chore: add .mailmap to normalize git identity

Move package.xml from freecad/ to mod root following the standard
addon layout used by sdk, gears, datums, and solver.

Add root Init.py (sys.path setup for silo-client) and InitGui.py
that consolidates all Silo GUI initialization:
- SiloWorkbench class and registration
- Silo overlay context registration
- Document observer for .kc tree building
- Auth and activity dock panels via kindred_sdk
- First-start settings check
- Start page override
- kindred:// URL handler

This decouples Silo initialization from src/Mod/Create/InitGui.py,
which previously held five Silo-specific deferred setup functions.

.mailmap

@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+forbes <contact@kindred-systems.com> forbes <joseph.forbes@kindred-systems.com>
+forbes <contact@kindred-systems.com> forbes <zoe.forbes@kindred-systems.com>
+forbes <contact@kindred-systems.com> forbes-0023 <joseph.forbes@kindred-systems.com>
+forbes <contact@kindred-systems.com> forbes-0023 <zoe.forbes@kindred-systems.com>
+forbes <contact@kindred-systems.com> josephforbes23 <joseph.forbes@kindred-systems.com>
+forbes <contact@kindred-systems.com> Zoe Forbes <forbes@copernicus-9.kindred.internal>
+forbes <contact@kindred-systems.com> admin <admin@kindred-systems.com>

Init.py

@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+"""Silo addon — console initialization.
+
+Adds the shared silo-client package to sys.path so that
+``import silo_client`` works from silo_commands.py and other modules.
+"""
+
+import os
+import sys
+
+_mod_dir = os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))
+_client_dir = os.path.join(_mod_dir, "silo-client")
+if os.path.isdir(_client_dir) and _client_dir not in sys.path:
+    sys.path.insert(0, _client_dir)

InitGui.py

@@ -0,0 +1,265 @@
+"""Kindred Silo addon — GUI initialization.
+
+Registers the SiloWorkbench, Silo file origin, overlay context,
+dock panels (auth + activity), document observer, and start page override.
+"""
+
+import os
+
+import FreeCAD
+import FreeCADGui
+
+FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Kindred Silo InitGui.py loading...\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Workbench
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+class SiloWorkbench(FreeCADGui.Workbench):
+    """Kindred Silo workbench for item database integration."""
+
+    MenuText = "Kindred Silo"
+    ToolTip = "Item database and part management for Kindred Create"
+    Icon = ""
+
+    def __init__(self):
+        icon_path = os.path.join(
+            os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)),
+            "freecad",
+            "resources",
+            "icons",
+            "silo.svg",
+        )
+        if os.path.exists(icon_path):
+            self.__class__.Icon = icon_path
+
+    def Initialize(self):
+        """Called when workbench is first activated."""
+        import silo_commands
+
+        # Register Silo as a file origin in the unified origin system
+        try:
+            import silo_origin
+
+            silo_origin.register_silo_origin()
+        except Exception as e:
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Could not register Silo origin: {e}\n")
+
+        # Silo origin toolbar — shown as an overlay on any context when the
+        # active document is Silo-tracked.  Registered as Unavailable so
+        # EditingContextResolver controls visibility via the overlay system.
+        self.silo_toolbar_commands = [
+            "Silo_Commit",
+            "Silo_Pull",
+            "Silo_Push",
+            "Separator",
+            "Silo_Info",
+            "Silo_BOM",
+            "Silo_Jobs",
+        ]
+        self.appendToolbar("Silo Origin", self.silo_toolbar_commands, "Unavailable")
+
+        # Silo menu provides admin/management commands.
+        self.menu_commands = [
+            "Silo_Info",
+            "Silo_BOM",
+            "Silo_Jobs",
+            "Silo_TagProjects",
+            "Silo_SetStatus",
+            "Silo_Rollback",
+            "Silo_SaveAsTemplate",
+            "Separator",
+            "Silo_Settings",
+            "Silo_Auth",
+            "Silo_Runners",
+            "Silo_StartPanel",
+            "Silo_Diag",
+        ]
+
+        self.appendMenu("Silo", self.menu_commands)
+
+    def Activated(self):
+        """Called when workbench is activated."""
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Kindred Silo workbench activated\n")
+        FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_StartPanel", 0)
+
+    def Deactivated(self):
+        pass
+
+    def GetClassName(self):
+        return "Gui::PythonWorkbench"
+
+
+FreeCADGui.addWorkbench(SiloWorkbench())
+FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage("Silo workbench registered\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Silo overlay context — adds "Silo Origin" toolbar to any active context
+# when the current document is Silo-tracked.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _register_silo_overlay():
+    """Register the Silo overlay after the Silo workbench has initialised."""
+
+    def _silo_overlay_match():
+        """Return True if the active document is Silo-tracked."""
+        try:
+            doc = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument
+            if not doc:
+                return False
+            from silo_origin import get_silo_origin
+
+            origin = get_silo_origin()
+            return origin.ownsDocument(doc)
+        except Exception:
+            return False
+
+    try:
+        from kindred_sdk import register_overlay
+
+        register_overlay(
+            "silo",  # overlay id
+            ["Silo Origin"],  # toolbar names to append
+            _silo_overlay_match,  # match function
+        )
+    except Exception as e:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Silo overlay registration failed: {e}\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Document observer — builds the Silo metadata tree when .kc files open.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _register_silo_document_observer():
+    """Register the Silo document observer for .kc tree building."""
+    try:
+        import silo_document
+
+        silo_document.register()
+    except Exception as e:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog(f"Silo: document observer registration skipped: {e}\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Dock panels — auth and activity widgets via SDK
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _setup_silo_auth_panel():
+    """Dock the Silo authentication panel in the right-hand side panel."""
+    try:
+        from kindred_sdk import register_dock_panel
+
+        def _factory():
+            import silo_commands
+
+            auth = silo_commands.SiloAuthDockWidget()
+            # Prevent GC of the auth timer by stashing on the widget
+            auth.widget._auth = auth
+            return auth.widget
+
+        register_dock_panel("SiloDatabaseAuth", "Database Auth", _factory)
+    except Exception as e:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog(f"Silo: auth panel skipped: {e}\n")
+
+
+def _setup_silo_activity_panel():
+    """Show a dock widget with recent Silo database activity."""
+    try:
+        from kindred_sdk import register_dock_panel
+
+        def _factory():
+            from PySide import QtWidgets
+
+            widget = QtWidgets.QWidget()
+            layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(widget)
+            activity_list = QtWidgets.QListWidget()
+            layout.addWidget(activity_list)
+
+            try:
+                import silo_commands
+
+                items = silo_commands._client.list_items()
+                if isinstance(items, list):
+                    for item in items[:20]:
+                        pn = item.get("part_number", "")
+                        desc = item.get("description", "")
+                        updated = item.get("updated_at", "")
+                        if updated:
+                            updated = updated[:10]
+                        activity_list.addItem(f"{pn} - {desc} - {updated}")
+                if activity_list.count() == 0:
+                    activity_list.addItem("(No items in database)")
+            except Exception:
+                activity_list.addItem("(Unable to connect to Silo database)")
+
+            return widget
+
+        register_dock_panel("SiloDatabaseActivity", "Database Activity", _factory)
+    except Exception as e:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog(f"Silo: activity panel skipped: {e}\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# First-start check
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _check_silo_first_start():
+    """Show Silo settings dialog on first startup if not yet configured."""
+    try:
+        param = FreeCAD.ParamGet("User parameter:BaseApp/Preferences/Mod/KindredSilo")
+        if not param.GetBool("FirstStartChecked", False):
+            param.SetBool("FirstStartChecked", True)
+            if not param.GetString("ApiUrl", ""):
+                FreeCADGui.runCommand("Silo_Settings")
+    except Exception as e:
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintLog(f"Silo: first-start check skipped: {e}\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Start page override — must happen before the C++ StartLauncher fires
+# at ~100ms after GUI init.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+try:
+    import silo_start
+
+    silo_start.register()
+except Exception as e:
+    FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Silo Start page override failed: {e}\n")
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Handle kindred:// URLs passed as command-line arguments on cold start.
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+
+def _handle_startup_urls():
+    """Process any kindred:// URLs passed as command-line arguments."""
+    import sys
+
+    from silo_commands import handle_kindred_url
+
+    for arg in sys.argv[1:]:
+        if arg.startswith("kindred://"):
+            handle_kindred_url(arg)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Deferred setup — staggered timers for non-blocking startup
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+from PySide import QtCore as _QtCore
+
+_QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(500, _handle_startup_urls)
+_QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(600, _register_silo_document_observer)
+_QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(2000, _setup_silo_auth_panel)
+_QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(2500, _register_silo_overlay)
+_QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(3000, _check_silo_first_start)
+_QtCore.QTimer.singleShot(4000, _setup_silo_activity_panel)

freecad/InitGui.py

@@ -57,6 +57,7 @@ class SiloWorkbench(FreeCADGui.Workbench):
             "Silo_TagProjects",
             "Silo_SetStatus",
             "Silo_Rollback",
+            "Silo_SaveAsTemplate",
             "Separator",
             "Silo_Settings",
             "Silo_Auth",

freecad/schema_form.py

@@ -234,9 +234,11 @@ class SchemaFormWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
         self._prop_groups = []  # list of _CollapsibleGroup to clear on category change
         self._categories = {}
         self._projects = []
+        self._templates = []  # List[TemplateInfo]
 
         self._load_schema_data()
         self._build_ui()
+        self._update_template_combo()
 
         # Part number preview debounce timer
         self._pn_timer = QtCore.QTimer(self)
@@ -251,7 +253,9 @@ class SchemaFormWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
         try:
             schema = self._client.get_schema()
             segments = schema.get("segments", [])
-            cat_segment = next((s for s in segments if s.get("name") == "category"), None)
+            cat_segment = next(
+                (s for s in segments if s.get("name") == "category"), None
+            )
             if cat_segment and cat_segment.get("values"):
                 self._categories = cat_segment["values"]
         except Exception as e:
@@ -262,6 +266,16 @@ class SchemaFormWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
         except Exception:
             self._projects = []
 
+        try:
+            from templates import discover_templates, get_search_paths
+
+            self._templates = discover_templates(get_search_paths())
+        except Exception as e:
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(
+                f"Schema form: failed to discover templates: {e}\n"
+            )
+            self._templates = []
+
     def _fetch_properties(self, category: str) -> dict:
         """Fetch merged property definitions for a category."""
         try:
@@ -301,7 +315,9 @@ class SchemaFormWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
 
         # Part number preview banner
         self._pn_label = QtWidgets.QLabel("Part Number: \u2014")
-        self._pn_label.setStyleSheet("font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px;")
+        self._pn_label.setStyleSheet(
+            "font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; padding: 8px;"
+        )
         self._pn_label.setAlignment(QtCore.Qt.AlignCenter)
         root.addWidget(self._pn_label)
 
@@ -323,8 +339,15 @@ class SchemaFormWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
         self._type_combo = QtWidgets.QComboBox()
         for t in _ITEM_TYPES:
             self._type_combo.addItem(t.capitalize(), t)
+        self._type_combo.currentIndexChanged.connect(
+            lambda _: self._update_template_combo()
+        )
         fl.addRow("Type:", self._type_combo)
 
+        self._template_combo = QtWidgets.QComboBox()
+        self._template_combo.addItem("(No template)", None)
+        fl.addRow("Template:", self._template_combo)
+
         self._desc_edit = QtWidgets.QLineEdit()
         self._desc_edit.setPlaceholderText("Item description")
         fl.addRow("Description:", self._desc_edit)
@@ -404,11 +427,25 @@ class SchemaFormWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
 
         root.addLayout(btn_layout)
 
+    # -- template filtering -------------------------------------------------
+
+    def _update_template_combo(self):
+        """Repopulate the template combo based on current type and category."""
+        from templates import filter_templates
+
+        self._template_combo.clear()
+        self._template_combo.addItem("(No template)", None)
+        item_type = self._type_combo.currentData() or ""
+        category = self._cat_picker.selected_category() or ""
+        for t in filter_templates(self._templates, item_type, category):
+            self._template_combo.addItem(t.name, t.path)
+
     # -- category change ----------------------------------------------------
 
     def _on_category_changed(self, category: str):
         """Rebuild property groups when category selection changes."""
         self._create_btn.setEnabled(bool(category))
+        self._update_template_combo()
 
         # Remove old property groups
         for group in self._prop_groups:
@@ -540,6 +577,7 @@ class SchemaFormWidget(QtWidgets.QWidget):
             "long_description": long_description,
             "projects": selected_projects if selected_projects else None,
             "properties": properties if properties else None,
+            "template_path": self._template_combo.currentData(),
         }
 
     def _on_create(self):

freecad/silo_commands.py

@@ -551,6 +551,86 @@ class SiloSync:
 
         return doc
 
+    def create_document_from_template(
+        self, item: Dict[str, Any], template_path: str, save: bool = True
+    ):
+        """Create a new document by copying a template .kc and stamping Silo properties.
+
+        Falls back to :meth:`create_document_for_item` if *template_path*
+        is missing or invalid.
+        """
+        import shutil
+
+        part_number = item.get("part_number", "")
+        description = item.get("description", "")
+        item_type = item.get("item_type", "part")
+
+        if not part_number or not os.path.isfile(template_path):
+            return self.create_document_for_item(item, save=save)
+
+        dest_path = get_cad_file_path(part_number, description)
+        dest_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+        shutil.copy2(template_path, str(dest_path))
+        self._clean_template_zip(str(dest_path))
+
+        doc = FreeCAD.openDocument(str(dest_path))
+        if not doc:
+            return None
+
+        # Find the root container (first App::Part or Assembly)
+        root_obj = None
+        for obj in doc.Objects:
+            if obj.TypeId in ("App::Part", "Assembly::AssemblyObject"):
+                root_obj = obj
+                break
+        if root_obj is None and doc.Objects:
+            root_obj = doc.Objects[0]
+
+        if root_obj:
+            root_obj.Label = part_number
+            set_silo_properties(
+                root_obj,
+                {
+                    "SiloItemId": item.get("id", ""),
+                    "SiloPartNumber": part_number,
+                    "SiloRevision": item.get("current_revision", 1),
+                    "SiloItemType": item_type,
+                },
+            )
+
+        doc.recompute()
+
+        if save:
+            doc.save()
+
+        return doc
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _clean_template_zip(filepath: str):
+        """Strip ``silo/template.json`` and ``silo/manifest.json`` from a copied template.
+
+        The manifest is auto-recreated by ``kc_format.py`` on next save.
+        """
+        import zipfile
+
+        tmp_path = filepath + ".tmp"
+        try:
+            with zipfile.ZipFile(filepath, "r") as zf_in:
+                with zipfile.ZipFile(tmp_path, "w") as zf_out:
+                    for entry in zf_in.infolist():
+                        if entry.filename in (
+                            "silo/template.json",
+                            "silo/manifest.json",
+                        ):
+                            continue
+                        zf_out.writestr(entry, zf_in.read(entry.filename))
+            os.replace(tmp_path, filepath)
+        except Exception as exc:
+            if os.path.exists(tmp_path):
+                os.unlink(tmp_path)
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(f"Failed to clean template ZIP: {exc}\n")
+
     def open_item(self, part_number: str):
         """Open or create item document."""
         existing_path = find_file_by_part_number(part_number)
@@ -742,7 +822,13 @@ class Silo_New:
                         FreeCAD.ActiveDocument, force_rename=True
                     )
                 else:
-                    _sync.create_document_for_item(result, save=True)
+                    template_path = result.get("_form_data", {}).get("template_path")
+                    if template_path:
+                        _sync.create_document_from_template(
+                            result, template_path, save=True
+                        )
+                    else:
+                        _sync.create_document_for_item(result, save=True)
 
                 FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(f"Created: {part_number}\n")
             except Exception as e:
@@ -4016,6 +4102,218 @@ class Silo_StartPanel:
         return True
 
 
+class SaveAsTemplateDialog:
+    """Dialog to capture template metadata for Save as Template."""
+
+    _ITEM_TYPES = ["part", "assembly", "consumable", "tool"]
+
+    def __init__(self, doc, parent=None):
+        self._doc = doc
+        self._parent = parent
+
+    def exec_(self):
+        """Show dialog. Returns template_info dict or None if cancelled."""
+        from PySide import QtGui, QtWidgets
+
+        dlg = QtWidgets.QDialog(self._parent)
+        dlg.setWindowTitle("Save as Template")
+        dlg.setMinimumWidth(420)
+
+        layout = QtWidgets.QVBoxLayout(dlg)
+
+        form = QtWidgets.QFormLayout()
+        form.setSpacing(6)
+
+        # Pre-populate defaults from document state
+        default_name = self._doc.Label or Path(self._doc.FileName).stem
+        obj = get_tracked_object(self._doc)
+
+        default_author = _get_auth_username() or os.environ.get("USER", "")
+        default_item_type = ""
+        default_category = ""
+        if obj:
+            if hasattr(obj, "SiloItemType"):
+                default_item_type = getattr(obj, "SiloItemType", "")
+            if hasattr(obj, "SiloPartNumber") and obj.SiloPartNumber:
+                default_category, _ = _parse_part_number(obj.SiloPartNumber)
+
+        # Name (required)
+        name_edit = QtWidgets.QLineEdit(default_name)
+        name_edit.setPlaceholderText("Template display name")
+        form.addRow("Name:", name_edit)
+
+        # Description
+        desc_edit = QtWidgets.QLineEdit()
+        desc_edit.setPlaceholderText("What this template is for")
+        form.addRow("Description:", desc_edit)
+
+        # Item Types (multi-select)
+        type_list = QtWidgets.QListWidget()
+        type_list.setSelectionMode(QtWidgets.QAbstractItemView.MultiSelection)
+        type_list.setMaximumHeight(80)
+        for t in self._ITEM_TYPES:
+            item = QtWidgets.QListWidgetItem(t.capitalize())
+            item.setData(QtCore.Qt.UserRole, t)
+            type_list.addItem(item)
+            if t == default_item_type:
+                item.setSelected(True)
+        form.addRow("Item Types:", type_list)
+
+        # Categories (comma-separated prefixes)
+        cat_edit = QtWidgets.QLineEdit(default_category)
+        cat_edit.setPlaceholderText("e.g. F, M01 (empty = all)")
+        form.addRow("Categories:", cat_edit)
+
+        # Author
+        author_edit = QtWidgets.QLineEdit(default_author)
+        form.addRow("Author:", author_edit)
+
+        # Tags (comma-separated)
+        tags_edit = QtWidgets.QLineEdit()
+        tags_edit.setPlaceholderText("e.g. sheet metal, fabrication")
+        form.addRow("Tags:", tags_edit)
+
+        layout.addLayout(form)
+
+        # Buttons
+        btn_layout = QtWidgets.QHBoxLayout()
+        btn_layout.addStretch()
+        cancel_btn = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Cancel")
+        cancel_btn.clicked.connect(dlg.reject)
+        btn_layout.addWidget(cancel_btn)
+        save_btn = QtWidgets.QPushButton("Save Template")
+        save_btn.setDefault(True)
+        save_btn.clicked.connect(dlg.accept)
+        btn_layout.addWidget(save_btn)
+        layout.addLayout(btn_layout)
+
+        if dlg.exec_() != QtWidgets.QDialog.Accepted:
+            return None
+
+        name = name_edit.text().strip()
+        if not name:
+            return None
+
+        selected_types = []
+        for i in range(type_list.count()):
+            item = type_list.item(i)
+            if item.isSelected():
+                selected_types.append(item.data(QtCore.Qt.UserRole))
+
+        categories = [c.strip() for c in cat_edit.text().split(",") if c.strip()]
+        tags = [t.strip() for t in tags_edit.text().split(",") if t.strip()]
+
+        return {
+            "template_version": "1.0",
+            "name": name,
+            "description": desc_edit.text().strip(),
+            "item_types": selected_types,
+            "categories": categories,
+            "icon": "",
+            "author": author_edit.text().strip(),
+            "tags": tags,
+        }
+
+
+class Silo_SaveAsTemplate:
+    """Save a copy of the current document as a reusable template."""
+
+    def GetResources(self):
+        return {
+            "MenuText": "Save as Template",
+            "ToolTip": "Save a copy of this document as a reusable template",
+            "Pixmap": _icon("new"),
+        }
+
+    def Activated(self):
+        import shutil
+
+        from PySide import QtGui
+        from templates import get_default_template_dir, inject_template_json
+
+        doc = FreeCAD.ActiveDocument
+        if not doc:
+            return
+
+        if not doc.FileName:
+            QtGui.QMessageBox.warning(
+                None,
+                "Save as Template",
+                "Please save the document first.",
+            )
+            return
+
+        # Capture template metadata from user
+        dialog = SaveAsTemplateDialog(doc)
+        template_info = dialog.exec_()
+        if not template_info:
+            return
+
+        # Determine destination
+        dest_dir = get_default_template_dir()
+        filename = _sanitize_filename(template_info["name"]) + ".kc"
+        dest = os.path.join(dest_dir, filename)
+
+        # Check for overwrite
+        if os.path.exists(dest):
+            reply = QtGui.QMessageBox.question(
+                None,
+                "Save as Template",
+                f"Template '{filename}' already exists. Overwrite?",
+                QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes | QtGui.QMessageBox.No,
+            )
+            if reply != QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes:
+                return
+
+        # Save current state, then copy
+        doc.save()
+        shutil.copy2(doc.FileName, dest)
+
+        # Strip Silo identity and inject template descriptor
+        _sync._clean_template_zip(dest)
+        inject_template_json(dest, template_info)
+
+        FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(f"Template saved: {dest}\n")
+
+        # Offer Silo upload if connected
+        if _server_mode == "normal":
+            reply = QtGui.QMessageBox.question(
+                None,
+                "Save as Template",
+                "Upload template to Silo for team sharing?",
+                QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes | QtGui.QMessageBox.No,
+            )
+            if reply == QtGui.QMessageBox.Yes:
+                self._upload_to_silo(dest, template_info)
+
+        QtGui.QMessageBox.information(
+            None,
+            "Save as Template",
+            f"Template '{template_info['name']}' saved.",
+        )
+
+    @staticmethod
+    def _upload_to_silo(file_path, template_info):
+        """Upload template to Silo as a shared item. Non-blocking on failure."""
+        try:
+            schema = _get_schema_name()
+            result = _client.create_item(
+                schema, "T00", template_info.get("name", "Template")
+            )
+            part_number = result["part_number"]
+            _client._upload_file(part_number, file_path, {}, "Template upload")
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintMessage(
+                f"Template uploaded to Silo as {part_number}\n"
+            )
+        except Exception as e:
+            FreeCAD.Console.PrintWarning(
+                f"Template upload to Silo failed (saved locally): {e}\n"
+            )
+
+    def IsActive(self):
+        return FreeCAD.ActiveDocument is not None
+
+
 class _DiagWorker(QtCore.QThread):
     """Background worker that runs connectivity diagnostics."""
 
@@ -4168,3 +4466,4 @@ FreeCADGui.addCommand("Silo_StartPanel", Silo_StartPanel())
 FreeCADGui.addCommand("Silo_Diag", Silo_Diag())
 FreeCADGui.addCommand("Silo_Jobs", Silo_Jobs())
 FreeCADGui.addCommand("Silo_Runners", Silo_Runners())
+FreeCADGui.addCommand("Silo_SaveAsTemplate", Silo_SaveAsTemplate())

freecad/templates.py

@@ -0,0 +1,167 @@
+"""Template discovery and metadata for Kindred Create .kc templates.
+
+A template is a normal ``.kc`` file that contains a ``silo/template.json``
+descriptor inside the ZIP archive.  This module scans known directories for
+template files, parses their descriptors, and provides filtering helpers
+used by the schema form UI.
+
+Search paths (checked in order, later shadows earlier by name):
+  1. ``{silo_addon}/templates/``        — system templates shipped with the addon
+  2. ``{userAppData}/Templates/``       — personal templates (sister to Macro/)
+  3. ``~/projects/templates/``          — org-shared project templates
+"""
+
+import json
+import os
+import shutil
+import tempfile
+import zipfile
+from dataclasses import dataclass, field
+from pathlib import Path
+from typing import List, Optional
+
+
+@dataclass
+class TemplateInfo:
+    """Parsed template descriptor from ``silo/template.json``."""
+
+    path: str  # Absolute path to the .kc file
+    name: str = ""
+    description: str = ""
+    item_types: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
+    categories: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
+    icon: str = ""
+    author: str = ""
+    tags: List[str] = field(default_factory=list)
+
+
+def read_template_info(kc_path: str) -> Optional[TemplateInfo]:
+    """Read ``silo/template.json`` from a ``.kc`` file.
+
+    Returns a :class:`TemplateInfo` if the file is a valid template,
+    or ``None`` if the file does not contain a template descriptor.
+    """
+    try:
+        with zipfile.ZipFile(kc_path, "r") as zf:
+            if "silo/template.json" not in zf.namelist():
+                return None
+            raw = zf.read("silo/template.json")
+            data = json.loads(raw)
+            return TemplateInfo(
+                path=str(kc_path),
+                name=data.get("name", Path(kc_path).stem),
+                description=data.get("description", ""),
+                item_types=data.get("item_types", []),
+                categories=data.get("categories", []),
+                icon=data.get("icon", ""),
+                author=data.get("author", ""),
+                tags=data.get("tags", []),
+            )
+    except Exception:
+        return None
+
+
+def inject_template_json(kc_path: str, template_info: dict) -> bool:
+    """Inject ``silo/template.json`` into a ``.kc`` (ZIP) file.
+
+    Rewrites the ZIP to avoid duplicate entries.  Returns ``True`` on
+    success, raises on I/O errors.
+    """
+    if not os.path.isfile(kc_path):
+        return False
+
+    payload = json.dumps(template_info, indent=2).encode("utf-8")
+
+    tmp_fd, tmp_path = tempfile.mkstemp(suffix=".kc")
+    os.close(tmp_fd)
+    try:
+        with zipfile.ZipFile(kc_path, "r") as zin:
+            with zipfile.ZipFile(tmp_path, "w", zipfile.ZIP_DEFLATED) as zout:
+                for item in zin.infolist():
+                    if item.filename == "silo/template.json":
+                        continue
+                    zout.writestr(item, zin.read(item.filename))
+                zout.writestr("silo/template.json", payload)
+        shutil.move(tmp_path, kc_path)
+        return True
+    except Exception:
+        if os.path.exists(tmp_path):
+            os.unlink(tmp_path)
+        raise
+
+
+def get_default_template_dir() -> str:
+    """Return the user templates directory, creating it if needed.
+
+    Located at ``{userAppData}/Templates/``, a sister to ``Macro/``.
+    """
+    import FreeCAD
+
+    d = os.path.join(FreeCAD.getUserAppDataDir(), "Templates")
+    os.makedirs(d, exist_ok=True)
+    return d
+
+
+def discover_templates(search_paths: List[str]) -> List[TemplateInfo]:
+    """Scan search paths for ``.kc`` files containing ``silo/template.json``.
+
+    Later paths shadow earlier paths by template name.
+    """
+    by_name = {}
+    for search_dir in search_paths:
+        if not os.path.isdir(search_dir):
+            continue
+        for filename in sorted(os.listdir(search_dir)):
+            if not filename.lower().endswith(".kc"):
+                continue
+            full_path = os.path.join(search_dir, filename)
+            info = read_template_info(full_path)
+            if info is not None:
+                by_name[info.name] = info
+    return sorted(by_name.values(), key=lambda t: t.name)
+
+
+def get_search_paths() -> List[str]:
+    """Return the ordered list of template search directories."""
+    paths = []
+
+    # 1. System templates (shipped with the silo addon)
+    system_dir = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__)), "templates")
+    paths.append(system_dir)
+
+    # 2. User app-data templates (personal, sister to Macro/)
+    try:
+        import FreeCAD
+
+        user_app_templates = os.path.join(FreeCAD.getUserAppDataDir(), "Templates")
+        paths.append(user_app_templates)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    # 3. Shared project templates
+    try:
+        from silo_commands import get_projects_dir
+
+        user_dir = str(get_projects_dir() / "templates")
+        paths.append(user_dir)
+    except Exception:
+        pass
+
+    return paths
+
+
+def filter_templates(
+    templates: List[TemplateInfo],
+    item_type: str = "",
+    category: str = "",
+) -> List[TemplateInfo]:
+    """Filter templates by item type and category prefix."""
+    result = []
+    for t in templates:
+        if item_type and t.item_types and item_type not in t.item_types:
+            continue
+        if category and t.categories:
+            if not any(category.startswith(prefix) for prefix in t.categories):
+                continue
+        result.append(t)
+    return result

freecad/templates/inject_template.py

@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python3
+"""Inject silo/template.json into a .kc file to make it a template.
+
+Usage:
+    python inject_template.py <kc_file> <name> [--type part|assembly] [--description "..."]
+
+Examples:
+    python inject_template.py part.kc "Part (Generic)" --type part
+    python inject_template.py sheet-metal-part.kc "Sheet Metal Part" --type part \
+        --description "Body with SheetMetal base feature and laser-cut job"
+    python inject_template.py assembly.kc "Assembly" --type assembly
+"""
+
+import argparse
+import json
+import os
+import sys
+
+# Allow importing from the parent freecad/ directory when run standalone
+sys.path.insert(0, os.path.dirname(os.path.dirname(os.path.abspath(__file__))))
+from templates import inject_template_json
+
+
+def main():
+    parser = argparse.ArgumentParser(
+        description="Inject template metadata into a .kc file"
+    )
+    parser.add_argument("kc_file", help="Path to the .kc file")
+    parser.add_argument("name", help="Template display name")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--type",
+        dest="item_types",
+        action="append",
+        default=[],
+        help="Item type filter (part, assembly). Can be repeated.",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument("--description", default="", help="Template description")
+    parser.add_argument("--icon", default="", help="Icon identifier")
+    parser.add_argument("--author", default="Kindred Systems", help="Author name")
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--category",
+        dest="categories",
+        action="append",
+        default=[],
+        help="Category prefix filter. Can be repeated. Empty = all.",
+    )
+    parser.add_argument(
+        "--tag",
+        dest="tags",
+        action="append",
+        default=[],
+        help="Searchable tags. Can be repeated.",
+    )
+    args = parser.parse_args()
+
+    if not args.item_types:
+        args.item_types = ["part"]
+
+    template_info = {
+        "template_version": "1.0",
+        "name": args.name,
+        "description": args.description,
+        "item_types": args.item_types,
+        "categories": args.categories,
+        "icon": args.icon,
+        "author": args.author,
+        "tags": args.tags,
+    }
+
+    if inject_template_json(args.kc_file, template_info):
+        print(f"Injected silo/template.json into {args.kc_file}")
+        print(json.dumps(template_info, indent=2))
+    else:
+        sys.exit(1)
+
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    main()

package.xml

@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
+<package format="1" xmlns="https://wiki.freecad.org/Package_Metadata">
+  <name>silo</name>
+  <description>PLM workbench for Kindred Create</description>
+  <version>0.1.0</version>
+  <maintainer email="development@kindred-systems.com">Kindred Systems</maintainer>
+  <license file="LICENSE">MIT</license>
+  <url type="repository">https://git.kindred-systems.com/kindred/silo-mod</url>
+
+  <content>
+    <workbench>
+      <classname>SiloWorkbench</classname>
+      <subdirectory>freecad</subdirectory>
+    </workbench>
+  </content>
+
+  <kindred>
+    <min_create_version>0.1.0</min_create_version>
+    <load_priority>60</load_priority>
+    <pure_python>true</pure_python>
+    <dependencies>
+      <dependency>sdk</dependency>
+    </dependencies>
+  </kindred>
+</package>