=============================================================================== DARKMATTER | DARKFORGE IDE / SDK 1.3.0 BETA Integrated Development Environment, SDK, Module Platform, and Control Center =============================================================================== Developer: DarkMatter Software | K0NxT3D Version: 1.3.0 Beta Status: Officially test ready Distribution: Private beta only; no public download Platform: Linux desktop Runtime: Python 3 / PySide6 Beta Access: https://www.facebook.com/DarkMatterSoftware 1. BETA OVERVIEW =============================================================================== DarkForge 1.3.0 Beta is an entirely new stage of the DarkForge project. The application has grown from a focused modular IDE baseline into a complete IDE and SDK development package designed to coordinate the DarkMatter Software workflow from project creation through coding, testing, packaging, and delivery. The Beta brings together: - Project spaces and source navigation - Kode source editor integration - Local Python environment creation and management - Project task execution with console output - Module discovery, launch, ordering, and maintenance - Shared wheels, package cache, and dependency storage - Documentation through LUX - Vulnerability intelligence through CVE Explorer - Packaging and desktop launcher generation - Local testing and delivery tools - Selectable themes and future custom skins DarkForge is officially test ready. It is not currently a public download. Interested developers and testers may apply to join the beta group through the DarkMatter Software Facebook page. 2. THE IDE / SDK DEVELOPMENT PACKAGE =============================================================================== DarkForge now serves as the master development control panel. Its interface is organized around the work developers actually perform: Projects Browse, open, and manage active project spaces. Modules Discover and launch installed DarkForge tools. Create App Enter Kode, the primary source development workspace. Documentation Open LUX to create and maintain project documentation and websites. Package Open Desktop Generator for packaging and launcher preparation. Deliver Route projects toward Flask testing, FlexHost, or VoidCrawler. Settings Maintain paths, ports, launch behavior, themes, and future shared configuration. The Quick Launch area lists installed modules and supports navigation through a horizontal slider. Default alphabetical ordering can be replaced by custom placement, with reset support when the default order is preferred again. 3. LOCAL ENVIRONMENTS, TASKS, AND STORAGE =============================================================================== DarkForge separates the IDE runtime, project runtimes, and reusable package storage. The environment system is designed to: - Create local environments for individual projects - Select the correct project interpreter for run and build tasks - Prevent project dependencies from contaminating system Python - Keep the DarkForge runtime independent from project packages - Capture command and task output in the integrated console - Reuse cached packages and locally stored wheels - Support per-project requirements and launch behavior The package storage model provides a shared home for reusable development resources: DarkForge/ ├── IDE/ ├── Modules/ ├── Storage/ │ ├── wheels/ │ ├── package-cache/ │ └── requirements/ └── tools/ This structure allows project environments to remain isolated while avoiding unnecessary repeated downloads. 4. MODULE ARCHITECTURE =============================================================================== DarkForge modules are independent applications designed to work from within the IDE without becoming permanently fused to the core. Modules are stored beneath the Modules directory. A module may define: - module_id - name - version - path - entry point - launch mode - language - framework - manifest path - system dependencies - services - description - warnings - icon The standard manifest is darkforge.module.json. DarkForge scans installed modules, presents them in the interface, and launches them according to their manifest. Process-mode launching is used where module isolation is appropriate, including Tkinter-based tools that should not share the PySide6 application process. This makes the architecture plug-and-play: a correctly structured module can be added to Modules/ and discovered without rewriting the entire IDE. 5. DEFAULT MODULES =============================================================================== KODE The primary DarkForge source editor and development workspace. Kode retains the DarkForge structure and visual language while serving as its own named editor application. MODUI The module builder and maintenance interface. ModUI scans installed modules, writes and previews manifests, and supports dependency and update review. LUX A WYSIWYG documentation engine and CMS using SQLite, Markdown, templates, search, import, export, and generated static content. CVE EXPLORER A dependency-chain and vulnerability intelligence tool using sources such as NIST NVD and CISA KEV. Results are classified from informational intelligence through confirmed applicability. DESKTOP GENERATOR Packages applications and creates desktop shortcut launchers for the final install and release stage. SKINLAB A laboratory for interface backgrounds, skin behavior, image scaling, and future user-created DarkForge visual customization. PYCLEANER A lightweight Python environment maintenance utility capable of finding and cleaning venv and .venv directories without bringing heavy dependencies into the utility itself. FLEXHOST A portable local hosting tool for PHP, static files, and project testing. VOIDCRAWLER A delivery and file-serving system used for documentation, downloads, and generated project distribution. The VCU binary path remains part of the broader deployment workflow. IKONIFY Creates and prepares icon assets for applications, modules, packages, and desktop launchers. Additional modules can be added without changing the purpose of the core. 6. THEMES AND INTERFACE DEVELOPMENT =============================================================================== DarkForge 1.3.0 includes selectable visual themes: DarkForge Default Deep steel-blue surfaces, crisp cyan accents, and the established DarkForge command-center character. Forge Light Soft slate and brushed-metal neutrals with calm blue accents and daytime contrast without harsh white surfaces. Dark Sorcerer Near-black violet chambers, arcane purple accents, enchanted selections, and restrained ominous elegance. Theme styling now carries through project spaces, tabs, headers, module views, controls, and navigation. Modules and projects may display icon.png when it is available and fall back to a symbol when it is not. SkinLab extends this system toward custom image and texture-based interfaces. 7. PROJECT HISTORY =============================================================================== The original 0.3.0 development release remains the historical foundation of DarkForge. It established: - Structured project creation - Source editing and navigation - Isolated Python environments - Project intelligence and indexing - Build and task concepts - Build history - Release preparation - SQLite-backed project metadata - Protection of system Python A later experimental branch introduced regressions, including damaged editing behavior and distracting watcher activity. That branch was rejected. The stable baseline was frozen rather than sacrificed. Development then shifted toward a master DarkForge Control Panel. Existing DarkMatter applications were organized as modules, manifests were introduced, launch behavior was separated by framework, the module catalog was built, and the IDE gained project/module navigation, Quick Launch, integrated workflow routes, storage, dependency strategy, and themes. Versions 1.0 through 1.3 represent this transformation from a single IDE project into a coordinated IDE / SDK package. Version 1.3.0 is the first official Beta and the first version declared test ready. 8. BETA TESTING PURPOSE =============================================================================== The private beta is intended to validate DarkForge under real development use. Important test areas include: - Module discovery and launch reliability - Project navigation and workspace behavior - Local environment creation - Dependency and storage workflows - Task execution and console output - Theme consistency - Kode integration - Packaging and delivery routes - Module manifests and process isolation - General usability and failure recovery There is no public download for DarkForge 1.3.0 Beta. To apply for the beta group, visit: https://www.facebook.com/DarkMatterSoftware =============================================================================== END OF DARKFORGE 1.3.0 BETA PROJECT DOCUMENTATION ===============================================================================