API and n8n agents

[Oleandret]

Here’s an English description of the upgrades you requested for the Open Interface software, based on your additional requirements. This can be used as a standalone explanation or integrated into the previous description for Claude Code. It reflects your desire for the API server to start automatically, the program to run continuously as a server, to launch on Mac restart, and to include robust system logging—all while preserving the original functionality.

---

Description of Requested Upgrades for Open Interface

Objective

The goal of these upgrades is to enhance the Open Interface software (GitHub) by ensuring it operates as a persistent server with an always-active API, seamlessly integrating with external tools like n8n. The upgrades must maintain the original program’s core functionality, allowing it to run locally via the GUI without dependency on the API, while adding features to make it start automatically, persist across Mac restarts, and provide detailed system logging for error handling and diagnostics.

Requested Upgrades

1. Automatic API Server Startup

   • Requirement: The API server must start automatically whenever the Open Interface program launches, eliminating the need for manual activation.
   • Purpose: This ensures the program is immediately ready to receive commands from external clients (e.g., n8n) without user intervention, enhancing its role as a command server.
   • Implementation Note: The API server should run in a background thread, configured to start with default settings (e.g., host 0.0.0.0, port 5000), but allow manual stopping via the GUI if needed.

2. Continuous Server Operation

   • Requirement: Open Interface should always run on the machine as a server, remaining active in the background even when the GUI is not in use.
   • Purpose: This transforms the program into a reliable, always-available service for both local and remote control, ensuring uninterrupted access for automation tasks.
   • Implementation Note: The program should minimize to the system tray on macOS when the GUI is closed, keeping the core and API running, with an option to reopen the GUI from the tray.

3. Startup on Mac Restart

   • Requirement: The program must automatically launch when the Mac restarts, ensuring it remains operational without manual intervention after a reboot.
   • Purpose: This guarantees persistent availability, critical for a server-like application that supports automated workflows (e.g., via n8n).
   • Implementation Note: Integrate a macOS Launch Agent (e.g., a .plist file in ~/Library/LaunchAgents/) to start the program at system boot, ensuring both the core application and API server initialize automatically.

4. Robust System Logging

   • Requirement: Implement comprehensive system logs to capture detailed information about operations, errors, and system events for effective error handling and understanding.
   • Purpose: This provides visibility into the program’s behavior, aiding in debugging and ensuring reliability, especially for remote interactions via the API.
   • Implementation Note: Logs should include timestamps, event types (e.g., API startup, command execution, errors), and detailed error messages (e.g., stack traces), stored in a rotating log file (e.g., open_interface.log) and accessible via an API endpoint (e.g., /logs).

Key Considerations

• Preserve Original Functionality: These upgrades must not alter the original behavior of Open Interface. Local GUI usage should remain intact and functional, even with the API server always running. If the API is manually stopped, the program should still operate as it did originally.
• API as Control Layer: The API should only interface with existing core functionality (e.g., Core class, PyAutoGUI execution), not replace or duplicate it, ensuring consistency between local and remote commands.
• Local Operation Without API Dependency: The program must work locally out of the box, with the API server as an always-on enhancement rather than a requirement.

Expected Outcome

With these upgrades, Open Interface will:

1. Launch its API server automatically on program startup, ready to accept commands from n8n or other clients.
2. Run continuously as a background server on the machine, accessible via the system tray if the GUI is minimized.
3. Restart automatically with the Mac, maintaining its server role without user action.
4. Provide detailed system logs for monitoring and troubleshooting, available both locally and through the API.

This ensures Open Interface operates as a robust, always-on command server while retaining its original local capabilities, perfectly suited for both manual use and automated workflows.