Decide template variant cleanup path

AGRARIAN_DEVELOPMENT_ROADMAP.md

@@ -167,7 +167,7 @@ Major version 0.01 work already completed:
 
 Remaining version 0.01 cleanup before moving deeper into new gameplay:
 
-- [ ] Decide whether to keep current Unreal template variants or remove unused starter variants.
+- [x] Decide whether to keep current Unreal template variants or remove unused starter variants.
 - [x] Decide whether to create/use a long-lived `dev` branch. Decision: do not use one yet; use `main` plus short-lived task branches until team size or release channels require a staging branch.
 - [x] Finish branch naming conventions.
 - [x] Finish commit message conventions.
@@ -1438,4 +1438,4 @@ Earliest incomplete foundation items:
 
 Immediate next item:
 
-- [ ] Decide whether to keep current Unreal template variants or remove unused starter variants.
+- [ ] Organize `Content/Agrarian/` folders and move starter/prototype assets into clearly named locations.

Docs/RequiredPlugins.md

@@ -27,10 +27,9 @@ under these folders is removed or refactored:
 - `Source/AgrarianGame/Variant_Combat/`
 - `Source/AgrarianGame/Variant_SideScrolling/`
 
-The roadmap already tracks a decision on whether to keep or remove current
+The template variant decision is captured in `Docs/TemplateVariantDecision.md`.
-Unreal template variants. If those variants are removed, revisit this document
+When those variants are removed, revisit this document and remove the StateTree
-and remove the StateTree plugin/module dependencies if no Agrarian-specific AI
+plugin/module dependencies if no Agrarian-specific AI code needs them.
-code needs them.
 
 ## Explicitly Not Enabled Yet
 
@@ -77,6 +76,5 @@ Keep `StateTree`, `GameplayStateTree`, and `ModelingToolsEditorMode` enabled for
 version `0.01`.
 
 Do not add additional plugins until a roadmap item requires them. The next
-likely plugin review is the template-variant cleanup item, because that may
+plugin review is the template-variant cleanup item, because that may allow the
-allow the project to remove StateTree dependencies if the template AI code is
+project to remove StateTree dependencies if the template AI code is deleted.
-deleted.

Docs/TemplateVariantDecision.md

@@ -0,0 +1,63 @@
+# Unreal Template Variant Decision
+
+Version `0.01` decision: remove unused Unreal starter variants from the
+long-term Agrarian project, but do the actual source/content cleanup as the
+next focused cleanup item instead of mixing it with this decision record.
+
+## Decision
+
+Agrarian should not keep the unused starter gameplay variants as normal project
+surface area.
+
+Remove or quarantine:
+
+- `Variant_Combat`
+- `Variant_Platforming`
+- `Variant_SideScrolling`
+- Their maps, external actors, input assets, UI assets, VFX, and prototype
+  content when no Agrarian-specific map depends on them.
+
+Keep temporarily:
+
+- `ThirdPerson` base character/input assets needed by the current player
+  Blueprint and early automation until Agrarian-specific player assets and the
+  MVP character selection flow replace them.
+- Shared mannequin/animation content only where current Agrarian assets still
+  reference it.
+
+## Why
+
+The extra starter variants increase compile time, plugin dependencies, content
+noise, and risk during packaging. They also make the project look like a
+generic Unreal template instead of an Agrarian-specific survival game.
+
+The current compiled variant source still pulls in `StateTree` and
+`GameplayStateTree` through Combat and SideScrolling template AI code. Once the
+unused variants are removed, those plugin dependencies should be rechecked and
+removed if no Agrarian-specific AI code needs them.
+
+## Cleanup Rules
+
+Perform the cleanup in the editor-aware content organization pass:
+
+1. Create a backup or ensure the current project backup timer has a fresh
+   snapshot before deleting content.
+2. Remove unused variant C++ folders and include paths.
+3. Remove matching content folders and external actor/object data.
+4. Remove `StateTreeModule` and `GameplayStateTreeModule` if no remaining code
+   needs them.
+5. Disable `StateTree` and `GameplayStateTree` in `AgrarianGame.uproject` if no
+   remaining content needs them.
+6. Keep the current `ThirdPerson` character path until the MVP landing page and
+   male/female character selection flow are implemented.
+7. Build `AgrarianGameEditor`.
+8. Open the Ground Zero map and run map check.
+9. Run the existing automation smoke checks that cover interaction, resources,
+   wildlife, and Ground Zero placement.
+
+## Current State
+
+Decision is complete. Cleanup is intentionally deferred to the next roadmap
+item, `Organize Content/Agrarian/ folders and move starter/prototype assets into
+clearly named locations`, so deletions and redirects can be validated in one
+focused pass.