AI Pathfinding Visualizer (Python)

An interactive pathfinding visualizer implemented in Python with Pygame.

What Changed

This project has been migrated from a JavaScript/React app to a Python desktop app. The algorithms and behavior are preserved, including:

• BFS, DFS, A*, Hill Climbing, Best First, MiniMax
• Best, Average, and Worst case modes
• Interactive wall drawing and Start/End placement
• Animated visited order and final path
• Runtime metrics and time-complexity panel

Tech Stack

• Python 3.10+
• Pygame

Setup

1. Create and activate a virtual environment (recommended):

python3 -m venv .venv
source .venv/bin/activate

2. Install dependencies:

pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Run the visualizer:

python pathfinding_visualizer.py

Controls

• Mouse Left: Draw/apply selected tool on grid
• Mouse Right: Erase wall
• 1-6: Select algorithm
• B / A / W: Best / Average / Worst case mode
• D / S / E: Tool = Wall / Start / End
• Space: Visualize
• C: Clear path animation
• R: Reset entire grid
• Up / Down: Increase or decrease animation speed
• V: Show/hide heuristic values
• Esc: Quit

Project Structure

.
├── pathfinding_visualizer.py
├── requirements.txt
├── assets/
├── ai-pathfinding-visualizer.jsx   # legacy JS source
├── src/                            # legacy JS source
├── package.json                    # legacy JS metadata
└── README.md

Notes

• The Python app is now the primary implementation.
• Legacy JavaScript files are kept for reference and can be removed later if you want a Python-only repository.