Refactored configuration objects (#538)

app/MindWork AI Studio/Agents/AgentBase.cs

@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ public abstract class AgentBase(ILogger<AgentBase> logger, SettingsManager setti
     
     #region Implementation of IAgent
     
-    public abstract AIStudio.Settings.Provider? ProviderSettings { get; set; }
+    public abstract AIStudio.Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; }
     
     public abstract Task<ChatThread> ProcessContext(ChatThread chatThread, IDictionary<string, string> additionalData);
     
@@ -103,10 +103,9 @@ public abstract class AgentBase(ILogger<AgentBase> logger, SettingsManager setti
     
     protected async Task AddAIResponseAsync(ChatThread thread, IContent lastUserPrompt, DateTimeOffset time)
     {
-        if(this.ProviderSettings is null)
+        if(this.ProviderSettings == Settings.Provider.NONE)
             return;
         
-        var providerSettings = this.ProviderSettings.Value;
         var aiText = new ContentText
         {
             // We have to wait for the remote
@@ -127,6 +126,6 @@ public abstract class AgentBase(ILogger<AgentBase> logger, SettingsManager setti
         // Use the selected provider to get the AI response.
         // By awaiting this line, we wait for the entire
         // content to be streamed.
-        await aiText.CreateFromProviderAsync(providerSettings.CreateProvider(this.Logger), providerSettings.Model, lastUserPrompt, thread);
+        await aiText.CreateFromProviderAsync(this.ProviderSettings.CreateProvider(this.Logger), this.ProviderSettings.Model, lastUserPrompt, thread);
     }
 }

app/MindWork AI Studio/Agents/AgentDataSourceSelection.cs

@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public sealed class AgentDataSourceSelection (ILogger<AgentDataSourceSelection>
                                                                       """;
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override Settings.Provider? ProviderSettings { get; set; }
+    public override Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; } = Settings.Provider.NONE;
     
     /// <summary>
     /// The data source selection agent does not work with context. Use
@@ -141,6 +141,11 @@ public sealed class AgentDataSourceSelection (ILogger<AgentDataSourceSelection>
 
         // We start with the provider currently selected by the user:
         var agentProvider = this.SettingsManager.GetPreselectedProvider(Tools.Components.AGENT_DATA_SOURCE_SELECTION, provider.Id, true);
+        if (agentProvider == Settings.Provider.NONE)
+        {
+            logger.LogWarning("No provider is selected for the agent. The agent cannot select data sources.");
+            return [];
+        }
 
         // Assign the provider settings to the agent:
         logger.LogInformation($"The agent for the data source selection uses the provider '{agentProvider.InstanceName}' ({agentProvider.UsedLLMProvider.ToName()}, confidence={agentProvider.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this.SettingsManager).Level.GetName()}).");

app/MindWork AI Studio/Agents/AgentRetrievalContextValidation.cs

@@ -71,7 +71,7 @@ public sealed class AgentRetrievalContextValidation (ILogger<AgentRetrievalConte
                                                                         """;
 
     /// <inheritdoc />
-    public override Settings.Provider? ProviderSettings { get; set; }
+    public override Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; } = Settings.Provider.NONE;
     
     /// <summary>
     /// The retrieval context validation agent does not work with context. Use
@@ -133,6 +133,11 @@ public sealed class AgentRetrievalContextValidation (ILogger<AgentRetrievalConte
     {
         // We start with the provider currently selected by the user:
         var agentProvider = this.SettingsManager.GetPreselectedProvider(Tools.Components.AGENT_RETRIEVAL_CONTEXT_VALIDATION, provider.Id, true);
+        if (agentProvider == Settings.Provider.NONE)
+        {
+            logger.LogWarning("No provider is selected for the agent.");
+            return;
+        }
         
         // Assign the provider settings to the agent:
         logger.LogInformation($"The agent for the retrieval context validation uses the provider '{agentProvider.InstanceName}' ({agentProvider.UsedLLMProvider.ToName()}, confidence={agentProvider.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this.SettingsManager).Level.GetName()}).");

app/MindWork AI Studio/Agents/AgentTextContentCleaner.cs

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ public sealed class AgentTextContentCleaner(ILogger<AgentBase> logger, SettingsM
     
     #region Overrides of AgentBase
 
-    public override AIStudio.Settings.Provider? ProviderSettings { get; set; }
+    public override AIStudio.Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; } = AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE;
 
     protected override Type Type => Type.SYSTEM;
 

app/MindWork AI Studio/Agents/IAgent.cs

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ public interface IAgent
     /// <summary>
     /// The provider to use for this agent.
     /// </summary>
-    public AIStudio.Settings.Provider? ProviderSettings { get; set; }
+    public Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; }
 
     /// <summary>
     /// Processes a chat thread (i.e., context) and returns the updated thread.

app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/AssistantBase.razor.cs

@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ public abstract partial class AssistantBase<TSettings> : AssistantLowerBase wher
 
     protected virtual IReadOnlyList<IButtonData> FooterButtons => [];
     
-    protected AIStudio.Settings.Provider providerSettings;
+    protected AIStudio.Settings.Provider providerSettings = Settings.Provider.NONE;
     protected MudForm? form;
     protected bool inputIsValid;
     protected Profile currentProfile = Profile.NO_PROFILE;
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ public abstract partial class AssistantBase<TSettings> : AssistantLowerBase wher
     private async Task InnerResetForm()
     {
         this.resultingContentBlock = null;
-        this.providerSettings = default;
+        this.providerSettings = Settings.Provider.NONE;
         
         await this.JsRuntime.ClearDiv(RESULT_DIV_ID);
         await this.JsRuntime.ClearDiv(AFTER_RESULT_DIV_ID);

app/MindWork AI Studio/Assistants/I18N/allTexts.lua

@@ -5440,11 +5440,14 @@ UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCATEGORYEXTENSIONS::T91464
 -- The SETTINGS table does not exist or is not a valid table.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T1148682011"] = "The SETTINGS table does not exist or is not a valid table."
 
+-- At least one configured LLM provider is not valid or could not be parsed, or the LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist.
+UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T3262676428"] = "At least one configured LLM provider is not valid or could not be parsed, or the LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist."
+
 -- The CONFIG table does not exist or is not a valid table.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T3331620576"] = "The CONFIG table does not exist or is not a valid table."
 
--- The LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist or is not a valid table.
+-- At least one configured chat template is not valid or could not be parsed, or the CHAT_TEMPLATES table does not exist.
-UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T806592324"] = "The LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist or is not a valid table."
+UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T445358428"] = "At least one configured chat template is not valid or could not be parsed, or the CHAT_TEMPLATES table does not exist."
 
 -- The field IETF_TAG does not exist or is not a valid string.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINLANGUAGE::T1796010240"] = "The field IETF_TAG does not exist or is not a valid string."

app/MindWork AI Studio/Components/ChatComponent.razor.cs

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public partial class ChatComponent : MSGComponentBase, IAsyncDisposable
     public EventCallback<ChatThread?> ChatThreadChanged { get; set; }
 
     [Parameter]
-    public AIStudio.Settings.Provider Provider { get; set; }
+    public AIStudio.Settings.Provider Provider { get; set; } = AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE;
     
     [Parameter]
     public EventCallback<AIStudio.Settings.Provider> ProviderChanged { get; set; }
@@ -634,7 +634,7 @@ public partial class ChatComponent : MSGComponentBase, IAsyncDisposable
             
             default:
             case AddChatProviderBehavior.ADDED_CHATS_USE_LATEST_PROVIDER:
-                if(this.Provider == default)
+                if(this.Provider == AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE)
                 {
                     this.Provider = this.SettingsManager.GetPreselectedProvider(Tools.Components.CHAT);
                     await this.ProviderChanged.InvokeAsync(this.Provider);
@@ -797,7 +797,7 @@ public partial class ChatComponent : MSGComponentBase, IAsyncDisposable
                 break;
             
             case LoadingChatProviderBehavior.ALWAYS_USE_LATEST_CHAT_PROVIDER:
-                if(this.Provider == default)
+                if(this.Provider == AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE)
                     this.Provider = this.SettingsManager.GetPreselectedProvider(Tools.Components.CHAT);
                 break;
         }

app/MindWork AI Studio/Components/ConfigurationProviderSelection.razor.cs

@@ -42,6 +42,9 @@ public partial class ConfigurationProviderSelection : MSGComponentBase
         foreach (var providerId in this.Data)
         {
             var provider = this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == providerId.Value);
+            if (provider is null)
+                continue;
+            
             if (provider.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this.SettingsManager).Level >= minimumLevel)
                 yield return providerId;
         }

app/MindWork AI Studio/Components/ProviderSelection.razor.cs

@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ public partial class ProviderSelection : MSGComponentBase
     public AssistantBase<NoComponent>? AssistantBase { get; set; }
 
     [Parameter]
-    public AIStudio.Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; }
+    public AIStudio.Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; } = AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE;
     
     [Parameter]
     public EventCallback<AIStudio.Settings.Provider> ProviderSettingsChanged { get; set; }
@@ -32,7 +32,8 @@ public partial class ProviderSelection : MSGComponentBase
     {
         var minimumLevel = this.SettingsManager.GetMinimumConfidenceLevel(this.AssistantBase?.Component ?? Tools.Components.NONE);
         foreach (var provider in this.SettingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers)
-            if (provider.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this.SettingsManager).Level >= minimumLevel)
+            if (provider.UsedLLMProvider != LLMProviders.NONE)
-                yield return provider;
+                if (provider.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this.SettingsManager).Level >= minimumLevel)
+                    yield return provider;
     }
 }

app/MindWork AI Studio/Components/ReadWebContent.razor.cs

@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ public partial class ReadWebContent : MSGComponentBase
     public EventCallback<string> ContentChanged { get; set; }
     
     [Parameter]
-    public AIStudio.Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; }
+    public AIStudio.Settings.Provider ProviderSettings { get; set; } = AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE;
     
     [Parameter]
     public bool AgentIsRunning { get; set; }
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ public partial class ReadWebContent : MSGComponentBase
     [Parameter]
     public bool PreselectContentCleanerAgent { get; set; }
 
-    private Process<ReadWebContentSteps> process = Process<ReadWebContentSteps>.INSTANCE;
+    private readonly Process<ReadWebContentSteps> process = Process<ReadWebContentSteps>.INSTANCE;
     private ProcessStepValue processStep;
     
     private bool showWebContentReader;
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ public partial class ReadWebContent : MSGComponentBase
     private bool urlIsValid;
     private bool isProviderValid;
 
-    private AIStudio.Settings.Provider providerSettings;
+    private AIStudio.Settings.Provider providerSettings = AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE;
 
     #region Overrides of ComponentBase
 
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public partial class ReadWebContent : MSGComponentBase
             this.StateHasChanged();
             markdown = this.HTMLParser.ParseToMarkdown(html);
             
-            if (this.useContentCleanerAgent)
+            if (this.useContentCleanerAgent && this.providerSettings != AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE)
             {
                 this.AgentTextContentCleaner.ProviderSettings = this.providerSettings;
                 var additionalData = new Dictionary<string, string>
@@ -149,7 +149,7 @@ public partial class ReadWebContent : MSGComponentBase
 
     private string? ValidateProvider(bool shouldUseAgent)
     {
-        if(shouldUseAgent && this.providerSettings == default)
+        if(shouldUseAgent && this.providerSettings == AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE)
         {
             this.isProviderValid = false;
             return T("Please select a provider to use the cleanup agent.");

app/MindWork AI Studio/Components/Settings/SettingsPanelProviders.razor.cs

@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ public partial class SettingsPanelProviders : SettingsPanelBase
     [SuppressMessage("Usage", "MWAIS0001:Direct access to `Providers` is not allowed")]
     private async Task EditLLMProvider(AIStudio.Settings.Provider provider)
     {
+        if(provider == AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE)
+            return;
+        
         if (provider.IsEnterpriseConfiguration)
             return;
         

app/MindWork AI Studio/Pages/Chat.razor.cs

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ public partial class Chat : MSGComponentBase
     private IDialogService DialogService { get; init; } = null!;
     
     private ChatThread? chatThread;
-    private AIStudio.Settings.Provider providerSettings;
+    private AIStudio.Settings.Provider providerSettings = AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE;
     private bool workspaceOverlayVisible;
     private string currentWorkspaceName = string.Empty;
     private Workspaces? workspaces;

app/MindWork AI Studio/Pages/Writer.razor.cs

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ public partial class Writer : MSGComponentBase
     private readonly Timer typeTimer = new(TimeSpan.FromMilliseconds(1_500));
     
     private MudTextField<string> textField = null!;
-    private AIStudio.Settings.Provider providerSettings;
+    private AIStudio.Settings.Provider providerSettings = AIStudio.Settings.Provider.NONE;
     private ChatThread? chatThread;
     private bool isStreaming;
     private string userInput = string.Empty;

app/MindWork AI Studio/Plugins/languages/de-de-43065dbc-78d0-45b7-92be-f14c2926e2dc/plugin.lua

@@ -5442,11 +5442,14 @@ UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCATEGORYEXTENSIONS::T91464
 -- The SETTINGS table does not exist or is not a valid table.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T1148682011"] = "Die Tabelle SETTINGS existiert nicht oder ist keine gültige Tabelle."
 
+-- At least one configured LLM provider is not valid or could not be parsed, or the LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist.
+UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T3262676428"] = "Mindestens ein konfigurierter LLM-Anbieter ist ungültig oder konnte nicht verarbeitet werden, oder die Tabelle LLM_PROVIDERS existiert nicht."
+
 -- The CONFIG table does not exist or is not a valid table.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T3331620576"] = "Die Tabelle CONFIG existiert nicht oder ist keine gültige Tabelle."
 
--- The LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist or is not a valid table.
+-- At least one configured chat template is not valid or could not be parsed, or the CHAT_TEMPLATES table does not exist.
-UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T806592324"] = "Die Tabelle LLM_PROVIDERS existiert nicht oder ist keine gültige Tabelle."
+UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T445358428"] = "Mindestens eine konfigurierte Chat-Vorlage ist ungültig oder konnte nicht verarbeitet werden, oder die Tabelle CHAT_TEMPLATES existiert nicht."
 
 -- The field IETF_TAG does not exist or is not a valid string.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINLANGUAGE::T1796010240"] = "Das Feld IETF_TAG existiert nicht oder ist keine gültige Zeichenkette."

app/MindWork AI Studio/Plugins/languages/en-us-97dfb1ba-50c4-4440-8dfa-6575daf543c8/plugin.lua

@@ -5442,11 +5442,14 @@ UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCATEGORYEXTENSIONS::T91464
 -- The SETTINGS table does not exist or is not a valid table.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T1148682011"] = "The SETTINGS table does not exist or is not a valid table."
 
+-- At least one configured LLM provider is not valid or could not be parsed, or the LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist.
+UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T3262676428"] = "At least one configured LLM provider is not valid or could not be parsed, or the LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist."
+
 -- The CONFIG table does not exist or is not a valid table.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T3331620576"] = "The CONFIG table does not exist or is not a valid table."
 
--- The LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist or is not a valid table.
+-- At least one configured chat template is not valid or could not be parsed, or the CHAT_TEMPLATES table does not exist.
-UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T806592324"] = "The LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist or is not a valid table."
+UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINCONFIGURATION::T445358428"] = "At least one configured chat template is not valid or could not be parsed, or the CHAT_TEMPLATES table does not exist."
 
 -- The field IETF_TAG does not exist or is not a valid string.
 UI_TEXT_CONTENT["AISTUDIO::TOOLS::PLUGINSYSTEM::PLUGINLANGUAGE::T1796010240"] = "The field IETF_TAG does not exist or is not a valid string."

app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ChatTemplate.cs

@@ -1,9 +1,20 @@
 using AIStudio.Chat;
 using AIStudio.Tools.PluginSystem;
 
+using Lua;
+
 namespace AIStudio.Settings;
 
-public record ChatTemplate(uint Num, string Id, string Name, string SystemPrompt, string PredefinedUserPrompt, List<ContentBlock> ExampleConversation, bool AllowProfileUsage, bool IsEnterpriseConfiguration = false, Guid EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId = default)
+public record ChatTemplate(
+    uint Num,
+    string Id,
+    string Name,
+    string SystemPrompt,
+    string PredefinedUserPrompt,
+    List<ContentBlock> ExampleConversation,
+    bool AllowProfileUsage,
+    bool IsEnterpriseConfiguration = false,
+    Guid EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId = default) : ConfigurationBaseObject
 {
     public ChatTemplate() : this(0, Guid.Empty.ToString(), string.Empty, string.Empty, string.Empty, [], false)
     {
@@ -11,6 +22,8 @@ public record ChatTemplate(uint Num, string Id, string Name, string SystemPrompt
     
     private static string TB(string fallbackEN) => I18N.I.T(fallbackEN, typeof(ChatTemplate).Namespace, nameof(ChatTemplate));
     
+    private static readonly ILogger<ChatTemplate> LOGGER = Program.LOGGER_FACTORY.CreateLogger<ChatTemplate>();
+    
     public static readonly ChatTemplate NO_CHAT_TEMPLATE = new()
     {
         Name = TB("Use no chat template"),
@@ -41,4 +54,96 @@ public record ChatTemplate(uint Num, string Id, string Name, string SystemPrompt
         
         return this.SystemPrompt;
     }
+    
+    public static bool TryParseChatTemplateTable(int idx, LuaTable table, Guid configPluginId, out ConfigurationBaseObject template)
+    {
+        template = NO_CHAT_TEMPLATE;
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("Id", out var idValue) || !idValue.TryRead<string>(out var idText) || !Guid.TryParse(idText, out var id))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured chat template {idx} does not contain a valid ID. The ID must be a valid GUID.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("Name", out var nameValue) || !nameValue.TryRead<string>(out var name))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured chat template {idx} does not contain a valid name.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("SystemPrompt", out var sysPromptValue) || !sysPromptValue.TryRead<string>(out var systemPrompt))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured chat template {idx} does not contain a valid system prompt.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        var predefinedUserPrompt = string.Empty;
+        if (table.TryGetValue("PredefinedUserPrompt", out var preUserValue) && preUserValue.TryRead<string>(out var preUser))
+            predefinedUserPrompt = preUser;
+        
+        var allowProfileUsage = false;
+        if (table.TryGetValue("AllowProfileUsage", out var allowProfileValue) && allowProfileValue.TryRead<bool>(out var allow))
+            allowProfileUsage = allow;
+        
+        template = new ChatTemplate
+        {
+            Num = 0,
+            Id = id.ToString(),
+            Name = name,
+            SystemPrompt = systemPrompt,
+            PredefinedUserPrompt = predefinedUserPrompt,
+            ExampleConversation = ParseExampleConversation(idx, table),
+            AllowProfileUsage = allowProfileUsage,
+            IsEnterpriseConfiguration = true,
+            EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId = configPluginId,
+        };
+        
+        return true;
+    }
+    
+    private static List<ContentBlock> ParseExampleConversation(int idx, LuaTable table)
+    {
+        var exampleConversation = new List<ContentBlock>();
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("ExampleConversation", out var exConvValue) || !exConvValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var exConvTable))
+            return exampleConversation;
+        
+        var numBlocks = exConvTable.ArrayLength;
+        for (var j = 1; j <= numBlocks; j++)
+        {
+            var blockValue = exConvTable[j];
+            if (!blockValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var blockTable))
+            {
+                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The ExampleConversation entry {j} in chat template {idx} is not a valid table.");
+                continue;
+            }
+            
+            if (!blockTable.TryGetValue("Role", out var roleValue) || !roleValue.TryRead<string>(out var roleText) || !Enum.TryParse<ChatRole>(roleText, true, out var parsedRole))
+            {
+                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The ExampleConversation entry {j} in chat template {idx} does not contain a valid role.");
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            if (!blockTable.TryGetValue("Content", out var contentValue) || !contentValue.TryRead<string>(out var content))
+            {
+                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The ExampleConversation entry {j} in chat template {idx} does not contain a valid content message.");
+                continue;
+            }
+                
+            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(content))
+            {
+                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The ExampleConversation entry {j} in chat template {idx} contains an empty content message.");
+                continue;
+            }
+                
+            exampleConversation.Add(new ContentBlock
+            {
+                Time = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
+                Role = parsedRole,
+                Content = new ContentText { Text = content },
+                ContentType = ContentType.TEXT,
+                HideFromUser = true,
+            });
+        }
+
+        return exampleConversation;
+    }
 }

app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/ExpressionExtensions.cs

@@ -1,26 +0,0 @@
-using System.Linq.Expressions;
-
-namespace AIStudio.Settings;
-
-public static class ExpressionExtensions
-{
-    private static readonly ILogger LOGGER = Program.LOGGER_FACTORY.CreateLogger(typeof(ExpressionExtensions));
-
-    public static MemberExpression GetMemberExpression<TIn, TOut>(this Expression<Func<TIn, TOut>> expression)
-    {
-        switch (expression.Body)
-        {
-            // Case for value types, which are wrapped in UnaryExpression:
-            case UnaryExpression { NodeType: ExpressionType.Convert } unaryExpression:
-                return (MemberExpression)unaryExpression.Operand;
-
-            // Case for reference types, which are directly MemberExpressions:
-            case MemberExpression memberExpression:
-                return memberExpression;
-            
-            default:
-                LOGGER.LogError($"Expression '{expression}' is not a valid property expression.");
-                throw new ArgumentException($"Expression '{expression}' is not a valid property expression.", nameof(expression));
-        }
-    }
-}

app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/Provider.cs

@@ -2,6 +2,10 @@ using System.Text.Json.Serialization;
 
 using AIStudio.Provider;
 using AIStudio.Provider.HuggingFace;
+using AIStudio.Tools.PluginSystem;
+
+using Lua;
+
 using Host = AIStudio.Provider.SelfHosted.Host;
 
 namespace AIStudio.Settings;
@@ -16,7 +20,7 @@ namespace AIStudio.Settings;
 /// <param name="IsSelfHosted">Whether the provider is self-hosted.</param>
 /// <param name="Hostname">The hostname of the provider. Useful for self-hosted providers.</param>
 /// <param name="Model">The LLM model to use for chat.</param>
-public readonly record struct Provider(
+public sealed record Provider(
     uint Num,
     string Id,
     string InstanceName,
@@ -27,8 +31,24 @@ public readonly record struct Provider(
     Guid EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId = default,
     string Hostname = "http://localhost:1234",
     Host Host = Host.NONE,
-    HFInferenceProvider HFInferenceProvider = HFInferenceProvider.NONE) : ISecretId
+    HFInferenceProvider HFInferenceProvider = HFInferenceProvider.NONE) : ConfigurationBaseObject, ISecretId
 {
+    private static readonly ILogger<Provider> LOGGER = Program.LOGGER_FACTORY.CreateLogger<Provider>();
+    
+    public static readonly Provider NONE = new();
+
+    public Provider() : this(
+        0,
+        Guid.Empty.ToString(),
+        string.Empty,
+        LLMProviders.NONE,
+        default, 
+        false,
+        false,
+        Guid.Empty)
+    {
+    }
+    
     #region Overrides of ValueType
 
     /// <summary>
@@ -57,4 +77,95 @@ public readonly record struct Provider(
     public string SecretName => this.InstanceName;
     
     #endregion
+
+    #region Implementation of IConfigurationObject
+
+    public override string Name
+    {
+        get => this.InstanceName;
+        init => this.InstanceName = value;
+    }
+
+    #endregion
+    
+    public static bool TryParseProviderTable(int idx, LuaTable table, Guid configPluginId, out ConfigurationBaseObject provider)
+    {
+        provider = NONE;
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("Id", out var idValue) || !idValue.TryRead<string>(out var idText) || !Guid.TryParse(idText, out var id))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid ID. The ID must be a valid GUID.");
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("InstanceName", out var instanceNameValue) || !instanceNameValue.TryRead<string>(out var instanceName))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid instance name.");
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("UsedLLMProvider", out var usedLLMProviderValue) || !usedLLMProviderValue.TryRead<string>(out var usedLLMProviderText) || !Enum.TryParse<LLMProviders>(usedLLMProviderText, true, out var usedLLMProvider))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid LLM provider enum value.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("Host", out var hostValue) || !hostValue.TryRead<string>(out var hostText) || !Enum.TryParse<Host>(hostText, true, out var host))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid host enum value.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("Hostname", out var hostnameValue) || !hostnameValue.TryRead<string>(out var hostname))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid hostname.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("Model", out var modelValue) || !modelValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var modelTable))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid model table.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        if (!TryReadModelTable(idx, modelTable, out var model))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid model configuration.");
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        provider = new Provider
+        {
+            Num = 0,
+            Id = id.ToString(),
+            InstanceName = instanceName,
+            UsedLLMProvider = usedLLMProvider,
+            Model = model,
+            IsSelfHosted = usedLLMProvider is LLMProviders.SELF_HOSTED,
+            IsEnterpriseConfiguration = true,
+            EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId = configPluginId,
+            Hostname = hostname,
+            Host = host
+        };
+        
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    private static bool TryReadModelTable(int idx, LuaTable table, out Model model)
+    {
+        model = default;
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("Id", out var idValue) || !idValue.TryRead<string>(out var id))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid model ID.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        if (!table.TryGetValue("DisplayName", out var displayNameValue) || !displayNameValue.TryRead<string>(out var displayName))
+        {
+            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid model display name.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        model = new(id, displayName);
+        return true;
+    }
 }

app/MindWork AI Studio/Settings/SettingsManager.cs

@@ -215,18 +215,18 @@ public sealed class SettingsManager
             return this.ConfigurationData.Providers[0];
 
         // Is there a current provider with a sufficiently high confidence level?
-        Provider currentProvider = default;
+        var currentProvider = Provider.NONE;
         if (currentProviderId is not null && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(currentProviderId))
         {
             var currentProviderProbe = this.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == currentProviderId);
-            if (currentProviderProbe.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this).Level >= minimumLevel)
+            if (currentProviderProbe is not null && currentProviderProbe.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this).Level >= minimumLevel)
                 currentProvider = currentProviderProbe;
         }
         
         // Is there a component-preselected provider with a sufficiently high confidence level?
-        Provider preselectedProvider = default;
+        var preselectedProvider = Provider.NONE;
         var preselectedProviderProbe = component.PreselectedProvider(this);
-        if(preselectedProviderProbe != default && preselectedProviderProbe.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this).Level >= minimumLevel)
+        if(preselectedProviderProbe != Provider.NONE && preselectedProviderProbe.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this).Level >= minimumLevel)
             preselectedProvider = preselectedProviderProbe;
 
         //
@@ -234,14 +234,14 @@ public sealed class SettingsManager
         //       and the preselected provider is available and has a confidence level
         //       that is high enough.
         //
-        if(usePreselectionBeforeCurrentProvider && preselectedProvider != default)
+        if(usePreselectionBeforeCurrentProvider && preselectedProvider != Provider.NONE)
             return preselectedProvider;
         
         //
         // Case: The current provider is available and has a confidence level that is
         //       high enough.
         //
-        if(currentProvider != default)
+        if(currentProvider != Provider.NONE)
             return currentProvider;
         
         //
@@ -250,11 +250,11 @@ public sealed class SettingsManager
         //       level that is high enough. The preselected provider is available and
         //       has a confidence level that is high enough.
         //
-        if(preselectedProvider != default)
+        if(preselectedProvider != Provider.NONE)
             return preselectedProvider;
 
         // When there is an app-wide preselected provider, and it has a confidence level that is high enough, we return it:
-        return this.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == this.ConfigurationData.App.PreselectedProvider && x.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this).Level >= minimumLevel);
+        return this.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == this.ConfigurationData.App.PreselectedProvider && x.UsedLLMProvider.GetConfidence(this).Level >= minimumLevel) ?? Provider.NONE;
     }
 
     public Profile GetPreselectedProfile(Tools.Components component)

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/ComponentsExtensions.cs

@@ -89,32 +89,37 @@ public static class ComponentsExtensions
     };
 
     [SuppressMessage("Usage", "MWAIS0001:Direct access to `Providers` is not allowed")]
-    public static AIStudio.Settings.Provider PreselectedProvider(this Components component, SettingsManager settingsManager) => component switch
+    public static AIStudio.Settings.Provider PreselectedProvider(this Components component, SettingsManager settingsManager)
     {
-        Components.GRAMMAR_SPELLING_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.GrammarSpelling.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.GrammarSpelling.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+        var preselectedProvider = component switch
-        Components.ICON_FINDER_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.IconFinder.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.IconFinder.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+        {
-        Components.REWRITE_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.RewriteImprove.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.RewriteImprove.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.GRAMMAR_SPELLING_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.GrammarSpelling.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.GrammarSpelling.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.TRANSLATION_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Translation.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Translation.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.ICON_FINDER_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.IconFinder.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.IconFinder.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.AGENDA_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.REWRITE_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.RewriteImprove.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.RewriteImprove.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.CODING_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.TRANSLATION_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Translation.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Translation.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.TEXT_SUMMARIZER_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.TextSummarizer.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.TextSummarizer.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.AGENDA_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Agenda.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.EMAIL_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.CODING_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Coding.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.LEGAL_CHECK_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.TEXT_SUMMARIZER_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.TextSummarizer.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.TextSummarizer.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.SYNONYMS_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Synonyms.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Synonyms.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.EMAIL_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.EMail.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.MY_TASKS_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.LEGAL_CHECK_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.LegalCheck.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.JOB_POSTING_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.JobPostings.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.JobPostings.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.SYNONYMS_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Synonyms.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Synonyms.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.BIAS_DAY_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.MY_TASKS_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.MyTasks.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.ERI_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.JOB_POSTING_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.JobPostings.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.JobPostings.PreselectedProvider) : null,
-        Components.I18N_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.I18N.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.I18N.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.BIAS_DAY_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.BiasOfTheDay.PreselectedProvider) : null,
+            Components.ERI_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.ERI.PreselectedProvider) : null,
+            Components.I18N_ASSISTANT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.I18N.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.I18N.PreselectedProvider) : null,
 
-        Components.CHAT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProvider) : default,
+            Components.CHAT => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Chat.PreselectedProvider) : null,
 
-        Components.AGENT_TEXT_CONTENT_CLEANER => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.TextContentCleaner.PreselectAgentOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.TextContentCleaner.PreselectedAgentProvider) : default,
+            Components.AGENT_TEXT_CONTENT_CLEANER => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.TextContentCleaner.PreselectAgentOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.TextContentCleaner.PreselectedAgentProvider) : null,
-        Components.AGENT_DATA_SOURCE_SELECTION => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.AgentDataSourceSelection.PreselectAgentOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.AgentDataSourceSelection.PreselectedAgentProvider) : default,
+            Components.AGENT_DATA_SOURCE_SELECTION => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.AgentDataSourceSelection.PreselectAgentOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.AgentDataSourceSelection.PreselectedAgentProvider) : null,
-        Components.AGENT_RETRIEVAL_CONTEXT_VALIDATION => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.AgentRetrievalContextValidation.PreselectAgentOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.AgentRetrievalContextValidation.PreselectedAgentProvider) : default,
+            Components.AGENT_RETRIEVAL_CONTEXT_VALIDATION => settingsManager.ConfigurationData.AgentRetrievalContextValidation.PreselectAgentOptions ? settingsManager.ConfigurationData.Providers.FirstOrDefault(x => x.Id == settingsManager.ConfigurationData.AgentRetrievalContextValidation.PreselectedAgentProvider) : null,
 
-        _ => default,
+            _ => Settings.Provider.NONE,
-    };
+        };
+        
+        return preselectedProvider ?? Settings.Provider.NONE;
+    }
 
     public static Profile PreselectedProfile(this Components component, SettingsManager settingsManager) => component switch
     {

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/ExpressionExtensions.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,96 @@
+using System.Linq.Expressions;
+using System.Numerics;
+using System.Reflection;
+
+namespace AIStudio.Tools;
+
+public static class ExpressionExtensions
+{
+    private static readonly ILogger LOGGER = Program.LOGGER_FACTORY.CreateLogger(typeof(ExpressionExtensions));
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Extracts the member expression from a given lambda expression representing a property.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="expression">A lambda expression specifying the property for which the member expression is to be extracted.
+    /// The lambda expression body must represent member access.</param>
+    /// <typeparam name="TIn">The type of the object containing the property referenced in the lambda expression.</typeparam>
+    /// <typeparam name="TOut">The type of the property being accessed in the lambda expression.</typeparam>
+    /// <returns>The member expression that represents the property access.</returns>
+    /// <exception cref="ArgumentException">Thrown if the provided lambda expression does not represent a valid property expression.</exception>
+    public static MemberExpression GetMemberExpression<TIn, TOut>(this Expression<Func<TIn, TOut>> expression)
+    {
+        switch (expression.Body)
+        {
+            // Case for value types, which are wrapped in UnaryExpression:
+            case UnaryExpression { NodeType: ExpressionType.Convert } unaryExpression:
+                return (MemberExpression)unaryExpression.Operand;
+
+            // Case for reference types, which are directly MemberExpressions:
+            case MemberExpression memberExpression:
+                return memberExpression;
+            
+            default:
+                LOGGER.LogError($"Expression '{expression}' is not a valid property expression.");
+                throw new ArgumentException($"Expression '{expression}' is not a valid property expression.", nameof(expression));
+        }
+    }
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Attempts to increment the value of an uint property for a specified object using a
+    /// provided expression.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <param name="expression">An expression representing the property to be incremented. The property
+    /// must be of type uint and belong to the provided object.</param>
+    /// <param name="data">The object that contains the property referenced by the expression.</param>
+    /// <param name="type">The type of increment operation to perform (e.g., prefix or postfix).</param>
+    /// <typeparam name="TIn">The type of the object that contains the property to be incremented.</typeparam>
+    /// <typeparam name="TOut">The type of the property to be incremented.</typeparam>
+    /// <returns>An IncrementResult object containing the result of the increment operation.</returns>
+    public static IncrementResult<TOut> TryIncrement<TIn, TOut>(this Expression<Func<TIn, TOut>> expression, TIn data, IncrementType type) where TOut : IBinaryInteger<TOut>
+    {
+        // Ensure that the expression body is a member expression:
+        if (expression.Body is not MemberExpression memberExpression)
+            return new(false, TOut.Zero);
+
+        // Ensure that the member expression is a property:
+        if (memberExpression.Member is not PropertyInfo propertyInfo)
+            return new(false, TOut.Zero);
+        
+        // Ensure that the member expression has a target object:
+        if (memberExpression.Expression is null)
+            return new(false, TOut.Zero);
+	
+        // Get the target object for the expression, which is the object containing the property to increment:
+        var targetObjectExpression = Expression.Lambda(memberExpression.Expression, expression.Parameters);
+        
+        // Compile the lambda expression to get the target object
+        // (which is the object containing the property to increment):
+        var targetObject = targetObjectExpression.Compile().DynamicInvoke(data);
+
+        // Was the compilation successful?
+        if (targetObject is null)
+            return new(false, TOut.Zero);
+
+        // Read the current value of the property:
+        if (propertyInfo.GetValue(targetObject) is not TOut value)
+            return new(false, TOut.Zero);
+
+        // Increment the value:
+        switch (type)
+        {
+            case IncrementType.PRE:
+                var nextValue = value + TOut.CreateChecked(1);
+                propertyInfo.SetValue(targetObject, nextValue);
+                return new(true, nextValue);
+            
+            case IncrementType.POST:
+                var currentValue = value;
+                var incrementedValue = value + TOut.CreateChecked(1);
+                propertyInfo.SetValue(targetObject, incrementedValue);
+                return new(true, currentValue);
+            
+            default:
+                return new(false, TOut.Zero);
+        }
+    }
+}

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/IncrementResult.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+using System.Numerics;
+
+namespace AIStudio.Tools;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Represents the result of an increment operation. It encapsulates whether the operation
+/// was successful and the increased value.
+/// </summary>
+/// <typeparam name="TOut">The type of the incremented value, constrained to implement the IBinaryInteger interface.</typeparam>
+public sealed record IncrementResult<TOut>(bool Success, TOut UpdatedValue) where TOut : IBinaryInteger<TOut>;

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/IncrementType.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,14 @@
+namespace AIStudio.Tools;
+
+public enum IncrementType
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Increments the value before returning it. So, the incremented value is returned.
+    /// </summary>
+    PRE,
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Increments the value after returning it. So, the original value is returned.
+    /// </summary>
+    POST,
+}

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/PluginSystem/ConfigurationBaseObject.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+namespace AIStudio.Tools.PluginSystem;
+
+public abstract record ConfigurationBaseObject : IConfigurationObject
+{
+    #region Implementation of IConfigurationObject
+
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public abstract string Id { get; init; }
+
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public abstract uint Num { get; init; }
+
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public abstract string Name { get; init; }
+
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public abstract bool IsEnterpriseConfiguration { get; init; }
+
+    /// <inheritdoc />
+    public abstract Guid EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId { get; init; }
+
+    #endregion
+}

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/PluginSystem/IConfigurationObject.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,32 @@
+namespace AIStudio.Tools.PluginSystem;
+
+/// <summary>
+/// Represents a configuration object, such as a chat template or a LLM provider.
+/// </summary>
+public interface IConfigurationObject
+{
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The unique ID of the configuration object.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string Id { get; }
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The continuous number of the configuration object.
+    /// </summary>
+    public uint Num { get; }
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The name of the configuration object.
+    /// </summary>
+    public string Name { get; }
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Is this configuration object an enterprise configuration?
+    /// </summary>
+    public bool IsEnterpriseConfiguration { get; }
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// The ID of the enterprise configuration plugin.
+    /// </summary>
+    public Guid EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId { get; } 
+}

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/PluginSystem/NoConfigurationObject.cs

@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+namespace AIStudio.Tools.PluginSystem;
+
+public sealed record NoConfigurationObject : ConfigurationBaseObject
+{
+    public static readonly NoConfigurationObject INSTANCE = new();
+    
+    private NoConfigurationObject()
+    {
+        this.Id = Guid.Empty.ToString();
+        this.Name = "No Configuration";
+    }
+
+    #region Overrides of ConfigurationBaseObject
+
+    public override string Id { get; init; }
+    
+    public override uint Num { get; init; }
+    
+    public override string Name { get; init; }
+    
+    public override bool IsEnterpriseConfiguration { get; init; }
+    
+    public override Guid EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId { get; init; }
+
+    #endregion
+}

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/PluginSystem/PluginConfiguration.cs

@@ -1,21 +1,15 @@
-using AIStudio.Provider;
 using AIStudio.Settings;
-using AIStudio.Chat;
 
 using Lua;
 
-using Host = AIStudio.Provider.SelfHosted.Host;
-using Model = AIStudio.Provider.Model;
-
 namespace AIStudio.Tools.PluginSystem;
 
 public sealed class PluginConfiguration(bool isInternal, LuaState state, PluginType type) : PluginBase(isInternal, state, type)
 {
     private static string TB(string fallbackEN) => I18N.I.T(fallbackEN, typeof(PluginConfiguration).Namespace, nameof(PluginConfiguration));
-    private static readonly ILogger<PluginConfiguration> LOGGER = Program.LOGGER_FACTORY.CreateLogger<PluginConfiguration>();
     private static readonly SettingsManager SETTINGS_MANAGER = Program.SERVICE_PROVIDER.GetRequiredService<SettingsManager>();
     
-    private readonly List<PluginConfigurationObject> configObjects = [];
+    private List<PluginConfigurationObject> configObjects = [];
     
     /// <summary>
     /// The list of configuration objects. Configuration objects are, e.g., providers or chat templates. 
@@ -51,317 +45,34 @@ public sealed class PluginConfiguration(bool isInternal, LuaState state, PluginT
             return false;
         }
         
-        //
+        // Check for the main SETTINGS table:
-        // ===========================================
-        // Configured settings
-        // ===========================================
-        //
         if (!mainTable.TryGetValue("SETTINGS", out var settingsValue) || !settingsValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var settingsTable))
         {
             message = TB("The SETTINGS table does not exist or is not a valid table.");
             return false;
         }
         
-        // Check for updates, and if so, how often?
+        // Config: check for updates, and if so, how often?
         ManagedConfiguration.TryProcessConfiguration(x => x.App, x => x.UpdateBehavior, this.Id, settingsTable, dryRun);
         
-        // Allow the user to add providers?
+        // Config: allow the user to add providers?
         ManagedConfiguration.TryProcessConfiguration(x => x.App, x => x.AllowUserToAddProvider, this.Id, settingsTable, dryRun);
         
-        //
+        // Handle configured LLM providers:
-        // Configured providers:
+        if (!PluginConfigurationObject.TryParse(PluginConfigurationObjectType.LLM_PROVIDER, x => x.Providers, x => x.NextProviderNum, mainTable, this.Id, ref this.configObjects, dryRun))
-        //
-        if (!mainTable.TryGetValue("LLM_PROVIDERS", out var providersValue) || !providersValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var providersTable))
         {
-            message = TB("The LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist or is not a valid table.");
+            message = TB("At least one configured LLM provider is not valid or could not be parsed, or the LLM_PROVIDERS table does not exist.");
+            return false;
+        }
+        
+        // Handle configured chat templates:
+        if (!PluginConfigurationObject.TryParse(PluginConfigurationObjectType.CHAT_TEMPLATE, x => x.ChatTemplates, x => x.NextChatTemplateNum, mainTable, this.Id, ref this.configObjects, dryRun))
+        {
+            message = TB("At least one configured chat template is not valid or could not be parsed, or the CHAT_TEMPLATES table does not exist.");
             return false;
         }
         
         message = string.Empty;
-        var numberProviders = providersTable.ArrayLength;
-        var configuredProviders = new List<Settings.Provider>(numberProviders);
-        for (var i = 1; i <= numberProviders; i++)
-        {
-            var providerLuaTableValue = providersTable[i];
-            if (!providerLuaTableValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var providerLuaTable))
-            {
-                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The LLM_PROVIDERS table at index {i} is not a valid table.");
-                continue;
-            }
-            
-            if(this.TryReadProviderTable(i, providerLuaTable, out var provider))
-                configuredProviders.Add(provider);
-            else
-                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The LLM_PROVIDERS table at index {i} does not contain a valid provider configuration.");
-        }
-        
-        //
-        // Apply the configured providers to the system settings:
-        //
-        #pragma warning disable MWAIS0001
-        foreach (var configuredProvider in configuredProviders)
-        {
-            // The iterating variable is immutable, so we need to create a local copy:
-            var provider = configuredProvider;
-
-            // Store this provider in the config object list:
-            this.configObjects.Add(new()
-            {
-                ConfigPluginId = this.Id,
-                Id = Guid.Parse(provider.Id),
-                Type = PluginConfigurationObjectType.LLM_PROVIDER,
-            });
-
-            if (dryRun)
-                continue;
-            
-            var providerIndex = SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.Providers.FindIndex(p => p.Id == provider.Id);
-            if (providerIndex > -1)
-            {
-                // Case: The provider already exists, we update it:
-                var existingProvider = SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.Providers[providerIndex];
-                provider = provider with { Num = existingProvider.Num }; // Keep the original number
-                SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.Providers[providerIndex] = provider;
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                // Case: The provider does not exist, we add it:
-                provider = provider with { Num = SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.NextProviderNum++ };
-                SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.Providers.Add(provider);
-            }
-        }
-        
-        #pragma warning restore MWAIS0001
-        
-        //
-        // Configured chat templates:
-        //
-        if (mainTable.TryGetValue("CHAT_TEMPLATES", out var templatesValue) && templatesValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var templatesTable))
-        {
-            var numberTemplates = templatesTable.ArrayLength;
-            var configuredTemplates = new List<ChatTemplate>(numberTemplates);
-            for (var i = 1; i <= numberTemplates; i++)
-            {
-                var templateLuaTableValue = templatesTable[i];
-                if (!templateLuaTableValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var templateLuaTable))
-                {
-                    LOGGER.LogWarning($"The CHAT_TEMPLATES table at index {i} is not a valid table.");
-                    continue;
-                }
-                
-                if(this.TryReadChatTemplateTable(i, templateLuaTable, out var template) && template != ChatTemplate.NO_CHAT_TEMPLATE)
-                    configuredTemplates.Add(template);
-                else
-                    LOGGER.LogWarning($"The CHAT_TEMPLATES table at index {i} does not contain a valid chat template configuration.");
-            }
-            
-            // Apply configured chat templates to the system settings:
-            foreach (var configuredTemplate in configuredTemplates)
-            {
-                // The iterating variable is immutable, so we need to create a local copy:
-                var template = configuredTemplate;
-                
-                // Store this provider in the config object list:
-                this.configObjects.Add(new()
-                {
-                    ConfigPluginId = this.Id,
-                    Id = Guid.Parse(template.Id),
-                    Type = PluginConfigurationObjectType.CHAT_TEMPLATE,
-                });
-
-                if (dryRun)
-                    continue;
-                
-                var tplIndex = SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.ChatTemplates.FindIndex(t => t.Id == template.Id);
-                if (tplIndex > -1)
-                {
-                    // Case: The template already exists, we update it:
-                    var existingTemplate = SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.ChatTemplates[tplIndex];
-                    template = template with { Num = existingTemplate.Num };
-                    SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.ChatTemplates[tplIndex] = template;
-                }
-                else
-                {
-                    // Case: The template does not exist, we add it:
-                    template = template with { Num = SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.NextChatTemplateNum++ };
-                    SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.ChatTemplates.Add(template);
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        
         return true;
     }
-    
-    private bool TryReadProviderTable(int idx, LuaTable table, out Settings.Provider provider)
-    {
-        provider = default;
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("Id", out var idValue) || !idValue.TryRead<string>(out var idText) || !Guid.TryParse(idText, out var id))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid ID. The ID must be a valid GUID.");
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("InstanceName", out var instanceNameValue) || !instanceNameValue.TryRead<string>(out var instanceName))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid instance name.");
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("UsedLLMProvider", out var usedLLMProviderValue) || !usedLLMProviderValue.TryRead<string>(out var usedLLMProviderText) || !Enum.TryParse<LLMProviders>(usedLLMProviderText, true, out var usedLLMProvider))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid LLM provider enum value.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("Host", out var hostValue) || !hostValue.TryRead<string>(out var hostText) || !Enum.TryParse<Host>(hostText, true, out var host))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid host enum value.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("Hostname", out var hostnameValue) || !hostnameValue.TryRead<string>(out var hostname))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid hostname.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("Model", out var modelValue) || !modelValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var modelTable))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid model table.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        if (!this.TryReadModelTable(idx, modelTable, out var model))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid model configuration.");
-            return false;
-        }
-
-        provider = new()
-        {
-            Num = 0,
-            Id = id.ToString(),
-            InstanceName = instanceName,
-            UsedLLMProvider = usedLLMProvider,
-            Model = model,
-            IsSelfHosted = usedLLMProvider is LLMProviders.SELF_HOSTED,
-            IsEnterpriseConfiguration = true,
-            EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId = this.Id,
-            Hostname = hostname,
-            Host = host
-        };
-        
-        return true;
-    }
-
-    private bool TryReadModelTable(int idx, LuaTable table, out Model model)
-    {
-        model = default;
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("Id", out var idValue) || !idValue.TryRead<string>(out var id))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid model ID.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("DisplayName", out var displayNameValue) || !displayNameValue.TryRead<string>(out var displayName))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured provider {idx} does not contain a valid model display name.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        model = new(id, displayName);
-        return true;
-    }
-
-    private bool TryReadChatTemplateTable(int idx, LuaTable table, out ChatTemplate template)
-    {
-        template = ChatTemplate.NO_CHAT_TEMPLATE;
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("Id", out var idValue) || !idValue.TryRead<string>(out var idText) || !Guid.TryParse(idText, out var id))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured chat template {idx} does not contain a valid ID. The ID must be a valid GUID.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("Name", out var nameValue) || !nameValue.TryRead<string>(out var name))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured chat template {idx} does not contain a valid name.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("SystemPrompt", out var sysPromptValue) || !sysPromptValue.TryRead<string>(out var systemPrompt))
-        {
-            LOGGER.LogWarning($"The configured chat template {idx} does not contain a valid system prompt.");
-            return false;
-        }
-        
-        var predefinedUserPrompt = string.Empty;
-        if (table.TryGetValue("PredefinedUserPrompt", out var preUserValue) && preUserValue.TryRead<string>(out var preUser))
-            predefinedUserPrompt = preUser;
-        
-        var allowProfileUsage = false;
-        if (table.TryGetValue("AllowProfileUsage", out var allowProfileValue) && allowProfileValue.TryRead<bool>(out var allow))
-            allowProfileUsage = allow;
-        
-        template = new()
-        {
-            Num = 0,
-            Id = id.ToString(),
-            Name = name,
-            SystemPrompt = systemPrompt,
-            PredefinedUserPrompt = predefinedUserPrompt,
-            ExampleConversation = ParseExampleConversation(idx, table),
-            AllowProfileUsage = allowProfileUsage,
-            IsEnterpriseConfiguration = true,
-            EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId = this.Id
-        };
-        
-        return true;
-    }
-
-    private static List<ContentBlock> ParseExampleConversation(int idx, LuaTable table)
-    {
-        var exampleConversation = new List<ContentBlock>();
-        if (!table.TryGetValue("ExampleConversation", out var exConvValue) || !exConvValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var exConvTable))
-            return exampleConversation;
-        
-        var numBlocks = exConvTable.ArrayLength;
-        for (var j = 1; j <= numBlocks; j++)
-        {
-            var blockValue = exConvTable[j];
-            if (!blockValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var blockTable))
-            {
-                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The ExampleConversation entry {j} in chat template {idx} is not a valid table.");
-                continue;
-            }
-            
-            if (!blockTable.TryGetValue("Role", out var roleValue) || !roleValue.TryRead<string>(out var roleText) || !Enum.TryParse<ChatRole>(roleText, true, out var parsedRole))
-            {
-                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The ExampleConversation entry {j} in chat template {idx} does not contain a valid role.");
-                continue;
-            }
-
-            if (!blockTable.TryGetValue("Content", out var contentValue) || !contentValue.TryRead<string>(out var content))
-            {
-                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The ExampleConversation entry {j} in chat template {idx} does not contain a valid content message.");
-                continue;
-            }
-                
-            if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(content))
-            {
-                LOGGER.LogWarning($"The ExampleConversation entry {j} in chat template {idx} contains an empty content message.");
-                continue;
-            }
-                
-            exampleConversation.Add(new ContentBlock
-            {
-                Time = DateTimeOffset.UtcNow,
-                Role = parsedRole,
-                Content = new ContentText { Text = content },
-                ContentType = ContentType.TEXT,
-                HideFromUser = true,
-            });
-        }
-
-        return exampleConversation;
-    }
 }

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/PluginSystem/PluginConfigurationObject.cs

@@ -1,3 +1,10 @@
+using System.Linq.Expressions;
+
+using AIStudio.Settings;
+using AIStudio.Settings.DataModel;
+
+using Lua;
+
 namespace AIStudio.Tools.PluginSystem;
 
 /// <summary>
@@ -6,6 +13,9 @@ namespace AIStudio.Tools.PluginSystem;
 /// </summary>
 public sealed record PluginConfigurationObject
 {
+    private static readonly SettingsManager SETTINGS_MANAGER = Program.SERVICE_PROVIDER.GetRequiredService<SettingsManager>();
+    private static readonly ILogger LOG = Program.LOGGER_FACTORY.CreateLogger<PluginConfigurationObject>();
+    
     /// <summary>
     /// The id of the configuration plugin to which this configuration object belongs.
     /// </summary>
@@ -20,4 +30,178 @@ public sealed record PluginConfigurationObject
     /// The type of the configuration object.
     /// </summary>
     public required PluginConfigurationObjectType Type { get; init; } = PluginConfigurationObjectType.NONE;
+
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Parses Lua table entries into configuration objects of the specified type, populating the
+    /// provided list with results.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <typeparam name="TClass">The type of configuration object to parse, which must
+    /// inherit from <see cref="ConfigurationBaseObject"/>.</typeparam>
+    /// <param name="configObjectType">The type of configuration object to process, as specified
+    /// in <see cref="PluginConfigurationObjectType"/>.</param>
+    /// <param name="configObjectSelection">An expression to retrieve existing configuration objects from
+    /// the main configuration data.</param>
+    /// <param name="nextConfigObjectNumSelection">An expression to retrieve the next available configuration
+    /// object number from the main configuration data.</param>
+    /// <param name="mainTable">The Lua table containing entries to parse into configuration objects.</param>
+    /// <param name="configPluginId">The unique identifier of the plugin associated with the configuration
+    /// objects being parsed.</param>
+    /// <param name="configObjects">The list to populate with the parsed configuration objects.
+    /// This parameter is passed by reference.</param>
+    /// <param name="dryRun">Specifies whether to perform the operation as a dry run, where changes
+    /// are not persisted.</param>
+    /// <returns>Returns true if parsing succeeds and configuration objects are added
+    /// to the list; otherwise, false.</returns>
+    public static bool TryParse<TClass>(
+        PluginConfigurationObjectType configObjectType,
+        Expression<Func<Data, List<TClass>>> configObjectSelection,
+        Expression<Func<Data, uint>> nextConfigObjectNumSelection,
+        LuaTable mainTable,
+        Guid configPluginId,
+        ref List<PluginConfigurationObject> configObjects,
+        bool dryRun
+    ) where TClass : ConfigurationBaseObject
+    {
+        var luaTableName = configObjectType switch
+        {
+            PluginConfigurationObjectType.LLM_PROVIDER => "LLM_PROVIDERS",
+            PluginConfigurationObjectType.CHAT_TEMPLATE => "CHAT_TEMPLATES",
+            PluginConfigurationObjectType.DATA_SOURCE => "DATA_SOURCES",
+            PluginConfigurationObjectType.EMBEDDING_PROVIDER => "EMBEDDING_PROVIDERS",
+            PluginConfigurationObjectType.PROFILE => "PROFILES",
+            
+            _ => null,
+        };
+
+        if (luaTableName is null)
+        {
+            LOG.LogError($"The configuration object type '{configObjectType}' is not supported yet.");
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        if (!mainTable.TryGetValue(luaTableName, out var luaValue) || !luaValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var luaTable))
+        {
+            LOG.LogWarning($"The {luaTableName} table does not exist or is not a valid table.");
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        var storedObjects = configObjectSelection.Compile()(SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData);
+        var numberObjects = luaTable.ArrayLength;
+        ThreadSafeRandom? random = null;
+        for (var i = 1; i <= numberObjects; i++)
+        {
+            var luaObjectTableValue = luaTable[i];
+            if (!luaObjectTableValue.TryRead<LuaTable>(out var luaObjectTable))
+            {
+                LOG.LogWarning($"The {luaObjectTable} table at index {i} is not a valid table.");
+                continue;
+            }
+
+            var (wasParsingSuccessful, configObject) = configObjectType switch
+            {
+                PluginConfigurationObjectType.LLM_PROVIDER => (Settings.Provider.TryParseProviderTable(i, luaObjectTable, configPluginId, out var configurationObject) && configurationObject != Settings.Provider.NONE, configurationObject),
+                PluginConfigurationObjectType.CHAT_TEMPLATE => (ChatTemplate.TryParseChatTemplateTable(i, luaObjectTable, configPluginId, out var configurationObject) && configurationObject != ChatTemplate.NO_CHAT_TEMPLATE, configurationObject),
+
+                _ => (false, NoConfigurationObject.INSTANCE)
+            };
+
+            if (wasParsingSuccessful)
+            {
+                // Store it in the config object list:
+                configObjects.Add(new()
+                {
+                    ConfigPluginId = configPluginId,
+                    Id = Guid.Parse(configObject.Id),
+                    Type = configObjectType,
+                });
+
+                if (dryRun)
+                    continue;
+
+                var objectIndex = storedObjects.FindIndex(t => t.Id == configObject.Id);
+                
+                // Case: The object already exists, we update it:
+                if (objectIndex > -1)
+                {
+                    var existingObject = storedObjects[objectIndex];
+                    configObject = configObject with { Num = existingObject.Num };
+                    storedObjects[objectIndex] = (TClass)configObject;
+                }
+                
+                // Case: The object does not exist, we have to add it
+                else
+                {
+                    if (nextConfigObjectNumSelection.TryIncrement(SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData, IncrementType.POST) is { Success: true, UpdatedValue: var nextNum })
+                    {
+                        // Case: Increment the next number was successful
+                        configObject = configObject with { Num = nextNum };
+                        storedObjects.Add((TClass)configObject);
+                    }
+                    else
+                    {
+                        // Case: The next number could not be incremented, we use a random number
+                        random ??= new ThreadSafeRandom();
+                        configObject = configObject with { Num = (uint)random.Next(500_000, 1_000_000) };
+                        storedObjects.Add((TClass)configObject);
+                        LOG.LogWarning($"The next number for the configuration object '{configObject.Name}' (id={configObject.Id}) could not be incremented. Using a random number instead.");
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+            else
+                LOG.LogWarning($"The {luaObjectTable} table at index {i} does not contain a valid chat template configuration.");
+        }
+        
+        return true;
+    }
+    
+    /// <summary>
+    /// Cleans up configuration objects of a specified type that are no longer associated with any available plugin.
+    /// </summary>
+    /// <typeparam name="TClass">The type of configuration object to clean up.</typeparam>
+    /// <param name="configObjectType">The type of configuration object to process.</param>
+    /// <param name="configObjectSelection">A selection expression to retrieve the configuration objects from the main configuration.</param>
+    /// <param name="availablePlugins">A list of currently available plugins.</param>
+    /// <param name="configObjectList">A list of all existing configuration objects.</param>
+    /// <returns>Returns true if the configuration was altered during cleanup; otherwise, false.</returns>
+    public static bool CleanLeftOverConfigurationObjects<TClass>(
+        PluginConfigurationObjectType configObjectType,
+        Expression<Func<Data, List<TClass>>> configObjectSelection,
+        IList<IAvailablePlugin> availablePlugins,
+        IList<PluginConfigurationObject> configObjectList) where TClass : IConfigurationObject
+    {
+        var configuredObjects = configObjectSelection.Compile()(SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData);
+        var leftOverObjects = new List<TClass>();
+        foreach (var configuredObject in configuredObjects)
+        {
+            if(!configuredObject.IsEnterpriseConfiguration)
+                continue;
+
+            var configObjectSourcePluginId = configuredObject.EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId;
+            if(configObjectSourcePluginId == Guid.Empty)
+                continue;
+            
+            var templateSourcePlugin = availablePlugins.FirstOrDefault(plugin => plugin.Id == configObjectSourcePluginId);
+            if(templateSourcePlugin is null)
+            {
+                LOG.LogWarning($"The configured object '{configuredObject.Name}' (id={configuredObject.Id}) is based on a plugin that is not available anymore. Removing the chat template from the settings.");
+                leftOverObjects.Add(configuredObject);
+            }
+            
+            if(!configObjectList.Any(configObject =>
+                   configObject.Type == configObjectType &&
+                   configObject.ConfigPluginId == configObjectSourcePluginId &&
+                   configObject.Id.ToString() == configuredObject.Id))
+            {
+                LOG.LogWarning($"The configured object '{configuredObject.Name}' (id={configuredObject.Id}) is not present in the configuration plugin anymore. Removing the chat template from the settings.");
+                leftOverObjects.Add(configuredObject);
+            }
+        }
+        
+        // Remove collected items after enumeration to avoid modifying the collection during iteration:
+        var wasConfigurationChanged = leftOverObjects.Count > 0;
+        foreach (var item in leftOverObjects.Distinct())
+            configuredObjects.Remove(item);
+        
+        return wasConfigurationChanged;
+    }
 }

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/PluginSystem/PluginFactory.Loading.cs

@@ -92,10 +92,10 @@ public static partial class PluginFactory
                 
                         case { IsValid: false }:
                             LOG.LogError($"Was not able to load plugin '{pluginMainFile}', because the Lua code is not a valid AI Studio plugin. There are {plugin.Issues.Count()} issues to fix. First issue is: {plugin.Issues.FirstOrDefault()}");
-                            #if DEBUG
+#if DEBUG
                             foreach (var pluginIssue in plugin.Issues)
                                 LOG.LogError($"Plugin issue: {pluginIssue}");
-                            #endif
+#endif
                             continue;
 
                         case { IsMaintained: false }:
@@ -125,89 +125,24 @@ public static partial class PluginFactory
         
         //
         // =========================================================
-        // Next, we have to clean up our settings. It is possible that a configuration plugin was removed.
+        // Next, we have to clean up our settings. It is possible
-        // We have to remove the related settings as well:
+        // that a configuration plugin was removed. We have to
+        // remove the related settings as well:
         // =========================================================
         //
-        var wasConfigurationChanged = false;
         
-        //
         // Check LLM providers:
-        //
+        var wasConfigurationChanged = PluginConfigurationObject.CleanLeftOverConfigurationObjects(PluginConfigurationObjectType.LLM_PROVIDER, x => x.Providers, AVAILABLE_PLUGINS, configObjectList);
-        #pragma warning disable MWAIS0001
-        var configuredProviders = SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.Providers.ToList();
-        foreach (var configuredProvider in configuredProviders)
-        {
-            if(!configuredProvider.IsEnterpriseConfiguration)
-                continue;
         
-            var providerSourcePluginId = configuredProvider.EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId;
-            if(providerSourcePluginId == Guid.Empty)
-                continue;
-            
-            var providerSourcePlugin = AVAILABLE_PLUGINS.FirstOrDefault(plugin => plugin.Id == providerSourcePluginId);
-            if(providerSourcePlugin is null)
-            {
-                LOG.LogWarning($"The configured LLM provider '{configuredProvider.InstanceName}' (id={configuredProvider.Id}) is based on a plugin that is not available anymore. Removing the provider from the settings.");
-                SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.Providers.Remove(configuredProvider);
-                wasConfigurationChanged = true;
-            }
-            
-            if(!configObjectList.Any(configObject =>
-                configObject.Type is PluginConfigurationObjectType.LLM_PROVIDER &&
-                configObject.ConfigPluginId == providerSourcePluginId &&
-                configObject.Id.ToString() == configuredProvider.Id))
-            {
-                LOG.LogWarning($"The configured LLM provider '{configuredProvider.InstanceName}' (id={configuredProvider.Id}) is not present in the configuration plugin anymore. Removing the provider from the settings.");
-                SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.Providers.Remove(configuredProvider);
-                wasConfigurationChanged = true;
-            }
-        }
-        #pragma warning restore MWAIS0001
-        
-        //
         // Check chat templates:
-        //
+        if(PluginConfigurationObject.CleanLeftOverConfigurationObjects(PluginConfigurationObjectType.CHAT_TEMPLATE, x => x.ChatTemplates, AVAILABLE_PLUGINS, configObjectList))
-        var configuredTemplates = SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.ChatTemplates.ToList();
+            wasConfigurationChanged = true;
-        foreach (var configuredTemplate in configuredTemplates)
-        {
-            if(!configuredTemplate.IsEnterpriseConfiguration)
-                continue;
         
-            var templateSourcePluginId = configuredTemplate.EnterpriseConfigurationPluginId;
+        // Check for update behavior:
-            if(templateSourcePluginId == Guid.Empty)
-                continue;
-            
-            var templateSourcePlugin = AVAILABLE_PLUGINS.FirstOrDefault(plugin => plugin.Id == templateSourcePluginId);
-            if(templateSourcePlugin is null)
-            {
-                LOG.LogWarning($"The configured chat template '{configuredTemplate.Name}' (id={configuredTemplate.Id}) is based on a plugin that is not available anymore. Removing the chat template from the settings.");
-                SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.ChatTemplates.Remove(configuredTemplate);
-                wasConfigurationChanged = true;
-            }
-            
-            if(!configObjectList.Any(configObject =>
-                configObject.Type is PluginConfigurationObjectType.CHAT_TEMPLATE &&
-                configObject.ConfigPluginId == templateSourcePluginId &&
-                configObject.Id.ToString() == configuredTemplate.Id))
-            {
-                LOG.LogWarning($"The configured chat template '{configuredTemplate.Name}' (id={configuredTemplate.Id}) is not present in the configuration plugin anymore. Removing the chat template from the settings.");
-                SETTINGS_MANAGER.ConfigurationData.ChatTemplates.Remove(configuredTemplate);
-                wasConfigurationChanged = true;
-            }
-        }
-        
-        //
-        // ==========================================================
-        // Check all possible settings:
-        // ==========================================================
-        //
-        
-        // Check for updates, and if so, how often?
         if(ManagedConfiguration.IsConfigurationLeftOver<DataApp, UpdateBehavior>(x => x.App, x => x.UpdateBehavior, AVAILABLE_PLUGINS))
             wasConfigurationChanged = true;
         
-        // Allow the user to add providers?
+        // Check for users allowed to added providers:
         if(ManagedConfiguration.IsConfigurationLeftOver<DataApp, bool>(x => x.App, x => x.AllowUserToAddProvider, AVAILABLE_PLUGINS))
             wasConfigurationChanged = true;
         

app/MindWork AI Studio/Tools/Services/DataSourceService.cs

@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ public sealed class DataSourceService
         //       does not mean anything. We cannot filter the data sources by any means.
         //       We return an empty list. Better safe than sorry.
         //
-        if (selectedLLMProvider == default)
+        if (selectedLLMProvider == Settings.Provider.NONE)
         {
             this.logger.LogWarning("The selected LLM provider is not set. We cannot filter the data sources by any means.");
             return new([], []);