feat(console): rename to mc-webui, fix change_path, persist transcript

- Rename "meshcli Console" to "mc-webui Console" (modal title + docs).
- Drop redundant "Connected to..." messages; replace intro with a one-line "Type 'help' for available commands." hint.
- Use a teal device-name style so the header label is readable on the dark background.
- Display contact paths with commas (D1,90,05,54) instead of arrows in `contacts` and `path`, matching the standard MeshCore client.
- Fix `change_path`: previously read only args[2] after shlex split, silently writing a 1-byte path. Now joins remaining args, accepts comma/space/continuous-hex, validates hex, auto-deduces hash_size from comma-chunk length (1/2/3-byte hops), and routes through _change_path_async so path_hash_mode is set and the contacts cache is invalidated.
- Update `help` line and add a usage hint for the no-args form.
- Add capped persistent output transcript: GET/POST/DELETE /api/console/output (cap 500 entries). Console restores prior entries (faded) above a divider on open and exposes a trash button to clear it.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.7 <noreply@anthropic.com>

app/device_manager.py

@@ -2784,15 +2784,15 @@ class DeviceManager:
             logger.error(f"discover_path failed: {e}")
             return {'success': False, 'error': str(e)}
 
-    def change_path(self, name_or_key: str, path: str) -> Dict:
-        """Change the path to a contact."""
+    def change_path(self, name_or_key: str, path: str, hash_size: int = 1) -> Dict:
+        """Change the path to a contact. hash_size: 1/2/3 bytes per hop."""
         if not self.is_connected:
             return {'success': False, 'error': 'Device not connected'}
         contact = self.resolve_contact(name_or_key)
         if not contact:
             return {'success': False, 'error': f"Contact not found: {name_or_key}"}
         try:
-            self.execute(self.mc.commands.change_contact_path(contact, path), timeout=10)
+            self.execute(self._change_path_async(contact, path, hash_size=hash_size), timeout=10)
             return {'success': True, 'message': f'Path changed for {contact.get("adv_name", name_or_key)}'}
         except Exception as e:
             logger.error(f"change_path failed: {e}")

app/main.py

@@ -372,7 +372,6 @@ def handle_chat_disconnect():
 def handle_console_connect():
     """Handle console WebSocket connection"""
     logger.info("Console WebSocket client connected")
-    emit('console_status', {'message': 'Connected to mc-webui console'})
 
 
 @socketio.on('disconnect', namespace='/console')
@@ -494,7 +493,7 @@ def _execute_console_command(args: list) -> str:
                 meaningful = raw[:hop_count * hash_size * 2]
                 chunk = hash_size * 2
                 hops = [meaningful[i:i+chunk].upper() for i in range(0, len(meaningful), chunk)]
-                path_str = '→'.join(hops) if hops else f'len:{opl}'
+                path_str = ','.join(hops) if hops else f'len:{opl}'
             elif opl == 0:
                 path_str = 'Direct'
             else:
@@ -814,7 +813,7 @@ def _execute_console_command(args: list) -> str:
                 meaningful = raw[:hop_count * hash_size * 2]
                 chunk = hash_size * 2
                 hops = [meaningful[i:i+chunk].upper() for i in range(0, len(meaningful), chunk)]
-                path_str = ' → '.join(hops) if hops else f'len:{opl}'
+                path_str = ','.join(hops) if hops else f'len:{opl}'
                 return f"Path to {name}: {path_str} ({hop_count} hops)"
             elif opl == 0:
                 return f"Path to {name}: Direct"
@@ -845,14 +844,36 @@ def _execute_console_command(args: list) -> str:
 
     elif cmd == 'change_path' and len(args) >= 3:
         name = args[1]
-        path = args[2]
-        result = device_manager.change_path(name, path)
+        # Recombine remaining args so space-separated input ("d1 90 05 54") works
+        raw = ' '.join(args[2:])
+        if ',' in raw:
+            chunks = [c.strip() for c in raw.split(',') if c.strip()]
+            first_len = len(chunks[0]) if chunks else 0
+            if first_len in (2, 4, 6):
+                hash_size = first_len // 2
+            else:
+                return "Error: hop must be 1, 2, or 3 bytes (2/4/6 hex chars)"
+            path_hex = ''.join(chunks)
+        else:
+            path_hex = raw.replace(' ', '').replace('→', '').replace('->', '')
+            hash_size = 1
+        try:
+            bytes.fromhex(path_hex)
+        except ValueError:
+            return f"Error: invalid hex in path: {raw}"
+        if not path_hex or len(path_hex) % (hash_size * 2) != 0:
+            return f"Error: path length not aligned to {hash_size}-byte hops"
+        result = device_manager.change_path(name, path_hex, hash_size=hash_size)
         if result.get('success'):
             return result.get('message', 'OK')
         return f"Error: {result.get('error')}"
 
     elif cmd == 'change_path':
-        return "Usage: change_path <name> <path>\n  Path: hex string, e.g. 6a61"
+        return ("Usage: change_path <name> <hops>\n"
+                "  hops: comma-separated hex, e.g. d1,90,05,54  (1-byte hops)\n"
+                "                                  5e34,d1ac     (2-byte hops)\n"
+                "                                  5e346e,d1ac2c (3-byte hops)\n"
+                "  Spaces or continuous hex also accepted.")
 
     elif cmd == 'advert_path' and len(args) >= 2:
         name = ' '.join(args[1:])
@@ -1253,7 +1274,7 @@ def _execute_console_command(args: list) -> str:
             "  path <name>             — Show path to contact\n"
             "  disc_path <name>        — Discover new path\n"
             "  reset_path <name>       — Reset path to flood\n"
-            "  change_path <name> <p>  — Change path to contact\n"
+            "  change_path <name> <hops> — Change path (e.g. d1,90,05,54 or 5e34,d1ac)\n"
             "  advert_path <name>      — Get path from advert\n"
             "  share_contact <name>    — Share contact with mesh\n"
             "  export_contact <name>   — Export contact URI\n"

app/routes/api.py

@@ -4869,6 +4869,94 @@ def clear_console_history():
         }), 500
 
 
+# ============================================================
+# Console Output History API (persistent transcript)
+# ============================================================
+
+CONSOLE_OUTPUT_FILE = 'console_output_history.json'
+CONSOLE_OUTPUT_MAX_ENTRIES = 500
+CONSOLE_OUTPUT_ALLOWED_TYPES = {'command', 'response', 'error', 'system'}
+
+
+def _get_console_output_path():
+    return Path(config.MC_CONFIG_DIR) / CONSOLE_OUTPUT_FILE
+
+
+def _load_console_output():
+    path = _get_console_output_path()
+    try:
+        if path.exists():
+            with open(path, 'r', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+                data = json.load(f)
+                return data.get('entries', [])
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error loading console output history: {e}")
+    return []
+
+
+def _save_console_output(entries):
+    path = _get_console_output_path()
+    try:
+        path.parent.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+        with open(path, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+            json.dump({'entries': entries}, f, ensure_ascii=False)
+        return True
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error saving console output history: {e}")
+        return False
+
+
+@api_bp.route('/console/output', methods=['GET'])
+def get_console_output():
+    """Get persisted console output transcript."""
+    try:
+        return jsonify({'success': True, 'entries': _load_console_output()}), 200
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error getting console output: {e}")
+        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': str(e)}), 500
+
+
+@api_bp.route('/console/output', methods=['POST'])
+def add_console_output():
+    """Append an entry to the console output transcript."""
+    try:
+        data = request.get_json() or {}
+        entry_type = data.get('type', 'system')
+        text = data.get('text', '')
+        if entry_type not in CONSOLE_OUTPUT_ALLOWED_TYPES:
+            return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': 'Invalid type'}), 400
+        if not isinstance(text, str) or not text:
+            return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': 'Empty text'}), 400
+
+        entries = _load_console_output()
+        entries.append({
+            'ts': datetime.now().isoformat(timespec='seconds'),
+            'type': entry_type,
+            'text': text,
+        })
+        if len(entries) > CONSOLE_OUTPUT_MAX_ENTRIES:
+            entries = entries[-CONSOLE_OUTPUT_MAX_ENTRIES:]
+
+        if _save_console_output(entries):
+            return jsonify({'success': True}), 200
+        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': 'Failed to save'}), 500
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error adding console output: {e}")
+        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': str(e)}), 500
+
+
+@api_bp.route('/console/output', methods=['DELETE'])
+def clear_console_output():
+    """Clear persisted console output transcript."""
+    try:
+        if _save_console_output([]):
+            return jsonify({'success': True, 'message': 'Output cleared'}), 200
+        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': 'Failed to clear'}), 500
+    except Exception as e:
+        logger.error(f"Error clearing console output: {e}")
+        return jsonify({'success': False, 'error': str(e)}), 500
+
+
 # =============================================================================
 # Backup Endpoints
 # =============================================================================

app/static/js/console.js

@@ -14,12 +14,14 @@ let historyIndex = -1;
 let pendingCommandDiv = null;
 
 // Initialize on page load
-document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() {
+document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', async function() {
     console.log('Console page initialized');
     loadServerHistory();
+    await loadOutputHistory();
     connectWebSocket();
     setupInputHandlers();
     setupHistoryDropdown();
+    setupClearOutputButton();
 });
 
 /**
@@ -49,7 +51,6 @@ function connectWebSocket() {
             isConnected = true;
             updateStatus('connected');
             enableInput(true);
-            addMessage('Connected to meshcli', 'system');
         });
 
         socket.on('disconnect', (reason) => {
@@ -57,7 +58,7 @@ function connectWebSocket() {
             isConnected = false;
             updateStatus('disconnected');
             enableInput(false);
-            addMessage('Disconnected from meshcli', 'error');
+            addMessage('Disconnected', 'error');
 
             // Clear pending command indicator
             if (pendingCommandDiv) {
@@ -200,14 +201,20 @@ function navigateHistory(direction) {
  * Add message to console display
  * @param {string} text Message text
  * @param {string} type Message type: 'command', 'response', 'error', 'system'
+ *                     (may include extra modifier classes like 'command pending')
+ * @param {boolean} persist Whether to save to the persistent transcript (default true)
  * @returns {HTMLElement} The created message div
  */
-function addMessage(text, type) {
+function addMessage(text, type, persist = true) {
     const container = document.getElementById('consoleMessages');
     const div = document.createElement('div');
     div.className = `console-message ${type}`;
     div.textContent = text;
     container.appendChild(div);
+    if (persist) {
+        const baseType = (type || '').split(' ')[0];
+        saveOutputEntry(baseType, text);
+    }
     return div;
 }
 
@@ -421,3 +428,77 @@ function selectHistoryItem(command) {
         historyMenu.classList.remove('show');
     }
 }
+
+
+// ============================================================
+// Persistent console output transcript
+// ============================================================
+
+/**
+ * Load persisted output entries and render them as historic (faded) items,
+ * followed by a divider marking the start of the current session.
+ */
+async function loadOutputHistory() {
+    try {
+        const response = await fetch('/api/console/output');
+        const data = await response.json();
+        if (!data.success || !Array.isArray(data.entries) || data.entries.length === 0) {
+            return;
+        }
+        const container = document.getElementById('consoleMessages');
+        if (!container) return;
+        for (const entry of data.entries) {
+            const div = document.createElement('div');
+            div.className = `console-message ${entry.type} historic`;
+            div.textContent = entry.text;
+            container.appendChild(div);
+        }
+        const divider = document.createElement('hr');
+        divider.className = 'history-divider';
+        container.appendChild(divider);
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Failed to load output history:', error);
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * POST a single transcript entry to the server (fire-and-forget).
+ */
+function saveOutputEntry(type, text) {
+    try {
+        fetch('/api/console/output', {
+            method: 'POST',
+            headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
+            body: JSON.stringify({ type, text })
+        }).catch(err => console.error('Failed to persist output entry:', err));
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Failed to persist output entry:', error);
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Clear the persisted transcript and the current display.
+ */
+async function clearOutputHistory() {
+    try {
+        await fetch('/api/console/output', { method: 'DELETE' });
+    } catch (error) {
+        console.error('Failed to clear output history:', error);
+    }
+    const container = document.getElementById('consoleMessages');
+    if (container) {
+        container.innerHTML = '';
+    }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Wire the trash button next to the history dropdown.
+ */
+function setupClearOutputButton() {
+    const btn = document.getElementById('clearOutputBtn');
+    if (!btn) return;
+    btn.addEventListener('click', (e) => {
+        e.preventDefault();
+        clearOutputHistory();
+    });
+}

app/templates/console.html

@@ -39,6 +39,11 @@
             flex-shrink: 0;
         }
 
+        .device-name {
+            color: #4ecdc4;
+            font-weight: 500;
+        }
+
         .console-messages {
             flex: 1;
             overflow-y: auto;
@@ -81,6 +86,16 @@
             font-style: italic;
         }
 
+        .console-message.historic {
+            opacity: 0.55;
+        }
+
+        .history-divider {
+            border: none;
+            border-top: 1px dashed #0f3460;
+            margin: 0.5rem 0 1rem 0;
+        }
+
         .console-input-area {
             background-color: #16213e;
             border-top: 1px solid #0f3460;
@@ -254,7 +269,7 @@
     <div class="console-container">
         <!-- Header with status indicator -->
         <div class="console-header d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center">
-            <small class="text-muted">{{ device_name }}</small>
+            <small class="device-name">{{ device_name }}</small>
             <div class="d-flex align-items-center gap-2">
                 <span class="status-dot" id="statusDot"></span>
                 <small class="text-muted" id="statusText">Connecting...</small>
@@ -263,10 +278,7 @@
 
         <!-- Messages Area -->
         <div class="console-messages" id="consoleMessages">
-            <div class="console-message system">
-                Type a meshcli command and press Enter.
-                Examples: infos, contacts, help
-            </div>
+            <div class="console-message system">Type 'help' for available commands.</div>
         </div>
 
         <!-- Input Area -->
@@ -281,6 +293,10 @@
                         <div class="history-empty">No commands in history</div>
                     </div>
                 </div>
+                <!-- Clear output transcript -->
+                <button type="button" class="btn history-btn" id="clearOutputBtn" title="Clear output history">
+                    <i class="bi bi-trash"></i>
+                </button>
                 <input type="text"
                        id="commandInput"
                        class="form-control console-input"

app/templates/index.html

@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@
     <div class="modal-dialog modal-fullscreen">
         <div class="modal-content" style="background-color: #1a1a2e;">
             <div class="modal-header" style="background-color: #16213e; border-bottom: 1px solid #0f3460;">
-                <h5 class="modal-title text-white"><i class="bi bi-terminal"></i> meshcli Console</h5>
+                <h5 class="modal-title text-white"><i class="bi bi-terminal"></i> mc-webui Console</h5>
                 <button type="button" class="btn btn-outline-light" data-bs-dismiss="modal">
                     <i class="bi bi-x-lg"></i> Close
                 </button>

docs/rpt-mgmt.md

@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ This guide explains how to manage a MeshCore repeater device directly from the m
 
 ## 2. Login to Your Repeater and Initialize Conversation
 
-- Open the `meshcli Console`
+- Open the `mc-webui Console`
 
     <img src="../images/RPT-Mgmt-05-open-console.png" alt="Console" width="200px">