spaceshipmike · spaceshipmike · May 9, 2026 · May 9, 2026
diff --git a/docs/public-readiness-plan.md b/docs/public-readiness-plan.md
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ Setlist is moving from a personal registry toward a local, agent-readable worksp
 - Done: core-owned local workspace inspection now enriches agent briefs with lightweight code and non-code source signals without broad indexing or external calls.
 - Done: richer source adapter paths are now being developed in parallel for code and non-code workspaces, adding bounded manifest/dependency/runtime signals and document-category/folder-role signals without persisting inspection-derived fields.
 - Done: Electron first-run onboarding now guides a user through registering one existing local folder and previewing shallow local inspection signals before registration.
+- Done: existing-folder onboarding now lets users choose from live, user-managed project types while keeping broad code/workspace defaults as fallback.
 
 ## Slice Proof: Alpha MCP Client Controls Tester Packet
 
@@ -57,16 +58,18 @@ What remains:
 ## Slice Proof: Guided Existing-Folder Registration
 
 - `@setlist/core` now owns `Registry.inspectWorkspaceCandidate(...)` and `Registry.registerExistingWorkspace(...)`, so the app does not decide registration or inspection policy in renderer code.
-- The app main process exposes narrow IPC calls for candidate inspection and existing-workspace registration. The renderer only collects name, display name, broad workspace kind, local path, optional structure fields, and shows returned results.
+- The app main process exposes narrow IPC calls for candidate inspection and existing-workspace registration. The renderer only collects name, display name, selected project type when available, broad workspace kind fallback, local path, optional structure fields, and shows returned results.
 - The empty first-run state now leads with "Register existing folder" and keeps "Create new workspace" as a secondary path. This keeps non-code folders and already-existing workspaces first-class during onboarding.
 - Existing-folder registration shows explicit local-first copy: Setlist reads shallow local metadata on the Mac, does not upload contents, does not call an LLM, and does not generate an automatic digest.
+- Existing-folder registration now accepts a selected live `project_type_id` from the user-managed `project_types` table. Core validates the selected type and still falls back to broad code/workspace seeded defaults when no specific type is selected.
+- Custom non-code project types remain first-class: registration does not require `tech_stack`, does not persist fake code metadata, and brief/enrichment gaps stay workspace-appropriate.
 - The preview displays local inspection status, code signals when present, document/folder signals when present, notable files, material hints, and structured gaps such as empty, missing, inaccessible, or entry-limit conditions.
 - Registration lands the user on the newly registered project overview, where the existing Agent Brief and Paths sections provide a useful next surface without broad indexing or background digest work.
 
 What remains:
 
 - Add richer folder-picker affordances later if manual path entry proves awkward in the packaged app.
-- Decide whether existing-folder registration should eventually support custom project types directly, beyond the current broad code/workspace mapping to seeded defaults.
+- Watch real onboarding sessions for confusing project-type labels or missing default types before adding more UI.
 
 ## Slice Proof: Workspace Source Inspection
 
@@ -229,7 +232,7 @@ Awareness should point to proof, not vibes: before/after agent orientation, Clau
 ## Next Implementation Slices
 
 1. Run the app-side MCP client controls tester packet/checklist with real alpha users and make only targeted copy refinements where users get stuck.
-2. Expand the compatibility matrix only when another client has real detection, planning, install, backup, and recovery behavior in code.
-3. Use the launch-awareness drafts only as lightweight feedback copy until real alpha MCP-control feedback and a boringly repeatable install/onboarding path support broader publication.
-4. Turn the single-page marketing-site outline into an actual page only after README proof, compatibility docs, and install/onboarding guidance stay in sync.
-5. Refine existing-folder onboarding with custom project-type selection only after the broad code/workspace prototype has been used.
+2. Watch the custom project-type onboarding path with alpha users and tune labels/copy only where real confusion appears.
+3. Expand the compatibility matrix only when another client has real detection, planning, install, backup, and recovery behavior in code.
+4. Use the launch-awareness drafts only as lightweight feedback copy until real alpha MCP-control feedback and a boringly repeatable install/onboarding path support broader publication.
+5. Turn the single-page marketing-site outline into an actual page only after README proof, compatibility docs, and install/onboarding guidance stay in sync.
diff --git a/packages/app/e2e/app.spec.ts b/packages/app/e2e/app.spec.ts
@@ -150,13 +150,19 @@ args = ["-y", "@setlist/mcp"]
       mkdirSync(join(workspace, 'Research Notes'), { recursive: true })
       writeFileSync(join(workspace, 'client-plan.md'), '# Plan\n')
       writeFileSync(join(workspace, 'Research Notes', 'source-notes.txt'), 'Sources\n')
+      await window.evaluate(() => (window as any).setlist.createProjectType({
+        name: 'Research workspace',
+        default_directory: '/tmp',
+        git_init: false,
+        color: '#10b981'
+      }))
 
       await window.getByRole('button', { name: 'Register existing folder' }).first().click()
       await expect(window.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Register existing folder' })).toBeVisible()
       await expect(window.getByText(/shallow local metadata/)).toBeVisible()
       const typePicker = window.getByLabel('Type')
-      await typePicker.selectOption('non_code_project')
-      await expect(typePicker).toHaveValue('non_code_project')
+      await expect(typePicker.locator('option', { hasText: 'Research workspace' })).toHaveCount(1)
+      await typePicker.selectOption({ label: 'Research workspace' })
       await window.getByLabel('Name (slug)').fill('client-research')
       await window.getByLabel('Display name (optional)').fill('Client Research')
       await window.getByLabel('Local folder path').fill(workspace)
@@ -167,6 +173,9 @@ args = ["-y", "@setlist/mcp"]
       await window.getByRole('button', { name: 'Register' }).click()
       await expect(window.getByRole('heading', { name: 'Client Research' })).toBeVisible()
       await expect(window.getByText(workspace)).toBeVisible()
+      const project = await window.evaluate(() => (window as any).setlist.getProject('client-research', 'standard'))
+      expect(project.project_type).toBe('Research workspace')
+      expect(project.project_type_id).toBeTruthy()
     } finally {
       await app.close()
       rmSync(home, { recursive: true, force: true })

diff --git a/packages/app/out/main/index.js b/packages/app/out/main/index.js
@@ -2655,6 +2655,17 @@ class Registry {
       throw new InvalidInputError(`Workspace path is not a readable directory: ${inspectedPath?.error ?? normalizedPath}`);
     }
     const displayName = opts.display_name?.trim() || void 0;
+    const typeDb = this.open();
+    let projectTypeId;
+    try {
+      projectTypeId = this.resolveExistingWorkspaceProjectTypeId(typeDb, {
+        project_type_id: opts.project_type_id,
+        workspace_kind: opts.workspace_kind,
+        inspection
+      });
+    } finally {
+      typeDb.close();
+    }
     this.register({
       name: projectName,
       type: "project",
@@ -2671,10 +2682,8 @@ class Registry {
     });
     const db = this.open();
     try {
-      const typeName = opts.workspace_kind === "code" ? "Code project" : "Non-code project";
-      const typeRow = db.prepare("SELECT id FROM project_types WHERE name = ?").get(typeName);
-      if (typeRow) {
-        db.prepare("UPDATE projects SET project_type_id = ?, updated_at = datetime('now') WHERE name = ?").run(typeRow.id, projectName);
+      if (projectTypeId != null) {
+        db.prepare("UPDATE projects SET project_type_id = ?, updated_at = datetime('now') WHERE name = ?").run(projectTypeId, projectName);
       }
     } finally {
       db.close();
@@ -2684,6 +2693,21 @@ class Registry {
       inspection
     };
   }
+  resolveExistingWorkspaceProjectTypeId(db, opts) {
+    if (opts.project_type_id != null) {
+      if (!Number.isInteger(opts.project_type_id) || opts.project_type_id <= 0) {
+        throw new InvalidProjectTypeError(opts.project_type_id);
+      }
+      const row2 = db.prepare("SELECT id FROM project_types WHERE id = ?").get(opts.project_type_id);
+      if (!row2)
+        throw new InvalidProjectTypeError(opts.project_type_id);
+      return row2.id;
+    }
+    const fallbackKind = opts.workspace_kind ?? (opts.inspection.summary.kind === "code" ? "code" : "workspace");
+    const typeName = fallbackKind === "code" ? "Code project" : "Non-code project";
+    const row = db.prepare("SELECT id FROM project_types WHERE name = ?").get(typeName);
+    return row?.id ?? null;
+  }
   listProjects(opts) {
     const depth = opts?.depth ?? "summary";
     const db = this.open();

diff --git a/...app/out/renderer/assets/index-Siu6r3F2.js → ...app/out/renderer/assets/index-9KfjZFFz.js b/...app/out/renderer/assets/index-Siu6r3F2.js → ...app/out/renderer/assets/index-9KfjZFFz.js
@@ -22170,7 +22170,7 @@ function SettingsView({ onBack }) {
     /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx(UpdatesSection, {})
   ] });
 }
-const PROJECT_TYPES = [
+const BROAD_PROJECT_TYPES = [
   { value: "code_project", label: "Code repository or app", workspaceKind: "code" },
   { value: "non_code_project", label: "General workspace or folder", workspaceKind: "workspace" }
 ];
@@ -22185,10 +22185,18 @@ function slugFromText(value) {
 function folderName(path) {
   return path.split("/").filter(Boolean).pop() ?? "";
 }
+function defaultProjectTypeFor(types, fallback) {
+  const wantsCode = fallback === "code_project";
+  const seededName = wantsCode ? "Code project" : "Non-code project";
+  return types.find((type) => type.name === seededName) ?? types.find((type) => type.git_init === wantsCode);
+}
 function RegisterProjectDialog({ open, onOpenChange, initialMode = "create", onSuccess }) {
   const [name, setName] = reactExports.useState("");
   const [displayName, setDisplayName] = reactExports.useState("");
-  const [type, setType] = reactExports.useState("code_project");
+  const [fallbackType, setFallbackType] = reactExports.useState("code_project");
+  const [projectTypes, setProjectTypes] = reactExports.useState([]);
+  const [projectTypesLoading, setProjectTypesLoading] = reactExports.useState(false);
+  const [selectedProjectTypeId, setSelectedProjectTypeId] = reactExports.useState(null);
   const [description, setDescription] = reactExports.useState("");
   const [area, setArea] = reactExports.useState(UNASSIGNED);
   const [parentProject, setParentProject] = reactExports.useState("");
@@ -22207,15 +22215,22 @@ function RegisterProjectDialog({ open, onOpenChange, initialMode = "create", onS
   const [inspecting, setInspecting] = reactExports.useState(false);
   reactExports.useEffect(() => {
     if (open) {
+      const defaultFallback = initialMode === "existing" ? "non_code_project" : "code_project";
       setCreateFolder(initialMode !== "existing");
-      if (initialMode === "existing") setType("non_code_project");
+      setFallbackType(defaultFallback);
+      setSelectedProjectTypeId(null);
       api.getBootstrapConfig().then(setConfig).catch(() => setConfig(null));
+      setProjectTypesLoading(true);
+      api.listProjectTypes().then((types) => {
+        setProjectTypes(types);
+        setSelectedProjectTypeId(defaultProjectTypeFor(types, defaultFallback)?.id ?? null);
+      }).catch(() => setProjectTypes([])).finally(() => setProjectTypesLoading(false));
       api.listProjects({ depth: "summary" }).then((projects) => setParentOptions(projects)).catch(() => setParentOptions([]));
     }
   }, [open, initialMode]);
   reactExports.useEffect(() => {
     setInspection(null);
-  }, [existingFolder, type]);
+  }, [existingFolder, fallbackType, selectedProjectTypeId]);
   reactExports.useEffect(() => {
     const trimmed = name.trim();
     setNameWarning(null);
@@ -22232,12 +22247,26 @@ function RegisterProjectDialog({ open, onOpenChange, initialMode = "create", onS
     }, 300);
     return () => clearTimeout(checkTimer.current);
   }, [name]);
-  const pathKey = TYPE_TO_PATH_KEY[type];
-  const pathRoot = config?.path_roots?.[pathKey];
-  const hasBootstrapConfig = config && Object.keys(config.path_roots).length > 0;
+  const selectedProjectType = selectedProjectTypeId == null ? null : projectTypes.find((type) => type.id === selectedProjectTypeId) ?? null;
+  const selectedTypeValue = selectedProjectType ? `project-type:${selectedProjectType.id}` : fallbackType;
+  const selectedBroadType = selectedProjectType ? selectedProjectType.git_init ? "code_project" : "non_code_project" : fallbackType;
+  const pathKey = TYPE_TO_PATH_KEY[selectedBroadType];
+  const pathRoot = selectedProjectType?.default_directory ?? config?.path_roots?.[pathKey];
+  const hasBootstrapConfig = Boolean(selectedProjectType) || Boolean(config && Object.keys(config.path_roots).length > 0);
   const resolvedPath = pathRoot && name.trim() ? `${pathRoot}/${name.trim()}` : null;
-  const workspaceKind = PROJECT_TYPES.find((candidate) => candidate.value === type)?.workspaceKind;
+  const workspaceKind = selectedProjectType ? selectedProjectType.git_init ? "code" : "workspace" : BROAD_PROJECT_TYPES.find((candidate) => candidate.value === fallbackType)?.workspaceKind;
   const selectedFolder = existingFolder?.trim() ?? "";
+  const handleTypeChange = (value) => {
+    if (value.startsWith("project-type:")) {
+      const id = Number(value.slice("project-type:".length));
+      const projectType = projectTypes.find((type) => type.id === id);
+      setSelectedProjectTypeId(projectType?.id ?? null);
+      if (projectType) setFallbackType(projectType.git_init ? "code_project" : "non_code_project");
+      return;
+    }
+    setSelectedProjectTypeId(null);
+    setFallbackType(value);
+  };
   const setExistingFolderValue = (value) => {
     setExistingFolder(value);
     if (!name.trim()) {
@@ -22286,11 +22315,12 @@ function RegisterProjectDialog({ open, onOpenChange, initialMode = "create", onS
       if (createFolder) {
         await api.bootstrapProject({
           name: name.trim(),
-          type: type === "code_project" ? "project" : "non_code_project",
+          type: selectedBroadType === "code_project" ? "project" : "non_code_project",
+          project_type_id: selectedProjectType?.id,
           status: "active",
           description: description.trim() || void 0,
           display_name: displayName.trim() || void 0,
-          skip_git: skipGit || type !== "code_project",
+          skip_git: skipGit || selectedBroadType !== "code_project",
           area: resolvedArea,
           parent_project: resolvedParent,
           email_account: resolvedEmail
@@ -22304,6 +22334,7 @@ function RegisterProjectDialog({ open, onOpenChange, initialMode = "create", onS
           name: name.trim(),
           path: selectedFolder,
           workspace_kind: workspaceKind,
+          project_type_id: selectedProjectType?.id,
           status: "active",
           description: description.trim() || void 0,
           display_name: displayName.trim() || void 0,
@@ -22316,7 +22347,8 @@ function RegisterProjectDialog({ open, onOpenChange, initialMode = "create", onS
       const registeredName = name.trim();
       setName("");
       setDisplayName("");
-      setType("code_project");
+      setFallbackType("code_project");
+      setSelectedProjectTypeId(null);
       setDescription("");
       setArea(UNASSIGNED);
       setParentProject("");
@@ -22364,15 +22396,18 @@ function RegisterProjectDialog({ open, onOpenChange, initialMode = "create", onS
             className: "input-field"
           }
         ) }),
-        /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx(Field, { label: "Type", children: /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx(
-          "select",
-          {
-            value: type,
-            onChange: (e) => setType(e.target.value),
-            className: "input-field",
-            children: PROJECT_TYPES.map((t) => /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx("option", { value: t.value, children: t.label }, t.value))
-          }
-        ) }),
+        /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsxs(Field, { label: "Type", children: [
+          /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx(
+            "select",
+            {
+              value: selectedTypeValue,
+              onChange: (e) => handleTypeChange(e.target.value),
+              className: "input-field",
+              children: projectTypes.length > 0 ? projectTypes.map((t) => /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx("option", { value: `project-type:${t.id}`, children: t.name }, t.id)) : BROAD_PROJECT_TYPES.map((t) => /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx("option", { value: t.value, children: t.label }, t.value))
+            }
+          ),
+          projectTypesLoading && /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx("div", { className: "mt-1 text-xs text-[var(--color-text-tertiary)]", children: "Loading saved project types..." })
+        ] }),
         /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx(Field, { label: "Description (optional)", children: /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx(
           "textarea",
           {
@@ -22448,7 +22483,7 @@ function RegisterProjectDialog({ open, onOpenChange, initialMode = "create", onS
               "Templates from ",
               config.template_dir
             ] }),
-            type === "code_project" && /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsxs("label", { className: "flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer", children: [
+            selectedBroadType === "code_project" && /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsxs("label", { className: "flex items-center gap-2 cursor-pointer", children: [
               /* @__PURE__ */ jsxRuntimeExports.jsx(
                 "input",
                 {

diff --git a/packages/app/out/renderer/index.html b/packages/app/out/renderer/index.html
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@
     <meta charset="UTF-8" />
     <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
     <title>Setlist</title>
-    <script type="module" crossorigin src="./assets/index-Siu6r3F2.js"></script>
+    <script type="module" crossorigin src="./assets/index-9KfjZFFz.js"></script>
     <link rel="stylesheet" crossorigin href="./assets/index-pkWOQE-N.css">
   </head>
   <body>

diff --git a/packages/app/src/preload/index.ts b/packages/app/src/preload/index.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,8 @@ const api = {
   registerExistingWorkspace: (opts: {
     name: string;
     path: string;
-    workspace_kind: 'code' | 'workspace';
+    workspace_kind?: 'code' | 'workspace';
+    project_type_id?: number | null;
     status?: string;
     description?: string;
     goals?: string;