base_vs_extension_boundary

Extension-level install covers packing, activation, and first-run host UX — not base filesystem state. There is * * no * * VS Code `onInstall` API; install-time behaviour runs on the * * first * * [activation.activation] after install ( [activation.activation_events] ). Sequencing inside `activate` is owned by [activation.activation_sequence]: - Sync register CodeLens / inlay config commands. - Synchronously register analytical submodule contributions ( commands, activity bar, chat, webviews, AI commands, mutation hooks ) without starting the index ( [activation.analytical_submodule_activation] ). - Register import quick-fixes, then schedule index and language-client startup through [activation.first_paint_startup] / [activation.background_startup]; sync catalogs once the language client exists. - Fire-and-forget [activation.onboarding_check] → [welcome_webview_install]. Failures in submodule or language client are logged and must not abort later phases or the welcome check. Related command surfaces: Show Onboarding ( [welcome.show_onboarding_command] ), Install Cursor Skills ( [skills_mcp.cursor_skills_install] ), Create Base ( [bases.create_base_onboarding] ).

Base-level install marks a directory as a [bases.base] and seeds shared application memory under `<base>/.reqlan/` ( [app_memory.application_memory] ). Entry points ( same helper [create_base_impl] ): - Editor: `reqlan.createBase` / empty-state CTAs ( [bases.create_base_onboarding] ) — only after discovery finds * * zero * * bases; never on extension install alone. - CLI: `reqlan init [directory]` ( [cli.init] ). Idempotent: existing `.reqlan` is left alone ( `created: false` ). On * * new * * base creation the sequence is: 1. Create `<base>/.reqlan/` marker directory ( presence = base ). 2. Seed [base_config_seed] ( `.reqlan/config.json` ). 3. Seed [base_rqignore_seed] ( `.reqlan/.rqignore` ). 4. Editor rediscovers bases and activates indexing for that base; SQLite `ideas-index.sqlite` appears when the index opens ( not necessarily written at marker creation ). Child / nested bases follow [bases.base_nesting]; each base owns its own `.reqlan` seeds and index.

Agent / AI host files are * * workspace * * artefacts, not files under `.reqlan/`. Install Cursor Skills ( [skills_mcp.cursor_skills_install] ) copies bundled `rq-*` skills into `<workspace>/.cursor/skills/` and updates `<workspace>/.cursor/mcp.json` when the local MCP server is available ( [install_cursor_skills_impl] ). Requires an open workspace folder; does not create a base and does not write into `.reqlan`. Naming: skills / chat slash commands use `rq-` prefix ( [skills_mcp.chat_skill_naming] ); command palette stays category " Reqlan " ( [configuration.ai_naming] ). AI command surfaces that depend on skills being present: [agents.ai_integration], [agents.ai_build_requirement], [agents.ai_add_to_context], [agents.ai_write_plan]. Dev sync of the same skill sources into this repo's `.cursor/skills` is a build concern ( ["../development/build.rq"] ), distinct from end-user install sequencing.

The * * Welcome to Reqlan * * onboarding webview is the extension-install UX surface. Opened once on first activation when `onboardingMessageShown` is false ( [welcome.installation_event] / [welcome.installation_event_trigger] / [welcome.onboarding_state] ). Content: welcome copy, resolved phonebook links, syntax-highlighted example `.rq`, open-as-untitled control, activity bar / `@reqlan` tips, sponsor thanks. Must not block [activation.activation_sequence]; errors are logged only. Reopen on demand via [welcome.show_onboarding_command] without resetting shown state unless product policy changes. Implementation: ["../../packages/extension/src/extension/open-thanks-for-installing.ts"], ["../../packages/extension/src/extension/onboarding-panel.ts"], ["../../packages/extension/webviews/onboarding/"].

New bases write a minimal `.reqlan/config.json` ( `{}` today ) via [create_base_impl]. Semantics and discovery of applying config: [configuration.configuration_location], [configuration.configuration_import_roots], [bases.base_configuration]. Schema / editor validation: [configuration.configuration_schema_file]. A child base does not inherit a parent base's config file.

New bases write `.reqlan/.rqignore` with gitignore-syntax defaults ( dependencies, venvs, build output, DBs such as `*.db3`, secrets, hidden entries, `.reqlan/` itself ). Built-in defaults always apply even if the file is missing; the seeded file is the editable surface ( [configuration.configuration_rqignore] / [app_memory.rqignore] ). Used by analytical discovery and indexing walks ( CLI and extension share `@reqlan/analytical` ).