36233377d9
- Improved the Docker image pulling process in the startup script with a spinner for better user feedback. - Added a tip for monitoring progress in Docker Desktop. - Removed the Bitcoin Core HTML UI file as it is no longer needed; replaced with connection info alert in the app view. - Updated the app view to provide direct connection details for Bitcoin Core instead of opening a separate page.
5.3 KiB
Bitcoin Core Launch Fix + Quiet Docker Downloads
Issues Fixed
1. Bitcoin Core "Launch" Confusion
Problem: Bitcoin Core is a headless node with no web interface. It only exposes an RPC API on port 18443.
Solution: Changed the launch button to show connection details instead of trying to open a non-existent web UI.
2. Noisy Docker Downloads
Problem: First-run Docker image downloads were extremely verbose, showing detailed progress for each of 13+ images.
Solution: Made downloads quiet with a simple spinner. Users can still monitor progress in Docker Desktop if needed.
3. Backend WebSocket Disconnects
Not actually a problem: The logs show the backend is working fine. WebSocket disconnects happen naturally when you refresh the page. The backend reconnects automatically.
What Changed
/Users/dorian/Projects/archy/neode-ui/src/views/Apps.vue
Before: Tried to open /bitcoin-core.html in a new tab
After: Shows an alert with RPC connection details:
✅ Bitcoin Core is running!
🔗 RPC Endpoint: http://localhost:18443
👤 User: bitcoin
🔑 Password: bitcoinpass
💡 Use bitcoin-cli or an RPC client to interact.
📊 View blockchain data in Mempool: http://localhost:4080
/Users/dorian/Projects/archy/start-docker-apps.sh
Before: Verbose output showing every image download After: Quiet mode with spinner:
📦 Pulling Docker images (this will take a while)...
💡 Tip: You can monitor progress in Docker Desktop
Downloading images... ✅
✅ All images downloaded!
Deleted: /Users/dorian/Projects/archy/neode-ui/public/bitcoin-core.html
Removed because Bitcoin Core doesn't have a web UI.
How Bitcoin Core Works Now
- Status: Shows "Running" in My Apps
- Start/Stop: Works via the action buttons
- Launch: Shows connection info popup (can't launch a headless node)
- Access: Use bitcoin-cli or connect via RPC at
localhost:18443 - Blockchain Explorer: Use Mempool at
http://localhost:4080(once you start it)
RPC Usage Examples
Using bitcoin-cli (from within container)
docker exec -it archy-bitcoin bitcoin-cli -regtest -rpcuser=bitcoin -rpcpassword=bitcoinpass getblockchaininfo
Using curl (from host)
curl -u bitcoin:bitcoinpass \
-X POST http://localhost:18443 \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"jsonrpc":"1.0","id":"test","method":"getblockchaininfo","params":[]}'
Using a GUI wallet/tool
Configure any Bitcoin wallet or tool to connect to:
- Host: localhost
- Port: 18443
- Network: regtest
- RPC User: bitcoin
- RPC Password: bitcoinpass
About Regtest Mode
Bitcoin Core is running in regtest (regression test) mode:
- ✅ No blockchain sync required (instant start)
- ✅ Full Bitcoin functionality
- ✅ Create blocks on demand
- ✅ Perfect for development/testing
- ❌ Not connected to mainnet/testnet
Generate test blocks
docker exec -it archy-bitcoin bitcoin-cli -regtest -rpcuser=bitcoin -rpcpassword=bitcoinpass generatetoaddress 101 <your-address>
Understanding "Headless" Apps
Some apps in Archipelago don't have web UIs:
| App | Type | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Bitcoin Core | Headless | RPC only (port 18443) |
| LND | Headless + API | gRPC/REST API (port 8080) |
| BTCPay Server | Web UI | http://localhost:14142 ✅ |
| Mempool | Web UI | http://localhost:4080 ✅ |
| Home Assistant | Web UI | http://localhost:8123 ✅ |
| Grafana | Web UI | http://localhost:3000 ✅ |
For headless apps, the "Launch" button will show connection info instead of opening a browser.
Backend Status (It's Fine!)
The WebSocket errors you saw are normal behavior:
- ✅ Backend is running on port 5959
- ✅ Scanning Docker containers every 5 seconds
- ✅ Detecting Bitcoin Core correctly
- ✅ WebSocket reconnects after page refresh
The log shows:
[INFO] Detected container: Bitcoin Core (running)
[DEBUG] Data model updated to revision 25
[INFO] WebSocket /ws/db connected
Everything is working as expected!
Next Steps
To Start Mempool Explorer (for Bitcoin blockchain viewing)
docker compose up -d mempool-web mempool-api
To Start Other Apps
docker compose up -d btcpay # BTCPay Server
docker compose up -d lnd # Lightning Network
docker compose up -d grafana # Metrics dashboard
docker compose up -d homeassistant # Home automation
To See All Running Apps
docker compose ps
To Stop Everything
./stop-docker-apps.sh
# or
docker compose down
Architecture Clarification
User clicks "Launch" on Bitcoin Core
↓
Apps.vue checks app ID
↓
if (id === 'bitcoin')
↓
Show alert with RPC connection details
↓
User can use bitcoin-cli, curl, or GUI wallet to connect
For apps with web UIs (BTCPay, Mempool, Grafana):
User clicks "Launch"
↓
Apps.vue gets lanAddress from package
↓
window.open(lanAddress, '_blank')
↓
Opens app in new browser tab ✅
Summary
- ✅ Bitcoin Core launch now shows connection info (not broken HTML page)
- ✅ Docker downloads are now quiet with spinner
- ✅ Backend is working perfectly (WebSocket disconnects are normal)
- ✅ Bitcoin Core is a headless node - this is correct behavior
- ✅ Use Mempool or bitcoin-cli to interact with the blockchain