diff --git a/.github/workflows/ci.yaml b/.github/workflows/ci.yaml
index 5cbe355..b4148ae 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/ci.yaml
+++ b/.github/workflows/ci.yaml
@@ -32,6 +32,10 @@ jobs:
         run: git diff --check "$(git hash-object -t tree /dev/null)" HEAD
       - name: Validate provider catalogs
         run: node scripts/validate-provider-catalogs.mjs
+      - name: Validate pinned example templates
+        env:
+          STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR: ${{ github.workspace }}/.stack-specification
+        run: node scripts/sync-example-templates.mjs --check
       - name: Install latest stable Rust toolchain
         run: rustup toolchain install stable --profile minimal --component clippy,rustfmt,llvm-tools-preview
       - name: Check formatting
@@ -42,6 +46,10 @@ jobs:
         env:
           STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR: ${{ github.workspace }}/.stack-specification
         run: cargo +stable test --features conformance --test formatter-conformance --locked
+      - name: Run template conformance suite
+        env:
+          STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR: ${{ github.workspace }}/.stack-specification
+        run: cargo +stable test --features conformance --test template-conformance --locked
       - name: Run Clippy
         run: cargo +stable clippy --all-targets --all-features --locked -- -D warnings
       - name: Build documentation
@@ -72,6 +80,7 @@ jobs:
           ./target/release/stack -V
           ./target/release/stack --help
           ./target/release/stack --version
+          ./target/release/stack init --help
           ./target/release/stack check --help
           ./target/release/stack fmt --help
           ./target/release/stack render --help
@@ -94,6 +103,7 @@ jobs:
           test -s Cargo.lock
           test -s src/config.rs
           test -s src/main.rs
+          test -s src/templates.rs
           test -s src/provider.rs
           test -s src/provider_catalog.rs
           test -s catalogs/aws.json
@@ -101,7 +111,10 @@ jobs:
           test -s catalogs/azure.json
           test -s catalogs/simple-icons.json
           test -s scripts/generate-provider-catalogs.mjs
+          test -s scripts/sync-example-templates.mjs
           test -s scripts/validate-provider-catalogs.mjs
+          test -s templates/catalog.json
+          test -s templates/sources/01-minimal.stack
           test -s tests/specification-revision
           test -s tests/fixtures/render.stack
 
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 0613b96..c3c2077 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -32,6 +32,11 @@ name = "formatter-conformance"
 path = "tests/formatter_conformance.rs"
 required-features = ["conformance"]
 
+[[test]]
+name = "template-conformance"
+path = "tests/template_conformance.rs"
+required-features = ["conformance"]
+
 [lints.clippy]
 expect_used = "deny"
 panic = "deny"
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 9e589c5..6d29ceb 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -10,6 +10,9 @@ The repository contains native validation, formatting, and rendering commands. T
 stack help
 stack help render
 stack version
+stack init
+stack init --template groups-and-layout
+stack init --template aws-serverless-checkout -o checkout.stack
 stack check arch.stack
 stack fmt arch.stack
 stack fmt --check arch.stack
@@ -25,6 +28,8 @@ stack render arch.stack -o arch.svg --notice arch.NOTICE.md
 
 `stack help`, `stack -h`, and `stack --help` print top-level help. Use `stack help <COMMAND>` or `<COMMAND> -h` / `<COMMAND> --help` for command-specific usage and examples; nested icon help is available through `stack help icons <COMMAND>`. `stack version`, `stack -v`, `stack -V`, and `stack --version` print the same Cargo package version. Help and version output use standard output and exit with status `0`. Invalid arguments and unknown commands use standard error and status `2`; close command typos include a suggested command and the relevant help invocation.
 
+`stack init` creates `diagram.stack` from the versioned `hello-stack` template without prompting. Use `--template <ID>` to select any of the nine curated examples shared with the public Stack specification and Web gallery, and `-o` / `--output` to choose another file. Existing paths are never replaced unless `--force` is explicit; forced writes use the same atomic output behavior as rendering. Provider templates print the exact `stack icons import` commands needed for branded rendering and remain valid with deterministic fallback icons when packs are absent. The embedded catalog and source bytes are pinned by `tests/specification-revision`, and CI rejects drift from that public specification commit.
+
 `stack check` reads the file as bytes and runs the full compiler, theme, layout, and routing validation pipeline without changing the source. Diagnostics are written to standard error in source order. Standard output remains empty.
 
 `stack fmt` uses the engine formatter and preserves comments. File mode replaces changed source atomically through a temporary file in the same directory; unchanged files are not replaced. Syntax, encoding, and host I/O failures leave the original file untouched. `stack fmt -` reads bytes from standard input and writes only canonical source to standard output. `--check` never writes source and exits with status `1` when formatting is required.
@@ -59,6 +64,17 @@ CI validates formatting, unit and process-level integration tests, at least 90%
 
 Canonical formatter behavior is checked against the pinned `stack-sh/specification` fixture revision recorded in `tests/specification-revision`.
 
+The same checkout validates and updates the embedded `stack init` templates:
+
+```sh
+STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR=../specification \
+  node scripts/sync-example-templates.mjs --check
+STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR=../specification \
+  node scripts/sync-example-templates.mjs
+STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR=../specification \
+  cargo test --features conformance --test template-conformance --locked
+```
+
 See [CONTRIBUTING.md](./CONTRIBUTING.md) before opening a change. Please report security vulnerabilities through the process in [SECURITY.md](./SECURITY.md), not a public issue.
 
 ## Licensing
diff --git a/scripts/sync-example-templates.mjs b/scripts/sync-example-templates.mjs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..adf4f52
--- /dev/null
+++ b/scripts/sync-example-templates.mjs
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+import assert from "node:assert/strict"
+import { execFile } from "node:child_process"
+import { mkdir, readFile, readdir, rm, writeFile } from "node:fs/promises"
+import path from "node:path"
+import { promisify } from "node:util"
+
+const execute = promisify(execFile)
+const specificationRootValue = process.env.STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR
+if (!specificationRootValue) {
+  throw new Error("STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR must point to the pinned specification checkout")
+}
+
+const checkOnly = process.argv.includes("--check")
+const specificationRoot = path.resolve(specificationRootValue)
+const expectedRevision = (await readFile("tests/specification-revision", "utf8")).trim()
+assert.match(expectedRevision, /^[0-9a-f]{40}$/)
+const { stdout } = await execute("git", ["rev-parse", "HEAD"], {
+  cwd: specificationRoot,
+  encoding: "utf8",
+})
+assert.equal(stdout.trim(), expectedRevision, "Specification checkout does not match the pin")
+
+const catalogSource = await readFile(path.join(specificationRoot, "examples/catalog.json"), "utf8")
+const catalog = JSON.parse(catalogSource)
+const sourceNames = catalog.examples.map((example) => example.source).sort()
+const templateRoot = path.resolve("templates")
+const sourceRoot = path.join(templateRoot, "sources")
+const snapshots = new Map([[path.join(templateRoot, "catalog.json"), catalogSource]])
+for (const sourceName of sourceNames) {
+  snapshots.set(
+    path.join(sourceRoot, sourceName),
+    await readFile(path.join(specificationRoot, "examples", sourceName), "utf8"),
+  )
+}
+
+if (checkOnly) {
+  const actualSources = (await readdir(sourceRoot))
+    .filter((entry) => entry.endsWith(".stack"))
+    .sort()
+  assert.deepEqual(actualSources, sourceNames, "Template source inventory has drifted")
+  for (const [destination, expected] of snapshots) {
+    assert.equal(
+      await readFile(destination, "utf8"),
+      expected,
+      `${path.relative(process.cwd(), destination)} has drifted from the pinned specification`,
+    )
+  }
+  console.log(`Verified ${sourceNames.length} templates against stack-sh/specification@${expectedRevision}.`)
+} else {
+  await mkdir(sourceRoot, { recursive: true })
+  for (const entry of await readdir(sourceRoot)) {
+    if (entry.endsWith(".stack") && !sourceNames.includes(entry)) {
+      await rm(path.join(sourceRoot, entry))
+    }
+  }
+  for (const [destination, contents] of snapshots) {
+    await mkdir(path.dirname(destination), { recursive: true })
+    await writeFile(destination, contents)
+  }
+  console.log(`Synchronized ${sourceNames.length} templates from stack-sh/specification@${expectedRevision}.`)
+}
diff --git a/src/lib.rs b/src/lib.rs
index 52ce5dc..0160c20 100644
--- a/src/lib.rs
+++ b/src/lib.rs
@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ use stack_engine::{
 mod config;
 mod provider;
 mod provider_catalog;
+mod templates;
 
 /// Exit status used when a command completes without Stack error diagnostics.
 pub const EXIT_SUCCESS: u8 = 0;
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@ Usage:
   stack help [COMMAND]
 
 Commands:
+  init       Create a Stack file from a versioned starter template
   check      Validate a Stack source file without modifying it
   fmt        Format a file in place or read from standard input
   render     Render standalone SVG to standard output or a file
@@ -45,11 +47,46 @@ Options:
   -v, -V, --version   Print version
 
 Examples:
+  stack init
+  stack init --template application-and-data -o architecture.stack
   stack check arch.stack
   stack fmt --check arch.stack
   stack render arch.stack -o arch.svg
   stack icons list aws s3
 ";
+const INIT_HELP: &str = "\
+Create a Stack file from a versioned starter template
+
+Usage:
+  stack init [--template <TEMPLATE>] [-o <FILE>] [--force]
+
+Options:
+  --template <TEMPLATE>  Select a curated template; defaults to hello-stack
+  -o, --output <FILE>    Write to this path; defaults to diagram.stack
+  --force                Replace an existing output file atomically
+  -h, --help             Print help
+
+Templates:
+  hello-stack                Smallest directed diagram using built-in icons
+  application-and-data       Application, database, details, and edge labels
+  groups-and-layout          Groups, ordering, rank, and layout direction
+  commerce-platform         Production-like built-in architecture
+  aws-serverless-checkout    AWS serverless architecture
+  gcp-data-service           Google Cloud data service
+  azure-event-platform       Azure event-driven platform
+  github-delivery-workflow   GitHub delivery workflow
+  mixed-provider-platform    AWS, GCP, Azure, and SaaS architecture
+
+Provider templates remain valid without imported icon packs and render with
+deterministic fallback icons. Use 'stack icons import <PROVIDER> --accept-terms'
+before rendering when branded icons are required.
+
+Examples:
+  stack init
+  stack init --template groups-and-layout
+  stack init --template aws-serverless-checkout -o checkout.stack
+  stack init --force
+";
 const CHECK_HELP: &str = "\
 Validate a Stack source file without modifying it
 
@@ -182,7 +219,7 @@ Usage:
   stack help icons <COMMAND>
 
 Arguments:
-  <COMMAND>  check, fmt, render, icons, help, or version
+  <COMMAND>  init, check, fmt, render, icons, help, or version
 
 Examples:
   stack help
@@ -254,6 +291,9 @@ pub fn run(
     if command == OsStr::new("version") {
         return run_version(arguments, stdout, stderr);
     }
+    if command == OsStr::new("init") {
+        return run_init(arguments, stdout, stderr);
+    }
     if command == OsStr::new("check") {
         return run_check(arguments, stdout, stderr);
     }
@@ -270,7 +310,7 @@ pub fn run(
     unknown_command_error(
         "stack",
         &command,
-        &["check", "fmt", "render", "icons", "help", "version"],
+        &["init", "check", "fmt", "render", "icons", "help", "version"],
         "stack help",
         stderr,
     )
@@ -297,7 +337,9 @@ fn run_help(
         return run_icons_help(&mut arguments, stdout, stderr);
     }
 
-    let help = if command == OsStr::new("check") {
+    let help = if command == OsStr::new("init") {
+        INIT_HELP
+    } else if command == OsStr::new("check") {
         CHECK_HELP
     } else if command == OsStr::new("fmt") {
         FORMAT_HELP
@@ -311,7 +353,7 @@ fn run_help(
         return unknown_command_error(
             "stack help",
             &command,
-            &["check", "fmt", "render", "icons", "help", "version"],
+            &["init", "check", "fmt", "render", "icons", "help", "version"],
             "stack help",
             stderr,
         );
@@ -326,6 +368,141 @@ fn run_help(
     write_stdout(help, stdout, stderr)
 }
 
+fn run_init(
+    mut arguments: impl Iterator<Item = OsString>,
+    stdout: &mut dyn Write,
+    stderr: &mut dyn Write,
+) -> u8 {
+    let first = arguments.next();
+    if first
+        .as_ref()
+        .is_some_and(|argument| is_help_flag(argument))
+    {
+        if let Some(extra) = arguments.next() {
+            return argument_error(
+                &format!("unexpected argument '{}'", extra.to_string_lossy()),
+                stderr,
+            );
+        }
+        return write_stdout(INIT_HELP, stdout, stderr);
+    }
+
+    let mut template_id = None;
+    let mut destination = None;
+    let mut force = false;
+    let mut remaining = first.into_iter().chain(arguments);
+    while let Some(option) = remaining.next() {
+        if option == OsStr::new("--template") {
+            if template_id.is_some() {
+                return argument_error("duplicate '--template' option", stderr);
+            }
+            let Some(value) = remaining.next() else {
+                return argument_error("missing template ID after '--template'", stderr);
+            };
+            if value.to_string_lossy().starts_with('-') {
+                return argument_error("missing template ID after '--template'", stderr);
+            }
+            template_id = Some(value);
+        } else if option == OsStr::new("-o") || option == OsStr::new("--output") {
+            if destination.is_some() {
+                return argument_error("duplicate output option", stderr);
+            }
+            let Some(value) = remaining.next() else {
+                return argument_error("missing output file after output option", stderr);
+            };
+            if value.to_string_lossy().starts_with('-') {
+                return argument_error("missing output file after output option", stderr);
+            }
+            destination = Some(PathBuf::from(value));
+        } else if option == OsStr::new("--force") {
+            if force {
+                return argument_error("duplicate '--force' option", stderr);
+            }
+            force = true;
+        } else if option.to_string_lossy().starts_with('-') {
+            return argument_error(
+                &format!("unknown option '{}'", option.to_string_lossy()),
+                stderr,
+            );
+        } else {
+            return argument_error(
+                &format!("unexpected argument '{}'", option.to_string_lossy()),
+                stderr,
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
+    let template_id = template_id.unwrap_or_else(|| OsString::from(templates::DEFAULT_ID));
+    let Some(template) = templates::find(&template_id) else {
+        let rendered_id = template_id.to_string_lossy();
+        let available = templates::ALL
+            .iter()
+            .map(|template| template.id)
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+            .join(", ");
+        return argument_error(
+            &format!("unknown template '{rendered_id}'; available templates: {available}"),
+            stderr,
+        );
+    };
+    let destination = destination.unwrap_or_else(|| PathBuf::from("diagram.stack"));
+    initialize_file(&destination, force, stdout, stderr, template)
+}
+
+fn initialize_file(
+    destination: &Path,
+    force: bool,
+    stdout: &mut dyn Write,
+    stderr: &mut dyn Write,
+    template: templates::Template,
+) -> u8 {
+    let result = if force {
+        atomic_write_output(destination, template.source)
+    } else {
+        create_new_file(destination, template.source)
+    };
+    if let Err(error) = result {
+        if !force && error.kind() == io::ErrorKind::AlreadyExists {
+            return write_stderr_error(
+                &format!(
+                    "cannot create '{}': already exists; pass '--force' to replace it",
+                    destination.display()
+                ),
+                stderr,
+            );
+        }
+        return write_stderr_error(
+            &format!(
+                "cannot {} '{}': {}",
+                if force { "write" } else { "create" },
+                destination.display(),
+                stable_io_error(error.kind())
+            ),
+            stderr,
+        );
+    }
+
+    let mut message = format!(
+        "Created '{}' from template '{}'.\n\nNext:\n  stack check {}\n  stack render {} -o diagram.svg\n",
+        destination.display(),
+        template.id,
+        destination.display(),
+        destination.display()
+    );
+    if !template.providers.is_empty() {
+        let _ = writeln!(
+            message,
+            "\nProvider icons: {}",
+            template.providers.join(", ")
+        );
+        for provider in template.providers {
+            let _ = writeln!(message, "  stack icons import {provider} --accept-terms");
+        }
+        message.push_str("Without imported packs, render uses deterministic fallback icons.\n");
+    }
+    write_stdout(&message, stdout, stderr)
+}
+
 fn run_version(
     mut arguments: impl Iterator<Item = OsString>,
     stdout: &mut dyn Write,
@@ -1248,6 +1425,16 @@ fn atomic_replace(path: &Path, contents: &[u8]) -> io::Result<()> {
     atomic_write(path, contents, Some(permissions))
 }
 
+fn create_new_file(path: &Path, contents: &[u8]) -> io::Result<()> {
+    let mut file = OpenOptions::new().write(true).create_new(true).open(path)?;
+    if let Err(error) = file.write_all(contents).and_then(|()| file.sync_all()) {
+        drop(file);
+        let _ = fs::remove_file(path);
+        return Err(error);
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 fn atomic_write_output(path: &Path, contents: &[u8]) -> io::Result<()> {
     let permissions = match fs::metadata(path) {
         Ok(metadata) => Some(metadata.permissions()),
@@ -1522,6 +1709,49 @@ mod tests {
             vec![OsString::from("unknown")],
             vec![OsString::from("--help"), OsString::from("extra")],
             vec![OsString::from("--version"), OsString::from("extra")],
+            vec![
+                OsString::from("init"),
+                OsString::from("--help"),
+                OsString::from("extra"),
+            ],
+            vec![OsString::from("init"), OsString::from("--template")],
+            vec![
+                OsString::from("init"),
+                OsString::from("--template"),
+                OsString::from("--force"),
+            ],
+            vec![
+                OsString::from("init"),
+                OsString::from("--template"),
+                OsString::from("hello-stack"),
+                OsString::from("--template"),
+                OsString::from("application-and-data"),
+            ],
+            vec![OsString::from("init"), OsString::from("-o")],
+            vec![
+                OsString::from("init"),
+                OsString::from("--output"),
+                OsString::from("--force"),
+            ],
+            vec![
+                OsString::from("init"),
+                OsString::from("-o"),
+                OsString::from("one.stack"),
+                OsString::from("--output"),
+                OsString::from("two.stack"),
+            ],
+            vec![
+                OsString::from("init"),
+                OsString::from("--force"),
+                OsString::from("--force"),
+            ],
+            vec![OsString::from("init"), OsString::from("--unknown")],
+            vec![OsString::from("init"), OsString::from("unexpected")],
+            vec![
+                OsString::from("init"),
+                OsString::from("--template"),
+                OsString::from("unknown"),
+            ],
             vec![OsString::from("check")],
             vec![
                 OsString::from("check"),
diff --git a/src/templates.rs b/src/templates.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d68202c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/templates.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+//! Curated templates pinned to the public Stack specification corpus.
+
+use std::ffi::OsStr;
+
+pub(crate) const DEFAULT_ID: &str = "hello-stack";
+
+#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
+pub(crate) struct Template {
+    pub(crate) id: &'static str,
+    pub(crate) source: &'static [u8],
+    pub(crate) providers: &'static [&'static str],
+}
+
+pub(crate) const ALL: &[Template] = &[
+    Template {
+        id: "hello-stack",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/01-minimal.stack"),
+        providers: &[],
+    },
+    Template {
+        id: "application-and-data",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/02-node-semantics.stack"),
+        providers: &[],
+    },
+    Template {
+        id: "groups-and-layout",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/03-groups-and-layout.stack"),
+        providers: &[],
+    },
+    Template {
+        id: "commerce-platform",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/04-commerce-platform.stack"),
+        providers: &[],
+    },
+    Template {
+        id: "aws-serverless-checkout",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/05-aws-serverless.stack"),
+        providers: &["aws"],
+    },
+    Template {
+        id: "gcp-data-service",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/06-gcp-data-service.stack"),
+        providers: &["gcp"],
+    },
+    Template {
+        id: "azure-event-platform",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/07-azure-event-platform.stack"),
+        providers: &["azure"],
+    },
+    Template {
+        id: "github-delivery-workflow",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/08-github-delivery.stack"),
+        providers: &["simple-icons"],
+    },
+    Template {
+        id: "mixed-provider-platform",
+        source: include_bytes!("../templates/sources/09-mixed-provider-platform.stack"),
+        providers: &["aws", "gcp", "azure", "simple-icons"],
+    },
+];
+
+pub(crate) fn find(id: &OsStr) -> Option<Template> {
+    ALL.iter()
+        .copied()
+        .find(|template| id == OsStr::new(template.id))
+}
diff --git a/templates/catalog.json b/templates/catalog.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..095e3bc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/catalog.json
@@ -0,0 +1,245 @@
+{
+  "$schema": "../schemas/example-catalog.schema.json",
+  "schemaVersion": "1.0",
+  "languageVersion": "1.0",
+  "examples": [
+    {
+      "id": "hello-stack",
+      "title": "Hello Stack",
+      "summary": "Start with two nodes and one directed edge.",
+      "learningStage": "starter",
+      "providers": [],
+      "features": ["directed-edges"],
+      "source": "01-minimal.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "A web app points to an API in one compact row.",
+        "nodes": 2,
+        "groups": 0,
+        "edges": 1
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "A minimal diagram with Web app connected to API"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "application-and-data",
+      "title": "Application and data",
+      "summary": "Add semantic node kinds, icons, details, an edge label, and a light theme.",
+      "learningStage": "starter",
+      "providers": [],
+      "features": [
+        "themes",
+        "node-kinds",
+        "node-details",
+        "edge-labels",
+        "edge-kinds",
+        "directed-edges"
+      ],
+      "source": "02-node-semantics.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "An application sends SQL data to a PostgreSQL database.",
+        "nodes": 2,
+        "groups": 0,
+        "edges": 1
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "Application and Primary database nodes connected by a SQL edge"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "groups-and-layout",
+      "title": "Groups and layout",
+      "summary": "Organize clients and platform services with explicit direction, rank, and order hints.",
+      "learningStage": "intermediate",
+      "providers": [],
+      "features": [
+        "node-kinds",
+        "groups",
+        "layout-direction",
+        "rank-constraints",
+        "order-constraints",
+        "edge-labels",
+        "edge-kinds",
+        "directed-edges"
+      ],
+      "source": "03-groups-and-layout.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "Browser and mobile clients converge on a gateway before the API and database.",
+        "nodes": 5,
+        "groups": 2,
+        "edges": 4
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "Client and Platform groups connected through an Edge gateway"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "commerce-platform",
+      "title": "Commerce platform",
+      "summary": "Model a production-like commerce system with nested responsibilities and asynchronous processing.",
+      "learningStage": "advanced",
+      "providers": [],
+      "features": [
+        "node-kinds",
+        "node-details",
+        "groups",
+        "layout-direction",
+        "rank-constraints",
+        "order-constraints",
+        "edge-labels",
+        "edge-kinds",
+        "directed-edges"
+      ],
+      "source": "04-commerce-platform.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "Storefront, commerce, processing, data, and partner groups show a full order flow.",
+        "nodes": 13,
+        "groups": 5,
+        "edges": 12
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "A production commerce architecture from customer through storefront, services, data, and partners"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "aws-serverless-checkout",
+      "title": "AWS serverless checkout",
+      "summary": "Follow a checkout request through AWS edge, serverless compute, events, and storage services.",
+      "learningStage": "intermediate",
+      "providers": ["aws"],
+      "features": [
+        "themes",
+        "node-kinds",
+        "groups",
+        "layout-direction",
+        "edge-labels",
+        "edge-kinds",
+        "directed-edges",
+        "provider-icons"
+      ],
+      "source": "05-aws-serverless.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "AWS edge and Lambda services emit an order event before persisting receipts.",
+        "nodes": 8,
+        "groups": 3,
+        "edges": 7
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "AWS checkout architecture with Edge, Serverless compute, and Data groups"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "gcp-data-service",
+      "title": "GCP data service",
+      "summary": "Connect Cloud Run to transactional, object, and analytical data stores.",
+      "learningStage": "intermediate",
+      "providers": ["gcp"],
+      "features": [
+        "themes",
+        "node-kinds",
+        "groups",
+        "layout-direction",
+        "edge-labels",
+        "edge-kinds",
+        "directed-edges",
+        "provider-icons"
+      ],
+      "source": "06-gcp-data-service.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "A Cloud Run API serves a web client and feeds Cloud SQL, Cloud Storage, and BigQuery.",
+        "nodes": 6,
+        "groups": 2,
+        "edges": 5
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "GCP application and analytics groups connected to a web client"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "azure-event-platform",
+      "title": "Azure event platform",
+      "summary": "Trace asynchronous work from Azure delivery services through functions, Service Bus, and data stores.",
+      "learningStage": "intermediate",
+      "providers": ["azure"],
+      "features": [
+        "themes",
+        "node-kinds",
+        "groups",
+        "layout-direction",
+        "edge-labels",
+        "edge-kinds",
+        "directed-edges",
+        "provider-icons"
+      ],
+      "source": "07-azure-event-platform.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "Front Door and App Service hand work to functions and Service Bus before storage.",
+        "nodes": 8,
+        "groups": 3,
+        "edges": 7
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "Azure delivery, event processing, and data groups in a left-to-right flow"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "github-delivery-workflow",
+      "title": "GitHub delivery workflow",
+      "summary": "Describe a SaaS delivery path from source control and CI to hosting and error monitoring.",
+      "learningStage": "intermediate",
+      "providers": ["simple-icons"],
+      "features": [
+        "themes",
+        "node-kinds",
+        "groups",
+        "layout-direction",
+        "edge-labels",
+        "edge-kinds",
+        "directed-edges",
+        "provider-icons"
+      ],
+      "source": "08-github-delivery.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "A developer push triggers GitHub Actions, deployment, and error reporting.",
+        "nodes": 5,
+        "groups": 2,
+        "edges": 4
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "GitHub repository and Actions connected to Vercel and Sentry"
+      }
+    },
+    {
+      "id": "mixed-provider-platform",
+      "title": "Mixed-provider platform",
+      "summary": "Combine AWS, GCP, Azure, and SaaS services while preserving semantic kinds and portable flow.",
+      "learningStage": "advanced",
+      "providers": ["aws", "gcp", "azure", "simple-icons"],
+      "features": [
+        "themes",
+        "node-kinds",
+        "groups",
+        "nested-groups",
+        "layout-direction",
+        "rank-constraints",
+        "order-constraints",
+        "edge-labels",
+        "edge-kinds",
+        "directed-edges",
+        "bidirectional-edges",
+        "association-edges",
+        "provider-icons"
+      ],
+      "source": "09-mixed-provider-platform.stack",
+      "expected": {
+        "description": "A web client crosses provider boundaries for API, processing, events, data, and monitoring.",
+        "nodes": 7,
+        "groups": 4,
+        "edges": 6
+      },
+      "thumbnail": {
+        "alt": "A mixed-provider platform spanning Vercel, GCP, AWS, Azure, PostgreSQL, and Sentry"
+      }
+    }
+  ]
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/01-minimal.stack b/templates/sources/01-minimal.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6a1b623
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/01-minimal.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "Hello Stack" {
+  node web "Web app"
+  node api "API"
+  edge web -> api
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/02-node-semantics.stack b/templates/sources/02-node-semantics.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..27b521b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/02-node-semantics.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "Application and datastore" {
+  theme light
+
+  node app "Application" {
+    kind service
+    icon "server"
+    detail "Business logic"
+  }
+
+  node db "Primary database" {
+    kind database
+    icon "kind-database"
+    detail "PostgreSQL"
+  }
+
+  edge app -> db "SQL" {
+    kind data
+  }
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/03-groups-and-layout.stack b/templates/sources/03-groups-and-layout.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6e8c2f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/03-groups-and-layout.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "Public application" {
+  layout {
+    direction right
+  }
+
+  group clients "Clients" {
+    layout {
+      direction down
+      rank same [browser, mobile]
+      order [browser, mobile]
+    }
+
+    node browser "Browser" {
+      kind client
+      icon "web"
+    }
+
+    node mobile "Mobile app" {
+      kind client
+      icon "mobile"
+    }
+  }
+
+  node gateway "Edge gateway" {
+    icon "gateway"
+  }
+
+  group platform "Platform" {
+    node api "Application API"
+    node db "Primary database" {
+      kind database
+    }
+  }
+
+  edge browser -> gateway "HTTPS" {
+    kind request
+  }
+
+  edge mobile -> gateway "HTTPS" {
+    kind request
+  }
+
+  edge gateway -> api "HTTPS" {
+    kind request
+  }
+
+  edge api -> db "SQL" {
+    kind data
+  }
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/04-commerce-platform.stack b/templates/sources/04-commerce-platform.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..61b303a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/04-commerce-platform.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,127 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "Commerce platform" {
+  layout {
+    direction right
+  }
+
+  node customer "Customer" {
+    kind actor
+  }
+
+  group storefront "Storefront" {
+    node web "Web storefront" {
+      kind client
+      icon "web"
+      detail "Next.js"
+    }
+
+    node gateway "Edge gateway" {
+      icon "gateway"
+    }
+  }
+
+  group commerce "Commerce services" {
+    layout {
+      direction down
+      rank same [catalog, checkout]
+      order [catalog, checkout]
+    }
+
+    node catalog "Catalog API" {
+      detail "Products and pricing"
+    }
+
+    node checkout "Checkout API" {
+      detail "Order orchestration"
+    }
+  }
+
+  group asynchronous "Asynchronous processing" {
+    node events "Event bus" {
+      kind queue
+    }
+
+    node fulfillment "Fulfillment worker" {
+      kind worker
+    }
+
+    node notifications "Notification worker" {
+      kind worker
+    }
+  }
+
+  group data "Data" {
+    node products "Product database" {
+      kind database
+      icon "kind-database"
+    }
+
+    node orders "Order database" {
+      kind database
+      icon "kind-database"
+    }
+
+    node assets "Product media" {
+      kind storage
+    }
+  }
+
+  group partners "External systems" {
+    node payment "Payment provider" {
+      kind external
+    }
+
+    node email "Email provider" {
+      kind external
+    }
+  }
+
+  edge customer -> web "Browse and buy" {
+    kind request
+  }
+
+  edge web -> gateway "HTTPS" {
+    kind request
+  }
+
+  edge gateway -> catalog "Catalog requests" {
+    kind request
+  }
+
+  edge gateway -> checkout "Checkout requests" {
+    kind request
+  }
+
+  edge catalog -> products "SQL" {
+    kind data
+  }
+
+  edge catalog -> assets "Media URLs" {
+    kind data
+  }
+
+  edge checkout -> orders "Transactions" {
+    kind data
+  }
+
+  edge checkout -> payment "Payment API" {
+    kind request
+  }
+
+  edge checkout -> events "OrderPlaced" {
+    kind event
+  }
+
+  edge events -> fulfillment "OrderPlaced" {
+    kind event
+  }
+
+  edge events -> notifications "OrderPlaced" {
+    kind event
+  }
+
+  edge notifications -> email "Send receipt" {
+    kind request
+  }
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/05-aws-serverless.stack b/templates/sources/05-aws-serverless.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..81e8371
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/05-aws-serverless.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "AWS serverless checkout" {
+  theme light
+
+  layout {
+    direction right
+  }
+
+  node customer "Customer" {
+    kind actor
+  }
+
+  group edge "Edge" {
+    node cdn "CloudFront" {
+      kind service
+      icon "aws:amazon-cloudfront"
+    }
+
+    node gateway "API Gateway" {
+      kind service
+      icon "aws:amazon-api-gateway"
+    }
+  }
+
+  group compute "Serverless compute" {
+    node checkout "Checkout" {
+      kind function
+      icon "aws:lambda"
+    }
+
+    node events "Order events" {
+      kind queue
+      icon "aws:amazon-eventbridge"
+    }
+
+    node fulfillment "Fulfillment" {
+      kind worker
+      icon "aws:lambda"
+    }
+  }
+
+  group data "Data" {
+    node orders "Orders" {
+      kind database
+      icon "aws:dynamodb"
+    }
+
+    node receipts "Receipts" {
+      kind storage
+      icon "aws:s3"
+    }
+  }
+
+  edge customer -> cdn "HTTPS" {
+    kind request
+  }
+  edge cdn -> gateway "API request" {
+    kind request
+  }
+  edge gateway -> checkout "Invoke" {
+    kind request
+  }
+  edge checkout -> orders "Write order" {
+    kind data
+  }
+  edge checkout -> events "OrderPlaced" {
+    kind event
+  }
+  edge events -> fulfillment "Dispatch" {
+    kind event
+  }
+  edge fulfillment -> receipts "Archive" {
+    kind data
+  }
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/06-gcp-data-service.stack b/templates/sources/06-gcp-data-service.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..cac7939
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/06-gcp-data-service.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "GCP data service" {
+  theme light
+
+  layout {
+    direction right
+  }
+
+  node client "Web client" {
+    kind client
+    icon "web"
+  }
+
+  group application "Application" {
+    node api "Cloud Run API" {
+      kind service
+      icon "gcp:cloud-run"
+    }
+
+    node database "Cloud SQL" {
+      kind database
+      icon "gcp:cloud-sql"
+    }
+
+    node objects "Cloud Storage" {
+      kind storage
+      icon "gcp:cloud-storage"
+    }
+  }
+
+  group analytics "Analytics" {
+    node warehouse "BigQuery" {
+      kind database
+      icon "gcp:bigquery"
+    }
+
+    node analyst "Analyst" {
+      kind actor
+    }
+  }
+
+  edge client -> api "HTTPS" {
+    kind request
+  }
+  edge api -> database "SQL" {
+    kind data
+  }
+  edge api -> objects "Uploads" {
+    kind data
+  }
+  edge api -> warehouse "Events" {
+    kind event
+  }
+  edge analyst -> warehouse "Queries" {
+    kind request
+  }
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/07-azure-event-platform.stack b/templates/sources/07-azure-event-platform.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..87b5941
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/07-azure-event-platform.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,76 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "Azure event platform" {
+  theme light
+
+  layout {
+    direction right
+  }
+
+  node customer "Customer" {
+    kind actor
+  }
+
+  group delivery "Delivery" {
+    node frontdoor "Front Door" {
+      kind service
+      icon "azure:front-door-and-cdn-profiles"
+    }
+
+    node app "App Service" {
+      kind service
+      icon "azure:app-service"
+    }
+  }
+
+  group processing "Event processing" {
+    node ingest "Ingest function" {
+      kind function
+      icon "azure:function-apps"
+    }
+
+    node bus "Service Bus" {
+      kind queue
+      icon "azure:azure-service-bus"
+    }
+
+    node worker "Background function" {
+      kind worker
+      icon "azure:function-apps"
+    }
+  }
+
+  group data "Data" {
+    node database "Cosmos DB" {
+      kind database
+      icon "azure:azure-cosmos-db"
+    }
+
+    node archive "Storage account" {
+      kind storage
+      icon "azure:storage-accounts"
+    }
+  }
+
+  edge customer -> frontdoor "HTTPS" {
+    kind request
+  }
+  edge frontdoor -> app "Route" {
+    kind request
+  }
+  edge app -> ingest "Submit" {
+    kind request
+  }
+  edge ingest -> bus "Work item" {
+    kind event
+  }
+  edge bus -> worker "Dispatch" {
+    kind event
+  }
+  edge worker -> database "Persist" {
+    kind data
+  }
+  edge worker -> archive "Archive" {
+    kind data
+  }
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/08-github-delivery.stack b/templates/sources/08-github-delivery.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f24bbd9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/08-github-delivery.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "GitHub delivery workflow" {
+  theme dark
+
+  layout {
+    direction right
+  }
+
+  node developer "Developer" {
+    kind actor
+  }
+
+  group source "Source" {
+    node github "GitHub repository" {
+      kind service
+      icon "simple-icons:github"
+    }
+
+    node actions "GitHub Actions" {
+      kind worker
+      icon "simple-icons:githubactions"
+    }
+  }
+
+  group delivery "Delivery" {
+    node web "Vercel" {
+      kind external
+      icon "simple-icons:vercel"
+    }
+
+    node errors "Sentry" {
+      kind external
+      icon "simple-icons:sentry"
+    }
+  }
+
+  edge developer -> github "Push" {
+    kind data
+  }
+  edge github -> actions "Workflow" {
+    kind event
+  }
+  edge actions -> web "Deploy" {
+    kind dependency
+  }
+  edge web -> errors "Report errors" {
+    kind event
+  }
+}
diff --git a/templates/sources/09-mixed-provider-platform.stack b/templates/sources/09-mixed-provider-platform.stack
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6f464c9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/templates/sources/09-mixed-provider-platform.stack
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+stack 1.0
+
+diagram "Mixed-provider platform" {
+  theme light
+
+  layout {
+    direction right
+  }
+
+  node customer "Customer" {
+    kind actor
+  }
+
+  group platform "Platform" {
+    layout {
+      direction down
+    }
+
+    group experience "Experience" {
+      node web "Web application" {
+        kind client
+        icon "simple-icons:vercel"
+      }
+
+      node api "Public API" {
+        kind service
+        icon "gcp:cloud-run"
+      }
+    }
+
+    group processing "Processing" {
+      layout {
+        direction down
+        rank same [checkout, events]
+        order [checkout, events]
+      }
+
+      node checkout "Checkout" {
+        kind function
+        icon "aws:lambda"
+      }
+
+      node events "Order events" {
+        kind queue
+        icon "azure:azure-service-bus"
+      }
+    }
+
+    group operations "Operations" {
+      node database "Orders" {
+        kind database
+        icon "simple-icons:postgresql"
+      }
+
+      node monitoring "Error monitoring" {
+        kind external
+        icon "simple-icons:sentry"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+
+  edge customer -> web "HTTPS" {
+    kind request
+  }
+  edge web <-> api "Live checkout" {
+    kind flow
+  }
+  edge api -> checkout "Invoke" {
+    kind dependency
+  }
+  edge checkout -> events "OrderPlaced" {
+    kind event
+  }
+  edge checkout -> database "Transaction" {
+    kind data
+  }
+  edge api -- monitoring "Telemetry" {
+    kind data
+  }
+}
diff --git a/tests/cli.rs b/tests/cli.rs
index 88b164b..d8602e1 100644
--- a/tests/cli.rs
+++ b/tests/cli.rs
@@ -47,6 +47,17 @@ fn stack(arguments: impl IntoIterator<Item = impl AsRef<OsStr>>) -> Result<Outpu
         .output()?)
 }
 
+fn stack_in(
+    directory: &Path,
+    arguments: impl IntoIterator<Item = impl AsRef<OsStr>>,
+) -> Result<Output, Box<dyn Error>> {
+    Ok(Command::new(env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_stack"))
+        .args(arguments)
+        .current_dir(directory)
+        .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", directory.join(".config"))
+        .output()?)
+}
+
 fn stack_with_input(
     arguments: impl IntoIterator<Item = impl AsRef<OsStr>>,
     input: &[u8],
@@ -158,6 +169,11 @@ fn help_snapshots_and_aliases_are_stdout_only() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
         (&["--help"], include_bytes!("snapshots/help.txt")),
         (&["-h"], include_bytes!("snapshots/help.txt")),
         (&["help"], include_bytes!("snapshots/help.txt")),
+        (
+            &["init", "--help"],
+            include_bytes!("snapshots/init-help.txt"),
+        ),
+        (&["help", "init"], include_bytes!("snapshots/init-help.txt")),
         (
             &["check", "--help"],
             include_bytes!("snapshots/check-help.txt"),
@@ -241,6 +257,10 @@ fn help_snapshots_and_aliases_are_stdout_only() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
 #[test]
 fn command_typos_are_actionable_and_stderr_only() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
     let cases: &[(&[&str], &str)] = &[
+        (
+            &["inti"],
+            "error: unknown command 'inti'\n\nDid you mean 'init'?\n\nFor more information, try 'stack help'.\n",
+        ),
         (
             &["chekc"],
             "error: unknown command 'chekc'\n\nDid you mean 'check'?\n\nFor more information, try 'stack help'.\n",
@@ -305,6 +325,119 @@ fn provider_catalog_commands_are_available_from_the_binary() -> Result<(), Box<d
     Ok(())
 }
 
+#[test]
+fn init_creates_a_valid_renderable_default_project() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
+    let directory = TestDirectory::new("init-default")?;
+    let initialized = stack_in(&directory.path, ["init"])?;
+    let source_path = directory.path.join("diagram.stack");
+
+    assert_eq!(initialized.status.code(), Some(0));
+    assert!(initialized.stderr.is_empty());
+    assert!(String::from_utf8(initialized.stdout)?.contains("template 'hello-stack'"));
+    assert_eq!(
+        fs::read(&source_path)?,
+        include_bytes!("../templates/sources/01-minimal.stack")
+    );
+
+    let checked = stack_in(&directory.path, ["check", "diagram.stack"])?;
+    assert_eq!(checked.status.code(), Some(0));
+    assert!(checked.stdout.is_empty());
+    assert!(checked.stderr.is_empty());
+
+    let rendered = stack_in(
+        &directory.path,
+        ["render", "diagram.stack", "-o", "diagram.svg"],
+    )?;
+    assert_eq!(rendered.status.code(), Some(0));
+    assert!(rendered.stdout.is_empty());
+    assert!(rendered.stderr.is_empty());
+    assert!(fs::read_to_string(directory.path.join("diagram.svg"))?.contains("<svg"));
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn init_selects_templates_protects_files_and_explains_provider_icons() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>>
+{
+    let directory = TestDirectory::new("init-options")?;
+    let source_path = directory.path.join("architecture.stack");
+    let initialized = stack_in(
+        &directory.path,
+        [
+            "init",
+            "--template",
+            "aws-serverless-checkout",
+            "--output",
+            "architecture.stack",
+        ],
+    )?;
+
+    assert_eq!(initialized.status.code(), Some(0));
+    assert!(initialized.stderr.is_empty());
+    let output = String::from_utf8(initialized.stdout)?;
+    assert!(output.contains("Provider icons: aws"));
+    assert!(output.contains("stack icons import aws --accept-terms"));
+    assert_eq!(
+        fs::read(&source_path)?,
+        include_bytes!("../templates/sources/05-aws-serverless.stack")
+    );
+
+    let protected = stack_in(
+        &directory.path,
+        [
+            "init",
+            "--template",
+            "application-and-data",
+            "-o",
+            "architecture.stack",
+        ],
+    )?;
+    assert_eq!(protected.status.code(), Some(2));
+    assert!(protected.stdout.is_empty());
+    assert!(String::from_utf8(protected.stderr)?.contains("pass '--force'"));
+    assert_eq!(
+        fs::read(&source_path)?,
+        include_bytes!("../templates/sources/05-aws-serverless.stack")
+    );
+
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+        fs::set_permissions(&source_path, fs::Permissions::from_mode(0o640))?;
+    }
+    let replaced = stack_in(
+        &directory.path,
+        [
+            "init",
+            "--template",
+            "application-and-data",
+            "-o",
+            "architecture.stack",
+            "--force",
+        ],
+    )?;
+    assert_eq!(replaced.status.code(), Some(0));
+    assert!(replaced.stderr.is_empty());
+    assert_eq!(
+        fs::read(&source_path)?,
+        include_bytes!("../templates/sources/02-node-semantics.stack")
+    );
+    #[cfg(unix)]
+    {
+        use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+        assert_eq!(
+            fs::metadata(&source_path)?.permissions().mode() & 0o777,
+            0o640
+        );
+    }
+
+    let missing_parent = stack_in(&directory.path, ["init", "-o", "missing/diagram.stack"])?;
+    assert_eq!(missing_parent.status.code(), Some(2));
+    assert!(missing_parent.stdout.is_empty());
+    assert!(String::from_utf8(missing_parent.stderr)?.contains("file not found"));
+    assert!(!directory.path.join("missing").exists());
+    Ok(())
+}
+
 #[test]
 fn format_replaces_only_changed_files_and_is_idempotent() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
     let directory = TestDirectory::new("format-in-place")?;
diff --git a/tests/snapshots/help-help.txt b/tests/snapshots/help-help.txt
index 7fc68f3..19088a8 100644
--- a/tests/snapshots/help-help.txt
+++ b/tests/snapshots/help-help.txt
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ Usage:
   stack help icons <COMMAND>
 
 Arguments:
-  <COMMAND>  check, fmt, render, icons, help, or version
+  <COMMAND>  init, check, fmt, render, icons, help, or version
 
 Examples:
   stack help
diff --git a/tests/snapshots/help.txt b/tests/snapshots/help.txt
index 7c41c6a..a1de9f7 100644
--- a/tests/snapshots/help.txt
+++ b/tests/snapshots/help.txt
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ Usage:
   stack help [COMMAND]
 
 Commands:
+  init       Create a Stack file from a versioned starter template
   check      Validate a Stack source file without modifying it
   fmt        Format a file in place or read from standard input
   render     Render standalone SVG to standard output or a file
@@ -17,6 +18,8 @@ Options:
   -v, -V, --version   Print version
 
 Examples:
+  stack init
+  stack init --template application-and-data -o architecture.stack
   stack check arch.stack
   stack fmt --check arch.stack
   stack render arch.stack -o arch.svg
diff --git a/tests/snapshots/init-help.txt b/tests/snapshots/init-help.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..043106d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/snapshots/init-help.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+Create a Stack file from a versioned starter template
+
+Usage:
+  stack init [--template <TEMPLATE>] [-o <FILE>] [--force]
+
+Options:
+  --template <TEMPLATE>  Select a curated template; defaults to hello-stack
+  -o, --output <FILE>    Write to this path; defaults to diagram.stack
+  --force                Replace an existing output file atomically
+  -h, --help             Print help
+
+Templates:
+  hello-stack                Smallest directed diagram using built-in icons
+  application-and-data       Application, database, details, and edge labels
+  groups-and-layout          Groups, ordering, rank, and layout direction
+  commerce-platform         Production-like built-in architecture
+  aws-serverless-checkout    AWS serverless architecture
+  gcp-data-service           Google Cloud data service
+  azure-event-platform       Azure event-driven platform
+  github-delivery-workflow   GitHub delivery workflow
+  mixed-provider-platform    AWS, GCP, Azure, and SaaS architecture
+
+Provider templates remain valid without imported icon packs and render with
+deterministic fallback icons. Use 'stack icons import <PROVIDER> --accept-terms'
+before rendering when branded icons are required.
+
+Examples:
+  stack init
+  stack init --template groups-and-layout
+  stack init --template aws-serverless-checkout -o checkout.stack
+  stack init --force
diff --git a/tests/specification-revision b/tests/specification-revision
index 25d3046..14247d8 100644
--- a/tests/specification-revision
+++ b/tests/specification-revision
@@ -1 +1 @@
-80df39151df67eedb4cfcb2de9f964129cd87466
+8e5477c67389afbbf53b7e41bc017bdb4d682f66
diff --git a/tests/template_conformance.rs b/tests/template_conformance.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f037275
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/template_conformance.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,164 @@
+use std::env;
+use std::error::Error;
+use std::ffi::OsStr;
+use std::fs;
+use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use std::process::{Command, Output};
+use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicU64, Ordering};
+
+use serde::Deserialize;
+
+static CASE_ID: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
+
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+struct Catalog {
+    examples: Vec<Example>,
+}
+
+#[derive(Deserialize)]
+struct Example {
+    id: String,
+    providers: Vec<String>,
+    source: String,
+}
+
+struct TestDirectory {
+    path: PathBuf,
+}
+
+impl TestDirectory {
+    fn new() -> Result<Self, Box<dyn Error>> {
+        let case_id = CASE_ID.fetch_add(1, Ordering::Relaxed);
+        let path = env::temp_dir().join(format!(
+            "stack-cli-template-conformance-{}-{case_id}",
+            std::process::id()
+        ));
+        fs::create_dir(&path)?;
+        Ok(Self { path })
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for TestDirectory {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        let _ = fs::remove_dir_all(&self.path);
+    }
+}
+
+#[test]
+fn curated_templates_match_the_pin_and_render() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
+    let repository_root = Path::new(env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"));
+    let catalog: Catalog =
+        serde_json::from_slice(&fs::read(repository_root.join("templates/catalog.json"))?)?;
+    let specification_root = specification_root()?;
+    let directory = TestDirectory::new()?;
+    assert_eq!(catalog.examples.len(), 9);
+
+    for example in catalog.examples {
+        let snapshot = repository_root
+            .join("templates/sources")
+            .join(&example.source);
+        let canonical = specification_root.join("examples").join(&example.source);
+        let expected = fs::read(&canonical)?;
+        assert_eq!(
+            fs::read(&snapshot)?,
+            expected,
+            "{} differs from {}",
+            snapshot.display(),
+            canonical.display()
+        );
+
+        let output_name = format!("{}.stack", example.id);
+        let initialized = stack_in(
+            &directory.path,
+            [
+                OsStr::new("init"),
+                OsStr::new("--template"),
+                OsStr::new(&example.id),
+                OsStr::new("-o"),
+                OsStr::new(&output_name),
+            ],
+        )?;
+        assert_eq!(
+            initialized.status.code(),
+            Some(0),
+            "template {}",
+            example.id
+        );
+        assert!(initialized.stderr.is_empty(), "template {}", example.id);
+        assert_eq!(fs::read(directory.path.join(&output_name))?, expected);
+        let stdout = String::from_utf8(initialized.stdout)?;
+        if example.providers.is_empty() {
+            assert!(
+                !stdout.contains("Provider icons:"),
+                "template {}",
+                example.id
+            );
+        } else {
+            assert!(
+                stdout.contains(&format!("Provider icons: {}", example.providers.join(", "))),
+                "template {}",
+                example.id
+            );
+        }
+        for provider in &example.providers {
+            assert!(
+                stdout.contains(&format!("stack icons import {provider} --accept-terms")),
+                "template {}",
+                example.id
+            );
+        }
+
+        let checked = stack_in(
+            &directory.path,
+            [OsStr::new("check"), OsStr::new(&output_name)],
+        )?;
+        assert_eq!(checked.status.code(), Some(0), "template {}", example.id);
+        assert!(checked.stdout.is_empty(), "template {}", example.id);
+        assert!(
+            !String::from_utf8(checked.stderr)?.contains(" error["),
+            "template {}",
+            example.id
+        );
+
+        let svg_name = format!("{}.svg", example.id);
+        let rendered = stack_in(
+            &directory.path,
+            [
+                OsStr::new("render"),
+                OsStr::new(&output_name),
+                OsStr::new("-o"),
+                OsStr::new(&svg_name),
+            ],
+        )?;
+        assert_eq!(rendered.status.code(), Some(0), "template {}", example.id);
+        assert!(rendered.stdout.is_empty(), "template {}", example.id);
+        assert!(
+            !String::from_utf8(rendered.stderr)?.contains(" error["),
+            "template {}",
+            example.id
+        );
+        assert!(fs::read_to_string(directory.path.join(svg_name))?.contains("<svg"));
+    }
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn stack_in(
+    directory: &Path,
+    arguments: impl IntoIterator<Item = impl AsRef<OsStr>>,
+) -> Result<Output, Box<dyn Error>> {
+    Ok(Command::new(env!("CARGO_BIN_EXE_stack"))
+        .args(arguments)
+        .current_dir(directory)
+        .env("XDG_CONFIG_HOME", directory.join(".config"))
+        .output()?)
+}
+
+fn specification_root() -> Result<PathBuf, Box<dyn Error>> {
+    let configured = env::var_os("STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR")
+        .ok_or("STACK_SPECIFICATION_DIR must point to stack-sh/specification")?;
+    let root = Path::new(&configured);
+    if !root.is_dir() {
+        return Err(format!("{} is not a directory", root.display()).into());
+    }
+    Ok(root.to_path_buf())
+}