity, grid);
         case BehaviorType::LOOP:     return executeLoop(entity, grid);
         case BehaviorType::SLEEP:    return executeSleep(entity, grid);
-        case BehaviorType::SEEK:     return executeSeek(entity, grid);
+        case BehaviorType::SEEK:     return executeProviderStep(entity, grid);
-        case BehaviorType::FLEE:     return executeFlee(entity, grid);
+        case BehaviorType::FLEE:     return executeProviderStep(entity, grid);
     }
     return {BehaviorResult::NO_ACTION, {}};
 }

src/EntityBehavior.h

@@ -8,6 +8,7 @@
 class UIEntity;
 class UIGrid;
 class DijkstraMap;
+class PathProvider;
 
 // =============================================================================
 // BehaviorType - matches Python mcrfpy.Behavior enum values
@@ -60,19 +61,11 @@ struct EntityBehavior {
     // Sleep data
     int sleep_turns_remaining = 0;
 
-    // Dijkstra map (for SEEK/FLEE)
+    // SEEK/FLEE pathfinding strategy (#315). Nullptr means NO_ACTION.
-    std::shared_ptr<DijkstraMap> dijkstra_map;
+    std::unique_ptr<PathProvider> path_provider;
 
-    void reset() {
+    // Defined in EntityBehavior.cpp to avoid needing the full PathProvider type here.
-        type = BehaviorType::IDLE;
+    void reset();
-        waypoints.clear();
-        current_waypoint_index = 0;
-        patrol_direction = 1;
-        current_path.clear();
-        path_step_index = 0;
-        sleep_turns_remaining = 0;
-        dijkstra_map = nullptr;
-    }
 };
 
 // =============================================================================

src/PathProvider.cpp

@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+#include "PathProvider.h"
+#include "UIGrid.h"
+#include "UIGridPathfinding.h"
+#include "UIGridPoint.h"
+
+static bool cellWalkable(UIGrid& grid, int x, int y) {
+    if (x < 0 || x >= grid.grid_w || y < 0 || y >= grid.grid_h) return false;
+    return grid.at(x, y).walkable;
+}
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// DijkstraProvider
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+DijkstraProvider::DijkstraProvider(std::shared_ptr<DijkstraMap> map)
+    : map_(std::move(map)) {}
+
+sf::Vector2i DijkstraProvider::nextStep(sf::Vector2i from, UIGrid& /*grid*/, bool* ok) {
+    if (!map_) {
+        if (ok) *ok = false;
+        return {-1, -1};
+    }
+    bool valid = false;
+    sf::Vector2i step = map_->descentStep(from.x, from.y, &valid);
+    if (ok) *ok = valid;
+    return step;
+}
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// AStarProvider
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+AStarProvider::AStarProvider(std::vector<sf::Vector2i> path)
+    : path_(std::move(path)) {}
+
+sf::Vector2i AStarProvider::nextStep(sf::Vector2i /*from*/, UIGrid& /*grid*/, bool* ok) {
+    if (index_ >= path_.size()) {
+        if (ok) *ok = false;
+        return {-1, -1};
+    }
+    if (ok) *ok = true;
+    return path_[index_++];
+}
+
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+// TargetProvider
+// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
+TargetProvider::TargetProvider(sf::Vector2i target)
+    : target_(target) {}
+
+sf::Vector2i TargetProvider::nextStep(sf::Vector2i from, UIGrid& grid, bool* ok) {
+    int dx = target_.x - from.x;
+    int dy = target_.y - from.y;
+    if (dx == 0 && dy == 0) {
+        if (ok) *ok = false;
+        return {-1, -1};  // already at target
+    }
+    int sx = (dx > 0) ? 1 : ((dx < 0) ? -1 : 0);
+    int sy = (dy > 0) ? 1 : ((dy < 0) ? -1 : 0);
+    sf::Vector2i step{from.x + sx, from.y + sy};
+    if (!cellWalkable(grid, step.x, step.y)) {
+        if (ok) *ok = false;
+        return {-1, -1};
+    }
+    if (ok) *ok = true;
+    return step;
+}

src/PathProvider.h

@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+#pragma once
+#include "Common.h"
+#include <memory>
+#include <vector>
+
+class UIGrid;
+class DijkstraMap;
+
+// =============================================================================
+// PathProvider (#315) - strategy interface for "what's my next cell?"
+//
+// EntityBehavior's SEEK/FLEE execute step() by asking the active PathProvider
+// for a single cell. Three concrete providers satisfy every pathfinding shape
+// the engine exposes today.
+// =============================================================================
+class PathProvider {
+public:
+    virtual ~PathProvider() = default;
+
+    // Return the next cell to step to. Sets *ok=true on a valid step, false
+    // otherwise. The provider is responsible for walkability checks -
+    // DijkstraProvider relies on the TCOD map used at compute time,
+    // TargetProvider re-queries the live grid, AStarProvider trusts the
+    // pre-computed path.
+    virtual sf::Vector2i nextStep(sf::Vector2i from, UIGrid& grid, bool* ok) = 0;
+
+    // Hint for providers that hold iteration state (currently only A*).
+    virtual void reset() {}
+};
+
+// Descend a precomputed DijkstraMap. For SEEK, pass the map as-is; for FLEE,
+// pass DijkstraMap.inverted().
+class DijkstraProvider : public PathProvider {
+public:
+    explicit DijkstraProvider(std::shared_ptr<DijkstraMap> map);
+    sf::Vector2i nextStep(sf::Vector2i from, UIGrid& grid, bool* ok) override;
+
+private:
+    std::shared_ptr<DijkstraMap> map_;
+};
+
+// Replay a pre-computed A* path.
+class AStarProvider : public PathProvider {
+public:
+    explicit AStarProvider(std::vector<sf::Vector2i> path);
+    sf::Vector2i nextStep(sf::Vector2i from, UIGrid& grid, bool* ok) override;
+    void reset() override { index_ = 0; }
+
+private:
+    std::vector<sf::Vector2i> path_;
+    size_t index_ = 0;
+};
+
+// Take a single Chebyshev step toward a fixed target cell. Used when full
+// pathfinding is overkill (e.g. an adjacent target). Returns no-step if the
+// straight-line neighbor is blocked - callers can treat that as BLOCKED.
+class TargetProvider : public PathProvider {
+public:
+    explicit TargetProvider(sf::Vector2i target);
+    sf::Vector2i nextStep(sf::Vector2i from, UIGrid& grid, bool* ok) override;
+
+private:
+    sf::Vector2i target_;
+};

src/UIEntity.cpp

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include "UIGrid.h"
 #include "UIGridView.h"  // #252: Entity.grid accepts GridView
 #include "UIGridPathfinding.h"
+#include "PathProvider.h"
 #include "McRFPy_API.h"
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cstring>
@@ -1512,14 +1513,16 @@ int UIEntity::set_sight_radius(PyUIEntityObject* self, PyObject* value, void* cl
 }
 
 PyObject* UIEntity::py_set_behavior(PyUIEntityObject* self, PyObject* args, PyObject* kwds) {
-    static const char* kwlist[] = {"type", "waypoints", "turns", "path", nullptr};
+    static const char* kwlist[] = {"type", "waypoints", "turns", "path", "pathfinder", nullptr};
     int type_val = 0;
     PyObject* waypoints_obj = nullptr;
     int turns = 0;
     PyObject* path_obj = nullptr;
+    PyObject* pathfinder_obj = nullptr;
 
-    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kwds, "i|OiO", const_cast<char**>(kwlist),
+    if (!PyArg_ParseTupleAndKeywords(args, kwds, "i|OiOO", const_cast<char**>(kwlist),
-                                     &type_val, &waypoints_obj, &turns, &path_obj)) {
+                                     &type_val, &waypoints_obj, &turns, &path_obj,
+                                     &pathfinder_obj)) {
         return NULL;
     }
 
@@ -1582,6 +1585,35 @@ PyObject* UIEntity::py_set_behavior(PyUIEntityObject* self, PyObject* args, PyOb
         behavior.sleep_turns_remaining = turns;
     }
 
+    // Parse pathfinder (#315): DijkstraMap, AStarPath, or (x, y) target tuple.
+    if (pathfinder_obj && pathfinder_obj != Py_None) {
+        if (PyObject_IsInstance(pathfinder_obj, (PyObject*)&mcrfpydef::PyDijkstraMapType)) {
+            auto* dmap = (PyDijkstraMapObject*)pathfinder_obj;
+            if (!dmap->data) {
+                PyErr_SetString(PyExc_RuntimeError, "pathfinder: DijkstraMap is invalid");
+                return NULL;
+            }
+            behavior.path_provider = std::make_unique<DijkstraProvider>(dmap->data);
+        } else if (PyObject_IsInstance(pathfinder_obj, (PyObject*)&mcrfpydef::PyAStarPathType)) {
+            auto* apath = (PyAStarPathObject*)pathfinder_obj;
+            // Copy remaining steps - the provider owns its own iteration state.
+            std::vector<sf::Vector2i> steps(
+                apath->path.begin() + apath->current_index,
+                apath->path.end());
+            behavior.path_provider = std::make_unique<AStarProvider>(std::move(steps));
+        } else if (PyTuple_Check(pathfinder_obj) && PyTuple_Size(pathfinder_obj) == 2) {
+            long tx = PyLong_AsLong(PyTuple_GetItem(pathfinder_obj, 0));
+            long ty = PyLong_AsLong(PyTuple_GetItem(pathfinder_obj, 1));
+            if (PyErr_Occurred()) return NULL;
+            behavior.path_provider = std::make_unique<TargetProvider>(
+                sf::Vector2i(static_cast<int>(tx), static_cast<int>(ty)));
+        } else {
+            PyErr_SetString(PyExc_TypeError,
+                "pathfinder must be a DijkstraMap, AStarPath, or (x, y) tuple");
+            return NULL;
+        }
+    }
+
     Py_RETURN_NONE;
 }
 

tests/benchmarks/baseline/phase5_2/grid_step_bench.json

@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@
   "grid": "100x100",
   "entities": 100,
   "rounds": 1000,
-  "total_sec": 0.07824495097156614,
+  "total_sec": 0.06852402002550662,
-  "mean_round_ms": 0.07824495097156614,
+  "mean_round_ms": 0.06852402002550662,
-  "p95_round_ms": 0.1227830071002245,
+  "p95_round_ms": 0.09302806574851274,
-  "per_entity_step_us": 0.7824495097156614
+  "per_entity_step_us": 0.6852402002550662
 }

tests/regression/issue_315_path_provider_test.py

@@ -0,0 +1,150 @@
+"""Phase C regression: PathProvider abstraction drives SEEK/FLEE via set_behavior.
+
+Verifies that each of the three provider shapes (DijkstraMap, AStarPath, and
+plain target tuple) produces a valid SEEK step, and that swapping pathfinder
+mid-run changes the next step.
+"""
+import mcrfpy
+import sys
+
+
+def make_open_grid(w=20, h=20):
+    scene = mcrfpy.Scene("issue315")
+    mcrfpy.current_scene = scene
+    grid = mcrfpy.Grid(grid_size=(w, h))
+    scene.children.append(grid)
+    for y in range(h):
+        for x in range(w):
+            c = grid.at(x, y)
+            # Walkable interior, walls on the border.
+            if x == 0 or y == 0 or x == w - 1 or y == h - 1:
+                c.walkable = False
+                c.transparent = False
+            else:
+                c.walkable = True
+                c.transparent = True
+    return grid
+
+
+def closer_to(p, goal, start):
+    """True when p is closer than start to goal (Chebyshev)."""
+    def d(a, b): return max(abs(a[0] - b[0]), abs(a[1] - b[1]))
+    return d(p, goal) < d(start, goal)
+
+
+def test_dijkstra_provider():
+    grid = make_open_grid()
+    e = mcrfpy.Entity((5, 5), grid=grid)
+    e.move_speed = 0
+    goal = (15, 15)
+    dmap = grid.get_dijkstra_map(goal)
+    e.set_behavior(int(mcrfpy.Behavior.SEEK), pathfinder=dmap)
+
+    start = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    grid.step()
+    ended = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    assert ended != start, "DijkstraProvider SEEK must move the entity"
+    assert closer_to(ended, goal, start), f"moved away from goal: {start} -> {ended}"
+    print("  DijkstraProvider SEEK: OK")
+
+
+def test_astar_provider():
+    grid = make_open_grid()
+    e = mcrfpy.Entity((5, 5), grid=grid)
+    e.move_speed = 0
+    goal = (10, 10)
+    path = grid.find_path((5, 5), goal)
+    assert path is not None
+    e.set_behavior(int(mcrfpy.Behavior.SEEK), pathfinder=path)
+
+    start = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    grid.step()
+    ended = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    assert ended != start, "AStarProvider SEEK must move the entity"
+    assert closer_to(ended, goal, start), f"moved away from goal: {start} -> {ended}"
+    print("  AStarProvider SEEK: OK")
+
+
+def test_target_provider():
+    grid = make_open_grid()
+    e = mcrfpy.Entity((5, 5), grid=grid)
+    e.move_speed = 0
+    goal = (10, 10)
+    e.set_behavior(int(mcrfpy.Behavior.SEEK), pathfinder=goal)
+
+    start = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    grid.step()
+    ended = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    assert ended != start, "TargetProvider SEEK must move the entity"
+    assert closer_to(ended, goal, start), f"moved away from target: {start} -> {ended}"
+    print("  TargetProvider SEEK: OK")
+
+
+def test_flee_via_inverted_dijkstra():
+    grid = make_open_grid()
+    e = mcrfpy.Entity((10, 10), grid=grid)
+    e.move_speed = 0
+    threat = (12, 10)
+    threat_map = grid.get_dijkstra_map(threat)
+    safety_map = threat_map.invert()
+    e.set_behavior(int(mcrfpy.Behavior.FLEE), pathfinder=safety_map)
+
+    start = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    start_dist = threat_map.distance(start)
+    grid.step()
+    ended = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    assert ended != start, "FLEE must move the entity"
+    new_dist = threat_map.distance(ended)
+    assert new_dist >= start_dist, (
+        f"FLEE should not get closer: d={start_dist} -> {new_dist}")
+    print("  FLEE via inverted DijkstraMap: OK")
+
+
+def test_provider_swap_midrun():
+    """Swapping pathfinder mid-run changes the next step."""
+    grid = make_open_grid()
+    e = mcrfpy.Entity((10, 10), grid=grid)
+    e.move_speed = 0
+
+    # First: seek (5, 10) - should move left.
+    e.set_behavior(int(mcrfpy.Behavior.SEEK),
+                   pathfinder=grid.get_dijkstra_map((5, 10)))
+    grid.step()
+    after_first = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    assert after_first[0] < 10, f"expected leftward step, got {after_first}"
+
+    # Swap pathfinder: now seek (15, 10) - should move right from here.
+    e.set_behavior(int(mcrfpy.Behavior.SEEK),
+                   pathfinder=grid.get_dijkstra_map((15, 10)))
+    grid.step()
+    after_second = (e.cell_x, e.cell_y)
+    assert after_second[0] > after_first[0], (
+        f"expected rightward step after swap, got {after_first} -> {after_second}")
+    print("  Mid-run provider swap: OK")
+
+
+def test_invalid_pathfinder_raises():
+    grid = make_open_grid()
+    e = mcrfpy.Entity((5, 5), grid=grid)
+    try:
+        e.set_behavior(int(mcrfpy.Behavior.SEEK), pathfinder="not a pathfinder")
+    except TypeError:
+        pass
+    else:
+        raise AssertionError("expected TypeError for bad pathfinder argument")
+    print("  Invalid pathfinder rejected: OK")
+
+
+def main():
+    test_dijkstra_provider()
+    test_astar_provider()
+    test_target_provider()
+    test_flee_via_inverted_dijkstra()
+    test_provider_swap_midrun()
+    test_invalid_pathfinder_raises()
+    print("PASS")
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()
+    sys.exit(0)