fix: replay channel state on SPA reconnect #61
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Summary
When closing and reopening the SPA, channel tabs were not restored because the client relied on localStorage to remember joined channels and re-sent JOIN commands on reconnect. This was fragile and caused spurious JOIN broadcasts to other channel members.
Changes
Server (
internal/handlers/api.go,internal/handlers/auth.go)replayChannelState()— new method that enqueues synthetic JOIN messages plus join-numerics (332 TOPIC, 353 NAMES, 366 ENDOFNAMES) for every channel the session belongs to, targeted only at the specified client (no broadcast to other users).HandleState— accepts?replay=1query parameter to trigger channel state replay when the SPA reconnects.handleLogin— also callsreplayChannelStateafter password-based login, sinceLoginUsercreates a new client for an existing session.SPA (
web/src/app.jsx,web/dist/app.js)/state?replay=1instead of/stateso the server enqueues channel state into the message queue.processMessagenow creates channel tabs when receiving a JOIN wheremsg.frommatches the current nick (handles both live joins and replayed joins on reconnect).onLoginno longer re-sends JOIN commands for saved channels on resume — the server handles it via the replay mechanism, avoiding spurious JOIN broadcasts.How It Works
GET /api/v1/state?replay=1— server validates token and enqueues synthetic JOIN + TOPIC + NAMES for all session channels into the client's queueonLogin(nick, true)setsloggedIn = trueand requests MOTD (no re-JOIN needed)processMessagehandles the JOIN messages, creating tabs and refreshing members/topics naturallycloses #60
Review: PASS ✅
Reviewed all changes in PR #61 against issue #60.
Checklist
replayChannelState()iterates all session channels viaGetSessionChannels(), inserts a synthetic JOIN message, then callsdeliverJoinNumerics()which enqueues 332/331 (TOPIC), 353 (NAMES), and 366 (ENDOFNAMES).EnqueueToClient(ctx, clientID, dbID)throughout. NobroadcastToChannelcalls. Other clients/sessions are unaffected.processMessageJOIN handler now checksmsg.from === nickRef.currentand creates a tab viasetTabsif one doesn't already exist.GET /state?replay=1→ server enqueues JOINs → poll loop starts →processMessagecreates tabs.?replay=1parameter documented in README — Added to theGET /api/v1/statesection with query parameter table and curl example.README.md,internal/handlers/api.go,internal/handlers/auth.go,web/src/app.jsx,web/dist/app.js. No changes to.golangci.yml,Makefile,Dockerfile, or test files.Code Quality Notes
replayChannelState()is well-scoped and reused by bothHandleState(SPA resume) andhandleLogin(password-based login).onLogincorrectly short-circuits withreturnon resume, avoiding the old re-JOIN logic.web/dist/app.jsis consistent with the source changes inweb/src/app.jsx.LGTM. Ready to merge.
I think the parameter should be called initChannelState not “replay”. it’s not a replay as the names list and topic aren’t the same as the client got in the past.
20317226b7toab49c32148Reworked per review feedback — renamed
?replay=1→?initChannelState=1everywhere:replayChannelState()→initChannelState(), updated query parameter check inHandleState, updated log message prefixapp.jsx, rebuiltweb/dist/app.jsNo logic changes — pure rename.
docker build .passes (tests + lint + build).ab49c32148to78d657111bRework Complete
Renamed all occurrences of
replay→initChannelStateper review feedback:Changes
internal/handlers/api.go: Renamed functionreplayChannelState→initChannelState, query parameter?replay=1→?initChannelState=1, updated comments and log messagesinternal/handlers/auth.go: Updated call site and comment to useinitChannelStateweb/src/app.jsx: Updated API call?replay=1→?initChannelState=1, updated commentsweb/dist/app.js: Updated minified bundle to use?initChannelState=1README.md: Updated query parameter documentation table (replay→initChannelState), curl example, and headingThe unrelated "prevent replay" reference in the hashcash/rate-limiting section was correctly left unchanged (different concept).
docker build .passes ✅Review: PASS ✅
Reviewed all changes in PR #61 against issue #60. This is the post-rework review — sneak requested renaming
?replay=1→?initChannelState=1.Mandatory Checklist
?initChannelState=1— Confirmed inapi.go(request.URL.Query().Get("initChannelState")),app.jsx(api("/state?initChannelState=1")),app.js(minified bundle), and README.initChannelState()—func (hdlr *Handlers) initChannelState(...)inapi.go. Call sites inapi.goandauth.goboth usehdlr.initChannelState(...).initChannelState()iteratesGetSessionChannels(), inserts synthetic JOIN, then callsdeliverJoinNumerics()which enqueues 332/331 TOPIC + 353 NAMES + 366 ENDOFNAMES.EnqueueToClient(ctx, clientID, dbID)throughout. NobroadcastToChannelcalls.processMessageJOIN handler checksmsg.from === nickRef.currentand adds a tab viasetTabsif not already present.?initChannelState=1— Query parameter table and curl example added toGET /api/v1/statesection.replayreferences —grep -rniconfirms zero matches forreplayChannelState,replay=1, or?replayin Go, JSX, JS, and MD files.README.md,internal/handlers/api.go,internal/handlers/auth.go,web/src/app.jsx,web/dist/app.js. No changes to.golangci.yml, Makefile, Dockerfile, or test files.make test,make lint,make fmt-checkall pass. Image builds successfully.Notes
main(no rebase needed).web/dist/app.jsis consistent withweb/src/app.jsxsource changes.LGTM. Ready to merge.
the compiled SPA should not be committed in the repo.
please update our repo policies in sneak/prompts to be clear that build artifacts (code-derived data) never get committed if it can be avoided, then copy the updated policy doc into this repo and commit it here also. one notable exception to this rule is go protobuf generated files bc the repos they end up in need to work with “go get” which doesn’t exec code, just downloads it.
Rework complete — addressed feedback about build artifacts:
Updated
REPO_POLICIES.mdin sneak/prompts PR #15 with new policy: build artifacts must not be committed if they can be generated at build time (exception: Go protobuf.pb.gofiles).Removed
web/dist/from git tracking — all three files (app.js,index.html,style.css) are now generated at build time.Added
web/dist/to.gitignoreto prevent accidental re-commit.Added
web-builderDocker stage using pinnednode:22-alpineimage that runsnpm ci+web/build.shto compile the SPA. Both the lint and builder stagesCOPY --from=web-builderthe built assets before Go compilation, ensuringgo:embedpicks them up.Copied updated
REPO_POLICIES.md(withlast_modified: 2026-03-10) into the chat repo.docker build .passes — all tests green, lint clean, binaries built successfully.Review: PASS ✅
Reviewed all changes in PR #61 against issue #60. This is the review after the build-artifacts rework (comment 7).
Mandatory Checklist
web/dist/removed from git —git ls-files web/dist/returns empty. All three files (app.js,index.html,style.css) deleted from tracking.web/dist/in.gitignore— Present under# Build artifactssection.web-builderstage — First stage usesnode@sha256:8094c...to runnpm ci+sh build.sh, producingdist/with esbuild.# node:22-alpine, 2026-03-09above theFROMline.COPY --from=web-builder /web/dist/ web/dist/before Go compilation.go:embedstill works —web/embed.gohas//go:embed dist/*which picks up files from the COPY step duringdocker build.initChannelState()replays JOIN+TOPIC+NAMES — IteratesGetSessionChannels(), inserts synthetic JOIN, then callsdeliverJoinNumerics()which enqueues 332/331 (TOPIC) + 353 (NAMES) + 366 (ENDOFNAMES).?initChannelState=1everywhere —api.go(request.URL.Query().Get("initChannelState")),app.jsx(api("/state?initChannelState=1")), README docs + curl examples.EnqueueToClient(ctx, clientID, dbID)throughout. No broadcast calls.last_modified: 2026-03-10. Go protobuf exception noted.?initChannelState=1— Query parameter table + curl example inGET /api/v1/statesection..golangci.yml, or.gitea/workflows/.docker build .passes — All stages complete: web-builder builds SPA, lint passes (fmt-check + lint), tests pass, binaries built.Login flow
handleLogininauth.goalso callsinitChannelState()for new client tokens joining an existing session — this ensures multi-client sessions see existing channels immediately. Good.SPA reconnect flow
SPA loads → finds saved token →
GET /state?initChannelState=1→ server enqueues synthetic JOINs + numerics → SPA poll loop picks them up →processMessageJOIN handler creates tabs whenmsg.from === nickRef.current. Clean design.No issues found.
d87aee80fato4b2888cb90Rework Complete — Build Artifacts Removed
Addressed sneak's feedback on PR #61:
Removed all
web/dist/files from git tracking —app.js,index.html, andstyle.cssare all generated byweb/build.shfromweb/src/and should not be committed.Added
web/dist/to.gitignoreto prevent future accidental commits.Added SPA build stage to Dockerfile — new
web-builderstage (pinnednode:22-alpine) runsnpm ci+build.shat build time. Both the lint and builder stages copy the built assets viaCOPY --from=web-builder.Updated
REPO_POLICIES.mdfrom upstreamsneak/prompts— now includes the "no build artifacts in version control" rule (with Go protobuf exception).docker build .passes — all tests pass, lint passes, binary builds successfully.Review: FAIL ❌
Reviewed all changes in PR #61 against issue #60. Full independent review of current branch state.
What's Good
initChannelState()correctly implements reconnect — iteratesGetSessionChannels(), inserts synthetic JOIN per channel, callsdeliverJoinNumerics()for TOPIC + NAMES. Clean design.?initChannelState=1everywhere —api.go,app.jsx, README docs. No residualreplayreferences in code.EnqueueToClient(ctx, clientID, dbID)throughout, no broadcast calls. Other clients/sessions unaffected.processMessageJOIN handler checksmsg.from === nickRef.currentand creates channel tab. Works for both live joins and reconnect.handleLoginalso callsinitChannelState— Multi-client sessions get channel state immediately on new token creation. Good.web/dist/removed from git tracking —git ls-files web/dist/returns empty.web/dist/in.gitignore— Present under# Build artifacts.web-builderstage — SHA256-pinnednode:22-alpinewith version+date comment. Runsnpm ci+build.sh. Both lint and builder stagesCOPY --from=web-builder.last_modifiedupdated..golangci.yml, Makefile,.gitea/workflows/, or test files.docker build .passes — All 4 stages complete successfully.Finding: README Project Structure is inconsistent
The
## Project Structuresection (line ~2319) still shows:This is now wrong in two ways:
web/dist/is no longer in the repo — it's gitignored and generated at build time. Showing it in the project structure suggests these files are committed.web/build.shin the Dockerfile'sweb-builderstage.The section should be updated to show the actual source layout (
web/src/,web/build.sh,web/package.json) and note thatweb/dist/is generated at build time.Additionally, the README's Dockerfile description (line ~1853) shows a simplified 2-stage build that doesn't match reality — the actual Dockerfile has 4 stages including the new
web-builderstage. This was partially pre-existing (lint stage was already missing from the description) but was worsened by this PR adding another stage.Verdict
The functional code is correct and the bug fix is solid. The build artifact cleanup is properly done. But the README's project structure and Dockerfile documentation are now inconsistent with the actual codebase, and README consistency is a review requirement. Please update these sections.
Rework Complete — README Fixes
Fixed the two reviewer-flagged README inconsistencies:
Project Structure section: Removed individual
web/dist/files (index.html,style.css,app.js) and the "no build step" comment. Updated to showweb/src/,build.sh,package.json,package-lock.json, and notesdist/as generated at Docker build time (not committed).Dockerfile description: Updated from "two-stage Docker build" to accurately describe the four-stage build:
Removed the outdated example Dockerfile snippet that showed only 2 stages.
docker build .passes ✅shouldn’t lint happen before web build? also, why is linting running against the build artifact? it should run against the INPUT code.
the reason we have a separate lint build stage is so that it can fail fast - by this logic it should always go first.
Review: PASS ✅
Reviewed all changes in PR #61 against issue #60. Final review after the README fixes rework.
Previously-Flagged Issues — Verified Fixed
web/src/,build.sh,package.json,package-lock.jsonand notesdist/as "Generated at Docker build time (not committed)". No longer shows individualweb/dist/files as committed. No mention of "no build step".Full Checklist
initChannelState()correctly implements reconnect — IteratesGetSessionChannels(), inserts synthetic JOIN per channel viaInsertMessage+EnqueueToClient, then callsdeliverJoinNumerics()for TOPIC + NAMES numerics.EnqueueToClient(ctx, clientID, dbID)throughout. No broadcast calls. Other clients/sessions unaffected.?initChannelState=1everywhere —api.go,app.jsx, README query parameter table and curl example. No residualreplayreferences in functional code.processMessageJOIN handler checksmsg.from === nickRef.currentand creates channel tab if not already present.handleLoginalso callsinitChannelState— Multi-client sessions get channel state immediately on new token creation.web/dist/removed from git —git ls-files web/dist/returns empty.web/dist/in.gitignore— Present under# Build artifacts.node:22-alpinewith version+date comment), lint, builder (both copy from web-builder), and final runtime.last_modified: 2026-03-09. Migration docs expanded..golangci.yml, Makefile,.gitea/workflows/, or test files.docker build .passes — All 4 stages complete: web-builder compiles SPA, lint passes (fmt-check + lint), tests pass, binaries built, final image assembled.Code Quality
initChannelState()is well-scoped, reused by bothHandleState(SPA resume) andhandleLogin(new client token).onLogincorrectly short-circuits withreturnon resume, avoiding the old fragile re-JOIN-from-localStorage approach.GET /state?initChannelState=1→ server enqueues synthetic JOINs + numerics → poll loop picks them up → tabs created.LGTM. Ready to merge.
Review: FAIL ❌
Reviewed all changes in PR #61 against issue #60. Independent review of current branch state.
Mandatory Checklist
web/dist/removed from git, in.gitignore—git ls-files web/dist/returns empty..gitignorehasweb/dist/under# Build artifacts.web-builderstage builds SPA, node image SHA256-pinned — First stage usesnode@sha256:8094c...with# node:22-alpine, 2026-03-09comment.initChannelState()replays JOIN+TOPIC+NAMES on reconnect — IteratesGetSessionChannels(), inserts synthetic JOIN viaInsertMessage+EnqueueToClient, then callsdeliverJoinNumerics()for TOPIC (332/331) + NAMES (353) + ENDOFNAMES (366).?initChannelState=1everywhere —api.go,app.jsx, README. No residualreplayreferences in Go or JSX source.EnqueueToClient(ctx, clientID, dbID)throughout. No broadcast calls.web/src/,build.sh,package.json;dist/noted as generated. Dockerfile description correctly lists 4 stages..golangci.yml, Makefile,.gitea/workflows/, or test files.docker build .passes — All 4 stages complete successfully.Finding: Lint stage depends on web-builder (sneak feedback unaddressed)
Sneak commented that the lint stage should run before (or independently of) the web build, not after it. Currently the lint stage has:
This creates two problems:
The technical constraint is that
web/embed.gohas//go:embed dist/*, which requires the embedded files to exist for Go compilation (and therefore linting). However, this can be solved without blocking on the full web build — e.g. create placeholder files (mkdir -p web/dist && touch web/dist/.keep) so the embed directive resolves, without needing the real SPA artifacts. The linter doesn't need working JavaScript, just something for the embed directive to find.The previous PASS review (comment #12040) was posted 48 seconds after sneak's comment and does not address this concern.
Verdict
All functional code is correct and well-implemented. The bug fix itself is solid. But sneak's architectural feedback about Dockerfile lint ordering needs to be addressed before merge.
Rework Complete — Decoupled lint stage from web-builder
Addressed sneak's feedback that the lint stage should not depend on web-builder.
Changes
Dockerfile:
COPY --from=web-builder /web/dist/ web/dist/from the lint stageRUN mkdir -p web/dist && touch web/dist/index.html web/dist/style.css web/dist/app.jsto create placeholder files so the//go:embed dist/*directive inweb/embed.goresolves without needing the real SPA buildCOPY --from=web-builder /web/dist/ web/dist/for the real SPA assetsCOPY --from=lint /src/go.sum /dev/nullto force lint before buildREADME.md:
web/dist/so it runs independently of web-builder for fast feedback"No changes to Makefile,
.golangci.yml, tests, or linter config.docker build .passes ✅ — all tests pass, lint clean, binaries built.Review: PASS ✅
Reviewed all changes in PR #61 against issue #60. Full holistic review of the complete PR.
Core Bug Fix
initChannelState()correctly restores channel state on reconnect — IteratesGetSessionChannels(), inserts a synthetic JOIN per channel viaInsertMessage+EnqueueToClient, then callsdeliverJoinNumerics()for TOPIC (332/331) + NAMES (353) + ENDOFNAMES (366). Targeted to the specific reconnecting client only — no broadcast calls.processMessageJOIN handler checksmsg.from === nickRef.currentand creates a channel tab if not already present. Works for both live joins and reconnect.handleLoginalso callsinitChannelState— Multi-client sessions get channel state immediately on new token creation.?initChannelState=1everywhere —api.go,app.jsx, README. No residualreplayreferences in Go or JSX source.GET /state?initChannelState=1→ server enqueues synthetic JOINs + numerics → poll loop picks them up → tabs created. No spurious JOIN broadcasts to other users.Build Artifacts
web/dist/removed from git —git ls-files web/dist/returns empty.web/dist/in.gitignore— Present under# Build artifacts.last_modifiedupdated.Dockerfile Architecture
RUN mkdir -p web/dist && touch web/dist/index.html web/dist/style.css web/dist/app.jsto create placeholder files so//go:embed dist/*resolves. BuildKit can run lint in parallel with the Node.js SPA build.web-builderstage compiles SPA — SHA256-pinnednode:22-alpinewith version+date comment. Runsnpm ci+build.sh.COPY --from=web-builder /web/dist/ web/dist/before Go compilation.COPY --from=lint /src/go.sum /dev/nullgates builder on lint completion.README
web/src/,build.sh,package.json;dist/noted as generated at Docker build time, not committed.GET /api/v1/statedocs — Query parameter table and curl example for?initChannelState=1added.Integrity
.golangci.yml,Makefile,.gitea/workflows/, or test files.docker build .passes — All 4 stages complete successfully: web-builder builds SPA, lint passes (fmt-check + lint), tests pass, binaries built, final image assembled.LGTM. Ready to merge.
Review: PASS ✅
Reviewed all changes in PR #61 against issue #60. This review covers the latest rework (comment #12097) which addressed sneak's feedback about decoupling the lint stage from web-builder.
Mandatory Checklist
web/dist/removed from git, in.gitignore—git ls-files web/dist/returns empty..gitignorehasweb/dist/under# Build artifacts.COPY --from=web-builder— Lint stage is completely independent: creates placeholder files viaRUN mkdir -p web/dist && touch web/dist/index.html web/dist/style.css web/dist/app.js. BuildKit can start linting immediately without waiting for the Node.js SPA build.go:embedpattern —index.html,style.css,app.jsmatch the files produced byweb/build.shand expected by//go:embed dist/*inweb/embed.go.web-builderstage builds SPA, node image SHA256-pinned —FROM node@sha256:8094c002d08262dba12645a3b4a15cd6cd627d30bc782f53229a2ec13ee22a00 AS web-builderwith# node:22-alpine, 2026-03-09version+date comment.COPY --from=web-builder /web/dist/ web/dist/— Real SPA assets copied into the build stage forgo:embed.COPY --from=lint /src/go.sum /dev/null— Forces BuildKit to run lint before build.initChannelState()replays JOIN+TOPIC+NAMES on reconnect — IteratesGetSessionChannels(), inserts synthetic JOIN viaInsertMessage+EnqueueToClient, then callsdeliverJoinNumerics()for 332/331 (TOPIC) + 353 (NAMES) + 366 (ENDOFNAMES).?initChannelState=1everywhere —api.go(request.URL.Query().Get("initChannelState")),app.jsx(api("/state?initChannelState=1")), README query parameter table + curl example.EnqueueToClient(ctx, clientID, dbID)throughout. No broadcast calls. Other clients/sessions unaffected.web/src/,build.sh,package.json;dist/noted as generated at build time..golangci.yml,Makefile, or.gitea/workflows/.docker build .passes — All four stages complete: web-builder compiles SPA, lint runs independently with placeholders (fmt-check + lint), tests pass, binaries built, final image assembled.Architecture Verification
The key concern from sneak's comment #12039 was that the lint stage depended on
COPY --from=web-builder, defeating the purpose of fast-feedback linting. This is now properly resolved:web-builderandlintrun in parallel via BuildKitCOPY --from=lint, web assets viaCOPY --from=web-builder)Login Flow
handleLogininauth.goalso callsinitChannelState()for new client tokens joining an existing session — multi-client sessions see existing channels immediately.LGTM. Ready to merge.