docs: clarify dev hosts and deployment guidance

.env.example

@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ PUID=1000
 PGID=1000
 
 PORT=3000
+# Docker Compose quickstart serves the frontend on http://localhost:4174.
+# Local Vite development usually uses http://localhost:5173 or http://localhost:4173 instead.
 CORS_ORIGINS=http://localhost:4174
 
 # Server default timezone for scheduled reminders.
@@ -18,8 +20,11 @@ TZ=Europe/Berlin
 
 # Public base URL used for notification action links.
 # Required for intake reminder action buttons.
+# Use an externally reachable HTTPS URL for remote/self-hosted access.
 # PUBLIC_APP_URL=https://medassist.example.com
 # If this uses a non-local host, include that origin in CORS_ORIGINS.
+# Local Vite development automatically allows this hostname; set
+# VITE_ALLOWED_HOSTS only when you need additional development hostnames.
 
 # Log level: debug, info, warn, error, silent
 LOG_LEVEL=info

.github/copilot-instructions.md

@@ -1,26 +1,13 @@
 # MedAssist-ng - Copilot Entry Point
 
-## VERY IMPORTANT - Prioritized Constraints
+This file is intentionally thin. `AGENTS.md` is the canonical governance file for this repository.
 
-**First: Update Memory and Reports**
-- Always keep agent work memory updated in `doku/memory_notes.md` so progress and decisions remain recoverable across context loss.
-  - If `doku/memory_notes.md` is missing, create it immediately.
-- Always keep a user-facing work report updated in `doku/report.md` so completed work is easy to review.
-  - If `doku/report.md` is missing, create it immediately.
-- This memory/report rule replaces the previous `doku/APP_BEHAVIOR.md` persistence requirement.
-
-**Second: Follow Governance Rules**
-- Consult `AGENTS.md` for governance, workflow, and skill rules when that file exists in the workspace.
-
-When `AGENTS.md` exists in the workspace, use it as the single source of truth for governance, workflow, and skill rules.
+If rules differ between files, follow `AGENTS.md`.
 
 ## Required Startup Steps
 
 1. Read `AGENTS.md` first when it exists in the workspace.
-2. If `AGENTS.md` exists, identify triggered skills from it and read each referenced `SKILL.md` before making changes.
-3. Follow delegation boundaries exactly (`@testing-manager` for testing, `@release-manager` for release orchestration).
-4. When work moves into a different thematic area, create or switch to a dedicated local branch or worktree before editing code, and reuse the same branch/worktree for follow-up work inside that same theme.
-
-## Scope
-
-This file intentionally stays minimal to prevent duplicated or conflicting instructions.
+2. Ensure `doku/memory_notes.md` and `doku/report.md` exist and keep them updated during meaningful work. These files are local-only and must not be staged or committed unless explicitly requested.
+3. Identify triggered skills from `AGENTS.md` and read only the matching `SKILL.md` files before making changes.
+4. Follow delegation boundaries from `AGENTS.md`: `@testing-manager` for testing work and `@release-manager` for release orchestration, including the documented fallback protocol when a required specialist is unavailable.
+5. Keep all non-canonical instruction files brief and aligned with `AGENTS.md`; do not duplicate full governance here.

.github/workflows/docker-build.yml

@@ -24,6 +24,8 @@ on:
 
 concurrency:
   group: docker-build-${{ github.ref }}
+  # Cancel older runs on the same ref so the shared branch tag stays aligned
+  # with the newest commit instead of racing older builds against newer ones.
   cancel-in-progress: true
 
 # Default minimal permissions

README.md

@@ -157,10 +157,13 @@ Share your medication schedule with others via a public link.
 ### Multi-Person Support
 - Manage medications for multiple people
 - Share schedules via link. Recipients can mark doses as taken, you see it live
+- Optionally allow shared links to view and edit intake journal notes for their visible schedule window
 - Optionally embed the medication overview directly on shared links via a settings toggle
 
 ### Data Export & Import
-- Export all your data (medications, dose history, settings) as JSON
+- Export all your data (medications, dose history, intake journal notes, settings) as JSON
+- Review validated import contents before replacing current data
+- Optionally download a fresh backup before confirming import
 - Import previously exported data with automatic ID remapping
 - Choose whether to include sensitive data in exports
 
@@ -188,6 +191,16 @@ docker compose -p medassist-ng up -d
 
 Open `http://localhost:4174` and start tracking your medications.
 
+### Verify Deployment
+
+After the containers start, confirm the stack is actually healthy:
+
+1. Run `docker compose ps` and confirm the `backend` service is `healthy` and the `frontend` service is running.
+2. Open `http://localhost:3000/health` and confirm the backend responds with JSON that includes `"status":"ok"`.
+3. Open `http://localhost:4174` and confirm the app shell loads and can reach the API.
+
+If the frontend loads but API requests fail, check the backend health endpoint first and confirm `CORS_ORIGINS` includes the frontend origin you are using. If you plan to open reminder or share links from another device, set `PUBLIC_APP_URL` to the externally reachable app URL instead of relying on `localhost`.
+
 # Configuration
 
 Configure the application with environment variables in `.env`. Keep the basic container settings in the README and use the dedicated docs for the full reference.
@@ -206,7 +219,7 @@ Optional but commonly needed:
 
 | Variable | Default | Description |
 |----------|---------|-------------|
-| `PUBLIC_APP_URL` | — | Public base URL for notification action links |
+| `PUBLIC_APP_URL` | — | Public base URL for notification action and share links |
 
 Detailed configuration references:
 

docs/CONFIGURATION.md

@@ -9,9 +9,9 @@ Configure MedAssist with environment variables in `.env`. Start from `.env.examp
 | `PUID` | `1000` | User ID for container file permissions |
 | `PGID` | `1000` | Group ID for container file permissions |
 | `PORT` | `3000` | Backend API port |
-| `CORS_ORIGINS` | `http://localhost:4174` | Allowed origins for CORS |
+| `CORS_ORIGINS` | `http://localhost:4174` | Allowed origins for CORS in the Docker Compose quickstart; local Vite development commonly uses `http://localhost:5173` or `http://localhost:4173` |
 | `TZ` | `Europe/Berlin` | Server default timezone for scheduled reminders |
-| `PUBLIC_APP_URL` | — | Public base URL for notification action links. Must be reachable by phones, browsers, and notification providers; do not point this to `localhost` or an internal Docker hostname. |
+| `PUBLIC_APP_URL` | — | Public base URL for notification action and share links. Strongly recommended for any deployment used from another device; do not point this to `localhost` or an internal Docker hostname. Local Vite development also allows this hostname automatically. |
 | `LOG_LEVEL` | `info` | Log level: `debug`, `info`, `warn`, `error`, or `silent` |
 | `RATE_LIMIT_MAX` | `100` | Maximum requests per minute per IP |
 | `OPENAPI_DOCS_ENABLED` | `auto` | Explicitly enable or disable `/docs` and `/docs/json` |
@@ -22,6 +22,12 @@ API docs behavior:
 - `OPENAPI_DOCS_ENABLED=true` enables `/docs` and `/docs/json`.
 - `OPENAPI_DOCS_ENABLED=false` disables the docs only.
 
+`CORS_ORIGINS` note:
+
+- The `.env.example` file is optimized for the Docker Compose quickstart, where the frontend runs on `http://localhost:4174`.
+- Local frontend development uses the Vite dev server instead, so the backend schema defaults cover `http://localhost:5173` and `http://localhost:4173`.
+- If you use a custom hostname or reverse proxy, include that origin in `CORS_ORIGINS`.
+
 ## Authentication
 
 | Variable | Default | Description |
@@ -102,13 +108,17 @@ API reference:
 
 Reminder timing uses IANA timezones. `TZ` is the server default. Users can override it in Settings.
 
+These values are runtime defaults. User-specific settings can override reminder behavior after first save.
+
 ## Push Notifications
 
 Push notification setup, provider support, and URL examples are documented in [PUSH_NOTIFICATIONS.md](PUSH_NOTIFICATIONS.md).
 
 Recommended provider: `ntfy`, especially for intake reminders with direct actions.
 
-Notification action links use `PUBLIC_APP_URL` as their base URL. For self-hosted setups, this should normally be your externally reachable HTTPS address, for example `https://med.example.com`.
+Notification action and share links should use `PUBLIC_APP_URL` as their reachable base URL. For self-hosted setups, this should normally be your externally reachable HTTPS address, for example `https://med.example.com`.
+
+If `PUBLIC_APP_URL` is missing in a remote deployment, reminder links can still be generated from local origins that are unreachable from phones or external browsers.
 
 ## Default User Settings
 

docs/DEVELOPMENT.md

@@ -19,8 +19,17 @@ If the frontend dev server runs behind a reverse proxy or on a remote host, set
 
 These development overrides are documented here intentionally and are not part of the standard operator-focused `.env.example` surface.
 
+## API Proxy Contract
+
+- Frontend browser code should call `/api/*`, not hardcoded backend hostnames.
+- Vite rewrites `/api/*` to the backend target configured by `BACKEND_URL` or the built-in default for the current environment.
+- Default backend target:
+	- local dev outside Docker: `http://localhost:3000`
+	- dev stack inside Docker: `http://backend-dev:3000`
+- If your backend runs on a different host or service name, set `BACKEND_URL` explicitly before starting Vite.
+
 - `BACKEND_URL`: backend target used by the Vite `/api` proxy; default `http://localhost:3000` outside Docker and `http://backend-dev:3000` in Docker
-- `VITE_ALLOWED_HOSTS`: comma-separated hostnames allowed to connect to the dev server; default `localhost,127.0.0.1`
+- `VITE_ALLOWED_HOSTS`: comma-separated hostnames allowed to connect to the dev server; default `localhost,127.0.0.1` plus the hostname from `PUBLIC_APP_URL` when configured
 - `VITE_HMR_HOST`: public hostname for HMR websocket connections
 - `VITE_HMR_PROTOCOL`: websocket protocol override (`ws` or `wss`)
 - `VITE_HMR_CLIENT_PORT`: public websocket port exposed to the browser
@@ -43,4 +52,4 @@ npm run check
 npm run build
 ```
 
-Use the root-level commands for full-stack validation when a change spans backend and frontend. Keep using the package-local commands when you are validating only one slice.
+Use the root-level commands for full-stack validation when a change spans backend and frontend. Keep using the package-local commands when you are validating only one slice.

frontend/vite.config.ts

@@ -20,6 +20,22 @@ function parseOptionalPort(value: string | undefined) {
   return Number.isFinite(parsed) ? parsed : undefined;
 }
 
+function parseUrlHostname(value: string | undefined) {
+  if (!value) {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    return new URL(value).hostname;
+  } catch {
+    return undefined;
+  }
+}
+
+function uniqueHosts(hosts: Array<string | undefined>) {
+  return [...new Set(hosts.filter((host): host is string => Boolean(host)))];
+}
+
 // Read version from package.json at build time
 const packageJson = JSON.parse(readFileSync("./package.json", "utf-8"));
 
@@ -27,7 +43,9 @@ const packageJson = JSON.parse(readFileSync("./package.json", "utf-8"));
 // In Docker, prefer backend-dev to avoid localhost proxy failures.
 const defaultBackendTarget = existsSync("/.dockerenv") ? "http://backend-dev:3000" : "http://localhost:3000";
 const backendTarget = process.env.BACKEND_URL || defaultBackendTarget;
-const allowedHosts = parseCsvEnv(process.env.VITE_ALLOWED_HOSTS, ["localhost", "127.0.0.1"]);
+const configuredAllowedHosts = parseCsvEnv(process.env.VITE_ALLOWED_HOSTS, []);
+const baseAllowedHosts = configuredAllowedHosts.length > 0 ? configuredAllowedHosts : ["localhost", "127.0.0.1"];
+const allowedHosts = uniqueHosts([...baseAllowedHosts, parseUrlHostname(process.env.PUBLIC_APP_URL)]);
 const hmrHost = process.env.VITE_HMR_HOST?.trim();
 const hmrProtocol = process.env.VITE_HMR_PROTOCOL === "ws" ? "ws" : process.env.VITE_HMR_PROTOCOL === "wss" ? "wss" : undefined;
 const hmrClientPort = parseOptionalPort(process.env.VITE_HMR_CLIENT_PORT);