docs: creating templates

Author: LorenzBischof

docs/guides/.pages

@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 nav:
    - Using with Flakes: using-with-flakes.md
    - Using with flake.parts: using-with-flake-parts.md
+   - Creating templates: creating-templates.md

docs/guides/creating-templates.md

@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+The following guide describes how to extend devenv and provide templates for other users. It is possible to bootstrap `devenv.nix` with custom content, change defaults or even define custom devenv options.
+
+## Templates
+
+To provide a devenv template, create a `flake.nix` in the root directory of your Git repository with the following content:
+```
+outputs = { self }: {
+
+  templates.rust = {
+    path = ./rust;
+    description = "A simple Rust/Cargo project";
+    welcomeText = ''
+      # Simple Rust/Cargo Template
+      ## Intended usage
+      The intended usage is...
+
+      ## More info
+      - [Rust language](https://www.rust-lang.org/)
+      - [Rust on the NixOS Wiki](https://wiki.nixos.org/wiki/Rust)
+      - ...
+    '';
+  };
+
+  templates.default = self.templates.rust;
+}
+```
+
+A template has the following attributes:
+- `description`: A one-line description of the template, in CommonMark syntax.
+- `path`: The path of the directory to be copied. This directory can be created with `devenv init rust`.
+- `welcomeText`: A block of markdown text to display when a user initializes a new project based on this template.
+
+!!! note "What is the difference between devenv and Flake templates?"
+    The only difference is the contents in the template `path` directory.
+    Nix does not enforce any rules upon the contents of this directory.
+    Currently the commands `devenv init --template` and `nix flake init --template` are interchangeable. If you get a devenv project or not, depends on the contents of the template.
+
+Template consumers can then use the following command to use the `default` template:
+```
+devenv init --template github:owner/repo
+```
+
+The reference to the Github repository is called a Flake reference. Some more examples:
+- `github:owner/repo#rust`: The `rust` template.
+- `github:owner/repo/some-branch`: The `default` template from the `some-branch` Git branch.
+- `github:owner/repo?dir=some-dir`: The `default` template from the `flake.nix` inside the `some-dir` directory.
+- `gitlab:owner/repo`: The `default` template from a Gitlab repository.
+
+When testing you may also use a local directory path.
+
+see [Flake references](https://nix.dev/manual/nix/2.26/command-ref/new-cli/nix3-flake#flake-references) for the official documentation.
+
+## Imports
+Imports can be used to split `devenv.nix` when making more advanced templates.
+
+```nix title="devenv.nix"
+{ config, lib, ... }:
+{
+  imports = [ ./another-file.nix ];
+}
+```
+
+It is also possible to import from an external repository. This method is recommended for implementation details that the template consumer is not supposed to modify.
+
+```yaml title="devenv.yaml"
+inputs:
+  nixpkgs:
+    url: github:cachix/devenv-nixpkgs/rolling
+  templates:
+    url: github:owner/repo
+imports:
+- templates
+```
+
+The specified repository is usually the same repository where the template itself is located.
+
+The import always begins with the input name, but may include a directory (e.g. `templates/some/directory`). In the example above the import will look for a `devenv.nix` file in the Git root directory.
+
+!!! note "Defaults"
+    To set defaults prepend the value with `lib.mkDefault` so that the template consumer can change the value (e.g. `enable = lib.mkDefault true`). Lists are automatically merged and don't require `lib.mkDefault`. The template can specify a list of default packages and these are then merged with the users packages.
+
+## Merging existing files
+
+Templates cannot override existing files, however it is possible to implement custom logic to handle this.
+
+First rename the template file (e.g. `.gitignore.devenv-template`) and then add the following to the `devenv.nix` file:
+
+```nix
+enterShell = ''
+  if [ -f .gitignore.devenv-template ]; then
+    cat .gitignore.devenv-template >> .gitignore
+    rm .gitignore.devenv-template
+  fi
+'';
+```
+
+## Custom options
+
+It is possible to extend devenv with additional modules and options. See <https://nix.dev/tutorials/module-system/deep-dive.html>