MESS Web Client

Overview

The MESS Web Client is a static HTML/JavaScript application for human executors to view and respond to requests. It works with GitHub as the backend and requires no server.

Features

• •View incoming requests (Inbox)
• •Claim and respond to requests
• •Take photos directly from mobile devices
• •Create new requests (optional)
• •Dark/light theme support
• •Works offline once configured

Setup

1. Host the Client

The client is a single HTML file. Host it anywhere:

• •GitHub Pages: Automatic if using the template repo
• •Cloudflare Pages: Upload client/ folder
• •Netlify/Vercel: Drag and drop
• •Local file: Just open client/index.html

2. Create GitHub Token

1. •Go to github.com/settings/personal-access-tokens/new
2. •Select "Only select repositories" → your MESS repo
3. •Permissions: Contents → Read and write
4. •Generate and copy the token

3. Configure on First Launch

The setup wizard walks you through:

1. •Token - Paste your GitHub token
2. •Repository - Enter username/mess-exchange
3. •Profile - Set executor ID, display name, capabilities

Interface

Tabs

Thread List

Each thread shows:

• •Status badge (pending, claimed, etc.)
• •Intent (what's being requested)
• •Reference number and time
• •Priority indicator (if elevated/urgent)
• •Camera icon (if photo requested)

Thread Detail

Click a thread to see:

• •Full message history
• •Response form (if claimed)
• •Action buttons (Claim, Complete, Need Info, Can't Do)

Actions

Claiming a Request

Quick claim: Click the arrow button on any pending request

From detail view:

1. •Click the thread to open detail
2. •Click "Claim This Request"

Completing a Request

1. •Open a claimed thread
2. •(Optional) Add text response
3. •(Optional) Take/attach photo
4. •Click "✓ Complete"

Taking Photos

1. •Click the camera button (📷)
2. •Take photo or select from gallery
3. •Preview appears below
4. •Photo is included when you complete

Need More Info

If you need clarification:

1. •Click "More" to expand options
2. •Click "Need Info"
3. •Wait for requestor to respond

Can't Complete

If you can't do the task:

1. •Click "More" to expand options
2. •Click "Can't Do"
3. •Thread moves to Closed

Creating Requests

If "Can Create Requests" is enabled in your profile:

1. •Click "+ New" button
2. •Fill in:
   • •What do you need? - The request intent
   • •Context - Additional details (one per line)
   • •Priority - How urgent
   • •Want photo - Check if you want an image response
3. •Click "Submit Request"

Settings

Click the gear icon (⚙️) to access:

• •View current configuration
• •Test GitHub connection
• •Reset settings (clears all data)

Capabilities

Configure what tasks you can handle:

Physical Tasks

• •visual:check - Look at something
• •physical:inspect - Touch/measure
• •fetch:indoor - Get items inside
• •fetch:outdoor - Get items outside
• •appliance:operate - Use appliances
• •vehicle:operate - Drive/move vehicles

Communication

• •comm:phone - Make phone calls
• •comm:text - Send texts
• •comm:person - Talk to people

Information

• •photo:capture - Take photos
• •document:read - Read documents
• •research:local - Local research

Care

• •care:plants - Plant care
• •care:pets - Pet care
• •care:children - Child supervision

URL Parameters

Configure the client via URL for easy sharing:

https://your-client.com/?repo=username/mess-exchange

Keyboard Shortcuts

Troubleshooting

"No threads here"

• •Check your GitHub token has correct permissions
• •Verify repository name is correct
• •Try refreshing

"Action failed: sha wasn't supplied"

• •Thread was modified elsewhere
• •Refresh and try again

Photos not working

• •Allow camera permissions in browser
• •On iOS, use Safari for best camera support

Token expired

• •Create a new token
• •Go to Settings → Reset → Re-enter new token

Data Storage

All configuration is stored in browser localStorage:

• •mess_config - Token, repo, profile settings

No data is sent to any server except GitHub's API.

Privacy

• •Your token is stored only in your browser
• •Tasks are stored in your private GitHub repo
• •The client code contains no tracking
• •Photos are stored as base64 in the thread files