feat(cpa): create project from example using --example CLI arg (#10172)

Adds the ability to create a project using an existing in the Payload
repo example through `create-payload-app`:

For example:
`pnpx create-payload-app --example custom-server` - creates a project
from the
[custom-server](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/tree/main/examples/custom-server)
example.

This is much easier and faster then downloading the whole repo and
copying the example to another folder.
Note that we don't configure the payload config with the storage / DB
adapter there because examples can be very specific.

README.md

@@ -96,7 +96,11 @@ If you want to add contributions to this repository, please follow the instructi
 
 The [Examples Directory](./examples) is a great resource for learning how to setup Payload in a variety of different ways, but you can also find great examples in our blog and throughout our social media.
 
-If you'd like to run the examples, you can either copy them to a folder outside this repo or run them directly by (1) navigating to the example's subfolder (`cd examples/your-example-folder`) and (2) using the `--ignore-workspace` flag to bypass workspace restrictions (e.g., `pnpm --ignore-workspace install` or `pnpm --ignore-workspace dev`).
+If you'd like to run the examples, you can use `create-payload-app` to create a project from one:
+
+```sh
+npx create-payload-app --example example_name
+```
 
 You can see more examples at:
 

docs/examples/overview.mdx

@@ -19,4 +19,10 @@ Payload provides a vast array of examples to help you get started with your proj
 - [Tests](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/tree/main/examples/testing)
 - [White-label Admin UI](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/tree/main/examples/whitelabel)
 
+If you'd like to run the examples, you can use `create-payload-app` to create a project from one:
+
+```sh
+npx create-payload-app --example example_name
+```
+
 We are adding new examples every day, so if your particular use case is not demonstrated in any existing example, please feel free to start a new [Discussion](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/discussions) or open a new [PR](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/pulls) to add it yourself.

examples/auth/README.md

@@ -6,20 +6,17 @@ This [Payload Auth Example](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/tree/main/exam
 
 To spin up this example locally, follow the steps below:
 
-1. Clone this repo
-1. Navigate into the project directory and install dependencies using your preferred package manager:
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
 
-- `pnpm i --ignore-workspace`\*, `yarn`, or `npm install`
+- `npx create-payload-app --example auth`
 
-> \*NOTE: The --ignore-workspace flag is needed if you are running this example within the Payload monorepo to avoid workspace conflicts.
-
-1. Start the server:
+2. Start the server:
    - Depending on your package manager, run `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev`
    - When prompted, type `y` then `enter` to seed the database with sample data
-1. Access the application:
+3. Access the application:
    - Open your browser and navigate to `http://localhost:3000` to access the homepage.
    - Open `http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel.
-1. Login:
+4. Login:
 
 - Use the following credentials to log into the admin panel:
   > `Email: demo@payloadcms.com` > `Password: demo`

examples/custom-components/README.md

@@ -6,20 +6,17 @@ This example demonstrates how to use Custom Components in the [Payload](https://
 
 To spin up this example locally, follow the steps below:
 
-1. Clone this repo
-1. Navigate into the project directory and install dependencies using your preferred package manager:
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
 
-- `pnpm i --ignore-workspace`\*, `yarn`, or `npm install`
+- `npx create-payload-app --example custom-components`
 
-> \*NOTE: The --ignore-workspace flag is needed if you are running this example within the Payload monorepo to avoid workspace conflicts.
-
-1. Start the server:
+2. Start the server:
    - Depending on your package manager, run `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev`
    - When prompted, type `y` then `enter` to seed the database with sample data
-1. Access the application:
+3. Access the application:
    - Open your browser and navigate to `http://localhost:3000` to access the homepage.
    - Open `http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel.
-1. Login:
+4. Login:
 
 - Use the following credentials to log into the admin panel:
   > `Email: demo@payloadcms.com` > `Password: demo`

examples/custom-server/README.md

@@ -1,5 +1,9 @@
 # Payload 3 with Custom Server
 
+Run the following command to create a project from the example:
+
+- `npx create-payload-app --example custom-server`
+
 Uses a [Next.js Custom Server](https://nextjs.org/docs/pages/building-your-application/configuring/custom-server) with express.
 
 Made from official [examples/custom-server](https://github.com/vercel/next.js/tree/canary/examples/custom-server) from Next.js repository.

examples/draft-preview/README.md

@@ -6,15 +6,14 @@ The [Payload Draft Preview Example](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/tree/m
 
 To spin up this example locally, follow these steps:
 
-1. Clone this repo
-2. `cd` into this directory and run `pnpm i --ignore-workspace`\*, `yarn`, or `npm install`
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
 
-   > \*If you are running using pnpm within the Payload Monorepo, the `--ignore-workspace` flag is needed so that pnpm generates a lockfile in this example's directory despite the fact that one exists in root.
+- `npx create-payload-app --example draft-preview`
 
-3. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
-4. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
-5. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
-6. Login with email `demo@payloadcms.com` and password `demo`
+2. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
+3. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
+4. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
+5. Login with email `demo@payloadcms.com` and password `demo`
 
 That's it! Changes made in `./src` will be reflected in your app. See the [Development](#development) section for more details.
 

examples/email/README.md

@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@ This example demonstrates how to integrate email functionality into Payload.
 
 To spin up this example locally, follow these steps:
 
-1. Clone this repo
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
+
+- `npx create-payload-app --example email`
+
 2. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
 3. `pnpm install && pnpm dev` to install dependencies and start the dev server
 4. open `http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel

examples/form-builder/README.md

@@ -6,17 +6,16 @@ The [Payload Form Builder Example](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/tree/ma
 
 ## Quick Start
 
-1. Clone this repo
-2. `cd` into this directory and run `pnpm i --ignore-workspace`\*, `yarn`, or `npm install`
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
 
-   > \*If you are running using pnpm within the Payload Monorepo, the `--ignore-workspace` flag is needed so that pnpm generates a lockfile in this example's directory despite the fact that one exists in root.
+- `npx create-payload-app --example form-builder`
 
-3. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
+2. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
 
-4. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
+3. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
    - Press `y` when prompted to seed the database
-5. `open http://localhost:3000` to access the home page
-6. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
+4. `open http://localhost:3000` to access the home page
+5. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
    - Login with email `demo@payloadcms.com` and password `demo`
 
 That's it! Changes made in `./src` will be

examples/live-preview/README.md

@@ -6,17 +6,16 @@ The [Payload Live Preview Example](https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/tree/ma
 
 ## Quick Start
 
-1. Clone this repo
-2. `cd` into this directory and run `pnpm i --ignore-workspace`\*, `yarn`, or `npm install`
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
 
-   > \*If you are running using pnpm within the Payload Monorepo, the `--ignore-workspace` flag is needed so that pnpm generates a lockfile in this example's directory despite the fact that one exists in root.
+- `npx create-payload-app --example live-preview`
 
-3. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
+2. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
 
-4. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
+3. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
    - Press `y` when prompted to seed the database
-5. `open http://localhost:3000` to access the home page
-6. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
+4. `open http://localhost:3000` to access the home page
+5. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
    - Login with email `demo@payloadcms.com` and password `demo`
 
 That's it! Changes made in `./src` will be reflected in your app. See the [Development](#development) section for more details.

examples/localization/README.md

@@ -8,10 +8,14 @@ To facilitate the localization process, this example uses the next-intl library.
 
 ## Setup
 
-1. `cp .env.example .env` (copy the .env.example file to .env)
-2. `pnpm install` (`pnpm i --ignore-workspaces` if you are running from the monorepo)
-3. `pnpm run dev`
-4. Seed your database in the admin panel (see below)
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
+
+- `npx create-payload-app --example localization`
+
+2. `cp .env.example .env` (copy the .env.example file to .env)
+3. `pnpm install`
+4. `pnpm run dev`
+5. Seed your database in the admin panel (see below)
 
 ## Seed
 

examples/multi-tenant/README.md

@@ -6,15 +6,14 @@ This example demonstrates how to achieve a multi-tenancy in [Payload](https://gi
 
 To spin up this example locally, follow these steps:
 
-1. Clone this repo
-1. `cd` into this directory and run `pnpm i --ignore-workspace`\*, `yarn`, or `npm install`
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
 
-   > \*If you are running using pnpm within the Payload Monorepo, the `--ignore-workspace` flag is needed so that pnpm generates a lockfile in this example's directory despite the fact that one exists in root.
+- `npx create-payload-app --example multi-tenant`
 
-1. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
+2. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
    - Press `y` when prompted to seed the database
-1. `open http://localhost:3000` to access the home page
-1. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
+3. `open http://localhost:3000` to access the home page
+4. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
    - Login with email `demo@payloadcms.com` and password `demo`
 
 ## How it works

examples/tailwind-shadcn-ui/README.md

@@ -8,18 +8,17 @@ Checkout our [tutorial](https://payloadcms.com/blog/how-to-setup-tailwindcss-and
 
 To spin up this example locally, follow these steps:
 
-1. Clone this repo
-1. `cd` into this directory and run `pnpm i --ignore-workspace`\*, or `npm install`
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
 
-   > \*If you are running using pnpm within the Payload Monorepo, the `--ignore-workspace` flag is needed so that pnpm generates a lockfile in this example's directory despite the fact that one exists in root.
+- `npx create-payload-app --example tailwind-shadcn-ui`
 
-1. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
+2. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
 
    > Adjust `PAYLOAD_PUBLIC_SITE_URL` in the `.env` if your front-end is running on a separate domain or port.
 
-1. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
+3. `pnpm dev`, `yarn dev` or `npm run dev` to start the server
    - Press `y` when prompted to seed the database
-1. `open http://localhost:3000` to access the home page
-1. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
+4. `open http://localhost:3000` to access the home page
+5. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel
 
 That's it! Changes made in `./src` will be reflected in your app. See the [Development](#development) section for more details.

examples/testing/README.md

@@ -2,6 +2,12 @@
 
 This example demonstrates how to get started with testing Payload using [Jest](https://jestjs.io/). You can clone this down and use it as a starting point for your own Payload projects, or you can follow the steps below to add testing to your existing Payload project.
 
+## Spin up locally:
+
+Run the following command to create a project from the example:
+
+- `npx create-payload-app --example testing`
+
 ## Add testing to your existing Payload project
 
 1. Initial setup:

examples/whitelabel/README.md

@@ -6,7 +6,10 @@ This example demonstrates how to re-brand or white-label the [Payload Admin Pane
 
 To spin up this example locally, follow these steps:
 
-1. Clone this repo
+1. Run the following command to create a project from the example:
+
+- `npx create-payload-app --example whitelabel`
+
 2. `cp .env.example .env` to copy the example environment variables
 3. `pnpm install && pnpm dev` to install dependencies and start the dev server
 4. `open http://localhost:3000/admin` to access the admin panel

packages/create-payload-app/src/lib/create-project.spec.ts

@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ import globby from 'globby'
 import * as os from 'node:os'
 import path from 'path'
 
-import type { CliArgs, DbType, ProjectTemplate } from '../types.js'
+import type { CliArgs, DbType, ProjectExample, ProjectTemplate } from '../types.js'
 
 import { createProject } from './create-project.js'
 import { dbReplacements } from './replacements.js'
@@ -62,6 +62,32 @@ describe('createProject', () => {
       expect(packageJson.name).toStrictEqual(projectName)
     })
 
+    it('creates example', async () => {
+      const projectName = 'custom-server-example'
+      const example: ProjectExample = {
+        name: 'custom-server',
+        url: 'https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/examples/custom-server#main',
+      }
+
+      await createProject({
+        cliArgs: {
+          ...args,
+          '--local-template': undefined,
+          '--local-example': 'custom-server',
+        } as CliArgs,
+        packageManager,
+        projectDir,
+        projectName,
+        example,
+      })
+
+      const packageJsonPath = path.resolve(projectDir, 'package.json')
+      const packageJson = fse.readJsonSync(packageJsonPath)
+
+      // Check package name and description
+      expect(packageJson.name).toStrictEqual(projectName)
+    })
+
     describe('creates project from template', () => {
       const templates = getValidTemplates()
 

packages/create-payload-app/src/lib/create-project.ts

@@ -5,12 +5,19 @@ import fse from 'fs-extra'
 import { fileURLToPath } from 'node:url'
 import path from 'path'
 
-import type { CliArgs, DbDetails, PackageManager, ProjectTemplate } from '../types.js'
+import type {
+  CliArgs,
+  DbDetails,
+  PackageManager,
+  ProjectExample,
+  ProjectTemplate,
+} from '../types.js'
 
 import { tryInitRepoAndCommit } from '../utils/git.js'
 import { debug, error, info, warning } from '../utils/log.js'
 import { configurePayloadConfig } from './configure-payload-config.js'
 import { configurePluginProject } from './configure-plugin-project.js'
+import { downloadExample } from './download-example.js'
 import { downloadTemplate } from './download-template.js'
 
 const filename = fileURLToPath(import.meta.url)
@@ -53,15 +60,24 @@ async function installDeps(args: {
   }
 }
 
-export async function createProject(args: {
-  cliArgs: CliArgs
-  dbDetails?: DbDetails
-  packageManager: PackageManager
-  projectDir: string
-  projectName: string
-  template: ProjectTemplate
-}): Promise<void> {
-  const { cliArgs, dbDetails, packageManager, projectDir, projectName, template } = args
+type TemplateOrExample =
+  | {
+      example: ProjectExample
+    }
+  | {
+      template: ProjectTemplate
+    }
+
+export async function createProject(
+  args: {
+    cliArgs: CliArgs
+    dbDetails?: DbDetails
+    packageManager: PackageManager
+    projectDir: string
+    projectName: string
+  } & TemplateOrExample,
+): Promise<void> {
+  const { cliArgs, dbDetails, packageManager, projectDir, projectName } = args
 
   if (cliArgs['--dry-run']) {
     debug(`Dry run: Creating project in ${chalk.green(projectDir)}`)
@@ -70,6 +86,12 @@ export async function createProject(args: {
 
   await createOrFindProjectDir(projectDir)
 
+  if (cliArgs['--local-example']) {
+    // Copy example from local path. For development purposes.
+    const localExample = path.resolve(dirname, '../../../../examples/', cliArgs['--local-example'])
+    await fse.copy(localExample, projectDir)
+  }
+
   if (cliArgs['--local-template']) {
     // Copy template from local path. For development purposes.
     const localTemplate = path.resolve(
@@ -78,9 +100,10 @@ export async function createProject(args: {
       cliArgs['--local-template'],
     )
     await fse.copy(localTemplate, projectDir)
-  } else if ('url' in template) {
-    if (cliArgs['--template-branch']) {
-      template.url = `${template.url.split('#')?.[0]}#${cliArgs['--template-branch']}`
+  } else if ('template' in args && 'url' in args.template) {
+    const { template } = args
+    if (cliArgs['--branch']) {
+      template.url = `${template.url.split('#')?.[0]}#${cliArgs['--branch']}`
     }
 
     await downloadTemplate({
@@ -88,6 +111,17 @@ export async function createProject(args: {
       projectDir,
       template,
     })
+  } else if ('example' in args && 'url' in args.example) {
+    const { example } = args
+    if (cliArgs['--branch']) {
+      example.url = `${example.url.split('#')?.[0]}#${cliArgs['--branch']}`
+    }
+
+    await downloadExample({
+      debug: cliArgs['--debug'],
+      example,
+      projectDir,
+    })
   }
 
   const spinner = p.spinner()
@@ -95,15 +129,17 @@ export async function createProject(args: {
 
   await updatePackageJSON({ projectDir, projectName })
 
-  if (template.type === 'plugin') {
-    spinner.message('Configuring Plugin...')
-    configurePluginProject({ projectDirPath: projectDir, projectName })
-  } else {
-    spinner.message('Configuring Payload...')
-    await configurePayloadConfig({
-      dbType: dbDetails?.type,
-      projectDirOrConfigPath: { projectDir },
-    })
+  if ('template' in args) {
+    if (args.template.type === 'plugin') {
+      spinner.message('Configuring Plugin...')
+      configurePluginProject({ projectDirPath: projectDir, projectName })
+    } else {
+      spinner.message('Configuring Payload...')
+      await configurePayloadConfig({
+        dbType: dbDetails?.type,
+        projectDirOrConfigPath: { projectDir },
+      })
+    }
   }
 
   // Remove yarn.lock file. This is only desired in Payload Cloud.

packages/create-payload-app/src/lib/download-example.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+import { Readable } from 'node:stream'
+import { pipeline } from 'node:stream/promises'
+import { x } from 'tar'
+
+import type { ProjectExample } from '../types.js'
+
+import { debug as debugLog } from '../utils/log.js'
+
+export async function downloadExample({
+  debug,
+  example,
+  projectDir,
+}: {
+  debug?: boolean
+  example: ProjectExample
+  projectDir: string
+}) {
+  const branchOrTag = example.url.split('#')?.[1] || 'latest'
+  const url = `https://codeload.github.com/payloadcms/payload/tar.gz/${branchOrTag}`
+  const filter = `payload-${branchOrTag.replace(/^v/, '')}/examples/${example.name}/`
+
+  if (debug) {
+    debugLog(`Using example url: ${example.url}`)
+    debugLog(`Codeload url: ${url}`)
+    debugLog(`Filter: ${filter}`)
+  }
+
+  await pipeline(
+    await downloadTarStream(url),
+    x({
+      cwd: projectDir,
+      filter: (p) => p.includes(filter),
+      strip: 2 + example.name.split('/').length,
+    }),
+  )
+}
+
+async function downloadTarStream(url: string) {
+  const res = await fetch(url)
+
+  if (!res.body) {
+    throw new Error(`Failed to download: ${url}`)
+  }
+
+  return Readable.from(res.body as unknown as NodeJS.ReadableStream)
+}

packages/create-payload-app/src/lib/examples.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+import type { ProjectExample } from '../types.js'
+
+import { error, info } from '../utils/log.js'
+
+export async function getExamples({ branch }: { branch: string }): Promise<ProjectExample[]> {
+  const url = `https://api.github.com/repos/payloadcms/payload/contents/examples?ref=${branch}`
+
+  const response = await fetch(url)
+
+  const examplesResponseList: { name: string; path: string }[] = await response.json()
+
+  const examples: ProjectExample[] = examplesResponseList.map((example) => ({
+    name: example.name,
+    url: `https://github.com/payloadcms/payload/examples/${example.name}#${branch}`,
+  }))
+
+  return examples
+}
+
+export async function parseExample({
+  name,
+  branch,
+}: {
+  branch: string
+  name: string
+}): Promise<false | ProjectExample> {
+  const examples = await getExamples({ branch })
+
+  const example = examples.find((e) => e.name === name)
+
+  if (!example) {
+    error(`'${name}' is not a valid example name.`)
+    info(`Valid examples: ${examples.map((e) => e.name).join(', ')}`)
+    return false
+  }
+
+  return example
+}

packages/create-payload-app/src/main.ts

@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ import type { CliArgs } from './types.js'
 import { configurePayloadConfig } from './lib/configure-payload-config.js'
 import { PACKAGE_VERSION } from './lib/constants.js'
 import { createProject } from './lib/create-project.js'
+import { parseExample } from './lib/examples.js'
 import { generateSecret } from './lib/generate-secret.js'
 import { getPackageManager } from './lib/get-package-manager.js'
 import { getNextAppDetails, initNext } from './lib/init-next.js'
@@ -35,15 +36,16 @@ export class Main {
     // @ts-expect-error bad typings
     this.args = arg(
       {
+        '--branch': String,
         '--db': String,
         '--db-accept-recommended': Boolean,
         '--db-connection-string': String,
+        '--example': String,
         '--help': Boolean,
         '--local-template': String,
         '--name': String,
         '--secret': String,
         '--template': String,
-        '--template-branch': String,
 
         // Next.js
         '--init-next': Boolean, // TODO: Is this needed if we detect if inside Next.js project?
@@ -65,6 +67,7 @@ export class Main {
 
         // Aliases
         '-d': '--db',
+        '-e': '--example',
         '-h': '--help',
         '-n': '--name',
         '-t': '--template',
@@ -204,52 +207,76 @@ export class Main {
         }
       }
 
-      if (debugFlag) {
-        debug(`Using templates from git tag: v${PACKAGE_VERSION}`)
-      }
+      const exampleArg = this.args['--example']
 
-      const validTemplates = getValidTemplates()
-      const template = await parseTemplate(this.args, validTemplates)
-      if (!template) {
-        p.log.error('Invalid template given')
-        p.outro(feedbackOutro())
-        process.exit(1)
-      }
+      if (exampleArg) {
+        const example = await parseExample({
+          name: exampleArg,
+          branch: this.args['--branch'] ?? 'main',
+        })
 
-      switch (template.type) {
-        case 'plugin': {
-          await createProject({
-            cliArgs: this.args,
-            packageManager,
-            projectDir,
-            projectName,
-            template,
-          })
-          break
+        if (!example) {
+          helpMessage()
+          process.exit(1)
         }
-        case 'starter': {
-          const dbDetails = await selectDb(this.args, projectName)
-          const payloadSecret = generateSecret()
 
-          await createProject({
-            cliArgs: this.args,
-            dbDetails,
-            packageManager,
-            projectDir,
-            projectName,
-            template,
-          })
+        await createProject({
+          cliArgs: this.args,
+          example,
+          packageManager,
+          projectDir,
+          projectName,
+        })
+      }
 
-          await manageEnvFiles({
-            cliArgs: this.args,
-            databaseType: dbDetails.type,
-            databaseUri: dbDetails.dbUri,
-            payloadSecret,
-            projectDir,
-            template,
-          })
+      if (debugFlag) {
+        debug(`Using ${exampleArg ? 'examples' : 'templates'} from git tag: v${PACKAGE_VERSION}`)
+      }
 
-          break
+      if (!exampleArg) {
+        const validTemplates = getValidTemplates()
+        const template = await parseTemplate(this.args, validTemplates)
+        if (!template) {
+          p.log.error('Invalid template given')
+          p.outro(feedbackOutro())
+          process.exit(1)
+        }
+
+        switch (template.type) {
+          case 'plugin': {
+            await createProject({
+              cliArgs: this.args,
+              packageManager,
+              projectDir,
+              projectName,
+              template,
+            })
+            break
+          }
+          case 'starter': {
+            const dbDetails = await selectDb(this.args, projectName)
+            const payloadSecret = generateSecret()
+
+            await createProject({
+              cliArgs: this.args,
+              dbDetails,
+              packageManager,
+              projectDir,
+              projectName,
+              template,
+            })
+
+            await manageEnvFiles({
+              cliArgs: this.args,
+              databaseType: dbDetails.type,
+              databaseUri: dbDetails.dbUri,
+              payloadSecret,
+              projectDir,
+              template,
+            })
+
+            break
+          }
         }
       }
 

packages/create-payload-app/src/types.ts

@@ -2,20 +2,23 @@ import type arg from 'arg'
 
 export interface Args extends arg.Spec {
   '--beta': BooleanConstructor
+  '--branch': StringConstructor
   '--db': StringConstructor
   '--db-accept-recommended': BooleanConstructor
   '--db-connection-string': StringConstructor
   '--debug': BooleanConstructor
   '--dry-run': BooleanConstructor
+
+  '--example': StringConstructor
   '--help': BooleanConstructor
   '--init-next': BooleanConstructor
+  '--local-example': StringConstructor
   '--local-template': StringConstructor
   '--name': StringConstructor
   '--no-deps': BooleanConstructor
   '--no-git': BooleanConstructor
   '--secret': StringConstructor
   '--template': StringConstructor
-  '--template-branch': StringConstructor
   '--use-bun': BooleanConstructor
   '--use-npm': BooleanConstructor
   '--use-pnpm': BooleanConstructor
@@ -23,6 +26,7 @@ export interface Args extends arg.Spec {
 
   // Aliases
 
+  '-e': string
   '-h': string
   '-n': string
   '-t': string
@@ -32,6 +36,11 @@ export type CliArgs = arg.Result<Args>
 
 export type ProjectTemplate = GitTemplate | PluginTemplate
 
+export type ProjectExample = {
+  name: string
+  url: string
+}
+
 /**
  * Template that is cloned verbatim from a git repo
  * Performs .env manipulation based upon input

packages/create-payload-app/src/utils/messages.ts

@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ export function helpMessage(): void {
 
       -n     {underline my-payload-app}         Set project name
       -t     {underline template_name}          Choose specific template
+      -e     {underline example_name}           Choose specific exmaple
 
         {dim Available templates: ${formatTemplates(validTemplates)}}
 

tsconfig.base.json

@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@
       }
     ],
     "paths": {
-      "@payload-config": ["./test/access-control/config.ts"],
+      "@payload-config": ["./test/_community/config.ts"],
       "@payloadcms/live-preview": ["./packages/live-preview/src"],
       "@payloadcms/live-preview-react": ["./packages/live-preview-react/src/index.ts"],
       "@payloadcms/live-preview-vue": ["./packages/live-preview-vue/src/index.ts"],