fix(settings): preserve template settings file

tests/test_standalone_settings.py

@@ -26,6 +26,12 @@ def read_settings_file(path: Path) -> dict:
         return json.load(handle)
 
 
+def read_example_settings() -> dict:
+    example_path = Path(__file__).resolve().parents[1] / "settings.json.example"
+    with example_path.open('r', encoding='utf-8') as handle:
+        return json.load(handle)
+
+
 def test_missing_settings_creates_defaults_and_emits_warnings(tmp_path):
     manager = get_settings_manager()
     settings_path = Path(manager.settings_file)
@@ -52,6 +58,20 @@ def test_missing_settings_creates_defaults_and_emits_warnings(tmp_path):
     ]
 
 
+def test_template_settings_are_preserved_on_restart(tmp_path):
+    manager = get_settings_manager()
+    settings_path = Path(manager.settings_file)
+
+    example_payload = read_example_settings()
+    assert read_settings_file(settings_path) == example_payload
+
+    reset_settings_manager()
+
+    manager = get_settings_manager()
+    assert Path(manager.settings_file) == settings_path
+    assert read_settings_file(settings_path) == example_payload
+
+
 def test_invalid_settings_recovers_with_defaults(tmp_path):
     config_dir = Path(settings_paths.user_config_dir())
     config_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)