Web server deployment

Web server deployment#

Warning

Web server mode is experimental and not fully supported. Some features may behave differently or be unavailable compared to the desktop application. For production use, run the native Electron app.

GLACIER can run as a web server instead of an Electron desktop app. This is useful for deployments where users access the interface through a browser rather than installing a native application.

Building and starting#

npm run build
npm run server

The server starts on http://localhost:3030.

How it works#

The web server mode:

  1. Serves the same React frontend that the Electron app uses (compiled to dist/renderer/).

  2. Imports the backend logic from dist/main/collection.js.

  3. Provides an HTTP API at /api/* that mirrors the IPC channels used in Electron mode.

The src/renderer/services/api.ts module automatically detects whether it is running inside Electron or in a browser and routes API calls accordingly — through window.electronAPI (IPC) in Electron mode, or through fetch('/api/...') in web mode.

Differences from desktop mode#

Aspect

Electron

Web

API transport

IPC (main process)

HTTP POST to /api/*

File dialogs

Native OS dialogs

Browser file picker

Path defaults

Electron userData / documents

~/GLACIER / ~/Documents/GLACIER

Environment checks

Full system access

Same backend checks apply

Open folder

Opens file manager

Not available in browser

Browser compatibility#

The frontend is compatible with modern Chromium, Firefox, and Safari browsers.

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