Starter Examples

These are the three examples to run before you judge the flagship shells. They stay on the default public path and teach the app model in increasing density.

Recommended Order

1. HelloWorld
2. CounterForm
3. WorkspaceApp

What the starter ladder proves

• the basic app loop is easy to understand
• the same public path holds as layout density increases
• you can stay in Tessera, Tessera.Controls, and Tessera.Layout
• the framework reads like ordinary C#, not like a hidden DSL

Quick reference

Example	Run it when you want to learn	Command
HelloWorld	the smallest polished entry point	dotnet run --project examples/HelloWorld/HelloWorld.csproj
CounterForm	the first interactive form surface	dotnet run --project examples/CounterForm/CounterForm.csproj
WorkspaceApp	the first denser starter shell	dotnet run --project examples/WorkspaceApp/WorkspaceApp.csproj

HelloWorld

Use this first to confirm the terminal, theme, and button/message loop all read clearly.

bash.sh

dotnet run --project examples/HelloWorld/HelloWorld.csproj

Look for:

• centered layout and clean default spacing
• a direct TesseraApp -> Screen.Build(...) loop
• button activation and status text without extra host setup

CounterForm

Use this second for the first real form surface.

bash.sh

dotnet run --project examples/CounterForm/CounterForm.csproj

Look for:

• text input, numeric input, and choice controls
• a small message-driven app shell
• form interaction without extra host configuration

WorkspaceApp

Use this third when you want the first denser layout.

bash.sh

dotnet run --project examples/WorkspaceApp/WorkspaceApp.csproj

Look for:

• multi-pane composition on the default public path
• preview, editing, and action flow in one screen
• the same mental model as the smaller starters

Questions to ask before moving on

• Does the startup story still feel small?
• Does Build(...) stay readable as the screen gets denser?
• Do you understand where state changes happen?
• Do the controls feel like product surfaces rather than isolated widgets?

Next step

Once the starter ladder feels coherent, continue to showcase for GitConsole, OpsWatch, DataWorkbench, and the supporting demos.