# Qt GUI Host Development

This directory contains the native C++ Qt6 GUI application for hosting Commonwealth Online servers.

## Quick Start for Developers

### Prerequisites

1. **Qt6.4+**
   - Download from https://www.qt.io/download-open-source
   - Install to default location (C:\Qt\6.4.0) or adjust `build.bat`

2. **Visual Studio 2022**
   - Install C++ development tools
   - Required for MSVC compiler

3. **CMake 3.20+**
   - Download from https://cmake.org/download

4. **Python 3.9+**
   - Required for running the relay server subprocess
   - Add to PATH

### Building

```bash
cd host-gui
build.bat
```

Or manually:

```bash
cd host-gui
mkdir build
cd build
cmake .. -G "Visual Studio 17 2022"
cmake --build . --config Release
```

### Running

```bash
.\build\bin\Release\CommonwealthOnlineHost.exe
```

## Project Structure

- `CMakeLists.txt` - Qt6 build configuration
- `src/main.cpp` - Application entry point
- `src/MainWindow.h/cpp` - Main UI window
- `src/ServerProcess.h/cpp` - Subprocess manager for relay
- `src/resources/` - Icons and resources
- `build.bat` - Windows build script
- `README.md` - User documentation

## Architecture

### MainWindow
- Handles all UI elements (buttons, tables, labels, text areas)
- Manages server start/stop through ServerProcess
- Updates stats and client list in real-time
- Displays logs with timestamps

### ServerProcess
- Spawns Python relay server as subprocess
- Captures stdout/stderr in real-time
- Parses log output
- Handles process lifecycle (start, stop, errors)

### Communication
- Uses `QProcess` for subprocess management
- Parses CLI output for stats and client data
- Emits Qt signals for UI updates

## Design Decisions

1. **Subprocess Architecture**: Server runs in separate process so GUI can restart/crash without affecting active connections

2. **Python Relay**: Uses existing Python CLI to avoid duplicating networking logic in C++

3. **Live Logs**: Captures and displays all server output for debugging and transparency

4. **Minimal Dependencies**: Qt6 core only, no additional frameworks or heavy dependencies

5. **Dark Theme**: Fallout 4-inspired styling with amber/green accents matches game aesthetic

## Performance

- **Startup**: <1 second (just Qt6 initialization)
- **Memory**: ~50-100 MB baseline
- **Executable Size**: ~15-20 MB (with Qt6 DLLs included)
- **CPU**: Minimal, only updates on events

## Next Steps

- [ ] Implement stats fetching via CLI JSON output
- [ ] Add admin command buttons (set time/weather)
- [ ] Config file editor panel
- [ ] System tray icon
- [ ] Settings panel
- [ ] Player kick/ban interface
- [ ] Logging export functionality
- [ ] Performance profiling and optimization

## Troubleshooting

### CMake can't find Qt6
Ensure Qt6 path is set in `build.bat` or CMake cache.

### Build fails with MSVC errors
Check that Visual Studio 2022 with C++ tools is installed.

### Python not found at runtime
Ensure Python 3.9+ is installed and in PATH. Restart the GUI or set `PYTHON` environment variable.

### Application window appears but doesn't respond
Check console output or run from command line to see error messages.