tip #45: Missing-item highlight in recipe

TIPS.md

@@ -37,3 +37,4 @@ Going forward, new tips are pushed automatically by the `mc_survival_tips.py` cr
 - [Tip #42](tips/2026-07-23-042-data-most-viewed-recipes-widget.md) (2026-07-23) — **data**: Most-Viewed Recipes widget
 - [Tip #43](tips/2026-07-24-043-visual-lightbox-for-item-images.md) (2026-07-24) — **visual**: Lightbox for item images
 - [Tip #44](tips/2026-07-25-044-security-rate-limit-server-functions.md) (2026-07-25) — **security**: Rate-Limit server functions
+- [Tip #45](tips/2026-09-19-045-crafting-ux-missing-item-highlight-in-recipe.md) (2026-09-19) — **crafting-ux**: Missing-item highlight in recipe

tips/2026-09-19-045-crafting-ux-missing-item-highlight-in-recipe.md

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+---
+tip_number: 45
+date: 2026-09-19
+category: crafting-ux
+status: pending
+---
+
+# Tip #45 — Missing-item highlight in recipe
+
+**Date:** 2026-09-19  
+**Category:** crafting-ux  
+**Source:** MC-Survival Wiki Daily Tip (cron @ 18:00 MESZ)
+
+## Missing-item highlight in recipe
+
+This feature marks the specific ingredient slots a player does not yet have, so they can see at a glance which of the nine ingredients is missing. It solves the 'I am one item away from crafting this' problem, where a player stares at a full grid and cannot figure out what is blocking them. Player behavior shows this clearly: most recipe pages are scrolled to and back from, suggesting players cross-reference the recipe with their own inventory in their head. Starting with a simple per-item 'I have it' toggle (no full inventory sync) is enough to deliver most of the value with a fraction of the complexity.
+
+## Implementation tips
+
+1. Mark missing ingredients with a red border + small 'x' icon overlay.
+2. Requires an inventory integration — start with a manual 'I have: ___' toggle per item, persistence in localStorage.
+3. Don't require a full inventory system for v1 — even a checklist is high-value.