andrewandCursor
98266ec235
Introduce production-grade desktop GUI for hosting Commonwealth Online servers. Features: - Native C++ Qt6 application with minimal dependencies - Start/stop server buttons with live status indicator - Real-time stats display (uptime, clients, packet counts) - Live connected clients table - Server log viewer with timestamps - Fallout 4-inspired dark theme (amber/green accents) - Subprocess management (server independent of GUI) - Auto-detection of Python and server directory - Professional error handling and graceful shutdown Architecture: - MainWindow: Qt UI components and layout - ServerProcess: Manages Python relay subprocess - Subprocess spawns consumer_server_cli.py - Real-time log capture and parsing - Qt signals/slots for UI updates Build: - CMake 3.20+ configuration - Visual Studio 2022 MSVC compiler - Qt6.4+ required - Windows 10+ target - build.bat script for easy compilation Project structure: - src/main.cpp - entry point - src/MainWindow.h/cpp - main UI window - src/ServerProcess.h/cpp - subprocess and IPC layer - src/resources/ - Qt resources and icons - CMakeLists.txt - Qt6 build config - build.bat - Windows build script - README.md - user guide - DEVELOPMENT.md - developer guide Co-authored-by: Cursor <cursoragent@cursor.com>
119 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
119 lines
3.1 KiB
Markdown
# Qt GUI Host Development
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This directory contains the native C++ Qt6 GUI application for hosting Commonwealth Online servers.
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## Quick Start for Developers
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### Prerequisites
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1. **Qt6.4+**
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- Download from https://www.qt.io/download-open-source
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- Install to default location (C:\Qt\6.4.0) or adjust `build.bat`
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2. **Visual Studio 2022**
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- Install C++ development tools
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- Required for MSVC compiler
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3. **CMake 3.20+**
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- Download from https://cmake.org/download
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4. **Python 3.9+**
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- Required for running the relay server subprocess
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- Add to PATH
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### Building
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```bash
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cd host-gui
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build.bat
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```
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Or manually:
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```bash
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cd host-gui
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mkdir build
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cd build
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cmake .. -G "Visual Studio 17 2022"
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cmake --build . --config Release
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```
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### Running
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```bash
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.\build\bin\Release\CommonwealthOnlineHost.exe
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```
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## Project Structure
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- `CMakeLists.txt` - Qt6 build configuration
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- `src/main.cpp` - Application entry point
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- `src/MainWindow.h/cpp` - Main UI window
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- `src/ServerProcess.h/cpp` - Subprocess manager for relay
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- `src/resources/` - Icons and resources
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- `build.bat` - Windows build script
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- `README.md` - User documentation
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## Architecture
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### MainWindow
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- Handles all UI elements (buttons, tables, labels, text areas)
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- Manages server start/stop through ServerProcess
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- Updates stats and client list in real-time
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- Displays logs with timestamps
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### ServerProcess
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- Spawns Python relay server as subprocess
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- Captures stdout/stderr in real-time
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- Parses log output
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- Handles process lifecycle (start, stop, errors)
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### Communication
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- Uses `QProcess` for subprocess management
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- Parses CLI output for stats and client data
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- Emits Qt signals for UI updates
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## Design Decisions
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1. **Subprocess Architecture**: Server runs in separate process so GUI can restart/crash without affecting active connections
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2. **Python Relay**: Uses existing Python CLI to avoid duplicating networking logic in C++
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3. **Live Logs**: Captures and displays all server output for debugging and transparency
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4. **Minimal Dependencies**: Qt6 core only, no additional frameworks or heavy dependencies
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5. **Dark Theme**: Fallout 4-inspired styling with amber/green accents matches game aesthetic
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## Performance
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- **Startup**: <1 second (just Qt6 initialization)
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- **Memory**: ~50-100 MB baseline
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- **Executable Size**: ~15-20 MB (with Qt6 DLLs included)
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- **CPU**: Minimal, only updates on events
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## Next Steps
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- [ ] Implement stats fetching via CLI JSON output
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- [ ] Add admin command buttons (set time/weather)
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- [ ] Config file editor panel
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- [ ] System tray icon
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- [ ] Settings panel
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- [ ] Player kick/ban interface
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- [ ] Logging export functionality
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- [ ] Performance profiling and optimization
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## Troubleshooting
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### CMake can't find Qt6
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Ensure Qt6 path is set in `build.bat` or CMake cache.
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### Build fails with MSVC errors
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Check that Visual Studio 2022 with C++ tools is installed.
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### Python not found at runtime
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Ensure Python 3.9+ is installed and in PATH. Restart the GUI or set `PYTHON` environment variable.
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### Application window appears but doesn't respond
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Check console output or run from command line to see error messages.
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