Dividing a shader build into named checkpoint stages lets you resume from a stable state and avoid rabbit holes

IQ structures the Happy Jumping live stream into 5 parts: basic raymarching, modeling, set/animation, lighting, optimization. Each part starts from a pre-saved checkpoint shader. This means deviations in part 2 can be abandoned and reset before part 3. The technique prevents cumulative bugs from compounding, provides recovery from live-coding dead ends, and lets him move to the ‘fun’ section (lighting) even if modeling was imperfect. The same principle applies to iterating on any complex procedural shader: identify the minimal stable state before adding the next layer.

Examples

In Shadertoy, save multiple shader versions (‘Happy Jumping Part 1’, ‘Part 2’, etc.) so you can open a stable baseline before extending.

Assessment

You are live coding a character shader and a bug corrupts the shadow system. Describe how checkpointed stages would help you recover and continue.