diff --git a/.agents/index.md b/.agents/index.md
index f3e7c33b..68795b27 100644
--- a/.agents/index.md
+++ b/.agents/index.md
@@ -14,6 +14,9 @@ npx @tanstack/cli add clerk drizzle
 
 # List available add-ons
 npx @tanstack/cli create --list-add-ons
+
+# Minimal one-route Start app
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --blank -y
 ```
 
 ## Monorepo Structure
@@ -70,6 +73,7 @@ node ../cli/packages/cli/dist/index.js create my-app
 | `--toolchain <id>`   | Toolchain (use `--list-add-ons` to see options)         |
 | `--deployment <id>`  | Deployment target (use `--list-add-ons` to see options) |
 | `--template <url-or-id>` | Use template URL/path or built-in ID               |
+| `--blank`              | Minimal project without starter UI or default tooling |
 | `--no-git`           | Skip git init                                           |
 | `--no-install`       | Skip npm install                                        |
 | `-y`                 | Accept defaults                                         |
@@ -81,7 +85,8 @@ node ../cli/packages/cli/dist/index.js create my-app
 | ---------------- | ------- | ---------------------------------------- |
 | `projectName`    | string  | Project name                             |
 | `typescript`     | boolean | Always true (TanStack Start requires TS) |
-| `tailwind`       | boolean | Always true (Tailwind always enabled)    |
+| `tailwind`       | boolean | False for blank unless an add-on requires it |
+| `blank`          | boolean | True when using the blank project preset |
 | `fileRouter`     | boolean | Always true                              |
 | `addOnEnabled`   | object  | `{ [id]: boolean }`                      |
 | `addOnOption`    | object  | `{ [id]: options }`                      |
@@ -138,4 +143,3 @@ skills:
     load: "packages/cli/skills/maintain-custom-addons-dev-watch/SKILL.md"
 <!-- intent-skills:end -->
 
-
diff --git a/.changeset/clean-cats-start.md b/.changeset/clean-cats-start.md
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..3bf558df
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/clean-cats-start.md
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+---
+'@tanstack/cli': minor
+'@tanstack/create': minor
+---
+
+Add a `--blank` project preset that creates a production-ready one-route app
+without starter UI, Tailwind, devtools, test tooling, Intent setup, or unused
+public assets. Pass `--intent` to opt local coding-agent skill mappings back in.
+Also move integration-specific dependencies to their owning add-ons and stop
+shipping an unused test stack in standard Start projects. Explicit styling and
+deployment add-ons remain composable with the blank preset, including when
+added later.
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index f5f3cba8..1912ae42 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -39,6 +39,9 @@ npx @tanstack/cli create my-app
 # Create TanStack Start app (recommended)
 npx @tanstack/cli create my-app
 
+# Create a minimal one-route Start app without selection prompts
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --blank -y
+
 # Create Router-only SPA (no SSR)
 npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --router-only
 
diff --git a/docs/cli-reference.md b/docs/cli-reference.md
index a7ad0ee8..259ae629 100644
--- a/docs/cli-reference.md
+++ b/docs/cli-reference.md
@@ -15,13 +15,14 @@ tanstack create [project-name] [options]
 |--------|-------------|
 | `--add-ons <ids>` | Comma-separated add-on IDs |
 | `--template <url-or-id>` | Template URL/path or built-in template ID |
+| `--blank` | Create a minimal one-route Start project without default starter UI, examples, Tailwind, devtools, or a test stack |
 | `--package-manager <pm>` | `npm`, `pnpm`, `yarn`, `bun`, `deno` |
 | `--framework <name>` | `React`, `Solid` |
 | `--router-only` | Create file-based Router-only app without TanStack Start (add-ons/deployment/template disabled) |
 | `--toolchain <id>` | Toolchain add-on (use `--list-add-ons` to see options) |
 | `--deployment <id>` | Deployment add-on (use `--list-add-ons` to see options) |
 | `--examples` / `--no-examples` | Include or exclude demo/example pages |
-| `--tailwind` / `--no-tailwind` | Deprecated compatibility flags; accepted but ignored (Tailwind is always enabled) |
+| `--tailwind` / `--no-tailwind` | Deprecated compatibility flags for standard projects; blank projects omit Tailwind |
 | `--no-git` | Skip git init |
 | `--no-install` | Skip dependency install |
 | `-y, --yes` | Use defaults, skip prompts |
@@ -36,6 +37,8 @@ tanstack create [project-name] [options]
 ```bash
 # Examples
 tanstack create my-app -y
+tanstack create my-app --blank -y
+tanstack create my-app --blank --deployment cloudflare -y
 tanstack create my-app --add-ons clerk,drizzle,tanstack-query
 tanstack create my-app --router-only --toolchain eslint --no-examples
 tanstack create my-app --template https://example.com/template.json
@@ -44,6 +47,14 @@ tanstack create --list-add-ons --framework React --json
 tanstack create --addon-details drizzle --framework React --json
 ```
 
+`--blank` creates the smallest useful TanStack Start project: one route and no
+default starter interface, examples, Tailwind, devtools, test dependencies, or
+TanStack Intent setup. Pass `--intent` when the project should include local
+skill mappings for coding agents.
+Explicit add-ons and deployment adapters can add their own required files and
+dependencies. Add `-y` to use defaults for every remaining option; when the
+target is non-empty, also pass `--force` or the command exits without writing.
+
 ### Programmatic generation
 
 Use `@tanstack/create/worker` in Cloudflare Workers and other edge SSR runtimes. It does not import the generated template manifest at module startup. Instead, provide a loader for the framework and add-on chunks your Worker supports.
@@ -295,7 +306,7 @@ Removes `^` from version ranges for TanStack packages and adds any missing peer
 
 ## Configuration
 
-Projects include `.tanstack.json`:
+Projects include `.cta.json`:
 
 ```json
 {
diff --git a/docs/quick-start.md b/docs/quick-start.md
index a0c76782..f49fb0fd 100644
--- a/docs/quick-start.md
+++ b/docs/quick-start.md
@@ -17,13 +17,25 @@ Interactive prompts guide you through project name, package manager, and add-on
 # Defaults only (TanStack Start + file-router)
 npx @tanstack/cli create my-app -y
 
+# Minimal one-route Start project
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --blank -y
+
+# Minimal Start project configured for Cloudflare
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --blank --deployment cloudflare -y
+
 # With add-ons
-npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --add-ons tanstack-query,clerk,drizzle
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --add-ons tanstack-query,clerk,drizzle -y
 
 # Router-only SPA (no SSR)
-npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --router-only
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --router-only -y
 ```
 
+Blank projects omit the default starter interface, examples, Tailwind,
+devtools, test stack, and TanStack Intent setup. Pass `--intent` to include
+local skill mappings for coding agents. Explicit add-ons can add their own
+required files and dependencies. Pass `-y` to skip selection prompts. A
+non-empty target also requires `--force`.
+
 ## Run the Project
 
 ```bash
@@ -34,7 +46,7 @@ pnpm dev
 
 ## Environment Variables
 
-Some add-ons require API keys. After creation:
+Some add-ons require API keys. When the project includes `.env.example`:
 
 ```bash
 cp .env.example .env
@@ -49,9 +61,9 @@ my-app/
 │   ├── routes/          # File-based routing
 │   │   ├── __root.tsx   # Root layout
 │   │   └── index.tsx    # Home page
-│   └── integrations/    # Add-on integration code
-├── .tanstack.json       # CLI config
-└── .env.example         # Required env vars
+│   └── integrations/    # Present when selected add-ons need it
+├── .cta.json            # CLI config
+└── .env.example         # Present when selected add-ons need env vars
 ```
 
 ## Next Steps
diff --git a/examples/react/blog/package.json b/examples/react/blog/package.json
index 9e6f7aa9..38e16499 100644
--- a/examples/react/blog/package.json
+++ b/examples/react/blog/package.json
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@
     "@tanstack/react-router-ssr-query": "^1.131.7",
     "@tanstack/react-start": "^1.132.0",
     "@tanstack/router-plugin": "^1.132.0",
-    "lucide-react": "^0.545.0",
     "react": "^19.2.0",
     "react-dom": "^19.2.0",
     "tailwindcss": "^4.1.18"
diff --git a/packages/cli/skills/add-addons-existing-app/SKILL.md b/packages/cli/skills/add-addons-existing-app/SKILL.md
index f11715b3..45226642 100644
--- a/packages/cli/skills/add-addons-existing-app/SKILL.md
+++ b/packages/cli/skills/add-addons-existing-app/SKILL.md
@@ -4,9 +4,10 @@ description: >
   Apply integrations to existing projects with tanstack add, including
   add-on id resolution, dependency chains, option prompts, and .cta.json
   project metadata preconditions.
-type: core
-library: tanstack-cli
-library_version: "0.62.1"
+metadata:
+  type: core
+  library: tanstack-cli
+  library_version: "0.62.1"
 ---
 
 # Add Add-ons To Existing App
diff --git a/packages/cli/skills/choose-ecosystem-integrations/SKILL.md b/packages/cli/skills/choose-ecosystem-integrations/SKILL.md
index 4f2ebb26..4cd53d20 100644
--- a/packages/cli/skills/choose-ecosystem-integrations/SKILL.md
+++ b/packages/cli/skills/choose-ecosystem-integrations/SKILL.md
@@ -5,9 +5,10 @@ description: >
   tanstack ecosystem --json, tanstack create --list-add-ons --json, and
   tanstack create --addon-details --json. Covers exclusive categories,
   provider options, and router-only compatibility constraints.
-type: composition
-library: tanstack-cli
-library_version: "0.62.1"
+metadata:
+  type: composition
+  library: tanstack-cli
+  library_version: "0.62.1"
 requires:
   - create-app-scaffold
   - query-docs-library-metadata
diff --git a/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/SKILL.md b/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/SKILL.md
index 8a2955fe..a0162ce9 100644
--- a/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/SKILL.md
+++ b/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/SKILL.md
@@ -2,12 +2,13 @@
 name: create-app-scaffold
 description: >
   Scaffold a TanStack app with tanstack create using --framework, --template,
-  --toolchain, --deployment, --add-ons, and --router-only. Covers flag
+  --toolchain, --deployment, --add-ons, --blank, and --router-only. Covers flag
   compatibility, non-interactive defaults, and intent-preserving command
   construction.
-type: core
-library: tanstack-cli
-library_version: "0.62.1"
+metadata:
+  type: core
+  library: tanstack-cli
+  library_version: "0.70.0"
 ---
 
 # Create App Scaffold
@@ -37,6 +38,20 @@ npx @tanstack/cli create acme-solid \
   -y
 ```
 
+### Start from a minimal production-ready scaffold
+
+Use `--blank` when the task does not need the default starter UI, examples,
+Tailwind, devtools, test tooling, or local Intent setup. Explicit integrations
+remain composable; add `--intent` when the generated project should contain
+skill mappings for later coding-agent work.
+
+```bash
+npx @tanstack/cli create acme-web \
+  --blank \
+  --deployment cloudflare \
+  -y
+```
+
 ### Use router-only mode for compatibility scaffolds only
 
 ```bash
@@ -75,7 +90,7 @@ In non-interactive runs, empty add-on selection can complete with defaults and s
 
 Source: https://github.com/TanStack/cli/issues/234
 
-### HIGH Assume --no-tailwind is still supported
+### HIGH Avoid --no-tailwind; use --blank for a minimal scaffold
 
 Wrong:
 ```bash
@@ -84,12 +99,31 @@ npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --no-tailwind -y
 
 Correct:
 ```bash
-npx @tanstack/cli create my-app -y
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --blank -y
+```
+
+`--no-tailwind` remains a deprecated compatibility flag for standard
+scaffolds. `--blank` is the supported preset for a minimal project without
+Tailwind.
+
+Source: packages/cli/src/command-line.ts:386
+
+### HIGH Combine --blank with a template, examples, or --tailwind
+
+Wrong:
+```bash
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --blank --template ecommerce -y
 ```
 
-`--no-tailwind` is deprecated and ignored, so output still includes Tailwind and diverges from expected stack constraints.
+Correct:
+```bash
+npx @tanstack/cli create my-app --blank --add-ons drizzle -y
+```
 
-Source: packages/cli/src/command-line.ts:369
+Templates, examples, and `--tailwind` replace the output constraints that
+`--blank` guarantees, so the CLI rejects those combinations. Deployment,
+toolchain, and add-on selections remain supported; a selected styling add-on
+can opt the generated app back into Tailwind when it requires it.
 
 ### CRITICAL Combine router-only with template/deployment/add-ons
 
diff --git a/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/references/create-flag-compatibility-matrix.md b/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/references/create-flag-compatibility-matrix.md
index 2a9a1aba..2b68efd0 100644
--- a/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/references/create-flag-compatibility-matrix.md
+++ b/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/references/create-flag-compatibility-matrix.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Create Flag Compatibility Matrix
 
-Targets `@tanstack/cli` v0.62.1.
+Targets `@tanstack/cli` v0.70.0.
 
 ## Compatibility
 
@@ -12,7 +12,8 @@ Targets `@tanstack/cli` v0.62.1.
 | `--deployment` | yes | no | Ignored in router-only mode. |
 | `--template` / `--starter` | yes | no | Ignored in router-only mode. |
 | `--template-id` | yes | no | Ignored in router-only mode. |
-| `--tailwind` / `--no-tailwind` | deprecated/ignored | deprecated/ignored | Tailwind is always enabled. |
+| `--blank` | yes | yes | Omits starter UI, examples, Tailwind, devtools, and test tooling unless an explicit integration requires them. Cannot be combined with a template, `--examples`, or `--tailwind`. |
+| `--tailwind` / `--no-tailwind` | deprecated/ignored | deprecated/ignored | Standard scaffolds enable Tailwind; use `--blank` for the supported minimal preset. |
 
 Source: `packages/cli/src/command-line.ts:337`
 
@@ -29,6 +30,9 @@ Source: `packages/cli/src/command-line.ts:337`
 # Full scaffold preset
 npx @tanstack/cli create app --framework react --add-ons tanstack-query --deployment netlify -y
 
+# Minimal Start preset
+npx @tanstack/cli create app --blank --framework react --deployment cloudflare -y
+
 # Router-only preset
 npx @tanstack/cli create app --router-only --framework react --toolchain biome -y
 ```
diff --git a/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/references/framework-adapters.md b/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/references/framework-adapters.md
index c9cfc433..f932bf95 100644
--- a/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/references/framework-adapters.md
+++ b/packages/cli/skills/create-app-scaffold/references/framework-adapters.md
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Framework Adapter Options
 
-Targets `@tanstack/cli` v0.61.0.
+Targets `@tanstack/cli` v0.70.0.
 
 ## Supported values
 
diff --git a/packages/cli/skills/maintain-custom-addons-dev-watch/SKILL.md b/packages/cli/skills/maintain-custom-addons-dev-watch/SKILL.md
index 4ef5fac4..fdda13eb 100644
--- a/packages/cli/skills/maintain-custom-addons-dev-watch/SKILL.md
+++ b/packages/cli/skills/maintain-custom-addons-dev-watch/SKILL.md
@@ -4,9 +4,10 @@ description: >
   Build and iterate custom add-ons/templates with tanstack add-on init,
   add-on compile, add-on dev, and tanstack create --dev-watch, including sync
   loop preconditions, watch-path validation, and project metadata constraints.
-type: lifecycle
-library: tanstack-cli
-library_version: "0.62.1"
+metadata:
+  type: lifecycle
+  library: tanstack-cli
+  library_version: "0.62.1"
 requires:
   - add-addons-existing-app
 ---
diff --git a/packages/cli/skills/query-docs-library-metadata/SKILL.md b/packages/cli/skills/query-docs-library-metadata/SKILL.md
index 30216bf1..531e0688 100644
--- a/packages/cli/skills/query-docs-library-metadata/SKILL.md
+++ b/packages/cli/skills/query-docs-library-metadata/SKILL.md
@@ -4,9 +4,10 @@ description: >
   Retrieve machine-readable context with tanstack libraries, tanstack doc,
   tanstack search-docs, tanstack create --list-add-ons --json, and
   --addon-details for agent-safe discovery and preflight validation.
-type: core
-library: tanstack-cli
-library_version: "0.62.1"
+metadata:
+  type: core
+  library: tanstack-cli
+  library_version: "0.62.1"
 ---
 
 # Query Docs And Library Metadata
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/cli.ts b/packages/cli/src/cli.ts
index 797561d2..ecd8bb4e 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/cli.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/cli.ts
@@ -182,6 +182,7 @@ function getCreateTelemetryProperties(projectName: string, options: CliOptions)
     command_variant: getCreateCommandVariant(options),
     deployment: options.deployment ? sanitizeId(options.deployment) : undefined,
     examples: options.examples,
+    blank: !!options.blank,
     framework: options.framework ? sanitizeId(options.framework) : undefined,
     git: options.git,
     install: options.install !== false,
@@ -221,6 +222,7 @@ function getResolvedCreateTelemetryProperties(
     add_on_ids: addOnIds,
     deployment: deployment ? sanitizeId(deployment.id) : undefined,
     examples: includeExamples,
+    blank: finalOptions.projectPreset === 'blank',
     framework: sanitizeId(finalOptions.framework.id),
     git: finalOptions.git,
     install: finalOptions.install !== false,
@@ -264,6 +266,7 @@ export function cli({
   async function confirmTargetDirectorySafety(
     targetDir: string,
     forced?: boolean,
+    nonInteractive?: boolean,
   ) {
     if (forced) {
       return
@@ -281,6 +284,12 @@ export function cli({
       return
     }
 
+    if (nonInteractive) {
+      throw new Error(
+        `Target directory "${targetDir}" already exists and is not empty. Pass --force to continue non-interactively.`,
+      )
+    }
+
     const shouldContinue = await confirm({
       message: `Target directory "${targetDir}" already exists and is not empty. Continue anyway?`,
       initialValue: false,
@@ -298,6 +307,9 @@ export function cli({
     lines.push(`  Location:        ${finalOptions.targetDir}`)
     lines.push(`  Framework:       ${finalOptions.framework.name}`)
     lines.push(`  Mode:            ${finalOptions.mode}`)
+    if (finalOptions.projectPreset === 'blank') {
+      lines.push(`  Preset:          blank`)
+    }
     lines.push(`  Package manager: ${finalOptions.packageManager}`)
     if (finalOptions.starter) {
       lines.push(`  Template:        ${finalOptions.starter.name}`)
@@ -512,7 +524,11 @@ export function cli({
       )
     }
     const silentEnvironment = createUIEnvironment(appName, true, () => currentTelemetry)
-    await confirmTargetDirectorySafety(normalizedOpts.targetDir, options.force)
+    await confirmTargetDirectorySafety(
+      normalizedOpts.targetDir,
+      options.force,
+      !!options.nonInteractive || !!options.yes,
+    )
     await createApp(silentEnvironment, normalizedOpts)
     console.log(chalk.gray('└─') + ' ' + chalk.green('✓') + ` app created`)
 
@@ -617,6 +633,17 @@ export function cli({
 
   addHiddenAgentFlag(program)
 
+  function validateCreateCommandOptions(options: CliOptions) {
+    const legacyCreateFlags = validateLegacyCreateFlags(options)
+    if (legacyCreateFlags.error) {
+      throw new Error(legacyCreateFlags.error)
+    }
+
+    for (const warning of legacyCreateFlags.warnings) {
+      log.warn(warning)
+    }
+  }
+
   // Helper to create the create command action handler
   async function handleCreate(projectName: string, options: CliOptions) {
     try {
@@ -627,14 +654,7 @@ export function cli({
           properties: getCreateTelemetryProperties(projectName, options),
         },
         async (telemetry) => {
-          const legacyCreateFlags = validateLegacyCreateFlags(options)
-          if (legacyCreateFlags.error) {
-            throw new Error(legacyCreateFlags.error)
-          }
-
-          for (const warning of legacyCreateFlags.warnings) {
-            log.warn(warning)
-          }
+          validateCreateCommandOptions(options)
 
           if (options.listAddOns) {
             const addOns = await getAllAddOns(
@@ -895,7 +915,11 @@ export function cli({
           if (cameFromPrompts) {
             await confirmCreateOptions(finalOptions)
           }
-          await confirmTargetDirectorySafety(finalOptions.targetDir, options.force)
+          await confirmTargetDirectorySafety(
+            finalOptions.targetDir,
+            options.force,
+            nonInteractive,
+          )
           await createApp(environment, finalOptions)
         },
       )
@@ -968,13 +992,17 @@ export function cli({
         '--router-only',
         'Use router-only compatibility mode (file-based routing without TanStack Start)',
       )
+      .option(
+        '--blank',
+        'Create a minimal one-route app without default starter UI, Tailwind, devtools, or tests',
+      )
       .option(
         '--tailwind',
-        'Deprecated: compatibility flag; Tailwind is always enabled',
+        'Deprecated: compatibility flag; standard scaffolds always enable Tailwind',
       )
       .option(
         '--no-tailwind',
-        'Deprecated: compatibility flag; Tailwind opt-out is ignored',
+        'Deprecated: compatibility flag; use --blank for a project without Tailwind',
       )
       .option('--examples', 'include demo/example pages')
       .option('--no-examples', 'exclude demo/example pages')
@@ -1094,6 +1122,8 @@ export function cli({
           },
         },
         async () => {
+          validateCreateCommandOptions(options)
+
           const frameworkName = options.framework || defaultFramework || 'React'
           const framework = getFrameworkByName(frameworkName)
           if (!framework) {
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/command-line.ts b/packages/cli/src/command-line.ts
index c375e079..7d56d9e7 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/command-line.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/command-line.ts
@@ -321,6 +321,31 @@ export function validateLegacyCreateFlags(cliOptions: CliOptions): {
   const warnings: Array<string> = []
   const legacyTemplate = getLegacyTemplateValue(cliOptions.template)
 
+  if (
+    cliOptions.blank &&
+    (cliOptions.starter || cliOptions.template || cliOptions.templateId)
+  ) {
+    return {
+      warnings,
+      error:
+        '--blank cannot be combined with --starter, --template, or --template-id.',
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (cliOptions.blank && cliOptions.examples === true) {
+    return {
+      warnings,
+      error: '--blank cannot be combined with --examples.',
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (cliOptions.blank && cliOptions.tailwind === true) {
+    return {
+      warnings,
+      error: '--blank cannot be combined with --tailwind.',
+    }
+  }
+
   if (cliOptions.starter) {
     warnings.push(
       'The --starter flag is deprecated; prefer --template instead. Backward compatibility remains for now.',
@@ -361,13 +386,13 @@ export function validateLegacyCreateFlags(cliOptions: CliOptions): {
 
   if (cliOptions.tailwind === true) {
     warnings.push(
-      'The --tailwind flag is deprecated and ignored. Tailwind is always enabled in TanStack Start scaffolds.',
+      'The --tailwind flag is deprecated and ignored. Tailwind is enabled in standard TanStack Start scaffolds.',
     )
   }
 
-  if (cliOptions.tailwind === false) {
+  if (cliOptions.tailwind === false && !cliOptions.blank) {
     warnings.push(
-      'The --no-tailwind flag is deprecated and ignored. Tailwind opt-out is intentionally unsupported to keep add-on permutations maintainable; remove Tailwind after scaffolding if needed.',
+      'The --no-tailwind flag is deprecated and ignored for standard scaffolds. Use --blank to create a minimal project without Tailwind.',
     )
   }
 
@@ -428,6 +453,7 @@ export async function normalizeOptions(
   // Mode is always file-router (TanStack Start)
   let mode = 'file-router'
   let routerOnly = !!cliOptions.routerOnly
+  const blank = cliOptions.blank === true
 
   const legacyTemplate = getLegacyTemplateValue(cliOptions.template)
 
@@ -450,15 +476,14 @@ export async function normalizeOptions(
 
   const preferredFramework = (cliOptions.framework || 'react').toLowerCase()
 
-  const starter = !routerOnly && cliOptions.starter
+  const starter = !routerOnly && !blank && cliOptions.starter
     ? await loadStarter(
         await resolveStarterSpecifier(cliOptions.starter, preferredFramework),
       )
     : undefined
 
-  // TypeScript and Tailwind are always enabled with TanStack Start
+  // TypeScript is always enabled with TanStack Start.
   const typescript = true
-  const tailwind = true
 
   if (starter) {
     cliOptions.framework = starter.framework
@@ -512,11 +537,13 @@ export async function normalizeOptions(
     return []
   }
 
-  const includeExamples = cliOptions.examples ?? !routerOnly
+  const includeExamples = blank ? false : (cliOptions.examples ?? !routerOnly)
   const chosenAddOnsRaw = await selectAddOns()
   const chosenAddOns = includeExamples
     ? chosenAddOnsRaw
     : chosenAddOnsRaw.filter((addOn) => addOn.type !== 'example')
+  const tailwind =
+    !blank || chosenAddOns.some((addOn) => addOn.tailwind === true)
 
   // Handle add-on configuration option
   let addOnOptionsFromCLI = {}
@@ -529,7 +556,7 @@ export async function normalizeOptions(
     }
   }
 
-  const normalized = {
+  const normalized: Options = {
     projectName: projectName,
     targetDir,
     framework,
@@ -542,13 +569,14 @@ export async function normalizeOptions(
       DEFAULT_PACKAGE_MANAGER,
     git: cliOptions.git ?? true,
     install: cliOptions.install,
-    intent: cliOptions.intent ?? true,
+    intent: cliOptions.intent ?? !blank,
     chosenAddOns,
     addOnOptions: {
       ...populateAddOnOptionsDefaults(chosenAddOns),
       ...addOnOptionsFromCLI,
     },
     starter: starter,
+    projectPreset: blank ? 'blank' : 'default',
   }
 
   ;(normalized as Options & { includeExamples?: boolean }).includeExamples =
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/options.ts b/packages/cli/src/options.ts
index 26cd8a3d..f09b55a2 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/options.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/options.ts
@@ -52,6 +52,7 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
   },
 ): Promise<Required<Options> | undefined> {
   const options = {} as Required<Options>
+  const blank = cliOptions.blank === true
 
   if (cliOptions.framework) {
     options.framework = getFrameworkById(cliOptions.framework)!
@@ -106,7 +107,7 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
     }
   }
 
-  if (!routerOnly && !cliOptions.starter) {
+  if (!routerOnly && !blank && !cliOptions.starter) {
     const starterChoices = await listTemplateChoices(options.framework.id)
     const selectedTemplateId = await selectTemplate(
       starterChoices.map((choice) => ({
@@ -120,7 +121,7 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
     }
   }
 
-  const starter = !routerOnly && cliOptions.starter
+  const starter = !routerOnly && !blank && cliOptions.starter
     ? await loadStarter(
         await resolveStarterSpecifier(cliOptions.starter, options.framework.id),
       )
@@ -144,10 +145,10 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
   }
 
   // Toolchain selection
-  const toolchain = await selectToolchain(
-    options.framework,
-    cliOptions.toolchain,
-  )
+  const toolchain =
+    blank && cliOptions.toolchain === undefined
+      ? undefined
+      : await selectToolchain(options.framework, cliOptions.toolchain)
 
   // Deployment selection
   let deployment: string | undefined
@@ -155,6 +156,8 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
     deployment = undefined
   } else if (cliOptions.deployment) {
     deployment = cliOptions.deployment
+  } else if (blank) {
+    deployment = forcedDeployment
   } else if (showDeploymentOptions) {
     deployment = await selectDeployment(
       options.framework,
@@ -169,8 +172,9 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
   const addOns: Set<string> = new Set()
 
   // Examples/demo pages are enabled by default
-  const includeExamples =
-    cliOptions.examples ?? (routerOnly ? false : await selectExamples())
+  const includeExamples = blank
+    ? false
+    : (cliOptions.examples ?? (routerOnly ? false : await selectExamples()))
   ;(options as Required<Options> & { includeExamples?: boolean }).includeExamples =
     includeExamples
 
@@ -197,7 +201,7 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
       }
       addOns.add(addOn)
     }
-  } else if (!routerOnly) {
+  } else if (!routerOnly && !blank) {
     for (const addOn of await selectAddOns(
       options.framework,
       options.mode,
@@ -229,8 +233,9 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
     ? chosenAddOns
     : chosenAddOns.filter((addOn) => addOn.type !== 'example')
 
-  // Tailwind is always enabled
-  options.tailwind = true
+  options.tailwind =
+    !blank || options.chosenAddOns.some((addOn) => addOn.tailwind === true)
+  options.projectPreset = blank ? 'blank' : 'default'
 
   // Prompt for add-on options in interactive mode
   if (Array.isArray(cliOptions.addOns)) {
@@ -256,6 +261,7 @@ export async function promptForCreateOptions(
 
   options.git = cliOptions.git ?? (await selectGit())
   options.install = cliOptions.install ?? (await selectInstall())
+  options.intent = cliOptions.intent ?? !blank
 
   if (starter) {
     options.starter = starter
diff --git a/packages/cli/src/types.ts b/packages/cli/src/types.ts
index e736cf0b..235746ae 100644
--- a/packages/cli/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/src/types.ts
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ export interface CliOptions {
   addOnConfig?: string
   force?: boolean
   routerOnly?: boolean
+  blank?: boolean
   template?: string
   tailwind?: boolean
   examples?: boolean
diff --git a/packages/cli/tests-e2e/blank-smoke.spec.ts b/packages/cli/tests-e2e/blank-smoke.spec.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e3f5635a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/cli/tests-e2e/blank-smoke.spec.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,254 @@
+import { execFile } from 'node:child_process'
+import {
+  access,
+  mkdir,
+  mkdtemp,
+  readFile,
+  readdir,
+  rm,
+  writeFile,
+} from 'node:fs/promises'
+import { tmpdir } from 'node:os'
+import { dirname, join, relative } from 'node:path'
+import { promisify } from 'node:util'
+
+import { expect, test } from '@playwright/test'
+
+import {
+  attachRuntimeGuards,
+  createReactAppFixture,
+  getRepoPath,
+  optimizePageForFastE2E,
+} from './helpers'
+
+const execFileAsync = promisify(execFile)
+
+const expectedDependencies = [
+  '@tanstack/react-router',
+  '@tanstack/react-start',
+  'react',
+  'react-dom',
+]
+
+const expectedDevDependencies = [
+  '@cloudflare/vite-plugin',
+  '@tanstack/router-cli',
+  '@types/node',
+  '@types/react',
+  '@types/react-dom',
+  '@vitejs/plugin-react',
+  'typescript',
+  'vite',
+  'wrangler',
+]
+
+async function listFiles(
+  root: string,
+  directory = root,
+): Promise<Array<string>> {
+  const files: Array<string> = []
+
+  for (const entry of await readdir(directory, { withFileTypes: true })) {
+    const path = join(directory, entry.name)
+    if (entry.isDirectory()) {
+      files.push(...(await listFiles(root, path)))
+    } else {
+      files.push(relative(root, path).replaceAll('\\', '/'))
+    }
+  }
+
+  return files.sort()
+}
+
+test('@blocking refuses a non-empty target in non-interactive mode', async () => {
+  const rootDir = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'tanstack-blank-collision-'))
+  const targetDir = join(rootDir, 'existing-app')
+  const sentinelPath = join(targetDir, 'keep.txt')
+
+  try {
+    await mkdir(targetDir)
+    await writeFile(sentinelPath, 'keep me')
+
+    let failure: unknown
+    try {
+      await execFileAsync(
+        process.execPath,
+        [
+          getRepoPath('packages/cli/dist/index.js'),
+          'create',
+          'existing-app',
+          '--blank',
+          '-y',
+          '--no-install',
+          '--no-git',
+        ],
+        { cwd: rootDir, encoding: 'utf8' },
+      )
+    } catch (error) {
+      failure = error
+    }
+
+    const commandError = failure as
+      | (Error & { code?: number; stdout?: string; stderr?: string })
+      | undefined
+    expect(commandError?.code).toBe(1)
+    expect(
+      `${commandError?.stdout ?? ''}\n${commandError?.stderr ?? ''}`,
+    ).toContain('Pass --force to continue non-interactively')
+    await expect(readFile(sentinelPath, 'utf8')).resolves.toBe('keep me')
+  } finally {
+    await rm(rootDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+  }
+})
+
+test('@blocking rejects conflicting blank flags for dev', async () => {
+  const rootDir = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'tanstack-blank-dev-conflict-'))
+  const appName = 'invalid-blank-dev-app'
+
+  try {
+    let failure: unknown
+    try {
+      await execFileAsync(
+        process.execPath,
+        [
+          getRepoPath('packages/cli/dist/index.js'),
+          'dev',
+          appName,
+          '--blank',
+          '--tailwind',
+          '-y',
+          '--no-install',
+          '--no-git',
+        ],
+        { cwd: rootDir, encoding: 'utf8' },
+      )
+    } catch (error) {
+      failure = error
+    }
+
+    const commandError = failure as
+      | (Error & { code?: number; stdout?: string; stderr?: string })
+      | undefined
+    expect(commandError?.code).toBe(1)
+    expect(
+      `${commandError?.stdout ?? ''}\n${commandError?.stderr ?? ''}`,
+    ).toContain('--blank cannot be combined with --tailwind')
+    await expect(access(join(rootDir, appName))).rejects.toThrow()
+  } finally {
+    await rm(rootDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+  }
+})
+
+test('@blocking cleans up a fixture when setup fails', async () => {
+  let failedRootDir: string | undefined
+
+  await expect(
+    createReactAppFixture({
+      appName: 'failed-blank-fixture',
+      blank: true,
+      packageManager: 'pnpm',
+      skipDevServer: true,
+      afterCreate: async (appDir) => {
+        failedRootDir = dirname(appDir)
+        await access(join(appDir, 'node_modules'))
+        throw new Error('fixture setup sentinel')
+      },
+    }),
+  ).rejects.toThrow('fixture setup sentinel')
+
+  expect(failedRootDir).toBeDefined()
+  await expect(access(failedRootDir!)).rejects.toThrow()
+})
+
+test('@blocking creates a production-valid blank React app', async ({
+  page,
+}) => {
+  const fixture = await createReactAppFixture({
+    appName: 'react-blank-smoke-app',
+    blank: true,
+    deployment: 'cloudflare',
+    packageManager: 'npm',
+    runQualityGatesChecks: true,
+    afterCreate: async (appDir) => {
+      await access(join(appDir, 'package-lock.json'))
+      await access(join(appDir, 'node_modules'))
+      await access(join(appDir, 'wrangler.jsonc'))
+
+      await expect(
+        readFile(join(appDir, 'README.md'), 'utf8'),
+      ).resolves.toContain('Deploy to Cloudflare Workers')
+
+      const routeTreePath = join(appDir, 'src/routeTree.gen.ts')
+      await access(routeTreePath)
+      await expect(readFile(routeTreePath, 'utf8')).resolves.toContain(
+        "from './routes/index'",
+      )
+
+      expect(await listFiles(join(appDir, 'src'))).toEqual([
+        'routeTree.gen.ts',
+        'router.tsx',
+        'routes/__root.tsx',
+        'routes/index.tsx',
+        'styles.css',
+      ])
+
+      const packageJSON = JSON.parse(
+        await readFile(join(appDir, 'package.json'), 'utf8'),
+      ) as {
+        scripts?: Record<string, string>
+        dependencies?: Record<string, string>
+        devDependencies?: Record<string, string>
+      }
+
+      expect(Object.keys(packageJSON.dependencies ?? {}).sort()).toEqual(
+        expectedDependencies,
+      )
+      expect(Object.keys(packageJSON.devDependencies ?? {}).sort()).toEqual(
+        expectedDevDependencies,
+      )
+      expect(packageJSON.scripts).toEqual({
+        dev: 'vite dev --port 3000',
+        'generate-routes': 'tsr generate',
+        build: 'vite build',
+        preview: 'vite preview',
+        deploy: 'npm run build && wrangler deploy',
+      })
+
+      for (const excludedPath of [
+        'index.html',
+        'public',
+        'src/App.test.tsx',
+        'src/components',
+        'src/main.tsx',
+        'src/routes/about.tsx',
+      ]) {
+        await expect(access(join(appDir, excludedPath))).rejects.toThrow()
+      }
+    },
+  })
+  const guards = attachRuntimeGuards(page, fixture.url)
+
+  try {
+    const response = await fetch(fixture.url)
+    expect(response.status).toBe(200)
+    expect(response.headers.get('content-type')).toContain('text/html')
+
+    const html = await response.text()
+    expect(html).toContain('Welcome to TanStack Start')
+    expect(html).toContain('src/routes/index.tsx')
+
+    await optimizePageForFastE2E(page)
+    await page.goto(fixture.url)
+    await expect(
+      page.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Welcome to TanStack Start' }),
+    ).toBeVisible()
+  } finally {
+    try {
+      guards.assertClean()
+    } finally {
+      guards.dispose()
+      await fixture.stop()
+      await fixture.cleanup()
+    }
+  }
+})
diff --git a/packages/cli/tests-e2e/helpers.ts b/packages/cli/tests-e2e/helpers.ts
index f85ac0c5..091ed028 100644
--- a/packages/cli/tests-e2e/helpers.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/tests-e2e/helpers.ts
@@ -23,10 +23,13 @@ type CreateAppFixtureOptions = {
   appName: string
   framework?: 'react' | 'solid'
   packageManager?: 'pnpm' | 'npm' | 'yarn' | 'bun' | 'deno'
+  blank?: boolean
+  deployment?: string
   routerOnly?: boolean
   template?: string
   addOns?: Array<string>
   postCreateAddOns?: Array<string>
+  afterCreate?: (appDir: string) => Promise<void>
   skipDevServer?: boolean
   runQualityGatesChecks?: boolean
 }
@@ -349,8 +352,11 @@ export async function createAppFixture(
   const rootDir = await mkdtemp(join(tmpdir(), 'tanstack-cli-e2e-'))
   const {
     appName,
+    blank = false,
+    deployment,
     template,
     addOns,
+    afterCreate,
     postCreateAddOns,
     skipDevServer,
     runQualityGatesChecks = false,
@@ -359,6 +365,9 @@ export async function createAppFixture(
     routerOnly = false,
   } = options
   const appDir = join(rootDir, appName)
+  const cleanup = async () => {
+    await rm(rootDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
+  }
 
   const createArgs = [
     cliDistPath,
@@ -375,6 +384,14 @@ export async function createAppFixture(
     createArgs.push('--router-only')
   }
 
+  if (blank) {
+    createArgs.push('--blank', '--yes', '--no-intent')
+  }
+
+  if (deployment) {
+    createArgs.push('--deployment', deployment)
+  }
+
   if (template) {
     createArgs.push('--template', template)
   }
@@ -383,39 +400,46 @@ export async function createAppFixture(
     createArgs.push('--add-ons', addOns.join(','))
   }
 
-  const createStartedAt = now()
-  await runCommand(
-    'node',
-    createArgs,
-    {
-      cwd: rootDir,
-      env: {
-        CI: '1',
+  try {
+    const createStartedAt = now()
+    await runCommand(
+      'node',
+      createArgs,
+      {
+        cwd: rootDir,
+        env: {
+          CI: '1',
+        },
       },
-    },
-  )
-  mark('create', createStartedAt)
+    )
+    mark('create', createStartedAt)
 
-  await patchViteConfigForE2E(appDir)
+    await afterCreate?.(appDir)
 
-  if (postCreateAddOns?.length) {
-    const postAddOnsStartedAt = now()
-    await runCommand('node', [cliDistPath, 'add', ...postCreateAddOns], {
-      cwd: appDir,
-      env: {
-        CI: '1',
-      },
-    })
+    await patchViteConfigForE2E(appDir)
 
-    mark('post-add-ons', postAddOnsStartedAt)
+    if (postCreateAddOns?.length) {
+      const postAddOnsStartedAt = now()
+      await runCommand('node', [cliDistPath, 'add', ...postCreateAddOns], {
+        cwd: appDir,
+        env: {
+          CI: '1',
+        },
+      })
 
-    await patchViteConfigForE2E(appDir)
-  }
+      mark('post-add-ons', postAddOnsStartedAt)
 
-  if (runQualityGatesChecks) {
-    const qualityGatesStartedAt = now()
-    await runQualityGates(appDir, packageManager)
-    mark('quality-gates', qualityGatesStartedAt)
+      await patchViteConfigForE2E(appDir)
+    }
+
+    if (runQualityGatesChecks) {
+      const qualityGatesStartedAt = now()
+      await runQualityGates(appDir, packageManager)
+      mark('quality-gates', qualityGatesStartedAt)
+    }
+  } catch (error) {
+    await cleanup().catch(() => undefined)
+    throw error
   }
 
   if (skipDevServer) {
@@ -427,9 +451,7 @@ export async function createAppFixture(
       framework,
       packageManager,
       stop: async () => {},
-      cleanup: async () => {
-        await rm(rootDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
-      },
+      cleanup,
     }
   }
 
@@ -463,6 +485,7 @@ export async function createAppFixture(
     mark('dev-server-ready', devServerStartedAt)
   } catch (error) {
     await stopChild(server)
+    await cleanup().catch(() => undefined)
     throw new Error(
       `Failed to start app server at ${url}\nstdout:\n${serverStdout}\n\nstderr:\n${serverStderr}\n\n${error}`,
     )
@@ -479,9 +502,7 @@ export async function createAppFixture(
     stop: async () => {
       await stopChild(server)
     },
-    cleanup: async () => {
-      await rm(rootDir, { recursive: true, force: true })
-    },
+    cleanup,
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/cli/tests/command-line.test.ts b/packages/cli/tests/command-line.test.ts
index 4842b7f3..e859b8bc 100644
--- a/packages/cli/tests/command-line.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/tests/command-line.test.ts
@@ -588,6 +588,61 @@ describe('normalizeOptions', () => {
     expect((options as any)?.includeExamples).toBe(false)
   })
 
+  it('normalizes --blank to the blank project preset', async () => {
+    const options = await normalizeOptions({
+      projectName: 'test',
+      blank: true,
+    })
+
+    expect(options?.projectPreset).toBe('blank')
+    expect(options?.includeExamples).toBe(false)
+    expect(options?.tailwind).toBe(false)
+    expect(options?.intent).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('keeps explicitly selected integrations in the blank preset', async () => {
+    __testRegisterFramework({
+      id: 'react',
+      name: 'react',
+      getAddOns: () => [
+        {
+          id: 'biome',
+          name: 'Biome',
+          modes: ['file-router'],
+          type: 'toolchain',
+        },
+        {
+          id: 'cloudflare',
+          name: 'Cloudflare',
+          modes: ['file-router'],
+          type: 'deployment',
+        },
+        {
+          id: 'tanstack-query',
+          name: 'TanStack Query',
+          modes: ['file-router'],
+          type: 'add-on',
+        },
+      ],
+    })
+
+    const options = await normalizeOptions({
+      projectName: 'test',
+      framework: 'react',
+      blank: true,
+      toolchain: 'biome',
+      deployment: 'cloudflare',
+      addOns: ['tanstack-query'],
+    })
+
+    expect(options?.projectPreset).toBe('blank')
+    expect(options?.chosenAddOns.map((addOn) => addOn.id).sort()).toEqual([
+      'biome',
+      'cloudflare',
+      'tanstack-query',
+    ])
+  })
+
   it('should ignore add-ons and deployment in router-only mode but keep toolchain', async () => {
     __testRegisterFramework({
       id: 'react',
@@ -668,6 +723,25 @@ describe('validateLegacyCreateFlags', () => {
     expect(result.error).toBeUndefined()
   })
 
+  it('accepts --blank by itself', () => {
+    const result = validateLegacyCreateFlags({ blank: true })
+    expect(result.warnings).toEqual([])
+    expect(result.error).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it.each([
+    [{ starter: 'ecommerce' }, '--starter'],
+    [{ template: 'ecommerce' }, '--template'],
+    [{ templateId: 'ecommerce' }, '--template-id'],
+    [{ examples: true }, '--examples'],
+    [{ tailwind: true }, '--tailwind'],
+  ])('rejects --blank with conflicting flags containing %s', (flags, name) => {
+    const result = validateLegacyCreateFlags({ blank: true, ...flags })
+
+    expect(result.error).toContain('--blank')
+    expect(result.error).toContain(name)
+  })
+
   it('warns when --router-only is used', () => {
     const result = validateLegacyCreateFlags({ routerOnly: true })
     expect(result.error).toBeUndefined()
@@ -684,7 +758,7 @@ describe('validateLegacyCreateFlags', () => {
     const result = validateLegacyCreateFlags({ tailwind: false })
     expect(result.error).toBeUndefined()
     expect(result.warnings[0]).toContain('--no-tailwind')
-    expect(result.warnings[0]).toContain('intentionally unsupported')
+    expect(result.warnings[0]).toContain('--blank')
   })
 
   it('errors for JavaScript templates', () => {
diff --git a/packages/cli/tests/options.test.ts b/packages/cli/tests/options.test.ts
index f6fb8fa0..826af6dd 100644
--- a/packages/cli/tests/options.test.ts
+++ b/packages/cli/tests/options.test.ts
@@ -205,6 +205,25 @@ describe('promptForCreateOptions', () => {
     expect(prompts.selectTemplate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
+  it('uses the blank preset without prompting for optional scaffold features', async () => {
+    setBasicSpies()
+
+    const options = await promptForCreateOptions(
+      { ...baseCliOptions, blank: true },
+      {},
+    )
+
+    expect(options?.projectPreset).toBe('blank')
+    expect(options?.includeExamples).toBe(false)
+    expect(options?.tailwind).toBe(false)
+    expect(options?.intent).toBe(false)
+    expect(prompts.selectTemplate).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(prompts.selectExamples).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(prompts.selectToolchain).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(prompts.selectDeployment).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(prompts.selectAddOns).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+
   //// Package manager
 
   it('uses the package manager from the cli options', async () => {
diff --git a/packages/create/package.json b/packages/create/package.json
index 8ce84896..01ecd0dc 100644
--- a/packages/create/package.json
+++ b/packages/create/package.json
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
   "scripts": {
     "build": "npm run generate-manifest && tsc && npm run copy-assets",
     "generate-manifest": "node ./scripts/generate-manifest.mjs",
-    "copy-assets": "node -e \"const fs=require('fs');const path=require('path');function copyDir(src,dest){if(!fs.existsSync(dest))fs.mkdirSync(dest,{recursive:true});for(const entry of fs.readdirSync(src,{withFileTypes:true})){const srcPath=path.join(src,entry.name);const destPath=path.join(dest,entry.name);if(entry.isDirectory())copyDir(srcPath,destPath);else fs.copyFileSync(srcPath,destPath)}}['react','solid'].forEach(fw=>{['add-ons','toolchains','hosts','examples','project'].forEach(dir=>{const src='src/frameworks/'+fw+'/'+dir;const dest='dist/frameworks/'+fw+'/'+dir;if(fs.existsSync(src))copyDir(src,dest)})})\"",
+    "copy-assets": "node ./scripts/copy-assets.mjs",
     "dev": "npm run generate-manifest && tsc --watch",
     "test": "npm run generate-manifest && eslint ./src && vitest run",
     "test:watch": "npm run generate-manifest && vitest",
diff --git a/packages/create/scripts/copy-assets.mjs b/packages/create/scripts/copy-assets.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..bbcbd6bb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/create/scripts/copy-assets.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import { cpSync, existsSync, rmSync } from 'node:fs'
+import { dirname, resolve } from 'node:path'
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url'
+
+const packageRoot = resolve(dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url)), '..')
+const frameworks = ['react', 'solid']
+const assetDirectories = [
+  'add-ons',
+  'toolchains',
+  'hosts',
+  'examples',
+  'project',
+]
+
+for (const framework of frameworks) {
+  for (const directory of assetDirectories) {
+    const source = resolve(
+      packageRoot,
+      'src/frameworks',
+      framework,
+      directory,
+    )
+    const destination = resolve(
+      packageRoot,
+      'dist/frameworks',
+      framework,
+      directory,
+    )
+
+    rmSync(destination, { recursive: true, force: true })
+    if (existsSync(source)) {
+      cpSync(source, destination, { recursive: true })
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/packages/create/scripts/generate-manifest.mjs b/packages/create/scripts/generate-manifest.mjs
index de87ed0d..fdba7e85 100644
--- a/packages/create/scripts/generate-manifest.mjs
+++ b/packages/create/scripts/generate-manifest.mjs
@@ -266,6 +266,7 @@ function createTemplateRendererSource(renderers = templateRenderers) {
     projectName,
     typescript,
     tailwind,
+    blank,
     js,
     jsx,
     fileRouter,
@@ -317,6 +318,7 @@ type TemplateRenderContext = {
   projectName: any
   typescript: any
   tailwind: any
+  blank: any
   js: any
   jsx: any
   fileRouter: any
diff --git a/packages/create/src/add-to-app.ts b/packages/create/src/add-to-app.ts
index af4e224a..8349160e 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/add-to-app.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/add-to-app.ts
@@ -43,16 +43,19 @@ async function createOptions(
   const framework = getFrameworkById(json.framework)
 
   const starter = json.starter ? await loadStarter(json.starter) : undefined
+  const chosenAddOns = await finalizeAddOns(framework!, json.mode!, [
+    ...json.chosenAddOns,
+    ...addOns,
+  ])
 
   return {
     ...json,
     framework,
-    tailwind: true,
+    tailwind:
+      (json.tailwind ?? true) ||
+      chosenAddOns.some((addOn) => addOn.tailwind === true),
     addOns: true,
-    chosenAddOns: await finalizeAddOns(framework!, json.mode!, [
-      ...json.chosenAddOns,
-      ...addOns,
-    ]),
+    chosenAddOns,
     targetDir,
     starter,
     intent: json.intent ?? false,
diff --git a/packages/create/src/create-app.ts b/packages/create/src/create-app.ts
index 46add011..acb4f970 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/create-app.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/create-app.ts
@@ -19,7 +19,10 @@ import { runSpecialSteps } from './special-steps/index.js'
 import type { Environment, FileBundleHandler, Options } from './types.js'
 
 function stripExamplesFromOptions(options: Options): Options {
-  if (options.includeExamples !== false) {
+  const includeExamples =
+    options.projectPreset !== 'blank' && options.includeExamples !== false
+
+  if (includeExamples) {
     return options
   }
 
@@ -53,6 +56,7 @@ function stripExamplesFromOptions(options: Options): Options {
 
   return {
     ...options,
+    includeExamples: false,
     chosenAddOns,
   }
 }
@@ -451,6 +455,10 @@ ${environment.getErrors().join('\n')}`
 `
 
   const nextSteps = buildNextSteps(options)
+  const readmeDescription =
+    options.projectPreset === 'blank'
+      ? 'running, building, adding routes, and selected integrations.'
+      : 'testing, styling, adding routes, etc.'
 
   // Use the force luke! :)
   environment.outro(
@@ -461,7 +469,7 @@ ${cdInstruction}% ${formatCommand(
       getPackageManagerScriptCommand(options.packageManager, ['dev']),
     )}
 ${nextSteps}
-Please read the README.md file for information on testing, styling, adding routes, etc.${errorStatement}`,
+Please read the README.md file for information on ${readmeDescription}${errorStatement}`,
   )
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/create/src/edge-create-app.ts b/packages/create/src/edge-create-app.ts
index 77d3d65d..624ccdfd 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/edge-create-app.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/edge-create-app.ts
@@ -15,7 +15,10 @@ import {
 import type { Environment, FileBundleHandler, Options } from './types.js'
 
 function stripExamplesFromOptions(options: Options): Options {
-  if (options.includeExamples !== false) {
+  const includeExamples =
+    options.projectPreset !== 'blank' && options.includeExamples !== false
+
+  if (includeExamples) {
     return options
   }
 
@@ -49,6 +52,7 @@ function stripExamplesFromOptions(options: Options): Options {
 
   return {
     ...options,
+    includeExamples: false,
     chosenAddOns,
   }
 }
@@ -567,6 +571,10 @@ ${environment.getErrors().join('\n')}`
 `
 
   const nextSteps = buildNextSteps(options)
+  const readmeDescription =
+    options.projectPreset === 'blank'
+      ? 'running, building, adding routes, and selected integrations.'
+      : 'testing, styling, adding routes, etc.'
 
   environment.outro(
     `${locationMessage}
@@ -576,7 +584,7 @@ ${cdInstruction}% ${formatCommand(
       getPackageManagerScriptCommand(options.packageManager, ['dev']),
     )}
 ${nextSteps}
-Please read the README.md file for information on testing, styling, adding routes, etc.${errorStatement}`,
+Please read the README.md file for information on ${readmeDescription}${errorStatement}`,
   )
 }
 
diff --git a/packages/create/src/edge-package-json.ts b/packages/create/src/edge-package-json.ts
index bdc9704a..56174e0c 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/edge-package-json.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/edge-package-json.ts
@@ -96,6 +96,14 @@ export function mergePackageJSON(
 
 export function createPackageJSON(options: Options) {
   const packageManager = options.packageManager
+  const blank = options.projectPreset === 'blank'
+  const includeDevtools =
+    !blank ||
+    options.chosenAddOns.some((addOn) =>
+      addOn.integrations?.some(
+        (integration) => integration.type === 'devtools',
+      ),
+    )
 
   function getPackageManagerExecuteScript(
     pkg: string,
@@ -113,7 +121,13 @@ export function createPackageJSON(options: Options) {
 
   const additions: Array<Record<string, unknown> | undefined> = [
     options.framework.optionalPackages.typescript,
-    options.framework.optionalPackages.tailwindcss,
+    includeDevtools ? options.framework.optionalPackages.devtools : undefined,
+    !blank && options.includeExamples !== false
+      ? options.framework.optionalPackages.examples
+      : undefined,
+    options.tailwind
+      ? options.framework.optionalPackages.tailwindcss
+      : undefined,
     options.mode ? options.framework.optionalPackages[options.mode] : undefined,
   ]
   for (const addition of additions.filter(
@@ -132,7 +146,8 @@ export function createPackageJSON(options: Options) {
         packageManager: options.packageManager,
         projectName: options.projectName,
         typescript: true,
-        tailwind: true,
+        tailwind: options.tailwind,
+        blank,
         js: 'ts',
         jsx: 'tsx',
         fileRouter: options.mode === 'file-router',
diff --git a/packages/create/src/edge-render.ts b/packages/create/src/edge-render.ts
index db47fa10..6133bf9f 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/edge-render.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/edge-render.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ export type TemplateRenderContext = {
   projectName: string | undefined
   typescript: boolean | undefined
   tailwind: boolean | undefined
+  blank: boolean | undefined
   js: string | undefined
   jsx: string | undefined
   fileRouter: boolean | undefined
@@ -92,6 +93,7 @@ function renderWithRenderer(
     projectName: undefined,
     typescript: undefined,
     tailwind: undefined,
+    blank: undefined,
     js: undefined,
     jsx: undefined,
     fileRouter: undefined,
diff --git a/packages/create/src/edge-template-file.ts b/packages/create/src/edge-template-file.ts
index bf7d67de..916a2342 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/edge-template-file.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/edge-template-file.ts
@@ -128,13 +128,15 @@ export function createTemplateFile(environment: Environment, options: Options) {
       packageManager: options.packageManager,
       projectName: options.projectName,
       typescript: true,
-      tailwind: true,
+      tailwind: options.tailwind,
+      blank: options.projectPreset === 'blank',
       js: 'ts',
       jsx: 'tsx',
       fileRouter: options.mode === 'file-router',
       codeRouter: options.mode === 'code-router',
       routerOnly: options.routerOnly === true,
-      includeExamples: options.includeExamples !== false,
+      includeExamples:
+        options.projectPreset !== 'blank' && options.includeExamples !== false,
       addOnEnabled,
       addOnOption: options.addOnOptions,
       addOns: options.chosenAddOns,
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/posthog/info.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/posthog/info.json
index fad5e154..de375e95 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/posthog/info.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/posthog/info.json
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@
   "color": "#1D4AFF",
   "priority": 20,
   "link": "https://posthog.com",
-  "tailwind": true,
   "routes": [
     {
       "icon": "BarChart",
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shadcn/info.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shadcn/info.json
index 958b2d2b..923029c9 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shadcn/info.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shadcn/info.json
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
   "link": "https://ui.shadcn.com/",
   "type": "add-on",
   "category": "styling",
+  "tailwind": true,
   "color": "#000000",
   "priority": 30
 }
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shadcn/package.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shadcn/package.json
index ed2a10d9..d913c699 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shadcn/package.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shadcn/package.json
@@ -5,5 +5,8 @@
     "lucide-react": "^0.577.0",
     "tailwind-merge": "^3.0.2",
     "tw-animate-css": "^1.3.6"
+  },
+  "devDependencies": {
+    "@tailwindcss/typography": "^0.5.16"
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shopify/info.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shopify/info.json
index 4647ddac..e037764d 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shopify/info.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/shopify/info.json
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
   "modes": ["file-router"],
   "type": "add-on",
   "category": "other",
+  "tailwind": true,
   "color": "#5A31F4",
   "priority": 80,
   "link": "https://shopify.dev/docs/storefronts/headless",
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/strapi/package.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/strapi/package.json
index 91573589..a8966a5c 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/strapi/package.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/strapi/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 {
   "dependencies": {
     "@strapi/client": "^1.6.1",
+    "lucide-react": "^0.577.0",
     "react-markdown": "^9.0.1",
     "remark-gfm": "^4.0.0",
     "use-debounce": "^10.1.0"
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/tanstack-query/package.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/tanstack-query/package.json
index 1210c53d..b3f749ad 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/tanstack-query/package.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/add-ons/tanstack-query/package.json
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 {
   "dependencies": {
     "@tanstack/react-query": "latest",
-    "@tanstack/react-query-devtools": "latest"
+    "@tanstack/react-query-devtools": "latest",
+    "@tanstack/react-router-ssr-query": "latest"
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/examples/events/package.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/examples/events/package.json
index 75464d5d..fe624d33 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/examples/events/package.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/examples/events/package.json
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
     "@tanstack/store": "latest",
     "class-variance-authority": "^0.7.1",
     "clsx": "^2.1.1",
+    "lucide-react": "^0.577.0",
     "marked": "^15.0.8",
     "streamdown": "^2.3.0",
     "tailwind-merge": "^3.0.2",
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/examples/resume/package.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/examples/resume/package.json
index 6e5bd767..4b845ca6 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/examples/resume/package.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/examples/resume/package.json
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
     "@tanstack/store": "latest",
     "class-variance-authority": "^0.7.1",
     "clsx": "^2.1.1",
+    "lucide-react": "^0.577.0",
     "marked": "^15.0.8",
     "streamdown": "^2.3.0",
     "tailwind-merge": "^3.0.2",
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/hosts/cloudflare/package.json.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/hosts/cloudflare/package.json.ejs
index 83540cb5..5a15c454 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/hosts/cloudflare/package.json.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/hosts/cloudflare/package.json.ejs
@@ -2,10 +2,8 @@
   "scripts": {
     "deploy": "<%= packageManager %> run build && wrangler deploy"
   },
-  "dependencies": {
-    "@cloudflare/vite-plugin": "^1.26.0"
-  },
   "devDependencies": {
+    "@cloudflare/vite-plugin": "^1.26.0",
     "wrangler": "^4.70.0"
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/README.md.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/README.md.ejs
index ebdcd6aa..b1e1d980 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/README.md.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/README.md.ejs
@@ -1,28 +1,42 @@
-Welcome to your new TanStack Start app! 
+<% if (blank) { -%>
+# <%= projectName %>
 
-# Getting Started
-
-To run this application:
+A minimal TanStack Start app with one route and <%= tailwind ? 'Tailwind CSS' : 'plain CSS' %>.
 
 ```bash
 <%= packageManager %> install
 <%= getPackageManagerRunScript('dev') %>
 ```
 
-# Building For Production
+Edit `src/routes/index.tsx` to get started. Add route files under
+`src/routes`; TanStack Router updates `src/routeTree.gen.ts` for you.
 
-To build this application for production:
+Build the production app with:
 
 ```bash
 <%= getPackageManagerRunScript('build') %>
 ```
+<% for(const addon of addOns.filter(addon => addon.readme)) { %>
+<%- addon.readmeIsEjs ? renderTemplate(addon.readme) : addon.readme %>
+<% } %>
+<% } else { -%>
+Welcome to your new TanStack Start app!
 
-## Testing
+# Getting Started
 
-This project uses [Vitest](https://vitest.dev/) for testing. You can run the tests with:
+To run this application:
 
 ```bash
-<%= getPackageManagerRunScript('test') %>
+<%= packageManager %> install
+<%= getPackageManagerRunScript('dev') %>
+```
+
+# Building For Production
+
+To build this application for production:
+
+```bash
+<%= getPackageManagerRunScript('build') %>
 ```
 
 ## Styling
@@ -36,7 +50,7 @@ If you prefer not to use Tailwind CSS:
 1. Remove the demo pages in `src/routes/demo/`
 2. Replace the Tailwind import in `src/styles.css` with your own styles
 3. Remove `tailwindcss()` from the plugins array in `vite.config.ts`
-4. Uninstall the packages: `<%= getPackageManagerAddScript('@tailwindcss/vite tailwindcss', true) %>`
+4. Remove `@tailwindcss/vite` and `tailwindcss` from `package.json`
 <% if (addOnEnabled.biome || addOnEnabled.eslint) { %>
 ## Linting & Formatting
 <% if (addOnEnabled.biome) { %>
@@ -197,12 +211,15 @@ function PeopleComponent() {
 
 Loaders simplify your data fetching logic dramatically. Check out more information in the [Loader documentation](https://tanstack.com/router/latest/docs/framework/react/guide/data-loading#loader-parameters).
 
+<% if (includeExamples) { %>
 # Demo files
 
 Files prefixed with `demo` can be safely deleted. They are there to provide a starting point for you to play around with the features you've installed.
+<% } %>
 
 # Learn More
 
 You can learn more about all of the offerings from TanStack in the [TanStack documentation](https://tanstack.com).
 
 For TanStack Start specific documentation, visit [TanStack Start](https://tanstack.com/start).
+<% } -%>
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/package.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/package.json
index 139568dd..0b33ecb1 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/package.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/package.json
@@ -9,31 +9,17 @@
     "dev": "vite dev --port 3000",
     "generate-routes": "tsr generate",
     "build": "vite build",
-    "preview": "vite preview",
-    "test": "vitest run"
+    "preview": "vite preview"
   },
   "dependencies": {
-    "@tanstack/react-devtools": "latest",
     "@tanstack/react-router": "latest",
-    "@tanstack/react-router-devtools": "latest",
-    "@tanstack/react-router-ssr-query": "latest",
     "@tanstack/react-start": "latest",
-    "lucide-react": "^0.577.0",
     "react": "^19.2.0",
     "react-dom": "^19.2.0"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@tailwindcss/typography": "^0.5.16",
-    "@tanstack/devtools-vite": "latest",
-    "@testing-library/dom": "^10.4.1",
-    "@testing-library/react": "^16.3.0",
-    "@types/react": "^19.2.0",
-    "@types/react-dom": "^19.2.0",
     "@vitejs/plugin-react": "^6.0.1",
-    "jsdom": "^28.1.0",
-    "typescript": "^6.0.2",
-    "vite": "^8.0.0",
-    "vitest": "^4.1.5"
+    "vite": "^8.0.0"
   },
   "pnpm": {
     "onlyBuiltDependencies": [
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/favicon.ico b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/favicon.ico
deleted file mode 100644
index a11777cc..00000000
Binary files a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/favicon.ico and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/logo192.png b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/logo192.png
deleted file mode 100644
index fc44b0a3..00000000
Binary files a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/logo192.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/logo512.png b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/logo512.png
deleted file mode 100644
index a4e47a65..00000000
Binary files a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/logo512.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/manifest.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/manifest.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 078ef501..00000000
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/manifest.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "short_name": "TanStack App",
-  "name": "Create TanStack App Sample",
-  "icons": [
-    {
-      "src": "favicon.ico",
-      "sizes": "64x64 32x32 24x24 16x16",
-      "type": "image/x-icon"
-    },
-    {
-      "src": "logo192.png",
-      "type": "image/png",
-      "sizes": "192x192"
-    },
-    {
-      "src": "logo512.png",
-      "type": "image/png",
-      "sizes": "512x512"
-    }
-  ],
-  "start_url": ".",
-  "display": "standalone",
-  "theme_color": "#000000",
-  "background_color": "#ffffff"
-}
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/robots.txt b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/robots.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index e9e57dc4..00000000
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/public/robots.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-# https://www.robotstxt.org/robotstxt.html
-User-agent: *
-Disallow:
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/App.test.tsx.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/App.test.tsx.ejs
deleted file mode 100644
index e210abeb..00000000
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/App.test.tsx.ejs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-<% if (fileRouter) { ignoreFile() } %>import { describe, expect, test } from "vitest";
-import { render, screen } from "@testing-library/react";
-import App from "./App.<%= jsx %>";
-
-describe("App", () => {
-  test("renders", () => {
-    render(<App />);
-    expect(screen.getByText("Learn React")).toBeDefined();
-  });
-});
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/routes/__root.tsx.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/routes/__root.tsx.ejs
index 2b3098ad..aa7f0e11 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/routes/__root.tsx.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/routes/__root.tsx.ejs
@@ -1,7 +1,10 @@
+<% const showDevtools = !blank || integrations.some((integration) => integration.type === 'devtools') -%>
 <% if (routerOnly) { %>
 import { Outlet, createRootRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+<% if (showDevtools) { %>
 import { TanStackRouterDevtoolsPanel } from '@tanstack/react-router-devtools'
 import { TanStackDevtools } from '@tanstack/react-devtools'
+<% } %>
 
 import '../styles.css'
 
@@ -13,7 +16,7 @@ function RootComponent() {
   return (
     <>
       <Outlet />
-      <TanStackDevtools
+      <% if (showDevtools) { %><TanStackDevtools
         config={{
           position: 'bottom-right',
         }}
@@ -23,16 +26,17 @@ function RootComponent() {
             render: <TanStackRouterDevtoolsPanel />,
           },
         ]}
-      />
+      /><% } %>
     </>
   )
 }
-<% } else if (!includeExamples) { %>
+<% } else if (!includeExamples || blank) { %>
 <% let hasContext = addOnEnabled["apollo-client"] || addOnEnabled["tanstack-query"]; %>
 import {
   HeadContent, Scripts, <% if (hasContext) { %>createRootRouteWithContext<% } else { %>createRootRoute<% } %> } from '@tanstack/react-router'
-import { TanStackRouterDevtoolsPanel } from '@tanstack/react-router-devtools';
+<% if (showDevtools) { %>import { TanStackRouterDevtoolsPanel } from '@tanstack/react-router-devtools';
 import { TanStackDevtools } from '@tanstack/react-devtools'
+<% } %>
 <% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'layout' || i.type === 'provider' || i.type === 'devtools')) { %>
 import <%= integration.jsName %> from '<%= relativePath(integration.path, true) %>'
 <% } %><% if (addOnEnabled.paraglide) { %>
@@ -101,7 +105,7 @@ function RootDocument({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
       <body>
         <% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'provider')) { %><<%= integration.jsName %>>
         <% } %>{children}
-          <TanStackDevtools
+          <% if (showDevtools) { %><TanStackDevtools
             config={{
               position: 'bottom-right',
             }}
@@ -112,7 +116,7 @@ function RootDocument({ children }: { children: React.ReactNode }) {
               },
               <% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'devtools')) { %><%= integration.jsName %>,<% } %>
             ]}
-          />
+          /><% } %>
           <% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'layout')) { %><<%= integration.jsName %> />
           <% } %><% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'provider').reverse()) { %></<%= integration.jsName %>>
         <% } %><Scripts />
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/routes/index.tsx.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/routes/index.tsx.ejs
index 7dd740be..10ad1b88 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/routes/index.tsx.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/routes/index.tsx.ejs
@@ -1,4 +1,19 @@
-<% if (!includeExamples) { %>
+<% if (blank) { %>
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/react-router'
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({ component: Home })
+
+function Home() {
+  return (
+    <main>
+      <h1>Welcome to TanStack Start</h1>
+      <p>
+        Edit <code>src/routes/index.tsx</code> to get started.
+      </p>
+    </main>
+  )
+}
+<% } else if (!includeExamples) { %>
 import { createFileRoute } from "@tanstack/react-router";
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute("/")({ component: Home });
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/styles.css.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/styles.css.ejs
index ceb9069c..54a185ff 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/styles.css.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/src/styles.css.ejs
@@ -1,4 +1,21 @@
-<% if (!includeExamples) { %>
+<% if (blank) { %>
+<% if (tailwind) { %>@import "tailwindcss";
+
+<% } %>
+* {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+}
+
+body {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-family: system-ui, sans-serif;
+}
+
+main {
+  width: min(42rem, calc(100% - 2rem));
+  margin: 4rem auto;
+}
+<% } else if (!includeExamples) { %>
 @import "tailwindcss";
 
 * {
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/vite.config.ts.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/vite.config.ts.ejs
index 3aedff14..0a60f457 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/vite.config.ts.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/base/vite.config.ts.ejs
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 import { defineConfig } from 'vite'
+<% const showDevtools = !blank || integrations.some((integration) => integration.type === 'devtools') -%>
+<% if (showDevtools) { -%>
 import { devtools } from '@tanstack/devtools-vite'
+<% } -%>
 <% if (addOnEnabled.paraglide) { -%>
 import { paraglideVitePlugin } from "@inlang/paraglide-js"
 <% } -%>
@@ -14,18 +17,20 @@ import babel from '@rolldown/plugin-babel'
 <% } else { -%>
 import viteReact from '@vitejs/plugin-react'
 <% } -%>
+<% if (tailwind) { -%>
 import tailwindcss from "@tailwindcss/vite"
+<% } -%>
 <% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'vite-plugin')) { %><%- integrationImportContent(integration) %>
 <% } %>
 
 const config = defineConfig({
   resolve: { tsconfigPaths: true },
-  plugins: [devtools(), <% if (addOnEnabled.paraglide) { %>paraglideVitePlugin({
+  plugins: [<% if (showDevtools) { %>devtools(), <% } %><% if (addOnEnabled.paraglide) { %>paraglideVitePlugin({
     project: './project.inlang',
     outdir: './src/paraglide',
     strategy: ['url', "baseLocale"],
   }), <% } %><% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'vite-plugin')) { %><%- integrationImportCode(integration) %>,<% } %>
-    tailwindcss(),
+    <% if (tailwind) { %>tailwindcss(),<% } %>
     <% if (routerOnly) { %>tanstackRouter({ target: 'react', autoCodeSplitting: true }),<% } else { %>tanstackStart(),<% } %>
     viteReact(),<% if (addOnEnabled.compiler) { %>
     babel({ presets: [reactCompilerPreset()] }),<% } %>
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/packages.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/packages.json
index 2bc6816a..5103bfc7 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/packages.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/react/project/packages.json
@@ -10,16 +10,26 @@
   "tailwindcss": {
     "dependencies": {
       "@tailwindcss/vite": "^4.1.18",
-      "tailwindcss": "^4.1.18",
-      "lucide-react": "^0.545.0"
+      "tailwindcss": "^4.1.18"
+    }
+  },
+  "devtools": {
+    "dependencies": {
+      "@tanstack/react-devtools": "latest",
+      "@tanstack/react-router-devtools": "latest"
+    },
+    "devDependencies": {
+      "@tanstack/devtools-vite": "latest"
+    }
+  },
+  "examples": {
+    "devDependencies": {
+      "@tailwindcss/typography": "^0.5.16"
     }
   },
   "file-router": {
     "devDependencies": {
       "@tanstack/router-cli": "^1.132.0"
-    },
-    "dependencies": {
-      "@tanstack/router-plugin": "^1.132.0"
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/add-ons/solid-ui/info.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/add-ons/solid-ui/info.json
index 242b5b58..3b5f282f 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/add-ons/solid-ui/info.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/add-ons/solid-ui/info.json
@@ -6,5 +6,6 @@
   "modes": ["file-router", "code-router"],
   "type": "add-on",
   "category": "styling",
+  "tailwind": true,
   "color": "#000000"
 }
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/README.md.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/README.md.ejs
index c4aabe61..f45a0219 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/README.md.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/README.md.ejs
@@ -1,4 +1,26 @@
-Welcome to your new TanStack Start app! 
+<% if (blank) { -%>
+# <%= projectName %>
+
+A minimal TanStack Start app with one route and <%= tailwind ? 'Tailwind CSS' : 'plain CSS' %>.
+
+```bash
+<%= packageManager %> install
+<%= getPackageManagerRunScript('dev') %>
+```
+
+Edit `src/routes/index.tsx` to get started. Add route files under
+`src/routes`; TanStack Router updates `src/routeTree.gen.ts` for you.
+
+Build the production app with:
+
+```bash
+<%= getPackageManagerRunScript('build') %>
+```
+<% for(const addon of addOns.filter(addon => addon.readme)) { %>
+<%- addon.readmeIsEjs ? renderTemplate(addon.readme) : addon.readme %>
+<% } %>
+<% } else { -%>
+Welcome to your new TanStack Start app!
 
 # Getting Started
 
@@ -28,7 +50,7 @@ If you prefer not to use Tailwind CSS:
 1. Remove the demo pages in `src/routes/demo/`
 2. Replace the Tailwind import in `src/styles.css` with your own styles
 3. Remove `tailwindcss()` from the plugins array in `vite.config.ts`
-4. Uninstall the packages: `<%= getPackageManagerAddScript('@tailwindcss/vite tailwindcss', true) %>`
+4. Remove `@tailwindcss/vite` and `tailwindcss` from `package.json`
 
 <% for(const addon of addOns.filter(addon => addon.readme)) { %>
 <%- addon.readmeIsEjs ? renderTemplate(addon.readme) : addon.readme %>
@@ -115,9 +137,11 @@ function PeopleComponent() {
 
 Loaders simplify your data fetching logic dramatically. Check out more information in the [Loader documentation](https://tanstack.com/router/latest/docs/framework/solid/guide/data-loading#loader-parameters).
 
+<% if (includeExamples) { %>
 # Demo files
 
 Files prefixed with `demo` can be safely deleted. They are there to provide a starting point for you to play around with the features you've installed.
+<% } %>
 
 <% if (addOnEnabled.biome || addOnEnabled.eslint) { %>
 ## Linting & Formatting
@@ -139,3 +163,4 @@ This project uses [eslint](https://eslint.org/) and [prettier](https://prettier.
 You can learn more about all of the offerings from TanStack in the [TanStack documentation](https://tanstack.com).
 
 For TanStack Start specific documentation, visit [TanStack Start](https://tanstack.com/start).
+<% } -%>
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/_dot_cursorrules.append b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/_dot_cursorrules.append
deleted file mode 100644
index e859e810..00000000
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/_dot_cursorrules.append
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,35 +0,0 @@
-// Solid.js with Tailwind CSS .cursorrules
-
-// Prefer functional components
-
-const preferFunctionalComponents = true;
-
-// Solid.js and Tailwind CSS best practices
-
-const solidjsTailwindBestPractices = [
-"Use createSignal() for reactive state",
-"Implement Tailwind CSS classes for styling",
-"Utilize TypeScript's strict mode",
-"Utilize @apply directive in CSS files for reusable styles",
-"Implement responsive design using Tailwind's responsive classes",
-"Use Tailwind's CSS in /src/styles.css for global styles",
-"Implement dark mode using Tailwind's dark variant",
-];
-
-// Additional instructions
-
-const additionalInstructions = `
-
-1. Use .tsx extension for files with JSX
-2. Implement strict TypeScript checks
-3. Implement proper Tailwind CSS purging for production builds
-4. Utilize TanStack Router for routing when applicable
-5. Use type-safe context with createContext
-6. Implement proper typing for event handlers
-7. Follow TypeScript best practices and naming conventions
-8. Use type assertions sparingly and only when necessary
-9. Use Tailwind's @layer directive for custom styles
-10. Implement utility-first CSS approach
-11. Follow both Solid.js and Tailwind naming conventions
-12. Use JIT (Just-In-Time) mode for faster development
-    `;
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/package.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/package.json
index 5e653255..0c5afcac 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/package.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/package.json
@@ -7,26 +7,21 @@
     "generate-routes": "tsr generate",
     "build": "vite build",
     "start": "node .output/server/index.mjs",
-    "preview": "vite preview",
-    "test": "vitest run"
+    "preview": "vite preview"
   },
   "dependencies": {
     "@tanstack/solid-router": "latest",
-    "@tanstack/solid-router-devtools": "latest",
-    "@tanstack/solid-router-ssr-query": "latest",
     "@tanstack/solid-start": "latest",
     "solid-js": "^1.9.12"
   },
   "devDependencies": {
-    "@solidjs/testing-library": "^0.8.10",
-    "@tanstack/devtools-vite": "latest",
-    "jsdom": "^28.1.0",
     "vite-plugin-solid": "^2.11.12",
-    "typescript": "^6.0.2",
-    "vite": "^8.0.0",
-    "vitest": "^4.1.5"
+    "vite": "^8.0.0"
   },
   "pnpm": {
-    "onlyBuiltDependencies": ["esbuild", "lightningcss"]
+    "onlyBuiltDependencies": [
+      "esbuild",
+      "lightningcss"
+    ]
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/favicon.ico b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/favicon.ico
deleted file mode 100644
index a11777cc..00000000
Binary files a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/favicon.ico and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/logo192.png b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/logo192.png
deleted file mode 100644
index fc44b0a3..00000000
Binary files a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/logo192.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/logo512.png b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/logo512.png
deleted file mode 100644
index a4e47a65..00000000
Binary files a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/logo512.png and /dev/null differ
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/manifest.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/manifest.json
deleted file mode 100644
index 078ef501..00000000
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/manifest.json
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-{
-  "short_name": "TanStack App",
-  "name": "Create TanStack App Sample",
-  "icons": [
-    {
-      "src": "favicon.ico",
-      "sizes": "64x64 32x32 24x24 16x16",
-      "type": "image/x-icon"
-    },
-    {
-      "src": "logo192.png",
-      "type": "image/png",
-      "sizes": "192x192"
-    },
-    {
-      "src": "logo512.png",
-      "type": "image/png",
-      "sizes": "512x512"
-    }
-  ],
-  "start_url": ".",
-  "display": "standalone",
-  "theme_color": "#000000",
-  "background_color": "#ffffff"
-}
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/robots.txt b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/robots.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index e9e57dc4..00000000
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/public/robots.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,3 +0,0 @@
-# https://www.robotstxt.org/robotstxt.html
-User-agent: *
-Disallow:
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/App.test.tsx.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/App.test.tsx.ejs
deleted file mode 100644
index 7a28f0aa..00000000
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/App.test.tsx.ejs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10 +0,0 @@
-<% if (fileRouter) { ignoreFile() } %>import { describe, expect, test } from "vitest";
-import { render, screen } from "@solidjs/testing-library";
-import App from "./App.<%= jsx %>";
-
-describe("App", () => {
-  test("renders", () => {
-    render(() => <App />);
-    expect(screen.getByText("Learn Solid")).toBeDefined();
-  });
-});
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/routes/__root.tsx.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/routes/__root.tsx.ejs
index 949f34df..55513063 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/routes/__root.tsx.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/routes/__root.tsx.ejs
@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
+<% const showDevtools = !blank || integrations.some((integration) => integration.type === 'devtools') -%>
 <% if (routerOnly) { %>
 import { Outlet, createRootRoute } from '@tanstack/solid-router'
+<% if (showDevtools) { %>
 import { TanStackRouterDevtools } from '@tanstack/solid-router-devtools'
+<% } %>
 
 import '../styles.css'
 
@@ -12,13 +15,15 @@ function RootComponent() {
   return (
     <>
       <Outlet />
-      <TanStackRouterDevtools position="bottom-right" />
+      <% if (showDevtools) { %><TanStackRouterDevtools position="bottom-right" /><% } %>
     </>
   )
 }
-<% } else if (!includeExamples) { %>
+<% } else if (!includeExamples || blank) { %>
 import { HeadContent, Outlet, Scripts, createRootRouteWithContext } from '@tanstack/solid-router'
+<% if (showDevtools) { %>
 import { TanStackRouterDevtools } from '@tanstack/solid-router-devtools'
+<% } %>
 
 <% if (addOnEnabled['solid-ui']) { %>
 import "@fontsource/inter/400.css"
@@ -51,7 +56,7 @@ function RootComponent() {
         <body>
           <Suspense>
             <Outlet />
-            <TanStackRouterDevtools />
+            <% if (showDevtools) { %><TanStackRouterDevtools /><% } %>
             <% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'layout')) { %>
               <<%= integration.jsName %> />
             <% } %>
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/routes/index.tsx.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/routes/index.tsx.ejs
index dc0e5446..098c692f 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/routes/index.tsx.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/routes/index.tsx.ejs
@@ -1,4 +1,19 @@
-<% if (!includeExamples) { %>
+<% if (blank) { %>
+import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/solid-router'
+
+export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({ component: Home })
+
+function Home() {
+  return (
+    <main>
+      <h1>Welcome to TanStack Start</h1>
+      <p>
+        Edit <code>src/routes/index.tsx</code> to get started.
+      </p>
+    </main>
+  )
+}
+<% } else if (!includeExamples) { %>
 import { createFileRoute } from '@tanstack/solid-router'
 
 export const Route = createFileRoute('/')({ component: Home })
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/styles.css.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/styles.css.ejs
index 9bbdd0f4..c26f38be 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/styles.css.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/src/styles.css.ejs
@@ -1,4 +1,21 @@
-<% if (!includeExamples) { %>
+<% if (blank) { %>
+<% if (tailwind) { %>@import 'tailwindcss';
+
+<% } %>
+* {
+  box-sizing: border-box;
+}
+
+body {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-family: system-ui, sans-serif;
+}
+
+main {
+  width: min(42rem, calc(100% - 2rem));
+  margin: 4rem auto;
+}
+<% } else if (!includeExamples) { %>
 @import 'tailwindcss';
 
 * {
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/vite.config.ts.ejs b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/vite.config.ts.ejs
index 5fca2364..875ffc02 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/vite.config.ts.ejs
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/base/vite.config.ts.ejs
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 import { defineConfig } from "vite";
+<% const showDevtools = !blank || integrations.some((integration) => integration.type === 'devtools') -%>
+<% if (showDevtools) { -%>
 import { devtools } from '@tanstack/devtools-vite'
+<% } -%>
+<% if (tailwind) { -%>
 import tailwindcss from "@tailwindcss/vite"
+<% } -%>
 <% if (routerOnly) { %>
 import { tanstackRouter } from '@tanstack/router-plugin/vite'
 <% } else { %>
@@ -12,8 +17,8 @@ import solidPlugin from 'vite-plugin-solid';
 
 export default defineConfig({
   resolve: { tsconfigPaths: true },
-  plugins: [devtools(), <% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'vite-plugin')) { %><%- integrationImportCode(integration) %>,<% } %>
-    tailwindcss(),
+  plugins: [<% if (showDevtools) { %>devtools(), <% } %><% for(const integration of integrations.filter(i => i.type === 'vite-plugin')) { %><%- integrationImportCode(integration) %>,<% } %>
+    <% if (tailwind) { %>tailwindcss(),<% } %>
     <% if (routerOnly) { %>tanstackRouter({ target: 'solid', autoCodeSplitting: true }),<% } else { %>tanstackStart(),<% } %>
     solidPlugin(<% if (!routerOnly) { %>{ ssr: true }<% } %>),
   ],
diff --git a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/packages.json b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/packages.json
index 603bd779..a8f76660 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/packages.json
+++ b/packages/create/src/frameworks/solid/project/packages.json
@@ -10,12 +10,17 @@
       "tailwindcss": "^4.1.18"
     }
   },
+  "devtools": {
+    "dependencies": {
+      "@tanstack/solid-router-devtools": "latest"
+    },
+    "devDependencies": {
+      "@tanstack/devtools-vite": "latest"
+    }
+  },
   "file-router": {
     "devDependencies": {
       "@tanstack/router-cli": "^1.133.21"
-    },
-    "dependencies": {
-      "@tanstack/router-plugin": "^1.133.21"
     }
   }
 }
diff --git a/packages/create/src/package-json.ts b/packages/create/src/package-json.ts
index a929a487..892d5094 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/package-json.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/package-json.ts
@@ -58,6 +58,14 @@ export function mergePackageJSON(
 
 export function createPackageJSON(options: Options) {
   const packageManager = options.packageManager
+  const blank = options.projectPreset === 'blank'
+  const includeDevtools =
+    !blank ||
+    options.chosenAddOns.some((addOn) =>
+      addOn.integrations?.some(
+        (integration) => integration.type === 'devtools',
+      ),
+    )
 
   function getPackageManagerExecuteScript(
     pkg: string,
@@ -73,7 +81,13 @@ export function createPackageJSON(options: Options) {
 
   const additions: Array<Record<string, any> | undefined> = [
     options.framework.optionalPackages.typescript,
-    options.framework.optionalPackages.tailwindcss,
+    includeDevtools ? options.framework.optionalPackages.devtools : undefined,
+    !blank && options.includeExamples !== false
+      ? options.framework.optionalPackages.examples
+      : undefined,
+    options.tailwind
+      ? options.framework.optionalPackages.tailwindcss
+      : undefined,
     options.mode ? options.framework.optionalPackages[options.mode] : undefined,
   ]
   for (const addition of additions.filter(Boolean)) {
@@ -89,7 +103,8 @@ export function createPackageJSON(options: Options) {
         packageManager: options.packageManager,
         projectName: options.projectName,
         typescript: true,
-        tailwind: true,
+        tailwind: options.tailwind,
+        blank,
         js: 'ts',
         jsx: 'tsx',
         fileRouter: options.mode === 'file-router',
diff --git a/packages/create/src/template-file.ts b/packages/create/src/template-file.ts
index 520a4d23..8713c127 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/template-file.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/template-file.ts
@@ -131,13 +131,15 @@ export function createTemplateFile(environment: Environment, options: Options) {
       packageManager: options.packageManager,
       projectName: options.projectName,
       typescript: true,
-      tailwind: true,
+      tailwind: options.tailwind,
+      blank: options.projectPreset === 'blank',
       js: 'ts',
       jsx: 'tsx',
       fileRouter: options.mode === 'file-router',
       codeRouter: options.mode === 'code-router',
       routerOnly: options.routerOnly === true,
-      includeExamples: options.includeExamples !== false,
+      includeExamples:
+        options.projectPreset !== 'blank' && options.includeExamples !== false,
       addOnEnabled,
       addOnOption: options.addOnOptions,
       addOns: options.chosenAddOns,
diff --git a/packages/create/src/types.ts b/packages/create/src/types.ts
index 23721d57..20dcc2c1 100644
--- a/packages/create/src/types.ts
+++ b/packages/create/src/types.ts
@@ -228,6 +228,7 @@ export interface Options {
   chosenAddOns: Array<AddOn>
   addOnOptions: Record<string, Record<string, any>>
   starter?: Starter | undefined
+  projectPreset?: 'default' | 'blank'
   routerOnly?: boolean
   includeExamples?: boolean
   envVarValues?: Record<string, string>
diff --git a/packages/create/tests/add-to-app.test.ts b/packages/create/tests/add-to-app.test.ts
index 07252cb9..e3d9e423 100644
--- a/packages/create/tests/add-to-app.test.ts
+++ b/packages/create/tests/add-to-app.test.ts
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ beforeEach(() => {
         type: 'add-on',
         phase: 'add-on',
         modes: ['code-router', 'file-router'],
+        tailwind: true,
         command: {
           command: 'echo',
           args: ['baz'],
@@ -391,4 +392,34 @@ describe('addToApp', () => {
       ),
     })
   })
+
+  it('enables Tailwind when an add-on requires it', async () => {
+    const { environment } = createMemoryEnvironment('/foo')
+    environment.startRun()
+    environment.writeFile(
+      '/foo/.cta.json',
+      JSON.stringify({ ...fakeCTAJSON, tailwind: false }, null, 2),
+    )
+    environment.writeFile(
+      '/foo/package.json',
+      JSON.stringify(
+        {
+          name: 'test',
+          version: '1.0.0',
+          scripts: {},
+          dependencies: {},
+          devDependencies: {},
+        },
+        null,
+        2,
+      ),
+    )
+
+    await addToApp(environment, ['test'], '/foo', {
+      forced: true,
+    })
+
+    const persisted = JSON.parse(await environment.readFile('/foo/.cta.json'))
+    expect(persisted.tailwind).toBe(true)
+  })
 })
diff --git a/packages/create/tests/blank-preset.test.ts b/packages/create/tests/blank-preset.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..22909adf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/create/tests/blank-preset.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,319 @@
+import { afterEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
+
+import {
+  finalizeAddOns,
+  populateAddOnOptionsDefaults,
+} from '../src/add-ons.js'
+import { createApp } from '../src/create-app.js'
+import { createMemoryEnvironment } from '../src/environment.js'
+import { createPackageJSON as createEdgePackageJSON } from '../src/edge-package-json.js'
+import { createFrameworkDefinition as createReactFrameworkDefinition } from '../src/frameworks/react/index.js'
+import { createFrameworkDefinition as createSolidFrameworkDefinition } from '../src/frameworks/solid/index.js'
+import { createPackageJSON as createNodePackageJSON } from '../src/package-json.js'
+
+import type { Framework, FrameworkDefinition, Options } from '../src/types.js'
+
+const BLANK_FILE_ALLOWLIST = [
+  '.cta.json',
+  '.gitignore',
+  '.vscode/settings.json',
+  'README.md',
+  'package.json',
+  'src/router.tsx',
+  'src/routes/__root.tsx',
+  'src/routes/index.tsx',
+  'src/styles.css',
+  'tsconfig.json',
+  'tsr.config.json',
+  'vite.config.ts',
+]
+
+const BLANK_DEPENDENCY_ALLOWLIST = [
+  '@tanstack/react-router',
+  '@tanstack/react-start',
+  'react',
+  'react-dom',
+]
+
+const BLANK_DEV_DEPENDENCY_ALLOWLIST = [
+  '@tanstack/router-cli',
+  '@types/node',
+  '@types/react',
+  '@types/react-dom',
+  '@vitejs/plugin-react',
+  'typescript',
+  'vite',
+]
+
+function frameworkFromDefinition(definition: FrameworkDefinition): Framework {
+  const { addOns, base, ...framework } = definition
+
+  return {
+    ...framework,
+    getFiles: () => Promise.resolve(Object.keys(base)),
+    getFileContents: (path: string) => Promise.resolve(base[path]),
+    getDeletedFiles: () => Promise.resolve([]),
+    getAddOns: () => addOns,
+  }
+}
+
+function createBlankOptions(framework: Framework): Options {
+  return {
+    projectName: 'blank-app',
+    targetDir: '/blank-app',
+    framework,
+    mode: 'file-router',
+    typescript: true,
+    tailwind: false,
+    packageManager: 'npm',
+    git: false,
+    install: false,
+    intent: false,
+    chosenAddOns: [],
+    addOnOptions: {},
+    projectPreset: 'blank',
+  }
+}
+
+afterEach(() => {
+  vi.unstubAllGlobals()
+})
+
+describe('blank project preset', () => {
+  it('renders only the blank file allowlist', async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal(
+      'fetch',
+      vi.fn(
+        async () =>
+          new Response(JSON.stringify({ version: '1.0.0' }), { status: 200 }),
+      ),
+    )
+
+    const framework = frameworkFromDefinition(createReactFrameworkDefinition())
+    const options = createBlankOptions(framework)
+    const { environment, output } = createMemoryEnvironment()
+
+    await createApp(environment, options)
+
+    const files = Object.fromEntries(
+      Object.entries(output.files).map(([path, contents]) => [
+        path.slice(`${options.targetDir}/`.length),
+        contents,
+      ]),
+    )
+
+    expect(Object.keys(files).sort()).toEqual(BLANK_FILE_ALLOWLIST)
+
+    const config = JSON.parse(files['.cta.json'])
+    expect(config.projectPreset).toBe('blank')
+    expect(config.tailwind).toBe(false)
+
+    expect(files['src/routes/__root.tsx']).not.toMatch(
+      /TanStack(?:Router)?Devtools/,
+    )
+    expect(files['src/router.tsx']).not.toContain(
+      'setupRouterSsrQueryIntegration',
+    )
+    expect(files['src/styles.css']).not.toContain('tailwindcss')
+    expect(files['vite.config.ts']).not.toMatch(/devtools|tailwindcss/)
+    expect(files['README.md']).not.toMatch(/Tailwind CSS|Vitest/)
+    expect(files['README.md']).toContain('plain CSS')
+  })
+
+  it('uses only blank dependencies and keeps Node and edge composition equal', () => {
+    const framework = frameworkFromDefinition(createReactFrameworkDefinition())
+    const options = createBlankOptions(framework)
+
+    const nodePackageJSON = createNodePackageJSON(options)
+    const edgePackageJSON = createEdgePackageJSON(options)
+
+    expect(edgePackageJSON).toEqual(nodePackageJSON)
+    expect(Object.keys(nodePackageJSON.scripts).sort()).toEqual([
+      'build',
+      'dev',
+      'generate-routes',
+      'preview',
+    ])
+    expect(Object.keys(nodePackageJSON.dependencies).sort()).toEqual(
+      BLANK_DEPENDENCY_ALLOWLIST,
+    )
+    expect(Object.keys(nodePackageJSON.devDependencies).sort()).toEqual(
+      BLANK_DEV_DEPENDENCY_ALLOWLIST,
+    )
+  })
+
+  it('keeps the Solid blank preset equally lean', async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal(
+      'fetch',
+      vi.fn(
+        async () =>
+          new Response(JSON.stringify({ version: '1.0.0' }), { status: 200 }),
+      ),
+    )
+
+    const framework = frameworkFromDefinition(createSolidFrameworkDefinition())
+    const options = createBlankOptions(framework)
+    const { environment, output } = createMemoryEnvironment()
+
+    await createApp(environment, options)
+
+    const files = Object.keys(output.files)
+      .map((path) => path.slice(`${options.targetDir}/`.length))
+      .sort()
+    const packageJSON = createNodePackageJSON(options)
+
+    expect(files).toEqual(BLANK_FILE_ALLOWLIST)
+    expect(Object.keys(packageJSON.dependencies).sort()).toEqual([
+      '@tanstack/solid-router',
+      '@tanstack/solid-start',
+      'solid-js',
+    ])
+    expect(Object.keys(packageJSON.devDependencies).sort()).toEqual([
+      '@tanstack/router-cli',
+      'typescript',
+      'vite',
+      'vite-plugin-solid',
+    ])
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/README.md']).toContain('plain CSS')
+  })
+
+  it('lets an explicit styling add-on opt back into Tailwind', async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal(
+      'fetch',
+      vi.fn(
+        async () =>
+          new Response(JSON.stringify({ version: '1.0.0' }), { status: 200 }),
+      ),
+    )
+
+    const framework = frameworkFromDefinition(createReactFrameworkDefinition())
+    const chosenAddOns = await finalizeAddOns(framework, 'file-router', [
+      'shadcn',
+    ])
+    const options = {
+      ...createBlankOptions(framework),
+      tailwind: chosenAddOns.some((addOn) => addOn.tailwind === true),
+      chosenAddOns,
+      addOnOptions: populateAddOnOptionsDefaults(chosenAddOns),
+    }
+    const { environment, output } = createMemoryEnvironment()
+
+    await createApp(environment, options)
+
+    const packageJSON = createNodePackageJSON(options)
+    expect(options.tailwind).toBe(true)
+    expect(packageJSON.dependencies).toMatchObject({
+      '@tailwindcss/vite': '^4.1.18',
+      tailwindcss: '^4.1.18',
+    })
+    expect(packageJSON.devDependencies).toMatchObject({
+      '@tailwindcss/typography': '^0.5.16',
+    })
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/src/styles.css']).toContain(
+      "@plugin '@tailwindcss/typography'",
+    )
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/vite.config.ts']).toContain('tailwindcss()')
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/README.md']).toContain('Tailwind CSS')
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/README.md']).not.toContain('plain CSS')
+  })
+
+  it('describes Tailwind accurately for a Solid styling add-on', async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal(
+      'fetch',
+      vi.fn(
+        async () =>
+          new Response(JSON.stringify({ version: '1.0.0' }), { status: 200 }),
+      ),
+    )
+
+    const framework = frameworkFromDefinition(createSolidFrameworkDefinition())
+    const chosenAddOns = await finalizeAddOns(framework, 'file-router', [
+      'solid-ui',
+    ])
+    const options = {
+      ...createBlankOptions(framework),
+      tailwind: chosenAddOns.some((addOn) => addOn.tailwind === true),
+      chosenAddOns,
+      addOnOptions: populateAddOnOptionsDefaults(chosenAddOns),
+    }
+    const { environment, output } = createMemoryEnvironment()
+
+    await createApp(environment, options)
+
+    expect(options.tailwind).toBe(true)
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/README.md']).toContain('Tailwind CSS')
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/README.md']).not.toContain('plain CSS')
+  })
+
+  it('keeps Shopify storefront styling in the blank preset', async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal(
+      'fetch',
+      vi.fn(
+        async () =>
+          new Response(JSON.stringify({ version: '1.0.0' }), { status: 200 }),
+      ),
+    )
+
+    const framework = frameworkFromDefinition(createReactFrameworkDefinition())
+    const chosenAddOns = await finalizeAddOns(framework, 'file-router', [
+      'shopify',
+    ])
+    const options = {
+      ...createBlankOptions(framework),
+      tailwind: chosenAddOns.some((addOn) => addOn.tailwind === true),
+      chosenAddOns,
+      addOnOptions: populateAddOnOptionsDefaults(chosenAddOns),
+    }
+    const { environment, output } = createMemoryEnvironment()
+
+    await createApp(environment, options)
+
+    const packageJSON = createNodePackageJSON(options)
+    expect(options.tailwind).toBe(true)
+    expect(packageJSON.dependencies).toMatchObject({
+      '@tailwindcss/vite': '^4.1.18',
+      tailwindcss: '^4.1.18',
+    })
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/src/styles.css']).toContain(
+      '@import "tailwindcss"',
+    )
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/vite.config.ts']).toContain('tailwindcss()')
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/src/routes/shop.index.tsx']).toContain(
+      'tracking-tight',
+    )
+  })
+
+  it('does not keep Tailwind for a stripped add-on demo', async () => {
+    vi.stubGlobal(
+      'fetch',
+      vi.fn(
+        async () =>
+          new Response(JSON.stringify({ version: '1.0.0' }), { status: 200 }),
+      ),
+    )
+
+    const framework = frameworkFromDefinition(createReactFrameworkDefinition())
+    const chosenAddOns = await finalizeAddOns(framework, 'file-router', [
+      'posthog',
+    ])
+    const options = {
+      ...createBlankOptions(framework),
+      tailwind: chosenAddOns.some((addOn) => addOn.tailwind === true),
+      chosenAddOns,
+    }
+    const { environment, output } = createMemoryEnvironment()
+
+    await createApp(environment, options)
+
+    const packageJSON = createNodePackageJSON(options)
+    expect(options.tailwind).toBe(false)
+    expect(packageJSON.dependencies).not.toHaveProperty('@tailwindcss/vite')
+    expect(packageJSON.dependencies).not.toHaveProperty('tailwindcss')
+    expect(output.files['/blank-app/src/styles.css']).not.toContain(
+      'tailwindcss',
+    )
+    expect(output.files).not.toHaveProperty(
+      '/blank-app/src/routes/demo/posthog.tsx',
+    )
+  })
+})
diff --git a/packages/create/tests/package-json.test.ts b/packages/create/tests/package-json.test.ts
index f9e05306..e2d96a06 100644
--- a/packages/create/tests/package-json.test.ts
+++ b/packages/create/tests/package-json.test.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,70 @@
 import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
 
+import { createPackageJSON as createEdgePackageJSON } from '../src/edge-package-json.js'
 import { createPackageJSON } from '../src/package-json.js'
 
 import type { Options, Framework } from '../src/types.js'
 
 describe('createPackageJSON', () => {
+  it.each([
+    ['react', '@tanstack/react-start'],
+    ['solid', '@tanstack/solid-start'],
+  ])(
+    'keeps the router plugin scoped to %s router-only projects',
+    (frameworkId, startPackage) => {
+      const framework = {
+        id: frameworkId,
+        basePackageJSON: {
+          dependencies: {
+            [startPackage]: 'latest',
+          },
+        },
+        optionalPackages: {
+          typescript: {},
+          devtools: {},
+          examples: {},
+          tailwindcss: {},
+          'file-router': {
+            devDependencies: {
+              '@tanstack/router-cli': 'latest',
+            },
+          },
+        },
+      } as unknown as Framework
+      const options = {
+        chosenAddOns: [],
+        addOnOptions: {},
+        mode: 'file-router',
+        typescript: true,
+        tailwind: false,
+        projectName: 'test',
+        packageManager: 'pnpm',
+        framework,
+      } as unknown as Options
+
+      const startPackageJSON = createPackageJSON(options)
+      expect(startPackageJSON.dependencies).toHaveProperty(startPackage, 'latest')
+      expect(startPackageJSON.devDependencies).not.toHaveProperty(
+        '@tanstack/router-plugin',
+      )
+
+      const routerOnlyOptions = {
+        ...options,
+        routerOnly: true,
+      }
+      const routerOnlyPackageJSON = createPackageJSON(routerOnlyOptions)
+
+      expect(routerOnlyPackageJSON.dependencies).not.toHaveProperty(startPackage)
+      expect(routerOnlyPackageJSON.devDependencies).toHaveProperty(
+        '@tanstack/router-plugin',
+        'latest',
+      )
+      expect(createEdgePackageJSON(routerOnlyOptions)).toEqual(
+        routerOnlyPackageJSON,
+      )
+    },
+  )
+
   it('should create a package.json', () => {
     const packageJSON = createPackageJSON({
       chosenAddOns: [
diff --git a/packages/create/tests/react-template-dependencies.test.ts b/packages/create/tests/react-template-dependencies.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..73bbbc9c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/create/tests/react-template-dependencies.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+import { existsSync, readdirSync, readFileSync, statSync } from 'node:fs'
+import { join } from 'node:path'
+import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url'
+
+import { describe, expect, it } from 'vitest'
+
+const reactRoot = fileURLToPath(
+  new URL('../src/frameworks/react', import.meta.url),
+)
+
+interface PackageManifest {
+  dependencies?: Record<string, string>
+  devDependencies?: Record<string, string>
+}
+
+function readJson<T>(path: string) {
+  return JSON.parse(readFileSync(path, 'utf8')) as T
+}
+
+function importsLucide(path: string): boolean {
+  if (!existsSync(path)) return false
+
+  return readdirSync(path).some((entry) => {
+    const entryPath = join(path, entry)
+    if (statSync(entryPath).isDirectory()) return importsLucide(entryPath)
+    if (!/\.[cm]?[jt]sx?$/.test(entry)) return false
+
+    return /from\s+['"]lucide-react['"]/.test(readFileSync(entryPath, 'utf8'))
+  })
+}
+
+function lucideConsumers(group: 'add-ons' | 'examples') {
+  const groupRoot = join(reactRoot, group)
+
+  return readdirSync(groupRoot)
+    .map((name) => join(groupRoot, name))
+    .filter((path) => statSync(path).isDirectory())
+    .filter((path) => importsLucide(join(path, 'assets')))
+}
+
+describe('React template dependency ownership', () => {
+  it('does not install Lucide in the base or Tailwind profile', () => {
+    const base = readJson<PackageManifest>(
+      join(reactRoot, 'project/base/package.json'),
+    )
+    const profiles = readJson<{
+      tailwindcss?: { dependencies?: Record<string, string> }
+    }>(join(reactRoot, 'project/packages.json'))
+
+    expect(base.dependencies?.['lucide-react']).toBeUndefined()
+    expect(profiles.tailwindcss?.dependencies?.['lucide-react']).toBeUndefined()
+  })
+
+  it.each([...lucideConsumers('add-ons'), ...lucideConsumers('examples')])(
+    '%s declares Lucide when its emitted source imports it',
+    (consumerPath) => {
+      const manifest = readJson<PackageManifest>(
+        join(consumerPath, 'package.json'),
+      )
+      const dependencies = {
+        ...manifest.dependencies,
+        ...manifest.devDependencies,
+      }
+
+      expect(dependencies['lucide-react']).toBeDefined()
+    },
+  )
+})