# Creating

## Create from the host

```bash
wp rudel create --name=alpha --theme=twentytwentyfour
```

Rudel generates an ID from the name plus four hex characters (for example `alpha-3be7`), clones the host WordPress tables into a generated table prefix, copies the selected theme into the sandbox directory, and records the sandbox in the host WordPress database. The sandbox's `siteurl` and `home` keep the host URL.

If `--theme` is omitted, Rudel uses the host site's active theme. The theme must be installed on the host. A child theme brings its parent theme along.

Every table with the host table prefix is copied, including `users` and `usermeta`, except Rudel's own tables. In the current release that also includes the tables of sandboxes that already exist, so each new sandbox is larger than the last. See [issue #3](https://github.com/inline0/rudel/issues/3).

## Create from another sandbox

```bash
wp rudel create --name=feature-b --clone-from=alpha-3be7
```

The new sandbox receives a copy of every table with the source sandbox's prefix, including the source's snapshot tables, and its theme. Snapshot directories are not copied, so those tables are unused in the new sandbox ([issue #12](https://github.com/inline0/rudel/issues/12)). When the source theme directory is a Git repository, Rudel creates a linked worktree on the branch `rudel/{new-id}` instead of a plain copy. The source ID is recorded in the new record.

## Lifecycle metadata

Sandboxes can carry metadata for cleanup and ownership:

```bash
wp rudel create \
  --name=feature-a \
  --owner=dennis \
  --labels=agent,qa \
  --purpose="Test checkout changes" \
  --ttl-days=7
```

Use `--protected` when automated cleanup must not remove the sandbox. See [Policy](/docs/features/policy).

## Limits

Creation fails when the `max_sandboxes` or `max_disk_mb` settings are reached. Both default to `0`, which means no limit. See [Configuration](/docs/configuration).

## Git checkouts

```bash
wp rudel create --name=feature-a --git=https://example.test/my-theme.git
```

Rudel creates the sandbox, clones the remote into `themes/my-theme` inside the sandbox directory and switches the checkout to the branch `rudel/{id}`. Add `--type=plugin` to clone into `plugins/my-theme` instead. A failed clone leaves the sandbox in place and prints a warning. See [Git](/docs/features/git) for what the sandbox serves from that checkout.

## Directory layout

```text
wp-content/rudel-environments/{id}/
  themes/       copied theme, plus any Git checkout
  snapshots/    snapshot metadata and theme copies
  logs/ metadata/ tmp/
  wp-cli.yml
  debug.log     when debug logging is active
```