Stern
Re: Exposed timber
Detailed correctly the only members with serious rot potential are the posts
You may want to consider using a rot resistant wood (eg. west red cedar) for the posts. Cedar is suitable for posts (because they are in compression) but is not the best for spans.
Put gutters on the building! Brown rot fungus spores are in the soil and find their way to the building thru ground splash.
As mentioned use a sealer or paint to protect the wood. For purely practical purposes paint is a better protectant but it may not be the look you want. I would do this no mater what type of wood you use (but then I live in wood rot land)In fact I am remodeling my own house including some faceted porch posts (cedar) and plan on painting the lower 30" (above the 12" plinths)white and leaving the posts natural above that
Avoid details that extend other members beyond the roof covering or provide flashings to cover.
For any horizontal members that are exposed, make a drip cut to stop water traveling further into the structure.
Re: bracing
Emmett is quite right about bracing but there is an additional factor with carports in that the braces on the entry side can intrude into the entry space. This can be solved with hardware at post top and/or bottom or...braces in plane with the entry bent could run outside to an extended plate.
And look cool besides
Ultimately if you are not sure, you should run your lateral and uplift concerns by an engineer before building. If you are getting a permit (???) you probably won’t have a choice
And don't forget to have fun...
J.E.B.
