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+# Application Insights Java Agent - Development Guide
+
+## Architecture Overview
+
+This is a **Java agent** that extends OpenTelemetry Java Agent to provide Azure Application Insights telemetry. The agent is packaged as a single JAR that instruments applications at runtime without code changes.
+
+### Key Components
+
+- **Agent Entry Point**: `Agent.java` - wraps OpenTelemetry Agent with Application Insights-specific initialization
+- **Agent Bootstrap**: Minimal classes loaded into bootstrap classloader for early initialization
+- **Agent Tooling**: Main Application Insights logic (configuration, exporters, processors) isolated in agent classloader
+- **Instrumentation Modules**: C Functions, ASP.NET Core interop, etc.
+- **Classic SDK**: Legacy 2.x SDK maintained for compatibility
+
+### Multi-Module Build Structure
+ustom instrumentation for Azure
+```
+agent/
+├── agent/              # Final agent JAR assembly (shadow plugin)
+├── agent-bootstrap/    # Bootstrap classloader components
+├── agent-tooling/      # Core agent logic & Azure exporters
+├── instrumentation/    # Custom instrumentation modules
+└── runtime-attach/     # Dynamic attach support
+```
+
+## Development Workflows
+
+### Building the Agent
+
+```bash
+# Build complete agent JAR
+./gradlew assemble
+
+# Agent JAR location
+# agent/agent/build/libs/applicationinsights-agent-<version>.jar
+```
+
+### Running Smoke Tests
+
+Smoke tests use containerized applications with the agent attached.
+
+Generally you shouldn't run all of the smoke tests, as they can take a long time.
+Instead, focus on running a single test.
+
+```bash
+# Run a specific smoke test
+./gradlew :smoke-tests:apps:HttpClients:smokeTest --tests "*HttpClientTest\$Tomcat8Java8Test"
+```
+
+## Project-Specific Conventions
+
+### Build Conventions (buildSrc/)
+
+- **ai.java-conventions**: Base Java setup with JDK 17 toolchain, targets Java 8
+- **ai.javaagent-instrumentation**: Plugin for OpenTelemetry instrumentation modules
+- **ai.smoke-test-war**: WAR-based smoke test applications
+- **ai.shadow-conventions**: JAR shadowing with relocation rules
+
+### Agent JAR Assembly Process
+
+The agent JAR is built in **3 critical steps** (see `agent/agent/build.gradle.kts`):
+
+1. **Relocate** distro-specific libraries to avoid conflicts
+2. **Isolate** classes to `inst/` directory with `.classdata` extensions
+3. **Merge** with upstream OpenTelemetry agent, excluding duplicates
+
+### Configuration Pattern
+
+- Main config: `Configuration.java` - comprehensive JSON-based configuration
+- Environment variables: `APPLICATIONINSIGHTS_CONNECTION_STRING`, etc.
+
+### Smoke Test Pattern
+
+- **Framework**: `smoke-tests/framework/` - shared test infrastructure
+- **Apps**: `smoke-tests/apps/` - containerized test applications
+- **Assertions**: `DependencyAssert`, `RequestAssert`, `MetricAssert` for validating telemetry
+- **Fake Ingestion**: Mock Application Insights endpoint for testing
+- **Environment Matrix**: Tests run across multiple environments (Java 8/11/17/21/23, Tomcat/Wildfly, HotSpot/OpenJ9)
+- **Nested Test Classes**: Each abstract test class has nested static classes for different environments:
+  ```java
+  abstract class HttpClientTest {
+    @Environment(TOMCAT_8_JAVA_8)
+    static class Tomcat8Java8Test extends HttpClientTest {}
+    
+    @Environment(TOMCAT_8_JAVA_11)
+    static class Tomcat8Java11Test extends HttpClientTest {}
+  }
+  ```
+
+## Common Patterns
+
+### Error Handling
+
+Use `FriendlyException` for user-facing errors with actionable messages:
+
+```java
+throw new FriendlyException(
+    "Connection string is required",
+    "Please set APPLICATIONINSIGHTS_CONNECTION_STRING environment variable");
+```
+
+### Dependency Management
+
+- All dependencies managed through `dependencyManagement/` module
+- Strict version conflict resolution (`failOnVersionConflict()`)
+- Dependency locking enabled for reproducible builds
+
+### Testing Patterns
+
+- **Unit Tests**: Standard JUnit 5 with 15-minute timeout
+- **Smoke Tests**: Containerized integration tests with fake ingestion
+- **Muzzle Tests**: Bytecode compatibility validation for instrumentation
+
+## Key Files for Understanding
+
+- `agent/agent/build.gradle.kts` - Agent assembly process
+- `agent/agent-tooling/src/main/java/.../configuration/Configuration.java` - Main configuration
+- `smoke-tests/framework/src/main/java/.../smoketest/` - Test infrastructure
+- `buildSrc/src/main/kotlin/ai.*.gradle.kts` - Build conventions
+
+## Development Tips
+
+- Agent JAR must be self-contained (no external dependencies)
+- Bootstrap classes are loaded early - keep minimal
+- Use `hideFromDependabot()` for test-only dependencies
+- Smoke tests validate end-to-end functionality in realistic environments
+- Check `gradle.lockfile` when dependency issues arise