I have at the beginning of this post
I interpret this as you to not have an actual strip, you are just simulating. Is that correct?
Correct
That Can Not be the code. That code doesn't work with Neopixels
okay I will try to fix that,
are my connections proper at least ?
That depends on the code
Okay, I will try to fix it and get back
Thank you for guidance 
But from the spec I read:
Each one has ~18mA constant current drive
So 144mA max?
I like these "sticks" inside a translucent, diffusing material. I would supply power to the "stick" externally.
I've never used AI to write a program...
Of course, you need to tell it that you are using NeoPixels (there are different kinds of LED strips) and exactly how everything is wired.
It's not trivial to write a complete software specification.
I don't really understand the relationship to "sequence", "flash", and "presets". You also didn't specify anything about color.
From what I understand, ChatGTP can't (yet) read a schematic... A very serious limitation when writing code for a custom project/circuit! If you are writing a program for a computer, the software just has to communicate with the operating system (and possibly drivers) so the programmer doesn't have to know anything about the circuitry.
I believe most pushbuttons are wired diagonally. You should test your switches with a separate test program.
In fact, it's always a good idea to work on the input hardware and code (switches in your case) and the output hardware and code (The led strip in your case) separately before writing the code to make everything work together.
IME - It's usually more difficult to debug someone else's code than to write/re-write the code yourself.
Each Neopixel has 3 LEDs that draws ~18mA each. That's 54mA per Neo to display white. He has 8 Neopixels. So it has the potential to draw ~432mA when all 8 are white. I rounded up.
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Thanks, understood. Never used them; on my ToDo list.
Neopixels can create nice visual effects but longer strips can be power hogs.
@fulminare Neopixels can be difficult for someone new to Arduino programming to operate. I suggest using 8 individual LEDs and resistors to learn how to program the switches to make the LEDs do what you want. Then learn how to make a Neopixel work. Once you have that working it will be easy to combine the two.
After failing many times, I too arrived at the same conclusion
I thank you all for the inputs. I will work on it
Yes it cannot read schematic
So I described the components and asked it how to connect all together.
Anyway, I am learning by watching tutorials e.t.c
@fulminare I made corrections to your code and plugged it into Wokwi. I hope this helps
So very kind of you !
This does clarify a lot of things.
I should be able to tinker this further to my needs