Personal PWA dashboard server with plugin apps. Use when: (1) installing or setting up PrivateApp, (2) starting/stopping/restarting the service, (3) building...
---
name: privateapp
description: "Personal PWA dashboard server with plugin apps. Use when: (1) installing or setting up PrivateApp, (2) starting/stopping/restarting the service, (3) building frontends after changes, (4) adding new app plugins, (5) configuring push notifications. Requires Python 3.9+, Node.js 18+. Runs as systemd user service or launchd plist."
---
# PrivateApp
Personal PWA dashboard โ FastAPI backend + React/Vite frontend with plugin apps.
## Screenshots



## Setup
```bash
# Clone and install (creates venv, builds frontends, sets up systemd/launchd)
git clone https://github.com/camopel/PrivateApp.git ~/Workspace/PrivateApp
cd ~/Workspace/PrivateApp
bash scripts/install.sh [--port 8800]
```
Copy `scripts/config.example.json` โ `scripts/config.json` and edit:
```json
{
"host": "0.0.0.0",
"port": 8800,
"data_dir": "~/.local/share/privateapp",
"file_browser": { "root": "~" },
"push": { "vapid_email": "you@example.com" }
}
```
## Service Management
```bash
# Linux (systemd user service)
systemctl --user start privateapp
systemctl --user stop privateapp
systemctl --user restart privateapp
systemctl --user status privateapp
# macOS (launchd)
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.privateapp.server.plist
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.privateapp.server.plist
# Manual
.venv/bin/python3 scripts/server.py --host 127.0.0.1 --port 8800
```
## Build Frontends
After any frontend change, rebuild:
```bash
# Build shell (home screen)
cd frontend && npm run build
# Build all app frontends
for app_dir in apps/*/frontend; do
[ -f "$app_dir/package.json" ] && (cd "$app_dir" && npm install && npm run build)
done
# Or use the install script which builds everything
bash scripts/install.sh
```
Then restart the service.
## Built-in Apps
| App | Shortcode | Description |
|-----|-----------|-------------|
| ๐ System | `sysmon` | CPU, RAM, disk, GPU stats and service health |
| ๐ Files | `files` | Browse, preview, and share files |
## Adding a New App
Create `apps/{app-id}/` with:
- `app.json` โ metadata (id, name, shortcode, icon, description)
- `backend/routes.py` โ FastAPI router (mounted at `/api/app/{shortcode}/`)
- `frontend/` โ React SPA (Vite, builds to `frontend/dist/`)
Shortcode must be unique. The app loader auto-discovers on startup.
See the existing apps for reference patterns. Key conventions:
- All routes `async def`, return plain dicts
- Frontend uses CSS custom properties for dark mode
- Input font-size โฅ 16px (prevents iOS auto-zoom)
- Every app has a back button linking to `/`
## Push Notifications
Apps can send push via `commons.push_client`:
```python
from commons.push_client import send_push
await send_push(title="Alert", body="Something happened", url="/app/my-app/")
```
## Data
```
~/.local/share/privateapp/
โโโ privateapp.db # Settings, preferences, push subscriptions
โโโ vapid_private.pem # VAPID signing key
โโโ vapid_public.txt # VAPID public key
```
## Key APIs
- `GET /api/apps` โ list installed apps
- `GET /api/settings/preferences` โ get preferences (timezone, language, app_order)
- `POST /api/settings/preferences` โ save preferences
- `POST /api/push/send` โ send push notification
- `GET /api/push/test` โ test push
don't have the plugin yet? install it then click "run inline in claude" again.