docs: add comprehensive roadmap for TinyTools - Add version 2026.2.0 plans (template validation, caching, better errors) - Add version 2026.3.0 plans (includes, macros, async services) - Add version 2026.4.0 plans (VS extension, CLI tool, source generators) - Document what we won't do to stay tiny - Add breaking changes policy and release cadence - Add community request tracking

Author: wendellmva

roadmap.md

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+# TinyTools Roadmap
+
+This document outlines the planned features, improvements, and direction for LowlandTech.TinyTools.
+
+> **Philosophy**: TinyTools stays **tiny** by design. We prioritize simplicity, performance, and zero dependencies over feature bloat.
+
+---
+
+## Current Version: 2026.1.0
+
+**Status**: ? Stable  
+**Released**: January 2026
+
+### Core Features
+- ? Simple string interpolation (`{PropertyName}`)
+- ? Template engine with control flow (`@if`, `@foreach`)
+- ? Variable interpolation (`${Context.xxx}`)
+- ? Null coalescing (`${expr ?? "default"}`)
+- ? Pipe helpers (string, date, number, collection)
+- ? Hierarchical execution context
+- ? Template services (extensibility)
+- ? IoC/DI integration support
+- ? .NET 8, 9, 10 support
+
+---
+
+## Version 2026.2.0 (Q2 2026)
+
+**Theme**: Enhanced Developer Experience
+
+### Planned Features
+
+#### ?? Template Validation
+- **Pre-render validation** - Catch syntax errors before rendering
+- **Template analysis** - Detect unused variables, missing properties
+- **Type-safe templates** - Optional strongly-typed template compilation
+
+```csharp
+// Validate template syntax
+var errors = engine.Validate(template);
+if (errors.Any())
+{
+    foreach (var error in errors)
+        Console.WriteLine($"Line {error.Line}: {error.Message}");
+}
+```
+
+#### ?? Template Caching
+- **Compiled template cache** - Parse once, render many times
+- **Performance boost** - 10-50x faster for repeated renders
+
+```csharp
+// Cache compiled template
+var compiledTemplate = engine.Compile(template);
+
+// Render many times (fast!)
+for (int i = 0; i < 1000; i++)
+{
+    var result = compiledTemplate.Render(context);
+}
+```
+
+#### ?? Improved Error Messages
+- **Line/column information** - Pinpoint errors in templates
+- **Syntax highlighting** in error messages (console/terminal)
+- **Helpful suggestions** for common mistakes
+
+#### ?? Additional Pipe Helpers
+- `slice:start,end` - Extract substring by index
+- `match:pattern` - Regex matching
+- `contains:value` - Check if string/collection contains value
+- `split:separator` - Split string into array
+
+### Performance Improvements
+- ? 20% faster variable resolution
+- ? Reduce allocations in tight loops
+- ? Optimize pipe helper chaining
+
+---
+
+## Version 2026.3.0 (Q3 2026)
+
+**Theme**: Advanced Templating
+
+### Planned Features
+
+#### ?? Template Includes/Partials
+- **Reusable template fragments**
+- **Nested templates** with isolated contexts
+
+```csharp
+var template = """
+    @include("header.tmpl")
+    
+    Content here
+    
+    @include("footer.tmpl")
+    """;
+```
+
+#### ?? Template Macros/Functions
+- **Define reusable blocks** within templates
+- **Parameters and return values**
+
+```csharp
+var template = """
+    @macro FormatUser(user)
+        ${user.FirstName} ${user.LastName} (${user.Email})
+    @endmacro
+    
+    @foreach (var u in Context.Users)
+        @FormatUser(u)
+    @endforeach
+    """;
+```
+
+#### ?? Async Template Services
+- **Support async transformations**
+- **Useful for API calls, database lookups**
+
+```csharp
+context.RegisterServiceAsync("translate", 
+    async input => await translationService.TranslateAsync(input));
+
+var template = "${Context.Services('translate')('Hello')}";
+```
+
+#### ?? Enhanced Collection Helpers
+- `where:condition` - Filter collections
+- `orderby:property` - Sort collections
+- `groupby:property` - Group collections
+- `distinct` - Remove duplicates
+
+---
+
+## Version 2026.4.0 (Q4 2026)
+
+**Theme**: Ecosystem & Tooling
+
+### Planned Features
+
+#### ?? Visual Studio Extension
+- **Syntax highlighting** for `.tmpl` files
+- **IntelliSense** for context properties
+- **Live preview** of template output
+- **Error highlighting** in templates
+
+#### ?? Source Generator Templates
+- **Compile templates** into C# code at build time
+- **Type-safe, zero-runtime overhead**
+- **Perfect for embedded templates**
+
+```csharp
+// Template file: EmailTemplate.tmpl
+// Generated: EmailTemplate.g.cs with type-safe methods
+
+var email = EmailTemplate.Render(new { Name = "John", Order = "12345" });
+```
+
+#### ?? Template Library/Registry
+- **NuGet packages** with pre-built templates
+- **Community templates** for common scenarios
+- **Template discovery** and reuse
+
+#### ?? CLI Tool
+- **Render templates** from command line
+- **Watch mode** for development
+- **Batch processing**
+
+```bash
+dotnet tinytools render --template email.tmpl --data data.json --output email.txt
+dotnet tinytools watch --template *.tmpl
+```
+
+---
+
+## Future Considerations (2027+)
+
+### Under Consideration
+
+#### ?? Localization/Internationalization
+- **Built-in i18n** support
+- **Resource file integration**
+
+#### ?? Template Debugging
+- **Breakpoints** in templates
+- **Step-through execution**
+- **Variable inspection**
+
+#### ?? Performance Mode
+- **Unsafe code** for extreme performance
+- **Memory pooling** and recycling
+- **SIMD optimizations** where applicable
+
+#### ?? Alternative Syntax Modes
+- **Mustache-style** `{{variable}}`
+- **Liquid-style** `{{ variable | filter }}`
+- **Custom delimiter** configuration
+
+---
+
+## What We Won't Do
+
+To keep TinyTools **tiny**, we explicitly **won't** add:
+
+? **HTML/View Rendering** - Use Razor for that  
+? **JavaScript Execution** - Use a JavaScript engine  
+? **Heavy Dependencies** - Stays lightweight  
+? **Complex DSL** - Keep it simple and readable  
+? **Everything to Everyone** - Focus on core use cases  
+
+---
+
+## Breaking Changes Policy
+
+### Semantic Versioning
+- **YEAR.MINOR.PATCH** format (e.g., 2026.1.0)
+- **Breaking changes** only in YEAR increments
+- **MINOR versions** add features, maintain compatibility
+- **PATCH versions** fix bugs only
+
+### Deprecation Process
+1. **Mark as obsolete** with warning
+2. **Keep for one YEAR** (e.g., 2026.x)
+3. **Remove in next YEAR** (e.g., 2027.0)
+4. **Document** in changelog and migration guide
+
+---
+
+## Community Requests
+
+**Want to influence the roadmap?** We welcome:
+
+- ?? **Bug reports** - [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/lowlandtech/tinytools/issues)
+- ?? **Feature requests** - [GitHub Discussions](https://github.com/lowlandtech/tinytools/discussions)
+- ?? **Pull requests** - See [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md)
+- ?? **Feedback** - [@wendellmva on Twitter](https://twitter.com/wendellmva)
+
+### Top Community Requests
+1. Template validation (? **Planned for 2026.2**)
+2. Template caching (? **Planned for 2026.2**)
+3. Better error messages (? **Planned for 2026.2**)
+4. Visual Studio extension (? **Planned for 2026.4**)
+5. Template includes (**Under consideration**)
+
+---
+
+## Release Cadence
+
+- **Quarterly releases** (4 per year)
+- **Patch releases** as needed for critical bugs
+- **Preview releases** for early feedback
+- **LTS support** for previous YEAR versions (1 year)
+
+---
+
+## Version Support Matrix
+
+| Version | Released | End of Support | Status |
+|---------|----------|----------------|--------|
+| 2026.x  | Jan 2026 | Dec 2027       | ? Current |
+| 2025.x  | Jan 2025 | Dec 2026       | ?? Maintenance |
+| 2024.x  | Jan 2024 | Dec 2025       | ? End of Life |
+
+---
+
+## Contributing to the Roadmap
+
+This roadmap is a living document. If you have ideas, suggestions, or feedback:
+
+1. **Open a discussion** on GitHub
+2. **Vote on features** using ?? reactions
+3. **Share your use cases** to help us prioritize
+4. **Contribute code** to help ship features faster
+
+**Last Updated**: January 2026  
+**Next Review**: April 2026