Chat window is now movable

Dockerfile

@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+# Dockerfile for Dereth Tracker application
+FROM python:3.12-slim
+
+# Set working directory
+WORKDIR /app
+
+# Upgrade pip and install Python dependencies
+RUN python -m pip install --upgrade pip && \
+    pip install --no-cache-dir fastapi uvicorn pydantic pandas matplotlib websockets
+
+# Copy application code
+COPY static/ /app/static/
+COPY main.py /app/main.py
+COPY db.py /app/db.py
+COPY Dockerfile /Dockerfile
+# Expose the application port
+EXPOSE 8765
+
+# Default environment variables (override as needed)
+ENV DB_MAX_SIZE_MB=2048 \
+    DB_RETENTION_DAYS=7 \
+    DB_MAX_SQL_LENGTH=1000000000 \
+    DB_MAX_SQL_VARIABLES=32766 \
+    DB_WAL_AUTOCHECKPOINT_PAGES=1000 \
+    SHARED_SECRET=your_shared_secret
+
+# Run the FastAPI application with Uvicorn
+CMD ["uvicorn", "main:app", "--host", "0.0.0.0", "--port", "8765", "--reload", "--workers", "1"]

FIXES.md

@@ -0,0 +1,48 @@
+# Planned Fixes and Enhancements
+
+_This document captures the next set of improvements and fixes for Dereth Tracker._
+
+## 1. Chat Window Styling and Format
+- **Terminal-style chat interface**
+  - Redesign the chat window to mimic Asheron’s Call in-game chat: monospaced font, dark semi-transparent background, and text entry at the bottom.
+  - Implement timestamped message prefixes (e.g., `[12:34] character: message`).
+  - Support command- and system-level styling (e.g., whispers, party chat) with distinct color cues.
+
+## 2. Incoming Message Parsing
+- **Strip protocol overhead**
+  - Remove JSON envelope artifacts (e.g., remove quotes, braces) so only raw message text appears.
+  - Validate and sanitize incoming payloads (e.g., escape HTML, truncate length).
+  - Optionally support rich-text / emotes by parsing simple markup (e.g., `*bold*`, `/me action`).
+
+## 3. Message Color Scheme
+- **Per-character consistent colors**
+  - Map each character name to a unique, but legible, pastel or muted color.
+  - Ensure sufficient contrast with the chat background (WCAG AA compliance).
+  - Provide user override settings for theme (light/dark) and custom palettes.
+
+## 4. Command Prompt Integration
+- **Client-side command entry**
+  - Allow slash-commands in chat input (e.g., `/kick PlayerName`, `/whisper PlayerName Hello`).
+  - Validate commands before sending to `/ws/live` and route to the correct plugin WebSocket.
+  - Show feedback on command success/failure in the chat window.
+
+## 5. Security Hardening
+- **Authentication & Authorization**
+  - Enforce TLS (HTTPS/WSS) for all HTTP and WebSocket connections.
+  - Protect `/ws/position` with rotating shared secrets or token-based auth (e.g., JWT).
+  - Rate-limit incoming telemetry and chat messages to prevent flooding.
+  - Sanitize all inputs to guard against injection (SQL, XSS) and implement strict CSP headers.
+
+## 6. Performance and Scalability
+- **Throttling and Load Handling**
+  - Batch updates during high-frequency telemetry bursts to reduce WebSocket churn.
+  - Cache recent `/live` and `/trails` responses in-memory to relieve SQLite under load.
+  - Plan for horizontal scaling: stateless FastAPI behind a load balancer with shared database or in-memory pub/sub.
+
+## 7. Testing and Quality Assurance
+- **Automated Tests**
+  - Unit tests for `db.save_snapshot`, HTTP endpoints, and WebSocket handlers.
+  - E2E tests for the frontend UI (using Puppeteer or Playwright) to verify chat and map functionality.
+  - Security regression tests for input sanitization and auth enforcement.
+
+_Refer to this list when planning next development sprints. Each item should be broken down into individual tickets or pull requests._

LESSONSLEARNED.md

@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+# Lessons Learned
+
+_This document captures the key takeaways and implementation details from today's troubleshooting session._
+
+## 1. API Routing & Proxy Configuration
+- **API_BASE constant**: The frontend (`static/script.js`) uses a base path `API_BASE` (default `/api`) to prefix all HTTP and WebSocket calls. Always update this to match your proxy mount point.
+- **Nginx WebSocket forwarding**: To proxy WebSockets, you must forward the `Upgrade` and `Connection` headers:
+  ```nginx
+  proxy_set_header Upgrade    $http_upgrade;
+  proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
+  ```
+  Without these, the WS handshake downgrades to a normal HTTP GET, resulting in 404s.
+
+## 2. Debugging WebSocket Traffic
+- Logged all incoming WS frames in `main.py`:
+  - `[WS-PLUGIN RX] <client>: <raw>` for messages on `/ws/position`
+  - `[WS-LIVE RX]   <client>: <parsed-json>` for messages on `/ws/live`
+- These prints surface registration, telemetry, chat, and command packets, aiding root-cause analysis.
+
+## 3. Data Serialization Fix
+- Python `datetime` objects are not JSON-serializable by default. We wrapped outbound payloads via FastAPI’s `jsonable_encoder` in `_broadcast_to_browser_clients` so that:
+  ```python
+  data = jsonable_encoder(snapshot)
+  await ws.send_json(data)
+  ```
+  This ensures ISO8601 strings for timestamps and eliminates `TypeError: Object of type datetime is not JSON serializable`.
+
+## 4. Frontend Adjustments
+- **Chat input positioning**: Moved the `.chat-form` to `position: absolute; bottom: 0;` so the input always sticks to the bottom of its window.
+- **Text color**: Forced the input text and placeholder to white (`.chat-input, .chat-input::placeholder { color: #fff; }`) and forcibly set all incoming messages to white via `.chat-messages div { color: #fff !important; }`.
+- **Padding for messages**: Added `padding-bottom` to `.chat-messages` to avoid new messages being hidden behind the fixed input bar.
+
+## 5. General Best Practices
+- Clear browser cache after updating static assets to avoid stale JS/CSS.
+- Keep patches targeted: fix the source of issues (e.g., JSON encoding or missing headers) rather than applying superficial workarounds.
+- Use consistent CSS variables for theming (e.g., `--text`, `--bg-main`).
+
+By consolidating these lessons, we can onboard faster next time and avoid repeating these pitfalls.

README.md

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 # Dereth Tracker
 
-Dereth Tracker is a real-time telemetry service for the world of Dereth. It collects player data, stores it in a SQLite database, and provides both a live map interface and an analytics dashboard.
+Dereth Tracker is a real-time telemetry service for the world of Dereth. It collects player data, stores it in a SQLite database, and provides a live map interface along with a sample data generator for testing.
 
 ## Table of Contents
 - [Overview](#overview)
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ Dereth Tracker is a real-time telemetry service for the world of Dereth. It coll
 - [API Reference](#api-reference)
 - [Frontend](#frontend)
 - [Database Schema](#database-schema)
-- [Sample Payload](#sample-payload)
 - [Contributing](#contributing)
 
 ## Overview
@@ -21,16 +20,16 @@ This project provides:
 - A FastAPI backend with endpoints for receiving and querying telemetry data.
 - SQLite-based storage for snapshots and live state.
 - A live, interactive map using static HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
-- An analytics dashboard for visualizing kills and session metrics.
+- A sample data generator script (`generate_data.py`) for simulating telemetry snapshots.
 
 ## Features
 
-- **POST /position**: Submit a telemetry snapshot (protected by a shared secret).
+- **WebSocket /ws/position**: Stream telemetry snapshots (protected by a shared secret).
 - **GET /live**: Fetch active players seen in the last 30 seconds.
 - **GET /history**: Retrieve historical telemetry data with optional time filtering.
 - **GET /debug**: Health check endpoint.
 - **Live Map**: Interactive map interface with panning, zooming, and sorting.
- - **Analytics Dashboard**: Interactive charts for kills over time and kills per hour using D3.js.
+- **Sample Data Generator**: `generate_data.py` sends telemetry snapshots over WebSocket for testing.
 
 ## Requirements
 
@@ -45,6 +44,7 @@ Python packages:
 - pydantic
 - pandas
 - matplotlib
+- websockets  # required for sample data generator
 
 ## Installation
 
@@ -60,13 +60,14 @@ Python packages:
    ```
 3. Install dependencies:
    ```bash
-   pip install fastapi uvicorn pydantic pandas matplotlib
+   pip install fastapi uvicorn pydantic pandas matplotlib websockets
    ```
 
 ## Configuration
 
 - Update the `SHARED_SECRET` in `main.py` to match your plugin (default: `"your_shared_secret"`).
 - The SQLite database file `dereth.db` is created in the project root. To change the path, edit `DB_FILE` in `db.py`.
+- To limit the maximum database size, set the environment variable `DB_MAX_SIZE_MB` (default: 2048 MB).
 
 ## Usage
 
@@ -76,17 +77,66 @@ Start the server using Uvicorn:
 uvicorn main:app --reload --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8000
 ```
 
-- Live Map: `http://localhost:8000/`
+## NGINX Proxy Configuration
-- Analytics Dashboard: `http://localhost:8000/graphs.html`
+
+If you cannot reassign the existing `/live` and `/trails` routes, you can namespace this service under `/api` (or any other prefix) and configure NGINX accordingly. Be sure to forward WebSocket upgrade headers so that `/ws/live` and `/ws/position` continue to work. Example:
+```nginx
+location /api/ {
+  proxy_pass         http://127.0.0.1:8765/;
+   proxy_http_version 1.1;
+  proxy_set_header   Host              $host;
+  proxy_set_header   X-Real-IP         $remote_addr;
+  proxy_set_header   X-Forwarded-For   $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+  proxy_set_header   X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+  # WebSocket support
+  proxy_set_header   Upgrade           $http_upgrade;
+  proxy_set_header   Connection        "upgrade";
+  proxy_cache_bypass $http_upgrade;
+}
+```
+Then the browser client (static/script.js) will fetch `/api/live/` and `/api/trails/` to reach this new server.
+
+- Live Map: `http://localhost:8000/` (or `http://<your-domain>/api/` if behind a prefix)
+
+### Frontend Configuration
+
+- In `static/script.js`, the constant `API_BASE` controls where live/trails data and WebSocket `/ws/live` are fetched. By default:
+  ```js
+  const API_BASE = '/api';
+  ```
+  Update `API_BASE` if you mount the service under a different path or serve it at root.
+
+### Debugging WebSockets
+
+- Server logs now print every incoming WebSocket frame in `main.py`:
+  - `[WS-PLUGIN RX] <client>: <raw-payload>` for plugin messages on `/ws/position`
+  - `[WS-LIVE RX]   <client>: <parsed-json>` for browser messages on `/ws/live`
+- Use these logs to verify messages and troubleshoot handshake failures.
+
+### Styling Adjustments
+
+- Chat input bar is fixed at the bottom of the chat window (`.chat-form { position:absolute; bottom:0; }`).
+- Input text and placeholder are white for readability (`.chat-input, .chat-input::placeholder { color:#fff; }`).
+- Incoming chat messages forced white via `.chat-messages div { color:#fff !important; }`.
 
 ## API Reference
 
-### POST /position
+### WebSocket /ws/position
-Submit a JSON telemetry snapshot. Requires header `X-Plugin-Secret: <shared_secret>`.
+Stream telemetry snapshots over a WebSocket connection. Provide your shared secret either as a query parameter or WebSocket header:
+
+```
+ws://<host>:<port>/ws/position?secret=<shared_secret>
+```
+or
+```
+X-Plugin-Secret: <shared_secret>
+```
+
+After connecting, send JSON messages matching the `TelemetrySnapshot` schema. For example:
 
-**Request Body Example:**
 ```json
 {
+  "type": "telemetry",
   "character_name": "Dunking Rares",
   "char_tag": "moss",
   "session_id": "dunk-20250422-xyz",
@@ -104,6 +154,23 @@ Submit a JSON telemetry snapshot. Requires header `X-Plugin-Secret: <shared_secr
 }
 ```
 
+### Chat messages
+You can also send chat envelopes over the same WebSocket to display messages in the browser. Fields:
+- `type`: must be "chat"
+- `character_name`: target player name
+- `text`: message content
+- `color` (optional): CSS color string (e.g. "#ff8800"); if sent as an integer (0xRRGGBB), it will be converted to hex.
+
+Example chat payload:
+```json
+{
+  "type": "chat",
+  "character_name": "MyCharacter",
+  "text": "Hello world!",
+  "color": "#88f"
+}
+```
+
 ### GET /live
 Returns active players seen within the last 30 seconds:
 
@@ -131,17 +198,12 @@ Response:
 ## Frontend
 
 - **Live Map**: `static/index.html` – Real-time player positions on a map.
-- **Analytics Dashboard**: `static/graphs.html` – Interactive charts powered by [D3.js](https://d3js.org/).
 
 ## Database Schema
 
 - **telemetry_log**: Stored history of snapshots.
 - **live_state**: Current snapshot per character (upserted).
 
-## Sample Payload
-
-See `test.json` for an example telemetry snapshot.
-
 ## Contributing
 
 Contributions are welcome! Feel free to open issues or submit pull requests.

db.py

@@ -1,13 +1,38 @@
+import os
 import sqlite3
 from typing import Dict
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta
 
 DB_FILE = "dereth.db"
+# Maximum allowed database size (in MB). Defaults to 2048 (2GB). Override via env DB_MAX_SIZE_MB.
+MAX_DB_SIZE_MB = int(os.getenv("DB_MAX_SIZE_MB", "2048"))
+# Retention window for telemetry history in days. Override via env DB_RETENTION_DAYS.
+MAX_RETENTION_DAYS = int(os.getenv("DB_RETENTION_DAYS", "7"))
+# SQLite runtime limits customization
+DB_MAX_SQL_LENGTH = int(os.getenv("DB_MAX_SQL_LENGTH", "1000000000"))
+DB_MAX_SQL_VARIABLES = int(os.getenv("DB_MAX_SQL_VARIABLES", "32766"))
+# Number of WAL frames to write before forcing a checkpoint (override via env DB_WAL_AUTOCHECKPOINT_PAGES)
+DB_WAL_AUTOCHECKPOINT_PAGES = int(os.getenv("DB_WAL_AUTOCHECKPOINT_PAGES", "1000"))
 
 
 def init_db() -> None:
     """Create tables if they do not exist (extended with kills_per_hour and onlinetime)."""
-    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE)
+    # Open connection with a longer timeout
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE, timeout=30)
+    # Bump SQLite runtime limits
+    conn.setlimit(sqlite3.SQLITE_LIMIT_LENGTH, DB_MAX_SQL_LENGTH)
+    conn.setlimit(sqlite3.SQLITE_LIMIT_SQL_LENGTH, DB_MAX_SQL_LENGTH)
+    conn.setlimit(sqlite3.SQLITE_LIMIT_VARIABLE_NUMBER, DB_MAX_SQL_VARIABLES)
     c = conn.cursor()
+    # Enable auto_vacuum FULL and rebuild DB so that deletions shrink the file
+    c.execute("PRAGMA auto_vacuum=FULL;")
+    conn.commit()
+    c.execute("VACUUM;")
+    conn.commit()
+    # Switch to WAL mode for concurrency, adjust checkpointing, and enforce max size
+    c.execute("PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL")
+    c.execute("PRAGMA synchronous=NORMAL")
+    c.execute(f"PRAGMA wal_autocheckpoint={DB_WAL_AUTOCHECKPOINT_PAGES}")
 
     # History log
     c.execute(
@@ -60,8 +85,17 @@ def init_db() -> None:
 
 def save_snapshot(data: Dict) -> None:
     """Insert snapshot into history and upsert into live_state (with new fields)."""
-    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE)
+    # Open connection with a longer busy timeout
+    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE, timeout=30)
+    # Bump SQLite runtime limits on this connection
+    conn.setlimit(sqlite3.SQLITE_LIMIT_LENGTH, DB_MAX_SQL_LENGTH)
+    conn.setlimit(sqlite3.SQLITE_LIMIT_SQL_LENGTH, DB_MAX_SQL_LENGTH)
+    conn.setlimit(sqlite3.SQLITE_LIMIT_VARIABLE_NUMBER, DB_MAX_SQL_VARIABLES)
     c = conn.cursor()
+    # Ensure WAL mode, checkpointing, and size limit on this connection
+    c.execute("PRAGMA journal_mode=WAL")
+    c.execute("PRAGMA synchronous=NORMAL")
+    c.execute(f"PRAGMA wal_autocheckpoint={DB_WAL_AUTOCHECKPOINT_PAGES}")
 
     # Insert full history row
     c.execute(

docker-compose.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+version: "3.8"
+
+services:
+  dereth-tracker:
+    build: .
+    ports:
+      - "127.0.0.1:8765:8765"
+    volumes:
+      # Mount local database file for persistence
+      - "./dereth.db:/app/dereth.db"
+      - "./main.py:/app/main.py"
+      - "./db.py:/app/db.py"
+      - "./static:/app/static"
+    environment:
+      # Override database and application settings as needed
+      DB_MAX_SIZE_MB: "2048"
+      DB_RETENTION_DAYS: "7"
+      DB_MAX_SQL_LENGTH: "1000000000"
+      DB_MAX_SQL_VARIABLES: "32766"
+      DB_WAL_AUTOCHECKPOINT_PAGES: "1000"
+      SHARED_SECRET: "your_shared_secret"
+    restart: unless-stopped

generate_data.py

@@ -1,14 +1,18 @@
-import httpx
+import asyncio
+import websockets
+import json
 from datetime import datetime, timedelta, timezone
-from time import sleep
 from main import TelemetrySnapshot
 
 
-def main() -> None:
+async def main() -> None:
     wait = 10
     online_time = 24 * 3600  # start at 1 day
-    ew = 0
+    ew = 0.0
-    ns = 0
+    ns = 0.0
+    uri = "ws://localhost:8000/ws/position?secret=your_shared_secret"
+    async with websockets.connect(uri) as websocket:
+        print(f"Connected to {uri}")
         while True:
             snapshot = TelemetrySnapshot(
                 character_name="Test name",
@@ -26,20 +30,16 @@ def main() -> None:
                 prismatic_taper_count=0,
                 vt_state="test state",
             )
-        resp = httpx.post(
+            # wrap in envelope with message type
-            "http://localhost:8000/position/",
+            payload = snapshot.model_dump()
-            data=snapshot.model_dump_json(),
+            payload["type"] = "telemetry"
-            headers={
+            await websocket.send(json.dumps(payload, default=str))
-                "Content-Type": "application/json",
+            print(f"Sent snapshot: EW={ew:.2f}, NS={ns:.2f}")
-                "X-PLUGIN-SECRET": "your_shared_secret",
+            await asyncio.sleep(wait)
-            },
-        )
-        print(resp)
-        sleep(wait)
             ew += 0.1
             ns += 0.1
             online_time += wait
 
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
-    main()
+    asyncio.run(main())

main.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ from fastapi import FastAPI, Header, HTTPException, Query, WebSocket, WebSocketD
 from fastapi.responses import JSONResponse
 from fastapi.routing import APIRoute
 from fastapi.staticfiles import StaticFiles
+from fastapi.encoders import jsonable_encoder
 from pydantic import BaseModel
 from typing import Optional
 
@@ -16,7 +17,7 @@ from starlette.concurrency import run_in_threadpool
 
 # ------------------------------------------------------------------
 app = FastAPI()
-
+# test
 # In-memory store of the last packet per character
 live_snapshots: Dict[str, dict] = {}
 
@@ -50,31 +51,6 @@ def on_startup():
     init_db()
 
 
-# ------------------------  POST  ----------------------------------
-@app.post("/position")
-@app.post("/position/")
-async def receive_snapshot(
-    snapshot: TelemetrySnapshot, x_plugin_secret: str = Header(None)
-):
-    if x_plugin_secret != SHARED_SECRET:
-        raise HTTPException(status_code=401, detail="Unauthorized")
-
-    # cache for /live
-    live_snapshots[snapshot.character_name] = snapshot.dict()
-
-    # save in sqlite
-    save_snapshot(snapshot.dict())
-
-    # optional log-file append
-    # with open(LOG_FILE, "a") as f:
-    #    f.write(json.dumps(snapshot.dict(), default=str) + "\n")
-
-    print(
-        f"[{datetime.now()}] {snapshot.character_name} @ NS={snapshot.ns:+.2f}, EW={snapshot.ew:+.2f}"
-    )
-
-    return {"status": "ok"}
-
 
 # ------------------------  GET  -----------------------------------
 @app.get("/debug")
@@ -82,22 +58,33 @@ def debug():
     return {"status": "OK"}
 
 
-@app.get("/live")
+@app.get("/live", response_model=dict)
-@app.get("/live/")
+@app.get("/live/", response_model=dict)
 def get_live_players():
-    conn = sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE)
+    # compute cutoff once
+    now_utc = datetime.now(timezone.utc)
+    cutoff = now_utc - ACTIVE_WINDOW
+
+    cutoff_sql = cutoff.strftime("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
+
+    try:
+        with sqlite3.connect(DB_FILE) as conn:
             conn.row_factory = sqlite3.Row
-    rows = conn.execute("SELECT * FROM live_state").fetchall()
+            query = """
-    conn.close()
+            SELECT *
+            FROM live_state
+            WHERE datetime(timestamp) > datetime(?, 'utc')
+            """
+            rows = conn.execute(query, (cutoff_sql,)).fetchall()
 
-    # aware cutoff (UTC)
+    except sqlite3.Error as e:
-    cutoff = datetime.utcnow().replace(tzinfo=timezone.utc) - ACTIVE_WINDOW
+        # log e if you have logging set up
+        raise HTTPException(status_code=500, detail="Database error")
 
-    players = [
+    # build list of dicts
-        dict(r)
+    players = []
-        for r in rows
+    for r in rows:
-        if datetime.fromisoformat(r["timestamp"].replace("Z", "+00:00")) > cutoff
+        players.append(dict(r))
-    ]
 
     return JSONResponse(content={"players": players})
 
@@ -198,42 +185,114 @@ def get_trails(
 
 # --------------------  WebSocket endpoints -----------------------
 browser_conns: set[WebSocket] = set()
+# Map of registered plugin clients: character_name -> WebSocket
+plugin_conns: Dict[str, WebSocket] = {}
 
 async def _broadcast_to_browser_clients(snapshot: dict):
+    # Ensure all data (e.g. datetime) is JSON-serializable
+    data = jsonable_encoder(snapshot)
     for ws in list(browser_conns):
         try:
-            await ws.send_json(snapshot)
+            await ws.send_json(data)
         except WebSocketDisconnect:
             browser_conns.remove(ws)
 
 @app.websocket("/ws/position")
-async def ws_receive_snapshots(websocket: WebSocket, secret: str = Query(...)):
+async def ws_receive_snapshots(
-    await websocket.accept()
+    websocket: WebSocket,
-    if secret != SHARED_SECRET:
+    secret: str | None = Query(None),
+    x_plugin_secret: str | None = Header(None)
+):
+    # Verify shared secret from query parameter or header
+    key = secret or x_plugin_secret
+    if key != SHARED_SECRET:
+        # Reject without completing the WebSocket handshake
         await websocket.close(code=1008)
         return
+    # Accept the WebSocket connection
+    await websocket.accept()
+    print(f"[WS] Plugin connected: {websocket.client}")
     try:
         while True:
-            data = await websocket.receive_json()
+            # Read next text frame
-            snap = TelemetrySnapshot.parse_obj(data)
+            try:
+                raw = await websocket.receive_text()
+                # Debug: log all incoming plugin WebSocket messages
+                print(f"[WS-PLUGIN RX] {websocket.client}: {raw}")
+            except WebSocketDisconnect:
+                print(f"[WS] Plugin disconnected: {websocket.client}")
+                break
+            # Parse JSON payload
+            try:
+                data = json.loads(raw)
+            except json.JSONDecodeError:
+                continue
+            msg_type = data.get("type")
+            # Registration message: map character to this socket
+            if msg_type == "register":
+                name = data.get("character_name") or data.get("player_name")
+                if isinstance(name, str):
+                    plugin_conns[name] = websocket
+                continue
+            # Telemetry message: save to DB and broadcast
+            if msg_type == "telemetry":
+                payload = data.copy()
+                payload.pop("type", None)
+                snap = TelemetrySnapshot.parse_obj(payload)
                 live_snapshots[snap.character_name] = snap.dict()
                 await run_in_threadpool(save_snapshot, snap.dict())
                 await _broadcast_to_browser_clients(snap.dict())
-    except WebSocketDisconnect:
+                continue
-        pass
+            # Chat message: broadcast to browser clients only (no DB write)
+            if msg_type == "chat":
+                await _broadcast_to_browser_clients(data)
+                continue
+            # Unknown message types are ignored
+    finally:
+        # Clean up any plugin registrations for this socket
+        to_remove = [n for n, ws in plugin_conns.items() if ws is websocket]
+        for n in to_remove:
+            del plugin_conns[n]
+        print(f"[WS] Cleaned up plugin connections for {websocket.client}")
 
 @app.websocket("/ws/live")
 async def ws_live_updates(websocket: WebSocket):
+    # Browser clients connect here to receive telemetry and chat, and send commands
     await websocket.accept()
     browser_conns.add(websocket)
     try:
         while True:
-            await asyncio.sleep(3600)
+            # Receive command messages from browser
+            try:
+                data = await websocket.receive_json()
+                # Debug: log all incoming browser WebSocket messages
+                print(f"[WS-LIVE RX] {websocket.client}: {data}")
             except WebSocketDisconnect:
+                break
+            # Determine command envelope format (new or legacy)
+            if "player_name" in data and "command" in data:
+                # New format: { player_name, command }
+                target_name = data["player_name"]
+                payload = data
+            elif data.get("type") == "command" and "character_name" in data and "text" in data:
+                # Legacy format: { type: 'command', character_name, text }
+                target_name = data.get("character_name")
+                payload = {"player_name": target_name, "command": data.get("text")}
+            else:
+                # Not a recognized command envelope
+                continue
+            # Forward command envelope to the appropriate plugin WebSocket
+            target_ws = plugin_conns.get(target_name)
+            if target_ws:
+                await target_ws.send_json(payload)
+    except WebSocketDisconnect:
+        pass
+    finally:
         browser_conns.remove(websocket)
 
 
 # --------------------  static frontend  ---------------------------
+# static frontend
 app.mount("/", StaticFiles(directory="static", html=True), name="static")
 
 # list routes for convenience

static/script.js

@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@ const list         = document.getElementById('playerList');
 const btnContainer = document.getElementById('sortButtons');
 const tooltip      = document.getElementById('tooltip');
 
+// WebSocket for chat and commands
+let socket;
+// Keep track of open chat windows: character_name -> DOM element
+const chatWindows = {};
+
 /* ---------- constants ------------------------------------------- */
 const MAX_Z       = 10;
 const FOCUS_ZOOM  = 3;       // zoom level when you click a name
@@ -19,6 +24,44 @@ const MAP_BOUNDS  = {
   south: -102.00
 };
 
+// Base path for tracker API endpoints; prefix API calls with '/api' when served behind a proxy
+const API_BASE = '/api';
+// Maximum number of lines to retain in each chat window scrollback
+const MAX_CHAT_LINES = 1000;
+// Map numeric chat color codes to CSS hex colors
+const CHAT_COLOR_MAP = {
+  0:  '#00FF00', // Broadcast
+  2:  '#FFFFFF', // Speech
+  3:  '#FFD700', // Tell
+  4:  '#CCCC00', // OutgoingTell
+  5:  '#FF00FF', // System
+  6:  '#FF0000', // Combat
+  7:  '#00CCFF', // Magic
+  8:  '#DDDDDD', // Channel
+  9:  '#FF9999', // ChannelSend
+ 10:  '#FFFF33', // Social
+ 11:  '#CCFF33', // SocialSend
+ 12:  '#FFFFFF', // Emote
+ 13:  '#00FFFF', // Advancement
+ 14:  '#66CCFF', // Abuse
+ 15:  '#FF0000', // Help
+ 16:  '#33FF00', // Appraisal
+ 17:  '#0099FF', // Spellcasting
+ 18:  '#FF6600', // Allegiance
+ 19:  '#CC66FF', // Fellowship
+ 20:  '#00FF00', // WorldBroadcast
+ 21:  '#FF0000', // CombatEnemy
+ 22:  '#FF33CC', // CombatSelf
+ 23:  '#00CC00', // Recall
+ 24:  '#00FF00', // Craft
+ 25:  '#00FF66', // Salvaging
+ 27:  '#FFFFFF', // General
+ 28:  '#33FF33', // Trade
+ 29:  '#CCCCCC', // LFG
+ 30:  '#CC00CC', // Roleplay
+ 31:  '#FFFF00'  // AdminTell
+};
+
 /* ---------- sort configuration ---------------------------------- */
 const sortOptions = [
   {
@@ -132,8 +175,8 @@ function hideTooltip() {
 async function pollLive() {
   try {
     const [liveRes, trailsRes] = await Promise.all([
-      fetch('/live/'),
+      fetch(`${API_BASE}/live/`),
-      fetch('/trails/?seconds=600'),
+      fetch(`${API_BASE}/trails/?seconds=600`),
     ]);
     const { players } = await liveRes.json();
     const { trails } = await trailsRes.json();
@@ -162,6 +205,7 @@ img.onload = () => {
   }
   fitToWindow();
   startPolling();
+  initWebSocket();
 };
 
 /* ---------- rendering sorted list & dots ------------------------ */
@@ -213,8 +257,29 @@ function render(players) {
     <span class="stat deaths">${p.deaths}</span>
   `;
 
+    // Color the metastate pill according to its value
+    const metaSpan = li.querySelector('.stat.meta');
+    if (metaSpan) {
+      const goodStates = ['default', 'default2', 'hunt', 'combat'];
+      const state = (p.vt_state || '').toString().toLowerCase();
+      if (goodStates.includes(state)) {
+        metaSpan.classList.add('green');
+      } else {
+        metaSpan.classList.add('red');
+      }
+    }
+  
     li.addEventListener('click', () => selectPlayer(p, x, y));
     if (p.character_name === selected) li.classList.add('selected');
+    // Chat button
+    const chatBtn = document.createElement('button');
+    chatBtn.className = 'chat-btn';
+    chatBtn.textContent = 'Chat';
+    chatBtn.addEventListener('click', e => {
+      e.stopPropagation();
+      showChatWindow(p.character_name);
+    });
+    li.appendChild(chatBtn);
     list.appendChild(li);
   });
 }
@@ -253,6 +318,178 @@ function selectPlayer(p, x, y) {
   renderList();  // keep sorted + highlight
 }
 
+/* ---------- chat & command handlers ---------------------------- */
+// Initialize WebSocket for chat and commands
+function initWebSocket() {
+  const protocol = location.protocol === 'https:' ? 'wss:' : 'ws:';
+  const wsUrl = `${protocol}//${location.host}${API_BASE}/ws/live`;
+  socket = new WebSocket(wsUrl);
+  socket.addEventListener('message', evt => {
+    let msg;
+    try { msg = JSON.parse(evt.data); } catch { return; }
+    if (msg.type === 'chat') {
+      appendChatMessage(msg);
+    }
+  });
+  socket.addEventListener('close', () => setTimeout(initWebSocket, 2000));
+  socket.addEventListener('error', e => console.error('WebSocket error:', e));
+}
+
+// Display or create a chat window for a character
+function showChatWindow(name) {
+  if (chatWindows[name]) {
+    // Restore flex layout when reopening & bring to front
+    const existing = chatWindows[name];
+    existing.style.display = 'flex';
+    if (!window.__chatZ) window.__chatZ = 10000;
+    window.__chatZ += 1;
+    existing.style.zIndex = window.__chatZ;
+    return;
+  }
+  const win = document.createElement('div');
+  win.className = 'chat-window';
+  win.dataset.character = name;
+  // Header
+  const header = document.createElement('div');
+  header.className = 'chat-header';
+  const title = document.createElement('span');
+  title.textContent = `Chat: ${name}`;
+  const closeBtn = document.createElement('button');
+  closeBtn.className = 'chat-close-btn';
+  closeBtn.textContent = '×';
+  closeBtn.addEventListener('click', () => { win.style.display = 'none'; });
+  header.appendChild(title);
+  header.appendChild(closeBtn);
+  win.appendChild(header);
+  // Messages container
+  const msgs = document.createElement('div');
+  msgs.className = 'chat-messages';
+  win.appendChild(msgs);
+  // Input form
+  const form = document.createElement('form');
+  form.className = 'chat-form';
+  const input = document.createElement('input');
+  input.type = 'text';
+  input.className = 'chat-input';
+  input.placeholder = 'Enter chat...';
+  form.appendChild(input);
+  form.addEventListener('submit', e => {
+    e.preventDefault();
+    const text = input.value.trim();
+    if (!text) return;
+    // Send command envelope: player_name and command only
+    socket.send(JSON.stringify({ player_name: name, command: text }));
+    input.value = '';
+  });
+  win.appendChild(form);
+  document.body.appendChild(win);
+  chatWindows[name] = win;
+
+  /* --------------------------------------------------------- */
+  /* enable dragging of the chat window via its header element */
+  /* --------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+  // keep a static counter so newer windows can be brought to front
+  if (!window.__chatZ) window.__chatZ = 10000;
+
+  let drag = false;
+  let startX = 0, startY = 0;
+  let startLeft = 0, startTop = 0;
+
+  header.style.cursor = 'move';
+
+  // bring to front when interacting
+  const bringToFront = () => {
+    window.__chatZ += 1;
+    win.style.zIndex = window.__chatZ;
+  };
+
+  header.addEventListener('mousedown', e => {
+    // don't initiate drag when pressing the close button (or other clickable controls)
+    if (e.target.closest('button')) return;
+    e.preventDefault();
+    drag = true;
+    bringToFront();
+    startX = e.clientX;
+    startY = e.clientY;
+    // current absolute position
+    startLeft = win.offsetLeft;
+    startTop  = win.offsetTop;
+    document.body.classList.add('noselect');
+  });
+
+  window.addEventListener('mousemove', e => {
+    if (!drag) return;
+    const dx = e.clientX - startX;
+    const dy = e.clientY - startY;
+    win.style.left = `${startLeft + dx}px`;
+    win.style.top  = `${startTop  + dy}px`;
+  });
+
+  window.addEventListener('mouseup', () => {
+    drag = false;
+    document.body.classList.remove('noselect');
+  });
+
+  /* touch support */
+  header.addEventListener('touchstart', e => {
+    if (e.touches.length !== 1 || e.target.closest('button')) return;
+    drag = true;
+    bringToFront();
+    const t = e.touches[0];
+    startX = t.clientX;
+    startY = t.clientY;
+    startLeft = win.offsetLeft;
+    startTop  = win.offsetTop;
+  });
+
+  window.addEventListener('touchmove', e => {
+    if (!drag || e.touches.length !== 1) return;
+    const t = e.touches[0];
+    const dx = t.clientX - startX;
+    const dy = t.clientY - startY;
+    win.style.left = `${startLeft + dx}px`;
+    win.style.top  = `${startTop  + dy}px`;
+  });
+
+  window.addEventListener('touchend', () => {
+    drag = false;
+  });
+}
+
+// Append a chat message to the correct window
+/**
+ * Append a chat message to the correct window, optionally coloring the text.
+ * msg: { type: 'chat', character_name, text, color? }
+ */
+function appendChatMessage(msg) {
+  const { character_name: name, text, color } = msg;
+  const win = chatWindows[name];
+  if (!win) return;
+  const msgs = win.querySelector('.chat-messages');
+  const p = document.createElement('div');
+  if (color !== undefined) {
+    let c = color;
+    if (typeof c === 'number') {
+      // map numeric chat code to configured color, or fallback to raw hex
+      if (CHAT_COLOR_MAP.hasOwnProperty(c)) {
+        c = CHAT_COLOR_MAP[c];
+      } else {
+        c = '#' + c.toString(16).padStart(6, '0');
+      }
+    }
+    p.style.color = c;
+  }
+  p.textContent = text;
+  msgs.appendChild(p);
+  // Enforce max number of lines in scrollback
+  while (msgs.children.length > MAX_CHAT_LINES) {
+    msgs.removeChild(msgs.firstChild);
+  }
+  // Scroll to bottom
+  msgs.scrollTop = msgs.scrollHeight;
+}
+
 /* ---------- pan & zoom handlers -------------------------------- */
 wrap.addEventListener('wheel', e => {
   e.preventDefault();

static/style.css

@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@
   --text:    #eee;
   --accent:  #88f;
 }
+/* Placeholder text in chat input should be white */
+.chat-input::placeholder {
+  color: #fff;
+  opacity: 0.7;
+}
 
 html {
   margin: 0;
@@ -197,10 +202,103 @@ body {
 .stat.kills::before   { content: "⚔️ ";                     }
 .stat.kph::after      { content: " KPH"; font-size:0.7em; color:#aaa; }
 .stat.rares::after    { content: " Rares"; font-size:0.7em; color:#aaa; }
-.stat.meta {
+/* metastate pill colors are assigned dynamically: green for “good” states, red otherwise */
+#playerList li .stat.meta {
+  /* fallback */
   background: var(--accent);
   color: #111;
 }
+
+#playerList li .stat.meta.green {
+  background: #2ecc71; /* pleasant green */
+  color: #111;
+}
+
+#playerList li .stat.meta.red {
+  background: #e74c3c; /* vivid red */
+  color: #fff;
+}
+
+/* ---------- chat window styling ------------------------------- */
+.chat-btn {
+  margin-top: 4px;
+  padding: 2px 6px;
+  background: var(--accent);
+  color: #111;
+  border: none;
+  border-radius: 3px;
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.chat-window {
+  position: absolute;
+  top: 10px;
+  /* position window to start just right of the sidebar */
+  left: calc(var(--sidebar-width) + 10px);
+  /* increase default size for better usability */
+  width: 760px; /* increased width for larger terminal area */
+  height: 300px;
+  background: var(--card);
+  border: 1px solid #555;
+  display: flex;
+  flex-direction: column;
+  z-index: 10000;
+}
+
+.chat-header {
+  display: flex;
+  justify-content: space-between;
+  align-items: center;
+  background: var(--accent);
+  padding: 4px;
+  color: #111;
+  cursor: move; /* indicates the header is draggable */
+}
+
+.chat-close-btn {
+  background: transparent;
+  border: none;
+  font-size: 1.2rem;
+  line-height: 1;
+  cursor: pointer;
+}
+
+.chat-messages {
+  flex: 1;
+  overflow-y: auto;
+  padding: 4px;
+  font-size: 0.85rem;
+  color: #fff;
+  /* reserve space so messages aren't hidden behind the input */
+  padding-bottom: 40px;
+}
+
+.chat-form {
+  display: flex;
+  border-top: 1px solid #333;
+  /* fix input area to the bottom of the chat window */
+  position: absolute;
+  left: 0;
+  right: 0;
+  bottom: 0;
+  background: #333;
+  z-index: 10;
+}
+
+.chat-input {
+  flex: 1;
+  padding: 4px 6px;
+  border: none;
+  background: #333;
+  color: #fff;
+  outline: none;
+}
+
+/* Prevent text selection while dragging chat windows */
+body.noselect, body.noselect * {
+  user-select: none !important;
+}
 .stat.onlinetime::before { content: "🕑 "}
 .stat.deaths::before { content: "💀 "}