# Custom Welcome Screen Implementation Plan

## Overview
The AeThex Engine welcome screen will provide a modern, branded onboarding experience
that highlights AeThex's unique features and helps users get started quickly.

## Files to Modify

### Primary Files:
- `engine/editor/project_manager/project_manager.cpp` - Main project manager
- `engine/editor/project_manager/project_manager.h` - Header file

### customization Points:

## 1. Branding Elements

### Window Title (Already Done via version.py)
The project manager will now show "AeThex Engine - Project Manager"

### Welcome Panel
**Location:** Create new panel in project_manager.cpp

**Content:**
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  [AeThex Logo]  AeThex Engine           │
│                                         │
│  Next-Generation Game Engine            │
│  • AI-Powered Development               │
│  • Cloud-First Architecture             │
│  • Modern Developer Tools               │
│                                         │
│  [New Project]  [Open Project]          │
│  [Import Project]                       │
│                                         │
│  Quick Start:                           │
│  • First Game Tutorial →                │
│  • Documentation →                      │
│  • Sample Projects →                    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## 2. Custom Features Panel

### Getting Started Section
- Interactive tutorial launcher
- Video tutorials embedded/linked
- Sample project templates
- Community showcases

### What's New Section
- Latest AeThex features
- Update notifications
- Blog/news feed integration

### Resource Links
- Documentation (searchable)
- Discord Community
- Asset Marketplace (future)
- GitHub Repository

## 3. Visual Customizations

### Color Theme
Apply AeThex cyan/purple gradient:
```cpp
// In _update_theme()
Color aethex_primary = Color(0.0, 0.851, 1.0); // #00D9FF
Color aethex_secondary = Color(0.545, 0.361, 0.965); // #8B5CF6
Color aethex_dark = Color(0.118, 0.118, 0.180); // #1E1E2E
```

### Custom Panels
- Rounded corners with glow effect
- Gradient backgrounds
- Smooth animations
- Modern card-based layout

## 4. Implementation Steps

### Step 1: Add Welcome Panel Widget
```cpp
// In ProjectManager class
Control *welcome_panel = nullptr;

void _create_welcome_panel() {
    welcome_panel = memnew(PanelContainer);
    // Add logo, text, buttons
}
```

### Step 2: Add Quick Links
```cpp
LinkButton *docs_link = memnew(LinkButton);
docs_link->set_text("Documentation");
docs_link->connect("pressed", callable_mp(this, &ProjectManager::_open_docs));
```

### Step 3: Add Template Selector
```cpp
OptionButton *template_selector = memnew(OptionButton);
template_selector->add_item("2D Platformer Starter");
template_selector->add_item("3D First-Person Template");
template_selector->add_item("UI/Menu Template");
// etc.
```

### Step 4: Recent Projects Enhancement
- Add project screenshots/thumbnails
- Show project stats (last modified, file size)
- Quick actions (Run, Edit, Remove)
- Tag system for organization

## 5. Advanced Features (Future)

### Cloud Integration
- Sign in with AeThex account
- Sync projects across devices
- Cloud-based collaboration
- Remote project management

### AI Assistant Welcome
- "What would you like to create today?"
- AI-powered project setup
- Smart template recommendation
- Code generation quick start

### Analytics & Insights
- Usage statistics (optional opt-in)
- Performance recommendations
- Community trends
- Popular assets/tools

## 6. Code Structure

### New File: `engine/editor/project_manager/aethex_welcome_panel.h`
```cpp
class AeThexWelcomePanel : public PanelContainer {
    GDCLASS(AeThexWelcomePanel, PanelContainer);
    
private:
    VBoxContainer *main_container;
    TextureRect *logo_display;
    RichTextLabel *welcome_text;
    HBoxContainer *quick_actions;
    
    void _on_new_project();
    void _on_quick_tutorial();
    void _on_open_docs();
    
protected:
    static void _bind_methods();
    
public:
    void update_theme();
    AeThexWelcomePanel();
};
```

### New File: `engine/editor/project_manager/aethex_welcome_panel.cpp`
Implementation of the welcome panel with all AeThex branding and quick actions.

## 7. Testing Checklist

- [ ] Logo displays correctly
- [ ] All links open correctly
- [ ] Theme matches AeThex colors
- [ ] Buttons are responsive
- [ ] Keyboard navigation works
- [ ] Scales properly on different resolutions
- [ ] Translations work (TTR macros)
- [ ] Animation performance is smooth

## 8. Future Enhancements

### Phase 1 (Month 1-2)
- Basic branding and layout
- Quick links functional
- Custom color theme

### Phase 2 (Month 3-4)
- Template system
- Interactive tutorials
- Project thumbnails

### Phase 3 (Month 5-6)
- Cloud integration
- AI assistant preview
- Analytics dashboard

### Phase 4 (Month 6+)
- Full feature parity with vision
- Community showcase
- Marketplace integration

## Implementation Priority

**High Priority (Do First):**
1. ✅ Window title and branding (Done via version.py)
2. Custom welcome message
3. AeThex-styled buttons and panels
4. Quick link buttons

**Medium Priority (Do Soon):**
1. Template project system
2. Getting started tutorial
3. News/updates panel
4. Enhanced recent projects view

**Low Priority (Do Later):**
1. Cloud integration UI
2. AI assistant interface
3. Analytics dashboard
4. Community features

## Current Status

**Completed:**
- Engine name branding
- Logo files
- Color scheme defined

**Next Steps:**
- Create `aethex_welcome_panel.h/cpp`
- Integrate into `project_manager.cpp`
- Add custom styling
- Test and refine

---

**Note:** The welcome screen is a complex UI component. Start with simple text/button
customizations, then gradually add more sophisticated features as the project matures.
