Is your feature request related to a problem?
For a new contributor, the only documented route from a clean clone to a running Windows app goes through validate.ps1 -Task windows-shell and -Task packaging. Those runs include long live UI Automation and tray tests, and real scheduled-task install tests. A failing or flaky live gate blocks people who only want to build and run. No script launches a local build correctly, either. Doing it by hand needs the daemon started first, because a fresh support directory lacks .graphcode-rendezvous.secret (see the related issue). It also needs the first-run onboarding dialog dismissed and GRAPHCODE_SUPPORT_DIR set to avoid touching the real profile.
Describe the solution you'd like
Add a script, for example Tools\windows\dev.ps1, with:
-Build: bootstrap if needed, stage the Swift products, build the shell (ReleaseSafe) and zmx, and assemble a runnable bin layout under .build.
-Run: launch graphcoded.exe, then graphcode-windows.exe, with GRAPHCODE_SUPPORT_DIR pointed at a per-checkout sandbox under .build. Offer -RealProfile to opt out.
-Stop: stop only processes whose executable path is inside this checkout.
- A clear printout of artifact paths and of what was and wasn't validated.
Keep validate.ps1 as the contributor and CI gate, and link the new script from graphcode-windows/README.md.
Describe alternatives you've considered
Documenting the manual steps only. They're fiddly and easy to get wrong; this session hit a silent daemon crash and stray files in the real profile.
Additional context
Needs a test under Tools/windows/Tests and the AGENTS.md PR evidence.
Is your feature request related to a problem?
For a new contributor, the only documented route from a clean clone to a running Windows app goes through
validate.ps1 -Task windows-shelland-Task packaging. Those runs include long live UI Automation and tray tests, and real scheduled-task install tests. A failing or flaky live gate blocks people who only want to build and run. No script launches a local build correctly, either. Doing it by hand needs the daemon started first, because a fresh support directory lacks.graphcode-rendezvous.secret(see the related issue). It also needs the first-run onboarding dialog dismissed andGRAPHCODE_SUPPORT_DIRset to avoid touching the real profile.Describe the solution you'd like
Add a script, for example
Tools\windows\dev.ps1, with:-Build: bootstrap if needed, stage the Swift products, build the shell (ReleaseSafe) and zmx, and assemble a runnablebinlayout under.build.-Run: launchgraphcoded.exe, thengraphcode-windows.exe, withGRAPHCODE_SUPPORT_DIRpointed at a per-checkout sandbox under.build. Offer-RealProfileto opt out.-Stop: stop only processes whose executable path is inside this checkout.Keep
validate.ps1as the contributor and CI gate, and link the new script fromgraphcode-windows/README.md.Describe alternatives you've considered
Documenting the manual steps only. They're fiddly and easy to get wrong; this session hit a silent daemon crash and stray files in the real profile.
Additional context
Needs a test under
Tools/windows/Testsand the AGENTS.md PR evidence.