From 7d39e726b41d8a41246bc53d15df0e1144e51a15 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Jack Kingsman <jack.kingsman@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 2 Mar 2026 20:19:49 -0800
Subject: [PATCH] Local serving optimizations and Windows docs updates

---
 README.md                    | 21 +++++++++++++++++++++
 frontend/src/useWebSocket.ts |  6 +-----
 frontend/vite.config.ts      |  2 ++
 3 files changed, 24 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index db7b70a..0123744 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -42,6 +42,12 @@ ls /dev/ttyUSB* /dev/ttyACM*
 #######
 ls /dev/cu.usbserial-* /dev/cu.usbmodem*
 
+###########
+# Windows
+###########
+# In PowerShell:
+Get-CimInstance Win32_SerialPort | Select-Object DeviceID, Caption
+
 ######
 # WSL2
 ######
@@ -88,6 +94,12 @@ MESHCORE_TCP_HOST=192.168.1.100 MESHCORE_TCP_PORT=4000 uv run uvicorn app.main:a
 MESHCORE_BLE_ADDRESS=AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF MESHCORE_BLE_PIN=123456 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
 ```
 
+On Windows (PowerShell), set environment variables as a separate statement:
+```powershell
+$env:MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT="COM8" # or your COM port
+uv run uvicorn app.main:app --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
+```
+
 Access at http://localhost:8000
 
 > **Note:** WebGPU cracking requires HTTPS when not on localhost. See the HTTPS section under Additional Setup.
@@ -149,6 +161,15 @@ uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload # autodetects serial port
 MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT=/dev/ttyUSB0 uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload
 ```
 
+On Windows (PowerShell):
+```powershell
+uv sync
+$env:MESHCORE_SERIAL_PORT="COM8" # or your COM port
+uv run uvicorn app.main:app --reload
+```
+
+> **Windows note:** I've seen an intermittent startup issue like `"Received empty packet: index out of range"` with failed contact sync. I can't figure out why this happens. The issue typically resolves on restart. If you can figure out why this happens, I will buy you a virtual or iRL six pack if you're in the PNW. As a former always-windows-girlie before embracing WSL2, I despise second-classing M$FT users, but I'm just stuck with this one.
+
 ### Frontend
 
 ```bash
diff --git a/frontend/src/useWebSocket.ts b/frontend/src/useWebSocket.ts
index 6477a26..c1d6505 100644
--- a/frontend/src/useWebSocket.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/useWebSocket.ts
@@ -49,11 +49,7 @@ export function useWebSocket(options: UseWebSocketOptions) {
   const connect = useCallback(() => {
     // Determine WebSocket URL based on current location
     const protocol = window.location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss:' : 'ws:';
-    // In development, connect directly to backend; in production, use same host
-    const isDev = window.location.port === '5173';
-    const wsUrl = isDev
-      ? `ws://localhost:8000/api/ws`
-      : `${protocol}//${window.location.host}/api/ws`;
+    const wsUrl = `${protocol}//${window.location.host}/api/ws`;
 
     const ws = new WebSocket(wsUrl);
 
diff --git a/frontend/vite.config.ts b/frontend/vite.config.ts
index 10b4892..08e36f9 100644
--- a/frontend/vite.config.ts
+++ b/frontend/vite.config.ts
@@ -29,10 +29,12 @@ export default defineConfig({
     sourcemap: true,
   },
   server: {
+    host: true,
     proxy: {
       '/api': {
         target: 'http://localhost:8000',
         changeOrigin: true,
+        ws: true,
       },
     },
     watch: {