It just outputted the success message and I am certain I used the proper case sensitivity, and where would I find this .astral file

In the playerdata folder for the world.

Can you provide the output of displaying their progress via command, or their . astral file?

Are you certain you've spelled their name correctly, with proper case sensitivity? I routinely use this command for testing and have never seen this issue before.

I checked there, so it didn't even appear for some reason which makes me wonder if progressing normally works now

progress levels != research levels. hence maximize exists. Progress only unlocks progress, not research

This issue is invalid then, I thought progress levels = research levels thanks for correcting me