ComfyUI/PREINSTALL_ENHANCEMENTS_PLAN.md

# Preinstall Enhancements PR

## Overview
This PR contains enhancements to the ComfyUI startup script (`run_comfyui.bat`) that improve the user experience for Windows users by automatically checking dependencies, detecting virtual environments, and offering to install missing packages.

## Changes Included

### Files Changed
- `run_comfyui.bat` - Enhanced batch file with:
  - UTF-8 encoding support for proper Unicode display
  - Comprehensive dependency checking (critical and optional)
  - Virtual environment detection and warnings
  - CUDA PyTorch auto-installation with progress bars
  - User-friendly error messages and troubleshooting tips
  - ASCII art banner with "Comfy" text
- `create_shortcut.ps1` - PowerShell script for desktop shortcut creation

### Key Features
1. **Automated Dependency Checking**: Checks all critical Python dependencies before launching
2. **CUDA PyTorch Detection**: Automatically detects CPU-only PyTorch and offers to install CUDA version
3. **Progress Bars**: Shows progress during pip installations
4. **User-Friendly Prompts**: Clear, interactive prompts for installation options
5. **Error Handling**: Detailed error messages with troubleshooting steps

## PR Status
- **Branch**: `preinstall-enhancements`
- **Base**: `master`
- **Status**: Ready for PR submission
- **Commits**: 2 commits (run_comfyui.bat enhancements, create_shortcut.ps1)

## Testing Recommendations
1. Test in clean environment with no dependencies
2. Test with missing critical dependencies
3. Test with missing optional dependencies
4. Test CPU-only PyTorch detection and installation
5. Test virtual environment detection
6. Test error handling scenarios

## Notes
- All changes are backward compatible
- No breaking changes to existing functionality
- Works with both system Python and virtual environments