FrameAssistant/docs/PROGRESS.md

# Progress

Where the project stands, and what happened in each session. Newest first. The process is in
CLAUDE.md ("Working rules").

## Current state

- **Iteration 1 closed (2026-10-06); implementation iteration 2, phase 3
  (implementation).** Requirements (see "Next steps", D41) and design (DESIGN.md, "Iteration
  2: MQTT and HA device", D42–D44) approved. DSH-1 had a negative result: HA's web UI via Qt WebEngine doesn't work on
  the Frame, so the "HA Dashboard" tab and the WebEngine dependency were removed (D40). The
  rest of iteration 1 (platform hooks, settings file, `--config`, log file for
  SteamVR-started instances) works on the Frame with the system-Qt package (3.7 MB).
- **Frame test results of iteration 1 (2026-10-05):**

  | # | Check | Result |
  |---|---|---|
  | 1 | Started by SteamVR: process runs, log file from the manifest's `--log-file`, settings loaded, rendering with Vulkan (Turnip, Adreno 750) | ✓ |
  | 2 | In VR: tab "Frame Assistant" visible and usable | ✓ |
  | 3 | Settings without `device.name`, `./install.sh` → app exits, log says "Setting 'device.name' is required" | skipped (no device access), postponed |
  | 4 | Settings restored, `./install.sh` → runs again | skipped (no device access), postponed |

  The error itself is covered off the device by `tst_config`. Checks 3 and 4 run in the next
  session on the Frame (iteration 2 testing needs it too).
- **Implementation** follows the order in DESIGN.md (steps 1–7). Steps 1 (libmosquitto in
  CMake and the containers), 2 (`MqttClient`, `MosquittoClient`, `tst_mqtt`) 3
  (`HaEntity`, `HaSensor`, `HaDevice`, unit tests) and 4 (app wiring, `--desktop-novr`,
  UI-1) done; next: step 5 (TLS).

## Next steps

Requirements and design cover the whole MVP; it is **implemented in four small iterations**
(D37), each with implementation, testing and assessment:

| Iteration | Content | Platform change | Checked by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~~DSH-1: HA web UI in a dashboard tab~~ (failed, removed: D40); configuration (D34) with start-up hook and `--config`; log file for SteamVR-started instances | start-up hook (D21), app command-line options (D38) | DSH-1 result documented; app starts on the Frame with the settings file, settings errors in the log |
| 2 | MQTT client (own thread), HA device with discovery and availability, libmosquitto in the package, status display UI-1 | modes (D22) | device appears in HA, online/offline right, reconnect works |
| 3 | OpenVR wrappers and the 13 sensor entities | `--desktop` with optional SteamVR (D22) | sensor values in HA on the Frame |
| 4 | notification manager, `notify` entity, world overlay | world overlay, premultiplied flag (D25) | notification from HA in VR, also in a game |

### Requirements of implementation iteration 2: MQTT, HA device, UI-1

Approved 2026-10-06. Goal: FrameAssistant connects to the user's broker, appears in HA as a
device that goes online and offline correctly, and the main tab shows the connection status.
No real sensors yet: a **dummy sensor** stands in for them (D41).

- **Dummy sensor "Uptime":** a `sensor` with the seconds since start, `entity_category:
  diagnostic`, updated every 10 s. In the code a generic test entity whose value is set from
  outside: the app feeds it a timer, unit tests set values directly. Ships in iteration 2
  builds; iteration 3 decides whether it is removed from HA (component with only `p` once) or
  kept as a diagnostic entity.

| Item | Acceptance criterion |
|---|---|
| CON-1, CFG-3 | Connects without login, with login, and with TLS (self-signed CA); connection state and errors are logged |
| CON-2 | The device with the dummy sensor appears in HA via device-based discovery, without configuration in HA |
| CON-3 | Online while running; normal exit and `kill -9` make it unavailable |
| CON-4 | After a broker restart it reconnects with backoff and republishes discovery and states; also republishes after HA's birth message |
| CON-5 | Two settings files with different device names give two HA devices |
| SEN-14 | The dummy sensor's updates are throttled |
| UI-1 | The main tab shows device name, broker, connected or not, and the last error, and follows a broker stop and start |
| Modes (D22) | Overlay, `--desktop` and the new `--desktop-novr` load the settings and connect; in iteration 2 the two desktop modes behave alike (neither uses SteamVR yet) |
| `--ha-remove` (D32) | Clears all retained topics, after which the device is gone from HA; `uninstall.sh` calls it |
| D35 | libmosquitto is in both packages; `package-release.sh`'s symbol-version check passes |
| Tests (D30) | Unit tests with a fake MQTT client; integration tests against a local mosquitto (connect, last will, reconnect, login, TLS) |
| Manual | CON, UI and `--ha-remove` checks from the PC against the user's HA (possible because nothing needs SteamVR). On the Frame: the package with libmosquitto runs; the postponed checks 3 and 4 of iteration 1 |

To find out during the iteration: where the Frame keeps its system certificates (default
for `mqtt.tls.ca_file`).

### Plan for implementation iteration 1: DSH-1 and configuration

Goal: a second dashboard tab **"HA Dashboard"** shows HA's web UI at the URL from the
configuration; what works out of the box is tested and documented. The main tab stays
"Frame Assistant".

Platform (`vrdashboard_core`):
1. Start-up hook `prepare()` (D21).
2. App-specific command-line options (D38): the base constructor takes an optional list of
   extra `QCommandLineOption`s, adds them to parsing and `--help`, and exposes their values.

App:
3. `QtWebEngineQuick::initialize()` in `main.cpp` before the app object (D39); no platform
   change.
4. Configuration (`src/config/`): immutable value plus `load(path, &error)`, complete per D34;
   path from `--config`, else `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME` or `~/.config/frameassistant/config.json`;
   loaded in `Dashboard::prepare()` (overlay and desktop modes).
5. HA web UI (`src/ha/HaWebUi`, D18): holds the URL (injected), exposed to QML as a singleton
   owned by `Dashboard`; a named, persistent WebEngine profile under
   `~/.local/share/frameassistant/` so the HA login survives restarts (D39).
6. New surface `dashboard` ("HA Dashboard"), QML root `HaDashboard.qml` with a `WebEngineView`;
   without a URL it shows a hint.
7. Build: `find_package(Qt6 … WebEngineQuick)`; `qt6-webengine-dev` (native and `:arm64`) in
   the containers; a new static library for app logic (configuration, HaWebUi) that tests link.

Tests (D30):
8. `tst_config`: valid file, missing required fields, invalid JSON, wrong types, defaults,
   derived and explicit `ha_unique_id`, unknown keys, `--config`.
9. Platform: `tst_surfaces` extended for `prepare()` (success/abort) and extra options.
10. Manual, results documented: host `--desktop`; Frame desktop mode over RDP; Frame in VR with
    Vulkan and OpenGL: page loads, laser click, scrolling, SteamVR keyboard in the page's input
    fields, login kept after restart; CPU/GPU while the tab is open.
11. `clang-format` clean, `ctest` green; `container-test.sh` only if Vulkan code is touched.

Docs:
12. README (configuration file, `--config`, new tab), ARCHITECTURE.md and CLAUDE.md (new hook,
    app options), THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES (Qt WebEngine from the system), STEAM-FRAME.md (results),
    PROGRESS.md.

Known limitation: the bundled-Qt package does not support WebEngine in this iteration.

## Log

### 2026-10-06: iteration 1 closed

- Frame checks 3 and 4 (settings error when started by SteamVR) skipped: the user had no
  access to the device. Postponed to the next session on the Frame; listed in CLAUDE.md
  under "Not yet verified on a Steam Frame".
- Phase 5 (assessment) of iteration 1: the user agreed to close it with checks 3 and 4
  postponed and to start iteration 2.
- Requirements of iteration 2 approved (see "Next steps"). User's choices: a dummy sensor
  instead of a real one (D41); TLS, `--desktop-novr` and `--ha-remove` in this iteration.
  Since nothing in iteration 2 needs SteamVR (`--desktop` doesn't call `VR_Init`), the
  MQTT/HA checks run from the PC; the Frame only for the package.
- Design of iteration 2 written (DESIGN.md). User's decisions: libmosquitto's own thread
  (D42), app commands in the platform for `--ha-remove` (D43), committed TLS test
  certificates (D44). Design approved; phase 3 started.
- Step 1: `cmake/Mosquitto.cmake` (pkg-config; `FRAMEASSISTANT_SHIP_MOSQUITTO=ON` in all
  package presets installs `lib/libmosquitto.so.1` and Debian's copyright file, which already
  contains the EPL-2.0/EDL-1.0 texts); `libmosquitto-dev(:arm64)` in the build containers,
  `mosquitto` in the test container; THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES entry. Checked: host configure finds
  2.1.2; `container-test.sh` 8/8, no Vulkan validation messages; the cross build stages
  2.0.21 (aarch64) and the copyright file. The binary doesn't need the library yet (nothing
  calls it; `--as-needed`), which changes in step 2. On the host, the GUI tests can't run in
  this session (no display).
- User: no need to ask for permission to continue between the steps of this phase.
- Step 2: `MqttClient` interface, `MosquittoClient`, `tst_mqtt` (12 cases against a local
  mosquitto). Reading libmosquitto 2.0.21's source showed that `mosquitto_loop_start()`
  doesn't fit (blocking DNS in the caller, silent thread end on TLS/protocol errors); the
  user chose an own `std::thread` (D45, amends D42). Findings: a failed first connect is
  retried; libmosquitto loses the DNS error code; `strerror()` is localised (German on the
  dev host), so errors use `strerrordesc_np()`. Test pitfall: `QTRY_*` evaluates its
  expression once more at the end, so it must not consume data (`readAll…()`). Checked:
  host 3 × 12/12; `container-test.sh` 9/9 (Debian's libmosquitto 2.0.21), no Vulkan
  validation messages; cross build: private Qt symbols only `QVulkan*`, at most
  `GLIBC_2.34`; the app binary links libmosquitto only from step 4 on (first use).
- Step 3: `HaEntity` (description, discovery component, throttling, availability),
  `HaSensor`, `HaDevice` (discovery payload, publish all after connect and after HA's birth
  message with random delay, last will, `removeFromHa()`), `FakeMqttClient` for tests.
  `tst_haentity` 11/11, `tst_hadevice` 14/14 on the host.
- Step 4: platform mode `DesktopNoVr` (`--desktop-novr`, behaves like `--desktop` for now;
  `tst_surfaces` `surfaces_desktop_novr`); `Dashboard` creates client and device in
  `loading()`, connects in `started()`, feeds the dummy sensor every 10 s and disconnects
  gracefully on `aboutToQuit`; `ConnectionStatus` QML singleton and the status card in
  `Main.qml` (UI-1). Checked:
  - end to end against a local mosquitto (`--desktop-novr`, watched with `mosquitto_sub`):
    discovery, `online`, state and availability in the designed order; broker restart →
    "connection lost", "connection refused", reconnect and full republish; `kill -9` → will
    `offline`. (mosquitto also sends the will when it shuts down itself.)
  - screenshots under Xvfb: unconfigured (snapshot), connected, not connected with last
    error.
  - `container-test.sh` 12/12, no Vulkan validation messages; cross build links
    `libmosquitto.so.1`, at most `GLIBC_2.34`, private Qt symbols only `QVulkan*`.
  - Not checked yet: the graceful exit through `aboutToQuit` in the app (only in
    `tst_mqtt`); it needs a real window close or "Quit app" in SteamVR (manual test).

### 2026-10-05: requirements approved

- User approved REQUIREMENTS.md including the priorities (D13). Phase 2 started.
- Q4 decided: libmosquitto, shipped in the package (D14). Qt MQTT ruled out: private Qt API
  requires the exact Qt version. Checked on the Frame: no MQTT library installed; libssl/
  libcrypto 3 and libcjson 1 present.
- HA discovery: own small layer on QJson, device-based discovery (D15); hacpp and the
  embedded libraries rejected.
- Checked on the Frame which Qt modules, plugins and audio/network tools exist; library list
  per requirement in REQUIREMENTS.md Appendix C. Notable: Qt WebEngine and Qt WebSockets are
  present (relevant for Q2/Q3).
- libmosquitto ABI check: Debian's 2.0.21 needs at most `OPENSSL_3.0.0`/`GLIBC_2.34`; the
  Frame has OpenSSL 3.2.1 and glibc 2.39. No libcjson dependency. D14 holds.
- Frame test of the remaining iteration 1: started by SteamVR with log file and settings,
  Vulkan rendering, tab usable in VR (checks 1, 2 ✓); checks 3, 4 left for the next session.
- DSH-1 closed (D40): the bundling experiment failed (sandbox, ICU resources, Vulkan abort,
  empty page with OpenGL and in a desktop window; details in STEAM-FRAME.md). At the user's
  decision the "HA Dashboard" tab, `HaWebUi`, the WebEngine build dependency and the
  bundler's WebEngine support were removed (reverts of the corresponding commits). Qt WebView
  is no alternative (WebEngine backend on Linux). `homeassistant.url` stays reserved for
  DSH-2, where a native dashboard is the candidate.
- Phase 4 (testing on the Frame), first findings:
  - `deploy-to-frame.sh` exited silently without a bundled package in `dist/` (fixed).
  - The system-Qt package doesn't start: the Frame's Qt WebEngine is 6.7.0 (rest of Qt 6.8.0)
    and built against FFmpeg 6, which the Frame lacks (STEAM-FRAME.md). DSH-1's out-of-the-box
    variant therefore fails on the Frame; and since the app links WebEngine, the whole app
    fails.
  - At the user's request, experiment B: the bundled package now ships Qt WebEngine (Debian
    6.8.2, own FFmpeg inside) with its helper process and resources: 141 MB archive, 352 MB
    unpacked. Needs `GLIBC_2.38` and `GLIBCXX_3.4.32` from the Frame. Test pending.
  - Other options noted: load WebEngine only at runtime so the app survives without it; a
    native dashboard (DSH-2, Q2b). Qt WebView is no alternative (on Linux its backend is
    WebEngine; native views are separate windows, not rendered into the texture).
- Phase 3 of implementation iteration 1:
  - Platform: `prepare()` hook and app-specific command-line options, tested in
    `tst_surfaces` (incl. `surfaces_prepare_fail`).
  - Settings file (`src/config/`, new library `frameassistant_lib`), `--config`; `tst_config`
    (37 cases). `config.example.json` in the package; README.txt explains the set-up.
  - "HA Dashboard" tab: `WebEngineView`, `HaWebUi` with a persistent profile, WebEngine
    initialisation in `main()`. Host: desktop mode loads a local test page, profile data
    lands in `~/.local/share/frameassistant/webengine`; snapshot renders both tabs.
  - Build containers with Qt WebEngine. Cross build: the aarch64 binary needs no private Qt
    symbols, at most `Qt_6.8` and `GLIBC_2.34`. Container tests 8/8 (incl. Vulkan with
    validation layers, no messages).
  - Snags: moc misses classes in files with raw strings containing `//` (CLAUDE.md);
    generated QML type registration includes headers by file name; Qt ≥ 6.9 hints at
    `WebEngineProfilePrototype` (not in the Frame's 6.8). Deviations: `HaWebUi` lives in the
    app, not the library; the password warning needs a password in the file.
  - Log file for SteamVR-started instances: the manifest passes `--log-file
    logs/frame-assistant.log` (user's choice among: default log path in the app, manifest
    argument, document only).
  - Not verified yet: WebEngine with a URL in the off-screen pipeline (Frame, phase 4); the
    bundled package (not supported for WebEngine in this iteration).
- Plan for implementation iteration 1 approved; phase 3 started.
- Plan for implementation iteration 1 written; new tab "HA Dashboard" (D38, D39).
- MVP implemented in four iterations; DSH-1 first, at the user's wish (D37).
- NFR-3 measurement method, manual in the MVP (D36). MVP details done.
- Shipping libmosquitto (D35).
- Configuration file format (D34).
- MVP notification: `notify` entity with first line as title; JSON command later (D33).
- HA MQTT interface: ids (D31), topics, retain, availability (D32), MVP entity list.
- Test strategy in four levels (D30). High-level architecture done.
- Threads: MQTT client in its own thread, everything else incl. OpenVR in the main thread (D29).
- DSH-1 split: web UI out-of-the-box test in the MVP, full dashboard as DSH-2 (D28).
- Overlays: two kinds (D25), one overlay for all notifications (D26), MVP placement "spawn in
  front, then stay" (D27). Researched notification UI in VR (DESIGN.md, Appendix A). Found:
  premultiplied-alpha flag missing in the platform.
- HA channels: MQTT for everything device-related; dashboard channel decided with Q2/Q3 (D24).
- Entities: one class per HA entity type, native types preferred, own service only as fallback
  (D23). Found: MQTT `notify` drops the title.
- Start-up hook `prepare()` in the platform (D21); modes, `--desktop-novr` and `--config`
  (D22).
- New requirement UI-1: status display in the main tab (D20).
- The user installed `mosquitto` on the dev host, so native builds can use libmosquitto.
- Started docs/DESIGN.md: one process (D16), three layers (D17), HA-centric object classes
  (D18). HA side: FrameAssistant needs only stock HA; how the user wraps commands (scripts,
  pyscript) is up to them (NFR-6 unchanged).
- Agreed to settle the high-level architecture first (list under "Next steps"), before
  component details.
- Stay with the Debian build container: an Arch container wouldn't match SteamOS's own package
  versions (private repos, rolling Arch) and has no arm64 multiarch for cross builds.

### 2026-10-04/05: project set-up and requirements

- Copied the vrdashboard template. Removed what the app doesn't need:
  - `examples/` (diagnostics app) and the `VRDASH_BUILD_EXAMPLES` option
  - the Frame test package (`scripts/package-frame-test.sh`, `docs/FRAME-TESTING.md`,
    screenshots)
  - the demo UI (`src/qml/DemoPage.qml`)

  `Main.qml` shows a placeholder card.
- Named the app **FrameAssistant**, "Steam Frame companion for Home Assistant":
  - CMake project `frameassistant`, executable `frame-assistant`
  - app key `net.matzman.frameassistant`, tab "Frame Assistant", QML module `FrameAssistant`

  Names rejected:
  - "Steam…" and "…Home Assistant": trademarks
  - "HASS…": the user dislikes it, because "Hass" is German for hate.
- Agreed working rules (in CLAUDE.md):
  - explicit permission for everything; ask instead of assuming
  - iterative five-phase cycle; an informal "ok" approves a phase
  - document everything in Markdown in `docs/`
- `git init`. Baseline commit `4a5b090`.
- Requirements engineering (several question rounds with the user). The results are in
  REQUIREMENTS.md:
  - decisions D1–D12
  - 51 requirements
  - research on OpenVR data sources (Appendix A)
- Checks: `native-debug` builds, `ctest` passes 6/6 (Vulkan surface test skipped, no Vulkan on
  this host), `--snapshot` renders.