# AeThex Desktop Launcher

A modern desktop application launcher for AeThex OS, inspired by Battle.net and Epic Games Launcher.

![AeThex Launcher](https://img.shields.io/badge/Platform-Windows%20%7C%20macOS%20%7C%20Linux-blue)
![Build Status](https://img.shields.io/badge/build-passing-brightgreen)
![License](https://img.shields.io/badge/license-MIT-green)

## Features

### 🚀 Modern Launcher Experience
- **Game Launcher Style UI** - Beautiful, modern interface similar to Battle.net and Epic Games Store
- **App Library Management** - View, install, and launch all your AeThex applications
- **Download Management** - Track installations with progress bars and status updates
- **Auto-Updates** - Automatic updates for the launcher and installed apps

### 💻 Desktop Integration
- **System Tray** - Minimize to system tray for quick access
- **Native Performance** - Built with Tauri for optimal performance and small binary size
- **Cross-Platform** - Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux
- **Offline Mode** - Launch installed apps even without internet connection

### 🎨 User Interface
- **Grid/List Views** - Switch between grid cards and list views
- **Featured Apps** - Discover new AeThex applications
- **Play Time Tracking** - See your usage statistics
- **Dark/Light Themes** - Automatic theme switching

## Screenshots

### Library View
The main library shows all your installed applications with play buttons and stats.

### Store View
Browse and install new AeThex applications from the integrated store.

### Updates View
Keep all your apps up to date with automatic update notifications.

## Installation

### Pre-built Binaries

Download the latest release for your platform:

**Windows**
- Download `AeThex-Launcher-Setup.msi`
- Run the installer and follow the prompts
- Launch from Start Menu or Desktop shortcut

**macOS**
- Download `AeThex-Launcher.dmg`
- Open the DMG and drag AeThex Launcher to Applications
- Launch from Applications folder or Launchpad

**Linux**
- **Ubuntu/Debian**: Download `.deb` and run `sudo dpkg -i aethex-launcher*.deb`
- **Fedora/RHEL**: Download `.rpm` and run `sudo rpm -i aethex-launcher*.rpm`
- **Universal**: Download `.AppImage`, make executable, and run

### Build from Source

See [LAUNCHER_BUILD.md](LAUNCHER_BUILD.md) for detailed build instructions.

## Usage

### Launching Apps

1. **Open AeThex Launcher** - Find it in your applications menu or system tray
2. **Browse Library** - See all your installed apps
3. **Click Launch** - Click the play button to launch any installed app
4. **Install New Apps** - Go to the Store tab to discover and install new apps

### Managing Apps

- **Install**: Click "Install" button on any app in the Store
- **Uninstall**: Click the menu icon (⋮) on any installed app and select uninstall
- **Update**: Go to the Updates tab to update apps with new versions
- **Open Folder**: Access app installation folders from the menu

### System Tray

The launcher can run in the background in your system tray:
- **Left Click** - Show/hide the launcher window
- **Right Click** - Open context menu with options
- **Quit** - Close the launcher completely

## Development

### Prerequisites

- Node.js 18+
- Rust toolchain
- Platform-specific dependencies (see [LAUNCHER_BUILD.md](LAUNCHER_BUILD.md))

### Running in Development Mode

```bash
# Install dependencies
npm install

# Run in development mode with hot reload
npm run dev:launcher
```

### Building

```bash
# Build for current platform
npm run build:launcher

# Platform-specific builds
npm run build:launcher:windows  # Windows
npm run build:launcher:macos    # macOS
npm run build:launcher:linux    # Linux
```

## Architecture

### Technology Stack

- **Frontend**: React + TypeScript + Vite
- **UI Framework**: Tailwind CSS + shadcn/ui components
- **Desktop Framework**: Tauri 2.0
- **Backend**: Rust (Tauri commands)
- **State Management**: React hooks + localStorage

### Project Structure

```
├── client/src/
│   ├── components/
│   │   └── DesktopLauncher.tsx    # Main launcher component
│   └── pages/
│       └── launcher.tsx            # Launcher page
├── src-tauri/
│   ├── src/
│   │   └── lib.rs                  # Tauri commands and system integration
│   ├── Cargo.toml                  # Rust dependencies
│   └── tauri.conf.json            # Tauri configuration
```

### Tauri Commands

The launcher exposes several Tauri commands for app management:

- `launch_app(app_id)` - Launch an installed application
- `install_app(app_id)` - Install a new application
- `uninstall_app(app_id)` - Uninstall an application
- `check_for_updates()` - Check for available updates
- `get_installed_apps()` - Get list of installed apps
- `open_app_folder(app_id)` - Open app installation folder

## Configuration

### Launcher Settings

Configuration is stored in:
- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%/com.aethex.os/`
- **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/com.aethex.os/`
- **Linux**: `~/.config/com.aethex.os/`

### Auto-Update Server

Configure the update server in `src-tauri/tauri.conf.json`:

```json
{
  "plugins": {
    "updater": {
      "endpoints": ["https://your-update-server.com/{{target}}/{{arch}}/{{current_version}}"]
    }
  }
}
```

## Troubleshooting

### Launcher won't start
- Check that all system requirements are met
- On Linux, ensure webkitgtk is installed
- Try running from terminal to see error messages

### Apps won't install
- Check internet connection
- Verify disk space is available
- Check firewall settings

### System tray icon missing
- On Linux, ensure system tray support is enabled in your desktop environment
- Try restarting the launcher

## Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md) for guidelines.

## License

MIT License - see [LICENSE](LICENSE) for details.

## Support

- **Documentation**: [docs.aethex.com](https://docs.aethex.com)
- **Issues**: [GitHub Issues](https://github.com/AeThex-Corporation/AeThex-OS/issues)
- **Discord**: [Join our community](https://discord.gg/aethex)

## Acknowledgments

Built with:
- [Tauri](https://tauri.app/) - Desktop framework
- [React](https://react.dev/) - UI framework
- [shadcn/ui](https://ui.shadcn.com/) - UI components
- [Lucide Icons](https://lucide.dev/) - Icon library

Inspired by:
- Battle.net Launcher (Blizzard Entertainment)
- Epic Games Launcher (Epic Games)
- Steam (Valve Corporation)

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**AeThex Corporation** © 2025-2026 | Building the future of web desktop platforms