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+# WPCodeSpace OpenVSCode Image Strategy
+
+## Purpose
+
+Define the WPCodeSpace OpenVSCode image strategy after proving that the DXBMARK OpenVSCode fork can compile and build Linux server archive candidates from source.
+
+## Current proven state
+
+The following have passed in GitHub Actions on Linux:
+
+- npm ci
+- npm run compile-web
+- npm run gulp vscode-reh-linux-x64-min-ci
+- npm run gulp vscode-reh-web-linux-x64-min-ci
+- no tracked generated workbench.js or nls.messages patching required
+
+This proves source compilation and server archive candidate generation.
+
+It does not yet prove Docker image creation, local runtime startup, or visual Chat verification.
+
+## Decision
+
+WPCodeSpace will use a dedicated OpenVSCode image produced from the DXBMARK OpenVSCode fork.
+
+Target image name:
+
+- ghcr.io/dxbmark/wpcodespace-openvscode
+
+Initial tag strategy:
+
+- commit SHA tag for immutable traceability
+- optional human-readable phase tag after validation
+
+Example tags:
+
+- ghcr.io/dxbmark/wpcodespace-openvscode:<openvscode-commit-sha>
+- ghcr.io/dxbmark/wpcodespace-openvscode:chat-composer-shell-<short-sha>
+
+WPCodeSpace must consume only an immutable tag or digest after runtime validation passes.
+
+## Artifact source
+
+The image build strategy should use the proven Linux server archive candidate path as the runtime source.
+
+Proven candidate commands:
+
+- npm run gulp vscode-reh-linux-x64-min-ci
+- npm run gulp vscode-reh-web-linux-x64-min-ci
+
+The exact archive output path must be captured in the next implementation workflow before image creation is finalized.
+
+## Required image validation
+
+Before WPCodeSpace consumes this image, the following must pass:
+
+1. Build the server archive candidates from the fork.
+2. Build the OpenVSCode Docker image from the proven archive output.
+3. Start the image locally.
+4. Open the running OpenVSCode UI.
+5. Open the official Chat panel.
+6. Verify WPCodeSpace Chat copy appears:
+   - Plan mode
+   - Describe what to build
+   - Build Workspace
+   - Review WordPress Project
+   - Plan Changes
+   - Show Config
+7. Confirm no generated runtime bundle was manually patched.
+8. Pin the image by immutable tag or digest.
+
+## Explicit non-goals
+
+This phase does not:
+
+- modify WPCodeSpace Dockerfiles
+- publish production images
+- add provider/backend integration
+- add API keys or OAuth
+- change Chat behavior beyond already merged source copy
+- patch generated workbench.js or nls.messages files
+
+## Stop conditions
+
+Stop before WPCodeSpace consumption if:
+
+- image build fails
+- local image startup fails
+- official Chat panel does not show the WPCodeSpace copy
+- image tag is mutable only
+- generated runtime bundles require manual patching
+- runtime depends on untracked local state
+
+## Next implementation phase
+
+Add a CI workflow or script that:
+
+1. builds the proven server archive candidates
+2. prints the exact archive output paths
+3. builds a test image using those outputs
+4. optionally uploads the image as an artifact or pushes to GHCR only after credentials and tag policy are confirmed
+
+The first implementation should prefer validation over publishing.