# Roadmap — PCDesigner

This is a **draft roadmap**. Treat as a starting point for prioritisation conversations, not as committed delivery dates. Use the `pcd-roadmap-planner` skill to refine per quarter.

## North-star metrics

- Free → paid conversion at 90 days: target 6%
- Editor LCP (3G mobile): target ≤ 3.5 s
- Net Revenue Retention (paid): target ≥ 110%
- p95 order-to-printable-PDF latency: ≤ 60 s
- WordPress.org rating: ≥ 4.5

## Themes

1. Editor modernisation
2. AI-assisted design
3. Print confidence (pre-flight, ICC, bleed)
4. Marketplace flywheel (Launcher 2.0)
5. Headless / multi-platform
6. Performance & cost
7. Mobile-first
8. Security & compliance
9. Analytics & telemetry
10. Localisation

## 12-month draft

### Q1 — Fast & Trusted

**Big bet:** Editor performance + bundle split.
- Lazy-load Fabric, Three.js, Firebase, html2canvas.
- Defer license cron; cache tier check in transient.
- Drop AngularJS from 3 admin screens.

**Enablers:**
- Telemetry MVP — ship 12 events through Printcart Cloud (event name, version, store hash, PHP version, page).
- HPOS regression test suite (WP-CLI + Cypress).

**Debt:** split `class.nbdesigner.php` into 3 thematic classes (cart, editor, admin).

**KRs:**
- LCP from current → ≤ 3.5 s on a Moto G4 / 3G profile.
- 30% drop in p95 order-detail TTFB.
- 0 fatal errors over 7-day soak with HPOS on.

### Q2 — AI Design Assistant

**Big bet:** AI module exposing background remover, smart layout, text suggestions, image upscaler — all proxied through Printcart Cloud.
- Tier-aware feature flags (free trial credits).
- Rate limiting + abuse guard.

**Enablers:**
- Prompt + asset library curated per niche.
- Editor side panel "AI" with skeleton + streamed responses.
- Privacy review + opt-in toggle in settings.

**Debt:** replace Angular admin product builder with vanilla / React island.

**KRs:**
- Activation of AI by 35% of paid stores in first 60 days.
- Free→Paid uplift +1.5 pp.
- AI cost per active store ≤ $1.20/month at gross-margin floor.

### Q3 — Print Confidence

**Big bet:** Pre-flight checker — DPI, bleed, contrast, transparency, font embedding, cut-line. Blocks checkout when severity = critical.
- 3D preview v2 with PBR materials.
- iOS AR Quick Look (USDZ pipeline).
- Cloud-rendered preview thumbnails (latency win + offload).

**Enablers:**
- ICC profile selector per product (use existing 16 profiles).
- Print partner SDK: webhook + REST for Printful / Printify / Gelato.

**Debt:** purge `lib/eval-math` if unused; refactor `class-output.php` into smaller services.

**KRs:**
- Print error rate (refunds caused by file issues) -50%.
- 3D preview load p95 ≤ 4 s.

### Q4 — Marketplace Flywheel

**Big bet:** Designer Launcher 2.0.
- Payouts via Stripe Connect.
- Ratings + search + categories.
- Programmatic SEO landing pages per template.

**Enablers:**
- Affiliate / referral program for designers.
- Merchant-facing analytics ("which template sells").

**Debt:** localisation pack — es, pt, ar, vi, id (RTL CSS + translated POT).

**KRs:**
- 500+ active marketplace templates.
- 10% of paid stores publish at least 1 template.
- 3% revenue from marketplace fees.

## 24-month bets (further out)

- Headless storefront SDK (React / React Native / Flutter).
- Shopify app variant sharing the cloud (massive TAM expansion).
- AI background generation tied to brand kits.
- Customisable production workflow (RIP integrations).
- White-label SaaS for print houses.
- Compliance shipped: SOC 2, GDPR DPA, HIPAA-ready optional.

## Risks register

| Risk | Likelihood | Impact | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|---|
| WordPress.org enforces stricter cloud-call rules | M | H | Opt-in toggles, privacy URL, no calls without consent |
| Fabric.js 2.6 abandonment | M | M | Plan migration to 5.x or competitor (Konva) |
| Printcart Cloud cost spike on AI | M | H | Cache aggressively, per-tier credit packs |
| Hosting scanners flag plugin | L | M | Continue MIME / URL hardening; engage SiteGround/WPEngine |
| Stripe Connect approval delay | M | M | Start onboarding now; fall back to manual payouts |
| WC HPOS surprise migration | L | H | Already declared; add regression tests |

## Status flags (today)

- Editor performance: red
- AI features: not started
- Pre-flight: amber (basic guidelines exist)
- Marketplace: amber (functional, needs polish)
- Mobile UX: amber
- Telemetry: red
- Localisation: red (only POT)

## Decision log (template)

```
Date: YYYY-MM-DD
Decision: <one line>
Context: <one paragraph>
Alternatives considered: <list>
Owner: <name>
Reversible: yes/no
Revisit by: <date>
```

Add entries inline under a `## Decisions` section as you go.

## Out of scope (today)

- Native desktop app
- Print equipment IoT integration
- NFT-only flows
- Crypto payment

These can be revisited when a credible champion + revenue path appears.