From edf13cc00ef757bf17d145b74908d9ce3d0f6312 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: "google-labs-jules[bot]"
 <161369871+google-labs-jules[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Thu, 4 Sep 2025 00:18:19 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] Docs: Expand launch checklist with initial setup steps

This change expands the project launch checklist to include more detailed steps for the initial repository setup.

This addresses the user's request to provide guidance for new users who have just created a repository from the template. The new "Initial Repository Setup" section includes:

- Advice on choosing a repository name and writing a description.
- Instructions for setting up GitHub Pages.
- A "publish test" to verify the deployment.
- A step to tag a v0.0.1 release to confirm the release workflow.
---
 docs/project.launch-checklist.md | 32 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 32 insertions(+)

diff --git a/docs/project.launch-checklist.md b/docs/project.launch-checklist.md
index 17918c0..2a94a87 100644
--- a/docs/project.launch-checklist.md
+++ b/docs/project.launch-checklist.md
@@ -6,6 +6,38 @@ Launching a new open-source project can be a daunting task. This checklist is de
 
 This is the phase where you prepare your project for its public debut.
 
+### Initial Repository Setup
+
+These are the very first steps to take after creating a new repository from the `base` template.
+
+- [ ] **Choose a Repository Name:**
+  - **Max Characters:** 100
+  - **Advice:** Pick a name that is short, memorable, and descriptive of your project. Avoid using spaces; use hyphens (`-`) or underscores (`_`) instead.
+
+- [ ] **Write a Description:**
+  - **Max Characters:** 350
+  - **Advice:** This is your project's "elevator pitch." Briefly explain what your project does and who it's for. This description is shown in search results and on the repository page.
+
+- [ ] **Set Up GitHub Pages Publishing:**
+  1. Go to your repository's **Settings** tab.
+  2. In the left sidebar, click on **Pages**.
+  3. Under "Build and deployment," for the **Source**, select **GitHub Actions**. This repository is pre-configured with a workflow to build and deploy your site.
+
+- [ ] **Publish Test:**
+  1. Make a small, visible edit to the `README.md` file (e.g., add a sentence).
+  2. Commit and push the change to the `main` branch.
+  3. Go to the **Actions** tab of your repository and wait for the `pages` workflow to complete successfully.
+  4. Visit your new GitHub Pages URL (e.g., `https://<your-username>.github.io/<your-repo-name>/`) to confirm that your change is live.
+
+- [ ] **Tag an Initial Release (`v0.0.1`):**
+  - This step confirms that your release workflow is functioning correctly.
+  - Run the following commands in your local terminal:
+    ```bash
+    git tag -a v0.0.1 -m "Initial setup and project scaffolding"
+    git push origin main --tags
+    ```
+  - Go to the **Releases** page on your repository to confirm that a new `v0.0.1` release has been created automatically.
+
 ### Code and Repository
 
 - [ ] Finalize initial feature set for `v1.0.0`.