ProxmoxVED/docs/INDEX.md

📚 ProxmoxVED Documentation Index

Complete guide to all ProxmoxVED documentation - quickly find what you need.

---

🎯 Quick Navigation by Goal

👤 I want to...

Contribute a new application → Start with: CONTRIBUTION_GUIDE.md → Then: UPDATED_APP-ct.md + UPDATED_APP-install.md

Understand the architecture → Read: TECHNICAL_REFERENCE.md → Then: misc/README.md

Debug a failed installation → Check: EXIT_CODES.md → Then: DEV_MODE.md → See also: misc/error_handler.func/

Configure system defaults → Read: DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md

Learn about recent changes → Check: CHANGELOG_MISC.md

Develop a function library → Study: misc/ documentation

---

📂 Documentation by Category

🏗️ Project Structure Documentation

Directory	Documentation
/ct	Container creation scripts documentation
/install	Installation scripts documentation
/vm	Virtual machine creation scripts documentation
/tools	Tools and utilities documentation
/api	API integration documentation
/misc	Function libraries (9 total)

🚀 For Contributors

Document	Purpose
CONTRIBUTION_GUIDE.md	Complete contribution workflow
UPDATED_APP-ct.md	How to write ct/AppName.sh scripts
UPDATED_APP-install.md	How to write install/appname-install.sh scripts
TECHNICAL_REFERENCE.md	System architecture deep-dive

🔧 For Operators & Developers

Document	Purpose
EXIT_CODES.md	Complete exit code reference
DEV_MODE.md	Debugging and development modes
DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md	Configuration and defaults system
CHANGELOG_MISC.md	Recent changes and updates

📚 Function Library Documentation (9 libraries)

Core Functions:

• build.func/ - Container creation orchestrator (7 files)
• core.func/ - Utility functions (5 files)
• error_handler.func/ - Error handling (5 files)
• api.func/ - Proxmox API integration (5 files)

Installation Functions:

• install.func/ - Container setup (5 files)
• tools.func/ - Package and tool installation (6 files)

Alpine Linux Functions:

• alpine-install.func/ - Alpine setup (5 files)
• alpine-tools.func/ - Alpine tools (5 files)

VM Functions:

• cloud-init.func/ - VM provisioning (5 files)

---

📋 All Documentation Files

Root Level (13 main files + 6 directory structures)

/docs/
├─ CONTRIBUTION_GUIDE.md        (2800+ lines) Contributing guide
├─ UPDATED_APP-ct.md            (900+ lines)  ct script guide
├─ UPDATED_APP-install.md       (1000+ lines) install script guide
├─ TECHNICAL_REFERENCE.md       (600+ lines)  Architecture reference
├─ DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md     (700+ lines)  Configuration guide
├─ CHANGELOG_MISC.md            (450+ lines)  Change history
├─ EXIT_CODES.md                (400+ lines)  Exit codes reference
├─ DEV_MODE.md                  (400+ lines)  Dev mode guide
├─ INDEX.md                     (This file)   Documentation index
│
├─ ct/                          README for container scripts ★ NEW
├─ install/                     README for installation scripts ★ NEW
├─ vm/                          README for VM scripts ★ NEW
├─ tools/                       README for tools & utilities ★ NEW
├─ api/                         README for API integration ★ NEW
│
└─ misc/                        Function libraries (detailed below)

Project Structure Mirror with Docs (48 files in misc/)

Each top-level project directory (/ct, /install, /vm, /tools, /api) has a documentation companion in /docs/ with a README explaining that section.

misc/ Subdirectories (48 files)

/docs/misc/
├─ README.md                    (comprehensive overview)
│
├─ build.func/                  (7 files)
│  ├─ README.md
│  ├─ BUILD_FUNC_FLOWCHART.md
│  ├─ BUILD_FUNC_ARCHITECTURE.md
│  ├─ BUILD_FUNC_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLES.md
│  ├─ BUILD_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
│  ├─ BUILD_FUNC_EXECUTION_FLOWS.md
│  └─ BUILD_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
│
├─ core.func/                   (5 files)
│  ├─ README.md
│  ├─ CORE_FLOWCHART.md
│  ├─ CORE_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
│  ├─ CORE_INTEGRATION.md
│  └─ CORE_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
│
├─ error_handler.func/          (5 files)
│  ├─ README.md
│  ├─ ERROR_HANDLER_FLOWCHART.md
│  ├─ ERROR_HANDLER_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
│  ├─ ERROR_HANDLER_INTEGRATION.md
│  └─ ERROR_HANDLER_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
│
├─ api.func/                    (5 files)
│  ├─ README.md
│  ├─ API_FLOWCHART.md
│  ├─ API_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
│  ├─ API_INTEGRATION.md
│  └─ API_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
│
├─ install.func/                (5 files)
│  ├─ README.md
│  ├─ INSTALL_FUNC_FLOWCHART.md
│  ├─ INSTALL_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
│  ├─ INSTALL_FUNC_INTEGRATION.md
│  └─ INSTALL_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
│
├─ tools.func/                  (6 files) ★ NEW
│  ├─ README.md
│  ├─ TOOLS_FUNC_FLOWCHART.md
│  ├─ TOOLS_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
│  ├─ TOOLS_FUNC_INTEGRATION.md
│  ├─ TOOLS_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
│  └─ TOOLS_FUNC_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLES.md
│
├─ alpine-install.func/         (5 files) ★ NEW
│  ├─ README.md
│  ├─ ALPINE_INSTALL_FUNC_FLOWCHART.md
│  ├─ ALPINE_INSTALL_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
│  ├─ ALPINE_INSTALL_FUNC_INTEGRATION.md
│  └─ ALPINE_INSTALL_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
│
├─ alpine-tools.func/           (5 files) ★ NEW
│  ├─ README.md
│  ├─ ALPINE_TOOLS_FUNC_FLOWCHART.md
│  ├─ ALPINE_TOOLS_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
│  ├─ ALPINE_TOOLS_FUNC_INTEGRATION.md
│  └─ ALPINE_TOOLS_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
│
└─ cloud-init.func/             (5 files) ★ NEW
   ├─ README.md
   ├─ CLOUD_INIT_FUNC_FLOWCHART.md
   ├─ CLOUD_INIT_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md
   ├─ CLOUD_INIT_FUNC_INTEGRATION.md
   └─ CLOUD_INIT_FUNC_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md
## 📊 **Documentation Statistics**

| Metric | Count |
|--------|:---:|
| Total Documentation Files | 67 |
| Project Directories Documented | 6 (ct, install, vm, tools, api, misc) |
| Function Libraries Documented | 9 |
| Total Functions Referenced | 150+ |
| Total Lines of Documentation | 15,000+ |
| Code Examples | 50+ |
| Visual Flowcharts | 15+ |

**New in this update (★ NEW)**: 6 new section directories (ct/, install/, vm/, tools/, api/) mirroring project structure
| Code Examples | 50+ |
| Visual Flowcharts | 15+ |

**New in this update (★ NEW)**: 5 new function library subdirectories with 25 files

---

## 🎓 **Learning Paths**

### Path 1: Beginner - First Time Contributing (2-3 hours)

1. Read: [CONTRIBUTION_GUIDE.md](CONTRIBUTION_GUIDE.md) - Quick Start section
2. Read: [UPDATED_APP-ct.md](UPDATED_APP-ct.md) - Overview
3. Read: [UPDATED_APP-install.md](UPDATED_APP-install.md) - Overview
4. Study: One real example from each guide
5. Create your first ct/app.sh and install/app-install.sh
6. Submit PR!

### Path 2: Intermediate - Deep Understanding (4-6 hours)

1. Read: [TECHNICAL_REFERENCE.md](TECHNICAL_REFERENCE.md)
2. Study: [misc/build.func/README.md](misc/build.func/README.md)
3. Study: [misc/tools.func/README.md](misc/tools.func/README.md)
4. Study: [misc/install.func/README.md](misc/install.func/README.md)
5. Review: EXIT_CODES and error handling
6. Create an advanced application with custom setup

### Path 3: Advanced - Architecture Mastery (8+ hours)

1. Read all TECHNICAL_REFERENCE.md
2. Study all 9 function libraries in depth:
   - Flowchart
   - Functions Reference
   - Integration Guide
   - Usage Examples
3. Review: [CHANGELOG_MISC.md](CHANGELOG_MISC.md) for recent changes
4. Review: [DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md](DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md)
5. Study: [DEV_MODE.md](DEV_MODE.md) for debugging
6. Contribute to function libraries or complex applications

### Path 4: Operator/User - Configuration Focus (1-2 hours)

1. Read: [DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md](DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md)
2. Read: [EXIT_CODES.md](EXIT_CODES.md) - for troubleshooting
3. Read: [DEV_MODE.md](DEV_MODE.md) - for debugging

---

## 🔍 **Search Guide**

### Looking for...

**How do I create a ct script?**
→ [UPDATED_APP-ct.md](UPDATED_APP-ct.md)

**How do I create an install script?**
→ [UPDATED_APP-install.md](UPDATED_APP-install.md)

**What does exit code 206 mean?**
→ [EXIT_CODES.md](EXIT_CODES.md#container-creation-errors-200-209)

**How do I debug a failed installation?**
→ [DEV_MODE.md](DEV_MODE.md)

**What are the default configuration options?**
→ [DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md](DEFAULTS_SYSTEM_GUIDE.md)

**What's a function in build.func?**
→ [misc/build.func/BUILD_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md](misc/build.func/BUILD_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md)

**How do I install Node.js in a container?**
→ [misc/tools.func/TOOLS_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md](misc/tools.func/TOOLS_FUNC_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md#setup_nodejsversion)

**How do Alpine containers differ from Debian?**
→ [misc/alpine-install.func/README.md](misc/alpine-install.func/README.md)

**What changed recently in /misc?**
→ [CHANGELOG_MISC.md](CHANGELOG_MISC.md)

---

## ✅ **Documentation Completeness**

- ✅ All 9 function libraries have dedicated subdirectories
- ✅ Each library has 5-6 detailed documentation files
- ✅ Complete flowcharts for complex processes
- ✅ Alphabetical function references with signatures
- ✅ Real-world usage examples for every pattern
- ✅ Integration guides showing component relationships
- ✅ Best practices documented with DO/DON'T sections
- ✅ Troubleshooting guides for common issues
- ✅ Exit codes fully mapped and explained
- ✅ Architecture documentation with diagrams

---

## 🚀 **Standardized Documentation Pattern**

Each function library follows this consistent pattern:

function-library/ ├─ README.md # Quick reference ├─ FUNCTION_LIBRARY_FLOWCHART.md # Visual flows ├─ FUNCTION_LIBRARY_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.md # Complete reference ├─ FUNCTION_LIBRARY_INTEGRATION.md # How it connects ├─ FUNCTION_LIBRARY_USAGE_EXAMPLES.md # Real examples └─ [FUNCTION_LIBRARY_ENVIRONMENT_VARIABLES.md] # (if needed)

This makes it easy to:
- Find information quickly
- Navigate between related docs
- Understand component relationships
- Learn from examples
- Reference complete function signatures

---

## 📝 **Last Updated**

- **Date**: December 2025
- **Version**: 2.0 (Comprehensive Restructure)
- **Status**: ✅ All 9 function libraries fully documented and standardized
- **New This Update**: tools.func/, alpine-install.func/, alpine-tools.func/, cloud-init.func/ subdirectories with complete documentation

---

## 🤝 **Contributing Documentation**

Found an error or want to improve documentation?

1. Open an issue: https://github.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVED/issues
2. Or submit a PR improving documentation
3. See: [CONTRIBUTION_GUIDE.md](CONTRIBUTION_GUIDE.md) for details

---

## 📚 **Related Resources**

- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVED
- **Proxmox Documentation**: https://pve.proxmox.com/wiki/
- **Community Discussions**: https://github.com/community-scripts/ProxmoxVED/discussions

---

**Ready to get started?** Choose a learning path above or use the quick navigation. 🚀