Repository Renaming Impact Analysis: "ac-training-lab" to "ac-dev-lab"

[Copilot]

This PR provides a comprehensive analysis of the infrastructure impact and migration requirements for renaming the repository from "ac-training-lab" to "ac-dev-lab" (or similar alternatives) as part of the AC rebranding initiative.

Analysis Summary

Scope of Impact: 90+ files across the repository would require updates
Migration Complexity: Medium (2-4 hours internal changes + external coordination)
Risk Level: Low for internal changes, Medium for external dependencies

Key Findings

Files Requiring Updates

• Core Configuration: setup.cfg, pyproject.toml, environment.yml, Dockerfile
• Documentation: README.md, CONTRIBUTING.md, docs/, .readthedocs.yaml
• Source Code: Complete package directory rename src/ac_training_lab/ → src/ac_dev_lab/
• Scripts & Automation: Prefect deployments, CI/CD workflows, documentation generation
• 25+ Python files with import statements need updates

External Dependencies

• ReadTheDocs: Configuration update required (ac-training-lab.readthedocs.io)
• Course Materials: studyonline.ca references "Acceleration Consortium Training Lab Design Project"
• GitHub Badges: Shield.io badges need URL updates
• User Impact: Contributors need to update git remote URLs

Infrastructure Services

• GitHub Repository: Automatic redirects provided after rename
• Documentation: New subdomain required
• Package Distribution: PyPI considerations if published
• Container Images: Docker references need updates

Naming Recommendations

1. ac-dev-lab (Primary - inclusive of development activities)
2. ac-proto-lab (Prototyping focus)
3. ac-research-lab (Broader research scope)
4. ac-innovation-lab (Most inclusive)

Migration Strategy

5-phase approach with comprehensive checklist:

1. Preparation - External service coordination
2. Repository Changes - Internal file updates
3. Documentation Updates - ReadTheDocs reconfiguration
4. External Updates - Course materials and published references
5. Verification - Testing and validation

Risk Assessment

• ✅ Low Risk: Internal file updates, GitHub redirects, CI/CD adaptation
• ⚠️ Medium Risk: ReadTheDocs URL changes, user transition period
• ❌ High Risk: Course material dependencies, external integrations

Recommendation

PROCEED with repository rename to "ac-dev-lab" - the rebranding benefits outweigh the migration costs for long-term positioning and stakeholder alignment.

The analysis includes detailed file-by-file impact assessment, external service coordination requirements, and a comprehensive migration checklist to ensure smooth transition.

Fixes #415.

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[sgbaird]

@copilot this repo is also cloned in lots of different places (probably ~20 devices, at minimum). In terms of naming, note that there is also an "AI & Automation Lab" that tends to be more focused on research and less on direct deployment and an "Orchestration Team" which is mostly focused on workflow and data orchestration efforts. This one tends to be more hardware-focused as well as device integration, though there's overlap between all three.

[Copilot]

@copilot this repo is also cloned in lots of different places (probably ~20 devices, at minimum). In terms of naming, note that there is also an "AI & Automation Lab" that tends to be more focused on ...

Thanks for the additional context. I've updated the analysis to include:

1. Expanded scope: The 20+ device clones significantly increases the user impact and migration coordination needed
2. Organizational context: Given the three distinct teams (AI & Automation Lab, Orchestration Team, and this hardware/device integration focused lab), I've added new naming recommendations including "ac-hardware-lab" and "ac-device-lab" that better distinguish this repository's focus
3. Risk assessment update: The analysis now reflects higher coordination complexity due to the broader deployment scope

The analysis shows this is technically feasible but requires careful coordination, especially given the established academic course materials that reference "AC Training Lab" by name. See the complete analysis in REPOSITORY_RENAME_ANALYSIS.md (commit 2121cbf).

[sgbaird]

@copilot I renamed the repository to ac-dev-lab via GitHub settings. Please make changes throughout the codebase that need to be updated now.

[sgbaird]

@copilot also, hold off on renaming the package directory. Unfortunately, redirects for hardcoded links will no longer work in that case.

[sgbaird]

For the website, I think I'll leave it as ac-training-lab.readthedocs.io, but I might register a new domain name at https://ac.dev (seems to be available) and have that redirect to ac-training-lab.readthedocs.io. That way it will be really easy to link people to the website.

since the agent failed to start before, tagging @copilot again