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+# WSL2 Distro Manager - Flutter Desktop Application
+
+WSL2 Distro Manager is a Flutter desktop application for managing Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distributions. It provides a graphical interface for installing, uninstalling, updating, backing up, and restoring WSL distros, as well as working with Docker images and LXC containers.
+
+Always reference these instructions first and fallback to search or bash commands only when you encounter unexpected information that does not match the info here.
+
+## Working Effectively
+
+### Prerequisites and Setup
+- Install Flutter SDK from https://flutter.dev/desktop
+- Ensure Windows development is enabled:
+  - `flutter config --enable-windows-desktop`
+  - `flutter upgrade`
+
+### Bootstrap, Build, and Test the Repository
+- **Clone and setup dependencies**:
+  - `flutter pub get` -- downloads all Dart dependencies from pubspec.yaml. Takes 2-3 minutes. NEVER CANCEL. Set timeout to 5+ minutes.
+- **Analyze code quality**:
+  - `flutter analyze` -- runs static analysis using analysis_options.yaml. Takes 30-60 seconds.
+- **Run unit tests**:
+  - `flutter test` -- runs all tests in /test directory. Takes 2-5 minutes for WSL-dependent tests. NEVER CANCEL. Set timeout to 10+ minutes.
+  - Note: Some tests require WSL to be available and may create/delete test instances
+- **Build the application**:
+  - `flutter build windows` -- builds Windows executable. Takes 3-8 minutes. NEVER CANCEL. Set timeout to 15+ minutes.
+  - Creates build artifacts in `build/windows/x64/runner/Release/`
+- **Create MSIX package**:
+  - `dart run msix:create` -- creates Windows Store package. Takes 1-2 minutes. NEVER CANCEL. Set timeout to 5+ minutes.
+
+### Run the Application
+- **Development mode**:
+  - `flutter run -d windows` -- runs in debug mode with hot reload
+  - Note: Application requires Windows environment for WSL management functionality
+- **Release executable**:
+  - Run `build/windows/x64/runner/Release/wsl2distromanager.exe` after building
+
+## Validation
+
+### Manual Testing Scenarios
+- **CRITICAL**: This application manages WSL distributions and requires Windows/WSL for full functionality
+- Always test core functionality after making changes:
+  1. **Application Launch**: Verify the app starts without errors and displays the main interface
+  2. **WSL Instance Listing**: Test that existing WSL distributions are properly detected and displayed
+  3. **UI Navigation**: Verify all screens (Home, Create, Actions, Settings) are accessible and render correctly
+  4. **Theme and Localization**: Test both light/dark themes and different language settings work properly
+
+### Build Validation
+- Always run `flutter analyze` before committing -- the CI (.github/workflows/releaser.yml) will fail if analysis finds issues
+- Always run `flutter test` to ensure no regressions in core functionality
+- Verify the build completes successfully with `flutter build windows`
+
+### Code Quality
+- Follow Dart/Flutter conventions as enforced by analysis_options.yaml
+- Use the existing localization system in `/lib/i18n/` for any user-facing strings
+- Maintain the existing theme structure in `theme.dart`
+
+## Common Tasks
+
+### Repository Structure
+```
+lib/
+├── api/           # Core API classes for WSL, Docker, archives
+├── components/    # Reusable UI components and utilities
+├── dialogs/       # Modal dialogs for user interactions
+├── i18n/          # Internationalization JSON files
+├── nav/           # Navigation and routing
+├── screens/       # Main application screens
+├── main.dart      # Application entry point
+└── theme.dart     # Theme and styling definitions
+
+test/              # Unit tests
+├── wsl_test.dart          # WSL API tests
+├── dockerimages_test.dart # Docker functionality tests
+├── templates_test.dart    # Template handling tests
+└── safepaths_test.dart    # Path validation tests
+
+.github/workflows/ # CI/CD pipeline definitions
+scripts/           # PowerShell build and utility scripts
+windows/           # Windows-specific Flutter configuration
+```
+
+### Key Files to Know
+- **pubspec.yaml**: Dependencies, version, and build configuration
+- **lib/main.dart**: Application entry point and window setup
+- **lib/api/wsl.dart**: Core WSL management functionality
+- **lib/components/constants.dart**: App constants including version
+- **analysis_options.yaml**: Linting and code analysis rules
+- **.github/workflows/releaser.yml**: CI/CD build pipeline
+
+### Common Development Patterns
+- **State Management**: Uses Provider package for state management
+- **UI Framework**: Fluent UI for Windows-native appearance
+- **Async Operations**: Extensive use of async/await for WSL operations
+- **Error Handling**: Custom notification system in `lib/components/notify.dart`
+- **Logging**: Centralized logging in `lib/components/logging.dart`
+
+### Building and Testing Notes
+- **Windows Dependencies**: Application copies Windows DLLs from `windows-dlls/` during packaging
+- **Version Management**: Version is managed in pubspec.yaml and automatically updated in constants.dart during CI
+- **Test Timeouts**: WSL-related tests have 10-minute timeouts due to potential download/installation time
+- **MSIX Configuration**: Windows Store packaging configuration is in pubspec.yaml under `msix_config`
+
+### Troubleshooting
+- **Build Issues**: Ensure Flutter Windows development is properly configured
+- **Test Failures**: Some tests require WSL to be installed and functional
+- **Permission Issues**: WSL operations may require administrator privileges
+- **Network Issues**: Docker image downloads and distro installations require internet access
+
+### Development Workflow
+1. Make code changes in appropriate `/lib` directories
+2. Run `flutter analyze` to check for issues
+3. Run `flutter test` to ensure no regressions
+4. Test changes with `flutter run -d windows`
+5. Build release version with `flutter build windows`
+6. Verify MSIX creation with `dart run msix:create`
+
+Always ensure Windows development environment is properly set up before beginning work, as this application is specifically designed for Windows WSL management.
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