feat(ci+docs): issue templates + release workflow overhaul + README badge suite + VSIX ignore

Add GitHub issue template config with 4 contact links (login guide, doctor CLI, MCP Registry, Marketplace) and disable blank issues. Overhaul release.yml with auto/manual version bump modes, VSIX packaging, dual Marketplace/Open VSX publish, git commit/tag/push, GitHub Releases creation, and step summary. Rewrite root README with centered badge suite (Marketplace, npm, MCP Registry, installs, downloads, stars, CI, release, commit

Author: A.R.

.github/FUNDING.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+# GitHub Sponsor button for this repository.
+# https://docs.github.com/en/repositories/managing-your-repositorys-settings-and-features/customizing-your-repository/displaying-a-sponsor-button-in-your-repository
+github: [automations-Project]

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/auth-problem.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+name: Authentication / Login Problem
+description: Trouble logging in, sessions expiring, Cloudflare blocks, or browser launch failures
+labels: [auth]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Login uses a real browser session against Perplexity. Most issues are browser-detection, Cloudflare clearance, or expired session-related. Please paste the **doctor output** below — it redacts secrets automatically.
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: auth-method
+    attributes:
+      label: Authentication method
+      options:
+        - Browser login (manual SSO via headed browser)
+        - Auto login (email + OTP, impit-backed if Speed Boost installed)
+        - Pre-supplied PERPLEXITY_SESSION_TOKEN env var
+        - VS Code extension login
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: browser
+    attributes:
+      label: Detected browser
+      options:
+        - Google Chrome
+        - Microsoft Edge
+        - Brave
+        - System Chromium
+        - Patchright bundled Chromium
+        - None / detection failed
+        - Unknown
+  - type: input
+    id: os
+    attributes:
+      label: OS
+      placeholder: "e.g., Windows 11, macOS 14.5, Ubuntu 22.04 (server / WSL / desktop)"
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: doctor-output
+    attributes:
+      label: Doctor output
+      description: "Run `npx perplexity-user-mcp doctor --probe` and paste the output. Secrets are redacted automatically."
+      render: shell
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: description
+    attributes:
+      label: "What's happening?"
+      placeholder: "What did you try? What error appeared? Did the browser open?"
+    validations:
+      required: true

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/bug-report.yml

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+name: Bug Report
+description: Report a bug in the MCP server or VS Code extension
+labels: [bug]
+body:
+  - type: markdown
+    attributes:
+      value: |
+        Thanks for taking the time to file a bug report. Please redact any session tokens, cookies, or email addresses before submitting.
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: product
+    attributes:
+      label: Product
+      options:
+        - VS Code extension (perplexity-vscode)
+        - npm package (perplexity-user-mcp)
+        - Both
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: input
+    id: version
+    attributes:
+      label: Version
+      placeholder: "e.g., extension 0.8.34 or perplexity-user-mcp 0.8.34"
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: mcp-client
+    attributes:
+      label: MCP Client (if applicable)
+      options:
+        - VS Code (built-in MCP)
+        - Cursor
+        - Claude Desktop
+        - Claude Code
+        - Cline
+        - Windsurf
+        - Amp
+        - Codex CLI
+        - Other
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: tier
+    attributes:
+      label: Perplexity tier
+      options:
+        - Free
+        - Pro
+        - Max
+        - Enterprise
+        - Unknown
+  - type: input
+    id: os
+    attributes:
+      label: OS
+      placeholder: "e.g., Windows 11, macOS 14.5, Ubuntu 22.04"
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: input
+    id: browser
+    attributes:
+      label: Browser used by the MCP server
+      placeholder: "e.g., Google Chrome 130, Microsoft Edge 130, patchright Chromium"
+  - type: textarea
+    id: description
+    attributes:
+      label: What happened?
+      placeholder: Describe the bug and steps to reproduce
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: doctor-output
+    attributes:
+      label: Doctor output (optional, recommended)
+      description: "Run `npx perplexity-user-mcp doctor` and paste the output. Doctor redacts secrets automatically."
+      render: shell
+  - type: textarea
+    id: logs
+    attributes:
+      label: Relevant logs or errors
+      render: shell

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/config.yml

@@ -1,2 +1,14 @@
-blank_issues_enabled: true
-contact_links: []
+blank_issues_enabled: false
+contact_links:
+  - name: "Can't log in?"
+    url: https://github.com/Automations-Project/VSCode-Perplexity-MCP/tree/main/packages/mcp-server#first-run--login
+    about: Check the first-run / login guide before opening an auth issue.
+  - name: "Run the doctor first"
+    url: https://github.com/Automations-Project/VSCode-Perplexity-MCP/tree/main/packages/mcp-server#cli-commands
+    about: "`npx perplexity-user-mcp doctor --probe` reports browser, profile, vault, and network status with secrets redacted."
+  - name: MCP Registry
+    url: https://registry.modelcontextprotocol.io
+    about: Find this server and others on the MCP Registry.
+  - name: VS Code Marketplace
+    url: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Automations-Project.perplexity-vscode
+    about: Install or rate the VS Code extension.

.github/ISSUE_TEMPLATE/feature-request.yml

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+name: Feature Request
+description: Suggest a new feature or improvement
+labels: [enhancement]
+body:
+  - type: textarea
+    id: problem
+    attributes:
+      label: What problem does this solve?
+    validations:
+      required: true
+  - type: textarea
+    id: solution
+    attributes:
+      label: Proposed solution
+  - type: textarea
+    id: alternatives
+    attributes:
+      label: Alternatives considered
+  - type: dropdown
+    id: scope
+    attributes:
+      label: Scope
+      options:
+        - VS Code extension
+        - MCP server (CLI / library)
+        - Daemon / tunnel
+        - Auto-config for an IDE
+        - Documentation
+        - Other