Newbie questions

Years ago, I made my own Bart-PE based XP disks. I was actually pretty good at it, making my own plugins. I'm trying to find an updated tool, and it looks like Winbuilder is it. I have a lot of general questions:

1) I'd like to run Winbuilder and build from an external Hard Drive. Is this possible/recommended? It seemed to work fine at first, but eventually got missing file errors, and adding yomi seemed to switch to the local drive. Or should I just back up to external? I have a nice fast USB3.0 non-flash Hard Drive, and speed isn't an issue, just reliability and functionality. I like the idea of a single, portable directory that has everything I need to build a PE image.
2) I have a habit of going through the list of apps I can add, and checking things that look interesting. Some I assume are open source, and include everything needed, so I check it. Sometimes, it no longer builds, and it takes a while to find which checked program made it fail. Is there a search function for plugins? Is there an easier way to tell if checking a program plugin will allow or prevent building?
3)I checked Gena, but couldn't figure out how to integrate it with Win8.1SE (Or Win7PESE, Or Win10), and it stopped building. However, I can't figure out how to remove it. I can't even uncheck it, I have to expand it, and unselect everything selected. Can it be removed? Or do I need to delete the directory and re-download Win8.1SE again?
4) Currently, I have Win7PESE, Win8SE, Win8.1SE, and Win10SE in separate directories. Is this the best configuration? It would be nice if I could combine all in one directory structure, and share plugins. Then again, I've had to abandon numerous Windows7PESE Winbuilder directories, as I couldn't get it to build again. I had to re-download and create a new directory. Are there tools I'm missing that might help troubleshooting? Maybe a way to roll back to the last config that would build? Backing up and restoring the config (Not the whole Multi-gigabyte folder, but just the configuration)? Finding one checkmark in hundreds of checkmarks buried in menus is difficult to process mentally for me.
5) Is there a standard place I can put my own custom plugins? Does a plugin consist of a directory of files, a single file, or either? Will they show up in the checkmark menu?

I've been trying to play with Winbuilder for a year or two now, but I still feel like I just saw it for the first time today. I can build a default config, but can do little else.

Thanks!

Place the project fileS on a local HDD  ie D:\TheOven

Select your Source OS using the "Source" Tab

Hit the Blue Play button..

If any errors click the LOG tab to view..
Unless the plugin requires you to provide files - then the plugin has all the program info it needs..
Some plugins will download the files if needed for the program..

This all takes a little time to get use to,, and it will all come it time...

Thanks for the response.

OK, I place the project files on D:\TheOven, Selected my source OS (A directory inside D:\TheOven), and hit play.

Can I later move them to E:\TheBiggerOven ?

yes... but because of all the file exchanges - should be an internal drive..

build one and done.. Move to biggeroven then and keep warm for later

Welcome RChadwick,

1) I use same folder for Years now, Changed Os 3-4 times and PC 2-3 times during these years   
Everything developed portable way  D:\TheOven --> E:\TheBiggerOven no problem 

Tip: Better put your SourceCD folder elsewhere, ex: D:\SourceCD\Win10_x64

2) Log shows you if failure, plugins on servers should not fail, if they do just report.

3) All projects both independent and also designed to be used on same single folder ex: D:\TheOven
Ex:
You can Put (or Extract) all SE projects, Gena, Yomi to same folder D:\TheOven
use this Gena package for a start ;)
http://lancelot.cwcodes.net/files/Gena_Pack_20150920.7z
extract to D:\TheOven 

4) no, extract all to same folder, like D:\TheOven 
There are lots of ways, tools to organise things,
 the design reason of using same folder make lots of options available,
   better learn go step by step, slowly

5) you can put your plugins to 
http://theoven.org/index.php?board=9.0
There, You can also find some plugin collection topics by some end users 

*********
Take it easy, slowly slowly 
 Follow all advices you take, follow KYHI  , than go to next step 
  It is always easier to ask short questions and get short replies, both for your learning and for anyone who reply.

See You