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name: s-develop description: > Core WoW addon development patterns using Ace3 framework and Blizzard UI APIs. Covers event-driven design, SavedVariables, frame architecture, and API resilience. Use when building addons, designing systems, or integrating libraries. Triggers: addon, WoW, Lua, Ace3, frame, event, SavedVariables, architecture.

Developing WoW Addons

Expert guidance for building World of Warcraft addons with a focus on testability and maintenance.

Related Commands

• c-develop - Build or extend addon features workflow

CLI Commands (Use These First)

MANDATORY: Always use CLI commands before manual exploration.

Capabilities

1. Event-Driven Design — Register events, handle callbacks, bucket patterns
2. Frame Architecture — Three-layer design (Core/Bridge/View), layouts, templates
3. SavedVariables — Database design, AceDB, versioning, defaults
4. Combat Lockdown — Protected functions, taint avoidance, secure handlers
5. API Resilience — Defensive programming, C_ namespaces, secret values

Routing Logic

Quick Reference

Create New Addon

Copymech call addon.create -i '{"name": "MyAddon", "author": "Name"}'
mech call addon.sync -i '{"addon": "MyAddon"}'

Core Principles

1. Headless Core: Keep logic in pure Lua functions (Layer 1)
2. Event-Driven: Avoid OnUpdate polling; use events (Layer 2)
3. Defensive API: Always check for nil and use pcall for uncertain APIs
4. Combat Aware: Never modify protected frames in combat