> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://swu-forge.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://swu-forge.gitbook.io/docs/decks/workshop.md).

# The Workshop

The **Workshop** (`/workshop`) is your visual deck editor. Unlike the browse page where search is the main focus, the workshop puts your **deck front and center** with search as a complementary tool for finding specific cards.

## Layout Overview

The workshop uses a **2-column layout** on desktop:

| Left Column                                             | Right Column                                                                       |
| ------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Your Deck** — Leader, Base, main deck grid, sideboard | **Search & Filters** — Format toggle, search bar, filter dropdowns, search results |

On mobile, the search column becomes a **slide-in drawer** accessible via the search tab button.

![Screenshot: Workshop 2-column layout](https://cdn.swuforge.com/how-tos/workshop-layout.png)

## Your Deck (Left Column)

### Leader & Base Slots

At the top, two slots show your Leader and Base:

* **Empty slots** — Click to filter the search column to that card type. Click "Select Leader" or "Select Base" to start browsing leaders or bases in the search panel.
* **Filled slots** — Show the card image in landscape format. Click to **remove** the card from your deck.

![Screenshot: Leader and base slots](https://cdn.swuforge.com/how-tos/empty-workshop.png)

### Main Deck Grid

Below the leader/base row, your main deck cards display as a **visual card grid**, sorted by cost then type. A stats bar above the grid shows your **Unit / Event / Upgrade** counts.

The stats bar also has a **Group** toggle. When enabled, the deck grid splits into labeled sections — **Ground Units**, **Space Units**, **Events**, and **Upgrades** — making it easier to scan a large deck by category. Toggle it off to return to the single sorted grid.

Each card tile shows:

* Card image
* **Count badge** (diamond shape at the bottom)
* On hover: **SB** button (move to sideboard), **−** button (remove copy), **+** button (add copy)
* Hover popover with a larger card preview

![Screenshot: Main deck grid with card tiles](https://cdn.swuforge.com/how-tos/deck-grid.png)

### Sideboard

If you have sideboard cards, they appear below the main deck in a compact 6-column grid. Each tile has:

* Count badge
* **MD** button — move back to main deck
* **−/+** buttons — adjust quantity

## Search & Filters (Right Column)

The search column works similarly to the browse page (see [Browsing & Searching Cards](/docs/cards-and-search/searching-cards.md)) with a few workshop-specific behaviors:

### Format Toggle & Search

Same Premier/Eternal toggle and Plain Language Search. The search pipeline is identical — single-word matching, title search, then Plain Language Search fallback.

> The search input in the Workshop requires a **Foundry Apprentice** subscription or above. Without it, the input is disabled. You can still browse cards using the manual filters below. See [Getting Started](/docs/getting-started.md) for tier details.

![Screenshot: Workshop search input disabled for free users](https://cdn.swuforge.com/how-tos/workshop-search-disabled.png)

### Previous Searches

The search input shows a **previous searches** dropdown on focus, just like the browse page. In the workshop, previous searches are **scoped to the current deck** — you only see queries you previously made while editing this specific deck. See [Browsing & Searching Cards → Previous Searches](/docs/cards-and-search/searching-cards.md) for full details.

### Filter Dropdowns

In standard mode, four filter dropdowns are available:

* **Sets** — Premier/Eternal quick-select or individual set checkboxes. Active sets display a **checkmark** next to their name so you can see at a glance which sets are included. Selecting the **Eternal** or **Premier** quick-select button also updates the format toggle in the search input above, keeping both controls in sync.
* **Types** — Unit, Event, Upgrade
* **Aspects** — Deck/Must Have/Any Of/Not modes. **Deck mode** auto-activates when both Leader and Base are selected. If a search has matches but **none** of them fit your deck's colors, Deck mode automatically turns off for that search so you still see the off-color results instead of an empty list.
* **Arenas** — Ground, Space

### Quick Filters (Card Type Macros)

If you select the **Card Type Macros** filter layout in [Settings](/docs/account/settings.md), the workshop filter bar is simplified:

* **Sets**, **Type**, and **Arena** dropdowns are removed (format is shown as a badge in the search input)
* **Quick filter buttons** — **Space**, **Ground**, **Events**, **Upgrades** — act as radio buttons to quickly filter card types and arenas
* **Aspect filter row** — Replaces the simple dropdown with a full-featured row offering **Deck**, **Must Have**, **Any Of**, and **Not** modes in a compact 2-column layout

### Search Results

Results appear as a **scrollable list** below the filters. Each row shows the card with an **Add** button to put it in your deck. Cards already in your deck show a count badge.

### Default Card Pool

When you have both a Leader and Base selected but haven't searched, the search column shows **all playable cards** for your deck's aspects, sorted by cost. This lets you browse and build without needing to search.

Once your deck has a Leader, search results stop showing Leaders, and once it has a Base they stop showing Bases — each independently — so the list stays focused on cards you can still add. To swap one out, explicitly filter by **Leader** or **Base** in the Type filter to bring them back.

![Screenshot: Search column with results](https://cdn.swuforge.com/how-tos/workshop-search.png)

## Deck Building Flow

A typical workflow in the workshop:

1. **Select a Leader** — Click the empty Leader slot, browse leaders in the search panel, click one to add
2. **Select a Base** — Click the empty Base slot, browse bases, click one to add
3. **Browse the card pool** — With both selected, the search panel shows all playable cards filtered by your deck's aspects
4. **Add cards** — Click cards in the search results to add them to your deck grid
5. **Fine-tune** — Use search to find specific cards, adjust counts with +/− buttons, move cards to sideboard
6. **Save** — Click Save in the header bar

Alternatively, you can **import a deck** directly in the workshop. When the deck area is empty, an **"Import from file or URL"** button appears below the leader/base slots. Click it to open the import dialog where you can drag & drop a deck file, paste deck content directly, or paste a URL from SWUDB, SWUBase, or Melee. The imported deck populates inline — no navigation required. The deck format is **auto-detected** from the card pool, and the search format toggle switches to match.

After importing, the **Save button pulses** with a tooltip ("Deck imported — save to keep it") to remind you to save.

## Header Actions

The workshop header includes:

* **Deck name** (or "New Deck") with a **format badge** — a small colored pill showing **Premier** (blue) or **Eternal** (purple). This badge is read-only in the workshop; to change the deck's format, use the [deck detail page](/docs/decks/managing-decks.md).
* **Unsaved indicator** — Shows when you have unsaved changes
* **View** button — Go to your deck's public view page (only for saved decks)
* **Browse** button — Switch to the browse page with your deck loaded in the side panel
* **Save** button — Save your deck. New decks open a dialog for name and folder; existing decks save instantly. The folder picker groups choices under **Personal** and each **team** (team folders show the team's icon), lists folders in your custom order, and indents subfolders to show nesting. Only folders you can write to are offered — team folders where you're a VIEWER are hidden.
* **Versioning** button — Open the version tree panel (available to all logged-in users). See [Deck Versioning](/docs/decks/managing-decks/deck-versioning.md) for details.

![Screenshot: Workshop header with action buttons](https://cdn.swuforge.com/how-tos/workshop-header.png)

## Autosave & Recovery

The workshop autosaves your work to the browser every 500ms. If you accidentally close the tab and come back, a banner appears offering to **Restore** or **Discard** your unsaved changes.

## Mobile Experience

On mobile devices (under 768px):

* The deck grid fills the screen
* A **search tab button** (bottom-right) opens the search drawer
* The search drawer slides in from the right as an overlay
* Tap the backdrop to close it

![Screenshot: Mobile workshop with search drawer](https://cdn.swuforge.com/how-tos/workshop-mobile.gif)

## Workshop vs. Browse Page

|                    | Browse Page (`/search`)              | Workshop (`/workshop`)              |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------- |
| **Primary focus**  | Card search & discovery              | Visual deck layout                  |
| **Deck display**   | Side panel (collapsible)             | Main content area (always visible)  |
| **Search display** | Main content area                    | Side column / drawer                |
| **Best for**       | Starting a new deck, exploring cards | Fine-tuning a deck, visual overview |
| **More filters**   | Rarity, Ability, Keyword, Trait      | Sets, Type, Aspect, Arena           |


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