@cloudgrid-io/mcp 0.13.0 → 0.15.0

package/src/corpus/workflows/expense-tracker.md

@@ -0,0 +1,102 @@
+---
+name: expense-tracker
+when: expense tracker, spending log, budget tracker, expense report — a persistent app that logs expenses (description, amount, category, date), lists them, and totals by category. Needs a database → runtime → local edition.
+needs: database
+deploy: runtime
+editions: local
+capabilities_note: persistent — needs a database (Mongo). Runtime app, async build, local edition only. Declare the canonical `needs: { database: true }`; the deployer injects DATABASE_MONGODB_URL (+legacy MONGODB_URL).
+summary: Build a persistent Next.js + Mongo expense tracker on the grid — an `expenses` collection (description, amount:number, category, date) with add / delete, a table view, and totals by category. Edition-gate first, scaffold, put the app under services/web/, wire process.env.DATABASE_MONGODB_URL (legacy MONGODB_URL fallback) lazily, declare needs:{database:true} (not requires:), deploy async, poll to a live URL.
+---
+
+# Workflow: expense-tracker
+
+The user wants an expense tracker / spending log / budget tracker that
+**remembers** its expenses — records that survive refresh and are shared across
+sessions. That is a **runtime app** backed by the grid's shared Mongo, not a
+static page. It is the same proven shape as `app-with-data`, with an `expenses`
+domain (`description`, `amount` as a number, `category`, `date`), a table view,
+and totals by category (plus a grand total).
+
+Follow this recipe. Be honest that a runtime deploy is async (not instant like a
+static drop) and that it needs the local edition.
+
+## 1. Edition check FIRST (hard gate)
+
+A persistent app is a built + deployed container. It requires the **local
+edition** (Claude Desktop / Claude Code) or the CLI.
+
+- **Hosted edition (Claude Web / hosted MCP):** you CANNOT build a runtime app —
+  hosted is inline-only and can only publish static pages. Tell the user
+  plainly, offer a **static version** instead, and STOP the runtime path here.
+- **Local edition:** continue.
+
+## 2. Auth + grid
+
+1. Ensure signed in: `gridctl_login_status`; if not, `gridctl_login`.
+2. A grid is required. Respect the grid picker: if the user has more than one
+   grid, ask which to use; do not assume a target.
+
+## 3. Scaffold
+
+`gridctl_init` an app `<name>`. `init` creates the entity + `.cloudgrid/link.json`
+and writes a `cloudgrid.yaml` with an EMPTY `services: {}`. `plug` needs a linked
+directory, so run `init` FIRST. Then (a) write the app under **`services/web/`**,
+and (b) fill `cloudgrid.yaml` to the shape below (`services.web` + `needs:
+{ database: true }`).
+
+## 4. Add the datastore + wire Mongo
+
+1. Set `cloudgrid.yaml`. **App code MUST live under `services/<name>/`** —
+   `path:` is the URL mount, NOT the filesystem path.
+   ```yaml
+   name: my-expenses
+   services:
+     web:
+       type: nextjs
+       path: /
+   needs:
+     database: true
+   ```
+   **Declare the datastore with `needs: { database: true }`** — the canonical
+   shape. The deployer provisions Mongo and injects `DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` (plus
+   the legacy `MONGODB_URL` alias). `requires:` is the deprecated v1 alias; don't
+   author new yaml with it, and never set `needs:` and `requires:` together (the
+   validator rejects it).
+2. Fetch the template for the Mongo wiring + CRUD shape:
+   `gridctl_fetch("template", "expense-tracker")`. It is a minimal, real Next.js +
+   `mongodb`-driver expense tracker under `services/web/`: a lazy client in
+   `services/web/lib/db.js`, an App-Router GET/POST/DELETE route on an `expenses`
+   collection, a server-component page, and a client form with a table + totals
+   by category.
+3. Adapt it (adjust the category list, change fields, tweak the UI). **Read the
+   DB from `process.env.DATABASE_MONGODB_URL`** (legacy `process.env.MONGODB_URL`
+   fallback) — the grid injects it at dev-time and runtime.
+   - **Put the DB connection behind a lazy getter — never read the connection
+     string at module top level, or `next build` fails.**
+   - Store `amount` as a number and keep `date` as an ISO `YYYY-MM-DD` string so
+     totals and sorting stay simple.
+
+## 5. (Optional) Run locally
+
+Mention that the user can `grid dev` to run locally against the injected Mongo
+before deploying. Don't require it.
+
+## 6. Config
+
+- API keys / secrets → `gridctl_secrets`. Non-secret config → `gridctl_env`.
+- Do **NOT** set the DB connection vars yourself (`DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` or the
+  legacy `MONGODB_URL`) — the grid injects them.
+
+## 7. Deploy (async)
+
+Deploy the folder with `gridctl_plug`. A **runtime deploy is ASYNC**: the first
+response is `status: "building"`, NOT a live URL yet.
+- Poll `gridctl_status` (or the returned poll_url) until the entity is live.
+- Surface a liveness signal while it builds — never a bare silent wait.
+- Only once it is live, return the deployed app URL (NOT the build/log link).
+
+## 8. Return the live URL + iterate
+
+Give the user the live app URL — that is the deliverable. To iterate, re-plug the
+SAME entity so it updates the same URL. Keep it honest: async build, local-edition
+only, credentials injected by the grid.

package/src/corpus/workflows/feature-request-board.md

@@ -0,0 +1,105 @@
+---
+name: feature-request-board
+when: feature request board, feedback board, roadmap voting, idea board — a persistent app where users add requests and upvote them, each with a status. Needs a database → runtime → local edition.
+needs: database
+deploy: runtime
+editions: local
+capabilities_note: persistent — needs a database (Mongo). Runtime app, async build, local edition only. Declare the canonical `needs: { database: true }`; the deployer injects DATABASE_MONGODB_URL (+legacy MONGODB_URL).
+summary: Build a persistent Next.js + Mongo feature request board on the grid — a `requests` collection (title, description, votes:number, status of open/planned/done) with list / upvote (atomic increment) / add. Edition-gate first, scaffold, put the app under services/web/, wire process.env.DATABASE_MONGODB_URL (legacy MONGODB_URL fallback) lazily, declare needs:{database:true} (not requires:), deploy async, poll to a live URL.
+---
+
+# Workflow: feature-request-board
+
+The user wants a feature request / feedback board — a page where people add
+requests, **upvote** the ones they care about, and each request carries a status
+(open / planned / done). Votes and requests must **persist** and be shared across
+users, so this is a **runtime app** backed by the grid's shared Mongo, not a
+static page. It is the same proven shape as `app-with-data`, with a `requests`
+domain (title, description, votes:number, status) and a voting board view.
+
+Follow this recipe. Be honest that a runtime deploy is async (not instant like a
+static drop) and that it needs the local edition.
+
+## 1. Edition check FIRST (hard gate)
+
+A persistent app is a built + deployed container. It requires the **local
+edition** (Claude Desktop / Claude Code) or the CLI.
+
+- **Hosted edition (Claude Web / hosted MCP):** you CANNOT build a runtime app —
+  hosted is inline-only and can only publish static pages. Tell the user
+  plainly, offer a **static version** instead (a voting board whose state lives
+  in memory only, lost on refresh), and STOP the runtime path here.
+- **Local edition:** continue.
+
+## 2. Auth + grid
+
+1. Ensure signed in: `gridctl_login_status`; if not, `gridctl_login`.
+2. A grid is required. Respect the grid picker: if the user has more than one
+   grid, ask which to use; do not assume a target.
+
+## 3. Scaffold
+
+`gridctl_init` an app `<name>`. `init` creates the entity + `.cloudgrid/link.json`
+and writes a `cloudgrid.yaml` with an EMPTY `services: {}`. `plug` needs a linked
+directory, so run `init` FIRST. Then (a) write the app under **`services/web/`**,
+and (b) fill `cloudgrid.yaml` to the shape below (`services.web` + `needs:
+{ database: true }`).
+
+## 4. Add the datastore + wire Mongo
+
+1. Set `cloudgrid.yaml`. **App code MUST live under `services/<name>/`** —
+   `path:` is the URL mount, NOT the filesystem path.
+   ```yaml
+   name: my-board
+   services:
+     web:
+       type: nextjs
+       path: /
+   needs:
+     database: true
+   ```
+   **Declare the datastore with `needs: { database: true }`** — the canonical
+   shape. The deployer provisions Mongo and injects `DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` (plus
+   the legacy `MONGODB_URL` alias). `requires:` is the deprecated v1 alias; don't
+   author new yaml with it, and never set `needs:` and `requires:` together (the
+   validator rejects it).
+2. Fetch the template for the Mongo wiring + CRUD shape:
+   `gridctl_fetch("template", "feature-request-board")`. It is a minimal, real
+   Next.js + `mongodb`-driver board under `services/web/`: a lazy client in
+   `services/web/lib/db.js`, an App-Router GET/POST/PATCH/DELETE route on a
+   `requests` collection (PATCH does an atomic `$inc` upvote), a server-component
+   page, and a client voting board.
+3. Adapt it (rename the collection, change fields, adjust the UI). The domain is
+   `requests { title, description, votes:number, status(open/planned/done) }`
+   with list (votes desc) + upvote (increment) + add. **Read the DB from
+   `process.env.DATABASE_MONGODB_URL`** (legacy `process.env.MONGODB_URL`
+   fallback) — the grid injects it at dev-time and runtime.
+   - **Put the DB connection behind a lazy getter — never read the connection
+     string at module top level, or `next build` fails.**
+   - Keep the vote increment atomic on the server (`$inc`), so concurrent upvotes
+     don't clobber each other.
+
+## 5. (Optional) Run locally
+
+Mention that the user can `grid dev` to run locally against the injected Mongo
+before deploying. Don't require it.
+
+## 6. Config
+
+- API keys / secrets → `gridctl_secrets`. Non-secret config → `gridctl_env`.
+- Do **NOT** set the DB connection vars yourself (`DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` or the
+  legacy `MONGODB_URL`) — the grid injects them.
+
+## 7. Deploy (async)
+
+Deploy the folder with `gridctl_plug`. A **runtime deploy is ASYNC**: the first
+response is `status: "building"`, NOT a live URL yet.
+- Poll `gridctl_status` (or the returned poll_url) until the entity is live.
+- Surface a liveness signal while it builds — never a bare silent wait.
+- Only once it is live, return the deployed app URL (NOT the build/log link).
+
+## 8. Return the live URL + iterate
+
+Give the user the live app URL — that is the deliverable. To iterate, re-plug the
+SAME entity so it updates the same URL. Keep it honest: async build, local-edition
+only, credentials injected by the grid.

package/src/corpus/workflows/financial-dashboard.md

@@ -0,0 +1,103 @@
+---
+name: financial-dashboard
+when: financial dashboard, finance metrics, P&L, cashflow board — a persistent app that tracks income/expense entries by account and shows income/expense/net totals with a table. Needs a database → runtime → local edition.
+needs: database
+deploy: runtime
+editions: local
+capabilities_note: persistent — needs a database (Mongo). Runtime app, async build, local edition only. Declare the canonical `needs: { database: true }`; the deployer injects DATABASE_MONGODB_URL (+legacy MONGODB_URL).
+summary: Build a persistent Next.js + Mongo financial dashboard on the grid — an `entries` collection (account, amount:number, type income/expense, at) with income/expense/net totals + table + add/delete. Edition-gate first, scaffold, put the app under services/web/, wire process.env.DATABASE_MONGODB_URL (legacy MONGODB_URL fallback) lazily, declare needs:{database:true} (not requires:), deploy async, poll to a live URL.
+---
+
+# Workflow: financial-dashboard
+
+The user wants a financial dashboard / P&L / cashflow board that **remembers**
+its numbers — income and expense entries whose records survive refresh and are
+shared across sessions. That is a **runtime app** backed by the grid's shared
+Mongo, not a static page. It is the same proven shape as `app-with-data`, with an
+`entries` domain (account, amount:number, type of income/expense, at) and a
+dashboard view: income / expense / net totals above a table with add and per-row
+delete.
+
+Follow this recipe. Be honest that a runtime deploy is async (not instant like a
+static drop) and that it needs the local edition.
+
+## 1. Edition check FIRST (hard gate)
+
+A persistent app is a built + deployed container. It requires the **local
+edition** (Claude Desktop / Claude Code) or the CLI.
+
+- **Hosted edition (Claude Web / hosted MCP):** you CANNOT build a runtime app —
+  hosted is inline-only and can only publish static pages. Tell the user
+  plainly, offer a **static version** instead, and STOP the runtime path here.
+- **Local edition:** continue.
+
+## 2. Auth + grid
+
+1. Ensure signed in: `gridctl_login_status`; if not, `gridctl_login`.
+2. A grid is required. Respect the grid picker: if the user has more than one
+   grid, ask which to use; do not assume a target.
+
+## 3. Scaffold
+
+`gridctl_init` an app `<name>`. `init` creates the entity + `.cloudgrid/link.json`
+and writes a `cloudgrid.yaml` with an EMPTY `services: {}`. `plug` needs a linked
+directory, so run `init` FIRST. Then (a) write the app under **`services/web/`**,
+and (b) fill `cloudgrid.yaml` to the shape below (`services.web` + `needs:
+{ database: true }`).
+
+## 4. Add the datastore + wire Mongo
+
+1. Set `cloudgrid.yaml`. **App code MUST live under `services/<name>/`** —
+   `path:` is the URL mount, NOT the filesystem path.
+   ```yaml
+   name: my-dashboard
+   services:
+     web:
+       type: nextjs
+       path: /
+   needs:
+     database: true
+   ```
+   **Declare the datastore with `needs: { database: true }`** — the canonical
+   shape. The deployer provisions Mongo and injects `DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` (plus
+   the legacy `MONGODB_URL` alias). `requires:` is the deprecated v1 alias; don't
+   author new yaml with it, and never set `needs:` and `requires:` together (the
+   validator rejects it).
+2. Fetch the template for the Mongo wiring + CRUD shape:
+   `gridctl_fetch("template", "financial-dashboard")`. It is a minimal, real
+   Next.js + `mongodb`-driver dashboard under `services/web/`: a lazy client in
+   `services/web/lib/db.js`, an App-Router GET/POST/DELETE route on an `entries`
+   collection, a server-component page that computes income/expense/net totals,
+   and a client board (totals cards + table + add form).
+3. Adapt it (rename the collection, change fields, adjust the UI). **Read the DB
+   from `process.env.DATABASE_MONGODB_URL`** (legacy `process.env.MONGODB_URL`
+   fallback) — the grid injects it at dev-time and runtime.
+   - **Put the DB connection behind a lazy getter — never read the connection
+     string at module top level, or `next build` fails.**
+   - Keep the API route `export const dynamic = "force-dynamic"` so it always
+     reads/writes live data.
+
+## 5. (Optional) Run locally
+
+Mention that the user can `grid dev` to run locally against the injected Mongo
+before deploying. Don't require it.
+
+## 6. Config
+
+- API keys / secrets → `gridctl_secrets`. Non-secret config → `gridctl_env`.
+- Do **NOT** set the DB connection vars yourself (`DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` or the
+  legacy `MONGODB_URL`) — the grid injects them.
+
+## 7. Deploy (async)
+
+Deploy the folder with `gridctl_plug`. A **runtime deploy is ASYNC**: the first
+response is `status: "building"`, NOT a live URL yet.
+- Poll `gridctl_status` (or the returned poll_url) until the entity is live.
+- Surface a liveness signal while it builds — never a bare silent wait.
+- Only once it is live, return the deployed app URL (NOT the build/log link).
+
+## 8. Return the live URL + iterate
+
+Give the user the live app URL — that is the deliverable. To iterate, re-plug the
+SAME entity so it updates the same URL. Keep it honest: async build, local-edition
+only, credentials injected by the grid.

package/src/corpus/workflows/forum.md

@@ -0,0 +1,128 @@
+---
+name: forum
+when: "forum, discussion board, community forum, threaded discussions"
+needs: database
+deploy: runtime
+editions: local
+kind: blueprint
+capabilities_note: >-
+  persistent — needs a database (Mongo). Runtime app, async build, local edition
+  only. Sign-in-to-post auth via a hosted provider (Clerk/Auth0) with keys from
+  the org vault (vault block maps items to env vars). Declare the canonical needs
+  database=true; the deployer injects DATABASE_MONGODB_URL (+legacy MONGODB_URL).
+  BLUEPRINT — ships structure + cloudgrid.yaml, not app code.
+summary: >-
+  Build a persistent threaded community forum on the grid — Next.js + Mongo with
+  threads / posts (self-referential parentId nesting) / users collections,
+  sign-in-to-post auth via a hosted provider (keys from the vault block), and
+  moderation. This is a BLUEPRINT — read templates/forum/AGENTS.md for the file
+  tree, Mongo schema, secret/DB injection, and auth wiring, then build the app
+  under services/web/. Edition-gate first, scaffold, declare needs database=true
+  (not requires) plus a vault block for auth keys, deploy async, poll to a live URL.
+---
+
+# Workflow: forum
+
+The user wants a **community forum / discussion board** — members sign in, start
+threads, and post **nested replies**, with moderation. That is a **persistent
+runtime app** backed by the grid's shared Mongo, not a static page: threads and
+replies must survive refresh and be shared across everyone. The shape mirrors the
+proven `app-with-data` template, with a `threads` → `posts` domain (self-referential
+`parentId` nesting) plus a thin `users` mirror, and sign-in-to-post auth via a
+hosted provider.
+
+**This is a BLUEPRINT.** The `forum` template ships the STRUCTURE and the
+`cloudgrid.yaml`, not runnable app code. **Read `templates/forum/AGENTS.md`
+first** — it is the structure guide (file tree, Mongo collections + fields, how
+CloudGrid injects the DB + vault secrets, how to wire auth + moderation, deploy
+steps) — then build the app under `services/web/` following it.
+
+Be honest that a runtime deploy is async (not instant like a static drop) and
+that it needs the local edition.
+
+## 1. Edition check FIRST (hard gate)
+
+A persistent app is a built + deployed container. It requires the **local
+edition** (Claude Desktop / Claude Code) or the CLI.
+
+- **Hosted edition (Claude Web / hosted MCP):** you CANNOT build a runtime app —
+  hosted is inline-only and can only publish static pages. Tell the user
+  plainly, offer a **static read-only mock** instead, and STOP the runtime path.
+- **Local edition:** continue.
+
+## 2. Auth + grid
+
+1. Ensure signed in: `gridctl_login_status`; if not, `gridctl_login`.
+2. A grid is required. Respect the grid picker: if the user has more than one
+   grid, ask which to use; do not assume a target.
+
+## 3. Read the blueprint, then scaffold
+
+1. **Fetch the blueprint: `gridctl_fetch("template", "forum")`** and read
+   `AGENTS.md` — it defines the file tree, the `threads` / `posts` / `users`
+   collections + fields, the nesting model, and the CloudGrid wiring. This is the
+   spec you build to.
+2. `gridctl_init` an app `<name>`. `init` creates the entity + `.cloudgrid/link.json`
+   and writes a `cloudgrid.yaml` with an EMPTY `services: {}`. `plug` needs a
+   linked directory, so run `init` FIRST. Then write the app under
+   **`services/web/`** and fill `cloudgrid.yaml` to the shape below.
+
+## 4. Build the app + wire Mongo, auth, moderation
+
+Follow `AGENTS.md`. Set `cloudgrid.yaml` to the active shape (app code lives under
+`services/web/`; `path:` is the URL mount, NOT the filesystem path):
+
+```yaml
+name: my-forum
+services:
+  web:
+    type: nextjs
+    path: /
+vault:
+  AUTH_PROVIDER_SECRET_KEY: auth-provider-secret-key
+  AUTH_PROVIDER_PUBLISHABLE_KEY: auth-provider-publishable-key
+needs:
+  database: true
+```
+
+- **Declare the datastore with `needs: { database: true }`** — the canonical
+  shape. The deployer provisions Mongo and injects `DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` (plus
+  the legacy `MONGODB_URL` alias). `requires:` is the deprecated v1 alias — don't
+  author new yaml with it, and never set `needs:` and `requires:` together (the
+  validator rejects it).
+- **Read the DB from `process.env.DATABASE_MONGODB_URL`** (legacy `MONGODB_URL`
+  fallback) behind a **lazy getter** in `services/web/lib/db.js` — never read the
+  connection string at module top level, or `next build` fails.
+- **Auth (sign-in-to-post):** add a hosted provider SDK (Clerk / Auth0). Map the
+  provider's keys through the `vault:` block → env vars (rename to the exact env
+  names the SDK expects, e.g. `CLERK_SECRET_KEY`). Reading threads is public;
+  `POST`/`PATCH`/`DELETE` require a session (guard in `middleware.js` + the write
+  routes). See `AGENTS.md` §4.
+- **Moderation:** allow delete/edit only for the author or a `moderator` role;
+  prefer **soft delete** on posts (`deleted: true`) so the reply tree stays intact.
+
+## 5. (Optional) Run locally
+
+Mention that the user can `grid dev` to run locally against the injected Mongo
+(and vault-injected auth keys) before deploying. Don't require it.
+
+## 6. Config
+
+- Auth-provider keys / secrets → the `vault:` block + `gridctl_secrets`. Non-secret
+  config → `gridctl_env`.
+- Do **NOT** set the DB connection vars yourself (`DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` or the
+  legacy `MONGODB_URL`) — the grid injects them.
+
+## 7. Deploy (async)
+
+Deploy the folder with `gridctl_plug`. A **runtime deploy is ASYNC**: the first
+response is `status: "building"`, NOT a live URL yet.
+- Poll `gridctl_status` (or the returned poll_url) until the entity is live.
+- Surface a liveness signal while it builds — never a bare silent wait.
+- Only once it is live, return the deployed app URL (NOT the build/log link).
+
+## 8. Return the live URL + iterate
+
+Give the user the live forum URL — that is the deliverable. To iterate, re-plug
+the SAME entity so it updates the same URL. Keep it honest: this is a blueprint you
+built out, async build, local-edition only, credentials injected by the grid.

package/src/corpus/workflows/hr-portal.md

@@ -0,0 +1,115 @@
+---
+name: hr-portal
+when: HR portal, employee portal, HR management, leave/PTO system — a persistent app where employees submit leave/PTO requests and admins approve them, with employee/admin auth. Needs a database + auth provider → runtime → local edition.
+needs: database
+deploy: runtime
+editions: local
+kind: blueprint
+capabilities_note: persistent — needs a database (Mongo) + a provider SDK auth (Clerk/Auth0) with keys from the vault. Runtime app, async build, local edition only. Declare `needs: { database: true }` (deployer injects DATABASE_MONGODB_URL / legacy MONGODB_URL) and a `vault:` block for the auth keys. This is a BLUEPRINT — no app code ships; read AGENTS.md for the structure, then build.
+summary: Build a persistent Next.js + Mongo HR/employee portal on the grid with employee/admin auth (Clerk/Auth0, keys from vault:) and a leave/PTO request + approval flow — `employees` + `leaveRequests` collections. This is a BLUEPRINT: fetch it, read AGENTS.md for the file tree + CloudGrid wiring (DATABASE_MONGODB_URL, vault keys, deploy), then build the app under services/web/. Edition-gate first, scaffold, declare needs:{database:true} + vault: auth keys (never requires:), deploy async, poll to a live URL.
+---
+
+# Workflow: hr-portal
+
+The user wants an HR / employee portal — employees submit leave/PTO requests,
+admins approve or reject them, gated by employee/admin auth. HR records and leave
+requests must **remember** across refresh and be shared across users, so this is
+a **persistent runtime app** backed by the grid's shared Mongo with a provider
+SDK for auth — not a static page.
+
+This is a **blueprint**. No app code ships. Fetch the template, **read its
+`AGENTS.md` for the structure** (file tree, `employees` + `leaveRequests`
+collections, CloudGrid wiring for DB + vault-backed auth keys, deploy flow), then
+build the app following it.
+
+Follow this recipe. Be honest that a runtime deploy is async (not instant like a
+static drop) and that it needs the local edition.
+
+## 1. Edition check FIRST (hard gate)
+
+A persistent, auth-gated app is a built + deployed container. It requires the
+**local edition** (Claude Desktop / Claude Code) or the CLI.
+
+- **Hosted edition (Claude Web / hosted MCP):** you CANNOT build a runtime app —
+  hosted is inline-only and can only publish static pages. Tell the user plainly,
+  offer a **static mock** instead, and STOP the runtime path here.
+- **Local edition:** continue.
+
+## 2. Auth + grid
+
+1. Ensure signed in: `gridctl_login_status`; if not, `gridctl_login`.
+2. A grid is required. Respect the grid picker: if the user has more than one
+   grid, ask which to use; do not assume a target.
+
+## 3. Fetch the blueprint + read AGENTS.md
+
+`gridctl_fetch("template", "hr-portal")`. It returns `cloudgrid.yaml`, `AGENTS.md`
+(the structure guide), and the README — **no app code**. Read `AGENTS.md` end to
+end before writing anything: it defines the `services/web/` file tree, the Mongo
+collections + fields, how CloudGrid injects the DB and vault-backed auth keys, how
+to wire employee/admin auth, and the deploy steps.
+
+## 4. Scaffold
+
+`gridctl_init` an app `<name>`. `init` creates the entity + `.cloudgrid/link.json`
+and writes a `cloudgrid.yaml` with an EMPTY `services: {}`. `plug` needs a linked
+directory, so run `init` FIRST. Then (a) build the app under **`services/web/`**
+following `AGENTS.md`, and (b) fill `cloudgrid.yaml` to the shape below.
+
+## 5. Build the app + set cloudgrid.yaml
+
+1. Build the Next.js app under `services/web/` per `AGENTS.md` — the
+   `employees` + `leaveRequests` collections, the leave-request + approval flow,
+   the employee dashboard + admin queue, and the auth wiring (provider in the
+   layout, middleware gate, server-side role checks).
+   **App code MUST live under `services/<name>/`** — `path:` is the URL mount,
+   NOT the filesystem path.
+2. Set `cloudgrid.yaml` to the active shape:
+   ```yaml
+   name: my-hr-portal
+   services:
+     web:
+       type: nextjs
+       path: /
+   vault:
+     AUTH_PROVIDER_SECRET_KEY: auth-provider-secret-key
+     AUTH_PROVIDER_PUBLISHABLE_KEY: auth-provider-publishable-key
+   needs:
+     database: true
+   ```
+   **Declare the datastore with `needs: { database: true }`** — the canonical
+   shape. The deployer provisions Mongo and injects `DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` (plus
+   the legacy `MONGODB_URL` alias). Read it **lazily inside a getter**, never at
+   module top level (a top-level read fails `next build`). `requires:` is the
+   deprecated v1 alias; don't author new yaml with it, and never set `needs:` and
+   `requires:` together (the validator rejects it).
+3. **Auth keys come from the `vault:` block, not committed env files.** The
+   `vault:` map injects the provider's secret + publishable keys as env vars at
+   build + runtime.
+
+## 6. Config
+
+- Create the vault items the `vault:` block references (the auth provider's
+  secret + publishable keys) — `gridctl_secrets` / vault UI. Never commit them.
+- Non-secret config → `gridctl_env`.
+- Do **NOT** set the DB connection vars yourself (`DATABASE_MONGODB_URL` or the
+  legacy `MONGODB_URL`) — the grid injects them.
+
+## 7. (Optional) Run locally
+
+Mention that the user can `grid dev` to run locally against the injected Mongo +
+vault env vars before deploying. Don't require it.
+
+## 8. Deploy (async)
+
+Deploy the folder with `gridctl_plug`. A **runtime deploy is ASYNC**: the first
+response is `status: "building"`, NOT a live URL yet.
+- Poll `gridctl_status` (or the returned poll_url) until the entity is live.
+- Surface a liveness signal while it builds — never a bare silent wait.
+- Only once it is live, return the deployed app URL (NOT the build/log link).
+
+## 9. Return the live URL + iterate
+
+Give the user the live app URL — that is the deliverable. To iterate, re-plug the
+SAME entity so it updates the same URL. Keep it honest: async build, local-edition
+only, DB + auth credentials injected by the grid / vault.