# TimeSafari Build Modernization Context

**Author:** Matthew Raymer

## Motivation

- Eliminate manual hacks and post-build scripts for Electron builds
- Ensure maintainability, reproducibility, and security of build outputs
- Unify build, test, and deployment scripts for developer experience and CI/CD

## Key Technical Decisions

- **Vite is the single source of truth for build output**
  - All Electron build output (main process, preload, renderer HTML/CSS/JS) is managed by `vite.config.electron.mts`
- **CSS injection for Electron is handled by a Vite plugin**
  - No more manual HTML/CSS edits or post-build scripts
- **Build scripts are unified and robust**
  - Use `./scripts/build-electron.sh` for all Electron builds
  - No more `fix-inject-css.js` or similar hacks
- **Output structure is deterministic and ASAR-friendly**
  - Main process: `dist-electron/main.js`
  - Preload: `dist-electron/preload.js`
  - Renderer assets: `dist-electron/www/` (HTML, CSS, JS)

## Security & Maintenance Checklist

- [x] All scripts and configs are committed and documented
- [x] No manual file hacks remain
- [x] All build output is deterministic and reproducible
- [x] No sensitive data is exposed in the build process
- [x] Documentation (`BUILDING.md`) is up to date

## How to Build Electron

1. Run:

   ```bash
   ./scripts/build-electron.sh
   ```

2. Output will be in `dist-electron/`:
   - `main.js`, `preload.js` in root
   - `www/` contains all renderer assets
3. No manual post-processing is required

## Customization

- **Vite config:** All build output and asset handling is controlled in `vite.config.electron.mts`
- **CSS/HTML injection:** Use Vite plugins (see `electron-css-injection` in the config) for further customization
- **Build scripts:** All orchestration is in `scripts/` and documented in `BUILDING.md`

## For Future Developers

- Always use Vite plugins/config for build output changes
- Never manually edit built files or inject assets post-build
- Keep documentation and scripts in sync with the build process

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This file documents the context and rationale for the build modernization and should be included in the repository for onboarding and future reference.
