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+# GitHub Copilot Instructions
+
+## Priority Guidelines
+
+When generating code for this repository:
+
+1. **Version Compatibility**: This is a Cacti plugin (`quicktree`, version 2.0) targeting Cacti 1.2.17+
+2. **Context Files**: Prioritize patterns and standards defined in this file (`.github/copilot-instructions.md`)
+3. **Codebase Patterns**: When context files don't provide specific guidance, scan the codebase for established patterns
+4. **Architectural Consistency**: Maintain plugin-based architecture extending Cacti core
+5. **Code Quality**: Prioritize security, maintainability, and compatibility in all generated code
+
+## Technology Stack
+
+### Core Technologies
+- **PHP**: Compatible with Cacti 1.2.x supported versions
+- **Platform**: Cacti Plugin Architecture ("QuickTree" - a shopping-basket style graph playlist)
+- **Database**: MySQL/MariaDB
+
+### Key Dependencies
+- Cacti core framework (`api_plugin_*`, `db_*`, `read_config_option()`)
+- Client-side: `quicktree.js`, `quicktree.css`
+
+## Project Structure
+
+```
+quicktree/               # Repository root (install to plugins/quicktree/ in Cacti)
+├── images/                # UI icons
+├── locales/                 # Internationalization files
+├── quicktree.css              # Client-side styling
+├── quicktree.js                 # Client-side add/remove graph interactions
+├── quicktree.php                  # Main playlist view / management page
+├── INFO                              # Plugin metadata (name, version, compat)
+├── README.md
+└── setup.php                          # Plugin install/uninstall/upgrade hooks
+```
+
+## Naming Conventions
+
+### Function Names
+- **Plugin lifecycle/hook-registration functions** MUST be prefixed `plugin_quicktree_`: `plugin_quicktree_install()`, `plugin_quicktree_upgrade()`, `plugin_quicktree_version()`.
+- **All other functions** MUST be prefixed `quicktree_`: `quicktree_show_tab()`, `quicktree_page_location()`, `quicktree_setup_table()`.
+- Match the existing prefix used by the function you are editing; do not introduce a third naming scheme.
+
+## Code Style
+
+### Indentation and Formatting
+- **Tabs**: Use tabs (not spaces) for indentation throughout all PHP files.
+- **Braces**: Opening brace on the same line for functions and control structures.
+- **Spacing**: Space after control structure keywords (`if`, `foreach`, `while`).
+
+### File Headers
+ALL PHP files MUST include the standard GPL v2 license header used throughout this repository (see `setup.php`), crediting "The Cacti Group" (and Howard Jones as original author).
+
+## Security Standards
+
+### SQL Query Security
+Use prepared statements for anything involving variable input:
+
+```php
+// CORRECT
+db_fetch_row_prepared('SELECT * FROM plugin_quicktree_items WHERE id = ?', array($id));
+
+// WRONG - never do this with request-derived values
+db_fetch_row("SELECT * FROM plugin_quicktree_items WHERE id = $id");
+```
+
+### Input Validation
+Use `get_filter_request_var()` / `get_nfilter_request_var()` for request input; never read `$_GET`/`$_POST` directly. Validate `api_user_realm_auth('quicktree.php')` before rendering the tab or management actions.
+
+`get_filter_request_var()` (and its `gfrv()` shorthand, where available) called with only the
+`$name` argument (no regex/filter as the 2nd/3rd argument) already validates the value as numeric
+and returns it as a **string** -- it does not return an int, and it halts execution if the request
+value is not numeric. Because of this, do NOT cast its output to `(int)` when the result is only
+used for string output (e.g. `print`/`echo`, string concatenation, embedding in HTML/JS); the cast
+is redundant. Only cast when the value is genuinely used in an integer/numeric context (e.g.
+arithmetic, strict `===` comparisons).
+
+## Database Operations
+
+### Upgrade Handling
+Version-gate schema changes in `quicktree_check_upgrade()` (`setup.php`) against the stored `plugin_config` row.
+
+## Internationalization
+
+ALL user-facing strings MUST use `__()`/`__esc()` with the `'quicktree'` text domain:
+
+```php
+print '<img ... alt="' . __esc('Quicktree', 'quicktree') . '">';
+```
+
+## Plugin Architecture
+
+### Plugin Hooks
+Register all plugin hooks in `plugin_quicktree_install()` (`setup.php`):
+
+```php
+api_plugin_register_hook('quicktree', 'top_header_tabs',          'quicktree_show_tab',             'setup.php');
+api_plugin_register_hook('quicktree', 'top_graph_header_tabs',    'quicktree_show_tab',             'setup.php');
+api_plugin_register_hook('quicktree', 'config_arrays',            'quicktree_config_arrays',        'setup.php');
+api_plugin_register_hook('quicktree', 'config_settings',          'quicktree_config_settings',      'setup.php');
+api_plugin_register_hook('quicktree', 'draw_navigation_text',     'quicktree_draw_navigation_text', 'setup.php');
+api_plugin_register_hook('quicktree', 'graph_buttons',            'quicktree_graph_buttons',        'setup.php');
+api_plugin_register_hook('quicktree', 'graph_buttons_thumbnails', 'quicktree_graph_buttons',        'setup.php');
+api_plugin_register_hook('quicktree', 'page_head',                'quicktree_page_head',            'setup.php');
+
+api_plugin_register_realm('quicktree', 'quicktree.php', __('QuickTree Management', 'quicktree'), 1);
+```
+
+### Page Placement Setting
+`quicktree_page_location()` honors the `quicktree_pagestyle` setting (Tab / Console Menu / Both) — when adding new entry points, respect this same placement logic rather than hardcoding a tab-only or menu-only presentation.
+
+## Best Practices
+
+1. Always guard tab/UI rendering with `api_user_realm_auth('quicktree.php')`.
+2. Respect the `quicktree_pagestyle` setting for any new navigation entry point.
+3. Wrap all user-facing strings with `__()`/`__esc()` and the `quicktree` domain.
+
+## Common Pitfalls to Avoid
+
+```php
+// WRONG - unescaped output in an alt attribute
+print '<img alt="' . $label . '">';
+
+// CORRECT
+print '<img alt="' . __esc($label, 'quicktree') . '">';
+```
+
+## Version Control
+
+Document all changes in `CHANGELOG.md`; use descriptive commit messages referencing issue/PR numbers when applicable.
+
+## References
+
+- [Cacti main repo](https://github.com/Cacti/cacti/tree/1.2.x)
+- [Cacti Documentation](https://www.github.com/Cacti/documentation)
+- `README.md` for feature descriptions
+- `CHANGELOG.md` for version history