fizzwhizWhy does it strictly require that a valid TF2 game folder be given? What if one just wants to generate a VPK for any reason?
Again, the app isn't generating a VPK. You can download the same VPK it uses from the releases. The app is just there to help you customize the modules for your TF2.
fizzwhizWhy is the program larger than 150 MB? Does it need to be this way?
Looking at the source code, it seems like the app is built with web technologies. Is this why yarn and npm are required?
Again, this app and the way it was made (Electron) both suit its purpose and will make even more sense long term. Also, though minor, the compression on the app can be increased to reduce the size a bit more.
fizzwhizWhy does the program require installation?
The program stores user data, so it would defeat the purpose of it being portable. I could write extra code to allow it to be more portable than just being a portable executable, but there are other priorities right now.
fizzwhizSure, but there seems to be only a single mastercomfig.vpk in the latest releases. It seems like all the presets are defined in a JSON file now? Are addons supported without using the app?
Presets are in the presets folder in the VPK and are controlled by the preset_ commands. Addons were not implemented in 6.8.0 and have not reached 7.0.0 yet.
fizzwhizThis does not address the point about the flashy UI. A friendly UI doesn't require design frills (unless it's only CSS in this case). And yes, I do appreciate the conveniences of the app and can see how it will greatly reduce tedious work on your part; I just take issue with the fact that the whole program is unnecessarily huge which I presume is due to the usage of custom fonts and probably runtimes for the app.
So what is your issue? The size? Or the UI? I just think these things you mention about size are definitely worth it if you consider it to be a tradeoff between ease of use and size.
fizzwhizNot a request, but what if this VPK generator were a web app instead which could be hosted online and be downloadable for offline use at the same time? What could be alternatives to the Python scripts?
Again, it doesn't generate a VPK, and it would be too complicated and very limited if it were implemented as a web app. I'm not sure why you want an alternative to the Python scripts, they're for developers only to generate config files for users for each release.
fizzwhizWill 6.8.0 be getting a final release?
No
fizzwhizwhat do the JSON files do?
Depends on what JSON file you mean, but they generally just describe the config data for use in generation by developers and for the UI.