AI Runtime HC Loop Map

AI Runtime And HC Loop Map

This page is a focused runtime map for server loops, town AI, headless-client delegation and AI/autonomy edges. Use it with AI/headless/performance, Server runtime atlas, HC delegation/failover, AI commander autonomy audit and Performance opportunity sweep.

SRC below means Missions/[55-2hc]warfarev2_073v48co.chernarus.

Runtime Loop Table

Loop / handler	Source refs	Role	Cadence / exit	Risk
Role split / init chain	SRC/initJIPCompatible.sqf:55-57, :214-239	Common, server, client, HC	Once, with waits	HC is `!(hasInterface
HC support gate	SRC/initJIPCompatible.sqf:164-170	Common	Once	AI delegation mode 2 is disabled below OA 1.62 build gate.
HC boot / registration	SRC/Headless/Init/Init_HC.sqf:4-15	HC	Fixed sleep 20, fire-once PVF	No retry or heartbeat.
Server init waits	SRC/Server/Init/Init_Server.sqf:1, :126-127, :507, :583	Dedicated/hosted server	Waits for common/town/time gates	Stalls if common/town init never completes.
Client init waits/JIP fanout	SRC/Client/Init/Init_Client.sqf:164-165, :594-596, :757-770, :960-962	Client/hosted player	Waits, then JIP queries	Heavy town-wide query fanout on join.
Town state loop	SRC/Server/FSM/server_town.sqf:34, :57, :259-270	Server	Per-town sleep 0.05, outer sleep 5; exits on WFBE_GameOver	Core scan/capture/supply loop.
Town AI activation loop	SRC/Server/FSM/server_town_ai.sqf:35, :84-121, :157-185, :191-251	Server	Per-town sleep 0.05, outer sleep 5; exits on WFBE_GameOver	Drives AI spawn/despawn and HC delegation. This is an intentionally throttled scheduled loop, not a per-frame target.
Camp capture manager	SRC/Server/FSM/server_town_camp.sqf:8-13, :25, :150-157	Server	About one-second global scan; exits on WFBE_GameOver	Continuous camp scan.
Town patrol workers	SRC/Common/Functions/Common_CreateTownUnits.sqf:42-63; SRC/Server/FSM/server_town_patrol.sqf:18, :47-53	Server or delegated locality	sleep 30; `!WFBE_GameOver
Ambient patrol workers	SRC/Server/FSM/server_patrols.sqf:26, :68, :71-72; launched from SRC/Server/FSM/server_town_ai.sqf:226-230	Server	sleep 30; `!WFBE_GameOver
Static defense manage/operate	SRC/Server/Functions/Server_ManageTownDefenses.sqf:15-32; Server_OperateTownDefensesUnits.sqf:24-85, :115-118	Server with optional HC creation	Event-like on town activation/capture	Resistance-only; HC static gunners are fire-and-forget.
Base defense remanning	SRC/Server/Functions/Server_HandleDefense.sqf:7-42; SRC/Server/Construction/Construction_StationaryDefense.sqf:90-99	Server with optional HC creation	Missing gunner sleep 7, normal sleep 420; exits when defense dies	No explicit game-over exit.
Resource/income loop	SRC/Server/FSM/updateresources.sqf:20, :67, :74-75	Server	FPS-adjusted sleep; exits on gameOver	Uses inverse GetSleepFPS; low FPS shortens sleeps.
FPS sleep helper	SRC/Common/Functions/Common_GetSleepFPS.sqf:5-9	Common helper	Called by loops	Scaling may be inverted depending on intended semantics.
Performance audit loop	SRC/Common/Functions/Common_PerformanceAudit.sqf:221-240; SRC/Server/Init/Init_Server.sqf:586-589	Server audit runner	Default flush sleep 60; exits on gameOver if set	Good observability hook but only as complete as callers.
Server FPS publishers	SRC/Server/GUI/serverFpsGUI.sqf:1-9; SRC/Server/Module/serverFPS/monitorServerFPS.sqf:1-8	Dedicated only in current docs/source	Early !isDedicated exit, then sleep 8; no match-end exit	Dedicated duplicates FPS publishing surfaces; hosted/listen no longer enters either loop on this docs branch.
Cleanup/restorer set	SRC/Server/Init/Init_Server.sqf:535-560; cleaners such as droppeditems_cleaner.sqf:4, :19, :42	Server	Timer plus per-item sleeps; mostly WFBE_GameOver	Always-on cleanup pressure.
Global stats extension	SRC/Server/CallExtensions/GlobalGameStats.sqf:5, :24	Server	sleep 60; no explicit exit	Always-on extension loop; player-count heuristics exclude HC.
AntiStack loops	SRC/Server/Init/Init_Server.sqf:597-614; AntiStack/updateScoreInternal.sqf:13; mainLoop.sqf:15; flushLoop.sqf:17	Server if enabled	Mixed DB polling/sleeps	Optional but some loops can outlive a match.
AI supply truck loop	SRC/Server/AI/AI_UpdateSupplyTruck.sqf:5-17; SRC/Server/Init/Init_Server.sqf:36, :381-383	Intended server	sleep 60; exits on gameOver	Compile is commented, branch still calls UpdateSupplyTruck, FSM target is missing.
Commander map-order executor	SRC/Client/GUI/GUI_Menu_Command.sqf:252-306; SRC/Common/Functions/Common_SetTeamMoveMode.sqf:8; SRC/Common/Functions/Common_SetTeamMovePos.sqf:8; SRC/Server/AI/AI_SquadRespawn.sqf:105-109; SRC/Server/AI/AI_AdvancedRespawn.sqf:120-124	UI writes replicated group vars; static server reads found only respawn reset	No general loop found	wfbe_teammode / wfbe_teamgoto are not proof of a server-owned waypoint executor.
AI town attack-path helper	SRC/Server/Init/Init_Server.sqf:45-47; SRC/Server/Functions/Server_AI_SetTownAttackPath.sqf:18,41,80-109	Compiled server helper for arced town attack waypoints	No static caller found in stable master scan	Helper clears existing waypoints before path generation; if a future caller revives it, smoke the early-exit branches before relying on generated attack routes.
Spawned-unit follow-up	SRC/Client/Functions/Client_BuildUnit.sqf:463-465; SRC/Client/Functions/Client_SendSpawnedUnitsToLeaderWaypoint.sqf:13-94	Client-side helper for newly bought AI	On spawn/build completion only	Reads stored shift-click order, current waypoint or expectedDestination, then commandMoves spawned units/drivers. This is not a general commander AI scheduler.
Player AI watchdog/recovery	SRC/Client/Init/Init_Client.sqf:515; SRC/Client/Functions/Client_WatchdogPlayerAI.sqf:147-333; SRC/Client/Functions/Client_RecoverPlayerAI.sqf:1-1000	Client-side stuck-AI recovery	Client loop/action path	Manual and automatic recovery can reset/move/retry local player-group AI; keep locality and cooldown semantics when touching AI movement.
AI leader respawn hooks	SRC/Server/Init/Init_Server.sqf:10-12; SRC/Server/AI/AI_AddMultiplayerRespawnEH.sqf:1; SRC/Server/AI/AI_AdvancedRespawn.sqf:55-125; SRC/Server/AI/AI_SquadRespawn.sqf:14-111	Server-owned AI leader respawn	Branch differs by WF_A2_Vanilla	Non-vanilla uses an MPRespawn hook into advanced respawn; vanilla uses a loop path. Both reset non-autonomous move state, so smoke both branches before changing order/respawn coupling.

HC Delegation Map

HC delegation creates units on another machine through request/response helpers; it does not magically transfer already-created unit locality. The HC boot path in SRC/Headless/Init/Init_HC.sqf:12-15 uses a fixed sleep 20 before connected-hc, so treat HC startup as a timing hazard until a timeout/retry-backed registration exists.

Flow	Evidence	Completeness
HC detection	SRC/Headless/Functions/HC_IsHeadlessClient.sqf:5; SRC/initJIPCompatible.sqf:55-57	Complete for OA HC identity assumption.
HC registration	SRC/Headless/Init/Init_HC.sqf:12-15; SRC/Server/Functions/Server_HandleSpecial.sqf:117-131; Server_OnPlayerDisconnected.sqf:23-27	Connect/disconnect handled; no heartbeat, retry or delegated-work failback.
Client delegation mode 1	SRC/Server/Functions/Server_OnPlayerConnected.sqf:68-70; Server_FNC_Delegation.sqf:15-73, :104-178; Client/FSM/updateavailableactions.fsm:49, :124	Most complete: client FPS/group counts, fallback to server and tracker cleanup.
Town AI to HC mode 2	SRC/Server/FSM/server_town_ai.sqf:157-172; Server_DelegateAITownHeadless.sqf:23-35; Client_DelegateTownAI.sqf:26-45	Partial: delegated vehicles report back, but there is no timeout/failback.
Static town defense to HC	Server_OperateTownDefensesUnits.sqf:41-56; Server_DelegateAIStaticDefenceHeadless.sqf:22-27; Client_DelegateAIStaticDefence.sqf:25-38	Fire-and-forget; callback is commented.
Base defense remanning to HC	Server_HandleDefense.sqf:19-23	Fire-and-forget; no confirmation callback.
Generic delegate-ai	Client/PVFunctions/HandleSpecial.sqf:13-15; Client_DelegateAI.sqf:20-32; Common_CreateUnitsForResBases.sqf:35	Stale/abandoned-looking; no clear live caller found.
Locality transfer helper	Server_SetLocalityOwner.sqf:13	Not used by town/static HC AI delegation; delegation creates on remote rather than transferring existing locality.

Cleanup-loop edge: the client/HC delegation receivers each spin a local group cleanup poll after remote creation. Client_DelegateTownAI.sqf:42-43, Client_DelegateAI.sqf:29-30 and Client_DelegateAIStaticDefence.sqf:35-36 all wait while count (units _team) > 0, sleep one second, then deleteGroup _team. There is no timeout or server reconciliation in those receivers; a leaked unit can leave a long-lived local cleanup thread.

Order And Recovery Chain

There are three separate order/recovery concepts that are easy to blend together:

Concept	Source	Scope
Commander order UI	GUI_Menu_Command.sqf:252-306	Commander-facing Move/Patrol/Defense map-click flow. It writes team variables and marker feedback; a general server-side executor is still unproven by static source.
Spawned-unit inheritance	Client_BuildUnit.sqf:463-465; Client_SendSpawnedUnitsToLeaderWaypoint.sqf:13-94	Newly bought units can inherit a stored map order, group waypoint or expectedDestination. This only runs at build/spawn handoff time.
Player-AI recovery	Client_WatchdogPlayerAI.sqf:147-333; Client_RecoverPlayerAI.sqf:1-1000	Client-side stuck-unit recovery for player-group AI, with manual action and automatic watchdog paths.

When debugging "AI ignores orders", first identify which layer is failing: command UI write, spawned-unit handoff, server/HC waypoint creation, or client-side recovery. Patching the wrong layer can make the visible symptom disappear in one scenario while leaving the real owner path untouched.

Findings

Severity	Finding	Evidence	Safe next action
High	AI supply trucks are broken if enabled.	Init_Server.sqf:36, :381-383; AI_UpdateSupplyTruck.sqf:5-17; missing Server/FSM/supplytruck.fsm.	Guard/remove the branch or restore compile + FSM + smoke before enabling.
High	Static-defense HC delegation has no completion/failback path.	Server_DelegateAIStaticDefenceHeadless.sqf:22-27; Client_DelegateAIStaticDefence.sqf:28.	Add callback/timeout or keep static-defense manning server-local.
Medium	Town HC delegation lacks heartbeat/failback.	Server_DelegateAITownHeadless.sqf:23-30; Client_DelegateTownAI.sqf:35.	Smoke HC disconnect during active town and document orphan behavior.
Medium	Client/HC delegated-group cleanup polls are unbounded.	Client_DelegateTownAI.sqf:42-43; Client_DelegateAI.sqf:29-30; Client_DelegateAIStaticDefence.sqf:35-36.	Add timeout/diagnostic/reconciliation when adding HC work records; smoke leaked/dead group cleanup on HC disconnect.
Medium	FPS sleep helper may be inverted.	Common_GetSleepFPS.sqf:5-9; updateresources.sqf:74-75.	Decide intent before patching; record RPT/perf evidence.
Medium	Patrol exit condition is lifecycle-hostile.	server_town_patrol.sqf:18; server_patrols.sqf:26; server_town_ai.sqf:226-230; server_patrols.sqf:71-72.	Replace with bounded lifecycle after confirming cleanup semantics; for ambient patrols, verify wfbe_patrol_active clears after patrol death so resistance patrols can relaunch.
Medium	AI commander autonomy is scaffolded, not complete.	Funds at Init_Server.sqf:356-365; upgrade helper Server_AI_Com_Upgrade.sqf:12-50; no complete scheduler proven.	Treat as owner decision / disabled partial until scheduler and buy/upgrade smoke exist.
Medium	Commander map-order execution is not proven by static source.	GUI_Menu_Command.sqf:252-306 writes wfbe_teammode / wfbe_teamgoto; RequestTeamUpdate.sqf:3-25 is a separate live team-property PVF; static AIMoveTo / AIPatrol callers are support/resistance paths, not the command-menu vars.	Smoke Move, Patrol, Defense and Take Towns in Arma 2 OA before hardening or extending commander AI orders.
Medium	AI town attack-path helper is compiled but dormant-looking in stable master, and its path-building branch clears existing waypoints before random/safety exits.	Init_Server.sqf:45-47; Server_AI_SetTownAttackPath.sqf:18,41,80-109; no static caller found for WFBE_SE_FNC_AI_SetTownAttackPath outside compile/docs in this scan.	If AI commander/order revival calls this helper, add a smoke where a distant team receives a town attack order and still has final depot/camp waypoints after random/safety branches.
Low/Medium	Stale delegation helper shadows the current inline implementation.	Server/Functions/Server_GetDelegators.sqf still exists in source, Vanilla and modded trees, but no compile/reference to it was found. Active source/Vanilla delegation defines WFBE_SE_FNC_GetDelegators inline in Server_FNC_Delegation.sqf:139-178; modded Eden/Lingor/Napf use the same inline pattern around :127. The inline version also accounts for already-selected repeats, unlike the standalone helper.	Treat Server_GetDelegators.sqf as stale duplicate/generated drift. Keep active patches in Server_FNC_Delegation.sqf; delete/annotate the stale helper only after a generated/modded cleanup decision.
Low/Medium	Town static defenses are resistance-only.	Server_SpawnTownDefense.sqf:18; Server_OperateTownDefensesUnits.sqf:24.	Correct any docs implying all occupied towns spawn static defense crews.

Runtime Smoke

Target	Smoke gates
Dedicated server	Verify commonInitComplete, townInit, serverInitFull, town loop, town AI loop, camp loop, cleanup loops, performance audit and both FPS publishers.
Hosted/listen	Verify server/client branches both run, both FPS publishers exit cleanly on !isDedicated, and client waits/JIP queries finish without relying on server-FPS publication.
JIP	Join after server init and town activation; verify side logic, town/camp states, marker updates, day/night sync and no duplicated local loops.
HC	Run dedicated plus HC with delegation mode 2; verify HC registration, town AI delegation, update-town-delegation, HC disconnect removal and fallback behavior.
Negative AI supply	In a private test only, enable the old AI supply-truck path and confirm current failure; use that as a release gate before any revival.

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Related: Server runtime atlas | AI commander autonomy audit | Feature status