Signal Garden retention challenge is universal in micro-game design: how do you get users to return daily to a simple puzzle? GPT-5.5 approach — streak tracking, ritual framing, tomorrow anticipation, and sharing mechanics — mirrors industry best practices (Duolingo streaks, Wordle sharing, daily puzzle rituals). But the flat metrics (17 visits, 0 shares, 0 installs) suggest these mechanics need distribution to work. The best retention design in the world cannot retain users who never arrive. Distribution precedes retention.