Refactor DataLocationResolver to centralize data path resolution (ResolveLauncherDataPath, ResolveDesktopDataPath, ResolveConfigPath, ResolveLauncherLogsPath, ResolveLauncherStatePath) and replace usages of the previous ".launcher" layout with a "Launcher" folder. Update API: LoadConfig/SaveConfig reorganized and ApplyLocationChoice now accepts an optional custom path and migration flag; migration logic updated accordingly. Update dependent services and views (Logger, DeploymentLocator, UpdateEngineService, OobeStateService, StartupAttemptRegistry, LauncherDebugSettingsStore, OobeWindow) to use the new resolver APIs and paths. Add LauncherBackgroundService to load/validate/cache a custom splash background image and wire it into SplashWindow (AXAML/Axaml.cs) with UI placeholders and overlay. Misc: minor cleanup of Oobe/Splash XAML and related code adjustments and logging improvements.
Switch serialization to the source-generated System.Text.Json context: add JsonSerializable(typeof(StartupAttemptRecord)) to AppJsonContext and replace the previous JsonSerializerOptions-based Serialize/Deserialize calls with AppJsonContext.Default.StartupAttemptRecord. Also remove the now-unused SerializerOptions field. Additionally, update .gitignore to exclude /test-aot-publish.
Introduce support for choosing and resolving the application's data root (system user dir vs. portable app folder). Adds DataLocationConfig model, DataLocationResolver (load/save/resolve/migrate), a UI prompt (DataLocationPromptWindow) and an OOBE step (DataLocationOobeStep) to let users pick and optionally migrate existing data. Wire the chosen data root into the launcher flow and host launch plan (forwarded via --data-root and LMD_DATA_ROOT), and add AppDataPathProvider to let runtime services read the effective data root (initialized in Program.Main). Update various services (logging, settings, DB, plugin/market, startup registry, etc.) to use the new provider/resolver and register the config type in the JSON context. This enables portable installs, safe migration, and runtime overrides via CLI or environment variable.
Introduce a persistent LauncherDebugSettingsStore and wire it into ErrorWindow and SplashWindow so dev-mode and custom host path can be saved/loaded. Harden DeploymentLocator/FlexibleHostLocator to safely normalize and validate saved debug paths and log warnings for malformed values. Add a WaitingForShell startup state and recoverable-activation logic across App and LauncherFlowCoordinator (with registry updates) so Launcher can attach to an in-progress desktop shell rather than failing. Clean up ErrorDebugWindow UI/flow (WasAccepted flag, localization fixes, event wiring) and improve splash version population. Improve AppVersionProvider to trim surrounding quotes, robustly parse version.json via JsonDocument and read string properties; add unit tests for AppVersionProvider, DeploymentLocator and LauncherDebugSettingsStore. Also quote Exec commands in the csproj and harden scripts/Generate-VersionFile.ps1 (argument normalization, LiteralPath, error handling).
Introduce a launcher coordinator to reserve startup ownership and prevent duplicate host launches. Adds a NamedPipe-based IPC server/client (LauncherCoordinatorIpcServer/Client), coordinator messages/models, and PublicShellStatus/activation types for richer shell reporting. Enhances StartupAttemptRecord and StartupAttemptRegistry to track coordinator pid/pipe, heartbeat, reserved-before-host-start, and public IPC status, plus new reservation/heartbeat APIs and takeover logic. Wire coordinator into App and LauncherFlowCoordinator to attach secondary launchers, publish coordinator status, probe existing hosts, and include more detailed launch result details. Also adds unit tests and docs describing coordinator and startup visuals behavior.
Implement startup visual behavior, de-duplicate startup attempts, and improve failure UX.
Key changes:
- Add spec and docs for startup visuals and timing contract (.trae/specs and docs/LAUNCHER_STARTUP_VISUALS.md).
- Introduce StartupVisualPreferences contract and resolver; create SplashWindow via resolved mode.
- Add StartupAttemptRecord model and a file-backed StartupAttemptRegistry to persist and coordinate in-progress startup attempts (attach/adopt, soft/hard timeouts, IPC/connect state, lifecycle updates).
- Update LauncherFlowCoordinator to: adopt/attach to existing attempts, track IPC connection and soft/hard timeouts (30s/120s), show delayed UI state, attempt foreground recovery via public IPC, compose detailed launch result metadata, and mark registry states (soft timeout, detached waiting, succeeded, failed).
- Add TryActivateExistingInstanceAsync to attempt activating an existing desktop via IPC.
- Change failure flow: ShowFailureWindowAsync now returns user choice; ErrorWindow updated to present Activate/Wait/Open Logs/Exit semantics and new layouts/styles; improved button wiring and debug/dev mode handling.
- Add UI and resource tweaks (ErrorWindow and SplashWindow changes), project asset link for nightly logo, and unit tests for StartupVisualPreferences.
These changes prevent duplicate desktop processes during slow startups, provide clearer UX for delayed startups, and persist startup attempt state across Launcher invocations for safer recovery/attach behavior.
