InstallForDevelopers.md

Developer Installation Guide for ShapeMaster

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for developers who want to build, test, or contribute to ShapeMaster.

Prerequisites

• Windows OS
• Visual Studio 2022 Community Edition (or later)
• .NET Framework 4.8 Developer Pack
• VSTO (Visual Studio Tools for Office) Extensions
• Git

Setup Steps

1. Clone the Repository

   git clone https://github.com/enthali/ShapeMaster.git
   cd ShapeMaster

2. Open the Solution

   • Open ShapeMaster.sln in Visual Studio.

3. Configure Code Signing (Optional for Local Builds)

   • If you want to test ClickOnce deployment, you will need a code-signing certificate.
   • For local development, you can use the provided test certificate or create your own self-signed certificate.
   • See the README or project documentation for instructions on generating and using a self-signed certificate.

4. Build the Project

   • Select the desired configuration (Debug or Release).
   • Build the solution (Ctrl+Shift+B).

5. Run and Debug

   • Set PowerPoint as the start action if not already set.
   • Press F5 to launch PowerPoint with the add-in loaded.

6. Testing

   • Test your changes in PowerPoint.
   • Add or update tests as needed.

7. Create a Feature Branch

   • Before making changes, create a new branch:

     git checkout -b my-feature-branch

8. Commit and Push

   • Commit your changes and push to your fork.

9. Open a Pull Request

   • Submit a pull request to the main repository for review.

Troubleshooting

• If you encounter issues with dependencies, ensure all prerequisites are installed.
• For ClickOnce or signing issues, refer to the README or open an issue on GitHub.

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Thank you for contributing to ShapeMaster!