diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/MenuEntry.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/MenuEntry.tsx
index 89b714d7ff4..4fccdc77c60 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/MenuEntry.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/MenuEntry.tsx
@@ -46,6 +46,7 @@ const ACTION_TO_TEXT_ID: Readonly<Record<inputBindings.DashboardBindingKey, text
   newFolder: 'newFolderShortcut',
   newDataLink: 'newDataLinkShortcut',
   newSecret: 'newSecretShortcut',
+  useInNewProject: 'useInNewProjectShortcut',
   closeModal: 'closeModalShortcut',
   cancelEditName: 'cancelEditNameShortcut',
   signIn: 'signInShortcut',
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/AssetRow.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/AssetRow.tsx
index be34123b16e..31ae6c1bc4a 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/AssetRow.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/AssetRow.tsx
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@ import * as backendModule from '#/services/Backend'
 import * as localBackend from '#/services/LocalBackend'
 import * as projectManager from '#/services/ProjectManager'
 
+import type * as assetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 import AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 import * as dateTime from '#/utilities/dateTime'
 import * as download from '#/utilities/download'
@@ -61,8 +62,8 @@ const DRAG_EXPAND_DELAY_MS = 500
 /** Common properties for state and setters passed to event handlers on an {@link AssetRow}. */
 export interface AssetRowInnerProps {
   readonly key: backendModule.AssetId
-  readonly item: AssetTreeNode
-  readonly setItem: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<AssetTreeNode>>
+  readonly item: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode
+  readonly setItem: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>>
   readonly state: assetsTable.AssetsTableState
   readonly rowState: assetsTable.AssetRowState
   readonly setRowState: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<assetsTable.AssetRowState>>
@@ -71,7 +72,7 @@ export interface AssetRowInnerProps {
 /** Props for an {@link AssetRow}. */
 export interface AssetRowProps
   extends Readonly<Omit<JSX.IntrinsicElements['tr'], 'onClick' | 'onContextMenu'>> {
-  readonly item: AssetTreeNode
+  readonly item: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode
   readonly state: assetsTable.AssetsTableState
   readonly hidden: boolean
   readonly columns: columnUtils.Column[]
@@ -189,7 +190,7 @@ export default function AssetRow(props: AssetRowProps) {
 
   const doMove = React.useCallback(
     async (
-      newParentKey: backendModule.AssetId | null,
+      newParentKey: backendModule.DirectoryId | null,
       newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId | null
     ) => {
       const rootDirectoryId = user?.rootDirectoryId ?? backendModule.DirectoryId('')
@@ -726,7 +727,7 @@ export default function AssetRow(props: AssetRowProps) {
                   unsetModal()
                   onClick(innerProps, event)
                   if (
-                    asset.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory &&
+                    item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory &&
                     eventModule.isDoubleClick(event) &&
                     !rowState.isEditingName
                   ) {
@@ -735,7 +736,7 @@ export default function AssetRow(props: AssetRowProps) {
                     window.setTimeout(() => {
                       setSelected(false)
                     })
-                    doToggleDirectoryExpansion(asset.id, item.key, asset.title)
+                    doToggleDirectoryExpansion(item.item.id, item.key, asset.title)
                   }
                 }}
                 onContextMenu={event => {
@@ -772,9 +773,9 @@ export default function AssetRow(props: AssetRowProps) {
                   if (dragOverTimeoutHandle.current != null) {
                     window.clearTimeout(dragOverTimeoutHandle.current)
                   }
-                  if (backendModule.assetIsDirectory(asset)) {
+                  if (item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory) {
                     dragOverTimeoutHandle.current = window.setTimeout(() => {
-                      doToggleDirectoryExpansion(asset.id, item.key, asset.title, true)
+                      doToggleDirectoryExpansion(item.item.id, item.key, asset.title, true)
                     }, DRAG_EXPAND_DELAY_MS)
                   }
                   // Required because `dragover` does not fire on `mouseenter`.
@@ -814,7 +815,7 @@ export default function AssetRow(props: AssetRowProps) {
                     props.onDrop?.(event)
                     clearDragState()
                     const [directoryKey, directoryId, directoryTitle] =
-                      item.item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory
+                      item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory
                         ? [item.key, item.item.id, asset.title]
                         : [item.directoryKey, item.directoryId, null]
                     const payload = drag.ASSET_ROWS.lookup(event)
@@ -841,10 +842,7 @@ export default function AssetRow(props: AssetRowProps) {
                       doToggleDirectoryExpansion(directoryId, directoryKey, directoryTitle, true)
                       dispatchAssetListEvent({
                         type: AssetListEventType.uploadFiles,
-                        // This is SAFE, as it is guarded by the condition above:
-                        // `item.item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory`
-                        // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
-                        parentKey: directoryKey as backendModule.DirectoryId,
+                        parentKey: directoryKey,
                         parentId: directoryId,
                         files: Array.from(event.dataTransfer.files),
                       })
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/DataLinkNameColumn.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/DataLinkNameColumn.tsx
index fe69e6b7aab..34e705cd225 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/DataLinkNameColumn.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/DataLinkNameColumn.tsx
@@ -39,11 +39,11 @@ export default function DataLinkNameColumn(props: DataLinkNameColumnProps) {
   const toastAndLog = toastAndLogHooks.useToastAndLog()
   const { backend } = backendProvider.useBackend()
   const inputBindings = inputBindingsProvider.useInputBindings()
-  const asset = item.item
-  if (asset.type !== backendModule.AssetType.dataLink) {
+  if (item.type !== backendModule.AssetType.dataLink) {
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
     throw new Error('`DataLinkNameColumn` can only display Data Links.')
   }
+  const asset = item.item
   const setAsset = setAssetHooks.useSetAsset(asset, setItem)
 
   const setIsEditing = (isEditingName: boolean) => {
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/DirectoryNameColumn.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/DirectoryNameColumn.tsx
index e80710ea4dc..626c71a91a4 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/DirectoryNameColumn.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/DirectoryNameColumn.tsx
@@ -45,11 +45,11 @@ export default function DirectoryNameColumn(props: DirectoryNameColumnProps) {
   const { backend } = backendProvider.useBackend()
   const { getText } = textProvider.useText()
   const inputBindings = inputBindingsProvider.useInputBindings()
-  const asset = item.item
-  if (asset.type !== backendModule.AssetType.directory) {
+  if (item.type !== backendModule.AssetType.directory) {
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
     throw new Error('`DirectoryNameColumn` can only display folders.')
   }
+  const asset = item.item
   const setAsset = setAssetHooks.useSetAsset(asset, setItem)
   const isCloud = backend.type === backendModule.BackendType.remote
 
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/FileNameColumn.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/FileNameColumn.tsx
index 178240fefda..601c51e10e7 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/FileNameColumn.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/FileNameColumn.tsx
@@ -39,11 +39,11 @@ export default function FileNameColumn(props: FileNameColumnProps) {
   const toastAndLog = toastAndLogHooks.useToastAndLog()
   const { backend } = backendProvider.useBackend()
   const inputBindings = inputBindingsProvider.useInputBindings()
-  const asset = item.item
-  if (asset.type !== backendModule.AssetType.file) {
+  if (item.type !== backendModule.AssetType.file) {
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
     throw new Error('`FileNameColumn` can only display files.')
   }
+  const asset = item.item
   const setAsset = setAssetHooks.useSetAsset(asset, setItem)
 
   const setIsEditing = (isEditingName: boolean) => {
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/ProjectNameColumn.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/ProjectNameColumn.tsx
index 2c67dfb0b8f..59e1a84f790 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/ProjectNameColumn.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/ProjectNameColumn.tsx
@@ -51,11 +51,11 @@ export default function ProjectNameColumn(props: ProjectNameColumnProps) {
   const { user } = authProvider.useNonPartialUserSession()
   const { getText } = textProvider.useText()
   const inputBindings = inputBindingsProvider.useInputBindings()
-  const asset = item.item
-  if (asset.type !== backendModule.AssetType.project) {
+  if (item.type !== backendModule.AssetType.project) {
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
     throw new Error('`ProjectNameColumn` can only display projects.')
   }
+  const asset = item.item
   const setAsset = setAssetHooks.useSetAsset(asset, setItem)
   const ownPermission =
     asset.permissions?.find(permission => permission.user.userId === user?.userId) ?? null
@@ -142,7 +142,8 @@ export default function ProjectNameColumn(props: ProjectNameColumnProps) {
               const createdProject = await backend.createProject({
                 parentDirectoryId: asset.parentId,
                 projectName: asset.title,
-                projectTemplateName: event.templateId,
+                ...(event.templateId == null ? {} : { projectTemplateName: event.templateId }),
+                ...(event.datalinkId == null ? {} : { datalinkId: event.datalinkId }),
               })
               rowState.setVisibility(Visibility.visible)
               setAsset(
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/SecretNameColumn.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/SecretNameColumn.tsx
index 1d83220f300..1fba4446470 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/SecretNameColumn.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/SecretNameColumn.tsx
@@ -44,11 +44,11 @@ export default function SecretNameColumn(props: SecretNameColumnProps) {
   const { setModal } = modalProvider.useSetModal()
   const { backend } = backendProvider.useBackend()
   const inputBindings = inputBindingsProvider.useInputBindings()
-  const asset = item.item
-  if (asset.type !== backendModule.AssetType.secret) {
+  if (item.type !== backendModule.AssetType.secret) {
     // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
     throw new Error('`SecretNameColumn` can only display secrets.')
   }
+  const asset = item.item
 
   const setIsEditing = (isEditingName: boolean) => {
     if (isEditable) {
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/column.ts b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/column.ts
index 0ed2d4c89de..b6c69f94a16 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/column.ts
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/components/dashboard/column.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ import SharedWithColumn from '#/components/dashboard/column/SharedWithColumn'
 
 import type * as backendModule from '#/services/Backend'
 
-import type AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
+import type * as assetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 
 // ===================
 // === AssetColumn ===
@@ -22,8 +22,8 @@ import type AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 /** Props for an arbitrary variant of {@link backendModule.Asset}. */
 export interface AssetColumnProps {
   readonly keyProp: backendModule.AssetId
-  readonly item: AssetTreeNode
-  readonly setItem: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<AssetTreeNode>>
+  readonly item: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode
+  readonly setItem: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>>
   readonly selected: boolean
   readonly setSelected: (selected: boolean) => void
   readonly isSoleSelected: boolean
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/configurations/inputBindings.ts b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/configurations/inputBindings.ts
index 83b8dd469d0..1351f945972 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/configurations/inputBindings.ts
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/configurations/inputBindings.ts
@@ -86,6 +86,11 @@ export const BINDINGS = inputBindings.defineBindings({
     bindings: !detect.isOnMacOS() ? ['Mod+Alt+Shift+N'] : ['Mod+Alt+Shift+N', 'Mod+Alt+Shift+~'],
     icon: AddConnectorIcon,
   },
+  useInNewProject: {
+    name: 'Use In New Project',
+    bindings: ['Mod+P'],
+    icon: AddNetworkIcon,
+  },
   signIn: { name: 'Login', bindings: [], icon: SignInIcon },
   signOut: { name: 'Logout', bindings: [], icon: SignOutIcon, color: 'rgb(243 24 10 / 0.87)' },
   // These should not appear in any menus.
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/events/assetEvent.ts b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/events/assetEvent.ts
index 24185ba8cc6..2324f145982 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/events/assetEvent.ts
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/events/assetEvent.ts
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ import type AssetEventType from '#/events/AssetEventType'
 
 import type * as spinner from '#/components/Spinner'
 
-import type * as backendModule from '#/services/Backend'
+import type * as backend from '#/services/Backend'
 
 // This is required, to whitelist this event.
 // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
@@ -61,93 +61,94 @@ type SanityCheck<
 
 /** A signal to create a project. */
 export interface AssetNewProjectEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.newProject> {
-  readonly placeholderId: backendModule.ProjectId
+  readonly placeholderId: backend.ProjectId
   readonly templateId: string | null
+  readonly datalinkId: backend.ConnectorId | null
   readonly onSpinnerStateChange: ((state: spinner.SpinnerState) => void) | null
 }
 
 /** A signal to create a directory. */
 export interface AssetNewFolderEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.newFolder> {
-  readonly placeholderId: backendModule.DirectoryId
+  readonly placeholderId: backend.DirectoryId
 }
 
 /** A signal to upload files. */
 export interface AssetUploadFilesEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.uploadFiles> {
-  readonly files: ReadonlyMap<backendModule.AssetId, File>
+  readonly files: ReadonlyMap<backend.AssetId, File>
 }
 
 /** A signal to update files with new versions. */
 export interface AssetUpdateFilesEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.updateFiles> {
-  readonly files: ReadonlyMap<backendModule.AssetId, File>
+  readonly files: ReadonlyMap<backend.AssetId, File>
 }
 
 /** A signal to create a Data Link. */
 export interface AssetNewDataLinkEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.newDataLink> {
-  readonly placeholderId: backendModule.ConnectorId
+  readonly placeholderId: backend.ConnectorId
   readonly value: unknown
 }
 
 /** A signal to create a secret. */
 export interface AssetNewSecretEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.newSecret> {
-  readonly placeholderId: backendModule.SecretId
+  readonly placeholderId: backend.SecretId
   readonly value: string
 }
 
 /** A signal to open the specified project. */
 export interface AssetOpenProjectEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.openProject> {
-  readonly id: backendModule.ProjectId
+  readonly id: backend.ProjectId
   readonly shouldAutomaticallySwitchPage: boolean
   readonly runInBackground: boolean
 }
 
 /** A signal to close the specified project. */
 export interface AssetCloseProjectEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.closeProject> {
-  readonly id: backendModule.ProjectId
+  readonly id: backend.ProjectId
 }
 
 /** A signal that multiple assets should be copied. `ids` are the `Id`s of the newly created
  * placeholder items. */
 export interface AssetCopyEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.copy> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
-  readonly newParentKey: backendModule.AssetId
-  readonly newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
+  readonly newParentKey: backend.AssetId
+  readonly newParentId: backend.DirectoryId
 }
 
 /** A signal to cut multiple assets. */
 export interface AssetCutEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.cut> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
 }
 
 /** A signal that a cut operation has been cancelled. */
 export interface AssetCancelCutEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.cancelCut> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
 }
 
 /** A signal to move multiple assets. */
 export interface AssetMoveEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.move> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
-  readonly newParentKey: backendModule.AssetId
-  readonly newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
+  readonly newParentKey: backend.DirectoryId
+  readonly newParentId: backend.DirectoryId
 }
 
 /** A signal to delete assets. */
 export interface AssetDeleteEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.delete> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
 }
 
 /** A signal to delete assets forever. */
 export interface AssetDeleteForeverEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.deleteForever> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
 }
 
 /** A signal to restore assets from trash. */
 export interface AssetRestoreEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.restore> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
 }
 
 /** A signal to download assets. */
 export interface AssetDownloadEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.download> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
 }
 
 /** A signal to download the currently selected assets. */
@@ -156,38 +157,38 @@ export interface AssetDownloadSelectedEvent
 
 /** A signal to remove the current user's permissions for an asset. */
 export interface AssetRemoveSelfEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.removeSelf> {
-  readonly id: backendModule.AssetId
+  readonly id: backend.AssetId
 }
 
 /** A signal to temporarily add labels to the selected assetss. */
 export interface AssetTemporarilyAddLabelsEvent
   extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.temporarilyAddLabels> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
-  readonly labelNames: ReadonlySet<backendModule.LabelName>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
+  readonly labelNames: ReadonlySet<backend.LabelName>
 }
 
 /** A signal to temporarily remove labels from the selected assetss. */
 export interface AssetTemporarilyRemoveLabelsEvent
   extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.temporarilyRemoveLabels> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
-  readonly labelNames: ReadonlySet<backendModule.LabelName>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
+  readonly labelNames: ReadonlySet<backend.LabelName>
 }
 
 /** A signal to add labels to the selected assetss. */
 export interface AssetAddLabelsEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.addLabels> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
-  readonly labelNames: ReadonlySet<backendModule.LabelName>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
+  readonly labelNames: ReadonlySet<backend.LabelName>
 }
 
 /** A signal to remove labels from the selected assetss. */
 export interface AssetRemoveLabelsEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.removeLabels> {
-  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
-  readonly labelNames: ReadonlySet<backendModule.LabelName>
+  readonly ids: ReadonlySet<backend.AssetId>
+  readonly labelNames: ReadonlySet<backend.LabelName>
 }
 
 /** A signal to remove a label from all assets. */
 export interface AssetDeleteLabelEvent extends AssetBaseEvent<AssetEventType.deleteLabel> {
-  readonly labelName: backendModule.LabelName
+  readonly labelName: backend.LabelName
 }
 
 /** Every possible type of asset event. */
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/events/assetListEvent.ts b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/events/assetListEvent.ts
index 4262121ff3f..54a3abfe3bc 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/events/assetListEvent.ts
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/events/assetListEvent.ts
@@ -62,7 +62,8 @@ interface AssetListNewProjectEvent extends AssetListBaseEvent<AssetListEventType
   readonly parentKey: backend.DirectoryId
   readonly parentId: backend.DirectoryId
   readonly templateId: string | null
-  readonly templateName: string | null
+  readonly datalinkId: backend.ConnectorId | null
+  readonly preferredName: string | null
   readonly onSpinnerStateChange: ((state: spinner.SpinnerState) => void) | null
 }
 
@@ -104,7 +105,7 @@ interface AssetListCloseFolderEvent extends AssetListBaseEvent<AssetListEventTyp
 
 /** A signal that files should be copied. */
 interface AssetListCopyEvent extends AssetListBaseEvent<AssetListEventType.copy> {
-  readonly newParentKey: backend.AssetId
+  readonly newParentKey: backend.DirectoryId
   readonly newParentId: backend.DirectoryId
   readonly items: backend.AnyAsset[]
 }
@@ -112,7 +113,7 @@ interface AssetListCopyEvent extends AssetListBaseEvent<AssetListEventType.copy>
 /** A signal that a file has been moved. */
 interface AssetListMoveEvent extends AssetListBaseEvent<AssetListEventType.move> {
   readonly key: backend.AssetId
-  readonly newParentKey: backend.AssetId
+  readonly newParentKey: backend.DirectoryId
   readonly newParentId: backend.DirectoryId
   readonly item: backend.AnyAsset
 }
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/hooks/setAssetHooks.ts b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/hooks/setAssetHooks.ts
index e0c6d7ef31e..9d1275a3a9f 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/hooks/setAssetHooks.ts
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/hooks/setAssetHooks.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import * as React from 'react'
 
 import type * as backend from '#/services/Backend'
 
+import type * as assetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 import AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 
 // ===================
@@ -17,7 +18,7 @@ import AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
  * has been done. */
 export function useSetAsset<T extends backend.AnyAsset>(
   _value: T,
-  setNode: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<AssetTreeNode>>
+  setNode: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>>
 ) {
   return React.useCallback(
     (valueOrUpdater: React.SetStateAction<T>) => {
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetContextMenu.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetContextMenu.tsx
index 47818855b14..94992931b84 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetContextMenu.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetContextMenu.tsx
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ export interface AssetContextMenuProps {
   readonly doCut: () => void
   readonly doTriggerDescriptionEdit: () => void
   readonly doPaste: (
-    newParentKey: backendModule.AssetId,
+    newParentKey: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId
   ) => void
 }
@@ -135,6 +135,24 @@ export default function AssetContextMenu(props: AssetContextMenuProps) {
   ) : (
     <ContextMenus hidden={hidden} key={asset.id} event={event}>
       <ContextMenu aria-label={getText('assetContextMenuLabel')} hidden={hidden}>
+        {asset.type === backendModule.AssetType.dataLink && (
+          <ContextMenuEntry
+            hidden={hidden}
+            action="useInNewProject"
+            doAction={() => {
+              unsetModal()
+              dispatchAssetListEvent({
+                type: AssetListEventType.newProject,
+                parentId: item.directoryId,
+                parentKey: item.directoryKey,
+                templateId: null,
+                datalinkId: asset.id,
+                preferredName: asset.title,
+                onSpinnerStateChange: null,
+              })
+            }}
+          />
+        )}
         {asset.type === backendModule.AssetType.project &&
           canExecute &&
           !isRunningProject &&
@@ -381,7 +399,7 @@ export default function AssetContextMenu(props: AssetContextMenuProps) {
             action="paste"
             doAction={() => {
               const [directoryKey, directoryId] =
-                item.item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory
+                item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory
                   ? [item.key, item.item.id]
                   : [item.directoryKey, item.directoryId]
               doPaste(directoryKey, directoryId)
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetPanel.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetPanel.tsx
index 06058b5267a..aa8ba1ec457 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetPanel.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetPanel.tsx
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ import * as backend from '#/services/Backend'
 
 import * as array from '#/utilities/array'
 import type AssetQuery from '#/utilities/AssetQuery'
-import type AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
+import type * as assetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 import LocalStorage from '#/utilities/LocalStorage'
 
 // =====================
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ LocalStorage.registerKey('assetPanelTab', {
 
 /** The subset of {@link AssetPanelProps} that are required to be supplied by the row. */
 export interface AssetPanelRequiredProps {
-  readonly item: AssetTreeNode | null
-  readonly setItem: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<AssetTreeNode>> | null
+  readonly item: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode | null
+  readonly setItem: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>> | null
 }
 
 /** Props for an {@link AssetPanel}. */
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetProperties.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetProperties.tsx
index 3452b12323d..630af21eb32 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetProperties.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetProperties.tsx
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ import UnstyledButton from '#/components/UnstyledButton'
 import * as backendModule from '#/services/Backend'
 
 import type AssetQuery from '#/utilities/AssetQuery'
-import type AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
+import type * as assetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 import * as object from '#/utilities/object'
 import * as permissions from '#/utilities/permissions'
 
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@ import * as permissions from '#/utilities/permissions'
 
 /** Props for an {@link AssetPropertiesProps}. */
 export interface AssetPropertiesProps {
-  readonly item: AssetTreeNode
-  readonly setItem: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<AssetTreeNode>>
+  readonly item: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode
+  readonly setItem: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>>
   readonly category: Category
   readonly labels: backendModule.Label[]
   readonly setQuery: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<AssetQuery>>
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ export default function AssetProperties(props: AssetPropertiesProps) {
     [dataLinkValue]
   )
   const setItem = React.useCallback(
-    (valueOrUpdater: React.SetStateAction<AssetTreeNode>) => {
+    (valueOrUpdater: React.SetStateAction<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>) => {
       setItemInner(valueOrUpdater)
       setItemRaw(valueOrUpdater)
     },
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetsTable.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetsTable.tsx
index d224a48f9f7..e753d3b11cb 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetsTable.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetsTable.tsx
@@ -49,6 +49,7 @@ import LocalBackend from '#/services/LocalBackend'
 import * as array from '#/utilities/array'
 import type * as assetQuery from '#/utilities/AssetQuery'
 import AssetQuery from '#/utilities/AssetQuery'
+import type * as assetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 import AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 import * as dateTime from '#/utilities/dateTime'
 import * as drag from '#/utilities/drag'
@@ -191,11 +192,11 @@ const SUGGESTIONS_FOR_NEGATIVE_TYPE: assetSearchBar.Suggestion[] = [
 /** Return a directory, with new children added into its list of children.
  * All children MUST have the same asset type. */
 function insertAssetTreeNodeChildren(
-  item: AssetTreeNode,
+  item: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode,
   children: backendModule.AnyAsset[],
-  directoryKey: backendModule.AssetId,
+  directoryKey: backendModule.DirectoryId,
   directoryId: backendModule.DirectoryId
-): AssetTreeNode {
+): assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode {
   const depth = item.depth + 1
   const typeOrder = children[0] != null ? backendModule.ASSET_TYPE_ORDER[children[0].type] : 0
   const nodes = (item.children ?? []).filter(
@@ -215,12 +216,12 @@ function insertAssetTreeNodeChildren(
 /** Return a directory, with new children added into its list of children.
  * The children MAY be of different asset types. */
 function insertArbitraryAssetTreeNodeChildren(
-  item: AssetTreeNode,
+  item: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode,
   children: backendModule.AnyAsset[],
-  directoryKey: backendModule.AssetId,
+  directoryKey: backendModule.DirectoryId,
   directoryId: backendModule.DirectoryId,
   getKey: ((asset: backendModule.AnyAsset) => backendModule.AssetId) | null = null
-): AssetTreeNode {
+): assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode {
   const depth = item.depth + 1
   const nodes = (item.children ?? []).filter(
     node => node.item.type !== backendModule.AssetType.specialEmpty
@@ -243,7 +244,13 @@ function insertArbitraryAssetTreeNodeChildren(
     if (firstChild) {
       const typeOrder = backendModule.ASSET_TYPE_ORDER[firstChild.type]
       const nodesToInsert = childrenOfSpecificType.map(asset =>
-        AssetTreeNode.fromAsset(asset, directoryKey, directoryId, depth, getKey)
+        AssetTreeNode.fromAsset(
+          asset,
+          directoryKey,
+          directoryId,
+          depth,
+          getKey?.(asset) ?? asset.id
+        )
       )
       newNodes = array.splicedBefore(
         newNodes,
@@ -300,12 +307,12 @@ export interface AssetsTableState {
   readonly setAssetPanelProps: (props: assetPanel.AssetPanelRequiredProps | null) => void
   readonly setIsAssetPanelTemporarilyVisible: (visible: boolean) => void
   readonly nodeMap: Readonly<
-    React.MutableRefObject<ReadonlyMap<backendModule.AssetId, AssetTreeNode>>
+    React.MutableRefObject<ReadonlyMap<backendModule.AssetId, assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>>
   >
   readonly hideColumn: (column: columnUtils.Column) => void
   readonly doToggleDirectoryExpansion: (
     directoryId: backendModule.DirectoryId,
-    key: backendModule.AssetId,
+    key: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     title?: string | null,
     override?: boolean
   ) => void
@@ -321,7 +328,7 @@ export interface AssetsTableState {
   readonly doCopy: () => void
   readonly doCut: () => void
   readonly doPaste: (
-    newParentKey: backendModule.AssetId,
+    newParentKey: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId
   ) => void
 }
@@ -356,7 +363,7 @@ export interface AssetsTableProps {
   readonly dispatchAssetEvent: (event: assetEvent.AssetEvent) => void
   readonly setAssetPanelProps: (props: assetPanel.AssetPanelRequiredProps | null) => void
   readonly setIsAssetPanelTemporarilyVisible: (visible: boolean) => void
-  readonly targetDirectoryNodeRef: React.MutableRefObject<AssetTreeNode<backendModule.DirectoryAsset> | null>
+  readonly targetDirectoryNodeRef: React.MutableRefObject<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode<backendModule.DirectoryAsset> | null>
   readonly doOpenEditor: (
     project: backendModule.ProjectAsset,
     setProject: React.Dispatch<React.SetStateAction<backendModule.ProjectAsset>>,
@@ -401,7 +408,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
     () => backend.rootDirectoryId(user) ?? backendModule.DirectoryId(''),
     [backend, user]
   )
-  const [assetTree, setAssetTree] = React.useState<AssetTreeNode>(() => {
+  const [assetTree, setAssetTree] = React.useState<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>(() => {
     const rootParentDirectoryId = backendModule.DirectoryId('')
     return AssetTreeNode.fromAsset(
       backendModule.createRootDirectoryAsset(rootDirectoryId),
@@ -415,19 +422,19 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
   const queuedAssetListEventsRef = React.useRef<assetListEvent.AssetListEvent[]>([])
   const rootRef = React.useRef<HTMLDivElement | null>(null)
   const headerRowRef = React.useRef<HTMLTableRowElement>(null)
-  const assetTreeRef = React.useRef<AssetTreeNode>(assetTree)
+  const assetTreeRef = React.useRef<assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>(assetTree)
   const pasteDataRef = React.useRef<pasteDataModule.PasteData<
     ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
   > | null>(null)
-  const nodeMapRef = React.useRef<ReadonlyMap<backendModule.AssetId, AssetTreeNode>>(
-    new Map<backendModule.AssetId, AssetTreeNode>()
-  )
+  const nodeMapRef = React.useRef<
+    ReadonlyMap<backendModule.AssetId, assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>
+  >(new Map<backendModule.AssetId, assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>())
   const filter = React.useMemo(() => {
     const globCache: Record<string, RegExp> = {}
     if (/^\s*$/.test(query.query)) {
       return null
     } else {
-      return (node: AssetTreeNode) => {
+      return (node: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode) => {
         if (
           node.item.type === backendModule.AssetType.specialEmpty ||
           node.item.type === backendModule.AssetType.specialLoading
@@ -538,7 +545,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
       return assetTree.preorderTraversal()
     } else {
       const multiplier = sortInfo.direction === sorting.SortDirection.ascending ? 1 : -1
-      let compare: (a: AssetTreeNode, b: AssetTreeNode) => number
+      let compare: (a: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode, b: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode) => number
       switch (sortInfo.field) {
         case columnUtils.Column.name: {
           compare = (a, b) => {
@@ -568,7 +575,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
   }, [assetTree, sortInfo])
   const visibilities = React.useMemo(() => {
     const map = new Map<backendModule.AssetId, Visibility>()
-    const processNode = (node: AssetTreeNode) => {
+    const processNode = (node: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode) => {
       let displayState = Visibility.hidden
       const visible = filter?.(node) ?? true
       for (const child of node.children ?? []) {
@@ -639,7 +646,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
 
   React.useEffect(() => {
     const nodeToSuggestion = (
-      node: AssetTreeNode,
+      node: assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode,
       key: assetQuery.AssetQueryKey = 'names'
     ): assetSearchBar.Suggestion => ({
       render: () => `${key === 'names' ? '' : '-:'}${node.item.title}`,
@@ -932,7 +939,6 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
         const rootParentDirectoryId = backendModule.DirectoryId('')
         const rootDirectory = backendModule.createRootDirectoryAsset(rootDirectoryId)
         const newRootNode = new AssetTreeNode(
-          rootDirectoryId,
           rootDirectory,
           rootParentDirectoryId,
           rootParentDirectoryId,
@@ -1058,7 +1064,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
   const doToggleDirectoryExpansion = React.useCallback(
     (
       directoryId: backendModule.DirectoryId,
-      key: backendModule.AssetId,
+      key: backendModule.DirectoryId,
       title?: string | null,
       override?: boolean
     ) => {
@@ -1203,7 +1209,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
             const keys = selectedKeysRef.current
             setSelectedKeys(set.withPresence(keys, item.key, !keys.has(item.key)))
           } else {
-            switch (item.item.type) {
+            switch (item.type) {
               case backendModule.AssetType.directory: {
                 event.preventDefault()
                 event.stopPropagation()
@@ -1254,7 +1260,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
           break
         }
         case 'ArrowLeft': {
-          if (item.item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory) {
+          if (item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory) {
             if (item.children != null) {
               // The folder is expanded; collapse it.
               event.preventDefault()
@@ -1280,7 +1286,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
           break
         }
         case 'ArrowRight': {
-          if (item.item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory && item.children == null) {
+          if (item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory && item.children == null) {
             // The folder is collapsed; expand it.
             event.preventDefault()
             event.stopPropagation()
@@ -1404,7 +1410,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
   const insertAssets = React.useCallback(
     (
       assets: backendModule.AnyAsset[],
-      parentKey: backendModule.AssetId | null,
+      parentKey: backendModule.DirectoryId | null,
       parentId: backendModule.DirectoryId | null
     ) => {
       const actualParentKey = parentKey ?? rootDirectoryId
@@ -1423,7 +1429,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
   const insertArbitraryAssets = React.useCallback(
     (
       assets: backendModule.AnyAsset[],
-      parentKey: backendModule.AssetId | null,
+      parentKey: backendModule.DirectoryId | null,
       parentId: backendModule.DirectoryId | null,
       getKey: ((asset: backendModule.AnyAsset) => backendModule.AssetId) | null = null
     ) => {
@@ -1479,7 +1485,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
         break
       }
       case AssetListEventType.newProject: {
-        const projectName = getNewProjectName(event.templateName, event.parentId)
+        const projectName = getNewProjectName(event.preferredName, event.parentId)
         const dummyId = backendModule.ProjectId(uniqueString.uniqueString())
         const path =
           backend instanceof LocalBackend ? backend.joinPath(event.parentId, projectName) : null
@@ -1507,6 +1513,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
           type: AssetEventType.newProject,
           placeholderId: dummyId,
           templateId: event.templateId,
+          datalinkId: event.datalinkId,
           onSpinnerStateChange: event.onSpinnerStateChange,
         })
         break
@@ -1798,7 +1805,7 @@ export default function AssetsTable(props: AssetsTableProps) {
   ])
 
   const doPaste = React.useCallback(
-    (newParentKey: backendModule.AssetId, newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId) => {
+    (newParentKey: backendModule.DirectoryId, newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId) => {
       unsetModal()
       if (pasteData != null) {
         if (pasteData.data.has(newParentKey)) {
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetsTableContextMenu.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetsTableContextMenu.tsx
index 3be339255a0..aefaef7bba3 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetsTableContextMenu.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/AssetsTableContextMenu.tsx
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ import ConfirmDeleteModal from '#/modals/ConfirmDeleteModal'
 
 import * as backendModule from '#/services/Backend'
 
-import type AssetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
+import type * as assetTreeNode from '#/utilities/AssetTreeNode'
 import type * as pasteDataModule from '#/utilities/pasteData'
 import * as permissions from '#/utilities/permissions'
 import * as uniqueString from '#/utilities/uniqueString'
@@ -38,14 +38,16 @@ export interface AssetsTableContextMenuProps {
   readonly pasteData: pasteDataModule.PasteData<ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>> | null
   readonly selectedKeys: ReadonlySet<backendModule.AssetId>
   readonly clearSelectedKeys: () => void
-  readonly nodeMapRef: React.MutableRefObject<ReadonlyMap<backendModule.AssetId, AssetTreeNode>>
+  readonly nodeMapRef: React.MutableRefObject<
+    ReadonlyMap<backendModule.AssetId, assetTreeNode.AnyAssetTreeNode>
+  >
   readonly event: Pick<React.MouseEvent<Element, MouseEvent>, 'pageX' | 'pageY'>
   readonly dispatchAssetEvent: (event: assetEvent.AssetEvent) => void
   readonly dispatchAssetListEvent: (event: assetListEvent.AssetListEvent) => void
   readonly doCopy: () => void
   readonly doCut: () => void
   readonly doPaste: (
-    newParentKey: backendModule.AssetId,
+    newParentKey: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId
   ) => void
 }
@@ -192,7 +194,7 @@ export default function AssetsTableContextMenu(props: AssetsTableContextMenuProp
                     selectedKeys.size === 1 && firstKey != null
                       ? nodeMapRef.current.get(firstKey)
                       : null
-                  if (selectedNode?.item.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory) {
+                  if (selectedNode?.type === backendModule.AssetType.directory) {
                     doPaste(selectedNode.key, selectedNode.item.id)
                   } else {
                     doPaste(rootDirectoryId, rootDirectoryId)
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/Drive.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/Drive.tsx
index e0efc03d21b..04151df96a8 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/Drive.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/Drive.tsx
@@ -201,7 +201,8 @@ export default function Drive(props: DriveProps) {
         parentKey: targetDirectoryNodeRef.current?.key ?? rootDirectoryId,
         parentId: targetDirectoryNodeRef.current?.item.id ?? rootDirectoryId,
         templateId,
-        templateName,
+        datalinkId: null,
+        preferredName: templateName,
         onSpinnerStateChange,
       })
     },
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/GlobalContextMenu.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/GlobalContextMenu.tsx
index fefea162da3..c4806a18996 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/GlobalContextMenu.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/layouts/GlobalContextMenu.tsx
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ export interface GlobalContextMenuProps {
   readonly directoryId: backendModule.DirectoryId | null
   readonly dispatchAssetListEvent: (event: assetListEventModule.AssetListEvent) => void
   readonly doPaste: (
-    newParentKey: backendModule.AssetId,
+    newParentKey: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     newParentId: backendModule.DirectoryId
   ) => void
 }
@@ -106,7 +106,8 @@ export default function GlobalContextMenu(props: GlobalContextMenuProps) {
             parentKey: directoryKey ?? rootDirectoryId,
             parentId: directoryId ?? rootDirectoryId,
             templateId: null,
-            templateName: null,
+            datalinkId: null,
+            preferredName: null,
             onSpinnerStateChange: null,
           })
         }}
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/pages/dashboard/Dashboard.tsx b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/pages/dashboard/Dashboard.tsx
index b072bf2ec3f..102077bba1d 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/pages/dashboard/Dashboard.tsx
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/pages/dashboard/Dashboard.tsx
@@ -417,7 +417,8 @@ export default function Dashboard(props: DashboardProps) {
         parentKey: rootDirectoryId,
         parentId: rootDirectoryId,
         templateId: templateId,
-        templateName: templateName,
+        datalinkId: null,
+        preferredName: templateName,
         onSpinnerStateChange: onSpinnerStateChange,
       })
     },
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/services/Backend.ts b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/services/Backend.ts
index 4c30d51f0c3..d4683707e23 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/services/Backend.ts
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/services/Backend.ts
@@ -951,8 +951,9 @@ export interface DeleteAssetRequestBody {
 /** HTTP request body for the "create project" endpoint. */
 export interface CreateProjectRequestBody {
   readonly projectName: string
-  readonly projectTemplateName: string | null
-  readonly parentDirectoryId: DirectoryId | null
+  readonly projectTemplateName?: string
+  readonly parentDirectoryId?: DirectoryId
+  readonly datalinkId?: ConnectorId
 }
 
 /** HTTP request body for the "update project" endpoint.
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/text/english.json b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/text/english.json
index f255ab03978..5d9c70aa39e 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/text/english.json
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/text/english.json
@@ -437,6 +437,7 @@
   "newFolderShortcut": "New Folder",
   "newDataLinkShortcut": "New Data Link",
   "newSecretShortcut": "New Secret",
+  "useInNewProjectShortcut": "Use In New Project",
   "closeModalShortcut": "Close",
   "cancelEditNameShortcut": "Cancel Editing",
   "signInShortcut": "Login",
diff --git a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/utilities/AssetTreeNode.ts b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/utilities/AssetTreeNode.ts
index 2f46b8d672a..03b70b07a88 100644
--- a/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/utilities/AssetTreeNode.ts
+++ b/app/ide-desktop/lib/dashboard/src/utilities/AssetTreeNode.ts
@@ -12,25 +12,36 @@ export interface AssetTreeNodeData
     'children' | 'depth' | 'directoryId' | 'directoryKey' | 'item' | 'key'
   > {}
 
+/** All possible variants of {@link AssetTreeNode}s. */
+// The `Item extends Item` is required to trigger distributive conditional types:
+// https://www.typescriptlang.org/docs/handbook/2/conditional-types.html#distributive-conditional-types
+export type AnyAssetTreeNode<Item extends backendModule.AnyAsset = backendModule.AnyAsset> =
+  Item extends Item ? AssetTreeNode<Item> : never
+
 /** A node in the drive's item tree. */
 export default class AssetTreeNode<Item extends backendModule.AnyAsset = backendModule.AnyAsset> {
+  readonly type: Item['type']
   /** Create a {@link AssetTreeNode}. */
   constructor(
-    /** The id of the asset (or the placeholder id for new assets). This must never change. */
-    public readonly key: Item['id'],
     /** The actual asset. This MAY change if this is initially a placeholder item, but rows MAY
      * keep updated values within the row itself as well. */
     public item: Item,
     /** The id of the asset's parent directory (or the placeholder id for new assets).
      * This must never change. */
-    public readonly directoryKey: backendModule.AssetId,
+    public readonly directoryKey: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     /** The actual id of the asset's parent directory (or the placeholder id for new assets). */
     public readonly directoryId: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     /** This is `null` if the asset is not a directory asset, OR if it is a collapsed directory
      * asset. */
-    public readonly children: AssetTreeNode[] | null,
-    public readonly depth: number
-  ) {}
+    public readonly children: AnyAssetTreeNode[] | null,
+    public readonly depth: number,
+    /** The internal (to the frontend) id of the asset (or the placeholder id for new assets).
+     * This must never change, otherwise the component's state is lost when receiving the real id
+     * from the backend. */
+    public readonly key: Item['id'] = item.id
+  ) {
+    this.type = item.type
+  }
 
   /** Get an {@link AssetTreeNode.key} from an {@link AssetTreeNode}. Useful for React,
    * becausse references of static functions do not change. */
@@ -45,16 +56,23 @@ export default class AssetTreeNode<Item extends backendModule.AnyAsset = backend
   }
 
   /** Creates an {@link AssetTreeNode} from a {@link backendModule.AnyAsset}. */
-  static fromAsset(
+  static fromAsset<Asset extends backendModule.AnyAsset>(
     this: void,
-    asset: backendModule.AnyAsset,
-    directoryKey: backendModule.AssetId,
+    asset: Asset,
+    directoryKey: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     directoryId: backendModule.DirectoryId,
     depth: number,
-    getKey: ((asset: backendModule.AnyAsset) => backendModule.AssetId) | null = null
-  ): AssetTreeNode {
-    getKey ??= oldAsset => oldAsset.id
-    return new AssetTreeNode(getKey(asset), asset, directoryKey, directoryId, null, depth)
+    key: Asset['id'] = asset.id
+  ): AnyAssetTreeNode {
+    return new AssetTreeNode(asset, directoryKey, directoryId, null, depth, key).asUnion()
+  }
+
+  /** Return `this`, coerced into an {@link AnyAssetTreeNode}. */
+  asUnion() {
+    // This is SAFE, as an `AssetTreeNode` cannot change types, and `AnyAssetTreeNode` is an
+    // exhaustive list of variants.
+    // eslint-disable-next-line no-restricted-syntax
+    return this as AnyAssetTreeNode
   }
 
   /** Whether this node contains a specific type of asset. */
@@ -65,24 +83,25 @@ export default class AssetTreeNode<Item extends backendModule.AnyAsset = backend
   }
 
   /** Create a new {@link AssetTreeNode} with the specified properties updated. */
-  with(update: Partial<AssetTreeNodeData>) {
+  with(update: Partial<AssetTreeNodeData>): AnyAssetTreeNode {
     return new AssetTreeNode(
-      update.key ?? this.key,
       update.item ?? this.item,
       update.directoryKey ?? this.directoryKey,
       update.directoryId ?? this.directoryId,
       // `null` MUST be special-cases in the following line.
       // eslint-disable-next-line eqeqeq
       update.children === null ? update.children : update.children ?? this.children,
-      update.depth ?? this.depth
-    )
+      update.depth ?? this.depth,
+      update.key ?? this.key
+    ).asUnion()
   }
 
   /** Return a new {@link AssetTreeNode} array if any children would be changed by the transformation
    * function, otherwise return the original {@link AssetTreeNode} array. */
-  map(transform: (node: AssetTreeNode) => AssetTreeNode) {
+  map(transform: (node: AnyAssetTreeNode) => AnyAssetTreeNode): AnyAssetTreeNode {
     const children = this.children ?? []
-    let result: AssetTreeNode = transform(this)
+
+    let result: AnyAssetTreeNode = transform(this.asUnion())
     for (let i = 0; i < children.length; i += 1) {
       const node = children[i]
       if (node == null) {
@@ -105,9 +124,9 @@ export default class AssetTreeNode<Item extends backendModule.AnyAsset = backend
   /** Return a new {@link AssetTreeNode} array if any children would be changed by the transformation
    * function, otherwise return the original {@link AssetTreeNode} array. The predicate is applied to
    * a parent node before it is applied to its children. The root node is never removed. */
-  filter(predicate: (node: AssetTreeNode) => boolean) {
+  filter(predicate: (node: AnyAssetTreeNode) => boolean): AnyAssetTreeNode {
     const children = this.children ?? []
-    let result: AssetTreeNode | null = null
+    let result: AnyAssetTreeNode | null = null
     for (let i = 0; i < children.length; i += 1) {
       const node = children[i]
       if (node == null) {
@@ -132,13 +151,15 @@ export default class AssetTreeNode<Item extends backendModule.AnyAsset = backend
         }
       }
     }
-    return result?.children?.length === 0 ? result.with({ children: null }) : result ?? this
+    return result?.children?.length === 0
+      ? result.with({ children: null })
+      : result ?? this.asUnion()
   }
 
   /** Returns all items in the tree, flattened into an array using pre-order traversal. */
   preorderTraversal(
-    preprocess: ((tree: AssetTreeNode[]) => AssetTreeNode[]) | null = null
-  ): AssetTreeNode[] {
+    preprocess: ((tree: AnyAssetTreeNode[]) => AnyAssetTreeNode[]) | null = null
+  ): AnyAssetTreeNode[] {
     return (preprocess?.(this.children ?? []) ?? this.children ?? []).flatMap(node =>
       node.children == null ? [node] : [node, ...node.preorderTraversal(preprocess)]
     )