# Local iOS Testing with ngrok (notification-wakeup-service)

**Last updated:** 2026-05-18  
**Audience:** Developers on **crowd-funder-for-time-pwa**, **daily-notification-plugin**, and **notification-wakeup-service**  
**Goal:** Exercise silent push wake (`WAKEUP_PING`), FCM token registration, and notification refresh against a Mac-hosted backend reachable from a physical iPhone.

---

## Architecture overview

End-to-end flow when testing New Activity / silent wake on a physical iPhone:

```text
┌─────────────────────┐     HTTPS      ┌──────────────────────┐
│  Mac (localhost)    │ ◄───────────── │  ngrok edge           │
│  notification-      │   tunnel       │  (public HTTPS URL)   │
│  wakeup-service     │                └──────────┬───────────┘
└──────────┬──────────┘                           │
           │                                        │ fetch
           │ POST /notifications/refresh            │ POST /notifications/register
           │                                        ▼
           │                             ┌──────────────────────┐
           │                             │  crowd-funder-for-     │
           │                             │  time-pwa (Capacitor   │
           │                             │  iOS on iPhone)        │
           │                             └──────────┬───────────┘
           │                                        │
           │  FCM data message (WAKEUP_PING)        │ daily-notification-plugin
           ▼                                        ▼ (local schedule replace)
┌─────────────────────┐                ┌──────────────────────┐
│  Firebase Cloud      │ ──APNs──────► │  iPhone (physical)   │
│  Messaging           │  silent push  │  app.timesafari      │
└─────────────────────┘                └──────────────────────┘
```

### Repos and responsibilities

| Repo | Role |
|------|------|
| **notification-wakeup-service** | HTTP API: device registration, refresh payload (`nextNotifications`), health, debug wakeup send |
| **crowd-funder-for-time-pwa** | Capacitor app: FCM token, `POST /notifications/register` & `/refresh`, handles `WAKEUP_PING` push |
| **daily-notification-plugin** | Native iOS/Android: clear + reschedule local notifications from refresh timestamps |

### Silent wake sequence (production path)

1. Backend (or `/debug/send-wakeup`) sends an FCM **data** message with `data.type = "WAKEUP_PING"`.
2. APNs delivers to the device (best-effort; see iOS caveats below).
3. Capacitor `pushNotificationReceived` fires → `handleCapacitorPushNotificationReceived()`.
4. App calls `POST {backend}/notifications/refresh` with `testMode` (from debug config).
5. Backend returns `nextNotifications: [{ timestamp }, ...]`.
6. App calls `applyNotificationRefreshPayload()` → plugin clears and schedules new local alarms.

Console and debug panel lines are prefixed with **`[Notifications]`** (see `NotificationDebugEvents.ts`).

---

## Prerequisites

- Mac with Xcode, Node.js 18+, and the **notification-wakeup-service** repo cloned and runnable
- Physical iPhone (USB or wireless debugging) — **simulator is not sufficient** for reliable silent push / APNs behavior
- ngrok account (free tier is enough for dev)
- Firebase project with APNs configured for the iOS app bundle ID
- Non-production app build (Notification Debug Panel is dev-only)

---

## 1. Install and configure ngrok (macOS)

### Install

```bash
# Homebrew
brew install ngrok/ngrok/ngrok
```

Or download from [https://ngrok.com/download](https://ngrok.com/download).

### Account and auth token

1. Sign up at [https://dashboard.ngrok.com/signup](https://dashboard.ngrok.com/signup).
2. Copy your authtoken from **Your Authtoken** in the dashboard.
3. Configure the CLI:

```bash
ngrok config add-authtoken YOUR_AUTHTOKEN_HERE
```

### Start a tunnel to the wakeup service

Assume the service listens on port **3000** (confirm in **notification-wakeup-service** `README` or `.env`).

If the service already defaults to port 3000 internally, you may not need to export PORT manually.

```bash
# Terminal A — backend
cd /path/to/notification-wakeup-service

npm install

# one-time setup if needed
cp .env.example .env

# configure Firebase/service account/etc as required
export PORT=3000

npm run dev
```

```bash
# Terminal B — ngrok
ngrok http 3000
```

The backend only needs to be started once. The dedicated backend section below exists for verification and troubleshooting details, not as a second startup step.

ngrok prints a forwarding URL, for example:

```text
Forwarding   https://abc123.ngrok-free.app -> http://localhost:3000
```

Use the **HTTPS** URL (not `http://127.0.0.1:3000`). The iPhone cannot reach your Mac’s localhost without the tunnel.

> **Note:** Free ngrok URLs change every time you restart ngrok unless you use a reserved domain (paid). Update the app debug override whenever the URL changes.

---

## 2. Start the backend locally

Example (adjust to match **notification-wakeup-service**). On first setup, copy `.env.example` to `.env` and set Firebase service account, `PORT`, and other variables per that repo's docs.

If the backend is not already running from section 1:

```bash
# If not already running from the previous step:
cd /path/to/notification-wakeup-service
npm run dev
```

Verify locally before ngrok:

```bash
curl -sS http://localhost:3000/health
```

Expected: HTTP 200 and a JSON body indicating the service is up (exact shape depends on that repo).

---

## 3. Obtain and use the ngrok HTTPS URL

1. Run `ngrok http <PORT>`.
2. Copy the `https://….ngrok-free.app` host from the **Forwarding** line.
3. Do **not** add a trailing slash when saving in the app (the debug config trims it).
4. Optional: open `http://127.0.0.1:4040` (ngrok web UI) to inspect requests and responses while testing.

Test through the tunnel from your Mac:

```bash
export NGROK_URL="https://abc123.ngrok-free.app"
curl -sS "$NGROK_URL/health"
```

---

## 4. Generate and open the iOS workspace

From **crowd-funder-for-time-pwa**, generate the Capacitor iOS project and open it in Xcode. **[Section 5](#5-firebase--apns-setup-first-time-setup) (Firebase + APNs)** needs this workspace—for example to add `GoogleService-Info.plist` and enable Push Notifications in the app target. The app does not need Firebase or push fully configured yet; the goal here is a buildable Xcode project on your Mac.

```bash
npm install
npm run build:ios:dev    # or build:ios:test — non-production for debug panel
```

Open the generated Xcode workspace (for example `ios/App/App.xcworkspace`), select your **physical iPhone**, enable signing, and Run when you are ready to verify the app launches.

Ensure `VITE_FIREBASE_*` variables are set for the Capacitor build you use (see `.env` / build docs). Native push registration runs at startup via `initializeNativePushAndFirebaseMessaging()` in `main.capacitor.ts` once Firebase is configured in the next section.

---

## 5. Firebase + APNs setup (first-time setup)

Complete this section once before your first physical-device push test. If Firebase and APNs are already configured for this app, skip to [section 6](#6-configure-the-notification-debug-panel-backend-override).

### Create or access a Firebase account

1. Sign in with a Google account at [https://console.firebase.google.com/](https://console.firebase.google.com/).

2. If this is your first time using Firebase:
   - Accept the Firebase terms.
   - Create a new Firebase account/workspace when prompted.

3. No paid Firebase plan is required for local iOS notification testing. The free **Spark** plan is sufficient for:
   - Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)
   - APNs silent push testing
   - local ngrok-based development

### Create a Firebase project

1. In the [Firebase Console](https://console.firebase.google.com/), click **Add project** (or **Create a project**).
2. Enter a project name (for example, `timesafari-dev`) and continue through the wizard.
3. **Google Analytics** is optional for this workflow; you can disable it for a simpler dev project.
4. When the project is created, open it. **Cloud Messaging** is available on all projects — you do not need a separate enable step for FCM.

### Register the iOS app in Firebase

1. In the project overview, click the **iOS** icon (**Add app** → iOS).
2. Enter the **Apple bundle ID**. It must **exactly** match the Capacitor / Xcode app ID:
   - **`app.timesafari`** (see `appId` in `capacitor.config.ts` and the Xcode target **Bundle Identifier**).
3. App nickname and App Store ID are optional for local testing; continue.
4. Download **`GoogleService-Info.plist`** when prompted and keep it handy for the next step.

### Add GoogleService-Info.plist to Xcode

1. Open the iOS workspace you generated in [section 4](#4-generate-and-open-the-ios-workspace) (for example `ios/App/App.xcworkspace`).
2. In the Project Navigator, drag **`GoogleService-Info.plist`** into the **App** folder (the same one that contains AppDelegate.swift and Info.plist).
3. In the dialog that appears:
   - Check **Copy items if needed** (so the file is copied into the project tree).
   - Under **Add to targets**, ensure the main app target (not only the share extension) is checked.
4. Confirm the file appears under the app target in Xcode and is listed in **Build Phases** → **Copy Bundle Resources** if your project uses that phase for plists.

### Create an APNs Authentication Key

Apple uses APNs to deliver pushes to devices; Firebase needs an APNs key to talk to Apple on your behalf.

1. Sign in to [Apple Developer](https://developer.apple.com/account/) → **Certificates, Identifiers & Profiles**.
2. Open **Keys** → **+** (create a new key).
3. Name the key (for example, `Timesafari APNs Dev`).
4. Enable **Apple Push Notifications service (APNs)** and continue.
5. Register the key, then **Download** the `.p8` file. **You can download it only once** — store it securely.
6. Note:
   - **Key ID** (shown on the key detail page)
   - **Team ID** (top right of the developer portal, or **Membership** details)

### Upload APNs key to Firebase

1. Firebase Console → your project → **Project settings** (gear icon).
2. Open the **Cloud Messaging** tab.
3. Under **Apple app configuration**, select your iOS app (`app.timesafari`) if prompted.
4. Under **APNs Authentication Key**, click **Upload**.
5. Select the `.p8` file and enter:
   - **Key ID**
   - **Team ID**
6. Save. Firebase can now send FCM messages through APNs to your iOS app.

### Enable iOS capabilities in Xcode

1. Select the **App** target → **Signing & Capabilities**.
2. Click **+ Capability** and add **Push Notifications**.
3. Click **+ Capability** again and add **Background Modes**.
4. Under Background Modes, enable **Remote notifications**.

These match what silent / data wake flows expect for background delivery.

### Configure Firebase Admin for the backend

**notification-wakeup-service** uses the Firebase Admin SDK to send FCM (and thus APNs) messages from your Mac.

1. Firebase Console → **Project settings** → **Service accounts**.
2. Click **Generate new private key** and confirm download of the JSON file.
3. Store the JSON outside the repo (do not commit it).
4. Point the backend at it, for example:

```bash
export GOOGLE_APPLICATION_CREDENTIALS="/absolute/path/to/service-account.json"
```

The backend uses this credential to authenticate with Firebase when calling endpoints such as `/debug/send-wakeup`. Set the same variable (or the equivalent env var documented in **notification-wakeup-service**) in the shell where you run `npm run dev`, or add it to that repo’s `.env` per its README.

### Verify Firebase configuration

Before ngrok end-to-end testing, confirm:

- [ ] App builds and launches on a **physical** iPhone without Firebase/plist errors in Xcode.
- [ ] iOS shows the push **permission** prompt (or Settings → app → Notifications is enabled).
- [ ] **Notification Debug Panel** shows an FCM token (after permission).
- [ ] **Register Token Now** succeeds and ngrok (or local backend) shows `POST /notifications/register`.
- [ ] Backend health and Firebase Admin env are set so `/debug/send-wakeup` can run when you reach that step in the workflow below.

---

## 6. Configure the Notification Debug Panel backend override

The app normally calls `APP_SERVER` (from `VITE_APP_SERVER`). For local wakeup testing, override the notification API base URL without rebuilding.

For a full panel reference (configuration, authentication, and troubleshooting), see [notification-debug-panel.md](./notification-debug-panel.md).

### Open the panel

1. Use a **non-production** bundle (e.g. dev/test build).
2. **Account** → enable **Show All General Advanced Functions**.
3. Open **Notification Debug Panel** (route `/dev/notifications`).

### Backend Testing section

| Control | Purpose |
|---------|---------|
| **Notification Backend URL** | Paste ngrok HTTPS URL → **Save Backend URL** (changes target server only) |
| **Test Mode** | Sends `testMode: true/false` in register/refresh JSON bodies (default on when unset in storage) |
| **Skip JWT Authentication (Local Development Only)** | When on, omits `Authorization` headers for local servers that accept unauthenticated requests (default **off**) |
| **Register Token Now** | `POST /notifications/register` with current FCM token |
| **Refresh Notifications** | `POST /notifications/refresh` (same as post-wakeup flow) |
| **Simulate WAKEUP_PING (Local)** | Calls refresh API directly (no FCM) — quick backend test |
| **Send Real WAKEUP_PING** | `POST /debug/send-wakeup`; server sends real FCM `WAKEUP_PING` (Android doc has full flow) |
| **Event Log** | Shared `[Notifications]` panel log (100 entries) |

Persistence: `localStorage` keys `notificationDebug.backendBaseUrl`, `notificationDebug.testMode`, and `notificationDebug.bypassAuth` (`NotificationDebugConfig.ts`).

### Authentication vs backend URL

These settings are **independent**:

- **Backend URL** — which server receives notification API calls.
- **Test Mode** — `testMode` field in JSON request bodies only.
- **Skip JWT Authentication** — whether JWT `Authorization` headers are sent.

For a **hosted shared test server**: set the backend URL, keep **Test Mode** on if required, leave **Skip JWT Authentication** **off**, and ensure an active DID exists.

For **local ngrok**: set the backend URL; enable **Skip JWT Authentication** only if your local backend accepts unauthenticated requests.

### Programmatic override (optional)

From Safari Web Inspector or a dev console attached to the WebView:

```javascript
import {
  setBackendBaseUrl,
  setTestMode,
  setBypassAuth,
  getNotificationApiBaseUrl,
} from "@/services/notifications";

setBackendBaseUrl("https://abc123.ngrok-free.app");
setTestMode(true);
setBypassAuth(true); // local dev only — omit for hosted servers that require JWT
getNotificationApiBaseUrl(); // → ngrok URL
```

---

## 7. Firebase and Xcode checklist (iOS)

This section is a quick verification checklist for the detailed Firebase/APNs setup steps above.

| Item | Action |
|------|--------|
| **Bundle ID** | Match Capacitor `appId` (`app.timesafari` in `capacitor.config.ts`) to Firebase iOS app and Xcode target |
| **APNs auth key** | Firebase Console → Project Settings → Cloud Messaging → upload **APNs Authentication Key** (.p8) or certificates |
| **Push Notifications** | Xcode target → **Signing & Capabilities** → **+ Capability** → **Push Notifications** |
| **Background Modes** | Enable **Remote notifications** (and any others required by your plugin docs) |
| **GoogleService-Info.plist** | Present in the iOS target if using Firebase iOS SDK paths in your build |
| **FCM token** | Confirm **Register Token Now** succeeds in the debug panel and ngrok shows `POST /notifications/register` |

Silent/data pushes used for wake typically use a **content-available** style payload; confirm **notification-wakeup-service** and Firebase message format match what `handleCapacitorPushNotificationReceived` expects (`data.type === "WAKEUP_PING"`).

---

## 8. iOS-specific testing notes

### Physical device required

- APNs silent delivery and background wake behavior are **not** representative on the iOS Simulator.
- Always validate on a plugged-in or trusted wireless device with a development provisioning profile.

### Silent push is best-effort

- iOS may **delay or coalesce** background pushes, especially on battery saver or under load.
- A successful `/debug/send-wakeup` from the server does not guarantee immediate app wake.

### Force-quit limitations

- If the user **swipes the app away** from the app switcher, iOS often **will not** deliver background notifications until the user launches the app again.
- Test with the app **backgrounded** (home button / gesture), not force-quit, when validating wake.

### Low Power Mode and Focus

- **Low Power Mode** can reduce background execution.
- **Focus / Do Not Disturb** may affect notification presentation (separate from silent data wake, but confusing during tests).

### Two “Simulate WAKEUP_PING” buttons

| Button | Behavior |
|--------|----------|
| **Backend Testing → Simulate WAKEUP_PING** | Skips FCM; calls refresh API only (ngrok path test) |
| **Wakeup Ping Simulator** (lower on panel) | Runs production handler with synthetic `WAKEUP_PING` payload |

Use the backend button to verify ngrok + refresh; use the simulator to verify handler + refresh chaining.

---

## 9. Recommended debug workflow

1. Start **notification-wakeup-service** on the Mac.
2. Start **ngrok** and copy the HTTPS URL.
3. Set URL + **Test Mode** in the Notification Debug Panel; confirm **Backend Status**.
4. Tap **Register Token Now** → confirm ngrok request and `[Notifications] Token registration success`.
5. Tap **Refresh Notifications** → confirm `Refresh completed in Nms (scheduled X)` in Event Log and ngrok `POST /notifications/refresh`.
6. From the backend, call **`/debug/send-wakeup`** (see curl below) with the registered `deviceId` / FCM token as required by that service.
7. Watch **Xcode console** for `[Notifications] pushNotificationReceived type=WAKEUP_PING` and refresh timing lines.
8. Open **ngrok inspect UI** (`http://127.0.0.1:4040`) to correlate requests.
9. Use **Pending Notification Inspector** on the panel to see locally scheduled fires after refresh.

---

## 10. Sample curl commands

Set your tunnel base URL:

```bash
export BASE="https://abc123.ngrok-free.app"
```

### Health

```bash
curl -sS -w "\nHTTP %{http_code}\n" "$BASE/health"
```

### Register device (mirror app payload)

```bash
curl -sS -X POST "$BASE/notifications/register" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "deviceId": "00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000001",
    "fcmToken": "YOUR_FCM_TOKEN_FROM_DEBUG_PANEL",
    "platform": "ios",
    "testMode": true
  }'
```

### Refresh (mirror app payload)

```bash
curl -sS -X POST "$BASE/notifications/refresh" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "platform": "ios",
    "testMode": true
  }'
```

Example success body shape (actual fields may vary by service version):

```json
{
  "shouldNotify": true,
  "nextNotifications": [
    { "timestamp": 1710000000000 },
    { "timestamp": 1710003600000 }
  ]
}
```

The app schedules those timestamps via **daily-notification-plugin** (`applyNotificationRefreshPayload` in `NativeNotificationService.ts`).

### Send wakeup push (debug)

Exact path and body depend on **notification-wakeup-service**; typical pattern:

```bash
curl -sS -X POST "$BASE/debug/send-wakeup" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "deviceId": "00000000-0000-4000-8000-000000000001",
    "testMode": true
  }'
```

Confirm parameters (token vs deviceId, auth headers) in that repo’s README or OpenAPI spec.

---

## 11. Troubleshooting

### Refresh endpoint unreachable

| Symptom | Checks |
|---------|--------|
| Network error in Event Log | ngrok running? URL saved without typo/trailing slash? |
| HTTP 404 | Tunnel port matches backend `PORT`; path is `/notifications/refresh` |
| CORS (web only) | Native Capacitor fetch usually avoids browser CORS; if testing in Safari PWA, configure CORS on the service |
| ngrok browser warning | Free tier may show an interstitial for browser clients; native `fetch` from the app is usually unaffected |

### Token registration failures

- Push permission granted on the device?
- Firebase `VITE_FIREBASE_*` env vars baked into the build?
- `[Notifications] Token registration failure` in Xcode — read HTTP status in ngrok inspect
- Duplicate token skip: panel may show “skipped (duplicate)”; use **Register Token Now** to force re-register

### Silent push not waking the app

- App **backgrounded**, not force-quit
- Physical device, correct provisioning profile
- APNs key uploaded to Firebase; bundle ID matches
- FCM message includes `data.type = "WAKEUP_PING"` (see `NativeNotificationService.ts`)
- Server actually sent to the **same** FCM token shown in the debug panel
- Wait 30–120s — delivery is not instant
- Try **Simulate WAKEUP_PING** (refresh API) to isolate app/plugin from FCM/APNs

### Notifications duplicating

- Multiple refresh calls (flood test, repeated wakeups) each **replace** schedule via clear + schedule — check Event Log for repeated refreshes
- Separate issue: Daily Reminder vs New Activity both scheduling — see `doc/notification-new-activity-lay-of-the-land.md`

### Stale ngrok URL

- After restarting ngrok, update **Notification Backend URL** in the panel and tap **Save**
- Or clear override (empty field + Save) only if you intend to hit `APP_SERVER` again

### Plugin / JWT errors after refresh

- Refresh calls `configureNativeFetcherIfReady()` before scheduling — ensure an **active DID** and endorser API settings exist in the app DB
- See `doc/notification-from-api-call.md` and `nativeFetcherConfig.ts`

---

## 12. Key source files (crowd-funder-for-time-pwa)

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `src/services/notifications/NotificationDebugConfig.ts` | Backend URL, testMode, and bypassAuth overrides |
| `src/services/notifications/NotificationDebugEvents.ts` | Panel event log + `logNotification()` |
| `src/services/notifications/notificationLog.ts` | Structured log helpers |
| `src/services/notifications/NotificationService.ts` | `POST /notifications/register` |
| `src/services/notifications/NativeNotificationService.ts` | Refresh, `WAKEUP_PING`, schedule replace |
| `src/services/notifications/firebaseMessagingClient.ts` | Capacitor push listeners |
| `src/components/dev/NotificationDebugPanel.vue` | Dev UI |
| `src/main.capacitor.ts` | Native push init at startup |

---

## 13. Related docs

- [notification-debug-panel.md](./notification-debug-panel.md) — panel controls, authentication, troubleshooting
- [Notification Debug Panel (README)](../README.md#notification-debug-panel-dev-builds)
- [notification-system-overview.md](./notification-system-overview.md)
- [notification-from-api-call.md](./notification-from-api-call.md)
- [notification-new-activity-lay-of-the-land.md](./notification-new-activity-lay-of-the-land.md)
- [BUILDING.md](../BUILDING.md) — iOS build commands

For plugin-native behavior (exact alarm, iOS pending inspector), see **daily-notification-plugin** documentation. For FCM payload format and `/debug/send-wakeup` contract, see **notification-wakeup-service**.