add index to README

Author: ericwindmill

README.md

@@ -5,14 +5,140 @@
 A collection of open source samples that illustrate best practices for
 [Flutter](https://flutter.dev).
 
-## Visual samples index
-
-The easiest way to browse through the samples in this repo (as well as a few others!)
-is the [visual samples index](https://flutter.github.io/samples).
-
-## Tip: minimize download size
-
-As this repository is quite big, you can use svn to download a single example.
+## Index
+
+### Quickstarts
+
+* [`asset_transformation`][]
+* [`background_isolate_channels`][]
+* [`code_sharing`][]
+* [`context_menus`][]
+* [`desktop_photo_search`][]
+* [`dynamic_theme`][]
+* [`form_app`][]
+* [`game_template`][]
+* [`gemini_tasks`][]
+* [`google_maps`][]
+* [`infinite_list`][]
+* [`isolate_example`][]
+* [`navigation_and_routing`][]
+* [`platform_design`][]
+* [`provider_counter`][]
+* [`provider_shopper`][]
+* [`simple_shader`][]
+* [`simplistic_calculator`][]
+* [`simplistic_editor`][]
+* [`testing_app`][]
+* [`web_embedding`][]
+
+### Native platform samples
+
+* [`add-to-app`][] - Collection of samples that demonstrate embedding Flutter a view into a native app.
+  * [`fullscreen`][] — Embeds a full screen instance of
+  Flutter into an existing iOS or Android app.
+  * [`prebuilt_module`][] — Embeds a full screen
+  instance of Flutter as a prebuilt library that can be loaded into an existing
+  iOS or Android app.
+  * [`plugin`][] — Embeds a full screen Flutter instance that
+  is using plugins into an existing iOS or Android app.
+  * [`books`][] — Mimics a real world use-case of embedding Flutter into an
+  existing Android app and demonstrates using
+  [Pigeon](https://pub.dev/packages/pigeon) to communicate between Flutter and
+  the host application.
+  * [`multiple_flutters`][] — Shows the usage of the Flutter
+  Engine Group APIs to embed multiple instances of Flutter into an existing app
+  with low memory cost.
+  * [`android_view`][] — Shows how to integrate a Flutter
+  add-to-app module at a view level for Android.
+* [`android_splash_screen`][]
+* [`ios_app_clip`][]
+* [`platform_channels`][]
+* [`platform_view_swift`][]
+
+### Demo galleries
+
+* [`animations`][] - Showcases Flutter's animation features
+* [`material_3_demo`][] -
+
+### Demo apps
+
+* [`compass_app`][]
+* [`deeplink_store_example`][]
+* [`veggie_seasons`][]
+
+[`asset_transformation`]: ./asset_transformation
+[`background_isolate_channels`]: ./background_isolate_channels
+[`code_sharing`]: ./code_sharing
+[`context_menus`]: ./context_menus
+[`desktop_photo_search`]: ./desktop_photo_search
+[`dynamic_theme`]: ./dynamic_theme
+[`form_app`]: ./form_app
+[`game_template`]: ./game_template
+[`gemini_tasks`]: ./gemini_tasks
+[`google_maps`]: ./google_maps
+[`infinite_list`]: ./infinite_list
+[`isolate_example`]: ./isolate_example
+[`navigation_and_routing`]: ./navigation_and_routing
+[`platform_design`]: ./platform_design
+[`provider_counter`]: ./provider_counter
+[`provider_shopper`]: ./provider_shopper
+[`simple_shader`]: ./simple_shader
+[`simplistic_calculator`]: ./simplistic_calculator
+[`simplistic_editor`]: ./simplistic_editor
+[`testing_app`]: ./testing_app
+[`web_embedding`]: ./web_embedding
+[`add-to-app`]: ./add_to_app
+[`fullscreen`]: ./add_to_app/fullscreen
+[`prebuilt_module`]: ./add_to_app/prebuilt_module
+[`plugin`]: ./add_to_app/plugin
+[`books`]: ./add_to_app/books 
+[`multiple_flutters`]: ./add_to_app/multiple_flutters
+[`android_view`]: ./add_to_app/android_view
+[`android_splash_screen`]: ./android_splash_screen
+[`ios_app_clip`]: ./ios_app_clip
+[`platform_channels`]: ./platform_channels
+[`platform_view_swift`]: ./platform_view_swift
+[`animations`]: ./animations
+[`material_3_demo`]: ./material_3_demo
+[`compass_app`]: ./compass_app
+[`deeplink_store_example`]: ./deeplink_store_example
+[`veggie_seasons`]: ./veggieseasons
+
+
+## Flutter sample code
+
+Samples are **correct and concise code** that developers 
+can **quickly understand** and **easily reuse** with minimal side effects. 
+Samples teach developers how to be successful using Flutter and Dart. 
+They are maintained on an ongoing basis 
+to reflect changing APIs and best practices.
+
+### Types of samples
+
+There are two types of sample code in this repository:
+
+* **Quickstarts** provide a starting point to extend. They answer the question,
+  "What is the minimal amount of code needed to implement this feature?"
+* **Demo apps** are meant to be built and ran. They demo the _product_, 
+   not how to write code.
+
+A majority of samples in this repository are quickstarts.
+
+## Usage
+
+Every sample in this repo is fully runnable. To run an example, 
+use `flutter run` inside that example's directory. 
+See the [getting started guide](https://docs.flutter.dev/get-started/install) 
+to install the `flutter` tool.
+
+> [!IMPORTANT]  
+> If you want to run an add-to-app sample, there are additional requirements.
+> We suggest reading the [add-to-app documentation](https://docs.flutter.dev/add-to-app).
+
+### Tip: minimize download size
+
+As this repository is quite big, you can use 
+[svn](https://subversion.apache.org/) to download a single example.
 For example:
 
 ```
@@ -38,7 +164,7 @@ If you have a general question about one of these samples or how to adapt its
 techniques for one of your own apps, try one of these resources:
 
 * [The FlutterDev Discord](https://discord.gg/rflutterdev)
-* [StackOverflow](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/tagged/flutter)
+* [The Flutter Community forum](https://forum.itsallwidgets.com/latest)
 
 If you run into a bug in one of the samples, please file an issue in the
 [`flutter/samples` issue tracker](https://github.com/flutter/samples/issues).