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Feature: Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS to all TEMPLATE_INFO files

IMPLEMENTATION RULES: Before implementing this plan, read and follow:

Status: Backlog​

Goal: Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS field to every template's TEMPLATE_INFO so the DCT template installer can automatically install required devcontainer tools.

Last Updated: 2026-03-30

Companion plan: PLAN-template-tools-dct.md in helpers-no/devcontainer-toolbox — adds the installer logic that reads this field.

Overview​

When a user selects a template via dev-template, the required development tools (PHP, Python, TypeScript, etc.) are not installed in the devcontainer. The user has to manually figure out what to install.

Solution: Add a TEMPLATE_TOOLS field to TEMPLATE_INFO that declares which DCT install scripts are needed. The DCT template installer reads this field and installs the tools automatically.

Format:

TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-php-laravel"           # single tool
TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-typescript dev-python"  # multiple tools (space-separated)

The values are SCRIPT_IDs from DCT install scripts (e.g., dev-php-laravel maps to install-dev-php-laravel.sh).

Phase 1: Update app templates​

Tasks​

  • 1.1 Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-php-laravel" to templates/php-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • 1.2 Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-typescript" to templates/typescript-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • 1.3 Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-typescript" to templates/designsystemet-basic-react-app/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • 1.4 Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-python" to templates/python-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • 1.5 Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-golang" to templates/golang-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • 1.6 Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-java" to templates/java-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • 1.7 Add TEMPLATE_TOOLS="dev-csharp" to templates/csharp-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO

Validation​

Each TEMPLATE_INFO has the correct TEMPLATE_TOOLS value.

Phase 2: Update AI templates​

Tasks​

  • 2.1 Verify ai-templates/plan-based-workflow/TEMPLATE_INFO does NOT need TEMPLATE_TOOLS (no runtime needed)
  • 2.2 Document in TEMPLATE_INFO spec that TEMPLATE_TOOLS is optional

Validation​

AI template works without TEMPLATE_TOOLS field.

Phase 3: Update documentation​

Tasks​

  • 3.1 Update any TEMPLATE_INFO format documentation to include TEMPLATE_TOOLS field
  • 3.2 Add examples showing single and multiple tools

Validation​

Documentation reflects the new field.

Acceptance Criteria​

  • All 7 app templates have TEMPLATE_TOOLS in their TEMPLATE_INFO
  • AI templates work without TEMPLATE_TOOLS (backward compatible)
  • TEMPLATE_TOOLS values match valid DCT SCRIPT_IDs
  • Format documentation updated

TEMPLATE_TOOLS Mapping​

TemplateTEMPLATE_TOOLS
php-basic-webserverdev-php-laravel
typescript-basic-webserverdev-typescript
designsystemet-basic-react-appdev-typescript
python-basic-webserverdev-python
golang-basic-webserverdev-golang
java-basic-webserverdev-java
csharp-basic-webserverdev-csharp
plan-based-workflow (ai)(none)

Files to Modify​

  • templates/php-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • templates/typescript-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • templates/designsystemet-basic-react-app/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • templates/python-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • templates/golang-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • templates/java-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO
  • templates/csharp-basic-webserver/TEMPLATE_INFO