Major API Overhaul & Offline Frontend Support

Released: August 14, 2025

Commit: b5e37bd

Full Changelog: https://github.com/0ceanSlim/grain/compare/v0.4.11...v0.4.12
🔄 Major API Redesign
Complete Key Management API Overhaul 🔑

Rebuilt all key endpoints with improved consistency and functionality
New unified key operations supporting all formats (hex, npub, nsec) with auto-detection
Enhanced key validation with detailed error responses and type detection
Streamlined key conversion between formats with single endpoints

New Key API Structure:
GET /api/v1/keys/generate           # Generate new keypair
GET /api/v1/keys/derive/{key}       # Derive public from private
GET /api/v1/keys/convert/public/{key}   # Convert hex ↔ npub
GET /api/v1/keys/convert/private/{key}  # Convert hex ↔ nsec  
GET /api/v1/keys/validate/{key}     # Validate any key type
Enhanced Client Relay Management 🌐

Complete relay API rewrite with improved endpoint naming and functionality
Protocol auto-detection - automatically tries wss:// then falls back to ws://
Granular permissions - configure read/write permissions per relay
Domain-based endpoints - cleaner URLs using domain names instead of full URLs
Improved status reporting with connection health and latency information

New Relay API Structure:
GET /api/v1/ping/{domain}               # Ping relay with auto-protocol detection
POST /api/v1/client/connect/{domain}    # Connect with permissions
POST /api/v1/client/disconnect/{domain} # Disconnect relay
GET /api/v1/client/relays               # Get relay status with optional ping
Session & Cache System Redesign 💾

Completely rebuilt cache/session management for better consistency
Improved data synchronization between user sessions and relay connections  
Enhanced session persistence with better error handling
Streamlined cache refresh with manual refresh capabilities

🌐 Complete Offline Frontend Support
Self-Contained Web Interface 📱

Bundled CSS framework - Tailwind CSS now built and minified into releases
Local JavaScript dependencies - HTMX and Hyperscript downloaded and bundled
Zero external dependencies - frontend works entirely offline in air-gapped networks
Improved build process with automatic dependency management

Build System Improvements:
- Automatic Tailwind CSS compilation and minification
- HTMX and Hyperscript dependency downloading during build
- Single binary deployment with all frontend assets included
- No CDN dependencies - fully self-contained operation
Enhanced UI Functionality ✨

Client relay management UI - add/remove relays directly from web interface
Improved relay status display with real-time connection health
Enhanced mailbox management with better read/write relay organization
Consistent styling with properly bundled CSS framework

🔧 Development & Build Improvements
Cross-Platform Development Support 🛠️

Improved Makefile compatibility across Windows, macOS, and Linux
Better terminal support regardless of shell or development environment
Enhanced build consistency with platform-agnostic commands
Streamlined development workflow with reliable build processes

Testing & Documentation Updates 📚

Updated API documentation reflecting all new endpoint structures
Enhanced test documentation with better cross-platform instructions
Improved development guides with clearer setup procedures
Better error handling in development and testing environments

🐛 Critical Fixes
Database Connection Stability 💪

Fixed global database client - resolved critical connection issues
Improved connection reliability with better error handling
Enhanced reconnection logic preventing service interruption

API Authentication Improvements 🔒

Removed unnecessary auth requirements from client relay endpoints
Streamlined authentication flow for better user experience
Fixed permission handling in relay management operations

⚙️ Migration from v0.4.11
Smooth Upgrade Path 🚀
```bash
Backup current setup
cp config.yml config.yml.backup
Replace executable - configs remain compatible
mv grain grain.old
Extract new v0.4.12 release
New frontend assets are bundled - no additional setup needed
```
API Migration Notes ⚠️

Key endpoints changed - update any custom integrations using old key API
Relay endpoints restructured - client applications may need endpoint updates
Response formats improved - more consistent JSON structures across all endpoints

🎯 Before vs After This Release
Before v0.4.12 ❌

Key API was inconsistent across different operations
Frontend required internet connection for CSS/JS dependencies
Relay management was complex with full URL requirements
Development builds were platform-specific and unreliable
Client relay management required API calls, no UI

After v0.4.12 ✅

Unified key API with auto-format detection and conversion
Complete offline frontend operation with bundled dependencies
Simple domain-based relay management with auto-protocol detection
Cross-platform development with consistent build processes
Full client relay management through web interface

🌟 Release Highlights
This major update transforms GRAIN into a truly self-contained, offline-capable Nostr relay with a completely redesigned API and enhanced web interface.
Key Improvements:
- API Consistency - Complete overhaul creating unified, predictable endpoints
- Offline Operation - Zero external dependencies for frontend functionality

- Developer Experience - Cross-platform build system with improved reliability
- User Interface - Full relay management capabilities through web UI
- Production Ready - Enhanced stability and self-contained deployment
🚀 Production Impact
Improved Deployment Options

Air-gapped networks - complete offline operation capability
Simplified deployment - single binary with all assets bundled
Reduced maintenance - no external dependency management required

Enhanced Developer Experience

Consistent API - predictable endpoint structure and responses
Better documentation - comprehensive API reference with examples
Cross-platform development - reliable builds on any system

This release represents a significant milestone in GRAIN's development, providing a robust, self-contained relay solution with a modern API design and complete offline capabilities. The improved build system and cross-platform compatibility make GRAIN more accessible to developers and operators across all environments. 🌾
Full Changelog: https://github.com/0ceanSlim/grain/compare/v0.4.11...v0.4.12