NetAlertX/.github/copilot-instructions.md

# NetAlertX AI Assistant Instructions
This is NetAlertX — network monitoring & alerting. NetAlertX provides Network inventory, awareness, insight, categorization, intruder and presence detection. This is a heavily community-driven project, welcoming of all contributions.

You are expected to be concise, opinionated, and biased toward security and simplicity.

## Architecture (what runs where)
- Backend (Python): main loop + GraphQL/REST endpoints orchestrate scans, plugins, workflows, notifications, and JSON export.
	- Key: `server/__main__.py`, `server/plugin.py`, `server/initialise.py`, `server/api_server/api_server_start.py`
- Data (SQLite): persistent state in `db/app.db`; helpers in `server/database.py` and `server/db/*`.
- Frontend (Nginx + PHP + JS): UI reads JSON, triggers execution queue events.
	- Key: `front/`, `front/js/common.js`, `front/php/server/*.php`
- Plugins (Python): acquisition/enrichment/publishers under `front/plugins/*` with `config.json` manifests.
- Messaging/Workflows: `server/messaging/*`, `server/workflows/*`
- API JSON Cache for UI: generated under `api/*.json`

Backend loop phases (see `server/__main__.py` and `server/plugin.py`): `once`, `schedule`, `always_after_scan`, `before_name_updates`, `on_new_device`, `on_notification`, plus ad‑hoc `run` via execution queue. Plugins execute as scripts that write result logs for ingestion.

## Plugin patterns that matter
- Manifest lives at `front/plugins/<code_name>/config.json`; `code_name` == folder, `unique_prefix` drives settings and filenames (e.g., `ARPSCAN`).
- Control via settings: `<PREF>_RUN` (phase), `<PREF>_RUN_SCHD` (cron-like), `<PREF>_CMD` (script path), `<PREF>_RUN_TIMEOUT`, `<PREF>_WATCH` (diff columns).
- Data contract: scripts write `/tmp/log/plugins/last_result.<PREF>.log` (pipe‑delimited: 9 required cols + optional 4). Use `front/plugins/plugin_helper.py`’s `Plugin_Objects` to sanitize text and normalize MACs, then `write_result_file()`.
- Device import: define `database_column_definitions` when creating/updating devices; watched fields trigger notifications.

### Standard Plugin Formats
* publisher: Sends notifications to services. Runs `on_notification`. Data source: self.
* dev scanner: Creates devices and manages online/offline status. Runs on `schedule`. Data source: self / SQLite DB.
* name discovery: Discovers device names via various protocols. Runs `before_name_updates` or on `schedule`. Data source: self.
* importer: Imports devices from another service. Runs on `schedule`. Data source: self / SQLite DB.
* system: Provides core system functionality. Runs on `schedule` or is always on. Data source: self / Template.
* other: Miscellaneous plugins. Runs at various times. Data source: self / Template.

### Plugin logging & outputs
- Always check relevant logs first.
- Use logging as shown in other plugins.
- Collect results with `Plugin_Objects.add_object(...)` during processing and call `plugin_objects.write_result_file()` exactly once at the end of the script.
- Prefer to log a brief summary before writing (e.g., total objects added) to aid troubleshooting; keep logs concise at `info` level and use `verbose` or `debug` for extra context.

- Do not write ad‑hoc files for results; the only consumable output is `last_result.<PREF>.log` generated by `Plugin_Objects`.
## API/Endpoints quick map
- Flask app: `server/api_server/api_server_start.py` exposes routes like `/device/<mac>`, `/devices`, `/devices/export/{csv,json}`, `/devices/import`, `/devices/totals`, `/devices/by-status`, plus `nettools`, `events`, `sessions`, `dbquery`, `metrics`, `sync`.
- Authorization: all routes expect header `Authorization: Bearer <API_TOKEN>` via `get_setting_value('API_TOKEN')`.

## Conventions & helpers to reuse
- Settings: add/modify via `ccd()` in `server/initialise.py` or per‑plugin manifest. Never hardcode ports or secrets; use `get_setting_value()`.
- Logging: use `logger.mylog(level, [message])`; levels: none/minimal/verbose/debug/trace.
- Time/MAC/strings: `helper.py` (`timeNowDB`, `normalize_mac`, sanitizers). Validate MACs before DB writes.
- DB helpers: prefer `server/db/db_helper.py` functions (e.g., `get_table_json`, device condition helpers) over raw SQL in new paths.

## Dev workflow (devcontainer)
- **Devcontainer philosophy: brutal simplicity.** One user, everything writable, completely idempotent. No permission checks, no conditional logic, no sudo needed. If something doesn't work, tear down the wall and rebuild - don't patch. We unit test permissions in the hardened build.
- **Permissions:** Never `chmod` or `chown` during operations. Everything is already writable. If you need permissions, the devcontainer setup is broken - fix `.devcontainer/scripts/setup.sh` or `.devcontainer/resources/devcontainer-Dockerfile` instead.
- **Files & Paths:** Use environment variables (`NETALERTX_DB`, `NETALERTX_LOG`, etc.) everywhere. `/data` for persistent config/db, `/tmp` for runtime logs/api/nginx state. Never hardcode `/data/db` or relative paths.
- **Database reset:** Use the `[Dev Container] Wipe and Regenerate Database` task. Kills backend, deletes `/data/{db,config}/*`, runs first-time setup scripts. Clean slate, no questions.
- Services: use tasks to (re)start backend and nginx/PHP-FPM. Backend runs with debugpy on 5678; attach a Python debugger if needed.
- Run a plugin manually: `python3 front/plugins/<code_name>/script.py` (ensure `sys.path` includes `/app/front/plugins` and `/app/server` like the template).
- Testing: pytest available via Alpine packages. Tests live in `test/`; app code is under `server/`. PYTHONPATH is preconfigured to include workspace and `/opt/venv` site‑packages.
- **Subprocess calls:** ALWAYS set explicit timeouts. Default to 60s minimum unless plugin config specifies otherwise. Nested subprocess calls (e.g., plugins calling external tools) need their own timeout - outer plugin timeout won't save you.

## What “done right” looks like
- When adding a plugin, start from `front/plugins/__template`, implement with `plugin_helper`, define manifest settings, and wire phase via `<PREF>_RUN`. Verify logs in `/tmp/log/plugins/` and data in `api/*.json`.
- When introducing new config, define it once (core `ccd()` or plugin manifest) and read it via helpers everywhere.
- When exposing new server functionality, add endpoints in `server/api_server/*` and keep authorization consistent; update UI by reading/writing JSON cache rather than bypassing the pipeline.

## Useful references
- Docs: `docs/PLUGINS_DEV.md`, `docs/SETTINGS_SYSTEM.md`, `docs/API_*.md`, `docs/DEBUG_*.md`
- Logs: All logs are under `/tmp/log/`. Plugin logs are very shortly under `/tmp/log/plugins/` until picked up by the server.
    - plugin logs: `/tmp/log/app.log`
	- backend logs: `/tmp/log/stdout.log` and `/tmp/log/stderr.log`
	- frontend commands logs: `/tmp/log/app_front.log`
	- php errors: `/tmp/log/app.php_errors.log`
	- nginx logs: `/tmp/log/nginx-access.log` and `/tmp/log/nginx-error.log`

## Assistant expectations:
- Be concise, opinionated, and biased toward security and simplicity.
- Reference concrete files/paths/environmental variables.
- Use existing helpers/settings.
- Offer a quick validation step (log line, API hit, or JSON export) for anything you add.
- Be blunt about risks and when you offer suggestions ensure they're also blunt,
- Ask for confirmation before making changes that run code or change multiple files.
- Make statements actionable and specific; propose exact edits.
- Request confirmation before applying changes that affect more than a single, clearly scoped line or file.
- Ask the user to debug something for an actionable value if you're unsure.
- Be sure to offer choices when appropriate.
- Always understand the intent of the user's request and undo/redo as needed.
- Above all, use the simplest possible code that meets the need so it can be easily audited and maintained.
- Always leave logging enabled. If there is a possiblity it will be difficult to debug with current logging, add more logging.
- Always run the testFailure tool before executing any tests to gather current failure information and avoid redundant runs.
- Always prioritize using the appropriate tools in the environment first. As an example if a test is failing use `testFailure` then `runTests`. Never `runTests` first. 
- Docker tests take an extremely long time to run.  Avoid changes to docker or tests until you've examined the exisiting testFailures and runTests results.
- Environment tools are designed specifically for your use in this project and running them in this order will give you the best results.