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+# Quick Start Guide for Maintainers
+
+This guide helps you quickly test and publish Front Matter Lite.
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Node.js 18+
+- VS Code installed
+- (Optional) vsce installed globally: `npm install -g @vscode/vsce`
+
+## Build and Test (5 minutes)
+
+### 1. Build the Extension
+
+```bash
+cd lite
+npm install
+npm run build
+```
+
+Expected output: `dist/extension-web.js` created successfully (~12KB)
+
+### 2. Test in VS Code Extension Development Host
+
+```bash
+# From the lite directory, press F5 in VS Code
+# OR run:
+code --extensionDevelopmentPath=/path/to/lite
+```
+
+This opens a new VS Code window with the extension loaded.
+
+### 3. Test Virtual Workspace Features
+
+In the Extension Development Host:
+
+1. **Open Command Palette** (F1)
+2. **Run**: "Open Remote Repository"
+3. **Enter**: Any GitHub repo URL (e.g., `https://github.com/microsoft/vscode`)
+4. **Verify**: 
+   - "Front Matter Lite" appears in Activity Bar
+   - Dashboard loads
+   - Information message about virtual workspace mode appears
+
+### 4. Test Core Features
+
+**Register a Folder:**
+1. In Explorer, right-click any folder
+2. Select "Front Matter Lite > Register Content Folder (Lite)"
+3. Enter a title
+4. Check dashboard shows the folder
+
+**Create Content:**
+1. Click "Create Content" in dashboard
+2. Select folder
+3. Enter file name
+4. Verify file is created with front matter
+
+## Package for Distribution
+
+### Create VSIX File
+
+```bash
+cd lite
+vsce package
+```
+
+Output: `vscode-front-matter-lite-10.9.0.vsix`
+
+### Test VSIX in github.dev
+
+1. Navigate to any GitHub repo
+2. Press `.` to open github.dev
+3. Install extension:
+   - Extensions → "..." menu → "Install from VSIX..."
+   - Select the generated `.vsix` file
+4. Test features
+
+## Publish to Marketplace
+
+### Prerequisites
+
+- Azure DevOps account
+- Personal Access Token (PAT) with Marketplace publish permissions
+- Publisher ID set up
+
+### Publish
+
+```bash
+# First time setup
+vsce login <publisher-name>
+
+# Publish
+cd lite
+vsce publish
+```
+
+### Update Version
+
+```bash
+# In package.json, update version
+# Then publish with:
+vsce publish minor  # or major, patch
+```
+
+## Development Workflow
+
+### Watch Mode
+
+```bash
+npm run dev
+```
+
+Keep this running while developing. Press F5 to test changes.
+
+### Make Changes
+
+1. Edit source files in `src/`
+2. Save (watch mode rebuilds automatically)
+3. Reload Extension Development Host (Ctrl+R in dev window)
+4. Test changes
+
+### Debug
+
+1. Set breakpoints in source files
+2. Press F5
+3. Trigger the feature in dev host
+4. Debugger stops at breakpoints
+
+## Common Tasks
+
+### Update Front Matter Template
+
+Edit in `src/extension.ts` (~line 170):
+
+```typescript
+const content = `---
+title: ${fileName}
+description: 
+date: ${date}
+tags: []
+draft: false  // Add new field
+---`;
+```
+
+### Change Dashboard UI
+
+Edit `src/DashboardProvider.ts` `_getHtmlForWebview()` method.
+
+### Add New Command
+
+1. Register in `package.json` `contributes.commands`
+2. Implement in `src/extension.ts`
+3. Add to menu if needed
+
+### Modify Configuration Schema
+
+Update `package.json` `contributes.configuration.properties`
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+### Build Fails
+
+```bash
+# Clean and rebuild
+rm -rf node_modules dist
+npm install
+npm run build
+```
+
+### Extension Not Loading
+
+Check:
+1. `dist/extension-web.js` exists
+2. `package.json` has correct `browser` entry point
+3. Output channel for errors
+
+### Virtual Workspace Not Detected
+
+Ensure workspace scheme is not 'file':
+- github.dev uses 'vscode-vfs'
+- Check Output channel for detection message
+
+## Quality Checks
+
+Before publishing:
+
+```bash
+# Build
+npm run build
+
+# Check size (should be ~12KB)
+ls -lh dist/extension-web.js
+
+# Lint (if you add linting)
+npm run lint
+
+# Package
+vsce package
+```
+
+## Integration with Main Extension
+
+The lite version is independent but uses compatible configuration:
+
+```json
+{
+  "frontMatter.content.pageFolders": [
+    { "title": "Blog", "path": "content/blog" }
+  ]
+}
+```
+
+This works in both full and lite versions.
+
+## Support
+
+For issues:
+1. Check Output channel "Front Matter Lite"
+2. Check browser console (F12 in github.dev)
+3. Review error messages
+4. Check GitHub issues
+
+## Next Steps
+
+After testing:
+1. ✅ Verify features work
+2. ✅ Test in github.dev
+3. ✅ Get user feedback
+4. 📋 Iterate on improvements
+5. 🚀 Publish to marketplace
+6. 📢 Announce to users
+
+## Quick Commands Reference
+
+```bash
+# Install dependencies
+npm install
+
+# Build for production
+npm run build
+
+# Build for development (watch mode)
+npm run dev
+
+# Package extension
+vsce package
+
+# Publish extension
+vsce publish
+
+# Test in VS Code
+code --extensionDevelopmentPath=$(pwd)
+```
+
+## Files to Review
+
+- `package.json` - Extension manifest
+- `src/extension.ts` - Main logic
+- `src/DashboardProvider.ts` - UI
+- `README.md` - User documentation
+
+That's it! You're ready to test and publish Front Matter Lite. 🚀