Hi,
We are developing a App which will use many of the build-in features of SharePoint 2013 Community Site, for example, Discussion thread(need to attach a custom Content Type for additional site columns) , Featured Discussion, Categories, Badges, Member Reputation etc.
Here are options I can think of:
Option 1) Create web template that uses community site base template - This is will be app which has other features that depends on the comminity site artifacts. The app web site template change approach is mentioned here http://blogs.technet.com/b/sharepointdevelopersupport/archive/2012/11/02/how-to-customizing-sharepoint-appweb-web-template.aspx
Option 2) When the app gets installed, activate the community Site feature on AppWeb. I assume this will add the comminity features on App web - but not sure if this is recommded way and its going to work or not
Option 3) Develop the SharePoint App, which will only be hosted in Community Site. In this case the App will access the community site features from host web. But I think as per App defination "App should be self-contained pieces of functionality" and should have any dependency to any other App or Hosted App??
Option 4) ??
Need suggestion. thanks in advance