feat: add settings persistence with JSON and database options

Author: TDanks2000

docs/README.md

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ By default, the CLI:
 - Blocks non-`views://` renderer navigation unless `--navigation none` is passed.
 - Includes the starter RPC example unless `--examples none` is passed.
 - Includes a Bun test scaffold unless `--testing none` is passed.
-- Supports optional app lock auth, seed data, Turborepo task running, static API mode, and multiple package managers.
+- Supports optional app lock auth, settings persistence, seed data, Turborepo task running, static API mode, and multiple package managers.
 - Writes `ces.json` in the generated project root with Better-T-Stack-style metadata, a reproducible command, selected stack fields, and feature flags for future CLI commands.
 
 ## Default Stack
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ By default, the CLI:
 --database none
 --orm none
 --db-setup none
+--settings none
 --package-manager bun
 --testing bun
 --addons none
@@ -114,10 +115,10 @@ bun run format
 
 ## Generated Manifest
 
-Every generated project includes `ces.json` at the project root. It uses a Better-T-Stack-inspired shape with `$schema`, `version`, `createdAt`, `reproducibleCommand`, project identifiers, flat stack fields such as `database`, `orm`, `frontend`, `addons`, `examples`, and a `features` map for future add-command checks.
+Every generated project includes `ces.json` at the project root. It uses a Better-T-Stack-inspired shape with `$schema`, `version`, `createdAt`, `reproducibleCommand`, project identifiers, flat stack fields such as `database`, `orm`, `settings`, `frontend`, `addons`, `examples`, and a `features` map for future add-command checks.
 
 ## Current Scope
 
-The implemented templates are `minimal`, `standard`, and `full`; `standard` and `full` currently use the same stable Electrobun template profile while keeping their manifest identity. Tailwind CSS and plain CSS are supported, `--ui shadcn` adds shadcn/ui project config when using Tailwind CSS, SQLite is supported, `--db-setup seed` adds starter metadata, and `--orm drizzle` adds Drizzle ORM when paired with `--database sqlite`. `--api none` omits runtime RPC wiring, `--auth app-lock` adds a local UI lock, and `--addons turborepo` adds Turbo task config. Electrobun-specific options include `--app-menu edit|none`, `--navigation local-only|none`, `--window-style native|hidden-inset`, `--build-env dev|canary|stable`, and `--build-targets current|all`. The default `--testing bun` adds a Bun test script and manifest smoke test; `--testing none` omits it. The default `--examples rpc` renders the starter RPC greeting/logging demo; `--examples none` keeps the typed RPC bridge but omits the demo calls and README section.
+The implemented templates are `minimal`, `standard`, and `full`; `standard` and `full` currently use the same stable Electrobun template profile while keeping their manifest identity. Tailwind CSS and plain CSS are supported, `--ui shadcn` adds shadcn/ui project config when using Tailwind CSS, SQLite is supported, `--db-setup seed` adds starter metadata, and `--orm drizzle` adds Drizzle ORM when paired with `--database sqlite`. `--settings json` adds a VS Code-style `data/settings.json` store, and `--settings database` stores the same settings through SQLite when paired with `--database sqlite`. `--api none` omits runtime RPC wiring, `--auth app-lock` adds a local UI lock, and `--addons turborepo` adds Turbo task config. Electrobun-specific options include `--app-menu edit|none`, `--navigation local-only|none`, `--window-style native|hidden-inset`, `--build-env dev|canary|stable`, and `--build-targets current|all`. The default `--testing bun` adds a Bun test script and manifest smoke test; `--testing none` omits it. The default `--examples rpc` renders the starter RPC greeting/logging demo; `--examples none` keeps the typed RPC bridge but omits the demo calls and README section.
 
 The CLI uses `@clack/prompts` for interactive prompts, spinners, and cancellation handling.

docs/ces.schema.json

@@ -81,6 +81,9 @@
     "runtime": {
       "enum": ["bun"]
     },
+    "settings": {
+      "enum": ["none", "json", "database"]
+    },
     "styling": {
       "enum": ["tailwindcss", "css"]
     },
@@ -115,6 +118,7 @@
     "database",
     "orm",
     "runtime",
+    "settings",
     "buildEnv",
     "buildTargets",
     "frontend",

docs/cli.md

@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ bun run src/index.ts <project-name> [options]
 
 ## Generated Manifest
 
-The CLI writes `ces.json` in the generated project root. The manifest follows a Better-T-Stack-inspired shape with `$schema`, `version`, `createdAt`, `reproducibleCommand`, project identifiers, flat stack fields such as `database`, `orm`, `frontend`, `addons`, `examples`, and `features` booleans for integrations such as `shadcn`, `sqlite`, `drizzle`, `bunTest`, `appLock`, and `turborepo`.
+The CLI writes `ces.json` in the generated project root. The manifest follows a Better-T-Stack-inspired shape with `$schema`, `version`, `createdAt`, `reproducibleCommand`, project identifiers, flat stack fields such as `database`, `orm`, `settings`, `frontend`, `addons`, `examples`, and `features` booleans for integrations such as `shadcn`, `sqlite`, `drizzle`, `bunTest`, `appLock`, `settingsStore`, and `turborepo`.
 
 ## Stack Options
 
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ These options intentionally mirror the shape of stack scaffolders like `better-t
 | `--database` | `none`, `sqlite` | implemented |
 | `--orm` | `none`, `drizzle` | `drizzle` implemented with SQLite |
 | `--db-setup` | `none`, `seed` | `seed` adds starter SQLite metadata |
+| `--settings` | `none`, `json`, `database` | `json` adds `data/settings.json`; `database` stores settings in SQLite |
 | `--package-manager` | `bun`, `npm`, `pnpm`, `yarn` | controls dependency install command |
 | `--testing` | `bun`, `none` | `bun` adds a Bun test script and generated manifest smoke test |
 | `--addons` | `none`, `turborepo` | `turborepo` adds `turbo.json` and Turbo scripts |
@@ -84,6 +85,7 @@ bunx create-electrobun-stack my-app \
   --database none \
   --orm none \
   --db-setup none \
+  --settings none \
   --package-manager bun \
   --testing bun \
   --addons none \
@@ -109,6 +111,20 @@ bunx create-electrobun-stack my-app \
 
 Invalid combinations, such as `--db-setup seed` without SQLite, fail before files are written.
 
+Create with a VS Code-style JSON settings file:
+
+```bash
+bunx create-electrobun-stack my-app --settings json
+```
+
+Create with database-backed settings:
+
+```bash
+bunx create-electrobun-stack my-app \
+  --database sqlite \
+  --settings database
+```
+
 Create with SQLite and Drizzle:
 
 ```bash

docs/llm.txt

@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ Default behavior:
 - --api none is implemented and omits BrowserWindow RPC wiring.
 - --auth app-lock is implemented as a local app-name lock screen.
 - --db-setup seed is implemented when paired with --database sqlite.
+- --settings json is implemented and adds a VS Code-style data/settings.json store.
+- --settings database is implemented when paired with --database sqlite and stores settings in SQLite.
 - --addons turborepo is implemented.
 - --package-manager supports bun, npm, pnpm, and yarn for dependency installation.
 - The default --app-menu edit adds an Electrobun ApplicationMenu with standard Edit roles.
@@ -49,6 +51,7 @@ Default behavior:
 - --examples none keeps the RPC bridge but omits the demo calls and generated README section.
 - Every generated project includes ces.json for future create-electrobun-stack commands.
 - ces.json has top-level fields like version, createdAt, reproducibleCommand, database, orm, frontend, addons, examples, api, and testing.
+- Settings modes require the native Electrobun RPC bridge; database settings also require SQLite.
 
 Default stack flags:
 
@@ -67,6 +70,7 @@ Default stack flags:
 --database none
 --orm none
 --db-setup none
+--settings none
 --package-manager bun
 --testing bun
 --addons none
@@ -132,6 +136,7 @@ Supported options:
 - --database none|sqlite
 - --orm none|drizzle
 - --db-setup none|seed
+- --settings none|json|database
 - --package-manager bun|npm|pnpm|yarn
 - --testing bun|none
 - --addons none|turborepo

docs/templates.md

@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ Includes:
 - Native or hidden-inset window chrome through `--window-style`
 - Optional Bun test scaffold through `--testing bun`
 - Optional app lock through `--auth app-lock`
+- Optional JSON or database settings persistence through `--settings`
 - Optional Turborepo config through `--addons turborepo`
 - Typed Electrobun RPC bridge
 - Optional starter RPC example through `--examples rpc`
@@ -42,6 +43,11 @@ templates/minimal/
     orm/
       drizzle/
         **/*.hbs
+    settings/
+      json/
+        **/*.hbs
+      database/
+        **/*.hbs
     testing/
       bun/
         **/*.hbs
@@ -55,6 +61,8 @@ The default `--testing bun` adds `bun test`, includes `tests` in `tsconfig.json`
 
 Passing `--api none` omits BrowserWindow RPC wiring. Passing `--auth app-lock` renders a local app-name lock screen. Passing `--db-setup seed` with SQLite inserts starter metadata when the database is empty. Passing `--addons turborepo` adds `turbo.json`, a `check` script, and the Turbo dev dependency.
 
+Passing `--settings json` adds a Bun-side settings store backed by `data/settings.json`, with VS Code-style dotted keys such as `app.theme`. Passing `--settings database` stores the same key/value settings in SQLite and requires `--database sqlite`. Both settings modes expose `getSettingsStatus` and `updateSetting` through the typed Electrobun RPC bridge.
+
 The default `--examples rpc` renders a greeting/logging RPC demo in the route, handlers, shared RPC schema, and generated README. Passing `--examples none` keeps the typed RPC bridge and environment request but omits that demo surface.
 
 Generated structure:
@@ -71,6 +79,8 @@ src/
     rpc/
       handlers.ts
       router.ts
+    settings/
+      store.ts
   views/
     main/
       index.html

src/manifest.ts

@@ -13,12 +13,15 @@ export type CesFeatureFlags = {
   editMenu: boolean;
   electrobun: boolean;
   electrobunRpc: boolean;
+  databaseSettings: boolean;
   hiddenInsetTitlebar: boolean;
+  jsonSettings: boolean;
   localNavigationGuard: boolean;
   plainCss: boolean;
   react: boolean;
   rpcExample: boolean;
   shadcn: boolean;
+  settingsStore: boolean;
   sqlite: boolean;
   tailwindcss: boolean;
   tanstackRouter: boolean;
@@ -50,6 +53,7 @@ export type CesManifest = {
   projectName: string;
   reproducibleCommand: string;
   runtime: StackOptions["runtime"];
+  settings: StackOptions["settings"];
   styling: StackOptions["styling"];
   template: TemplateName;
   testing: StackOptions["testing"];
@@ -80,12 +84,15 @@ const createFeatureFlags = (stack: StackOptions): CesFeatureFlags => ({
   editMenu: stack.appMenu === "edit",
   electrobun: true,
   electrobunRpc: stack.api === "electrobun-rpc",
+  databaseSettings: stack.settings === "database",
   hiddenInsetTitlebar: stack.windowStyle === "hidden-inset",
+  jsonSettings: stack.settings === "json",
   localNavigationGuard: stack.navigation === "local-only",
   plainCss: stack.styling === "css",
   react: stack.frontend === "react",
   rpcExample: stack.examples === "rpc",
   shadcn: stack.ui === "shadcn",
+  settingsStore: stack.settings !== "none",
   sqlite: stack.database === "sqlite",
   tailwindcss: stack.styling === "tailwindcss",
   tanstackRouter: stack.frontend === "react",
@@ -119,6 +126,14 @@ const createAddonsList = (stack: StackOptions): Array<string> => {
     addons.push("navigation-guard");
   }
 
+  if (stack.settings === "json") {
+    addons.push("settings-json");
+  }
+
+  if (stack.settings === "database") {
+    addons.push("settings-database");
+  }
+
   if (stack.addons === "turborepo") {
     addons.push("turborepo");
   }
@@ -164,6 +179,8 @@ const createReproducibleCommand = (options: CesManifestOptions): string => {
     options.stack.orm,
     "--db-setup",
     options.stack.dbSetup,
+    "--settings",
+    options.stack.settings,
     "--package-manager",
     options.stack.packageManager,
     "--testing",
@@ -206,6 +223,7 @@ export const createCesManifest = (
   auth: options.stack.auth,
   packageManager: options.stack.packageManager,
   dbSetup: options.stack.dbSetup,
+  settings: options.stack.settings,
   api: options.stack.api,
   navigation: options.stack.navigation,
   windowStyle: options.stack.windowStyle,

templates/minimal/base/README.md.hbs

@@ -45,6 +45,12 @@ Generated with `create-electrobun-stack`.
 {{#if hasDrizzle}}
 - Drizzle ORM
 {{/if}}
+{{#if hasJsonSettings}}
+- VS Code-style JSON settings store
+{{/if}}
+{{#if hasDatabaseSettings}}
+- Database-backed settings store
+{{/if}}
 
 `ces.json` records the generated stack, reproducible command, and feature flags for future `create-electrobun-stack` commands.
 {{#if hasRpcExample}}

templates/minimal/base/src/bun/rpc/handlers.ts.hbs

@@ -2,6 +2,8 @@ import { APP_NAME } from "../../shared/constants";
 import type { AppEnvironment } from "../../shared/types";
 {{#if hasDatabase}}import { getDatabaseStatus } from "../db/client";
 {{/if}}
+{{#if hasSettings}}import { getSettingsStatus, updateSetting } from "../settings/store";
+{{/if}}
 
 const startedAt = new Date().toISOString();
 
@@ -24,3 +26,7 @@ export const logToBun = ({ message }: { message: string }): void => {
 
 export { getDatabaseStatus };
 {{/if}}
+{{#if hasSettings}}
+
+export { getSettingsStatus, updateSetting };
+{{/if}}

templates/minimal/base/src/bun/rpc/router.ts.hbs

@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
 {{#if hasElectrobunRpc}}
 import { BrowserView } from "electrobun/bun";
 import type { MainViewRPC } from "../../shared/rpc/types";
+import {
 {{#if hasDatabase}}
-{{#if hasRpcExample}}
-import { getDatabaseStatus, getEnvironment, greet, logToBun } from "./handlers";
-{{else}}
-import { getDatabaseStatus, getEnvironment } from "./handlers";
+  getDatabaseStatus,
 {{/if}}
-{{else}}
 {{#if hasRpcExample}}
-import { getEnvironment, greet, logToBun } from "./handlers";
-{{else}}
-import { getEnvironment } from "./handlers";
+  greet,
+  logToBun,
 {{/if}}
+  getEnvironment,
+{{#if hasSettings}}
+  getSettingsStatus,
+  updateSetting,
 {{/if}}
+} from "./handlers";
 
 export const mainViewRPC = BrowserView.defineRPC<MainViewRPC>({
   handlers: {
@@ -27,8 +28,14 @@ export const mainViewRPC = BrowserView.defineRPC<MainViewRPC>({
       getDatabaseStatus,
 {{/if}}
       getEnvironment,
+{{#if hasSettings}}
+      getSettingsStatus,
+{{/if}}
 {{#if hasRpcExample}}
       greet,
+{{/if}}
+{{#if hasSettings}}
+      updateSetting,
 {{/if}}
     },
   },

templates/minimal/base/src/shared/rpc/schema.ts.hbs

@@ -1,6 +1,15 @@
 {{#if hasElectrobunRpc}}
 import type { RPCSchema } from "electrobun";
-import type { AppEnvironment{{#if hasDatabase}}, DatabaseStatus{{/if}} } from "../types";
+import type {
+  AppEnvironment,
+{{#if hasDatabase}}
+  DatabaseStatus,
+{{/if}}
+{{#if hasSettings}}
+  SettingValue,
+  SettingsStatus,
+{{/if}}
+} from "../types";
 
 export type MainViewRPC = {
   bun: RPCSchema<{
@@ -32,6 +41,19 @@ export type MainViewRPC = {
         response: DatabaseStatus;
       };
       {{/if}}
+      {{#if hasSettings}}
+      getSettingsStatus: {
+        params: null;
+        response: SettingsStatus;
+      };
+      updateSetting: {
+        params: {
+          key: string;
+          value: SettingValue;
+        };
+        response: SettingsStatus;
+      };
+      {{/if}}
     };
   }>;
   webview: RPCSchema<{