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Stirling-PDF/frontend/README.md
James Brunton 8674765528 Add system for managing env vars (#5902)
# Description of Changes
Previously, `VITE_*` environment variables were scattered across the
codebase with hardcoded fallback values inline (e.g.
`import.meta.env.VITE_STRIPE_KEY || 'pk_live_...'`). This made it
unclear which variables
were required, what they were for, and caused real keys to be silently
used in builds where they hadn't been explicitly configured.

## What's changed

I've added `frontend/.env.example` and `frontend/.env.desktop.example`,
which declare every `VITE_*` variable the app uses, with comments
explaining each one and sensible defaults where applicable. These
are the source of truth for what's required.

I've added a setup script which runs before `npm run dev`, `build`,
`tauri-dev`, and all `tauri-build*` commands. It:
- Creates your local `.env` / `.env.desktop` from the example files on
first run, so you don't need to do anything manually
- Errors if you're missing keys that the example defines (e.g. after
pulling changes that added a new variable). These can either be
manually-set env vars, or in your `.env` file (env vars take precedence
over `.env` file vars when running)
- Warns if you have `VITE_*` variables set in your environment that
aren't listed in any example file

I've removed all `|| 'hardcoded-value'` defaults from source files
because they are not necessary in this system, as all variables must be
explicitly set (they can be set to `VITE_ENV_VAR=`, just as long as the
variable actually exists). I think this system will make it really
obvious exactly what you need to set and what's actually running in the
code.

I've added a test that checks that every `import.meta.env.VITE_*`
reference found in source is present in at least one example file, so
new variables can't be added without being documented.

## For contributors

New contributors shouldn't need to do anything - `npm run dev` will
create your `.env` automatically.

If you already have a `.env` file in the `frontend/` folder, you may
well need to update it to make the system happy. Here's an example
output from running `npm run dev` with an old `.env` file:

```
$ npm run dev

> frontend@0.1.0 dev
> npm run prep && vite


> frontend@0.1.0 prep
> tsx scripts/setup-env.ts && npm run generate-icons

setup-env: see frontend/README.md#environment-variables for documentation
setup-env: .env is missing keys from config/.env.example:
  VITE_GOOGLE_DRIVE_CLIENT_ID
  VITE_GOOGLE_DRIVE_API_KEY
  VITE_GOOGLE_DRIVE_APP_ID
  VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_KEY
  VITE_PUBLIC_POSTHOG_HOST
  Add them manually or delete your local file to re-copy from the example.
setup-env: the following VITE_ vars are set but not listed in any example file:
  VITE_DEV_BYPASS_AUTH
  Add them to config/.env.example or config/.env.desktop.example if they are required.
```

If you add a new `VITE_*` variable to the codebase, add it to the
appropriate `frontend/config/.env.example` file or the test will fail.
2026-03-12 13:03:44 +00:00

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Markdown

# Frontend
## Environment Variables
The frontend requires environment variables to be set before running. `npm run dev` will create a `.env` file for you automatically on first run using the defaults from `config/.env.example` - for most development work this is all you need.
If you need to configure specific services (Google Drive, Supabase, Stripe, PostHog), edit your local `.env` file. The values in `config/.env.example` show what each variable does and provides sensible defaults where applicable.
For desktop (Tauri) development, `npm run tauri-dev` will additionally create a `.env.desktop` file from `config/.env.desktop.example`.
## Docker Setup
For Docker deployments and configuration, see the [Docker README](../docker/README.md).
## Available Scripts
In the project directory, you can run:
### `npm start`
Runs the app in the development mode.\
Open [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) to view it in your browser.
The page will reload when you make changes.\
You may also see any lint errors in the console.
### `npm test`
Launches the test runner in the interactive watch mode.\
See the section about [running tests](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/running-tests) for more information.
### `npm run build`
Builds the app for production to the `build` folder.\
It correctly bundles React in production mode and optimizes the build for the best performance.
The build is minified and the filenames include the hashes.\
Your app is ready to be deployed!
See the section about [deployment](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/deployment) for more information.
### `npm run eject`
**Note: this is a one-way operation. Once you `eject`, you can't go back!**
If you aren't satisfied with the build tool and configuration choices, you can `eject` at any time. This command will remove the single build dependency from your project.
Instead, it will copy all the configuration files and the transitive dependencies (webpack, Babel, ESLint, etc) right into your project so you have full control over them. All of the commands except `eject` will still work, but they will point to the copied scripts so you can tweak them. At this point you're on your own.
You don't have to ever use `eject`. The curated feature set is suitable for small and middle deployments, and you shouldn't feel obligated to use this feature. However we understand that this tool wouldn't be useful if you couldn't customize it when you are ready for it.
## Learn More
You can learn more in the [Create React App documentation](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/getting-started).
To learn React, check out the [React documentation](https://reactjs.org/).
### Code Splitting
This section has moved here: [https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/code-splitting](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/code-splitting)
### Analyzing the Bundle Size
This section has moved here: [https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/analyzing-the-bundle-size](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/analyzing-the-bundle-size)
### Making a Progressive Web App
This section has moved here: [https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/making-a-progressive-web-app](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/making-a-progressive-web-app)
### Advanced Configuration
This section has moved here: [https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/advanced-configuration](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/advanced-configuration)
### Deployment
This section has moved here: [https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/deployment](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/deployment)
### `npm run build` fails to minify
This section has moved here: [https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/troubleshooting#npm-run-build-fails-to-minify](https://facebook.github.io/create-react-app/docs/troubleshooting#npm-run-build-fails-to-minify)
## Tauri
In order to run Tauri, you first have to build the Java backend for Tauri to use.
**macOS/Linux:**
From the root of the repo, run:
```bash
./gradlew clean build
./scripts/build-tauri-jlink.sh
```
**Windows**
From the root of the repo, run:
```batch
gradlew clean build
scripts\build-tauri-jlink.bat
```
### Testing the Bundled Runtime
Before building the full Tauri app, you can test the bundled runtime:
**macOS/Linux:**
```bash
./frontend/src-tauri/runtime/launch-stirling.sh
```
**Windows:**
```cmd
frontend\src-tauri\runtime\launch-stirling.bat
```
This will start Stirling-PDF using the bundled JRE, accessible at http://localhost:8080
### Dev
To run Tauri in development. Use the command in the `frontend` folder:
```bash
npm run tauri-dev
```
This will run the gradle runboot command and the tauri dev command concurrently, starting the app once both are stable.
> [!NOTE]
>
> Desktop builds require additional environment variables. See [Environment Variables](#environment-variables)
> above - `npm run tauri-dev` will set these up automatically from `config/.env.desktop.example` on first run.
### Build
To build a deployment of the Tauri app. Use this command in the `frontend` folder:
```bash
npm run tauri-build
```
This will bundle the backend and frontend into one executable for each target. Targets can be set within the `tauri.conf.json` file.
> [!NOTE]
>
> Desktop builds require additional environment variables. See [Environment Variables](#environment-variables)
> above - `npm run tauri-build` will set these up automatically from `config/.env.desktop.example` on first run.