Proposed Topics:
Prio 1:

• [Gestalt 8] Migrate to gestalt 8 (BSA)
  • Upgrade gestalt dependencies to 8.0.0-SNAPSHOT, nui-gestalt7 changes to nui-gestalt
  • Apply the gestalt-inject-java annotation processor to engine and all modules
  • Annotate all annotations searched for with findClassesWithAnnotation with the @Index annotation
  • Annotate all base classes searched for with findSubclasses with the @IndexInherited annotation
  • Replace all instances of org.terasology.gestalt.module.sandbox.API with org.terasology.context.annotation.API (this is the vast majority of changes)
• Investigate flaky integration tests (ExampleTest tests, related to sporadic NPE in chunk lighting) (Nira)

Prio 2:

• [Performance] continue investigating performance issues (chunk gen/load-related stuttering) based on CoreGameplay (see #5150) (BSA + Nira)
  • test performance in multiplayer
  • check top 10 code areas for refactoring potential
  • check focus areas for refactoring potential
• remove left-over controller stuff in control settings (Nira)
• [Movement] Sprint/Crouch - see https://discord.com/channels/270264625419911192/270264625419911192/1189953049830109247 (Nira)
• removal of obsolete graphic settings (see #5152) (Nira)
• research what would be needed to split server and client properly (BSA)

Prio 3:

• [QA] configure PMD as mandatory in CI

• [QA] reduce log noise (#4991)

• [Engine Refactorings] additional refactorings

  • leverage new Java 17 features if applicable
  • SaveTransaction#writeChunkStores
  • refactor systems for autoconfig (see #4304 (comment))