merge: companion-mobile-ux UX (loader/store-driven launch/icons + android webview) into main

# Conflicts:
#	Android/app/build.gradle.kts
#	Android/app/src/main/java/com/archipelago/app/ui/screens/WebViewScreen.kt
#	neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts

Android/.gitignore

@@ -14,3 +14,8 @@ local.properties
 *.aab
 *.jks
 *.keystore
+# Exception: the repo-dedicated *debug* keystore is committed on purpose so every
+# machine (and the published companion download) signs debug builds identically —
+# updates then install over the top without an uninstall. Debug keys are not
+# secret (well-known password "android"); never commit a real release keystore.
+!/app/debug.keystore

Android/app/build.gradle.kts

@@ -11,20 +11,40 @@ android {
         applicationId = "com.archipelago.app"
         minSdk = 26
         targetSdk = 35
-        versionCode = 12
-        versionName = "0.4.8"
+        versionCode = 13
+        versionName = "0.4.9"
 
         vectorDrawables {
             useSupportLibrary = true
         }
     }
 
+    signingConfigs {
+        // Repo-dedicated debug keystore (committed at app/debug.keystore) so every
+        // machine — and the published companion download — signs debug builds with
+        // the SAME key. Without this, Gradle falls back to each machine's
+        // ~/.android/debug.keystore, so a build from a different machine has a
+        // different signature and the phone rejects the update ("App not installed").
+        getByName("debug") {
+            storeFile = file("debug.keystore")
+            storePassword = "android"
+            keyAlias = "androiddebugkey"
+            keyPassword = "android"
+            // Force both legacy JAR (v1) and APK Signature Scheme v2. AGP drops v1
+            // for minSdk>=24, but some OEM package installers (e.g. Samsung) reject
+            // a v2-only sideload with "App not installed" — keep v1 for max compat.
+            enableV1Signing = true
+            enableV2Signing = true
+        }
+    }
+
     buildTypes {
         debug {
             // Separate app ID so a debug/test build installs alongside the
             // release app instead of colliding on signature.
             applicationIdSuffix = ".debug"
             versionNameSuffix = "-debug"
+            signingConfig = signingConfigs.getByName("debug")
         }
         release {
             isMinifyEnabled = true

Android/app/src/main/java/com/archipelago/app/ui/screens/WebViewScreen.kt

@@ -1,33 +1,21 @@
 package com.archipelago.app.ui.screens
 
 import android.annotation.SuppressLint
-import android.app.DownloadManager
-import android.content.ContentValues
-import android.content.Context
-import android.content.Intent
 import android.graphics.Bitmap
-import android.net.Uri
-import android.os.Build
-import android.os.Environment
-import android.provider.MediaStore
-import android.util.Base64
+import android.graphics.BitmapFactory
 import android.view.ViewGroup
 import android.webkit.CookieManager
-import android.webkit.URLUtil
-import android.webkit.ValueCallback
 import android.webkit.WebChromeClient
 import android.webkit.WebResourceError
 import android.webkit.WebResourceRequest
 import android.webkit.WebSettings
 import android.webkit.WebView
 import android.webkit.WebViewClient
-import android.widget.Toast
 import androidx.activity.compose.BackHandler
-import androidx.activity.compose.rememberLauncherForActivityResult
-import androidx.activity.result.contract.ActivityResultContracts
 import androidx.compose.animation.AnimatedVisibility
 import androidx.compose.animation.fadeIn
 import androidx.compose.animation.fadeOut
+import androidx.compose.foundation.Image
 import androidx.compose.foundation.background
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Arrangement
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.Box
@@ -41,29 +29,24 @@ import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.height
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.padding
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.safeDrawing
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.size
+import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.width
 import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.windowInsetsPadding
-import android.graphics.BitmapFactory
-import androidx.compose.foundation.Image
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.heightIn
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.navigationBars
-import androidx.compose.foundation.layout.statusBars
 import androidx.compose.foundation.shape.RoundedCornerShape
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.Icons
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.automirrored.filled.ArrowBack
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.automirrored.filled.ArrowForward
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Close
 import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.CloudOff
-import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Public
-import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
-import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
-import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.Color
-import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.asImageBitmap
-import androidx.compose.ui.res.painterResource
-import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
-import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.OpenInBrowser
+import androidx.compose.material.icons.filled.Refresh
+import androidx.compose.material3.CircularProgressIndicator
 import androidx.compose.material3.Icon
 import androidx.compose.material3.IconButton
 import androidx.compose.material3.LinearProgressIndicator
 import androidx.compose.material3.MaterialTheme
 import androidx.compose.material3.Text
 import androidx.compose.runtime.Composable
+import androidx.compose.runtime.LaunchedEffect
 import androidx.compose.runtime.getValue
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableIntStateOf
 import androidx.compose.runtime.mutableStateOf
@@ -71,6 +54,8 @@ import androidx.compose.runtime.remember
 import androidx.compose.runtime.setValue
 import androidx.compose.ui.Alignment
 import androidx.compose.ui.Modifier
+import androidx.compose.ui.draw.clip
+import androidx.compose.ui.graphics.asImageBitmap
 import androidx.compose.ui.platform.LocalContext
 import androidx.compose.ui.res.stringResource
 import androidx.compose.ui.text.style.TextAlign
@@ -82,6 +67,8 @@ import com.archipelago.app.ui.theme.BitcoinOrange
 import com.archipelago.app.ui.theme.SurfaceBlack
 import com.archipelago.app.ui.theme.TextMuted
 import com.archipelago.app.ui.theme.TextPrimary
+import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
+import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
 
 /** Open a URL in the phone's default browser (genuinely external links). */
 private fun openExternalUrl(context: android.content.Context, url: String) {
@@ -143,159 +130,6 @@ private fun WebView.applyArchipelagoSettings() {
     if (debuggable) WebView.setWebContentsDebuggingEnabled(true)
 }
 
-private fun mainHandler() = android.os.Handler(android.os.Looper.getMainLooper())
-
-private fun toast(context: Context, msg: String) {
-    mainHandler().post { Toast.makeText(context, msg, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show() }
-}
-
-/** Save raw bytes (decoded from a base64 blob/data download) to the device's
- *  Downloads. Uses MediaStore on API 29+ (no permission needed) and the app's
- *  external files dir on older devices (also permission-free). */
-private fun saveBase64ToDownloads(
-    context: Context,
-    base64: String,
-    mime: String,
-    filename: String,
-): Boolean {
-    return try {
-        val bytes = Base64.decode(base64, Base64.DEFAULT)
-        val name = filename.ifBlank { "download_${System.currentTimeMillis()}" }
-        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
-            val values = ContentValues().apply {
-                put(MediaStore.Downloads.DISPLAY_NAME, name)
-                if (mime.isNotBlank()) put(MediaStore.Downloads.MIME_TYPE, mime)
-                put(MediaStore.Downloads.IS_PENDING, 1)
-            }
-            val resolver = context.contentResolver
-            val uri = resolver.insert(MediaStore.Downloads.EXTERNAL_CONTENT_URI, values)
-                ?: return false
-            resolver.openOutputStream(uri)?.use { it.write(bytes) } ?: return false
-            values.clear()
-            values.put(MediaStore.Downloads.IS_PENDING, 0)
-            resolver.update(uri, values, null, null)
-            true
-        } else {
-            val dir = context.getExternalFilesDir(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS)
-            if (dir != null && !dir.exists()) dir.mkdirs()
-            java.io.File(dir, name).outputStream().use { it.write(bytes) }
-            true
-        }
-    } catch (_: Exception) {
-        false
-    }
-}
-
-/** Hand an http(s) download to the system DownloadManager, forwarding the
- *  WebView's session cookies so authenticated node files (e.g. peer-file
- *  streams) download instead of 401-ing. */
-private fun enqueueHttpDownload(
-    context: Context,
-    url: String,
-    userAgent: String?,
-    contentDisposition: String?,
-    mimeType: String?,
-) {
-    val name = URLUtil.guessFileName(url, contentDisposition, mimeType)
-    val request = DownloadManager.Request(Uri.parse(url)).apply {
-        setMimeType(mimeType)
-        CookieManager.getInstance().getCookie(url)?.let { addRequestHeader("Cookie", it) }
-        if (!userAgent.isNullOrEmpty()) addRequestHeader("User-Agent", userAgent)
-        setTitle(name)
-        setDescription("Downloading…")
-        setNotificationVisibility(DownloadManager.Request.VISIBILITY_VISIBLE_NOTIFY_COMPLETED)
-        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= Build.VERSION_CODES.Q) {
-            setDestinationInExternalPublicDir(Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS, name)
-        } else {
-            setDestinationInExternalFilesDir(context, Environment.DIRECTORY_DOWNLOADS, name)
-        }
-    }
-    val dm = context.getSystemService(Context.DOWNLOAD_SERVICE) as DownloadManager
-    dm.enqueue(request)
-    toast(context, "Downloading $name")
-}
-
-/** JS that reads a blob: URL the WebView itself created (DownloadManager can't
- *  fetch blob URLs) and hands the bytes back via the ArchipelagoDownload bridge. */
-private fun blobToBase64Js(blobUrl: String, mime: String, filename: String): String = """
-    (function() {
-      try {
-        var xhr = new XMLHttpRequest();
-        xhr.open('GET', '$blobUrl', true);
-        xhr.responseType = 'blob';
-        xhr.onload = function() {
-          var reader = new FileReader();
-          reader.onloadend = function() {
-            var dataUrl = reader.result || '';
-            var base64 = dataUrl.indexOf(',') >= 0 ? dataUrl.split(',')[1] : '';
-            var type = (xhr.response && xhr.response.type) ? xhr.response.type : '$mime';
-            ArchipelagoDownload.saveBase64(base64, type, '$filename');
-          };
-          reader.readAsDataURL(xhr.response);
-        };
-        xhr.send();
-      } catch (e) {}
-    })();
-""".trimIndent()
-
-/** Enable file downloads for this WebView: a JS bridge for blob/data URLs plus a
- *  DownloadListener that routes http(s) through DownloadManager and blob/data
- *  through MediaStore. Safe to call once per WebView. */
-@SuppressLint("JavascriptInterface")
-private fun WebView.enableFileDownloads(context: Context) {
-    addJavascriptInterface(
-        object {
-            @android.webkit.JavascriptInterface
-            fun saveBase64(base64: String, mime: String, filename: String) {
-                val ok = saveBase64ToDownloads(context, base64, mime, filename)
-                toast(context, if (ok) "Saved $filename to Downloads" else "Save failed")
-            }
-        },
-        "ArchipelagoDownload",
-    )
-    setDownloadListener { url, userAgent, contentDisposition, mimeType, _ ->
-        try {
-            when {
-                url.startsWith("blob:") -> {
-                    val name = URLUtil.guessFileName(url, contentDisposition, mimeType)
-                    evaluateJavascript(blobToBase64Js(url, mimeType ?: "", name), null)
-                }
-                url.startsWith("data:") -> {
-                    val name = URLUtil.guessFileName(url, contentDisposition, mimeType)
-                    val comma = url.indexOf(',')
-                    val b64 = if (comma >= 0) url.substring(comma + 1) else ""
-                    val ok = saveBase64ToDownloads(context, b64, mimeType ?: "", name)
-                    toast(context, if (ok) "Saved $name to Downloads" else "Save failed")
-                }
-                else -> enqueueHttpDownload(context, url, userAgent, contentDisposition, mimeType)
-            }
-        } catch (_: Exception) {
-            toast(context, "Download failed")
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-/** Best-effort fetch of the origin's /favicon.ico, so the launched app's icon
- *  can be shown on the loading splash before the WebView reports onReceivedIcon
- *  (which only fires once the page's <head> has parsed). Blocking — call on IO. */
-private fun fetchFavicon(pageUrl: String): Bitmap? {
-    return try {
-        val u = Uri.parse(pageUrl)
-        val scheme = u.scheme ?: return null
-        val host = u.host ?: return null
-        val portPart = if (u.port > 0) ":${u.port}" else ""
-        val conn = (java.net.URL("$scheme://$host$portPart/favicon.ico").openConnection()
-            as java.net.HttpURLConnection).apply {
-            connectTimeout = 4000
-            readTimeout = 4000
-            instanceFollowRedirects = true
-        }
-        conn.inputStream.use { BitmapFactory.decodeStream(it) }
-    } catch (_: Exception) {
-        null
-    }
-}
-
 @SuppressLint("SetJavaScriptEnabled", "ClickableViewAccessibility")
 @Composable
 fun WebViewScreen(
@@ -308,37 +142,6 @@ fun WebViewScreen(
     var hasError by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
     var webView by remember { mutableStateOf<WebView?>(null) }
 
-    // System file-picker plumbing for <input type="file">. onShowFileChooser
-    // stashes the WebView's callback here; the launcher result delivers the
-    // picked URIs back to it (or null on cancel, so the input doesn't hang).
-    val pendingFileCallback = remember { mutableStateOf<ValueCallback<Array<Uri>>?>(null) }
-    val fileChooserLauncher = rememberLauncherForActivityResult(
-        ActivityResultContracts.StartActivityForResult(),
-    ) { result ->
-        val cb = pendingFileCallback.value
-        pendingFileCallback.value = null
-        cb?.onReceiveValue(
-            WebChromeClient.FileChooserParams.parseResult(result.resultCode, result.data),
-        )
-    }
-    val showFileChooser: (ValueCallback<Array<Uri>>?, WebChromeClient.FileChooserParams?) -> Boolean =
-        { callback, params ->
-            pendingFileCallback.value?.onReceiveValue(null)
-            pendingFileCallback.value = callback
-            try {
-                val intent = params?.createIntent()
-                    ?: Intent(Intent.ACTION_GET_CONTENT).apply {
-                        type = "*/*"
-                        addCategory(Intent.CATEGORY_OPENABLE)
-                    }
-                fileChooserLauncher.launch(intent)
-                true
-            } catch (_: Exception) {
-                pendingFileCallback.value = null
-                false
-            }
-        }
-
     // A node app that refused iframing, opened in a local WebView overlay.
     // null = no overlay. The kiosk WebView underneath stays alive (and warm)
     // while this is shown, so closing it returns instantly with no reload.
@@ -427,7 +230,6 @@ fun WebViewScreen(
                         cookieManager.setAcceptThirdPartyCookies(this, true)
 
                         applyArchipelagoSettings()
-                        enableFileDownloads(context)
                         settings.apply {
                             setSupportMultipleWindows(true)  // enables onCreateWindow for window.open
                             // Let JS open windows without a synchronous user-gesture
@@ -539,13 +341,6 @@ fun WebViewScreen(
                                 loadProgress = newProgress
                             }
 
-                            // Open the system file browser for <input type="file">.
-                            override fun onShowFileChooser(
-                                webView: WebView?,
-                                filePathCallback: ValueCallback<Array<Uri>>?,
-                                fileChooserParams: FileChooserParams?,
-                            ): Boolean = showFileChooser(filePathCallback, fileChooserParams)
-
                             // window.open() — e.g. the kiosk's "Open in new tab"
                             // for an app that can't be iframed. Capture the target
                             // URL via a throwaway WebView and route it ourselves.
@@ -640,33 +435,40 @@ fun WebViewScreen(
                     url = target,
                     serverUrl = serverUrl,
                     onClose = { inAppUrl = null },
-                    onShowFileChooser = showFileChooser,
                 )
             }
         }
     }
 }
 
-/** One control in the in-app browser's bottom bar — sized and styled to match
- *  the web app-session mobile bar (52dp tap target, 24dp glyph, muted white). */
-@Composable
-private fun FooterButton(iconRes: Int, descRes: Int, onClick: () -> Unit) {
-    IconButton(onClick = onClick, modifier = Modifier.size(52.dp)) {
-        Icon(
-            painter = painterResource(iconRes),
-            contentDescription = stringResource(descRes),
-            tint = Color.White.copy(alpha = 0.72f),
-            modifier = Modifier.size(24.dp),
-        )
+/** Best-effort fetch of the origin's /favicon.ico, so the launched app's icon
+ *  can be shown on the loading screen before the WebView reports onReceivedIcon
+ *  (which only fires once the page's <head> has parsed). Blocking — call on IO. */
+private fun fetchFavicon(pageUrl: String): Bitmap? {
+    return try {
+        val u = android.net.Uri.parse(pageUrl)
+        val scheme = u.scheme ?: return null
+        val host = u.host ?: return null
+        val portPart = if (u.port > 0) ":${u.port}" else ""
+        val conn = (java.net.URL("$scheme://$host$portPart/favicon.ico").openConnection()
+            as java.net.HttpURLConnection).apply {
+            connectTimeout = 4000
+            readTimeout = 4000
+            instanceFollowRedirects = true
+        }
+        conn.inputStream.use { BitmapFactory.decodeStream(it) }
+    } catch (_: Exception) {
+        null
     }
 }
 
 /**
  * Lightweight in-app browser used when the kiosk hands off an app that can't be
- * shown in an iframe. Loads the app in a local WebView with a loading splash
- * (app icon + progress) and a bottom control bar matching the web app-session
- * mobile bar. Same-host navigation stays here; any genuinely external link
- * escapes to the phone's browser.
+ * shown in an iframe. Loads the app in a local WebView with a centered loading
+ * screen (app favicon + progress bar) and a BOTTOM control bar mirroring the
+ * web mobile-iframe footer (back / forward / reload / open-in-browser / close).
+ * Same-host navigation stays here; any genuinely external link escapes to the
+ * phone's browser.
  */
 @SuppressLint("SetJavaScriptEnabled")
 @Composable
@@ -674,21 +476,23 @@ private fun InAppBrowser(
     url: String,
     serverUrl: String,
     onClose: () -> Unit,
-    onShowFileChooser: (ValueCallback<Array<Uri>>?, WebChromeClient.FileChooserParams?) -> Boolean,
 ) {
     val context = LocalContext.current
     var browser by remember { mutableStateOf<WebView?>(null) }
     var title by remember { mutableStateOf(android.net.Uri.parse(url).host ?: url) }
+    var favicon by remember { mutableStateOf<Bitmap?>(null) }
     var progress by remember { mutableIntStateOf(0) }
     var loading by remember { mutableStateOf(true) }
-    // The launched app's icon, shown on the loading splash. Seeded by a
-    // best-effort favicon fetch, then upgraded to the real icon once the
-    // WebView reports onReceivedIcon.
-    var appIcon by remember { mutableStateOf<Bitmap?>(null) }
+    var canGoBack by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
+    var canGoForward by remember { mutableStateOf(false) }
 
+    // Seed the loading-screen icon immediately from a best-effort favicon
+    // pre-fetch (main's app-icon work), then onReceivedIcon upgrades it — so the
+    // loader shows an icon right away instead of staying blank until the page
+    // parses its <head> (which is what made the loader look stuck).
     LaunchedEffect(url) {
         val fetched = withContext(Dispatchers.IO) { fetchFavicon(url) }
-        if (fetched != null && appIcon == null) appIcon = fetched
+        if (fetched != null && favicon == null) favicon = fetched
     }
 
     // Back: walk the in-app history first, then close the overlay.
@@ -700,16 +504,11 @@ private fun InAppBrowser(
     Column(
         modifier = Modifier
             .fillMaxSize()
-            .background(SurfaceBlack),
+            .background(SurfaceBlack)
+            .windowInsetsPadding(WindowInsets.safeDrawing),
     ) {
-        // Content area: the app WebView, with a thin progress-bar loader pinned
-        // to the top edge while the page loads.
-        Box(
-            modifier = Modifier
-                .weight(1f)
-                .fillMaxWidth()
-                .windowInsetsPadding(WindowInsets.statusBars),
-        ) {
+        // WebView + loading overlay fill the area above the bottom control bar.
+        Box(modifier = Modifier.weight(1f).fillMaxWidth()) {
             AndroidView(
                 modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
                 factory = { ctx ->
@@ -723,7 +522,6 @@ private fun InAppBrowser(
 
                         CookieManager.getInstance().setAcceptThirdPartyCookies(this, true)
                         applyArchipelagoSettings()
-                        enableFileDownloads(ctx)
 
                         webChromeClient = object : WebChromeClient() {
                             override fun onProgressChanged(view: WebView?, newProgress: Int) {
@@ -735,24 +533,24 @@ private fun InAppBrowser(
                             }
 
                             override fun onReceivedIcon(view: WebView?, icon: Bitmap?) {
-                                if (icon != null) appIcon = icon
+                                if (icon != null) favicon = icon
                             }
-
-                            override fun onShowFileChooser(
-                                webView: WebView?,
-                                filePathCallback: ValueCallback<Array<Uri>>?,
-                                fileChooserParams: FileChooserParams?,
-                            ): Boolean = onShowFileChooser(filePathCallback, fileChooserParams)
                         }
 
                         webViewClient = object : WebViewClient() {
                             override fun onPageStarted(view: WebView?, u: String?, favicon: Bitmap?) {
                                 loading = true
-                                if (favicon != null) appIcon = favicon
                             }
 
                             override fun onPageFinished(view: WebView?, u: String?) {
                                 loading = false
+                                canGoBack = view?.canGoBack() == true
+                                canGoForward = view?.canGoForward() == true
+                            }
+
+                            override fun doUpdateVisitedHistory(view: WebView?, u: String?, isReload: Boolean) {
+                                canGoBack = view?.canGoBack() == true
+                                canGoForward = view?.canGoForward() == true
                             }
 
                             override fun shouldOverrideUrlLoading(
@@ -774,91 +572,93 @@ private fun InAppBrowser(
                 },
             )
 
-            // Loading splash — app icon + progress bar, covering the white
-            // first-paint flash until the app's own UI is ready.
+            // Centered loading screen — app favicon (or spinner) + title + bar.
             if (loading) {
                 Column(
                     modifier = Modifier
                         .fillMaxSize()
-                        .background(SurfaceBlack)
-                        .padding(32.dp),
+                        .background(SurfaceBlack),
                     horizontalAlignment = Alignment.CenterHorizontally,
                     verticalArrangement = Arrangement.Center,
                 ) {
-                    val icon = appIcon
-                    if (icon != null) {
-                        Image(
-                            bitmap = icon.asImageBitmap(),
-                            contentDescription = null,
-                            modifier = Modifier
-                                .size(64.dp)
-                                .clip(RoundedCornerShape(14.dp)),
-                        )
-                    } else {
-                        Icon(
-                            imageVector = Icons.Default.Public,
-                            contentDescription = null,
-                            tint = TextMuted,
-                            modifier = Modifier.size(64.dp),
-                        )
+                    Box(
+                        modifier = Modifier.size(84.dp).clip(RoundedCornerShape(20.dp)),
+                        contentAlignment = Alignment.Center,
+                    ) {
+                        val fav = favicon
+                        if (fav != null) {
+                            Image(
+                                bitmap = fav.asImageBitmap(),
+                                contentDescription = title,
+                                modifier = Modifier.fillMaxSize(),
+                            )
+                        } else {
+                            CircularProgressIndicator(color = BitcoinOrange)
+                        }
                     }
-                    Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(20.dp))
+                    Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(18.dp))
                     Text(
                         text = title,
-                        style = MaterialTheme.typography.titleMedium,
+                        style = MaterialTheme.typography.bodyLarge,
                         color = TextPrimary,
                         maxLines = 1,
                         overflow = TextOverflow.Ellipsis,
                     )
-                    Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(20.dp))
+                    Spacer(modifier = Modifier.height(16.dp))
                     LinearProgressIndicator(
                         progress = { progress / 100f },
-                        modifier = Modifier.fillMaxWidth(0.55f),
+                        modifier = Modifier.width(220.dp),
                         color = BitcoinOrange,
-                        trackColor = SurfaceBlack,
+                        trackColor = TextMuted.copy(alpha = 0.2f),
                     )
                 }
             }
         }
 
-        // Mobile footer controls — matched to the web app-session bar: five
-        // evenly-spaced buttons over a translucent dark bar with a hairline top
-        // border, sitting above the system navigation bar.
-        Column(
+        // Bottom control bar — mirrors the web mobile-iframe footer.
+        Row(
             modifier = Modifier
                 .fillMaxWidth()
-                .background(Color(0xF2141414)),
+                .height(56.dp)
+                .background(SurfaceBlack)
+                .padding(horizontal = 8.dp),
+            horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.SpaceAround,
+            verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
         ) {
-            Box(
-                modifier = Modifier
-                    .fillMaxWidth()
-                    .height(1.dp)
-                    .background(Color(0x14FFFFFF)),
-            )
-            Row(
-                modifier = Modifier
-                    .fillMaxWidth()
-                    .windowInsetsPadding(WindowInsets.navigationBars)
-                    .heightIn(min = 64.dp)
-                    .padding(vertical = 6.dp, horizontal = 8.dp),
-                horizontalArrangement = Arrangement.SpaceAround,
-                verticalAlignment = Alignment.CenterVertically,
-            ) {
-                FooterButton(R.drawable.ic_nav_back, R.string.back) {
-                    browser?.let { if (it.canGoBack()) it.goBack() }
-                }
-                FooterButton(R.drawable.ic_nav_forward, R.string.forward) {
-                    browser?.let { if (it.canGoForward()) it.goForward() }
-                }
-                FooterButton(R.drawable.ic_nav_refresh, R.string.refresh) {
-                    browser?.reload()
-                }
-                FooterButton(R.drawable.ic_nav_newtab, R.string.open_in_browser) {
-                    openExternalUrl(context, browser?.url ?: url)
-                }
-                FooterButton(R.drawable.ic_nav_close, R.string.close) {
-                    onClose()
-                }
+            IconButton(onClick = { browser?.goBack() }, enabled = canGoBack) {
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = Icons.AutoMirrored.Filled.ArrowBack,
+                    contentDescription = "Back",
+                    tint = if (canGoBack) TextPrimary else TextMuted.copy(alpha = 0.4f),
+                )
+            }
+            IconButton(onClick = { browser?.goForward() }, enabled = canGoForward) {
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = Icons.AutoMirrored.Filled.ArrowForward,
+                    contentDescription = "Forward",
+                    tint = if (canGoForward) TextPrimary else TextMuted.copy(alpha = 0.4f),
+                )
+            }
+            IconButton(onClick = { browser?.reload() }) {
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = Icons.Default.Refresh,
+                    contentDescription = "Reload",
+                    tint = TextPrimary,
+                )
+            }
+            IconButton(onClick = { openExternalUrl(context, browser?.url ?: url) }) {
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = Icons.Default.OpenInBrowser,
+                    contentDescription = stringResource(R.string.open_in_browser),
+                    tint = TextPrimary,
+                )
+            }
+            IconButton(onClick = onClose) {
+                Icon(
+                    imageVector = Icons.Default.Close,
+                    contentDescription = stringResource(R.string.close),
+                    tint = TextPrimary,
+                )
             }
         }
     }

apps/netbird-dashboard/manifest.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+app:
+  id: netbird-dashboard
+  name: NetBird Dashboard
+  version: "2.38.0"
+  description: NetBird management dashboard (SPA). Internal stack member served through the netbird proxy.
+  category: networking
+
+  # Hyphen name matches runtime references + the live container (adoption).
+  # Alias `netbird-dashboard` is the short hostname the proxy's nginx proxies to.
+  container_name: netbird-dashboard
+
+  container:
+    image: docker.io/netbirdio/dashboard:v2.38.0
+    pull_policy: if-not-present
+    network: netbird-net
+    network_aliases: [netbird-dashboard]
+    # The dashboard SPA bakes its API/OIDC base URL from these at container
+    # start. They must point at the proxy's public HTTPS origin (8087) so the
+    # browser uses a secure context (window.crypto.subtle / OIDC PKCE, #15).
+    # {{HOST_IP}} is the node's primary host IP, resolved at apply time.
+    derived_env:
+      - key: NETBIRD_MGMT_API_ENDPOINT
+        template: "https://{{HOST_IP}}:8087"
+      - key: NETBIRD_MGMT_GRPC_API_ENDPOINT
+        template: "https://{{HOST_IP}}:8087"
+      - key: AUTH_AUTHORITY
+        template: "https://{{HOST_IP}}:8087/oauth2"
+
+  dependencies:
+    - app_id: netbird-server
+
+  resources:
+    memory_limit: 256Mi
+
+  security:
+    # cap-drop=ALL is applied by the orchestrator. The dashboard image runs
+    # nginx (master as root, drops workers) binding :80 — needs the worker-drop
+    # caps + NET_BIND_SERVICE for the privileged port.
+    capabilities: [CHOWN, DAC_OVERRIDE, SETGID, SETUID, NET_BIND_SERVICE]
+    readonly_root: false
+    network_policy: isolated
+
+  # Internal only — reached container-to-container by the proxy via netbird-net.
+  ports: []
+
+  volumes: []
+
+  environment:
+    - AUTH_AUDIENCE=netbird-dashboard
+    - AUTH_CLIENT_ID=netbird-dashboard
+    - AUTH_CLIENT_SECRET=
+    - USE_AUTH0=false
+    - AUTH_SUPPORTED_SCOPES=openid profile email groups
+    - AUTH_REDIRECT_URI=/nb-auth
+    - AUTH_SILENT_REDIRECT_URI=/nb-silent-auth
+    - NETBIRD_TOKEN_SOURCE=idToken
+    - NGINX_SSL_PORT=443
+    - LETSENCRYPT_DOMAIN=none
+
+  health_check:
+    type: tcp
+    endpoint: localhost:80
+    interval: 30s
+    timeout: 5s
+    retries: 5
+    start_period: 20s
+
+  metadata:
+    author: NetBird
+    icon: /assets/img/app-icons/netbird.svg
+    website: https://netbird.io
+    repo: https://github.com/netbirdio/dashboard
+    license: BSD-3-Clause
+    tags:
+      - networking
+      - vpn
+      - dashboard

apps/netbird-server/manifest.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+app:
+  id: netbird-server
+  name: NetBird Server
+  version: "0.71.2"
+  description: NetBird combined management / signal / relay server with an embedded identity provider and STUN. Backend for the self-hosted NetBird mesh VPN.
+  category: networking
+
+  # Hyphen name matches the runtime references (crash_recovery / dependencies /
+  # config startup order) + the live container, so on an existing node the
+  # orchestrator ADOPTS the running server rather than recreating it (data +
+  # the sqlite store under /var/lib/netbird preserved). Alias `netbird-server`
+  # is the short hostname the proxy's nginx proxies/grpc-passes to.
+  container_name: netbird-server
+
+  container:
+    image: docker.io/netbirdio/netbird-server:0.71.2
+    pull_policy: if-not-present
+    network: netbird-net
+    network_aliases: [netbird-server]
+    # The relay authSecret and the sqlite store encryptionKey are base64 keys
+    # (the server base64-decodes them to recover raw bytes — hex would decode to
+    # the wrong value). Generated once and reused: ensure_generated_secrets
+    # no-ops when the file already exists, so a re-render of config.yaml on an
+    # adopted node keeps the same keys (regenerating would orphan the store).
+    generated_secrets:
+      - name: netbird-relay-auth-secret
+        kind: base64
+      - name: netbird-store-encryption-key
+        kind: base64
+    # Pass the rendered config explicitly, mirroring the legacy `--config` arg.
+    custom_args: ["--config", "/etc/netbird/config.yaml"]
+
+  dependencies:
+    - storage: 1Gi
+
+  resources:
+    memory_limit: 1Gi
+
+  security:
+    # cap-drop=ALL is applied by the orchestrator. The server binds :80
+    # (management/signal/relay HTTP + gRPC) inside the container — a privileged
+    # port — so it needs NET_BIND_SERVICE. STUN is 3478/udp (unprivileged).
+    capabilities: [NET_BIND_SERVICE]
+    readonly_root: false
+    network_policy: isolated
+
+  ports:
+    - host: 8086
+      container: 80
+      protocol: tcp   # management API + embedded OIDC issuer (/oauth2)
+    - host: 3478
+      container: 3478
+      protocol: udp   # STUN — must be UDP; tcp here breaks relay discovery
+
+  volumes:
+    - type: bind
+      source: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/data
+      target: /var/lib/netbird
+      options: [rw]
+    # The rendered config.yaml, read-only. Re-rendered on every reconcile from
+    # host facts + the base64 secrets; idempotent (stable bytes → no restart).
+    - type: bind
+      source: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/config.yaml
+      target: /etc/netbird/config.yaml
+      options: [ro]
+
+  environment: []
+
+  # The server's config. {{HOST_IP}} is the node's primary host IP (the proxy's
+  # public origin is https on 8087 — the dashboard needs a secure context for
+  # OIDC PKCE, issue #15). {{secret:...}} are read 0600 from the secrets dir.
+  files:
+    - path: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/config.yaml
+      overwrite: true
+      content: |
+        server:
+          listenAddress: ":80"
+          exposedAddress: "https://{{HOST_IP}}:8087"
+          stunPorts:
+            - 3478
+          metricsPort: 9090
+          healthcheckAddress: ":9000"
+          logLevel: "info"
+          logFile: "console"
+          authSecret: "{{secret:netbird-relay-auth-secret}}"
+          dataDir: "/var/lib/netbird"
+          auth:
+            issuer: "https://{{HOST_IP}}:8087/oauth2"
+            localAuthDisabled: false
+            signKeyRefreshEnabled: false
+            dashboardRedirectURIs:
+              - "https://{{HOST_IP}}:8087/nb-auth"
+              - "https://{{HOST_IP}}:8087/nb-silent-auth"
+            dashboardPostLogoutRedirectURIs:
+              - "https://{{HOST_IP}}:8087/"
+            cliRedirectURIs:
+              - "http://localhost:53000/"
+          store:
+            engine: "sqlite"
+            encryptionKey: "{{secret:netbird-store-encryption-key}}"
+
+  # TCP liveness on the management port. Binds at startup, stays green; an http
+  # check of /oauth2 would false-fail while the issuer warms up.
+  health_check:
+    type: tcp
+    endpoint: localhost:80
+    interval: 30s
+    timeout: 5s
+    retries: 10
+    start_period: 30s
+
+  metadata:
+    author: NetBird
+    icon: /assets/img/app-icons/netbird.svg
+    website: https://netbird.io
+    repo: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird
+    license: BSD-3-Clause
+    tags:
+      - networking
+      - vpn
+      - wireguard
+      - mesh

apps/netbird/manifest.yml

@@ -0,0 +1,182 @@
+app:
+  id: netbird
+  name: NetBird
+  version: "2.38.0"
+  description: Self-hosted WireGuard mesh VPN control plane with dashboard, embedded identity provider, management API, signal, relay, and STUN. The user-facing entry point — a TLS proxy in front of the dashboard + server.
+  category: networking
+
+  # The user-facing launcher (app_id + container both "netbird", matching the
+  # runtime references + the live container so the orchestrator adopts it). This
+  # is the nginx that terminates TLS on 8087 and fans out to the dashboard +
+  # server by their short aliases on netbird-net.
+  container_name: netbird
+
+  container:
+    image: docker.io/library/nginx:1.27-alpine
+    pull_policy: if-not-present
+    network: netbird-net
+    # Self-signed TLS cert materialised before create — the dashboard needs a
+    # secure context (window.crypto.subtle / OIDC PKCE, issue #15), so the proxy
+    # serves HTTPS. Idempotent: kept as-is when crt+key already exist (a user
+    # accepts it once). SAN defaults to the host IP + 127.0.0.1 + localhost.
+    generated_certs:
+      - crt: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/tls.crt
+        key: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/tls.key
+
+  dependencies:
+    - app_id: netbird-server
+    - app_id: netbird-dashboard
+    - storage: 1Gi
+
+  resources:
+    memory_limit: 256Mi
+
+  security:
+    # cap-drop=ALL is applied by the orchestrator. nginx (master as root, drops
+    # workers) binds :443 — needs the worker-drop caps + NET_BIND_SERVICE.
+    capabilities: [CHOWN, DAC_OVERRIDE, SETGID, SETUID, NET_BIND_SERVICE]
+    readonly_root: false
+    network_policy: isolated
+
+  ports:
+    # 8087 publishes the TLS listener (container :443). HTTPS is required for the
+    # dashboard's secure context (issue #15).
+    - host: 8087
+      container: 443
+      protocol: tcp
+
+  volumes:
+    - type: bind
+      source: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/nginx.conf
+      target: /etc/nginx/conf.d/default.conf
+      options: [ro]
+    - type: bind
+      source: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/tls.crt
+      target: /etc/nginx/tls.crt
+      options: [ro]
+    - type: bind
+      source: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/tls.key
+      target: /etc/nginx/tls.key
+      options: [ro]
+
+  environment: []
+
+  # The proxy config. {{NETWORK_GATEWAY}} is the netbird-net bridge gateway =
+  # Podman's aardvark DNS. nginx uses it as an explicit `resolver` with VARIABLE
+  # upstreams so it re-resolves container names per request — without it nginx
+  # pins a container IP at startup and 502s forever once that IP moves on a
+  # restart/reboot (issue #15, observed live on .198). Every #15 fix below
+  # (CORS $http_origin reflect, grpc pass, nb-auth/nb-silent-auth rewrite to
+  # index.html, /relay websocket) is preserved verbatim from the legacy config.
+  files:
+    - path: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/nginx.conf
+      overwrite: true
+      content: |
+        server {
+            listen 443 ssl;
+            server_name _;
+
+            # netbird's dashboard needs a secure context (window.crypto.subtle for
+            # OIDC PKCE), so the proxy terminates TLS with a self-signed cert (#15).
+            ssl_certificate /etc/nginx/tls.crt;
+            ssl_certificate_key /etc/nginx/tls.key;
+
+            # Rootless Podman can hand a container a new IP across restarts/reboots.
+            # nginx resolves a literal upstream name ONCE at startup and caches it,
+            # so after the IP moves every request 502s with "host unreachable"
+            # (issue #15, observed live on .198: nginx pinned to a dead
+            # netbird-dashboard IP). Fix: point `resolver` at the netbird-net
+            # gateway (Podman's aardvark DNS) and use VARIABLE upstreams, which
+            # forces nginx to re-resolve the container names at request time.
+            resolver {{NETWORK_GATEWAY}} valid=10s ipv6=off;
+
+            proxy_set_header Host $host;
+            proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+            proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+            proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+            proxy_http_version 1.1;
+
+            location ~ ^/(relay|ws-proxy/) {
+                set $nb_server netbird-server;
+                proxy_pass http://$nb_server:80;
+                proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+                proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
+                proxy_read_timeout 1d;
+            }
+
+            location ~ ^/(api|oauth2)(/|$) {
+                # The dashboard is a SPA whose API/OIDC base URL is baked at build
+                # time to one host:port. A single box is reached via several
+                # addresses, so those fetches are cross-origin and the browser
+                # blocks them with no Access-Control-Allow-Origin (#15, live on
+                # .198). Reflect the caller's Origin and answer the CORS preflight.
+                if ($request_method = OPTIONS) {
+                    add_header Access-Control-Allow-Origin $http_origin always;
+                    add_header Access-Control-Allow-Credentials true always;
+                    add_header Access-Control-Allow-Methods "GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, OPTIONS" always;
+                    add_header Access-Control-Allow-Headers "Authorization, Content-Type, Accept" always;
+                    add_header Access-Control-Max-Age 86400 always;
+                    add_header Content-Length 0;
+                    return 204;
+                }
+                add_header Access-Control-Allow-Origin $http_origin always;
+                add_header Access-Control-Allow-Credentials true always;
+                add_header Access-Control-Allow-Methods "GET, POST, PUT, PATCH, DELETE, OPTIONS" always;
+                add_header Access-Control-Allow-Headers "Authorization, Content-Type, Accept" always;
+                set $nb_server netbird-server;
+                proxy_pass http://$nb_server:80;
+            }
+
+            location ~ ^/(signalexchange\.SignalExchange|management\.ManagementService|management\.ProxyService)/ {
+                set $nb_server netbird-server;
+                grpc_pass grpc://$nb_server:80;
+                grpc_read_timeout 1d;
+                grpc_send_timeout 1d;
+            }
+
+            # OIDC callback routes are client-side SPA routes with NO prebuilt page
+            # in the dashboard bundle, so proxying them straight through 404s —
+            # which crashes the dashboard's auth init and shows "Unauthenticated"
+            # with dead buttons (#15, live on .198: /nb-auth + /nb-silent-auth
+            # returned 404). Serve index.html at these paths (URL unchanged) so
+            # react-oidc boots and completes the login / silent-SSO.
+            location ~ ^/(nb-auth|nb-silent-auth) {
+                set $nb_dashboard netbird-dashboard;
+                rewrite ^.*$ /index.html break;
+                proxy_pass http://$nb_dashboard:80;
+            }
+
+            location / {
+                set $nb_dashboard netbird-dashboard;
+                proxy_pass http://$nb_dashboard:80;
+            }
+        }
+
+  health_check:
+    type: tcp
+    endpoint: localhost:443
+    interval: 30s
+    timeout: 5s
+    retries: 5
+    start_period: 20s
+
+  interfaces:
+    main:
+      name: Dashboard
+      description: Manage your self-hosted NetBird mesh VPN
+      type: ui
+      port: 8087
+      protocol: https
+      path: /
+
+  metadata:
+    author: NetBird
+    icon: /assets/img/app-icons/netbird.svg
+    website: https://netbird.io
+    repo: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird
+    license: BSD-3-Clause
+    tags:
+      - networking
+      - vpn
+      - wireguard
+      - mesh

core/archipelago/src/api/rpc/package/stacks.rs

@@ -696,6 +696,16 @@ fn immich_stack_app_ids() -> &'static [&'static str] {
     &["immich-postgres", "immich-redis", "immich"]
 }
 
+fn netbird_stack_app_ids() -> &'static [&'static str] {
+    // Dependency/startup order: the combined management/signal/relay server
+    // first (it owns the base64 relay/store secrets + the sqlite store, and is
+    // the OIDC issuer the others point at), then the dashboard SPA, then the
+    // user-facing TLS proxy ("netbird", which carries the self-signed cert +
+    // the templated nginx.conf and is the launcher). Mirrors the netbird
+    // startup_order in dependencies.rs.
+    &["netbird-server", "netbird-dashboard", "netbird"]
+}
+
 fn indeedhub_stack_app_ids() -> &'static [&'static str] {
     // Dependency order: backends + their generated secrets first, then the api
     // (owns indeedhub-jwt; reads the db/minio secrets the backends materialised),
@@ -1828,6 +1838,23 @@ impl RpcHandler {
 
     /// Install self-hosted NetBird (dashboard + combined management/signal/relay server).
     pub(super) async fn install_netbird_stack(&self) -> Result<serde_json::Value> {
+        // Manifest-driven path (#20 phase 4): render the 3-member stack from
+        // apps/netbird-*/manifest.yml via the orchestrator — dedicated
+        // netbird-net + network_aliases, base64 generated_secrets, a self-signed
+        // TLS cert (generated_certs) so the dashboard gets a secure context for
+        // OIDC PKCE (#15), and templated config.yaml/nginx.conf rendered from
+        // host facts + the netbird-net gateway. The manifests use the exact live
+        // container names, so on an existing node this ADOPTS the running stack
+        // rather than recreating it (the sqlite store + base64 keys are
+        // preserved — ensure_generated_secrets no-ops on existing files). Falls
+        // back to the legacy installer below only when the orchestrator doesn't
+        // know these app_ids (manifests not yet deployed to the node).
+        if let Some(orchestrated) =
+            install_stack_via_orchestrator(self, "netbird", netbird_stack_app_ids()).await?
+        {
+            return Ok(orchestrated);
+        }
+
         if let Some(adopted) = adopt_stack_if_exists(
             "netbird",
             "netbird",

core/archipelago/src/container/companion.rs

@@ -285,7 +285,15 @@ async fn ensure_image_present(spec: &CompanionSpec) -> Result<String> {
 
 async fn image_exists(image: &str) -> bool {
     let mut cmd = Command::new("podman");
-    cmd.args(["image", "inspect", image]);
+    // Only the exit status matters. WITHOUT a `--format`, `podman image inspect`
+    // prints the image's full multi-KB manifest JSON; `.status()` inherits the
+    // service's stdout, so on a hit that whole blob lands in the journal — once
+    // per companion image, every reconcile pass. That flood spikes journald +
+    // IO and starves the async runtime (UI websocket then drops → "connection
+    // lost"/reconnect). Discard the child's stdout/stderr; we read neither.
+    cmd.args(["image", "inspect", image])
+        .stdout(std::process::Stdio::null())
+        .stderr(std::process::Stdio::null());
     match tokio::time::timeout(COMPANION_IMAGE_CHECK_TIMEOUT, cmd.status()).await {
         Ok(Ok(status)) => status.success(),
         Ok(Err(err)) => {

core/archipelago/src/container/docker_packages.rs

@@ -691,16 +691,37 @@ fn extract_lan_address(ports: &[String]) -> Option<String> {
     None
 }
 
+/// netbird's dashboard launch URL: HTTPS on 8087 (the proxy terminates TLS —
+/// the dashboard needs a secure context for OIDC PKCE, issue #15) at the node's
+/// primary host IP so it's reachable from the LAN. Manifest-driven netbird no
+/// longer writes `dashboard.env`, so this is derived from host facts (the same
+/// `{{HOST_IP}}` the orchestrator bakes into the cert/config); it falls back to
+/// the static localhost mapping when the host IP can't be read. URL shape is
+/// identical to the legacy installer's, so the existing https reachability
+/// wrapper still applies.
 async fn netbird_configured_launch_url() -> Option<String> {
-    let env = tokio::fs::read_to_string("/var/lib/archipelago/netbird/dashboard.env")
+    if let Some(ip) = first_host_ip().await {
+        return Some(format!("https://{ip}:8087"));
+    }
+    PodmanClient::lan_address_for("netbird")
+}
+
+/// First address from `hostname -I` — the node's primary host IP. Mirrors the
+/// orchestrator's `detect_host_ip` so launch URLs match the cert/config the
+/// orchestrator renders for `{{HOST_IP}}`.
+async fn first_host_ip() -> Option<String> {
+    let out = tokio::process::Command::new("hostname")
+        .arg("-I")
+        .output()
         .await
         .ok()?;
-    env.lines()
-        .find_map(|line| line.strip_prefix("NETBIRD_MGMT_API_ENDPOINT="))
-        .map(str::trim)
-        .filter(|s| !s.is_empty())
+    if !out.status.success() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout)
+        .split_whitespace()
+        .next()
         .map(ToOwned::to_owned)
-        .or_else(|| PodmanClient::lan_address_for("netbird"))
 }
 
 async fn reachable_lan_address(app_id: &str, candidate: Option<String>) -> Option<String> {

core/archipelago/src/container/prod_orchestrator.rs

@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@
 use anyhow::{Context, Result};
 use archipelago_container::{
     AppManifest, ContainerRuntime as ContainerRuntimeTrait, ContainerState, ContainerStatus,
-    Dependency, GeneratedFile, HostFacts, ManifestError, ResolvedSource, SecretsProvider,
+    Dependency, HostFacts, ManifestError, ResolvedSource, SecretsProvider,
 };
 use async_trait::async_trait;
 use std::collections::{HashMap, HashSet};
@@ -1809,6 +1809,9 @@ impl ProdContainerOrchestrator {
         self.run_pre_start_hooks(&manifest.app.id).await?;
         self.ensure_bind_mount_sockets(manifest).await?;
         self.ensure_bind_mount_dirs(manifest).await?;
+        // Certs before files: a templated file may not need the cert, but the
+        // container's bind-mounts expect both present before create_container.
+        self.ensure_manifest_certs(manifest).await?;
         self.ensure_manifest_files(manifest).await?;
         self.apply_data_uid(manifest).await?;
         self.run_post_data_uid_hooks(&manifest.app.id).await?;
@@ -2750,7 +2753,14 @@ impl ProdContainerOrchestrator {
     async fn ensure_manifest_files(&self, manifest: &AppManifest) -> Result<HookOutcome> {
         let mut outcome = HookOutcome::Unchanged;
         for file in &manifest.app.files {
-            if ensure_generated_file(file)
+            // Render templated placeholders before comparing/writing so the
+            // idempotency check is against the FINAL bytes (not the template),
+            // otherwise a rendered file would be rewritten every reconcile.
+            let rendered = self
+                .render_file_placeholders(manifest, &file.content)
+                .await
+                .with_context(|| format!("rendering manifest file {}", file.path))?;
+            if ensure_rendered_file(&file.path, &rendered, file.overwrite)
                 .await
                 .with_context(|| format!("ensure manifest file {}", file.path))?
                 == HookOutcome::Rewritten
@@ -2760,23 +2770,185 @@ impl ProdContainerOrchestrator {
         }
         Ok(outcome)
     }
+
+    /// Substitute the allow-listed placeholders a manifest `GeneratedFile` may
+    /// carry. Keeps runtime-derived config (netbird's `config.yaml`/`nginx.conf`)
+    /// declarative instead of generated by per-app Rust:
+    /// - `{{HOST_IP}}` / `{{HOST_MDNS}}` — host facts (`hostname -I` / `.local`).
+    /// - `{{NETWORK_GATEWAY}}` — the gateway of the app's podman network, i.e.
+    ///   aardvark's DNS address. nginx uses it as an explicit `resolver` so it
+    ///   re-resolves container names per request instead of pinning a stale IP
+    ///   and 502-ing after a restart/reboot (issue #15). The network is ensured
+    ///   to exist first so the gateway is readable on a fresh install (this runs
+    ///   before `install_fresh`'s own `ensure_container_network`; both idempotent).
+    /// - `{{secret:NAME}}` — a `0600` secret read from the service-owned secrets
+    ///   dir (e.g. netbird's base64 relay/store keys). NEVER logged.
+    async fn render_file_placeholders(
+        &self,
+        manifest: &AppManifest,
+        content: &str,
+    ) -> Result<String> {
+        let mut out = content.to_string();
+        if out.contains("{{HOST_IP}}") || out.contains("{{HOST_MDNS}}") {
+            let facts = self.detect_host_facts();
+            out = out
+                .replace("{{HOST_IP}}", &facts.host_ip)
+                .replace("{{HOST_MDNS}}", &facts.host_mdns);
+        }
+        if out.contains("{{NETWORK_GATEWAY}}") {
+            self.ensure_container_network(manifest).await?;
+            let gw = self.network_gateway(manifest).await?;
+            out = out.replace("{{NETWORK_GATEWAY}}", &gw);
+        }
+        out = self.render_secret_placeholders(&out).await?;
+        Ok(out)
+    }
+
+    /// Replace every `{{secret:NAME}}` with the trimmed contents of
+    /// `<secrets_dir>/NAME`. `NAME` must be a bare filename (the same safety bar
+    /// as `secret_env`). The secret value is never placed in an error or log.
+    async fn render_secret_placeholders(&self, content: &str) -> Result<String> {
+        const OPEN: &str = "{{secret:";
+        let mut out = String::with_capacity(content.len());
+        let mut rest = content;
+        while let Some(start) = rest.find(OPEN) {
+            out.push_str(&rest[..start]);
+            let after = &rest[start + OPEN.len()..];
+            let end = after
+                .find("}}")
+                .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("unterminated {{secret:...}} placeholder"))?;
+            let name = &after[..end];
+            if name.is_empty() || name.contains('/') || name.contains("..") {
+                anyhow::bail!("invalid secret placeholder name '{name}' (must be a bare filename)");
+            }
+            let value = tokio::fs::read_to_string(self.secrets_dir.join(name))
+                .await
+                .map_err(|_| {
+                    // Do not surface the path-with-value or io detail beyond the name.
+                    anyhow::anyhow!("secret '{name}' referenced by a manifest file is missing")
+                })?;
+            out.push_str(value.trim());
+            rest = &after[end + 2..];
+        }
+        out.push_str(rest);
+        Ok(out)
+    }
+
+    /// The gateway IP of the app's podman network — aardvark's DNS resolver
+    /// address. Mirrors the legacy `netbird_net_resolver_ip`; falls back to
+    /// podman's usual first-pool gateway if the inspect can't be parsed (the
+    /// network was just ensured to exist, so this is a belt-and-braces default).
+    async fn network_gateway(&self, manifest: &AppManifest) -> Result<String> {
+        let network = manifest
+            .app
+            .container
+            .network
+            .as_deref()
+            .filter(|n| !n.is_empty() && !is_builtin_network_mode(n))
+            .ok_or_else(|| {
+                anyhow::anyhow!("{{NETWORK_GATEWAY}} used but app has no dedicated network")
+            })?;
+        let out = tokio::process::Command::new("podman")
+            .args([
+                "network",
+                "inspect",
+                network,
+                "--format",
+                "{{range .Subnets}}{{.Gateway}}{{end}}",
+            ])
+            .output()
+            .await
+            .with_context(|| format!("inspecting podman network {network} for gateway"))?;
+        let gw = String::from_utf8_lossy(&out.stdout).trim().to_string();
+        if !gw.is_empty() && gw.parse::<std::net::IpAddr>().is_ok() {
+            return Ok(gw);
+        }
+        tracing::warn!(
+            network,
+            "could not read network gateway; falling back to 10.89.0.1"
+        );
+        Ok("10.89.0.1".to_string())
+    }
+
+    /// Materialise manifest-declared self-signed TLS certs before the container
+    /// is created (so a bind-mounted cert path resolves to a real file). Skips an
+    /// entry whose crt+key already exist (idempotent / data-preserving). CN and
+    /// SAN templates are rendered against host facts; when omitted they default
+    /// to the node's host IP plus `127.0.0.1`/`localhost` so the cert is valid
+    /// however the box is reached locally. Mirrors the legacy
+    /// `ensure_netbird_tls_cert` (rsa:2048, 10-year, no per-app Rust).
+    async fn ensure_manifest_certs(&self, manifest: &AppManifest) -> Result<()> {
+        let facts = self.detect_host_facts();
+        let render = |s: &str| {
+            s.replace("{{HOST_IP}}", &facts.host_ip)
+                .replace("{{HOST_MDNS}}", &facts.host_mdns)
+        };
+        for cert in &manifest.app.container.generated_certs {
+            if tokio::fs::metadata(&cert.crt).await.is_ok()
+                && tokio::fs::metadata(&cert.key).await.is_ok()
+            {
+                continue;
+            }
+            if let Some(parent) = Path::new(&cert.crt).parent() {
+                create_dir_all_or_sudo(parent).await?;
+            }
+            if let Some(parent) = Path::new(&cert.key).parent() {
+                create_dir_all_or_sudo(parent).await?;
+            }
+            let cn = render(cert.common_name.as_deref().unwrap_or("{{HOST_IP}}"));
+            let san = if cert.sans.is_empty() {
+                format!("IP:{},IP:127.0.0.1,DNS:localhost", facts.host_ip)
+            } else {
+                cert.sans
+                    .iter()
+                    .map(|s| render(s))
+                    .collect::<Vec<_>>()
+                    .join(",")
+            };
+            let status = tokio::process::Command::new("openssl")
+                .args([
+                    "req",
+                    "-x509",
+                    "-newkey",
+                    "rsa:2048",
+                    "-nodes",
+                    "-keyout",
+                    &cert.key,
+                    "-out",
+                    &cert.crt,
+                    "-days",
+                    "3650",
+                    "-subj",
+                    &format!("/CN={cn}"),
+                    "-addext",
+                    &format!("subjectAltName={san}"),
+                ])
+                .status()
+                .await
+                .with_context(|| format!("running openssl for manifest cert {}", cert.crt))?;
+            if !status.success() {
+                anyhow::bail!("openssl failed to generate manifest cert {}", cert.crt);
+            }
+        }
+        Ok(())
+    }
 }
 
-async fn ensure_generated_file(file: &GeneratedFile) -> Result<HookOutcome> {
-    let path = Path::new(&file.path);
-    if let Ok(existing) = tokio::fs::read_to_string(path).await {
-        if existing == file.content || !file.overwrite {
+async fn ensure_rendered_file(path: &str, content: &str, overwrite: bool) -> Result<HookOutcome> {
+    let p = Path::new(path);
+    if let Ok(existing) = tokio::fs::read_to_string(p).await {
+        if existing == content || !overwrite {
             return Ok(HookOutcome::Unchanged);
         }
-    } else if path.exists() && !file.overwrite {
+    } else if p.exists() && !overwrite {
         return Ok(HookOutcome::Unchanged);
     }
 
-    let parent = path
+    let parent = p
         .parent()
-        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("generated file path has no parent: {}", file.path))?;
+        .ok_or_else(|| anyhow::anyhow!("generated file path has no parent: {}", path))?;
     create_dir_all_or_sudo(parent).await?;
-    write_generated_file_atomically(path, &file.content).await?;
+    write_generated_file_atomically(p, content).await?;
     Ok(HookOutcome::Rewritten)
 }
 

core/archipelago/src/container/secrets.rs

@@ -66,6 +66,7 @@ fn ensure_one(dir: &Path, gs: &GeneratedSecret) -> Result<()> {
     match gs.kind {
         SecretGenKind::Hex16 => write_secret(&dir.join(&gs.name), &random_hex(16))?,
         SecretGenKind::Hex32 => write_secret(&dir.join(&gs.name), &random_hex(32))?,
+        SecretGenKind::Base64 => write_secret(&dir.join(&gs.name), &random_base64(32))?,
         SecretGenKind::Bcrypt => {
             let password = random_hex(BCRYPT_PASSWORD_BYTES);
             let hash = bcrypt::hash(&password, bcrypt::DEFAULT_COST)
@@ -92,6 +93,15 @@ fn random_hex(bytes: usize) -> String {
     hex::encode(buf)
 }
 
+/// `bytes` of entropy, standard base64 (with padding). For keys that a service
+/// base64-decodes to recover the raw bytes (e.g. netbird's store encryptionKey).
+fn random_base64(bytes: usize) -> String {
+    use base64::Engine as _;
+    let mut buf = vec![0u8; bytes];
+    rand::thread_rng().fill_bytes(&mut buf);
+    base64::engine::general_purpose::STANDARD.encode(buf)
+}
+
 /// Atomically write a `0600` secret: a temp file in the same dir (so the rename
 /// is atomic), fsynced, then renamed over the target.
 fn write_secret(path: &Path, value: &str) -> Result<()> {

core/archipelago/src/main.rs

@@ -198,6 +198,24 @@ async fn main() -> Result<()> {
         (Some(trait_obj), Some(dev))
     } else {
         let prod = Arc::new(ProdContainerOrchestrator::new(config.clone()).await?);
+        // Pull the freshest signed app-catalog BEFORE loading manifests, so any
+        // registry-embedded manifest (the origin-wins overlay in load_manifests)
+        // is in place on THIS boot — not a restart later. Without this the boot
+        // would overlay the previous run's cached catalog and a newly-published
+        // app (e.g. a registry-only install) wouldn't appear until the next
+        // restart. Bounded + best-effort: on timeout/unreachable origin the
+        // last-cached catalog (or the disk manifests) still load — registry is
+        // an overlay on top of disk, never a hard dependency.
+        match tokio::time::timeout(
+            std::time::Duration::from_secs(25),
+            crate::container::app_catalog::refresh_catalog(&config.data_dir),
+        )
+        .await
+        {
+            Ok(Ok(n)) => info!("🛰️  app-catalog refreshed before manifest load ({n} apps)"),
+            Ok(Err(e)) => tracing::debug!("app-catalog pre-load refresh failed (using cache): {e}"),
+            Err(_) => tracing::debug!("app-catalog pre-load refresh timed out (using cache)"),
+        }
         // Best-effort manifest load; a missing /opt/archipelago/apps is
         // logged inside load_manifests and not fatal.
         match prod.load_manifests().await {

core/container/src/lib.rs

@@ -8,8 +8,9 @@ pub mod runtime;
 pub use bitcoin_simulator::{BitcoinSimulationMode, BitcoinSimulator};
 pub use health_monitor::HealthMonitor;
 pub use manifest::{
-    AppInterface, AppManifest, BuildConfig, ContainerConfig, Dependency, DerivedEnv, GeneratedFile,
-    GeneratedSecret, HealthCheck, HookStep, HostCopy, HostFacts, LifecycleHooks, ManifestError,
+    AppInterface, AppManifest, BuildConfig, ContainerConfig, Dependency, DerivedEnv, GeneratedCert,
+    GeneratedFile, GeneratedSecret, HealthCheck, HookStep, HostCopy, HostFacts, LifecycleHooks,
+    ManifestError,
     ResolvedSource, ResourceLimits, SecretEnv, SecretGenKind, SecretsProvider, SecurityPolicy,
     Volume,
 };

core/container/src/manifest.rs

@@ -223,6 +223,19 @@ pub struct ContainerConfig {
     #[serde(default)]
     pub generated_secrets: Vec<GeneratedSecret>,
 
+    /// Self-signed TLS certificates the orchestrator materialises before the
+    /// container is created (so a bind-mounted cert path resolves to a real
+    /// file, not a stale/missing path). Like `generated_secrets`, this keeps an
+    /// app data-driven: a service that needs a secure context (e.g. netbird's
+    /// dashboard — OIDC PKCE / `window.crypto.subtle` only works over HTTPS,
+    /// issue #15) declares the cert here instead of relying on per-app Rust.
+    /// Idempotent: an entry whose `crt` and `key` already exist is left
+    /// untouched. SAN/CN templates are rendered against host facts at apply time.
+    ///
+    /// Example: `- { crt: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/tls.crt, key: /var/lib/archipelago/netbird/tls.key }`
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub generated_certs: Vec<GeneratedCert>,
+
     /// Rootless-mapped UID:GID applied to the container's data directory
     /// (the `bind`-mounted host path with `target` inside the container's
     /// data root) before creation. Mirrors `SPEC_DATA_UID`.
@@ -261,6 +274,11 @@ pub enum SecretGenKind {
     Hex16,
     /// 32 random bytes, lowercase hex (64 chars). Longer keys/cookies.
     Hex32,
+    /// 32 random bytes, standard base64 (44 chars incl. padding). For services
+    /// that require a base64-encoded key rather than hex — e.g. netbird's relay
+    /// `authSecret` and the SQLite store `encryptionKey`, which base64-decode
+    /// their configured value (hex would decode to the wrong bytes).
+    Base64,
     /// A random password and its bcrypt hash. `<name>` holds the bcrypt hash
     /// (what a server is configured with); the plaintext is stored alongside as
     /// `<name>.pw` for any client that must authenticate. `secret_env` injects
@@ -282,12 +300,31 @@ impl GeneratedSecret {
     /// (primary first). A consumer references one of these via `secret_env`.
     pub fn target_files(&self) -> Vec<String> {
         match self.kind {
-            SecretGenKind::Hex16 | SecretGenKind::Hex32 => vec![self.name.clone()],
+            SecretGenKind::Hex16 | SecretGenKind::Hex32 | SecretGenKind::Base64 => {
+                vec![self.name.clone()]
+            }
             SecretGenKind::Bcrypt => vec![self.name.clone(), format!("{}.pw", self.name)],
         }
     }
 }
 
+/// A self-signed TLS certificate materialised by the orchestrator. See
+/// [`ContainerConfig::generated_certs`]. `crt`/`key` are absolute host paths
+/// (typically under `/var/lib/archipelago/<app>/`) that the container
+/// bind-mounts read-only. `common_name` and `sans` are rendered against host
+/// facts (`{{HOST_IP}}`) at apply time; when omitted they default to the
+/// node's host IP plus `IP:127.0.0.1,DNS:localhost` so the cert is valid for
+/// however the box is reached locally.
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq, Eq)]
+pub struct GeneratedCert {
+    pub crt: String,
+    pub key: String,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub common_name: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub sans: Vec<String>,
+}
+
 fn default_pull_policy() -> String {
     "if-not-present".to_string()
 }
@@ -665,6 +702,18 @@ impl AppManifest {
             }
         }
 
+        // generated_certs: crt/key must be non-empty absolute paths with no
+        // traversal (they become bind-mount sources, same safety bar as files).
+        for (i, c) in self.app.container.generated_certs.iter().enumerate() {
+            for (field, val) in [("crt", &c.crt), ("key", &c.key)] {
+                if val.is_empty() || !val.starts_with('/') || val.contains("..") {
+                    return Err(ManifestError::Invalid(format!(
+                        "container.generated_certs[{i}].{field} must be an absolute path with no '..', got '{val}'"
+                    )));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+
         // data_uid: if set, must look like "NNNNN:NNNNN".
         if let Some(u) = &self.app.container.data_uid {
             let parts: Vec<&str> = u.split(':').collect();
@@ -1711,6 +1760,7 @@ app:
             ],
             secret_env: vec![],
             generated_secrets: vec![],
+            generated_certs: vec![],
             data_uid: None,
         };
         let facts = HostFacts {
@@ -1762,6 +1812,7 @@ app:
                 },
             ],
             generated_secrets: vec![],
+            generated_certs: vec![],
             data_uid: None,
         };
         let p = MapSecretsProvider {
@@ -1799,6 +1850,7 @@ app:
                 secret_file: "bitcoin-rpc-password".to_string(),
             }],
             generated_secrets: vec![],
+            generated_certs: vec![],
             data_uid: None,
         };
         let p = MapSecretsProvider {

core/container/src/podman_client.rs

@@ -124,7 +124,9 @@ impl PodmanClient {
             "nginx-proxy-manager" => "http://localhost:8081",
             "fedimint-gateway" => "http://localhost:8176",
             "endurain" => "http://localhost:8080",
-            "netbird" => "http://localhost:8087",
+            // HTTPS: netbird's dashboard needs a secure context for OIDC PKCE
+            // (window.crypto.subtle), so the proxy serves TLS on 8087 (issue #15).
+            "netbird" => "https://localhost:8087",
             "electrs" | "archy-electrs-ui" => "http://localhost:50002",
             _ => return None,
         };
@@ -275,10 +277,18 @@ impl PodmanClient {
         // Build the container spec for the API
         let mut port_mappings = Vec::new();
         for port in &manifest.app.ports {
+            // Honour the manifest's protocol (default tcp). netbird's STUN port
+            // is 3478/udp; forcing tcp here would publish the wrong protocol and
+            // silently break relay discovery.
+            let protocol = match port.protocol.to_ascii_lowercase().as_str() {
+                "udp" => "udp",
+                "sctp" => "sctp",
+                _ => "tcp",
+            };
             port_mappings.push(serde_json::json!({
                 "container_port": port.container,
                 "host_port": port.host,
-                "protocol": "tcp",
+                "protocol": protocol,
             }));
         }
 

neode-ui/src/components/AppLauncherOverlay.vue

@@ -69,12 +69,12 @@
           <div class="relative flex-1 min-h-0 bg-black/40 overflow-hidden">
             <!-- Loading indicator -->
             <Transition name="content-fade">
-              <div v-if="iframeLoading" class="absolute inset-0 z-10 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/40">
-                <svg class="animate-spin h-8 w-8 text-white/70" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" fill="none" viewBox="0 0 24 24">
-                  <circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4"></circle>
-                  <path class="opacity-75" fill="currentColor" d="M4 12a8 8 0 018-8V0C5.373 0 0 5.373 0 12h4zm2 5.291A7.962 7.962 0 014 12H0c0 3.042 1.135 5.824 3 7.938l3-2.647z"></path>
-                </svg>
-              </div>
+              <AppLoadingScreen
+                v-if="iframeLoading"
+                :icon="overlayIcon"
+                :title="store.title || 'App'"
+                :progress="loadProgress"
+              />
             </Transition>
             <iframe
               ref="iframeRef"
@@ -184,10 +184,12 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { ref, watch, onMounted, onBeforeUnmount } from 'vue'
+import { ref, computed, watch, onMounted, onBeforeUnmount } from 'vue'
 import { useAppLauncherStore } from '@/stores/appLauncher'
 import NostrSignConsent from '@/components/NostrSignConsent.vue'
 import NostrIdentityPicker from '@/components/NostrIdentityPicker.vue'
+import AppLoadingScreen from '@/components/AppLoadingScreen.vue'
+import { DEFAULT_APP_ICON } from '@/views/apps/appsConfig'
 import { rpcClient } from '@/api/rpc-client'
 
 interface PaymentRequest {
@@ -207,6 +209,39 @@ const isRefreshing = ref(false)
 const iframeLoading = ref(true)
 const iframeBlocked = ref(false)
 
+// Best-guess icon for the loading screen — resolved from the /app/{id}/ path
+// when present; AppLoadingScreen's <img> falls back to the default icon if the
+// guessed asset 404s.
+const overlayIcon = computed(() => {
+  const url = store.url
+  if (!url) return DEFAULT_APP_ICON
+  try {
+    const m = new URL(url, window.location.origin).pathname.match(/^\/app\/([a-z0-9._-]+)/i)
+    if (m?.[1]) return `/assets/img/app-icons/${m[1].toLowerCase()}.png`
+  } catch { /* not a parseable URL */ }
+  return DEFAULT_APP_ICON
+})
+
+// Faux load progress (cross-origin iframes give no real progress events): ease
+// toward ~92% while loading, snap to 100% on load.
+const loadProgress = ref(0)
+let progressTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
+function stopProgress() {
+  if (progressTimer) { clearInterval(progressTimer); progressTimer = null }
+}
+function startProgress() {
+  stopProgress()
+  loadProgress.value = 8
+  progressTimer = setInterval(() => {
+    loadProgress.value += Math.max(0.4, (92 - loadProgress.value) * 0.08)
+    if (loadProgress.value >= 92) { loadProgress.value = 92; stopProgress() }
+  }, 180)
+}
+watch(iframeLoading, (loading) => {
+  if (loading) startProgress()
+  else { stopProgress(); loadProgress.value = 100 }
+}, { immediate: true })
+
 // Nostr identity picker state
 const showIdentityPicker = ref(false)
 const IDENTITY_STORAGE_KEY = 'archipelago_app_identity_'
@@ -573,6 +608,7 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
 onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   clearTimers()
+  stopProgress()
   window.removeEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown, true)
   window.removeEventListener('message', onMessage)
 })

neode-ui/src/components/AppLoadingScreen.vue

@@ -0,0 +1,81 @@
+<template>
+  <div class="app-loading-screen absolute inset-0 z-10 flex flex-col items-center justify-center">
+    <div class="app-loading-icon">
+      <img :src="icon" :alt="title" @error="handleImageError" />
+    </div>
+    <p class="app-loading-title">{{ title }}</p>
+    <div class="app-loading-bar">
+      <div class="app-loading-fill" :style="{ width: `${clampedProgress}%` }"></div>
+    </div>
+    <p class="app-loading-hint">{{ hint }}</p>
+  </div>
+</template>
+
+<script setup lang="ts">
+import { computed } from 'vue'
+import { handleImageError } from '@/views/apps/appsConfig'
+
+const props = withDefaults(defineProps<{
+  icon: string
+  title: string
+  progress: number
+  hint?: string
+}>(), {
+  hint: 'Loading…',
+})
+
+const clampedProgress = computed(() => Math.min(100, Math.max(0, props.progress)))
+</script>
+
+<style scoped>
+.app-loading-screen {
+  gap: 18px;
+  background: #0b0d12;
+}
+.app-loading-icon {
+  width: 84px;
+  height: 84px;
+  border-radius: 20px;
+  overflow: hidden;
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  justify-content: center;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.05);
+  border: 1px solid rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.08);
+  box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.45);
+  animation: app-loading-pulse 1.8s ease-in-out infinite;
+}
+.app-loading-icon img {
+  width: 100%;
+  height: 100%;
+  object-fit: cover;
+}
+.app-loading-title {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 1rem;
+  font-weight: 600;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
+}
+.app-loading-bar {
+  width: min(240px, 60vw);
+  height: 4px;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.1);
+  overflow: hidden;
+}
+.app-loading-fill {
+  height: 100%;
+  border-radius: 999px;
+  background: linear-gradient(90deg, #fb923c, #f59e0b);
+  transition: width 0.3s ease;
+}
+.app-loading-hint {
+  margin: 0;
+  font-size: 0.75rem;
+  color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.4);
+}
+@keyframes app-loading-pulse {
+  0%, 100% { transform: scale(1); opacity: 1; }
+  50% { transform: scale(1.05); opacity: 0.85; }
+}
+</style>

neode-ui/src/stores/__tests__/appLauncher.test.ts

@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
     expect(mockWindowOpen).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
-  it('uses route-based app sessions on mobile instead of panel mode', () => {
+  it('uses the store-driven panel on mobile (no route change, no background swap)', () => {
     Object.defineProperty(window, 'innerWidth', {
       value: 390,
       writable: true,
@@ -65,8 +65,10 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
 
     store.openSession('indeedhub')
 
-    expect(store.panelAppId).toBe(null)
-    expect(mockPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'app-session', params: { appId: 'indeedhub' }, query: { returnTo: '/dashboard/apps' } })
+    // Mobile now uses the store-driven panel like desktop panel mode so the
+    // underlying page/tab never changes and closing returns to the origin.
+    expect(store.panelAppId).toBe('indeedhub')
+    expect(mockPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
   it('normalizes localhost launch URLs to current host before resolving', () => {
@@ -117,7 +119,7 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
     )
   })
 
-  it('routes desktop new-tab apps into app session on mobile', () => {
+  it('opens tab-only apps directly on mobile (new tab in PWA, no interstitial)', () => {
     Object.defineProperty(window, 'innerWidth', {
       value: 390,
       writable: true,
@@ -127,10 +129,17 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
 
     store.open({ url: 'http://192.168.1.228:8081', title: 'Nginx Proxy Manager' })
 
+    // Tab-only app on mobile-web: open directly in a new browser tab (the
+    // companion would use the in-app WebView). No session, no route push, no
+    // "this app opens in a tab" interstitial.
     expect(store.isOpen).toBe(false)
     expect(store.panelAppId).toBe(null)
-    expect(mockWindowOpen).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(mockPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'app-session', params: { appId: 'nginx-proxy-manager' }, query: { returnTo: '/dashboard/apps' } })
+    expect(mockPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(mockWindowOpen).toHaveBeenCalledWith(
+      'http://192.168.1.228:8081',
+      '_blank',
+      'noopener,noreferrer',
+    )
   })
 
   it('opens Nginx Proxy Manager in new tab using title hint when URL is path-only', () => {
@@ -264,7 +273,7 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
     )
   })
 
-  it('routes prepackaged websites into app session on mobile', () => {
+  it('opens prepackaged websites in the store-driven panel on mobile', () => {
     Object.defineProperty(window, 'innerWidth', {
       value: 390,
       writable: true,
@@ -274,9 +283,12 @@ describe('useAppLauncherStore', () => {
 
     store.open({ url: 'https://present.l484.com', title: 'Arch Presentation', openInNewTab: true })
 
+    // Iframeable prepackaged sites stay in-app via the store panel (no route
+    // change, no background swap) just like every other mobile launch.
     expect(store.isOpen).toBe(false)
+    expect(store.panelAppId).toBe('arch-presentation')
     expect(mockWindowOpen).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(mockPush).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'app-session', params: { appId: 'arch-presentation' }, query: { returnTo: '/dashboard/apps' } })
+    expect(mockPush).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
   })
 
   it('routes HTTPS same-host apps via session view', () => {

neode-ui/src/stores/appLauncher.ts

@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import { rpcClient } from '@/api/rpc-client'
 import router from '@/router'
 import { recordAppLaunch } from '@/utils/appUsage'
 import { requestExternalOpen } from '@/api/remote-relay'
+import { openInAppOrNewTab } from '@/utils/openExternal'
 
 /**
  * Open a URL in a new browser tab — but if a companion (phone) is currently
@@ -222,14 +223,25 @@ export const useAppLauncherStore = defineStore('appLauncher', () => {
   function openSession(appId: string) {
     recordAppLaunch(appId)
     const mobile = isMobileViewport()
-    const launchUrl = NEW_TAB_APP_IDS.has(appId) ? directAppUrl(appId) : null
-    if (launchUrl && !mobile) {
-      openExternal(launchUrl)
-      return
+
+    // Tab-only apps (set X-Frame-Options, can't be iframed). No interstitial:
+    // desktop opens a new browser tab; mobile opens the in-app WebView (Android
+    // companion) or a new browser tab (PWA) — see openInAppOrNewTab.
+    if (NEW_TAB_APP_IDS.has(appId)) {
+      const launchUrl = directAppUrl(appId)
+      if (launchUrl) {
+        if (mobile) openInAppOrNewTab(launchUrl)
+        else openExternal(launchUrl)
+        return
+      }
     }
 
+    // Iframeable apps. Mobile and desktop-panel mode both use the store-driven
+    // panel so the underlying page/tab never changes (no background swap) and
+    // closing returns the user to wherever they launched from. Only desktop
+    // overlay/fullscreen modes use a routed session.
     const mode = localStorage.getItem(DISPLAY_MODE_KEY) || 'panel'
-    if (mode === 'panel' && !mobile) {
+    if (mobile || mode === 'panel') {
       panelAppId.value = appId
     } else {
       panelAppId.value = null

neode-ui/src/style.css

@@ -164,6 +164,20 @@ select:focus-visible {
 
 /* Mobile: override with tab bar clearance */
 @media (max-width: 767px) {
+  /* Mobile web browsers report 100vh taller than the visible area (the dynamic
+     URL/toolbar chrome). The dashboard is the containing block for the fixed,
+     container-relative panes (the mesh chat/tools panes), so a 100vh-tall
+     container pushes their `bottom` offset below the visible viewport — they
+     slide under the bottom tab bar (which is body-teleported and viewport-fixed,
+     so it stays put). Pin the dashboard to the *dynamic* viewport so the two
+     reference frames line up. No-op in the companion WebView (no browser chrome
+     → dvh == vh), so its layout is unchanged. Doubled class beats Tailwind's
+     `.min-h-screen` (100vh) utility on specificity. */
+  .dashboard-view.dashboard-view {
+    height: 100dvh;
+    min-height: 100dvh;
+  }
+
   .mobile-scroll-pad {
     padding-bottom: calc(var(--mobile-tab-bar-height, 88px) + var(--safe-area-bottom, env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px)) + var(--audio-player-height, 0px) + 16px);
   }

neode-ui/src/utils/openExternal.ts

@@ -11,15 +11,37 @@
  */
 interface ArchipelagoNativeBridge {
   openExternal?: (url: string) => void
+  openInApp?: (url: string) => void
+}
+
+function nativeBridge(): ArchipelagoNativeBridge | undefined {
+  return (window as unknown as { ArchipelagoNative?: ArchipelagoNativeBridge }).ArchipelagoNative
 }
 
 export function openExternalUrl(url: string): void {
   if (!url) return
-  const native = (window as unknown as { ArchipelagoNative?: ArchipelagoNativeBridge })
-    .ArchipelagoNative
+  const native = nativeBridge()
   if (native && typeof native.openExternal === 'function') {
     native.openExternal(url)
     return
   }
   window.open(url, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer')
 }
+
+/**
+ * Launch an app that can't be embedded in an iframe (X-Frame-Options) from a
+ * mobile surface — with NO "this app opens in a tab" interstitial.
+ *
+ * - Android companion: hand it to the in-app WebView (`openInApp`) so it stays
+ *   inside Archipelago with the native back/forward/reload/close controls.
+ * - Plain mobile browser (PWA): open directly in a new browser tab.
+ */
+export function openInAppOrNewTab(url: string): void {
+  if (!url) return
+  const native = nativeBridge()
+  if (native && typeof native.openInApp === 'function') {
+    native.openInApp(url)
+    return
+  }
+  window.open(url, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer')
+}

neode-ui/src/views/AppSession.vue

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 <template>
   <div class="app-session-root">
-  <Teleport to="body" :disabled="isInlinePanel">
+  <Teleport to="body" :disabled="isInlinePanel && !isMobile">
   <div
     :class="backdropClasses"
     @click.self="handleBackdropClick"
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@
         :app-url="appUrl"
         :app-id="appId"
         :app-title="appTitle"
+        :app-icon="appIcon"
         :loading="loading"
         :iframe-blocked="iframeBlocked"
         :must-open-new-tab="mustOpenNewTab"
@@ -104,10 +105,10 @@ import {
   type DisplayMode, DISPLAY_MODE_KEY, NEW_TAB_APPS, IFRAME_BLOCKED_APPS,
   resolveAppUrl, resolveAppTitle,
 } from './appSession/appSessionConfig'
-import { launchBlockedReason } from './apps/appsConfig'
+import { launchBlockedReason, resolveAppIcon } from './apps/appsConfig'
 import { useAppIdentity } from './appSession/useAppIdentity'
 import { useNostrBridge } from './appSession/useNostrBridge'
-import { openExternalUrl } from '@/utils/openExternal'
+import { openExternalUrl, openInAppOrNewTab } from '@/utils/openExternal'
 import { useElectrsSync } from '@/composables/useElectrsSync'
 
 const props = defineProps<{
@@ -154,9 +155,17 @@ const appId = computed(() => {
 
 const appTitle = computed(() => resolveAppTitle(appId.value))
 const packageEntry = computed(() => store.data?.['package-data']?.[appId.value] || null)
+const appIcon = computed(() =>
+  packageEntry.value
+    ? resolveAppIcon(appId.value, packageEntry.value)
+    : `/assets/img/app-icons/${appId.value}.png`
+)
 const blockedReason = computed(() => launchBlockedReason(appId.value, packageEntry.value))
 const blockedTitle = computed(() => appId.value === 'fedimint' || appId.value === 'fedimintd' ? 'Waiting for Bitcoin sync' : 'App not ready')
-const isMobile = typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.innerWidth < 768
+// Reactive so the overlay/teleport/footer/animation decisions track the live
+// viewport (and match the CSS `md` breakpoint) instead of a stale one-shot read.
+const isMobile = ref(typeof window !== 'undefined' && window.innerWidth < 768)
+function updateIsMobile() { isMobile.value = window.innerWidth < 768 }
 const mustOpenNewTab = computed(() => NEW_TAB_APPS.has(appId.value))
 
 // ElectrumX shows a sync screen before its real UI (the Electrum server only
@@ -241,16 +250,18 @@ function setMode(mode: DisplayMode) {
   }
 }
 
-// Reactive classes based on display mode
+// Reactive classes based on display mode. On mobile the store-driven panel
+// renders as a full-screen overlay (teleported to body) so it covers the nav
+// and the underlying page never changes — desktop keeps the inline panel.
 const backdropClasses = computed(() => {
-  if (isInlinePanel.value) return 'app-session-backdrop-inline'
+  if (isInlinePanel.value && !isMobile.value) return 'app-session-backdrop-inline'
   return 'app-session-backdrop-overlay'
 })
 
 const panelClasses = computed(() => {
   const base = 'app-session-panel glass-card'
-  if (isInlinePanel.value) return `${base} app-session-inline`
-  if (displayMode.value === 'fullscreen') return `${base} app-session-fullscreen`
+  if (isInlinePanel.value && !isMobile.value) return `${base} app-session-inline`
+  if (displayMode.value === 'fullscreen' && !isMobile.value) return `${base} app-session-fullscreen`
   return `${base} app-session-overlay`
 })
 
@@ -370,10 +381,13 @@ watch(displayMode, (mode) => {
 })
 
 onMounted(() => {
-  // Apps that block iframes open externally on desktop. On mobile, keep the
-  // session surface visible so launcher taps do not bounce straight out.
-  if (mustOpenNewTab.value && appUrl.value && !isMobile) {
-    window.open(appUrl.value, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer')
+  // Apps that block iframes (X-Frame-Options) can't be shown in the session.
+  // Open them directly instead of showing a "this app opens in a tab"
+  // interstitial: desktop → new browser tab; mobile → in-app WebView (companion)
+  // or new tab (PWA). Then dismiss the (empty) session surface.
+  if (mustOpenNewTab.value && appUrl.value) {
+    if (isMobile.value) openInAppOrNewTab(appUrl.value)
+    else window.open(appUrl.value, '_blank', 'noopener,noreferrer')
     if (isInlinePanel.value) emit('close')
     else closeRouteSession()
     return
@@ -381,8 +395,9 @@ onMounted(() => {
 
   window.addEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown, true)
   window.addEventListener('message', onMessage)
+  window.addEventListener('resize', updateIsMobile)
   document.addEventListener('fullscreenchange', onFullscreenChange)
-  if (IFRAME_BLOCKED_APPS.has(appId.value) || (mustOpenNewTab.value && isMobile)) {
+  if (IFRAME_BLOCKED_APPS.has(appId.value)) {
     loading.value = false
     iframeBlocked.value = true
   } else {
@@ -404,6 +419,7 @@ onBeforeUnmount(() => {
   if (iframeCheckId) clearTimeout(iframeCheckId)
   window.removeEventListener('keydown', onKeyDown, true)
   window.removeEventListener('message', onMessage)
+  window.removeEventListener('resize', updateIsMobile)
   document.removeEventListener('fullscreenchange', onFullscreenChange)
   screensaverStore.resume(screensaverReason.value)
   if (document.fullscreenElement) document.exitFullscreen().catch(() => {})

neode-ui/src/views/__tests__/AppSessionMobileNewTab.test.ts

@@ -3,8 +3,8 @@ import { beforeEach, describe, expect, it, vi } from 'vitest'
 import AppSession from '../AppSession.vue'
 
 const { mockReplace, mockPush, mockWindowOpen, mockSuppress, mockResume } = vi.hoisted(() => ({
-  mockReplace: vi.fn(),
-  mockPush: vi.fn(),
+  mockReplace: vi.fn(() => Promise.resolve()),
+  mockPush: vi.fn(() => Promise.resolve()),
   mockWindowOpen: vi.fn(),
   mockSuppress: vi.fn(),
   mockResume: vi.fn(),
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ describe('AppSession mobile new-tab apps', () => {
     })
   })
 
-  it('keeps iframe-blocked apps inside the mobile session instead of auto-opening a tab', async () => {
+  it('opens tab-only apps directly on mobile instead of showing an interstitial', async () => {
     const wrapper = mount(AppSession, {
       global: {
         stubs: {
@@ -75,9 +75,11 @@ describe('AppSession mobile new-tab apps', () => {
     })
     await flushPromises()
 
-    expect(mockWindowOpen).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(mockReplace).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('This app opens in a new tab')
-    expect(wrapper.text()).toContain('Open in new tab')
+    // Tab-only app (gitea) on mobile-web: open directly in a new browser tab
+    // (no native bridge in the test) and dismiss the empty session — no
+    // "this app opens in a tab" interstitial.
+    expect(mockWindowOpen).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(mockReplace).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(wrapper.text()).not.toContain('This app opens in a new tab')
   })
 })

neode-ui/src/views/appSession/AppSessionFrame.vue

@@ -1,12 +1,7 @@
 <template>
   <div class="relative flex-1 min-h-0 bg-black/40 overflow-hidden app-session-frame-safe">
     <Transition name="content-fade">
-      <div v-if="loading" class="absolute inset-0 z-10 flex items-center justify-center bg-black/40">
-        <svg class="animate-spin h-8 w-8 text-blue-400" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none">
-          <circle class="opacity-25" cx="12" cy="12" r="10" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="4" />
-          <path class="opacity-75" fill="currentColor" d="M4 12a8 8 0 018-8V0C5.373 0 0 5.373 0 12h4zm2 5.291A7.962 7.962 0 014 12H0c0 3.042 1.135 5.824 3 7.938l3-2.647z" />
-        </svg>
-      </div>
+      <AppLoadingScreen v-if="loading" :icon="appIcon" :title="appTitle" :progress="loadProgress" />
     </Transition>
 
     <!-- ElectrumX sync screen — shown before the real UI while the on-chain
@@ -116,13 +111,15 @@
 </template>
 
 <script setup lang="ts">
-import { nextTick, ref, watch } from 'vue'
+import { nextTick, onBeforeUnmount, ref, watch } from 'vue'
 import type { ElectrsSyncStatus } from '@/composables/useElectrsSync'
+import AppLoadingScreen from '@/components/AppLoadingScreen.vue'
 
 const props = defineProps<{
   appUrl: string
   appId: string
   appTitle: string
+  appIcon: string
   loading: boolean
   iframeBlocked: boolean
   mustOpenNewTab: boolean
@@ -144,6 +141,40 @@ const emit = defineEmits<{
 
 const iframeRef = ref<HTMLIFrameElement | null>(null)
 
+// Faux load progress for the loading screen. Cross-origin iframes give no real
+// progress events, so ease toward ~92% while loading and snap to 100% on load —
+// far better UX than a black screen with a bare spinner.
+const loadProgress = ref(0)
+let progressTimer: ReturnType<typeof setInterval> | null = null
+
+function stopProgress() {
+  if (progressTimer) { clearInterval(progressTimer); progressTimer = null }
+}
+
+function startProgress() {
+  stopProgress()
+  loadProgress.value = 8
+  progressTimer = setInterval(() => {
+    // Decelerate as it approaches the cap so it never visually "finishes" early.
+    const remaining = 92 - loadProgress.value
+    loadProgress.value += Math.max(0.4, remaining * 0.08)
+    if (loadProgress.value >= 92) { loadProgress.value = 92; stopProgress() }
+  }, 180)
+}
+
+watch(() => props.loading, (isLoading) => {
+  if (isLoading) {
+    startProgress()
+  } else {
+    stopProgress()
+    loadProgress.value = 100
+  }
+}, { immediate: true })
+
+watch(() => props.refreshKey, () => { if (props.loading) startProgress() })
+
+onBeforeUnmount(stopProgress)
+
 function focusIframe() {
   iframeRef.value?.focus({ preventScroll: true })
 }

neode-ui/src/views/apps/appsConfig.ts

@@ -239,6 +239,16 @@ const APP_ICON_FALLBACKS: Record<string, string> = {
   'archy-bitcoin-ui': '/assets/img/app-icons/bitcoin-knots.webp',
   'archy-lnd-ui': '/assets/img/app-icons/lnd.svg',
   'archy-electrs-ui': '/assets/img/app-icons/electrumx.png',
+  // ElectrumX ships under a few historical ids (the backend was renamed
+  // electrs → electrumx). Without an explicit map, an `electrs`-keyed install
+  // falls through to the default `/assets/img/app-icons/electrs.png`, which
+  // doesn't exist → handleImageError swaps .png→.svg and lands on electrs.svg
+  // (the "Electrs in Rust" logo) instead of the real ElectrumX icon. Pin the
+  // whole family to the ElectrumX icon so My Apps shows the right logo no
+  // matter which id the node has it installed under.
+  'electrs': '/assets/img/app-icons/electrumx.png',
+  'electrs-ui': '/assets/img/app-icons/electrumx.png',
+  'electrumx': '/assets/img/app-icons/electrumx.png',
 }
 
 // Parent-app icon by prefix, for stack members not listed explicitly above

neode-ui/src/views/dashboard/DashboardMobileNav.vue

@@ -143,9 +143,10 @@ const mobileTabBar = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null)
 const MOBILE_LAYOUT_MAX_WIDTH = 920
 const viewportWidth = ref(typeof window === 'undefined' ? 1024 : window.innerWidth)
 
-// App sessions own their mobile controls. Normal mobile launches use the route
-// session; keeping this guard also protects any desktop-panel state on resize.
-const isAppSessionActive = computed(() => route.name === 'app-session')
+// App sessions own their mobile controls, so the nav hides while one is open.
+// Mobile launches now use the store-driven panel (no route change) to keep the
+// background tab intact, so treat an active panel the same as a routed session.
+const isAppSessionActive = computed(() => route.name === 'app-session' || !!appLauncher.panelAppId)
 
 // Show persistent tabs for Apps/Marketplace on mobile
 const showAppsTabs = computed(() => {

scripts/generate-app-catalog.sh

@@ -14,16 +14,16 @@
 #
 # Usage:
 #   scripts/generate-app-catalog.sh [output-path]
-#   EMBED_MANIFESTS=1 scripts/generate-app-catalog.sh   # also embed full manifests
+#   EMBED_MANIFESTS=0 scripts/generate-app-catalog.sh   # version/image only (legacy)
 #   # then publish: push releases/app-catalog.json to the OVH gitea (raw URL).
 #
-# EMBED_MANIFESTS (opt-in, default off): also embed each app's full
-# apps/<id>/manifest.yml into its catalog entry's `manifest` field, so nodes can
+# EMBED_MANIFESTS (default ON, 2026-06-23): embed each app's full
+# apps/<id>/manifest.yml into its catalog entry's `manifest` field, so nodes
 # install from the signed registry alone (no OTA-shipped disk manifest). Consumed
 # by container::app_catalog + the orchestrator's load_manifests overlay
-# (origin-wins, disk = fallback). See docs/registry-manifest-design.md. Kept
-# opt-in during the migration window so a routine catalog regen never changes
-# what phase-1 nodes install until we deliberately turn it on.
+# (origin-wins, disk = fallback). See docs/registry-manifest-design.md. The
+# migration window is over — every regen now embeds; set EMBED_MANIFESTS=0 only
+# to reproduce the old version/image-only catalog.
 set -euo pipefail
 
 ROOT="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")/.." && pwd)"
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ source "$ROOT/scripts/image-versions.sh"
 set +a
 
 UPDATED="$(date -u +%Y-%m-%d)" OUT="$OUT" APPS_DIR="$ROOT/apps" \
-EMBED_MANIFESTS="${EMBED_MANIFESTS:-}" python3 - <<'PY'
+EMBED_MANIFESTS="${EMBED_MANIFESTS:-1}" python3 - <<'PY'
 import glob
 import json, os