create-volt 0.35.0 → 0.37.0

package/CHANGELOG.md

@@ -4,6 +4,38 @@ All notable changes to `create-volt` are documented here. The format follows
 [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/), and this project adheres to
 [Semantic Versioning](https://semver.org/).
 
+## [0.37.0] - 2026-06-29
+
+### Added
+- **Bundled themes + a wizard theme picker.** create-volt ships paper/midnight/
+  classic under `.volt/themes`; the setup wizard has a **Theme** dropdown (no npm
+  needed) with a **Customize** button that copies the chosen theme to
+  `pages/_theme.js` for editing. `THEME` now also resolves bundled themes.
+- **More wizard settings:** `SITE_NAME`, `SITE_URL`, `CONFIG_PORT`, and optional
+  **AI keys** (`AI_PROVIDER` + Anthropic/OpenAI/Gemini key — written to `.env`,
+  kept server-side).
+- **`CONFIG_PORT` defaults to 5050** for the `--edit`/`--studio` config UI, so it
+  never collides with a running app.
+- **Inject `<script>` tags** for third-party libs: per-page front-matter
+  `scripts:` (comma-separated URLs) and/or a site-wide `SITE_SCRIPTS` env, loaded
+  deferred (works on pages + posts).
+
+## [0.36.0] - 2026-06-29
+
+### Added
+- **`--port <n>` and `CONFIG_PORT`.** `--port` overrides the listen port for any
+  run; `CONFIG_PORT` in `.env` gives the `--edit`/`--studio` config UI its own
+  port, so it never collides with a running app. An in-use config port now prints
+  a clear hint instead of a raw `EADDRINUSE` stack.
+- **Hot reload watches `pages/` and `posts/`.** Editing markdown content now
+  reloads the browser (content is read per request, so the edit shows). Theme
+  files (`_theme.js`) still need a restart — ES modules cache.
+
+### Fixed
+- The `blog` + `docs` templates had drifted from `default`s `server.js`/wizard and
+  silently missed recent fixes (including the hot-reload watcher). Re-synced, with
+  a test that fails if they drift again.
+
 ## [0.35.0] - 2026-06-29
 
 ### Fixed
@@ -463,6 +495,8 @@ All notable changes to `create-volt` are documented here. The format follows
   watching and full-page hot reload. Supports `--skip-install` and `--force`,
   and auto-detects npm / pnpm / yarn / bun for the install step.
 
+[0.37.0]: https://github.com/MIR-2025/volt/releases/tag/v0.37.0
+[0.36.0]: https://github.com/MIR-2025/volt/releases/tag/v0.36.0
 [0.35.0]: https://github.com/MIR-2025/volt/releases/tag/v0.35.0
 [0.34.0]: https://github.com/MIR-2025/volt/releases/tag/v0.34.0
 [0.33.0]: https://github.com/MIR-2025/volt/releases/tag/v0.33.0

package/addons/pages/files/lib/pages.js

@@ -77,6 +77,12 @@ export function metaHead(meta) {
     }
     if (ok) t.push(`<script type="application/ld+json">${meta.jsonld.replace(/</g, "\\u003c")}</script>`);
   }
+  // custom <script> tags for third-party libs: per-page front-matter `scripts:`
+  // (comma-separated URLs) and/or a site-wide SITE_SCRIPTS env. Loaded deferred.
+  const scripts = [process.env.SITE_SCRIPTS, meta.scripts].filter(Boolean).join(",");
+  for (const url of scripts.split(",").map((s) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean)) {
+    t.push(`<script src="${esc(url)}" defer></script>`);
+  }
   return t.join("\n");
 }
 
@@ -123,6 +129,12 @@ export async function loadTheme(dir, env) {
     return layout ? { layout, css: m.css || themeCss(dir) } : null;
   };
   if (env.THEME) {
+    // a theme bundled by create-volt (.volt/themes/<name>/index.js) — no npm needed
+    const bundled = path.resolve(dir, "..", ".volt", "themes", env.THEME, "index.js");
+    if (fs.existsSync(bundled)) {
+      const t = wrap(await import(pathToFileURL(bundled).href));
+      if (t) return t;
+    }
     for (const id of [`volt-theme-${env.THEME}`, env.THEME]) {
       try {
         const t = wrap(await import(id));

package/index.js

@@ -466,6 +466,7 @@ if (fs.existsSync(shippedDockerignore)) {
 // (only for templates that ship the wizard, i.e. have a setup/ dir).
 if (fs.existsSync(path.join(targetDir, "setup"))) {
   fs.cpSync(path.join(__dirname, "addons"), path.join(targetDir, ".volt", "addons"), { recursive: true });
+  fs.cpSync(path.join(__dirname, "themes"), path.join(targetDir, ".volt", "themes"), { recursive: true }); // bundled themes the wizard can pick
 }
 
 // --- stamp the project name into package.json ---
@@ -549,7 +550,7 @@ console.log(`\n${green("✔")} ${bold("Done!")} Next steps:\n`);
 console.log(`  ${cyan("cd")} ${projectName}`);
 if (!installed) console.log(`  ${cyan(installCmd)}`);
 console.log(`  ${cyan(runCmd)}`);
-console.log(`\nFirst run opens a quick ${bold("setup")} page at ${cyan("http://localhost:" + port)}, then your app starts.\n`);
+console.log(`\nFirst run opens a quick ${bold("setup")} page at ${cyan("http://localhost:5050")}; your app then runs at ${cyan("http://localhost:" + port)}.\n`);
 
 if (flags.has("--start")) {
   if (!installed) {

package/package.json

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 {
   "name": "create-volt",
-  "version": "0.35.0",
+  "version": "0.37.0",
   "description": "Scaffold a new Volt app — no-build, signals-based UI with Socket.io hot reload.",
   "type": "module",
   "bin": {

package/templates/blog/server.js

@@ -20,7 +20,27 @@ const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 const ENV_PATH = path.join(__dirname, ".env");
 const PKG_PATH = path.join(__dirname, "package.json");
 const ADDONS_DIR = path.join(__dirname, ".volt", "addons"); // bundled add-on sources
+const THEMES_DIR = path.join(__dirname, ".volt", "themes"); // bundled themes the wizard can pick
 const DEFAULT_PORT = 26628; // create-volt stamps this with the project's date-port
+const CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT = 5050; // the --edit/--studio config UI's default port (its own, so it never clashes with a running app)
+
+// `--port <n>` (or --port=<n>) overrides the listen port for this run — lets
+// --edit/--studio dodge a port the running app already holds, and runs the app
+// itself on a one-off port. Explicit flag wins over PORT in .env.
+function cliPort() {
+  const i = process.argv.indexOf("--port");
+  const raw = i > -1 ? process.argv[i + 1] : (process.argv.find((a) => a.startsWith("--port=")) || "").split("=")[1];
+  const n = Number(raw);
+  return Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= 65535 ? n : null;
+}
+
+// Port for the disposable config UI (--edit / --studio): --port wins, then
+// CONFIG_PORT in .env (run it on its own port so it never clashes with the app),
+// then the app's PORT, then the date-port.
+function configPort() {
+  const env = readEnvFile(); // --edit runs before loadEnv(), so read the file too
+  return cliPort() || Number(process.env.CONFIG_PORT) || Number(env.CONFIG_PORT) || CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT;
+}
 const PKG_VERSIONS = { mongodb: "^6.21.0", mysql2: "^3.22.5", pg: "^8.22.0", nodemailer: "^6.10.1", marked: "^18.0.5", busboy: "^1.6.0", "@aws-sdk/client-s3": "^3.1075.0" };
 const LIB_FILE = { db: "store.js", mailer: "mailer.js", auth: "auth.js", realtime: "realtime.js", pages: "pages.js", posts: "posts.js", media: "media.js" };
 
@@ -50,6 +70,23 @@ function availableAddons() {
     });
 }
 
+// Themes bundled by create-volt (under .volt/themes), pickable in the wizard.
+function availableThemes() {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(THEMES_DIR)) return [];
+  return fs
+    .readdirSync(THEMES_DIR, { withFileTypes: true })
+    .filter((e) => e.isDirectory() && fs.existsSync(path.join(THEMES_DIR, e.name, "index.js")))
+    .map((e) => {
+      let description = "";
+      try {
+        description = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(path.join(THEMES_DIR, e.name, "meta.json"), "utf8")).description;
+      } catch {
+        /* no meta */
+      }
+      return { name: e.name, description };
+    });
+}
+
 // Which add-ons does VOLT_ADDONS turn on (dependencies expanded)?
 function enabledFrom(env) {
   const metas = Object.fromEntries(availableAddons().map((a) => [a.name, a]));
@@ -101,7 +138,7 @@ function openBrowser(url) {
 
 // --- the actual app: wires whichever add-ons .env enables ---
 async function startApp() {
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = cliPort() || Number(process.env.PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
   const enabled = enabledFrom(process.env);
   const app = express();
   app.disable("x-powered-by");
@@ -188,7 +225,12 @@ async function startApp() {
     };
     w(dir);
   };
-  for (const d of ["views", "public"]) watchRecursive(path.join(__dirname, d));
+  // watch content dirs too (pages/posts markdown is read per request, so a
+  // browser reload shows the edit); skip dirs that don't exist.
+  for (const d of ["views", "public", "pages", "posts"]) {
+    const full = path.join(__dirname, d);
+    if (fs.existsSync(full)) watchRecursive(full);
+  }
 
   const on = [...enabled];
   server.listen(PORT, () => console.log(`⚡ Volt → http://localhost:${PORT}${on.length ? "  (add-ons: " + on.join(", ") + ")" : ""}`));
@@ -221,7 +263,7 @@ function ensureDriverInstalled(driver) {
 
 // --- the disposable setup wizard (localhost only) ---
 function startSetup() {
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || Number(readEnvFile().PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = configPort();
   const assets = {
     "/setup.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "setup", "setup.js"))],
     "/volt.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "public", "volt.js"))],
@@ -243,7 +285,27 @@ function startSetup() {
     }
     if (req.method === "GET" && p === "/setup/state") {
       res.setHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
-      return res.end(JSON.stringify({ available: availableAddons(), current: readEnvFile(), defaultPort: DEFAULT_PORT }));
+      return res.end(JSON.stringify({ available: availableAddons(), themes: availableThemes(), current: readEnvFile(), defaultPort: DEFAULT_PORT, configDefaultPort: CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT }));
+    }
+    // "Customize": copy a bundled theme into pages/_theme.js so it can be edited.
+    if (req.method === "POST" && p === "/setup/eject-theme") {
+      let body = "";
+      req.on("data", (c) => (body += c));
+      req.on("end", () => {
+        res.setHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
+        try {
+          const { theme } = JSON.parse(body || "{}");
+          const src = path.join(THEMES_DIR, String(theme || ""), "index.js");
+          if (!theme || !/^[a-z0-9-]+$/i.test(theme) || !fs.existsSync(src)) return res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: false, error: "unknown theme" }));
+          const dest = path.join(__dirname, "pages", "_theme.js");
+          fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(dest), { recursive: true });
+          fs.copyFileSync(src, dest);
+          res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: true, path: "pages/_theme.js" }));
+        } catch (e) {
+          res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: false, error: e.message }));
+        }
+      });
+      return;
     }
     if (req.method === "POST" && p === "/setup/test-db") {
       let body = "";
@@ -341,6 +403,7 @@ function startSetup() {
     res.end("not found");
   });
 
+  server.on("error", (e) => { if (e.code === "EADDRINUSE") { console.error(`\n[volt] Config UI port ${PORT} is in use (is the app already running?). Set CONFIG_PORT in .env or pass --port <n>.\n`); process.exit(1); } throw e; });
   server.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
     const url = `http://localhost:${PORT}`;
     console.log(`\n⚡ Volt setup → ${url}`);
@@ -379,7 +442,7 @@ async function startStudio() {
     console.error("Studio: couldn't connect the store — " + e.message);
     process.exit(1);
   }
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || Number(readEnvFile().PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = configPort();
   const visible = (n) => n && !HIDDEN_COLLECTIONS.has(n);
   const assets = {
     "/volt.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "public", "volt.js"))],
@@ -431,6 +494,7 @@ async function startStudio() {
     }
   });
 
+  server.on("error", (e) => { if (e.code === "EADDRINUSE") { console.error(`\n[volt] Config UI port ${PORT} is in use (is the app already running?). Set CONFIG_PORT in .env or pass --port <n>.\n`); process.exit(1); } throw e; });
   server.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
     const url = `http://localhost:${PORT}`;
     console.log(`\n⚡ Volt Studio → ${url}   (${store.name})`);

package/templates/blog/setup/setup.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 // just config.
 import { signal, computed, html, mount } from "/volt.js";
 
-const { available, current, defaultPort } = await (await fetch("/setup/state")).json();
+const { available, themes = [], current, defaultPort, configDefaultPort = 5050 } = await (await fetch("/setup/state")).json();
 const depsOf = Object.fromEntries(available.map((a) => [a.name, a.dependsOn || []]));
 const order = available.map((a) => a.name);
 const enabledNow = new Set(String(current.VOLT_ADDONS || "").split(",").map((s) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean));
@@ -25,6 +25,15 @@ const state = signal({
   s3Secret: current.S3_SECRET || "",
   s3PublicBase: current.S3_PUBLIC_BASE || "",
   port: current.PORT || String(defaultPort),
+  // detect the admin's timezone from their browser (the wizard runs here), so
+  // dates render in their zone — not the server's (usually UTC on a host).
+  tz: current.SITE_TZ || Intl.DateTimeFormat().resolvedOptions().timeZone || "",
+  siteName: current.SITE_NAME || "",
+  siteUrl: current.SITE_URL || "",
+  configPort: current.CONFIG_PORT || "",
+  theme: current.THEME || "",
+  aiProvider: current.AI_PROVIDER || "anthropic",
+  aiKey: current.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY || current.OPENAI_API_KEY || current.GEMINI_API_KEY || "",
 });
 const set = (patch) => state({ ...state(), ...patch });
 const toggle = (n) => state({ ...state(), addons: { ...state().addons, [n]: !state().addons[n] } });
@@ -42,10 +51,37 @@ function effective(s) {
   return order.filter((n) => want.has(n));
 }
 
+// which *enabled* add-ons pull in `name` as a (transitive) dependency
+function requiredBy(s, name) {
+  const causes = [];
+  for (const n of order) {
+    if (n === name || !s.addons[n]) continue;
+    const seen = new Set();
+    const visit = (x) => {
+      if (seen.has(x)) return;
+      seen.add(x);
+      (depsOf[x] || []).forEach(visit);
+    };
+    (depsOf[n] || []).forEach(visit);
+    if (seen.has(name)) causes.push(n);
+  }
+  return causes;
+}
+
 const clean = (v) => String(v).replace(/[\r\n]/g, "").trim(); // one value per line; no injection
 function genEnv(s) {
   const eff = effective(s);
   const out = [`VOLT_ADDONS=${eff.join(",")}`, `PORT=${clean(s.port)}`];
+  if (s.tz) out.push(`SITE_TZ=${clean(s.tz)}`); // admin's timezone, for date display
+  if (s.siteName) out.push(`SITE_NAME=${clean(s.siteName)}`);
+  if (s.siteUrl) out.push(`SITE_URL=${clean(s.siteUrl)}`);
+  if (s.configPort) out.push(`CONFIG_PORT=${clean(s.configPort)}`);
+  if ((eff.includes("pages") || eff.includes("posts")) && s.theme) out.push(`THEME=${clean(s.theme)}`);
+  if (s.aiKey) {
+    out.push(`AI_PROVIDER=${clean(s.aiProvider)}`);
+    const keyVar = { anthropic: "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY", openai: "OPENAI_API_KEY", gemini: "GEMINI_API_KEY" }[s.aiProvider] || "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY";
+    out.push(`${keyVar}=${clean(s.aiKey)}`);
+  }
   if (eff.includes("db")) {
     out.push(`DB_DRIVER=${clean(s.dbDriver)}`);
     if (s.dbDriver === "mongodb") {
@@ -83,6 +119,24 @@ const mediaDriver = computed(() => state().mediaDriver);
 const hasDb = computed(() => eff().includes("db"));
 const hasMailer = computed(() => eff().includes("mailer"));
 const hasMedia = computed(() => eff().includes("media"));
+const hasContent = computed(() => eff().includes("pages") || eff().includes("posts")); // themes apply to pages/posts
+
+// "Customize": copy the selected bundled theme to pages/_theme.js, then use it
+// locally (THEME cleared) so edits take effect.
+async function ejectTheme() {
+  const theme = state().theme;
+  if (!theme) return;
+  status("Copying theme…");
+  try {
+    const r = await (await fetch("/setup/eject-theme", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ theme }) })).json();
+    if (r.ok) {
+      set({ theme: "" });
+      status(`Copied ${theme} → ${r.path}. Edit it freely; THEME was cleared so your local copy is used.`);
+    } else status("Error: " + (r.error || "?"));
+  } catch {
+    status("Network error copying theme.");
+  }
+}
 
 async function testDb() {
   const s = state();
@@ -133,11 +187,18 @@ const field = (label, key, placeholder = "") =>
     <input class="form-control" placeholder=${placeholder} value=${() => state()[key]} oninput=${(e) => set({ [key]: e.target.value })} />
   </div>`;
 
+// A dependency pulled in by another enabled add-on shows as checked + disabled
+// (you can't turn it off while something needs it), with a "required by" note —
+// so the .env's VOLT_ADDONS always matches what the boxes show.
 const addonRow = (a) =>
   html`<div class="form-check mb-2">
-    <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox" id=${"x-" + a.name} checked=${() => state().addons[a.name]} onchange=${() => toggle(a.name)} />
+    <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox" id=${"x-" + a.name}
+      checked=${() => eff().includes(a.name)}
+      disabled=${() => !state().addons[a.name] && eff().includes(a.name)}
+      onchange=${() => toggle(a.name)} />
     <label class="form-check-label" for=${"x-" + a.name}>
-      <span class="accent">${a.name}</span>${a.dependsOn?.length ? html` <span class="text-muted small">(needs ${a.dependsOn.join(", ")})</span>` : ""}
+      <span class="accent">${a.name}</span>${a.dependsOn?.length ? html` <span class="text-muted small">(needs ${a.dependsOn.join(", ")})</span>` : ""}${() =>
+        !state().addons[a.name] && eff().includes(a.name) ? html` <span class="text-muted small">· required by ${requiredBy(state(), a.name).join(", ")}</span>` : ""}
       <div class="small text-muted">${a.description}</div>
     </label>
   </div>`;
@@ -173,6 +234,34 @@ const mediaSettings = () =>
         ? html`${field("S3_ENDPOINT", "s3Endpoint", "https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com")}${field("S3_REGION", "s3Region", "us-east-1")}${field("S3_BUCKET", "s3Bucket", "my-space")}${field("S3_KEY", "s3Key", "access key")}${field("S3_SECRET", "s3Secret", "secret key")}${field("S3_PUBLIC_BASE (optional CDN base)", "s3PublicBase", "https://cdn.example.com")}`
         : null}`;
 
+// theme chooser: a bundled theme (or the built-in/local one), with Customize
+const themePicker = () =>
+  html`<div class="mb-2">
+    <label class="form-label small mb-1">Theme (THEME)</label>
+    <select class="form-select" value=${() => state().theme} onchange=${(e) => set({ theme: e.target.value })}>
+      <option value="">default — built-in, or your pages/_theme.js</option>
+      ${themes.map((t) => html`<option value=${t.name}>${t.name}${t.description ? " — " + t.description : ""}</option>`)}
+    </select>
+    ${() =>
+      state().theme
+        ? html`<button class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary mt-1" onclick=${ejectTheme}>Customize → copy to pages/_theme.js</button>`
+        : html`<div class="small text-muted mt-1">Pick a starter theme, or keep the built-in / your local <code>pages/_theme.js</code>.</div>`}
+  </div>`;
+
+// AI keys (optional) — used by the WYSIWYG editor's assistant. Kept server-side.
+const aiSettings = () =>
+  html`<details class="mb-2"><summary class="form-label small mb-0" style="cursor:pointer">AI keys (optional) — for the editor's assistant</summary>
+    <div class="mt-2">
+      <label class="form-label small mb-1">Provider (AI_PROVIDER)</label>
+      <select class="form-select mb-2" value=${() => state().aiProvider} onchange=${(e) => set({ aiProvider: e.target.value })}>
+        <option value="anthropic">Anthropic (Claude)</option>
+        <option value="openai">OpenAI</option>
+        <option value="gemini">Google Gemini</option>
+      </select>
+      ${field("API key — stays server-side, written to .env", "aiKey", "sk-…")}
+    </div>
+  </details>`;
+
 mount(
   "#app",
   available.length
@@ -185,9 +274,14 @@ mount(
   html`<div class="card-x p-4 mb-3">
     <h2 class="h6 mb-3">Settings</h2>
     ${field("PORT", "port", String(defaultPort))}
+    ${field("SITE_NAME", "siteName", "My Site")}
+    ${() => (hasContent() ? themePicker() : null)}
     ${() => (hasDb() ? dbSettings() : null)}
     ${() => (hasMailer() ? html`${field("SMTP_URL (optional)", "smtpUrl", "smtp://user:pass@smtp.host:587")}${field("MAIL_FROM", "mailFrom", "App <no-reply@you.com>")}` : null)}
     ${() => (hasMedia() ? mediaSettings() : null)}
+    ${aiSettings()}
+    ${field("SITE_URL (optional — absolute links, RSS, canonical)", "siteUrl", "https://example.com")}
+    ${field("CONFIG_PORT (this wizard's own port)", "configPort", String(configDefaultPort))}
   </div>`,
   html`<div class="card-x p-4 mb-3">
     <div class="d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center mb-2">

package/templates/default/server.js

@@ -20,7 +20,27 @@ const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 const ENV_PATH = path.join(__dirname, ".env");
 const PKG_PATH = path.join(__dirname, "package.json");
 const ADDONS_DIR = path.join(__dirname, ".volt", "addons"); // bundled add-on sources
+const THEMES_DIR = path.join(__dirname, ".volt", "themes"); // bundled themes the wizard can pick
 const DEFAULT_PORT = 26628; // create-volt stamps this with the project's date-port
+const CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT = 5050; // the --edit/--studio config UI's default port (its own, so it never clashes with a running app)
+
+// `--port <n>` (or --port=<n>) overrides the listen port for this run — lets
+// --edit/--studio dodge a port the running app already holds, and runs the app
+// itself on a one-off port. Explicit flag wins over PORT in .env.
+function cliPort() {
+  const i = process.argv.indexOf("--port");
+  const raw = i > -1 ? process.argv[i + 1] : (process.argv.find((a) => a.startsWith("--port=")) || "").split("=")[1];
+  const n = Number(raw);
+  return Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= 65535 ? n : null;
+}
+
+// Port for the disposable config UI (--edit / --studio): --port wins, then
+// CONFIG_PORT in .env (run it on its own port so it never clashes with the app),
+// then the app's PORT, then the date-port.
+function configPort() {
+  const env = readEnvFile(); // --edit runs before loadEnv(), so read the file too
+  return cliPort() || Number(process.env.CONFIG_PORT) || Number(env.CONFIG_PORT) || CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT;
+}
 const PKG_VERSIONS = { mongodb: "^6.21.0", mysql2: "^3.22.5", pg: "^8.22.0", nodemailer: "^6.10.1", marked: "^18.0.5", busboy: "^1.6.0", "@aws-sdk/client-s3": "^3.1075.0" };
 const LIB_FILE = { db: "store.js", mailer: "mailer.js", auth: "auth.js", realtime: "realtime.js", pages: "pages.js", posts: "posts.js", media: "media.js" };
 
@@ -50,6 +70,23 @@ function availableAddons() {
     });
 }
 
+// Themes bundled by create-volt (under .volt/themes), pickable in the wizard.
+function availableThemes() {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(THEMES_DIR)) return [];
+  return fs
+    .readdirSync(THEMES_DIR, { withFileTypes: true })
+    .filter((e) => e.isDirectory() && fs.existsSync(path.join(THEMES_DIR, e.name, "index.js")))
+    .map((e) => {
+      let description = "";
+      try {
+        description = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(path.join(THEMES_DIR, e.name, "meta.json"), "utf8")).description;
+      } catch {
+        /* no meta */
+      }
+      return { name: e.name, description };
+    });
+}
+
 // Which add-ons does VOLT_ADDONS turn on (dependencies expanded)?
 function enabledFrom(env) {
   const metas = Object.fromEntries(availableAddons().map((a) => [a.name, a]));
@@ -101,7 +138,7 @@ function openBrowser(url) {
 
 // --- the actual app: wires whichever add-ons .env enables ---
 async function startApp() {
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = cliPort() || Number(process.env.PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
   const enabled = enabledFrom(process.env);
   const app = express();
   app.disable("x-powered-by");
@@ -188,7 +225,12 @@ async function startApp() {
     };
     w(dir);
   };
-  for (const d of ["views", "public"]) watchRecursive(path.join(__dirname, d));
+  // watch content dirs too (pages/posts markdown is read per request, so a
+  // browser reload shows the edit); skip dirs that don't exist.
+  for (const d of ["views", "public", "pages", "posts"]) {
+    const full = path.join(__dirname, d);
+    if (fs.existsSync(full)) watchRecursive(full);
+  }
 
   const on = [...enabled];
   server.listen(PORT, () => console.log(`⚡ Volt → http://localhost:${PORT}${on.length ? "  (add-ons: " + on.join(", ") + ")" : ""}`));
@@ -221,7 +263,7 @@ function ensureDriverInstalled(driver) {
 
 // --- the disposable setup wizard (localhost only) ---
 function startSetup() {
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || Number(readEnvFile().PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = configPort();
   const assets = {
     "/setup.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "setup", "setup.js"))],
     "/volt.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "public", "volt.js"))],
@@ -243,7 +285,27 @@ function startSetup() {
     }
     if (req.method === "GET" && p === "/setup/state") {
       res.setHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
-      return res.end(JSON.stringify({ available: availableAddons(), current: readEnvFile(), defaultPort: DEFAULT_PORT }));
+      return res.end(JSON.stringify({ available: availableAddons(), themes: availableThemes(), current: readEnvFile(), defaultPort: DEFAULT_PORT, configDefaultPort: CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT }));
+    }
+    // "Customize": copy a bundled theme into pages/_theme.js so it can be edited.
+    if (req.method === "POST" && p === "/setup/eject-theme") {
+      let body = "";
+      req.on("data", (c) => (body += c));
+      req.on("end", () => {
+        res.setHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
+        try {
+          const { theme } = JSON.parse(body || "{}");
+          const src = path.join(THEMES_DIR, String(theme || ""), "index.js");
+          if (!theme || !/^[a-z0-9-]+$/i.test(theme) || !fs.existsSync(src)) return res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: false, error: "unknown theme" }));
+          const dest = path.join(__dirname, "pages", "_theme.js");
+          fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(dest), { recursive: true });
+          fs.copyFileSync(src, dest);
+          res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: true, path: "pages/_theme.js" }));
+        } catch (e) {
+          res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: false, error: e.message }));
+        }
+      });
+      return;
     }
     if (req.method === "POST" && p === "/setup/test-db") {
       let body = "";
@@ -341,6 +403,7 @@ function startSetup() {
     res.end("not found");
   });
 
+  server.on("error", (e) => { if (e.code === "EADDRINUSE") { console.error(`\n[volt] Config UI port ${PORT} is in use (is the app already running?). Set CONFIG_PORT in .env or pass --port <n>.\n`); process.exit(1); } throw e; });
   server.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
     const url = `http://localhost:${PORT}`;
     console.log(`\n⚡ Volt setup → ${url}`);
@@ -379,7 +442,7 @@ async function startStudio() {
     console.error("Studio: couldn't connect the store — " + e.message);
     process.exit(1);
   }
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || Number(readEnvFile().PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = configPort();
   const visible = (n) => n && !HIDDEN_COLLECTIONS.has(n);
   const assets = {
     "/volt.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "public", "volt.js"))],
@@ -431,6 +494,7 @@ async function startStudio() {
     }
   });
 
+  server.on("error", (e) => { if (e.code === "EADDRINUSE") { console.error(`\n[volt] Config UI port ${PORT} is in use (is the app already running?). Set CONFIG_PORT in .env or pass --port <n>.\n`); process.exit(1); } throw e; });
   server.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
     const url = `http://localhost:${PORT}`;
     console.log(`\n⚡ Volt Studio → ${url}   (${store.name})`);

package/templates/default/setup/setup.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 // just config.
 import { signal, computed, html, mount } from "/volt.js";
 
-const { available, current, defaultPort } = await (await fetch("/setup/state")).json();
+const { available, themes = [], current, defaultPort, configDefaultPort = 5050 } = await (await fetch("/setup/state")).json();
 const depsOf = Object.fromEntries(available.map((a) => [a.name, a.dependsOn || []]));
 const order = available.map((a) => a.name);
 const enabledNow = new Set(String(current.VOLT_ADDONS || "").split(",").map((s) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean));
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@ const state = signal({
   // detect the admin's timezone from their browser (the wizard runs here), so
   // dates render in their zone — not the server's (usually UTC on a host).
   tz: current.SITE_TZ || Intl.DateTimeFormat().resolvedOptions().timeZone || "",
+  siteName: current.SITE_NAME || "",
+  siteUrl: current.SITE_URL || "",
+  configPort: current.CONFIG_PORT || "",
+  theme: current.THEME || "",
+  aiProvider: current.AI_PROVIDER || "anthropic",
+  aiKey: current.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY || current.OPENAI_API_KEY || current.GEMINI_API_KEY || "",
 });
 const set = (patch) => state({ ...state(), ...patch });
 const toggle = (n) => state({ ...state(), addons: { ...state().addons, [n]: !state().addons[n] } });
@@ -67,6 +73,15 @@ function genEnv(s) {
   const eff = effective(s);
   const out = [`VOLT_ADDONS=${eff.join(",")}`, `PORT=${clean(s.port)}`];
   if (s.tz) out.push(`SITE_TZ=${clean(s.tz)}`); // admin's timezone, for date display
+  if (s.siteName) out.push(`SITE_NAME=${clean(s.siteName)}`);
+  if (s.siteUrl) out.push(`SITE_URL=${clean(s.siteUrl)}`);
+  if (s.configPort) out.push(`CONFIG_PORT=${clean(s.configPort)}`);
+  if ((eff.includes("pages") || eff.includes("posts")) && s.theme) out.push(`THEME=${clean(s.theme)}`);
+  if (s.aiKey) {
+    out.push(`AI_PROVIDER=${clean(s.aiProvider)}`);
+    const keyVar = { anthropic: "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY", openai: "OPENAI_API_KEY", gemini: "GEMINI_API_KEY" }[s.aiProvider] || "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY";
+    out.push(`${keyVar}=${clean(s.aiKey)}`);
+  }
   if (eff.includes("db")) {
     out.push(`DB_DRIVER=${clean(s.dbDriver)}`);
     if (s.dbDriver === "mongodb") {
@@ -104,6 +119,24 @@ const mediaDriver = computed(() => state().mediaDriver);
 const hasDb = computed(() => eff().includes("db"));
 const hasMailer = computed(() => eff().includes("mailer"));
 const hasMedia = computed(() => eff().includes("media"));
+const hasContent = computed(() => eff().includes("pages") || eff().includes("posts")); // themes apply to pages/posts
+
+// "Customize": copy the selected bundled theme to pages/_theme.js, then use it
+// locally (THEME cleared) so edits take effect.
+async function ejectTheme() {
+  const theme = state().theme;
+  if (!theme) return;
+  status("Copying theme…");
+  try {
+    const r = await (await fetch("/setup/eject-theme", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ theme }) })).json();
+    if (r.ok) {
+      set({ theme: "" });
+      status(`Copied ${theme} → ${r.path}. Edit it freely; THEME was cleared so your local copy is used.`);
+    } else status("Error: " + (r.error || "?"));
+  } catch {
+    status("Network error copying theme.");
+  }
+}
 
 async function testDb() {
   const s = state();
@@ -201,6 +234,34 @@ const mediaSettings = () =>
         ? html`${field("S3_ENDPOINT", "s3Endpoint", "https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com")}${field("S3_REGION", "s3Region", "us-east-1")}${field("S3_BUCKET", "s3Bucket", "my-space")}${field("S3_KEY", "s3Key", "access key")}${field("S3_SECRET", "s3Secret", "secret key")}${field("S3_PUBLIC_BASE (optional CDN base)", "s3PublicBase", "https://cdn.example.com")}`
         : null}`;
 
+// theme chooser: a bundled theme (or the built-in/local one), with Customize
+const themePicker = () =>
+  html`<div class="mb-2">
+    <label class="form-label small mb-1">Theme (THEME)</label>
+    <select class="form-select" value=${() => state().theme} onchange=${(e) => set({ theme: e.target.value })}>
+      <option value="">default — built-in, or your pages/_theme.js</option>
+      ${themes.map((t) => html`<option value=${t.name}>${t.name}${t.description ? " — " + t.description : ""}</option>`)}
+    </select>
+    ${() =>
+      state().theme
+        ? html`<button class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary mt-1" onclick=${ejectTheme}>Customize → copy to pages/_theme.js</button>`
+        : html`<div class="small text-muted mt-1">Pick a starter theme, or keep the built-in / your local <code>pages/_theme.js</code>.</div>`}
+  </div>`;
+
+// AI keys (optional) — used by the WYSIWYG editor's assistant. Kept server-side.
+const aiSettings = () =>
+  html`<details class="mb-2"><summary class="form-label small mb-0" style="cursor:pointer">AI keys (optional) — for the editor's assistant</summary>
+    <div class="mt-2">
+      <label class="form-label small mb-1">Provider (AI_PROVIDER)</label>
+      <select class="form-select mb-2" value=${() => state().aiProvider} onchange=${(e) => set({ aiProvider: e.target.value })}>
+        <option value="anthropic">Anthropic (Claude)</option>
+        <option value="openai">OpenAI</option>
+        <option value="gemini">Google Gemini</option>
+      </select>
+      ${field("API key — stays server-side, written to .env", "aiKey", "sk-…")}
+    </div>
+  </details>`;
+
 mount(
   "#app",
   available.length
@@ -213,9 +274,14 @@ mount(
   html`<div class="card-x p-4 mb-3">
     <h2 class="h6 mb-3">Settings</h2>
     ${field("PORT", "port", String(defaultPort))}
+    ${field("SITE_NAME", "siteName", "My Site")}
+    ${() => (hasContent() ? themePicker() : null)}
     ${() => (hasDb() ? dbSettings() : null)}
     ${() => (hasMailer() ? html`${field("SMTP_URL (optional)", "smtpUrl", "smtp://user:pass@smtp.host:587")}${field("MAIL_FROM", "mailFrom", "App <no-reply@you.com>")}` : null)}
     ${() => (hasMedia() ? mediaSettings() : null)}
+    ${aiSettings()}
+    ${field("SITE_URL (optional — absolute links, RSS, canonical)", "siteUrl", "https://example.com")}
+    ${field("CONFIG_PORT (this wizard's own port)", "configPort", String(configDefaultPort))}
   </div>`,
   html`<div class="card-x p-4 mb-3">
     <div class="d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center mb-2">

package/templates/docs/server.js

@@ -20,7 +20,27 @@ const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 const ENV_PATH = path.join(__dirname, ".env");
 const PKG_PATH = path.join(__dirname, "package.json");
 const ADDONS_DIR = path.join(__dirname, ".volt", "addons"); // bundled add-on sources
+const THEMES_DIR = path.join(__dirname, ".volt", "themes"); // bundled themes the wizard can pick
 const DEFAULT_PORT = 26628; // create-volt stamps this with the project's date-port
+const CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT = 5050; // the --edit/--studio config UI's default port (its own, so it never clashes with a running app)
+
+// `--port <n>` (or --port=<n>) overrides the listen port for this run — lets
+// --edit/--studio dodge a port the running app already holds, and runs the app
+// itself on a one-off port. Explicit flag wins over PORT in .env.
+function cliPort() {
+  const i = process.argv.indexOf("--port");
+  const raw = i > -1 ? process.argv[i + 1] : (process.argv.find((a) => a.startsWith("--port=")) || "").split("=")[1];
+  const n = Number(raw);
+  return Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= 65535 ? n : null;
+}
+
+// Port for the disposable config UI (--edit / --studio): --port wins, then
+// CONFIG_PORT in .env (run it on its own port so it never clashes with the app),
+// then the app's PORT, then the date-port.
+function configPort() {
+  const env = readEnvFile(); // --edit runs before loadEnv(), so read the file too
+  return cliPort() || Number(process.env.CONFIG_PORT) || Number(env.CONFIG_PORT) || CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT;
+}
 const PKG_VERSIONS = { mongodb: "^6.21.0", mysql2: "^3.22.5", pg: "^8.22.0", nodemailer: "^6.10.1", marked: "^18.0.5", busboy: "^1.6.0", "@aws-sdk/client-s3": "^3.1075.0" };
 const LIB_FILE = { db: "store.js", mailer: "mailer.js", auth: "auth.js", realtime: "realtime.js", pages: "pages.js", posts: "posts.js", media: "media.js" };
 
@@ -50,6 +70,23 @@ function availableAddons() {
     });
 }
 
+// Themes bundled by create-volt (under .volt/themes), pickable in the wizard.
+function availableThemes() {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(THEMES_DIR)) return [];
+  return fs
+    .readdirSync(THEMES_DIR, { withFileTypes: true })
+    .filter((e) => e.isDirectory() && fs.existsSync(path.join(THEMES_DIR, e.name, "index.js")))
+    .map((e) => {
+      let description = "";
+      try {
+        description = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(path.join(THEMES_DIR, e.name, "meta.json"), "utf8")).description;
+      } catch {
+        /* no meta */
+      }
+      return { name: e.name, description };
+    });
+}
+
 // Which add-ons does VOLT_ADDONS turn on (dependencies expanded)?
 function enabledFrom(env) {
   const metas = Object.fromEntries(availableAddons().map((a) => [a.name, a]));
@@ -101,7 +138,7 @@ function openBrowser(url) {
 
 // --- the actual app: wires whichever add-ons .env enables ---
 async function startApp() {
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = cliPort() || Number(process.env.PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
   const enabled = enabledFrom(process.env);
   const app = express();
   app.disable("x-powered-by");
@@ -188,7 +225,12 @@ async function startApp() {
     };
     w(dir);
   };
-  for (const d of ["views", "public"]) watchRecursive(path.join(__dirname, d));
+  // watch content dirs too (pages/posts markdown is read per request, so a
+  // browser reload shows the edit); skip dirs that don't exist.
+  for (const d of ["views", "public", "pages", "posts"]) {
+    const full = path.join(__dirname, d);
+    if (fs.existsSync(full)) watchRecursive(full);
+  }
 
   const on = [...enabled];
   server.listen(PORT, () => console.log(`⚡ Volt → http://localhost:${PORT}${on.length ? "  (add-ons: " + on.join(", ") + ")" : ""}`));
@@ -221,7 +263,7 @@ function ensureDriverInstalled(driver) {
 
 // --- the disposable setup wizard (localhost only) ---
 function startSetup() {
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || Number(readEnvFile().PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = configPort();
   const assets = {
     "/setup.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "setup", "setup.js"))],
     "/volt.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "public", "volt.js"))],
@@ -243,7 +285,27 @@ function startSetup() {
     }
     if (req.method === "GET" && p === "/setup/state") {
       res.setHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
-      return res.end(JSON.stringify({ available: availableAddons(), current: readEnvFile(), defaultPort: DEFAULT_PORT }));
+      return res.end(JSON.stringify({ available: availableAddons(), themes: availableThemes(), current: readEnvFile(), defaultPort: DEFAULT_PORT, configDefaultPort: CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT }));
+    }
+    // "Customize": copy a bundled theme into pages/_theme.js so it can be edited.
+    if (req.method === "POST" && p === "/setup/eject-theme") {
+      let body = "";
+      req.on("data", (c) => (body += c));
+      req.on("end", () => {
+        res.setHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
+        try {
+          const { theme } = JSON.parse(body || "{}");
+          const src = path.join(THEMES_DIR, String(theme || ""), "index.js");
+          if (!theme || !/^[a-z0-9-]+$/i.test(theme) || !fs.existsSync(src)) return res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: false, error: "unknown theme" }));
+          const dest = path.join(__dirname, "pages", "_theme.js");
+          fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(dest), { recursive: true });
+          fs.copyFileSync(src, dest);
+          res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: true, path: "pages/_theme.js" }));
+        } catch (e) {
+          res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: false, error: e.message }));
+        }
+      });
+      return;
     }
     if (req.method === "POST" && p === "/setup/test-db") {
       let body = "";
@@ -341,6 +403,7 @@ function startSetup() {
     res.end("not found");
   });
 
+  server.on("error", (e) => { if (e.code === "EADDRINUSE") { console.error(`\n[volt] Config UI port ${PORT} is in use (is the app already running?). Set CONFIG_PORT in .env or pass --port <n>.\n`); process.exit(1); } throw e; });
   server.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
     const url = `http://localhost:${PORT}`;
     console.log(`\n⚡ Volt setup → ${url}`);
@@ -379,7 +442,7 @@ async function startStudio() {
     console.error("Studio: couldn't connect the store — " + e.message);
     process.exit(1);
   }
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || Number(readEnvFile().PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = configPort();
   const visible = (n) => n && !HIDDEN_COLLECTIONS.has(n);
   const assets = {
     "/volt.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "public", "volt.js"))],
@@ -431,6 +494,7 @@ async function startStudio() {
     }
   });
 
+  server.on("error", (e) => { if (e.code === "EADDRINUSE") { console.error(`\n[volt] Config UI port ${PORT} is in use (is the app already running?). Set CONFIG_PORT in .env or pass --port <n>.\n`); process.exit(1); } throw e; });
   server.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
     const url = `http://localhost:${PORT}`;
     console.log(`\n⚡ Volt Studio → ${url}   (${store.name})`);

package/templates/docs/setup/setup.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 // just config.
 import { signal, computed, html, mount } from "/volt.js";
 
-const { available, current, defaultPort } = await (await fetch("/setup/state")).json();
+const { available, themes = [], current, defaultPort, configDefaultPort = 5050 } = await (await fetch("/setup/state")).json();
 const depsOf = Object.fromEntries(available.map((a) => [a.name, a.dependsOn || []]));
 const order = available.map((a) => a.name);
 const enabledNow = new Set(String(current.VOLT_ADDONS || "").split(",").map((s) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean));
@@ -25,6 +25,15 @@ const state = signal({
   s3Secret: current.S3_SECRET || "",
   s3PublicBase: current.S3_PUBLIC_BASE || "",
   port: current.PORT || String(defaultPort),
+  // detect the admin's timezone from their browser (the wizard runs here), so
+  // dates render in their zone — not the server's (usually UTC on a host).
+  tz: current.SITE_TZ || Intl.DateTimeFormat().resolvedOptions().timeZone || "",
+  siteName: current.SITE_NAME || "",
+  siteUrl: current.SITE_URL || "",
+  configPort: current.CONFIG_PORT || "",
+  theme: current.THEME || "",
+  aiProvider: current.AI_PROVIDER || "anthropic",
+  aiKey: current.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY || current.OPENAI_API_KEY || current.GEMINI_API_KEY || "",
 });
 const set = (patch) => state({ ...state(), ...patch });
 const toggle = (n) => state({ ...state(), addons: { ...state().addons, [n]: !state().addons[n] } });
@@ -42,10 +51,37 @@ function effective(s) {
   return order.filter((n) => want.has(n));
 }
 
+// which *enabled* add-ons pull in `name` as a (transitive) dependency
+function requiredBy(s, name) {
+  const causes = [];
+  for (const n of order) {
+    if (n === name || !s.addons[n]) continue;
+    const seen = new Set();
+    const visit = (x) => {
+      if (seen.has(x)) return;
+      seen.add(x);
+      (depsOf[x] || []).forEach(visit);
+    };
+    (depsOf[n] || []).forEach(visit);
+    if (seen.has(name)) causes.push(n);
+  }
+  return causes;
+}
+
 const clean = (v) => String(v).replace(/[\r\n]/g, "").trim(); // one value per line; no injection
 function genEnv(s) {
   const eff = effective(s);
   const out = [`VOLT_ADDONS=${eff.join(",")}`, `PORT=${clean(s.port)}`];
+  if (s.tz) out.push(`SITE_TZ=${clean(s.tz)}`); // admin's timezone, for date display
+  if (s.siteName) out.push(`SITE_NAME=${clean(s.siteName)}`);
+  if (s.siteUrl) out.push(`SITE_URL=${clean(s.siteUrl)}`);
+  if (s.configPort) out.push(`CONFIG_PORT=${clean(s.configPort)}`);
+  if ((eff.includes("pages") || eff.includes("posts")) && s.theme) out.push(`THEME=${clean(s.theme)}`);
+  if (s.aiKey) {
+    out.push(`AI_PROVIDER=${clean(s.aiProvider)}`);
+    const keyVar = { anthropic: "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY", openai: "OPENAI_API_KEY", gemini: "GEMINI_API_KEY" }[s.aiProvider] || "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY";
+    out.push(`${keyVar}=${clean(s.aiKey)}`);
+  }
   if (eff.includes("db")) {
     out.push(`DB_DRIVER=${clean(s.dbDriver)}`);
     if (s.dbDriver === "mongodb") {
@@ -83,6 +119,24 @@ const mediaDriver = computed(() => state().mediaDriver);
 const hasDb = computed(() => eff().includes("db"));
 const hasMailer = computed(() => eff().includes("mailer"));
 const hasMedia = computed(() => eff().includes("media"));
+const hasContent = computed(() => eff().includes("pages") || eff().includes("posts")); // themes apply to pages/posts
+
+// "Customize": copy the selected bundled theme to pages/_theme.js, then use it
+// locally (THEME cleared) so edits take effect.
+async function ejectTheme() {
+  const theme = state().theme;
+  if (!theme) return;
+  status("Copying theme…");
+  try {
+    const r = await (await fetch("/setup/eject-theme", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ theme }) })).json();
+    if (r.ok) {
+      set({ theme: "" });
+      status(`Copied ${theme} → ${r.path}. Edit it freely; THEME was cleared so your local copy is used.`);
+    } else status("Error: " + (r.error || "?"));
+  } catch {
+    status("Network error copying theme.");
+  }
+}
 
 async function testDb() {
   const s = state();
@@ -133,11 +187,18 @@ const field = (label, key, placeholder = "") =>
     <input class="form-control" placeholder=${placeholder} value=${() => state()[key]} oninput=${(e) => set({ [key]: e.target.value })} />
   </div>`;
 
+// A dependency pulled in by another enabled add-on shows as checked + disabled
+// (you can't turn it off while something needs it), with a "required by" note —
+// so the .env's VOLT_ADDONS always matches what the boxes show.
 const addonRow = (a) =>
   html`<div class="form-check mb-2">
-    <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox" id=${"x-" + a.name} checked=${() => state().addons[a.name]} onchange=${() => toggle(a.name)} />
+    <input class="form-check-input" type="checkbox" id=${"x-" + a.name}
+      checked=${() => eff().includes(a.name)}
+      disabled=${() => !state().addons[a.name] && eff().includes(a.name)}
+      onchange=${() => toggle(a.name)} />
     <label class="form-check-label" for=${"x-" + a.name}>
-      <span class="accent">${a.name}</span>${a.dependsOn?.length ? html` <span class="text-muted small">(needs ${a.dependsOn.join(", ")})</span>` : ""}
+      <span class="accent">${a.name}</span>${a.dependsOn?.length ? html` <span class="text-muted small">(needs ${a.dependsOn.join(", ")})</span>` : ""}${() =>
+        !state().addons[a.name] && eff().includes(a.name) ? html` <span class="text-muted small">· required by ${requiredBy(state(), a.name).join(", ")}</span>` : ""}
       <div class="small text-muted">${a.description}</div>
     </label>
   </div>`;
@@ -173,6 +234,34 @@ const mediaSettings = () =>
         ? html`${field("S3_ENDPOINT", "s3Endpoint", "https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com")}${field("S3_REGION", "s3Region", "us-east-1")}${field("S3_BUCKET", "s3Bucket", "my-space")}${field("S3_KEY", "s3Key", "access key")}${field("S3_SECRET", "s3Secret", "secret key")}${field("S3_PUBLIC_BASE (optional CDN base)", "s3PublicBase", "https://cdn.example.com")}`
         : null}`;
 
+// theme chooser: a bundled theme (or the built-in/local one), with Customize
+const themePicker = () =>
+  html`<div class="mb-2">
+    <label class="form-label small mb-1">Theme (THEME)</label>
+    <select class="form-select" value=${() => state().theme} onchange=${(e) => set({ theme: e.target.value })}>
+      <option value="">default — built-in, or your pages/_theme.js</option>
+      ${themes.map((t) => html`<option value=${t.name}>${t.name}${t.description ? " — " + t.description : ""}</option>`)}
+    </select>
+    ${() =>
+      state().theme
+        ? html`<button class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary mt-1" onclick=${ejectTheme}>Customize → copy to pages/_theme.js</button>`
+        : html`<div class="small text-muted mt-1">Pick a starter theme, or keep the built-in / your local <code>pages/_theme.js</code>.</div>`}
+  </div>`;
+
+// AI keys (optional) — used by the WYSIWYG editor's assistant. Kept server-side.
+const aiSettings = () =>
+  html`<details class="mb-2"><summary class="form-label small mb-0" style="cursor:pointer">AI keys (optional) — for the editor's assistant</summary>
+    <div class="mt-2">
+      <label class="form-label small mb-1">Provider (AI_PROVIDER)</label>
+      <select class="form-select mb-2" value=${() => state().aiProvider} onchange=${(e) => set({ aiProvider: e.target.value })}>
+        <option value="anthropic">Anthropic (Claude)</option>
+        <option value="openai">OpenAI</option>
+        <option value="gemini">Google Gemini</option>
+      </select>
+      ${field("API key — stays server-side, written to .env", "aiKey", "sk-…")}
+    </div>
+  </details>`;
+
 mount(
   "#app",
   available.length
@@ -185,9 +274,14 @@ mount(
   html`<div class="card-x p-4 mb-3">
     <h2 class="h6 mb-3">Settings</h2>
     ${field("PORT", "port", String(defaultPort))}
+    ${field("SITE_NAME", "siteName", "My Site")}
+    ${() => (hasContent() ? themePicker() : null)}
     ${() => (hasDb() ? dbSettings() : null)}
     ${() => (hasMailer() ? html`${field("SMTP_URL (optional)", "smtpUrl", "smtp://user:pass@smtp.host:587")}${field("MAIL_FROM", "mailFrom", "App <no-reply@you.com>")}` : null)}
     ${() => (hasMedia() ? mediaSettings() : null)}
+    ${aiSettings()}
+    ${field("SITE_URL (optional — absolute links, RSS, canonical)", "siteUrl", "https://example.com")}
+    ${field("CONFIG_PORT (this wizard's own port)", "configPort", String(configDefaultPort))}
   </div>`,
   html`<div class="card-x p-4 mb-3">
     <div class="d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center mb-2">

package/templates/starter/server.js

@@ -21,7 +21,27 @@ const __dirname = path.dirname(fileURLToPath(import.meta.url));
 const ENV_PATH = path.join(__dirname, ".env");
 const PKG_PATH = path.join(__dirname, "package.json");
 const ADDONS_DIR = path.join(__dirname, ".volt", "addons"); // bundled add-on sources
+const THEMES_DIR = path.join(__dirname, ".volt", "themes"); // bundled themes the wizard can pick
 const DEFAULT_PORT = 26628; // create-volt stamps this with the project's date-port
+const CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT = 5050; // the --edit/--studio config UI's default port (its own, so it never clashes with a running app)
+
+// `--port <n>` (or --port=<n>) overrides the listen port for this run — lets
+// --edit/--studio dodge a port the running app already holds, and runs the app
+// itself on a one-off port. Explicit flag wins over PORT in .env.
+function cliPort() {
+  const i = process.argv.indexOf("--port");
+  const raw = i > -1 ? process.argv[i + 1] : (process.argv.find((a) => a.startsWith("--port=")) || "").split("=")[1];
+  const n = Number(raw);
+  return Number.isInteger(n) && n >= 1 && n <= 65535 ? n : null;
+}
+
+// Port for the disposable config UI (--edit / --studio): --port wins, then
+// CONFIG_PORT in .env (run it on its own port so it never clashes with the app),
+// then the app's PORT, then the date-port.
+function configPort() {
+  const env = readEnvFile(); // --edit runs before loadEnv(), so read the file too
+  return cliPort() || Number(process.env.CONFIG_PORT) || Number(env.CONFIG_PORT) || CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT;
+}
 const PKG_VERSIONS = { mongodb: "^6.21.0", mysql2: "^3.22.5", pg: "^8.22.0", nodemailer: "^6.10.1", marked: "^18.0.5", busboy: "^1.6.0", "@aws-sdk/client-s3": "^3.1075.0" };
 const LIB_FILE = { db: "store.js", mailer: "mailer.js", auth: "auth.js", realtime: "realtime.js", pages: "pages.js", posts: "posts.js", media: "media.js" };
 
@@ -51,6 +71,23 @@ function availableAddons() {
     });
 }
 
+// Themes bundled by create-volt (under .volt/themes), pickable in the wizard.
+function availableThemes() {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(THEMES_DIR)) return [];
+  return fs
+    .readdirSync(THEMES_DIR, { withFileTypes: true })
+    .filter((e) => e.isDirectory() && fs.existsSync(path.join(THEMES_DIR, e.name, "index.js")))
+    .map((e) => {
+      let description = "";
+      try {
+        description = JSON.parse(fs.readFileSync(path.join(THEMES_DIR, e.name, "meta.json"), "utf8")).description;
+      } catch {
+        /* no meta */
+      }
+      return { name: e.name, description };
+    });
+}
+
 // Which add-ons does VOLT_ADDONS turn on (dependencies expanded)?
 function enabledFrom(env) {
   const metas = Object.fromEntries(availableAddons().map((a) => [a.name, a]));
@@ -102,7 +139,7 @@ function openBrowser(url) {
 
 // --- the actual app: wires whichever add-ons .env enables ---
 async function startApp() {
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = cliPort() || Number(process.env.PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
   const enabled = enabledFrom(process.env);
   const app = express();
   app.disable("x-powered-by");
@@ -214,7 +251,12 @@ async function startApp() {
     };
     w(dir);
   };
-  for (const d of ["views", "public"]) watchRecursive(path.join(__dirname, d));
+  // watch content dirs too (pages/posts markdown is read per request, so a
+  // browser reload shows the edit); skip dirs that don't exist.
+  for (const d of ["views", "public", "pages", "posts"]) {
+    const full = path.join(__dirname, d);
+    if (fs.existsSync(full)) watchRecursive(full);
+  }
 
   const on = [...enabled];
   server.listen(PORT, () => console.log(`⚡ Volt → http://localhost:${PORT}${on.length ? "  (add-ons: " + on.join(", ") + ")" : ""}`));
@@ -247,7 +289,7 @@ function ensureDriverInstalled(driver) {
 
 // --- the disposable setup wizard (localhost only) ---
 function startSetup() {
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || Number(readEnvFile().PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = configPort();
   const assets = {
     "/setup.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "setup", "setup.js"))],
     "/volt.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "public", "volt.js"))],
@@ -269,7 +311,27 @@ function startSetup() {
     }
     if (req.method === "GET" && p === "/setup/state") {
       res.setHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
-      return res.end(JSON.stringify({ available: availableAddons(), current: readEnvFile(), defaultPort: DEFAULT_PORT }));
+      return res.end(JSON.stringify({ available: availableAddons(), themes: availableThemes(), current: readEnvFile(), defaultPort: DEFAULT_PORT, configDefaultPort: CONFIG_DEFAULT_PORT }));
+    }
+    // "Customize": copy a bundled theme into pages/_theme.js so it can be edited.
+    if (req.method === "POST" && p === "/setup/eject-theme") {
+      let body = "";
+      req.on("data", (c) => (body += c));
+      req.on("end", () => {
+        res.setHeader("Content-Type", "application/json");
+        try {
+          const { theme } = JSON.parse(body || "{}");
+          const src = path.join(THEMES_DIR, String(theme || ""), "index.js");
+          if (!theme || !/^[a-z0-9-]+$/i.test(theme) || !fs.existsSync(src)) return res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: false, error: "unknown theme" }));
+          const dest = path.join(__dirname, "pages", "_theme.js");
+          fs.mkdirSync(path.dirname(dest), { recursive: true });
+          fs.copyFileSync(src, dest);
+          res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: true, path: "pages/_theme.js" }));
+        } catch (e) {
+          res.end(JSON.stringify({ ok: false, error: e.message }));
+        }
+      });
+      return;
     }
     if (req.method === "POST" && p === "/setup/test-db") {
       let body = "";
@@ -367,6 +429,7 @@ function startSetup() {
     res.end("not found");
   });
 
+  server.on("error", (e) => { if (e.code === "EADDRINUSE") { console.error(`\n[volt] Config UI port ${PORT} is in use (is the app already running?). Set CONFIG_PORT in .env or pass --port <n>.\n`); process.exit(1); } throw e; });
   server.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
     const url = `http://localhost:${PORT}`;
     console.log(`\n⚡ Volt setup → ${url}`);
@@ -405,7 +468,7 @@ async function startStudio() {
     console.error("Studio: couldn't connect the store — " + e.message);
     process.exit(1);
   }
-  const PORT = Number(process.env.PORT) || Number(readEnvFile().PORT) || DEFAULT_PORT;
+  const PORT = configPort();
   const visible = (n) => n && !HIDDEN_COLLECTIONS.has(n);
   const assets = {
     "/volt.js": ["text/javascript; charset=utf-8", fs.readFileSync(path.join(__dirname, "public", "volt.js"))],
@@ -457,6 +520,7 @@ async function startStudio() {
     }
   });
 
+  server.on("error", (e) => { if (e.code === "EADDRINUSE") { console.error(`\n[volt] Config UI port ${PORT} is in use (is the app already running?). Set CONFIG_PORT in .env or pass --port <n>.\n`); process.exit(1); } throw e; });
   server.listen(PORT, "127.0.0.1", () => {
     const url = `http://localhost:${PORT}`;
     console.log(`\n⚡ Volt Studio → ${url}   (${store.name})`);

package/templates/starter/setup/setup.js

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
 // just config.
 import { signal, computed, html, mount } from "/volt.js";
 
-const { available, current, defaultPort } = await (await fetch("/setup/state")).json();
+const { available, themes = [], current, defaultPort, configDefaultPort = 5050 } = await (await fetch("/setup/state")).json();
 const depsOf = Object.fromEntries(available.map((a) => [a.name, a.dependsOn || []]));
 const order = available.map((a) => a.name);
 const enabledNow = new Set(String(current.VOLT_ADDONS || "").split(",").map((s) => s.trim()).filter(Boolean));
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@ const state = signal({
   // detect the admin's timezone from their browser (the wizard runs here), so
   // dates render in their zone — not the server's (usually UTC on a host).
   tz: current.SITE_TZ || Intl.DateTimeFormat().resolvedOptions().timeZone || "",
+  siteName: current.SITE_NAME || "",
+  siteUrl: current.SITE_URL || "",
+  configPort: current.CONFIG_PORT || "",
+  theme: current.THEME || "",
+  aiProvider: current.AI_PROVIDER || "anthropic",
+  aiKey: current.ANTHROPIC_API_KEY || current.OPENAI_API_KEY || current.GEMINI_API_KEY || "",
 });
 const set = (patch) => state({ ...state(), ...patch });
 const toggle = (n) => state({ ...state(), addons: { ...state().addons, [n]: !state().addons[n] } });
@@ -67,6 +73,15 @@ function genEnv(s) {
   const eff = effective(s);
   const out = [`VOLT_ADDONS=${eff.join(",")}`, `PORT=${clean(s.port)}`];
   if (s.tz) out.push(`SITE_TZ=${clean(s.tz)}`); // admin's timezone, for date display
+  if (s.siteName) out.push(`SITE_NAME=${clean(s.siteName)}`);
+  if (s.siteUrl) out.push(`SITE_URL=${clean(s.siteUrl)}`);
+  if (s.configPort) out.push(`CONFIG_PORT=${clean(s.configPort)}`);
+  if ((eff.includes("pages") || eff.includes("posts")) && s.theme) out.push(`THEME=${clean(s.theme)}`);
+  if (s.aiKey) {
+    out.push(`AI_PROVIDER=${clean(s.aiProvider)}`);
+    const keyVar = { anthropic: "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY", openai: "OPENAI_API_KEY", gemini: "GEMINI_API_KEY" }[s.aiProvider] || "ANTHROPIC_API_KEY";
+    out.push(`${keyVar}=${clean(s.aiKey)}`);
+  }
   if (eff.includes("db")) {
     out.push(`DB_DRIVER=${clean(s.dbDriver)}`);
     if (s.dbDriver === "mongodb") {
@@ -104,6 +119,24 @@ const mediaDriver = computed(() => state().mediaDriver);
 const hasDb = computed(() => eff().includes("db"));
 const hasMailer = computed(() => eff().includes("mailer"));
 const hasMedia = computed(() => eff().includes("media"));
+const hasContent = computed(() => eff().includes("pages") || eff().includes("posts")); // themes apply to pages/posts
+
+// "Customize": copy the selected bundled theme to pages/_theme.js, then use it
+// locally (THEME cleared) so edits take effect.
+async function ejectTheme() {
+  const theme = state().theme;
+  if (!theme) return;
+  status("Copying theme…");
+  try {
+    const r = await (await fetch("/setup/eject-theme", { method: "POST", headers: { "Content-Type": "application/json" }, body: JSON.stringify({ theme }) })).json();
+    if (r.ok) {
+      set({ theme: "" });
+      status(`Copied ${theme} → ${r.path}. Edit it freely; THEME was cleared so your local copy is used.`);
+    } else status("Error: " + (r.error || "?"));
+  } catch {
+    status("Network error copying theme.");
+  }
+}
 
 async function testDb() {
   const s = state();
@@ -201,6 +234,34 @@ const mediaSettings = () =>
         ? html`${field("S3_ENDPOINT", "s3Endpoint", "https://nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com")}${field("S3_REGION", "s3Region", "us-east-1")}${field("S3_BUCKET", "s3Bucket", "my-space")}${field("S3_KEY", "s3Key", "access key")}${field("S3_SECRET", "s3Secret", "secret key")}${field("S3_PUBLIC_BASE (optional CDN base)", "s3PublicBase", "https://cdn.example.com")}`
         : null}`;
 
+// theme chooser: a bundled theme (or the built-in/local one), with Customize
+const themePicker = () =>
+  html`<div class="mb-2">
+    <label class="form-label small mb-1">Theme (THEME)</label>
+    <select class="form-select" value=${() => state().theme} onchange=${(e) => set({ theme: e.target.value })}>
+      <option value="">default — built-in, or your pages/_theme.js</option>
+      ${themes.map((t) => html`<option value=${t.name}>${t.name}${t.description ? " — " + t.description : ""}</option>`)}
+    </select>
+    ${() =>
+      state().theme
+        ? html`<button class="btn btn-sm btn-outline-secondary mt-1" onclick=${ejectTheme}>Customize → copy to pages/_theme.js</button>`
+        : html`<div class="small text-muted mt-1">Pick a starter theme, or keep the built-in / your local <code>pages/_theme.js</code>.</div>`}
+  </div>`;
+
+// AI keys (optional) — used by the WYSIWYG editor's assistant. Kept server-side.
+const aiSettings = () =>
+  html`<details class="mb-2"><summary class="form-label small mb-0" style="cursor:pointer">AI keys (optional) — for the editor's assistant</summary>
+    <div class="mt-2">
+      <label class="form-label small mb-1">Provider (AI_PROVIDER)</label>
+      <select class="form-select mb-2" value=${() => state().aiProvider} onchange=${(e) => set({ aiProvider: e.target.value })}>
+        <option value="anthropic">Anthropic (Claude)</option>
+        <option value="openai">OpenAI</option>
+        <option value="gemini">Google Gemini</option>
+      </select>
+      ${field("API key — stays server-side, written to .env", "aiKey", "sk-…")}
+    </div>
+  </details>`;
+
 mount(
   "#app",
   available.length
@@ -213,9 +274,14 @@ mount(
   html`<div class="card-x p-4 mb-3">
     <h2 class="h6 mb-3">Settings</h2>
     ${field("PORT", "port", String(defaultPort))}
+    ${field("SITE_NAME", "siteName", "My Site")}
+    ${() => (hasContent() ? themePicker() : null)}
     ${() => (hasDb() ? dbSettings() : null)}
     ${() => (hasMailer() ? html`${field("SMTP_URL (optional)", "smtpUrl", "smtp://user:pass@smtp.host:587")}${field("MAIL_FROM", "mailFrom", "App <no-reply@you.com>")}` : null)}
     ${() => (hasMedia() ? mediaSettings() : null)}
+    ${aiSettings()}
+    ${field("SITE_URL (optional — absolute links, RSS, canonical)", "siteUrl", "https://example.com")}
+    ${field("CONFIG_PORT (this wizard's own port)", "configPort", String(configDefaultPort))}
   </div>`,
   html`<div class="card-x p-4 mb-3">
     <div class="d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center mb-2">