Project Lifecycle
=================

Creating a New Project
----------------------
To start a new Blender extension project:

1. Go to **File** > **New Project...**.
2. Select **Blender Extension** from the left-hand list.
3. **Project Name**: As you type, the project location and **Addon ID** are automatically synchronized. The Addon ID is formatted to snake_case as required by Blender.
4. **Blender Manifest Wizard**:

   - **Addon ID**: Unique identifier (e.g., ``my-cool-extension``).
   - **Metadata**: Set the Tagline, Maintainer name, and optional Website/Tags.
   - **Blender Versions**: Define the minimum (and optional maximum) supported Blender versions.
   - **Platforms**: Specify supported platforms (e.g., ``windows-x64, macos-arm64``).
   - **Permissions**: If your extension needs special access (Network, Filesystem, etc.), check the relevant box and provide a mandatory reason (max 64 characters, no trailing period).

Bootstrapping Options
---------------------
- **Add automatic module/class registration script**: Includes ``auto_load.py`` and an autoload-ready ``__init__.py`` to simplify complex project structures.
- **Append pre-made agent guidelines**: Adds a premade ``.agent-guidelines.md`` document to help AI coding agents understand your project structure.
- **Create Git repository**: Automatically initializes a Git repository in the project folder.

Creating a Simple (Legacy) Add-on or Module
-------------------------------------------
If you don't need the full extension structure and manifest, you can create a single-script add-on or a boilerplate module:

1. Right-click on a directory in the **Project** view.
2. Select **New** > **Blender File**.
3. Choose either **Blender Add-on** or **Blender Module**.
4. Enter a filename.
5. The plugin generates the boilerplate:

   - **Add-on**: Standard ``bl_info`` dictionary, sample operator, and registration logic.
   - **Module**: Standard imports (``bpy``, ``T``, ``P``, ``O``, ``U``), empty ``register``/``unregister``, and ``if __name__ == "__main__":`` block.