HELP!!!!

2026-09-15 17:12:59 -04:00 · 2026-09-12 16:16:59 -04:00
parent 99d2a7689f
commit fb31ff52bd
28 changed files with 545 additions and 88 deletions
@@ -12,6 +12,9 @@ require('./src/services/eventBus');
 require('./src/services/modeManager');
 require('./src/services/lockdownGuard');
 require('./src/services/roverManager');
+// Help monitoring subscribes to roverManager telemetry before assignment and
+// session services begin consuming the resulting roster state.
+require('./src/services/roverHelpService');
 require('./src/services/commandService');
 require('./src/services/roverConnectionService');
 require('./src/services/assignmentService');
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
    <meta name="apple-mobile-web-app-status-bar-style" content="black-translucent" />
    <!-- site-metadata:inject -->
    <!-- analytics:inject -->
-    <script type="module" crossorigin src="/assets/index-CNVNbsvk.js"></script>
-    <link rel="stylesheet" crossorigin href="/assets/index-B5TEaoXl.css">
+    <script type="module" crossorigin src="/assets/index-B6mxStEr.js"></script>
+    <link rel="stylesheet" crossorigin href="/assets/index-D5xo99Ua.css">
  </head>
  <body>
    <div id="root"></div>
@@ -97,6 +97,12 @@ roverManager.managerEvents.on('private', ({ roverId, open }) => {
  }
 });

+roverManager.managerEvents.on('help', ({ needsHelp }) => {
+  // Entering HELP affects only future automatic placement. When HELP clears,
+  // retry people who were waiting because every healthy rover was unavailable.
+  if (!needsHelp) reassignWaiting();
+});
+
 roverManager.managerEvents.on('rover', ({ roverId, action }) => {
  if (action === 'removed') {
    /*
@@ -238,7 +244,10 @@ function pickRover(socket, options = {}) {
    return null;
  }
  const allCandidates = Array.from(roverManager.rovers.values()).filter((rover) => {
-    if (!rover || rover.locked) return false;
+    // HELP removes a rover only from automatic placement. Existing drivers are
+    // not displaced, and explicit requestControl calls retain their normal
+    // access policy so a person can deliberately take control to rescue it.
+    if (!rover || rover.locked || rover.needsHelp) return false;
    const access = roverManager.canRequestControl(rover.id, socket, { allowUser: true });
    if (!access.ok) return false;
    return true;
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ const { buildBatteryStatusEmbed, buildBatteryCaption } = require('../batteryEmbe

 function createBusEventHandler(deps) {
  const { logger, discordConfig, roverManager, rovers, schedulePresenceRotation, formatDuration, sendToChannel } = deps;
-  const ADMIN_ALERT_EVENT_TYPES = new Set(['rover.online', 'rover.offline', 'rover.dockGuard', 'battery.warn', 'battery.urgent', 'battery.docked', 'battery.undocked', 'battery.charging.start', 'battery.charging.stop', 'battery.locked', 'battery.unlocked']);
+  const ADMIN_ALERT_EVENT_TYPES = new Set(['rover.online', 'rover.offline', 'rover.dockGuard', 'rover.helpNeeded', 'rover.helpCleared', 'battery.warn', 'battery.urgent', 'battery.docked', 'battery.undocked', 'battery.charging.start', 'battery.charging.stop', 'battery.locked', 'battery.unlocked']);
  let skippedFirstModeAnnouncement = false;

  function buildEmbed({ title, description, color, includeSiteUrl = true }) {
@@ -85,6 +85,23 @@ function createBusEventHandler(deps) {
      case 'rover.dockGuard':
        announce({ channelId: channels.adminAlerts, color: 0xf0b651, title: 'Dock Guard Triggered', description: `${payload?.roverId} (${payload?.reasonText || 'undocked'}) for ${formatDuration(payload?.idleMs)}.` });
        break;
+      case 'rover.helpNeeded':
+        announce({
+          channelId: channels.adminAlerts,
+          pingRoleId: roles.adminPing || null,
+          color: 0xef4444,
+          title: 'Rover Needs Help',
+          description: `${payload?.roverName || payload?.roverId || 'Unknown rover'}: ${payload?.reason || 'a sustained rover fault was detected'}.`,
+        });
+        break;
+      case 'rover.helpCleared':
+        announce({
+          channelId: channels.adminAlerts,
+          color: 0x4caf50,
+          title: 'Rover Help Cleared',
+          description: `${payload?.roverName || payload?.roverId || 'Unknown rover'} no longer needs help.`,
+        });
+        break;
      case 'battery.warn':
        announce({ channelId: channels.adminAlerts, pingRoleId: roles.adminPing || null, color: 0xf0b651, content: buildBatteryCaption(type, rovers.get(payload?.roverId || 'unknown')), embeds: [buildBatteryStatusEmbed({ color: 0xf0b651, records: Array.from(rovers.values()) })] });
        break;
@@ -0,0 +1,56 @@
+// Rover Help Service
+// Purpose: Publishes sustained 600-series Roomba trouble as roster and alert state.
+// Scope: Integrates the pure monitor with roverManager, browser alerts, and the event bus.
+const roverManager = require('../roverManager');
+const { sendAlert } = require('../alertService');
+const { publishEvent } = require('../eventBus');
+const { REASON_LABELS, createRoverHelpMonitor } = require('./monitor');
+
+const HELP_ALERT_COLOR = '#ef4444';
+
+const monitor = createRoverHelpMonitor({
+  onChange({ roverId, needsHelp, addedReason, reasons }) {
+    const record = roverManager.rovers.get(String(roverId));
+    if (!record) return;
+    const wasNeedingHelp = Boolean(record.needsHelp);
+    roverManager.setNeedsHelp(roverId, needsHelp);
+
+    if (!wasNeedingHelp && needsHelp) {
+      const reason = REASON_LABELS[addedReason] || 'a sustained rover fault was detected';
+      sendAlert({
+        color: HELP_ALERT_COLOR,
+        title: 'Rover Needs Help',
+        message: `${record.meta?.name || roverId}: ${reason}.`,
+      });
+      // Discord owns presentation of this event. The UI intentionally receives
+      // only the roster boolean, keeping every HELP overlay free of reason text.
+      publishEvent({
+        source: 'roverHelpService',
+        type: 'rover.helpNeeded',
+        payload: { roverId, roverName: record.meta?.name || roverId, reason, reasons },
+      });
+    } else if (wasNeedingHelp && !needsHelp) {
+      publishEvent({
+        source: 'roverHelpService',
+        type: 'rover.helpCleared',
+        payload: { roverId, roverName: record.meta?.name || roverId },
+      });
+    }
+  },
+});
+
+roverManager.managerEvents.on('sensor', ({ roverId, sensors }) => {
+  monitor.handleSensor(roverId, sensors);
+});
+
+roverManager.managerEvents.on('dockGuard', (event) => {
+  monitor.handleDockGuard(event);
+});
+
+roverManager.managerEvents.on('rover', ({ roverId, action }) => {
+  // A reconnect gets a fresh record and fresh persistence timers; stale sensor
+  // history from a disconnected chassis must never immediately restore HELP.
+  if (action === 'removed') monitor.removeRover(roverId);
+});
+
+module.exports = { monitor };
@@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
+// Rover Help Monitor
+// Purpose: Converts sustained 600-series Roomba sensor conditions into one help state.
+// Scope: Owns timing and reason state without performing roster fanout, alerts, or Discord I/O.
+const WHEEL_DROP_HELP_MS = 15 * 60 * 1000;
+const CLIFF_HELP_MS = 10 * 60 * 1000;
+const DOCK_GUARD_HELP_MS = 15 * 60 * 1000;
+
+const REASON_LABELS = Object.freeze({
+  wheelDrop: 'a wheel-drop sensor remained active for 15 minutes',
+  cliff: 'the same cliff-sensor pattern remained active for 10 minutes',
+  docking: 'automatic docking remained active for 15 minutes',
+});
+
+function cliffPattern(sensors) {
+  // A four-bit pattern distinguishes one continuously held physical situation
+  // from a rover encountering different edges. Zero means no active cliff and
+  // therefore cannot begin or retain a cliff-help timer.
+  return [
+    sensors?.cliffLeft,
+    sensors?.cliffFrontLeft,
+    sensors?.cliffFrontRight,
+    sensors?.cliffRight,
+  ].reduce((pattern, active, index) => pattern | (active ? 1 << index : 0), 0);
+}
+
+function createRoverHelpMonitor({ now = () => Date.now(), onChange = () => {} } = {}) {
+  const states = new Map();
+
+  function ensureState(roverId) {
+    const id = String(roverId);
+    if (!states.has(id)) {
+      states.set(id, {
+        wheelDropSince: null,
+        cliffPattern: 0,
+        cliffPatternSince: null,
+        dockGuardSince: null,
+        dockGuardSawPassive: false,
+        reasons: new Set(),
+      });
+    }
+    return states.get(id);
+  }
+
+  function updateReason(roverId, state, reason, active) {
+    const hadReason = state.reasons.has(reason);
+    if (active === hadReason) return;
+    if (active) state.reasons.add(reason);
+    else state.reasons.delete(reason);
+
+    // Notify on every reason-set change so the integration can update the
+    // aggregate flag correctly when one condition clears but another remains.
+    onChange({
+      roverId: String(roverId),
+      needsHelp: state.reasons.size > 0,
+      addedReason: active ? reason : null,
+      removedReason: active ? null : reason,
+      reasons: Array.from(state.reasons),
+    });
+  }
+
+  function handleSensor(roverId, sensors) {
+    if (!roverId || !sensors) return;
+    const state = ensureState(roverId);
+    const timestamp = now();
+    const wheelDrop = Boolean(
+      sensors?.bumpsAndWheelDrops?.wheelDropLeft || sensors?.bumpsAndWheelDrops?.wheelDropRight,
+    );
+
+    if (wheelDrop) {
+      if (state.wheelDropSince == null) state.wheelDropSince = timestamp;
+    } else {
+      state.wheelDropSince = null;
+    }
+    updateReason(
+      roverId,
+      state,
+      'wheelDrop',
+      state.wheelDropSince != null && timestamp - state.wheelDropSince >= WHEEL_DROP_HELP_MS,
+    );
+
+    const nextCliffPattern = cliffPattern(sensors);
+    if (!nextCliffPattern) {
+      state.cliffPattern = 0;
+      state.cliffPatternSince = null;
+    } else if (nextCliffPattern !== state.cliffPattern) {
+      // Any changed combination is new evidence on a non-mapping Roomba, not
+      // proof that its chassis translated. Restart only the persistence timer;
+      // encoder counts are deliberately not consulted anywhere in this monitor.
+      state.cliffPattern = nextCliffPattern;
+      state.cliffPatternSince = timestamp;
+    }
+    updateReason(
+      roverId,
+      state,
+      'cliff',
+      state.cliffPatternSince != null && timestamp - state.cliffPatternSince >= CLIFF_HELP_MS,
+    );
+
+    if (state.dockGuardSince != null) {
+      const docked = Boolean(sensors?.chargingSources?.homeBase);
+      const oiMode = sensors?.oiMode?.label || null;
+      if (oiMode === 'passive') state.dockGuardSawPassive = true;
+      if (docked || (state.dockGuardSawPassive && oiMode && oiMode !== 'passive')) {
+        // Dock guard itself stops as soon as the 600-series wheels begin their
+        // autonomous seek motion. Continue timing that seek after the guard
+        // interval ends, and clear only on docking or a confirmed exit from the
+        // passive OI mode used by opcode 143.
+        state.dockGuardSince = null;
+        state.dockGuardSawPassive = false;
+      }
+    }
+
+    updateReason(
+      roverId,
+      state,
+      'docking',
+      state.dockGuardSince != null && timestamp - state.dockGuardSince >= DOCK_GUARD_HELP_MS,
+    );
+  }
+
+  function handleDockGuard({ roverId, active, startedAt = null } = {}) {
+    if (!roverId) return;
+    const state = ensureState(roverId);
+    if (active) {
+      // Prefer roverManager's authoritative start time. The fallback keeps the
+      // monitor deterministic if an event source omits it in a future caller.
+      state.dockGuardSince = Number.isFinite(Number(startedAt)) ? Number(startedAt) : now();
+      state.dockGuardSawPassive = false;
+      return;
+    }
+    // Before passive mode is observed, a stopped guard means docking never
+    // began. Once passive has been seen, wheel activity stops the guard even
+    // though the Roomba is still autonomously seeking its dock, so sensor mode
+    // and charging state become the authoritative completion signals instead.
+    if (!state.dockGuardSawPassive) {
+      state.dockGuardSince = null;
+      updateReason(roverId, state, 'docking', false);
+    }
+  }
+
+  function removeRover(roverId) {
+    states.delete(String(roverId));
+  }
+
+  return {
+    handleSensor,
+    handleDockGuard,
+    removeRover,
+  };
+}
+
+module.exports = {
+  CLIFF_HELP_MS,
+  DOCK_GUARD_HELP_MS,
+  REASON_LABELS,
+  WHEEL_DROP_HELP_MS,
+  cliffPattern,
+  createRoverHelpMonitor,
+};
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+// Rover Help Monitor Tests
+// Purpose: Locks down sustained-condition timing without real timers or hardware.
+const test = require('node:test');
+const assert = require('node:assert/strict');
+const {
+  CLIFF_HELP_MS,
+  DOCK_GUARD_HELP_MS,
+  WHEEL_DROP_HELP_MS,
+  createRoverHelpMonitor,
+} = require('./monitor');
+
+function createHarness() {
+  let timestamp = 1_000;
+  const changes = [];
+  const monitor = createRoverHelpMonitor({ now: () => timestamp, onChange: (change) => changes.push(change) });
+  return {
+    changes,
+    monitor,
+    advance(ms) {
+      timestamp += ms;
+    },
+    now() {
+      return timestamp;
+    },
+  };
+}
+
+test('requires a continuous wheel drop and clears help when it releases', () => {
+  const harness = createHarness();
+  const dropped = { bumpsAndWheelDrops: { wheelDropLeft: true } };
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('red', dropped);
+  harness.advance(WHEEL_DROP_HELP_MS - 1);
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('red', dropped);
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.length, 0);
+
+  harness.advance(1);
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('red', dropped);
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).needsHelp, true);
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).addedReason, 'wheelDrop');
+
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('red', { bumpsAndWheelDrops: {} });
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).needsHelp, false);
+});
+
+test('a changed cliff combination restarts the ten minute timer', () => {
+  const harness = createHarness();
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('blue', { cliffLeft: true });
+  harness.advance(CLIFF_HELP_MS - 1);
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('blue', { cliffLeft: true, cliffFrontLeft: true });
+  harness.advance(1);
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('blue', { cliffLeft: true, cliffFrontLeft: true });
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.length, 0);
+
+  harness.advance(CLIFF_HELP_MS - 1);
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('blue', { cliffLeft: true, cliffFrontLeft: true });
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).addedReason, 'cliff');
+});
+
+test('dock guard uses elapsed active time and clears when the guard stops', () => {
+  const harness = createHarness();
+  harness.monitor.handleDockGuard({ roverId: 'green', active: true, startedAt: harness.now() });
+  harness.advance(DOCK_GUARD_HELP_MS);
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('green', {});
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).addedReason, 'docking');
+
+  harness.monitor.handleDockGuard({ roverId: 'green', active: false });
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).needsHelp, false);
+});
+
+test('autonomous passive docking remains timed after wheel motion stops dock guard', () => {
+  const harness = createHarness();
+  harness.monitor.handleDockGuard({ roverId: 'yellow', active: true, startedAt: harness.now() });
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('yellow', { oiMode: { label: 'passive' }, chargingSources: {} });
+  harness.monitor.handleDockGuard({ roverId: 'yellow', active: false });
+  harness.advance(DOCK_GUARD_HELP_MS);
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('yellow', { oiMode: { label: 'passive' }, chargingSources: {} });
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).addedReason, 'docking');
+
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('yellow', {
+    oiMode: { label: 'passive' },
+    chargingSources: { homeBase: true },
+  });
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).needsHelp, false);
+});
+
+test('clearing one reason retains help while another reason remains', () => {
+  const harness = createHarness();
+  const both = { bumpsAndWheelDrops: { wheelDropRight: true }, cliffRight: true };
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('orange', both);
+  // Advance through the longer threshold so both independently sustained
+  // conditions are active before exercising aggregate clearing behavior.
+  harness.advance(WHEEL_DROP_HELP_MS);
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('orange', both);
+  assert.deepEqual(harness.changes.at(-1).reasons.sort(), ['cliff', 'wheelDrop']);
+
+  harness.monitor.handleSensor('orange', { cliffRight: true });
+  assert.equal(harness.changes.at(-1).needsHelp, true);
+  assert.deepEqual(harness.changes.at(-1).reasons, ['cliff']);
+});
@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ const {
  getRoster,
  getRosterForSocket,
  broadcastRoster,
+  setNeedsHelp,
  setToggleState,
  handleHostStats,
  canSeeRover,
@@ -281,6 +282,7 @@ module.exports = {
  getRoster,
  getRosterForSocket,
  broadcastRoster,
+  setNeedsHelp,
  setToggleState,
  handleHostStats,
  handleSensorFrame,
@@ -46,6 +46,10 @@ function createRosterLifecycle(deps) {
        room: `rover:${id}`,
        lastSeen: Date.now(),
        lastMovementAt: Date.now(),
+        // Help state belongs to the live rover record so every roster consumer
+        // sees one server-authoritative answer. The monitoring service owns why
+        // the flag changes; roverManager only owns publishing the roster field.
+        needsHelp: false,
        private: { enabled: false },
        privateOpen: true,
        privateSafety: { ...DEFAULT_PRIVATE_SAFETY },
@@ -252,6 +256,7 @@ function createRosterLifecycle(deps) {
        : record.meta?.laser,
      locked: record.locked || (isPrivateRecord(record) && !isPrivateOpen(record)),
      lockReason: record.lockReason || (isPrivateRecord(record) && !isPrivateOpen(record) ? 'private' : null),
+      needsHelp: Boolean(record.needsHelp),
      lastSeen: record.lastSeen,
      private: isPrivateRecord(record)
        ? { enabled: true, open: isPrivateOpen(record), safety: getPrivateSafety(record) }
@@ -299,6 +304,21 @@ function createRosterLifecycle(deps) {
    managerEvents.emit('rover', { roverId, action: device, record });
  }

+  function setNeedsHelp(roverId, needsHelp) {
+    const record = rovers.get(String(roverId));
+    if (!record) return false;
+    const next = Boolean(needsHelp);
+    if (record.needsHelp === next) return false;
+
+    // Emit both roster fanout forms used by the application. The lightweight
+    // `rovers` event updates direct roster listeners immediately, while the
+    // manager event asks sessionService to rebuild complete session snapshots.
+    record.needsHelp = next;
+    broadcastRoster();
+    managerEvents.emit('help', { roverId: record.id, needsHelp: next });
+    return true;
+  }
+
  function handleHostStats(roverId, msg = {}) {
    const record = rovers.get(roverId);
    if (!record) return;
@@ -345,6 +365,7 @@ function createRosterLifecycle(deps) {
    getRosterForSocket,
    syncSpectatorRooms,
    broadcastRoster,
+    setNeedsHelp,
    setToggleState,
    handleHostStats,
    canSeeRover,
@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@ function createSensorPipeline(deps) {
  function stopDockGuard(roverId) {
    const state = dockGuardStates.get(roverId);
    if (!state) return;
+    const wasActive = state.active;
    if (state.timer) clearInterval(state.timer);
    state.active = false;
    state.reason = null;
@@ -336,6 +337,11 @@ function createSensorPipeline(deps) {
    state.timer = null;
    state.idleUndockedSince = null;
    state.passiveUndockedSince = null;
+    // The help monitor must clear its docking timer at the same ownership
+    // boundary that stops dock guard. Inferring this from OI mode would be
+    // incorrect because a 600-series rover can enter passive mode for reasons
+    // other than the server's automatic docking workflow.
+    if (wasActive) managerEvents.emit('dockGuard', { roverId, active: false });
  }

  function attemptDockGuard(roverId) {
@@ -360,6 +366,12 @@ function createSensorPipeline(deps) {
    state.active = true;
    state.reason = reason;
    state.startedAt = Date.now();
+    managerEvents.emit('dockGuard', {
+      roverId: record.id,
+      active: true,
+      reason,
+      startedAt: state.startedAt,
+    });
    const reasonText = reason === 'passive' ? 'passive mode' : 'idle and undocked';
    sendAlert({
      color: ALERT_COLOR,
@@ -355,6 +355,13 @@ managerEvents.on('privateSafety', ({ roverId }) => {
  syncAll();
 });

+managerEvents.on('help', ({ roverId, needsHelp }) => {
+  // HELP is roster state used by several passive UI routes, so every connected
+  // socket must receive the transition rather than only the rover's drivers.
+  logger.info('Rover help state changed', roverId, needsHelp);
+  syncAll();
+});
+
 privateRoverAccessRequestEvents.on('change', (event = {}) => {
  logger.info('Private rover access request state changed', event.reason || 'unknown');
  syncAll();
@@ -0,0 +1,82 @@
+// Auto Fit Text
+// Purpose: Sizes one unwrapped label to the largest font that fits its container.
+// Scope: Supports the existing width-only labels and full-box overlays from one shared implementation.
+import { useLayoutEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+
+export default function AutoFitText({
+  children,
+  className = '',
+  containerClassName = '',
+  maxSize = 1000,
+  minSize = 14,
+  fitHeight = false,
+  style = undefined,
+}) {
+  const containerRef = useRef(null);
+  const textRef = useRef(null);
+  const [fontSize, setFontSize] = useState(maxSize);
+
+  useLayoutEffect(() => {
+    const container = containerRef.current;
+    const textEl = textRef.current;
+    if (!container || !textEl) return undefined;
+
+    let animationFrame = null;
+    const fit = () => {
+      const width = container.clientWidth;
+      const height = container.clientHeight;
+      if (!width || (fitHeight && !height)) {
+        scheduleFit();
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // Binary search avoids stepping through hundreds of possible font sizes.
+      // Overlay labels test both axes; ordinary rover labels preserve their
+      // previous width-only behavior so this shared move changes no layout.
+      let low = minSize;
+      let high = maxSize;
+      let best = minSize;
+      while (low <= high) {
+        const middle = Math.floor((low + high) / 2);
+        textEl.style.fontSize = `${middle}px`;
+        const fitsWidth = textEl.scrollWidth <= width;
+        const fitsHeight = !fitHeight || textEl.scrollHeight <= height;
+        if (fitsWidth && fitsHeight) {
+          best = middle;
+          low = middle + 1;
+        } else {
+          high = middle - 1;
+        }
+      }
+      setFontSize(best);
+    };
+
+    const scheduleFit = () => {
+      if (animationFrame) cancelAnimationFrame(animationFrame);
+      animationFrame = requestAnimationFrame(fit);
+    };
+
+    scheduleFit();
+    const observer = new ResizeObserver(scheduleFit);
+    observer.observe(container);
+    return () => {
+      if (animationFrame) cancelAnimationFrame(animationFrame);
+      observer.disconnect();
+    };
+  }, [children, fitHeight, maxSize, minSize]);
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      ref={containerRef}
+      className={`${fitHeight ? 'flex h-full items-center justify-center' : ''} w-full min-w-0 ${containerClassName}`}
+    >
+      <div
+        ref={textRef}
+        className={`whitespace-nowrap ${className}`}
+        style={{ fontSize: `${fontSize}px`, lineHeight: fitHeight ? 1 : 1.1, ...(style || {}) }}
+      >
+        {children}
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 // Scope: Owns row chrome, queue chips, timer labels, and row/button event plumbing;
 // callers still own target-specific permission checks and request actions.
 import RoverLabel from '../RoverLabel/index.jsx';
+import RoverHelpOverlay from '../RoverHelpOverlay/index.jsx';

 function classNames(...values) {
  return values.filter(Boolean).join(' ');
@@ -105,7 +106,7 @@ export default function QueueTargetRow({
  return (
    <li
      className={classNames(
-        'surface flex flex-wrap items-start justify-between gap-0.5',
+        'surface relative flex flex-wrap items-start justify-between gap-0.5 overflow-hidden',
        canClick && 'cursor-pointer',
        locked
          ? 'bg-red-900/40'
@@ -191,6 +192,9 @@ export default function QueueTargetRow({
          {buttonLabel}
        </button>
      ) : null}
+      {/* Queue rows use the exact overlay component as the large video and
+          display surfaces; its measured font automatically adapts to this box. */}
+      <RoverHelpOverlay active={Boolean(target?.needsHelp)} />
    </li>
  );
 }
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+// Rover Help Overlay
+// Purpose: Gives every rover surface one unmistakable, responsive HELP treatment.
+// Scope: Renders only the shared visual; server roster state decides when it is active.
+import AutoFitText from '../AutoFitText/index.jsx';
+import './styles.css';
+
+export default function RoverHelpOverlay({ active = false }) {
+  if (!active) return null;
+
+  return (
+    <div
+      className="rover-help-overlay pointer-events-none absolute inset-0 z-50 overflow-hidden border-[clamp(0.2rem,1.2cqw,1rem)] border-white bg-red-600 p-[clamp(0.2rem,2cqw,1.5rem)] text-white"
+      role="status"
+      aria-label="Rover needs help"
+    >
+      <AutoFitText
+        fitHeight
+        minSize={8}
+        maxSize={1400}
+        className="font-black tracking-tight text-white drop-shadow-[0_0_0.08em_rgba(0,0,0,1)]"
+      >
+        HELP
+      </AutoFitText>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+/* A one-second stepped cycle is urgent and room-readable without becoming a
+   rapid strobe. Opacity applies to the entire shared treatment, so its border,
+   background, and auto-fit word flash together on every rover surface. */
+@keyframes rover-help-flash {
+  0%, 49% { opacity: 0.96; }
+  50%, 100% { opacity: 0.12; }
+}
+
+.rover-help-overlay {
+  container-type: size;
+  animation: rover-help-flash 1s steps(1, end) infinite;
+}
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import RoverDescriptionOverlay from '../HudOverlays/RoverDescriptionOverlay/inde
 import OvercurrentOverlay from '../HudOverlays/OvercurrentOverlay/index.jsx';
 import LowBatteryOverlay from '../HudOverlays/LowBatteryOverlay/index.jsx';
 import VerticalBatteryOverlay from '../HudOverlays/VerticalBatteryOverlay/index.jsx';
+import RoverHelpOverlay from '../RoverHelpOverlay/index.jsx';
 import { useSessionSelector } from '../../context/SessionContext.jsx';

 export default function SpectateVideo({
@@ -11,6 +12,7 @@ export default function SpectateVideo({
  label,
  fitParent = false,
  layoutFormat = 'desktop',
+  needsHelp = false,
 }) {
  const isExternalSpectatorSnapshotOnly = useSessionSelector((state) =>
    state.session?.role === 'spectator' &&
@@ -46,6 +48,7 @@ export default function SpectateVideo({
        <OvercurrentOverlay roverId={roverId} compact={false} />
        <LowBatteryOverlay roverId={roverId} compact={false} />
        <VerticalBatteryOverlay show roverId={roverId} mobileHud={false} />
+        <RoverHelpOverlay active={needsHelp} />
      </div>
    </div>
  );
@@ -5,7 +5,8 @@ import { useVisualTelemetrySelector } from '../../../context/TelemetryContext.js
 import { batteryTelemetryEqual, selectBatteryTelemetry } from '../../../context/telemetryViews.js';
 import BatteryBar from '../../../components/BatteryBar/index.jsx';
 import RoverLabel from '../../../components/RoverLabel/index.jsx';
-import AutoFitText from '../../../mini/MiniSummaryApp/components/AutoFitText.jsx';
+import AutoFitText from '../../../components/AutoFitText/index.jsx';
+import RoverHelpOverlay from '../../../components/RoverHelpOverlay/index.jsx';
 import {
  buildRoverStateText,
  findDriverForRover,
@@ -38,6 +39,7 @@ export default function DisplayRoverCell({ rover, session }) {
        !locked && urgent ? 'ring-4 ring-red-500/90' : !locked && warn ? 'ring-2 ring-amber-300/80' : '',
      )}
    >
+      <RoverHelpOverlay active={Boolean(rover?.needsHelp)} />
      <BatteryBar visual={visual} variant="background" orientation="vertical" />
      <div className="relative z-10 grid h-full min-h-0 grid-rows-[auto_minmax(0,1fr)_auto] gap-[0.55vh] p-[0.85vw] text-center">
        <div className="grid min-w-0 grid-cols-[minmax(0,1fr)_auto] items-start gap-[0.8vw]">
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ import useDefaultNickname from '../../hooks/useDefaultNickname.js';
 import useUserIdentitySync from '../../hooks/useUserIdentitySync.js';
 import PtzLiveVideo from '../../components/PtzLiveVideo/index.jsx';
 import RoverMediaPlayer from '../../components/RoverMediaPlayer/index.jsx';
+import RoverHelpOverlay from '../../components/RoverHelpOverlay/index.jsx';
 import FitViewportFrame from './components/FitViewportFrame.jsx';
 import InfoColumn from './components/InfoColumn.jsx';
 import { ROTATE_MS } from './constants.js';
@@ -352,6 +353,7 @@ export default function MiniSummaryContent() {
                      />
                    )}
                  </FitViewportFrame>
+                  <RoverHelpOverlay active={Boolean(rover.needsHelp)} />
                </div>
              );
            })}
@@ -1,65 +0,0 @@
-// Auto Fit Text
-// Purpose: Defines the Auto Fit Text module and the local helpers/components used in this file.
-// Scope: Keeps behavior unchanged while isolating this concern into a clear, single-responsibility unit.
-import { useLayoutEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
-
-export default function AutoFitText({ children, className = '', maxSize = 1000, minSize = 14, style = undefined }) {
-  const containerRef = useRef(null);
-  const textRef = useRef(null);
-  const [fontSize, setFontSize] = useState(maxSize);
-
-  useLayoutEffect(() => {
-    const container = containerRef.current;
-    const textEl = textRef.current;
-    if (!container || !textEl) return undefined;
-
-    let raf = null;
-    const fit = () => {
-      const width = container.clientWidth;
-      if (!width) {
-        scheduleFit();
-        return;
-      }
-      let low = minSize;
-      let high = maxSize;
-      let best = minSize;
-      while (low <= high) {
-        const mid = Math.floor((low + high) / 2);
-        textEl.style.fontSize = `${mid}px`;
-        const fits = textEl.scrollWidth <= width;
-        if (fits) {
-          best = mid;
-          low = mid + 1;
-        } else {
-          high = mid - 1;
-        }
-      }
-      setFontSize(best);
-    };
-
-    const scheduleFit = () => {
-      if (raf) cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
-      raf = requestAnimationFrame(fit);
-    };
-
-    scheduleFit();
-    const ro = new ResizeObserver(scheduleFit);
-    ro.observe(container);
-    return () => {
-      if (raf) cancelAnimationFrame(raf);
-      ro.disconnect();
-    };
-  }, [children, maxSize, minSize]);
-
-  return (
-    <div ref={containerRef} className="w-full min-w-0">
-      <div
-        ref={textRef}
-        className={`whitespace-nowrap ${className}`}
-        style={{ fontSize: `${fontSize}px`, lineHeight: 1.1, ...(style || {}) }}
-      >
-        {children}
-      </div>
-    </div>
-  );
-}
@@ -4,8 +4,9 @@
 import RoverMediaPlayer from '../../../components/RoverMediaPlayer/index.jsx';
 import BatteryBar from '../../../components/BatteryBar/index.jsx';
 import RoverLabel from '../../../components/RoverLabel/index.jsx';
+import RoverHelpOverlay from '../../../components/RoverHelpOverlay/index.jsx';
+import AutoFitText from '../../../components/AutoFitText/index.jsx';
 import { getBatteryVisual } from '../utils.js';
-import AutoFitText from './AutoFitText.jsx';

 export default function InfoColumn({
  rover,
@@ -32,6 +33,10 @@ export default function InfoColumn({
        orientation={isActiveView ? 'vertical' : 'horizontal'}
        variant="background"
      />
+      {/* In the side-by-side roster this column is the rover's complete tile.
+          The active carousel already overlays its video pane, so suppressing a
+          second copy here avoids flashing HELP twice for the same rover. */}
+      <RoverHelpOverlay active={!isActiveView && Boolean(rover?.needsHelp)} />
      {isActiveView ? (
        <div className="relative z-10 flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col justify-between text-center">
          <div className="min-w-0 bg-transparent px-0 py-0 leading-none">
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ export default function RoverSpectatorCard({ rover }) {
        <SpectateVideo
          roverId={rover.id}
          label={rover.name}
+          needsHelp={Boolean(rover.needsHelp)}
        />
      </div>
    </article>