---
id: TASK-238.4
title: Decompose character dictionary runtime into fetch, build, and cache modules
status: To Do
assignee: []
created_date: '2026-03-26 20:49'
labels:
  - tech-debt
  - runtime
  - anilist
  - maintainability
milestone: m-0
dependencies:
  - TASK-238.3
references:
  - src/main/character-dictionary-runtime.ts
  - src/main/runtime/character-dictionary-auto-sync.ts
  - docs/architecture/README.md
parent_task_id: TASK-238
priority: medium
---

## Description

<!-- SECTION:DESCRIPTION:BEGIN -->
`src/main/character-dictionary-runtime.ts` is now one of the largest live production files in the repo and combines AniList transport, name normalization, snapshot/image shaping, cache management, and zip packaging. That file will keep growing as character-dictionary features evolve. Split it into focused modules so the runtime surface becomes orchestration instead of a catch-all implementation blob.
<!-- SECTION:DESCRIPTION:END -->

## Acceptance Criteria

<!-- AC:BEGIN -->
- [ ] #1 AniList fetch/parsing logic, dictionary-entry building, and snapshot/cache/zip persistence no longer live in one giant file.
- [ ] #2 The public runtime API stays behavior-compatible for current callers.
- [ ] #3 The top-level runtime/orchestration file becomes materially smaller and easier to review.
- [ ] #4 Existing character-dictionary tests still pass, and new focused tests cover the extracted modules where needed.
<!-- AC:END -->

## Implementation Plan

<!-- SECTION:PLAN:BEGIN -->
1. Identify the dominant concern boundaries inside `src/main/character-dictionary-runtime.ts`.
2. Extract fetch/transform/persist modules with narrow interfaces, keeping data-shape ownership explicit.
3. Leave the exported runtime API stable for current main-process callers.
4. Verify with the maintained character-dictionary/runtime test lane plus `bun run typecheck`.
<!-- SECTION:PLAN:END -->