WiX Installer Implementation and Portable Versions

[boexler]

WiX Installer Implementation

Complete the WiX installer project setup in the \installer\ directory:

[ ] Configure WiX project to properly reference published application output
[ ] Add custom UI dialogs for installation options
[ ] Implement file associations for .nlog and .log files (optional)
[ ] Add user-selectable file association dialog during installation (e.g., associate *.log files with the program)
[ ] Add license agreement dialog
[ ] Test installer on clean Windows systems
[ ] Add installer project to solution file
[ ] Configure build process to generate installer automatically

Installer Features

[ ] Install to Program Files
[ ] Create Start Menu shortcut
[ ] Create Desktop shortcut (optional, user-selectable)
[ ] Registry entries for uninstallation
[ ] Version management and upgrade support
[ ] Silent installation support

Portable Versions

Create two portable versions of the application:

1. Self-Contained Portable Version

[ ] Includes .NET 8 runtime
[ ] Larger size (~100-150 MB)
[ ] No separate framework installation needed
[ ] Single executable or folder structure
[ ] Can run from USB drive
[ ] Settings stored in local folder (not AppData)

2. Framework-Dependent Portable Version

[ ] Requires .NET 8 runtime installed
[ ] Smaller size (~10-20 MB)
[ ] User must install .NET separately
[ ] Single executable or folder structure
[ ] Can run from USB drive
[ ] Settings stored in local folder (not AppData)

Portable Version Features

[ ] Create build scripts for both variants
[ ] Package as ZIP archives
[ ] Include README with instructions
[ ] Test portable versions on clean systems
[ ] Ensure settings are stored locally (not in AppData)

Build Configuration

[ ] Create build scripts for:
• Self-contained installer build
• Framework-dependent installer build
• Self-contained portable ZIP
• Framework-dependent portable ZIP
[ ] Integrate into CI/CD pipeline (if applicable)

Testing

[ ] Test installer on Windows 10/11
[ ] Test uninstallation process
[ ] Verify shortcuts are created correctly
[ ] Test file associations (if implemented)
[ ] Test self-contained portable version on system without .NET
[ ] Test framework-dependent portable version on system with .NET
[ ] Verify portable versions work from USB drive
[ ] Test settings persistence in portable versions

Documentation

[ ] Update README with installation instructions
[ ] Document portable version usage
[ ] Add screenshots of installer
[ ] Create distribution guide