diff --git a/AGENTS.md b/AGENTS.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4705143
--- /dev/null
+++ b/AGENTS.md
@@ -0,0 +1,99 @@
+# Contributor and Agent Guide
+
+This repository contains Blender extensions and standalone asset-pipeline tools.
+For Blender work, start with [the extension authoring guide](docs/blender-extension-guide.md),
+then use [the API notes](docs/blender-api-notes.md) and
+[the testing and release guide](docs/testing-and-releasing.md) as needed.
+
+## Repository map
+
+- `blender/<extension_id>/`: one installable Blender extension per directory.
+  Each extension root contains `blender_manifest.toml` and `__init__.py`.
+- `blender/tests/`: headless Blender smoke tests. These run inside Blender's
+  bundled Python, not ordinary system Python.
+- `blender/scripts/`: focused helpers for the current extension.
+- `tools/`: standalone tools that do not need to run inside Blender.
+- `dist/`: generated extension ZIP packages. Do not hand-edit them.
+- `build-all.sh`: discover and package every manifest under `blender/`.
+- `install-all.sh` / `install-all.bat`: build, install, and enable every
+  extension for the current Blender user.
+
+## Rules for Blender extensions
+
+1. Use the Blender Extensions format introduced in Blender 4.2. Do not add a
+   legacy `bl_info` dictionary. Metadata belongs in `blender_manifest.toml`.
+2. Keep each extension self-contained. Use relative imports inside its package.
+   Bundle third-party dependencies as wheels and list them in the manifest;
+   never run `pip` from an enabled extension.
+3. Treat the installed extension directory as read-only. Persistent extension
+   data belongs under `bpy.utils.extension_path_user(__package__, ...)`.
+4. Declare `files`, `network`, `clipboard`, `camera`, or `microphone`
+   permissions in the manifest whenever the extension uses them. Network code
+   must also respect `bpy.app.online_access`.
+5. Register Blender classes in dependency order and unregister them in reverse.
+   Delete properties added to `bpy.types` during `unregister()` and remove every
+   handler, timer, menu callback, preview collection, and keymap item created by
+   `register()`.
+6. Operators must have a useful `poll()`, use their passed `context`, report
+   actionable failures, and return `{'FINISHED'}` or `{'CANCELLED'}` correctly.
+7. Prefer Blender's data API over `bpy.ops`. When an operator is necessary,
+   make its context, selection, active object, object mode, and render engine
+   requirements explicit.
+8. Preserve user state. Snapshot and restore temporary selection, active object,
+   mode, render settings, material assignments, and temporary data in `finally`.
+   Do not rely on Undo to reverse file writes or external side effects.
+9. Never mutate shared mesh or material data merely to simplify processing.
+   Copy it, operate on the copy, and clean it up unless a persistent result is
+   an explicit feature.
+10. Avoid hard-coded repository namespaces such as `bl_ext.user_default`.
+    An extension may be installed from another repository; use `__package__`
+    and relative imports.
+
+## Adding an extension
+
+1. Create `blender/<extension_id>/blender_manifest.toml` and `__init__.py`.
+2. Use a lowercase snake-case manifest `id`; keep operator IDs and registered
+   class names uniquely prefixed.
+3. Set a truthful `blender_version_min`, semantic `version`, SPDX license, and
+   only the permissions actually required.
+4. Add a deterministic smoke test under `blender/tests/`. It must create its own
+   scene data, exercise the public operator or API, assert the result, and check
+   that temporary data and global state are restored.
+5. Add the test to `blender/scripts/test.sh` or replace that helper with a test
+   dispatcher when a second extension needs its own Blender process.
+6. Document the user workflow in `README.md` or a focused file under `docs/`.
+7. Run the completion checks below.
+
+## Required completion checks
+
+For any changed Blender extension, run checks proportional to the change. The
+minimum for code changes is:
+
+```bash
+./blender/scripts/test.sh
+blender --factory-startup --command extension validate blender/<extension_id>
+./build-all.sh
+blender --factory-startup --command extension validate dist/<id>-<version>.zip
+```
+
+For registration, packaging, dependency, or manifest changes, also test the
+built package in an isolated Blender user profile and confirm the enabled
+extension is loaded. See [Testing and releasing](docs/testing-and-releasing.md).
+
+Before declaring success:
+
+- Test both the successful path and at least one important validation/failure path.
+- Confirm the original scene state is preserved unless the feature documents a
+  persistent change.
+- Confirm no temporary objects, meshes, materials, images, handlers, or files
+  survive unexpectedly.
+- Rebuild the ZIP after the final source edit; a previously built package is not
+  evidence for the current source.
+- Bump the manifest version for a user-visible release.
+
+## Standalone tools
+
+Code under `tools/` runs in ordinary Python. Keep its dependencies in
+`tools/requirements.txt`, provide a helpful error when a dependency is absent,
+and test with `./tools/test.sh`. Standalone tools must not import `bpy`.
+
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 430b840..75af3b8 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -2,11 +2,20 @@
 
 Small tools for moving textured assets between Blender and Substance Painter.
 
+Contributor documentation starts at [AGENTS.md](AGENTS.md) and the
+[documentation index](docs/README.md). The full guides are:
+
+- [Building Blender extensions](docs/blender-extension-guide.md)
+- [Blender Python API notes](docs/blender-api-notes.md)
+- [Testing and releasing extensions](docs/testing-and-releasing.md)
+
 ```text
+AGENTS.md                     Contributor rules and documentation map
 blender/
   material_id_baker/        Blender 5.x extension source
   scripts/                  Build, install/update, and test helpers
   tests/                    Headless Blender smoke test
+docs/                         Extension authoring and API references
 tools/
   combine_substance_textures.py
   requirements.txt
@@ -48,7 +57,7 @@ install-all.bat
 
 The Blender extension bakes the active mesh's material-slot assignments to a flat-color texture using its active UV map. It works on a temporary mesh copy, so the source mesh and materials are not modified.
 
-Features include 256px–8K output, configurable island margin, optional evaluated modifiers, and three palette modes: deterministic distinct colors, material viewport colors, and exact slot-index encoding. It can write a PNG plus a JSON legend used by the standalone merger. The optional **Create Export Copy** setting leaves behind a selected duplicate with one `baked ids` material connected to the baked image, ready to export as a single-material asset.
+Features include 256px–8K output, configurable island margin, optional evaluated modifiers, and three palette modes: deterministic distinct colors, material viewport colors, and exact slot-index encoding. It can write a PNG plus a JSON legend used by the standalone merger. The optional **Create Export Copy** setting leaves behind a selected duplicate with one `baked ids` material connected to the baked image. Its dependent **Quick Export GLB** option immediately writes that one-material copy to a chosen `.glb` path for Substance Painter.
 
 ### Install or update
 
@@ -69,7 +78,8 @@ You can instead run `./blender/scripts/build.sh` and install the resulting ZIP t
 3. Open the 3D Viewport sidebar and choose the **Material ID** tab.
 4. Select the resolution, margin, and color mode.
 5. Optionally enable **Create Export Copy** to create a one-material duplicate for export.
-6. Enable **Save PNG** and **Save JSON Legend**, then click **Bake Material ID**.
+6. Optionally enable **Quick Export GLB** and choose a `.glb` path for immediate Substance Painter export.
+7. Enable **Save PNG** and **Save JSON Legend**, then click **Bake Material ID**.
 
 Overlapping UV islands with different materials are ambiguous. Use a non-overlapping UV layout for recovery/compositing.
 
diff --git a/blender/material_id_baker/__init__.py b/blender/material_id_baker/__init__.py
index 6c1d444..2ec22b2 100644
--- a/blender/material_id_baker/__init__.py
+++ b/blender/material_id_baker/__init__.py
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ def _create_export_copy(
     baked_mesh: bpy.types.Mesh,
     image: bpy.types.Image,
     apply_modifiers: bool,
-    scene: bpy.types.Scene,
+    target_collection: bpy.types.Collection,
 ) -> tuple[bpy.types.Object, bpy.types.Mesh, bpy.types.Material]:
     """Create a persistent one-material copy suitable for later export."""
     if apply_modifiers:
@@ -124,10 +124,10 @@ def _create_export_copy(
         export_object.data = export_mesh
         export_object.name = f"{source.name}_Baked_IDs"
 
-    target_collection = (
-        source.users_collection[0] if source.users_collection else scene.collection
-    )
     target_collection.objects.link(export_object)
+    export_object.hide_set(False)
+    export_object.hide_viewport = False
+    export_object.hide_render = False
 
     material = _create_baked_ids_material(image)
     export_mesh.materials.clear()
@@ -145,6 +145,41 @@ def _normalise_png_path(filepath: str) -> Path:
     return path
 
 
+def _normalise_glb_path(filepath: str) -> Path:
+    path_text = filepath.strip()
+    if not path_text:
+        raise RuntimeError("Choose a GLB export path")
+    path = Path(bpy.path.abspath(path_text)).expanduser()
+    if path.suffix.lower() != ".glb":
+        path = path.with_suffix(".glb")
+    return path
+
+
+def _quick_export_glb(
+    context: bpy.types.Context,
+    export_object: bpy.types.Object,
+    filepath: str,
+) -> Path:
+    output_path = _normalise_glb_path(filepath)
+    output_path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+    for obj in list(context.selected_objects):
+        obj.select_set(False)
+    export_object.select_set(True)
+    context.view_layer.objects.active = export_object
+
+    result = bpy.ops.export_scene.gltf(
+        filepath=str(output_path),
+        export_format="GLB",
+        use_selection=True,
+        export_materials="EXPORT",
+        export_animations=False,
+    )
+    if "FINISHED" not in result:
+        raise RuntimeError("Blender did not finish the GLB export")
+    return output_path
+
+
 def _snapshot_bake_settings(scene: bpy.types.Scene) -> dict[str, Any]:
     bake = scene.render.bake
     return {
@@ -153,6 +188,7 @@ def _snapshot_bake_settings(scene: bpy.types.Scene) -> dict[str, Any]:
         "target": bake.target,
         "use_clear": bake.use_clear,
         "use_selected_to_active": bake.use_selected_to_active,
+        "cycles_samples": scene.cycles.samples,
     }
 
 
@@ -163,6 +199,7 @@ def _restore_bake_settings(scene: bpy.types.Scene, state: dict[str, Any]) -> Non
     bake.target = state["target"]
     bake.use_clear = state["use_clear"]
     bake.use_selected_to_active = state["use_selected_to_active"]
+    scene.cycles.samples = state["cycles_samples"]
 
 
 class MIDB_PaletteEntry(PropertyGroup):
@@ -231,6 +268,17 @@ class MIDB_Settings(PropertyGroup):
         ),
         default=False,
     )
+    quick_export_glb: BoolProperty(
+        name="Quick Export GLB",
+        description="Immediately export the generated one-material copy as a GLB",
+        default=False,
+    )
+    glb_filepath: StringProperty(
+        name="GLB Path",
+        description="Path for the Substance Painter-ready GLB export",
+        subtype="FILE_PATH",
+        default="//baked_ids.glb",
+    )
     image_name: StringProperty(
         name="Image Name",
         default="Material_ID",
@@ -388,6 +436,7 @@ class MIDB_OT_Bake(Operator):
             # Cycles owns Blender's image-bake pipeline even though this flat
             # emission bake needs only one deterministic sample.
             scene.render.engine = "CYCLES"
+            scene.cycles.samples = 1
             scene.render.bake.margin = settings.margin
             scene.render.bake.target = "IMAGE_TEXTURES"
             scene.render.bake.use_clear = True
@@ -448,7 +497,15 @@ class MIDB_OT_Bake(Operator):
                     temp_mesh,
                     image,
                     settings.apply_modifiers,
-                    scene,
+                    context.collection,
+                )
+
+            exported_glb_path: Path | None = None
+            if export_object is not None and settings.quick_export_glb:
+                exported_glb_path = _quick_export_glb(
+                    context,
+                    export_object,
+                    settings.glb_filepath,
                 )
 
             succeeded = True
@@ -458,6 +515,8 @@ class MIDB_OT_Bake(Operator):
                 message = f"Baked material IDs to image '{image.name}'"
             if export_object is not None:
                 message += f" and created '{export_object.name}'"
+            if exported_glb_path is not None:
+                message += f"; exported GLB to {exported_glb_path}"
             self.report({"INFO"}, message)
             return {"FINISHED"}
 
@@ -531,7 +590,14 @@ class MIDB_PT_Panel(Panel):
         column.prop(settings, "margin")
         column.prop(settings, "palette_mode")
         column.prop(settings, "apply_modifiers")
-        column.prop(settings, "create_export_copy")
+
+        export_copy = layout.box()
+        export_copy.prop(settings, "create_export_copy")
+        quick_export = export_copy.column(align=True)
+        quick_export.enabled = settings.create_export_copy
+        quick_export.prop(settings, "quick_export_glb")
+        if settings.quick_export_glb:
+            quick_export.prop(settings, "glb_filepath")
 
         output = layout.box()
         output.label(text="Output")
diff --git a/blender/material_id_baker/blender_manifest.toml b/blender/material_id_baker/blender_manifest.toml
index 5ed19b0..dbdbd3c 100644
--- a/blender/material_id_baker/blender_manifest.toml
+++ b/blender/material_id_baker/blender_manifest.toml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 schema_version = "1.0.0"
 
 id = "material_id_baker"
-version = "1.1.0"
+version = "1.2.0"
 name = "Material ID Baker"
 tagline = "Bake mesh material assignments to a color ID texture"
 maintainer = "Sear"
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@ license = [
 ]
 
 [permissions]
-files = "Save baked ID textures and JSON palette legends"
+files = "Save baked textures, JSON legends, and GLB export copies"
diff --git a/blender/tests/smoke_test.py b/blender/tests/smoke_test.py
index 97495f4..b707785 100644
--- a/blender/tests/smoke_test.py
+++ b/blender/tests/smoke_test.py
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
 import json
+import struct
 import sys
 from pathlib import Path
 
@@ -73,6 +74,8 @@ def main() -> None:
     material_id_baker.register()
     source = make_test_object()
     original_engine = bpy.context.scene.render.engine
+    bpy.context.scene.cycles.samples = 37
+    original_cycles_samples = bpy.context.scene.cycles.samples
 
     settings = bpy.context.scene.material_id_baker
     settings.resolution = "256"
@@ -80,6 +83,8 @@ def main() -> None:
     settings.palette_mode = "DISTINCT"
     settings.apply_modifiers = True
     settings.create_export_copy = True
+    settings.quick_export_glb = True
+    settings.glb_filepath = "/tmp/material_id_baker_smoke_export"
     settings.image_name = "Material_ID_Smoke"
     settings.save_to_disk = True
     settings.filepath = "/tmp/material_id_baker_smoke.png"
@@ -88,6 +93,7 @@ def main() -> None:
     result = bpy.ops.object.bake_material_id()
     assert result == {"FINISHED"}, result
     assert bpy.context.scene.render.engine == original_engine
+    assert bpy.context.scene.cycles.samples == original_cycles_samples
     assert not any(item.name.startswith("__MID_BAKER_") for item in bpy.data.objects)
     assert not any(item.name.startswith("__MID_BAKER_") for item in bpy.data.materials)
 
@@ -123,6 +129,23 @@ def main() -> None:
     assert Path("/tmp/material_id_baker_smoke.png").is_file()
     assert Path("/tmp/material_id_baker_smoke.json").is_file()
 
+    glb_path = Path("/tmp/material_id_baker_smoke_export.glb")
+    assert glb_path.is_file()
+    glb_data = glb_path.read_bytes()
+    magic, version, total_length = struct.unpack_from("<4sII", glb_data, 0)
+    assert magic == b"glTF"
+    assert version == 2
+    assert total_length == len(glb_data)
+    json_length, json_type = struct.unpack_from("<I4s", glb_data, 12)
+    assert json_type == b"JSON"
+    glb_json = json.loads(glb_data[20 : 20 + json_length].decode("utf-8"))
+    assert len(glb_json["materials"]) == 1
+    assert glb_json["materials"][0]["name"] == "baked ids"
+    assert len(glb_json["meshes"]) == 1
+    assert len(glb_json["nodes"]) == 1
+    assert len(glb_json["images"]) == 1
+    assert "animations" not in glb_json
+
     print("MATERIAL_ID_BAKER_SMOKE_TEST_OK")
 
 
diff --git a/docs/README.md b/docs/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..97590b2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# Documentation index
+
+- [Building Blender extensions](blender-extension-guide.md): package layout,
+  manifests, permissions, registration, operators, UI, safe data handling,
+  storage, dependencies, builds, and installation.
+- [Blender Python API notes](blender-api-notes.md): context and mode pitfalls,
+  data-block ownership, lifecycle cleanup, evaluated meshes, materials, images,
+  baking, file effects, and compatibility probes.
+- [Testing and releasing](testing-and-releasing.md): headless smoke tests,
+  manifest/package validation, isolated installs, manual coverage, semantic
+  versions, release checks, and system deployment.
+
+These guides target modern add-on extensions in Blender 5.x. Repository-wide
+contributor requirements live in [AGENTS.md](../AGENTS.md).
+
diff --git a/docs/blender-api-notes.md b/docs/blender-api-notes.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3c58c3c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/blender-api-notes.md
@@ -0,0 +1,170 @@
+# Blender Python API notes for extension authors
+
+These notes collect the failure modes most likely to matter in this repository.
+They are not a replacement for the [current Blender Python API](https://docs.blender.org/api/current/).
+
+## Context, modes, and operators
+
+`bpy.context` is global ambient state. Operator and panel callbacks receive a
+`context` argument that may be overridden, so use that argument inside the
+callback.
+
+An operator that works when clicked can still fail from a script or in
+background mode. Common implicit requirements include:
+
+- active object and selected objects;
+- Object/Edit/Sculpt mode;
+- active view layer and collection visibility;
+- active image texture node in every material;
+- current editor area/region;
+- render engine and bake settings.
+
+Put cheap requirements in `poll()` and validate again in `execute()` when a
+specific error message helps. Prefer direct data manipulation over synthesizing
+UI context overrides.
+
+## Data-block ownership
+
+Objects reference meshes; material slots live primarily on meshes but can be
+overridden per object; nodes reference images. Copy the level whose ownership
+must become independent.
+
+```python
+object_copy = source.copy()       # independent object, shared mesh
+object_copy.data = source.data.copy()  # independent object and mesh
+```
+
+`collection.clear()` and similar operations may normalize dependent indices.
+For example, clearing mesh material slots can reset polygon material indices.
+Snapshot indices before clearing and restore them after rebuilding the slots.
+
+Blender data collections do not behave like ordinary Python ownership. Clean up
+temporary data explicitly:
+
+```python
+bpy.data.objects.remove(temp_object, do_unlink=True)
+if temp_mesh.users == 0:
+    bpy.data.meshes.remove(temp_mesh)
+```
+
+Do not remove a data-block with active users merely to avoid an orphan.
+
+## Registration lifecycle
+
+Keep a deterministic tuple of registered classes. Dependencies go first:
+
+1. `PropertyGroup` and `AddonPreferences`;
+2. operators;
+3. panels, menus, UI lists, and gizmos.
+
+Unregister in reverse. Any side effect outside class registration needs its own
+inverse operation:
+
+- `bpy.types.SomeMenu.append()` → `.remove()`;
+- `bpy.app.handlers.*.append()` → `.remove()`;
+- `bpy.app.timers.register()` → unregister or make the callback stop;
+- created keymaps → remove their keymap items;
+- preview collections → close/remove them;
+- `bpy.types.Scene.some_property = ...` → `del bpy.types.Scene.some_property`.
+
+Reloading exposes incomplete cleanup quickly. A package that only works after
+restarting Blender has a lifecycle bug.
+
+## Properties and persistence
+
+Blender properties are RNA definitions, not normal instance attributes. Declare
+them on registered Blender classes with `bpy.props` annotations. Register a
+`PropertyGroup` before using it as a `PointerProperty` or `CollectionProperty`.
+
+Choose storage based on intended lifetime:
+
+- operator property: one invocation and redo panel;
+- `Scene`/`Object` property: saved in the `.blend`;
+- `AddonPreferences`: current Blender user profile;
+- module global: only the current enabled Python module lifetime;
+- `extension_path_user()`: persistent files owned by the extension.
+
+Property update callbacks can run in surprising contexts. Keep them small,
+avoid expensive operators, and guard against recursion.
+
+## Meshes, modifiers, and UVs
+
+`source.data.copy()` copies the base mesh. It does not apply modifiers.
+`bpy.data.meshes.new_from_object(source.evaluated_get(depsgraph), ...)` captures
+evaluated geometry. Decide explicitly which topology the result should use.
+
+Evaluated geometry can add/remove UV layers or material slots. After evaluation:
+
+- confirm a UV layer still exists;
+- choose and set the intended active/render UV layer;
+- compute the required material-slot count from both slots and polygon indices;
+- do not assume source and evaluated polygon counts match.
+
+## Materials, nodes, and images
+
+For materials used by common exporters, a Principled BSDF with an Image Texture
+connected to Base Color is more portable than a custom shader tree. For a bake
+target, every material involved in the bake needs an active Image Texture node
+that points at the destination image.
+
+Use `Non-Color` for ID maps, masks, normal maps, roughness, metallic, and packed
+data textures. Color-space configuration affects both values returned to Python
+and values saved to disk.
+
+Byte images quantize floats. A value recorded as `0.1` in metadata may become
+byte 25 or 26 depending on the conversion path. If another tool consumes an ID
+map, prefer exact byte matching with a narrowly bounded fallback, and reject
+overlapping color masks.
+
+Generated images are Blender data-blocks. Decide whether they should be saved,
+packed, or intentionally remain generated data before the user closes the file.
+
+## Baking
+
+Image baking is context-sensitive. A robust bake typically controls and restores:
+
+- active/selected bake object;
+- Object mode;
+- `scene.render.engine` (Cycles owns the image-bake pipeline);
+- Cycles samples (one sample is sufficient for a deterministic flat emission bake);
+- `scene.render.bake.target`, margin, clear behavior, and selected-to-active;
+- active target Image Texture nodes;
+- temporary materials and material indices.
+
+Use a flat emission shader for material-ID colors so lights, normals, and
+sampling do not alter the values. Always restore the previous render engine and
+bake settings in `finally`.
+
+## Files, paths, and external effects
+
+Blender accepts `//` paths relative to the current `.blend`. Resolve them with
+`bpy.path.abspath()`. Do not assume the `.blend` has been saved, and do not
+silently write into the extension package directory.
+
+`UNDO` only covers Blender's undo-aware data changes. It does not remove a PNG,
+undo a JSON/GLB write, retract a network request, or restore another program's
+state. Validate first and order external effects late.
+
+## Compatibility checks
+
+Blender's Python API changes between releases. Avoid relying on memory for enum
+names, node socket names, or RNA properties. Query the target build when needed:
+
+```bash
+blender --factory-startup --background --python-expr \
+  "import bpy; print(bpy.app.version_string); print(bpy.types.BakeSettings.bl_rna.properties.keys())"
+```
+
+Feature-detect optional properties with `hasattr` or guarded assignment, but do
+not use broad exception handling to hide genuine failures. When support differs
+materially by version, set an honest manifest minimum or branch on
+`bpy.app.version` and test both branches.
+
+Useful API entry points:
+
+- [`bpy.types.Operator`](https://docs.blender.org/api/current/bpy.types.Operator.html)
+- [`bpy.props`](https://docs.blender.org/api/current/bpy.props.html)
+- [`bpy.utils`](https://docs.blender.org/api/current/bpy.utils.html)
+- [`bpy.types.Image`](https://docs.blender.org/api/current/bpy.types.Image.html)
+- [`bpy.types.Mesh`](https://docs.blender.org/api/current/bpy.types.Mesh.html)
+- [`bpy.types.Depsgraph`](https://docs.blender.org/api/current/bpy.types.Depsgraph.html)
diff --git a/docs/blender-extension-guide.md b/docs/blender-extension-guide.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0127372
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/blender-extension-guide.md
@@ -0,0 +1,301 @@
+# Building Blender extensions in this repository
+
+This guide targets Blender 5.x, with Blender 5.2 as the current user target.
+Blender calls installable Python plug-ins **add-on extensions**. Use that format
+instead of the legacy single-file add-on format.
+
+## 1. Understand the package boundary
+
+Every extension is an independent directory under `blender/`:
+
+```text
+blender/
+  example_tool/
+    blender_manifest.toml
+    __init__.py
+    operators.py        # optional
+    properties.py       # optional
+    ui.py               # optional
+    wheels/             # optional bundled dependencies
+```
+
+The build command turns the contents of `example_tool/` into a ZIP whose root
+contains the manifest and `__init__.py`. The directory containing all extensions
+is not itself a Python package.
+
+Start with one `__init__.py` while a tool is small. Split it when operators,
+panels, and data helpers become difficult to navigate. Multi-file extensions
+must use relative imports:
+
+```python
+from . import operators, properties, ui
+```
+
+Do not import the extension by a hard-coded installed name. Blender namespaces
+extensions by repository, for example `bl_ext.user_default.example_tool`, and
+that prefix changes when the package is installed elsewhere.
+
+## 2. Write the manifest
+
+A minimal repository-compatible manifest looks like this:
+
+```toml
+schema_version = "1.0.0"
+
+id = "example_tool"
+version = "0.1.0"
+name = "Example Tool"
+tagline = "Perform one useful Blender workflow"
+maintainer = "Your Name"
+type = "add-on"
+
+blender_version_min = "5.0.0"
+
+license = [
+  "SPDX:GPL-3.0-or-later",
+]
+```
+
+Manifest rules worth catching early:
+
+- `id` is the stable package identity. Do not change it merely to rename the UI.
+- `version` follows semantic versioning. Bump it when distributing an update.
+- `tagline` is short, has no trailing punctuation, and describes an action.
+- `blender_version_min` is the oldest version actually supported, not simply the
+  developer's newest installed version.
+- Omit unused optional fields rather than setting them to empty strings/lists.
+- Use SPDX-prefixed license identifiers.
+
+### Permissions
+
+Declare capabilities that reach outside normal Blender data:
+
+```toml
+[permissions]
+files = "Export processed textures selected by the user"
+network = "Synchronize assets with the configured server"
+```
+
+Only declare what the extension uses. Permission explanations must be short and
+must not end in punctuation. Network permission does not override Blender's
+online-access preference; check it before connecting:
+
+```python
+if not bpy.app.online_access:
+    self.report({"ERROR"}, "Enable Online Access in Blender preferences")
+    return {"CANCELLED"}
+```
+
+## 3. Implement registration, an operator, and UI
+
+This is a small but complete extension entry point:
+
+```python
+import bpy
+from bpy.props import BoolProperty, PointerProperty
+from bpy.types import Operator, Panel, PropertyGroup
+
+
+class EXAMPLE_PG_Settings(PropertyGroup):
+    affect_selected: BoolProperty(
+        name="Affect Selected",
+        default=True,
+    )
+
+
+class EXAMPLE_OT_Run(Operator):
+    bl_idname = "object.example_run"
+    bl_label = "Run Example"
+    bl_description = "Perform the example operation on the active mesh"
+    bl_options = {"REGISTER", "UNDO"}
+
+    @classmethod
+    def poll(cls, context):
+        return bool(
+            context.mode == "OBJECT"
+            and context.active_object
+            and context.active_object.type == "MESH"
+        )
+
+    def execute(self, context):
+        obj = context.active_object
+        if obj is None:
+            self.report({"ERROR"}, "Select a mesh object")
+            return {"CANCELLED"}
+
+        # Prefer direct data API changes here. Use context, not bpy.context.
+        obj["example_was_run"] = True
+        self.report({"INFO"}, f"Processed {obj.name}")
+        return {"FINISHED"}
+
+
+class EXAMPLE_PT_Panel(Panel):
+    bl_label = "Example Tool"
+    bl_idname = "EXAMPLE_PT_main"
+    bl_space_type = "VIEW_3D"
+    bl_region_type = "UI"
+    bl_category = "Example"
+
+    def draw(self, context):
+        layout = self.layout
+        settings = context.scene.example_tool
+        layout.prop(settings, "affect_selected")
+        layout.operator("object.example_run")
+
+
+CLASSES = (
+    EXAMPLE_PG_Settings,
+    EXAMPLE_OT_Run,
+    EXAMPLE_PT_Panel,
+)
+
+
+def register():
+    for cls in CLASSES:
+        bpy.utils.register_class(cls)
+    bpy.types.Scene.example_tool = PointerProperty(type=EXAMPLE_PG_Settings)
+
+
+def unregister():
+    del bpy.types.Scene.example_tool
+    for cls in reversed(CLASSES):
+        bpy.utils.unregister_class(cls)
+```
+
+Important details:
+
+- Register `PropertyGroup` classes before creating pointer/collection properties
+  that reference them.
+- Unregister in exact reverse dependency order.
+- Prefix class names and Blender identifiers to avoid collisions.
+- A panel's `draw()` executes frequently. It should be cheap and should not
+  mutate scene data.
+- Use `poll()` both to disable invalid UI actions and to document required context.
+- `bl_options = {"REGISTER", "UNDO"}` is appropriate for scene-data changes,
+  but Undo does not reverse files, HTTP calls, or other external side effects.
+
+## 4. Design safe Blender operations
+
+Blender data often has multiple users. Editing `obj.data` can change every
+object sharing that mesh, and editing a material can change every object using
+it. When the feature should be non-destructive, copy first:
+
+```python
+result_object = source.copy()
+result_object.data = source.data.copy()
+source.users_collection[0].objects.link(result_object)
+```
+
+When modifiers must be applied without touching the source:
+
+```python
+depsgraph = context.evaluated_depsgraph_get()
+evaluated = source.evaluated_get(depsgraph)
+result_mesh = bpy.data.meshes.new_from_object(
+    evaluated,
+    preserve_all_data_layers=True,
+    depsgraph=depsgraph,
+)
+```
+
+Stateful operations should follow a transaction-like structure:
+
+```python
+active_before = context.view_layer.objects.active
+selected_before = list(context.selected_objects)
+temporary_object = None
+success = False
+
+try:
+    # Create copies and perform the operation.
+    success = True
+finally:
+    # Remove temporary data and restore selection/settings.
+    if temporary_object is not None:
+        bpy.data.objects.remove(temporary_object, do_unlink=True)
+```
+
+Track every temporary data-block you create. Removing an object does not
+automatically remove its orphaned mesh, material, or image. Check `users == 0`
+before removing a data-block that might legitimately be shared.
+
+Use `bpy.ops` only when Blender exposes no suitable data API. Operators depend
+on context: editor area, mode, active object, selected objects, active material
+node, render engine, or view layer. A headless test is the quickest way to find
+hidden context assumptions.
+
+## 5. Store files and settings correctly
+
+An installed extension may live in a read-only system repository, and upgrades
+replace its package directory. Never store user data beside `__init__.py`.
+
+Use the per-extension storage API:
+
+```python
+storage_dir = bpy.utils.extension_path_user(
+    __package__,
+    path="cache",
+    create=True,
+)
+```
+
+Use Blender properties for settings that should live in a `.blend` file, and an
+`AddonPreferences` subclass for user preferences that should apply across
+projects. Access preferences through `__package__`, not a literal module name:
+
+```python
+preferences = bpy.context.preferences.addons[__package__].preferences
+```
+
+Use `bpy.path.abspath()` for Blender paths such as `//textures/output.png`.
+Validate empty paths and file formats before starting an expensive operation.
+
+## 6. Bundle dependencies
+
+Extensions must be self-contained. For a third-party Python dependency:
+
+1. Download/build wheels for every supported OS and architecture.
+2. Put them under the extension, conventionally `wheels/`.
+3. List each relative wheel path in the manifest's `wheels` array.
+4. Build and test the installed ZIP on every advertised platform.
+
+Do not import from the developer's system Python, mutate Blender's bundled
+Python, or invoke `pip` during registration. Pure-Python code may be vendored,
+but keep its license and avoid top-level package-name collisions.
+
+## 7. Build and install
+
+Build all repository extensions:
+
+```bash
+./build-all.sh
+```
+
+Build, reinstall, and enable them for the current Blender user:
+
+```bash
+./install-all.sh
+```
+
+Windows Command Prompt:
+
+```bat
+install-all.bat
+```
+
+Select a non-default Blender executable with `BLENDER_BIN`. Close running
+Blender instances before reinstalling; an open process retains already imported
+Python modules.
+
+For the full validation and release sequence, continue with
+[Testing and releasing](testing-and-releasing.md).
+
+## Official references
+
+- [Creating Blender extensions](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/getting_started.html)
+- [Extension add-ons, namespaces, storage, and online access](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/addons.html)
+- [Bundling Python wheels](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/python_wheels.html)
+- [Extension command-line arguments](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/command_line/extension_arguments.html)
+- [Current Blender Python API](https://docs.blender.org/api/current/)
+- [Blender extension add-on guidelines](https://developer.blender.org/docs/handbook/extensions/addon_guidelines/)
+
diff --git a/docs/testing-and-releasing.md b/docs/testing-and-releasing.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3337b18
--- /dev/null
+++ b/docs/testing-and-releasing.md
@@ -0,0 +1,180 @@
+# Testing, packaging, installing, and releasing Blender extensions
+
+The goal is to test the same artifact a user installs, while keeping local
+Blender preferences and production scenes out of the test.
+
+## Test layers
+
+### 1. Syntax and registration
+
+Import/register the extension in Blender's Python, not system Python. Ordinary
+Python usually has no compatible `bpy` module.
+
+A useful smoke test should:
+
+1. start from `--factory-startup --background`;
+2. register or enable the extension;
+3. build its own minimal scene and data-blocks;
+4. invoke the public operator/API;
+5. assert outputs and persistent results;
+6. assert selection, active object, render state, and source data restoration;
+7. assert temporary objects/materials/meshes/images were removed;
+8. print one unmistakable success marker.
+
+The current extension test is:
+
+```bash
+./blender/scripts/test.sh
+```
+
+When more extensions are added, give each one a focused test file and make the
+shared test helper run each in a fresh Blender process. Fresh processes prevent
+registration and global-state leakage between tests.
+
+### 2. Manifest validation
+
+Validate source metadata before packaging:
+
+```bash
+blender --factory-startup --command extension validate \
+  blender/material_id_baker
+```
+
+Then validate the actual ZIP:
+
+```bash
+VERSION=1.2.0
+blender --factory-startup --command extension validate \
+  "dist/material_id_baker-${VERSION}.zip"
+```
+
+ZIP validation catches package-root and build-exclusion mistakes that source
+validation cannot.
+
+### 3. Installed-package test
+
+Build all packages:
+
+```bash
+./build-all.sh
+```
+
+Install into an isolated Blender profile on Linux/macOS:
+
+```bash
+test_profile="$(mktemp -d)"
+BLENDER_USER_RESOURCES="$test_profile" ./install-all.sh
+```
+
+Then launch Blender with the same `BLENDER_USER_RESOURCES` and assert registered
+operators/classes are present. Do not point install tests at the developer's real
+profile unless the user explicitly wants to update it.
+
+On Windows, set `BLENDER_USER_RESOURCES` to a temporary directory before running
+`install-all.bat` from the same Command Prompt.
+
+### 4. Manual UI test
+
+Headless tests do not prove layout quality or interactive behavior. Before a
+release, install the ZIP and check:
+
+- panel location, labels, spacing, disabled states, and tooltips;
+- behavior with no object, wrong object type, wrong mode, missing UV/material,
+  linked data, shared data, and unsaved `.blend` paths as relevant;
+- Undo/Redo for scene changes;
+- disabling and re-enabling without restarting Blender;
+- saving/reopening the `.blend` when properties or generated data persist;
+- output in the Image Editor, Shader Editor, Outliner, and exporter as relevant.
+
+## Build helpers in this repository
+
+`build-all.sh` recursively discovers `blender_manifest.toml` under `blender/`
+and writes versioned packages to `dist/`:
+
+```bash
+BLENDER_BIN=/path/to/blender-5.2 ./build-all.sh
+```
+
+`install-all.sh` builds, installs, and enables only the packages produced by
+that invocation:
+
+```bash
+BLENDER_EXTENSION_REPO=user_default ./install-all.sh
+```
+
+Windows:
+
+```bat
+set "BLENDER_BIN=C:\Program Files\Blender Foundation\Blender 5.2\blender.exe"
+set "BLENDER_EXTENSION_REPO=user_default"
+install-all.bat
+```
+
+Close open Blender processes before replacing an extension. Reinstalling files
+does not reload a module already imported by a running process.
+
+## Versioning and release checklist
+
+Use semantic versions in `blender_manifest.toml`:
+
+- patch: compatible bug fix or internal improvement;
+- minor: backward-compatible user-visible feature;
+- major: breaking behavior/configuration/workflow change.
+
+Release sequence:
+
+1. Finish source and documentation changes.
+2. Update/add automated tests and run them.
+3. Bump the manifest version.
+4. Validate the source directory.
+5. Run `./build-all.sh`.
+6. Validate the new versioned ZIP.
+7. Install the ZIP into an isolated profile and confirm it enables.
+8. Perform the relevant manual UI/export test in the target Blender version.
+9. Inspect ZIP contents; source/tests/repository files must not leak into it.
+10. Distribute the immutable ZIP. Do not replace a published ZIP without also
+    changing its version.
+
+Inspect package contents on Unix-like systems with:
+
+```bash
+unzip -l dist/<id>-<version>.zip
+```
+
+An add-on extension ZIP should normally contain `blender_manifest.toml`,
+`__init__.py`, its internal modules/assets, and declared wheels—nothing from
+other extensions or repository-level tests.
+
+## Headless installation scopes
+
+For the current Blender user, the supported CLI operation is:
+
+```bash
+blender --factory-startup --command extension install-file \
+  -r user_default -e dist/<id>-<version>.zip
+```
+
+`-e` enables the extension and updates that user's preferences.
+
+For a machine-wide deployment, extract packages into the read-only system
+repository layout:
+
+```text
+$BLENDER_SYSTEM_EXTENSIONS/
+  system/
+    <id>/
+      blender_manifest.toml
+      __init__.py
+```
+
+System-repository availability is separate from per-user enablement. Managed
+deployments can use a startup script under `BLENDER_SYSTEM_SCRIPTS/startup/` to
+enable required packages. See Blender's
+[production deployment guide](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/deploying_blender.html).
+
+## Official references
+
+- [Creating extensions](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/getting_started.html)
+- [Extension CLI](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/command_line/extension_arguments.html)
+- [Production/system extension deployment](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/deploying_blender.html)
+- [Python wheels](https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/advanced/extensions/python_wheels.html)