Is it possible to create a custom solution template wizard? If so, how?
To provide some context, I need to customize the solution creation process by which steps such as source control branching must occur before the solution is created. I am NOT trying to create a multi-project solution (which I know how to do). In addition to the precreation steps, I need fine control over when and where the solution (*.sln) is created on disk.
I've had partial success using a project template wizard, but I'm really fighting Visual Studio because those wizards are intended for projects and items, not solutions. I've considered creating a package which adds a custom menu to kick-off the process, but I'd rather have it be via the "New Project" dialog to retain fidelity with the standard developer experience.
The process is effectively:
- Collect information about the new solution such as name
- Select a local working directory
- Branch baseline for solution (by policy). The SCC information would be passed via the template wizard data.
- Map branch to selected local working directory
- Pull latest bits
- Run local build environment initialization (from pulled bits)
- Create solution under local working directory
- Add solution to source control
- Open the solution
I know how to build and execute all the steps, I just can't get it integrated into Visual Studio the way I want. The experience should be File -> New Project -> New "My Team Solution".
Any suggestions or guidance is much appreciated.