refactor UI backend calls to python endpoints

test/ui/README.md

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+# UI Testing Setup
+
+## Selenium Tests
+
+The UI test suite uses Selenium with Chrome/Chromium for browser automation and comprehensive testing.
+
+### First Time Setup (Devcontainer)
+
+The devcontainer includes Chromium and chromedriver. If you need to reinstall:
+
+```bash
+# Install Chromium and chromedriver
+apk add --no-cache chromium chromium-chromedriver nss freetype harfbuzz ca-certificates ttf-freefont font-noto
+
+# Install Selenium
+pip install selenium
+```
+
+### Running Tests
+
+```bash
+# Run all UI tests
+pytest test/ui/
+
+# Run specific test file
+pytest test/ui/test_ui_dashboard.py
+
+# Run specific test
+pytest test/ui/test_ui_dashboard.py::test_dashboard_loads
+
+# Run with verbose output
+pytest test/ui/ -v
+
+# Run and stop on first failure
+pytest test/ui/ -x
+```
+
+### What Gets Tested
+
+- ✅ **API Backend endpoints** - All Flask API endpoints work correctly
+- ✅ **Page loads** - All pages load without fatal errors (Dashboard, Devices, Network, Settings, etc.)
+- ✅ **Dashboard metrics** - Charts and device counts display
+- ✅ **Device operations** - Add, edit, delete devices via UI
+- ✅ **Network topology** - Device relationship visualization
+- ✅ **Multi-edit bulk operations** - Bulk device editing
+- ✅ **Maintenance tools** - CSV export/import, database cleanup
+- ✅ **Settings configuration** - Settings page loads and saves
+- ✅ **Notification system** - User notifications display
+- ✅ **JavaScript error detection** - No console errors on page loads
+
+### Test Organization
+
+Tests are organized by page/feature:
+
+- `test_ui_dashboard.py` - Dashboard metrics and charts
+- `test_ui_devices.py` - Device listing and CRUD operations
+- `test_ui_network.py` - Network topology visualization
+- `test_ui_maintenance.py` - Database tools and CSV operations
+- `test_ui_multi_edit.py` - Bulk device editing
+- `test_ui_settings.py` - Settings configuration
+- `test_ui_notifications.py` - Notification system
+- `test_ui_plugins.py` - Plugin management
+
+### Troubleshooting
+
+**"Could not start Chromium"**
+- Ensure Chromium is installed: `which chromium`
+- Check chromedriver: `which chromedriver`
+- Verify versions match: `chromium --version` and `chromedriver --version`
+
+**"API token not available"**
+- Check `/data/config/app.conf` exists and contains `API_TOKEN=`
+- Restart backend services if needed
+
+**Tests skip with "Chromium browser not available"**
+- Chromium not installed or not in PATH
+- Run: `apk add chromium chromium-chromedriver`
+
+### Writing New Tests
+
+See [TESTING_GUIDE.md](TESTING_GUIDE.md) for comprehensive examples of:
+- Button click testing
+- Form submission
+- AJAX request verification
+- File download testing
+- Multi-step workflows
+
+**Browser launch fails**
+- Alpine Linux uses system Chromium
+- Make sure chromium package is installed: `apk info chromium`
+
+**Tests timeout**
+- Increase timeout in test functions
+- Check if backend is running: `ps aux | grep python3`
+- Verify frontend is accessible: `curl http://localhost:20211`