Include certain hidden files in templates (e.g. based on .quartoignore)

[skwde]

Description

As mentioned here https://quarto.org/docs/extensions/starter-templates.html#creating-a-template all hidden files / directories are ignored.

It would be nice to have a way to allow certain hidden files / directories.
This would allow to also bundle common project setup with the template like lint config files or a .devcontainer

I tried using a .quartoignore or .gitignore like

!.devcontainer/
!.devcontainer/*
!.pre-commit-config.yaml

but this didn't help.

[mcanouil]

Use format-resources and/or resources to add resources depending on what your extension is.
It should work, if not please share a small Git repository which reproduce the issue.

[skwde]

Ok, thanks for your reply.

So just to confirm, it is currently not possible to create a project directory from a skeleton.
I simply want to have a custom project files (project not in the quarto sense, but in the git repository sense).

The approach you mention seems like a workaround to what I try to achieve. (I don't want to change rendering / preview behavior or ship my own css style).
From what I understand the use of templates is not meant for that.
I guess I wrongly understood quarto projects / templates in the first place.

I however thing that something like this is quite useful to more than me, should this move to a feature request?

[mcanouil]

project not in the quarto sense, but in the git repository sense

Then use Git/GitHub (or GitLab) and create a repository template.

[skwde]

Yes that's what I try to do, quarto use template allows for git repositories

When using git clone for my template, another another manual interaction is required, namely removing .git.
That is why I try to use quarto templates in the first place.

Are quarto templates only meant to be used with and _extension folder?
I don't quite get why there is the restriction of not copying any hidden files, at least it should be optin, e.g. with an option.
Point 1 and 2 at https://quarto.org/docs/extensions/starter-templates.html even mention it, that it is meant for initial content.

[mcanouil]

Yes that's what I try to do, quarto use template allows for git repositories

A "template" is a format extension which contains a template.qmd.

There are no restrictions. It's a current limitation as there is nothing to tell Quarto what files/directories should be kept or not from the _extensions directory in the Git repository.

Extensions were designed to allow users to use whatever custom formats they want because custom formats require repeated and tedious tasks without.

FYI:

• Allow (project) extensions to provide resources #9515

with an option.
Point 1 and 2 at https://quarto.org/docs/extensions/starter-templates.html even mention it

You have to read the links to understand what "initial content" means.

[skwde]

Thanks again for your response and explanation.

The issue is indeed helpful.

Now patiently waiting for it to be solved ;)