OctoWoW
5dca94a3fc
Manifest-based CDN updater and mod manager for the OctoWoW 1.12.1 client: launcher-owned realmlist, torrent-backed content sync with bundled aria2c, antivirus and Defender exclusion handling, hardware-aware render distance, optional client tweaks and mods, and the in-launcher news feed.
121 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
121 lines
3.7 KiB
Markdown
# OctoLauncher
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Desktop launcher for the OctoWoW (World of Warcraft 1.12.1 private server) client. Built with Electron, React, and tRPC.
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**What it does:**
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- Downloads and patches the OctoWoW game client via a manifest-based CDN updater
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- Rewrites `Config.wtf` with the correct realm/patch-list on every launch
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- Optionally applies binary tweaks to `WoW.exe` (FOV, far-clip, large-address flag, etc.)
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- Injects client mods (VanillaFixes, DXVK, nampower, etc.) via a DLL chainloader
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- Manages git-based addon installations
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- Self-updates via NSIS
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---
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## Quick start (players)
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1. Grab `OctoLauncher.exe` (portable) or `OctoLauncher_Installer.exe` from the [Releases](../../releases) page.
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2. Run it and set your WoW client directory when prompted.
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3. Click **Verify** to download any missing game files, then **Play**.
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No server configuration needed; the launcher connects to `octowow.st` by default.
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---
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## Building from source
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### Prerequisites
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| Requirement | Version | Notes |
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|---|---|---|
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| Node.js | 20 LTS | Node 22+ breaks `dll-inject` native bindings: use Node 20 |
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| VS 2022 Build Tools | C++ workload + Win SDK | `node-gyp` v10 only detects VS2017-2022 |
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| Python | 3.x | Required by `node-gyp` |
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Install Node 20 with `fnm`:
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```powershell
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winget install Schniz.fnm
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fnm install 20
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fnm default 20
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```
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Install VS 2022 Build Tools:
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```powershell
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winget install Microsoft.VisualStudio.2022.BuildTools `
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--override "--wait --passive --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Workload.VCTools --add Microsoft.VisualStudio.Component.Windows11SDK.22621 --includeRecommended"
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```
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### Install dependencies
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```powershell
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npm install
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```
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`postinstall` rebuilds the native modules (`dll-inject`, `stormlib-node`) against the Electron ABI; expect C++ compiler output.
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### Run in development
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> **VSCode users:** The integrated terminal sets `ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE=1`, which crashes Electron. Unset it first:
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> ```powershell
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> Remove-Item Env:ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE
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> ```
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```powershell
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npm run dev
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```
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Opens the app in a hot-reloading Electron window. The dev build points to `http://localhost:5000` by default; create a `.env` file from `.env.example` if you want to run against a local server, otherwise it falls back to `https://octowow.st`.
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### Build for distribution
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```powershell
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Remove-Item Env:ELECTRON_RUN_AS_NODE
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npm run dist
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```
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Outputs to `dist/`:
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- `OctoLauncher.exe`: portable single-file
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- `OctoLauncher_Installer.exe`: NSIS installer
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The production build uses `.env.production` (committed) which points to `https://octowow.st`. No `.env` file needed.
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---
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## Running the dev backend
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The `server/` subdirectory is a standalone Express server that simulates the production CDN for local development. It is **not** bundled into the Electron app.
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```powershell
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cd server
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npm install
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```
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Create `server/.env` from `server/.env.example` and set `SOURCE_DIR` to your local WoW client directory, then:
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```powershell
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npm run dev
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```
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The server listens on `http://localhost:5000` and serves:
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- `GET /api/file/:version/manifest.json`
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- `GET /client/:version/*`: per-file downloads
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- `GET /api/addons.json`
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---
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## Architecture overview
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Three Vite bundles tied together by tRPC over Electron IPC:
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- **Main** ([src/main/](src/main/)): Electron main process; owns all filesystem/native work and the tRPC router
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- **Preload** ([src/preload/](src/preload/)): secure IPC bridge via `exposeElectronTRPC()`
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- **Renderer** ([src/renderer/](src/renderer/)): React 18 + Tailwind UI; no direct Node access
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All cross-process data shapes are Zod schemas in [src/common/schemas.ts](src/common/schemas.ts). All renderer→main calls go through tRPC procedures in [src/main/api/routers/](src/main/api/routers/); never raw `ipcMain.handle`.
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---
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## License
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MIT
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