Updates and add examples host

.gitignore

@@ -7,6 +7,10 @@ releases/
 # Mirrored HRPC/hyperschema output for bare-pack (generated by npm run build:hrpc)
 native-host/spec/
 
+# Synced copies of examples/ (source of truth is repo-root examples/)
+extension/examples/
+native-host/examples/
+
 # Native host: generated launchers (paths are machine-specific)
 native-host/bridge-swarm-host
 native-host/bridge-swarm-host.bat

README.md

@@ -87,11 +87,9 @@ npm run build:dist:package      # all-platform host zips (needs bare-build; best
 
 ### Try the examples
 
-```bash
+In the extension **Settings** (or Dashboard → Settings), enable **Examples server**. Open **http://127.0.0.1:4173/** (do not use `file://`). Pick a demo and open it in two tabs.
-npm run examples
-```
 
-Opens **http://127.0.0.1:4173/** (do not use `file://` — browsers treat each local file as a unique origin). Pick a demo and open it in two tabs.
+Dev alternative from the repo: `npm run examples` (same URL).
 
 ### Your First P2P App
 
@@ -326,11 +324,12 @@ Run `npm run build:hrpc` to generate the HRPC spec.
 ### Build Commands
 
 ```bash
-npm run examples              # Serve demos at http://127.0.0.1:4173/ (not file://)
+npm run examples              # Dev: serve demos at http://127.0.0.1:4173/ (or use Settings toggle)
+npm run sync:examples         # Copy examples/ into extension + native-host for packaging
 npm run build:protomux        # Rebuild Protomux bundle
 npm run build:hrpc            # Rebuild HRPC spec (+ mirror into native-host/spec)
 npm run build                 # host launcher + protomux + hrpc
-npm run pack                  # Package extension → releases/BridgeSwarm-*.zip|.xpi
+npm run pack                  # Package extension (includes examples) → releases/
 npm run build:dist            # Standalone host binary (current platform)
 npm run build:dist:package    # All platforms + zip archives (CI)
 ```

examples/README.md

@@ -6,13 +6,15 @@ Open these in your browser **after** installing the BridgeSwarm extension and na
 
 ## Run the examples server
 
-From the BridgeSwarm repo root:
+**Recommended:** In the BridgeSwarm extension, open **Settings** (or the Dashboard → Settings) and enable **Examples server**. The native host serves the bundled demos at **http://127.0.0.1:4173/**. Settings save automatically.
+
+From the BridgeSwarm repo root (dev alternative):
 
 ```bash
 npm run examples
 ```
 
-Serves `examples/` at **http://127.0.0.1:4173/**. Use two browser tabs for P2P demos.
+Either way, use **http://127.0.0.1:4173/** (two browser tabs for P2P demos). Do not open `file://` or `chrome-extension://` copies for demos that need BridgeSwarm injection.
 
 Shared chrome lives in [`shared/`](shared/) (`theme.css`, `chrome.css`, `boot.js`).
 

extension/background.js

@@ -55,7 +55,15 @@ const swarmRefCount = new Map();
 const activeConnections = new Map();
 
 const SETTINGS_KEY = 'bridgeSwarmSettings';
+const EXAMPLES_URL = 'http://127.0.0.1:4173/';
 let notifyOnDisconnect = false;
+let examplesServerEnabled = false;
+let examplesServerState = {
+  running: false,
+  url: null,
+  error: null,
+  rootFound: null,
+};
 
 // Extension state for the UI
 const extensionState = {
@@ -92,17 +100,67 @@ function updateExtensionState() {
   extensionState.stats.totalSwarms = extensionState.swarms.size;
 }
 
-function loadNotifySetting() {
+function applySettingsFromStorage(s) {
-  browser.storage.local.get(SETTINGS_KEY, (result) => {
-    const s = result[SETTINGS_KEY] || {};
   notifyOnDisconnect = s.notifyOnDisconnect === true;
+  const wantExamples = s.examplesServerEnabled === true;
+  if (wantExamples !== examplesServerEnabled) {
+    examplesServerEnabled = wantExamples;
+    syncExamplesServer().catch((err) => log('examples server sync failed:', err.message || err));
+  } else if (wantExamples && port) {
+    syncExamplesServer().catch(() => {});
+  }
+}
+
+function loadSettings() {
+  browser.storage.local.get(SETTINGS_KEY, (result) => {
+    applySettingsFromStorage(result[SETTINGS_KEY] || {});
   });
 }
 
+async function syncExamplesServer() {
+  if (!port) {
+    examplesServerState = {
+      running: false,
+      url: examplesServerEnabled ? EXAMPLES_URL : null,
+      error: examplesServerEnabled ? 'Native host not connected' : null,
+      rootFound: null,
+    };
+    return examplesServerState;
+  }
+  try {
+    if (examplesServerEnabled) {
+      const res = await send({ type: 'examplesServer.start', payload: { host: '127.0.0.1', port: 4173 } });
+      examplesServerState = {
+        running: !!res?.running,
+        url: res?.url || EXAMPLES_URL,
+        error: res?.ok === false ? res.error || 'Failed to start' : null,
+        rootFound: res?.rootFound,
+      };
+      if (res?.ok !== false) log('Examples server:', examplesServerState.url);
+    } else {
+      const res = await send({ type: 'examplesServer.stop', payload: {} });
+      examplesServerState = {
+        running: false,
+        url: null,
+        error: res?.ok === false ? res.error || null : null,
+        rootFound: res?.rootFound,
+      };
+      log('Examples server stopped');
+    }
+  } catch (err) {
+    examplesServerState = {
+      running: false,
+      url: examplesServerEnabled ? EXAMPLES_URL : null,
+      error: err.message || String(err),
+      rootFound: null,
+    };
+  }
+  return examplesServerState;
+}
+
 browser.storage.onChanged.addListener((changes, areaName) => {
   if (areaName === 'local' && changes[SETTINGS_KEY]) {
-    const s = changes[SETTINGS_KEY].newValue || {};
+    applySettingsFromStorage(changes[SETTINGS_KEY].newValue || {});
-    notifyOnDisconnect = s.notifyOnDisconnect === true;
   }
 });
 
@@ -117,6 +175,9 @@ function connect() {
   }
 
   reconnectDelay = INITIAL_RECONNECT_DELAY;
+  if (examplesServerEnabled) {
+    syncExamplesServer().catch(() => {});
+  }
 
   port.onMessage.addListener((msg) => {
     log('Received from native:', msg.type, msg.event || '');
@@ -195,6 +256,12 @@ function connect() {
     activeConnections.clear();
     updateExtensionState();
     port = null;
+    examplesServerState = {
+      running: false,
+      url: examplesServerEnabled ? EXAMPLES_URL : null,
+      error: examplesServerEnabled ? 'Native host disconnected' : null,
+      rootFound: examplesServerState.rootFound,
+    };
     if (notifyOnDisconnect && browser.notifications) {
       browser.notifications.create('bridgeswarm-host-disconnect', {
         type: 'basic',
@@ -243,7 +310,7 @@ function send(msg) {
   });
 }
 
-loadNotifySetting();
+loadSettings();
 connect();
 
 // Handle tab closure - destroy swarms only when last tab using them closes
@@ -357,6 +424,28 @@ browser.runtime.onMessage.addListener((message, sender, sendResponse) => {
       .catch((err) => sendResponse({ ok: false, error: err.message }));
     return true;
   }
+
+  if (message.action === 'examplesServerStatus') {
+    syncExamplesServer()
+      .then((state) =>
+        sendResponse({
+          ok: !state.error,
+          enabled: examplesServerEnabled,
+          ...state,
+          url: state.url || (examplesServerEnabled ? EXAMPLES_URL : null),
+        })
+      )
+      .catch((err) =>
+        sendResponse({
+          ok: false,
+          enabled: examplesServerEnabled,
+          running: false,
+          url: examplesServerEnabled ? EXAMPLES_URL : null,
+          error: err.message,
+        })
+      );
+    return true;
+  }
 });
 
 // Open dashboard when extension icon is clicked

extension/dashboard.html

@@ -665,9 +665,26 @@
             </div>
           </div>
 
-          <div style="margin-top: 1.5rem;">
+          <div class="settings-group">
-            <button class="btn btn-primary" id="btnSaveSettings">Save Settings</button>
+            <h3>Examples</h3>
+            <div class="setting-row">
+              <div class="setting-info">
+                <div class="setting-label">Examples Server</div>
+                <div class="setting-desc">Serve bundled demos at http://127.0.0.1:4173/</div>
               </div>
+              <div class="toggle" id="toggleExamplesServer" data-setting="examplesServerEnabled"></div>
+            </div>
+            <div id="examplesServerPanel" style="display: none; margin-top: 0.75rem; padding: 0.75rem; background: #18181b; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid #3f3f46;">
+              <div style="font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, monospace; font-size: 0.85rem; color: #93c5fd; word-break: break-all;" id="examplesServerUrl">http://127.0.0.1:4173/</div>
+              <div style="font-size: 0.8rem; color: #71717a; margin: 0.4rem 0 0.75rem;" id="examplesServerStatus">Off</div>
+              <div style="display: flex; gap: 0.5rem; flex-wrap: wrap;">
+                <button class="btn btn-primary btn-sm" id="btnOpenExamples">Open examples</button>
+                <button class="btn btn-secondary btn-sm" id="btnCopyExamplesUrl">Copy URL</button>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
+          <p style="margin-top: 1.25rem; font-size: 0.8rem; color: #71717a;">Settings save automatically when you change them.</p>
         </div>
       </div>
     </div>

extension/dashboard.js

@@ -60,38 +60,87 @@ async function fetchState() {
 
 // Load settings
 function loadSettings() {
+  settingsLoading = true;
   chrome.storage.local.get(SETTINGS_KEY, (result) => {
     settings = result[SETTINGS_KEY] || {};
     updateSettingsUI();
+    settingsLoading = false;
   });
 }
 
+const EXAMPLES_URL = 'http://127.0.0.1:4173/';
+let settingsSaveTimer = null;
+let settingsLoading = false;
+
 // Update settings UI
 function updateSettingsUI() {
   $('toggleNotify').classList.toggle('active', settings.notifyOnDisconnect === true);
   $('toggleDebug').classList.toggle('active', settings.debug === true);
   $('toggleDisableFileUrls')?.classList.toggle('active', settings.disableOnFileUrls === true);
+  $('toggleExamplesServer')?.classList.toggle('active', settings.examplesServerEnabled === true);
   $('defaultAppName').value = settings.defaultAppName || 'bridge-swarm';
   $('defaultMaxPeers').value = settings.defaultMaxPeers || '';
   $('defaultRequestTimeoutMs').value = settings.defaultRequestTimeoutMs || '';
   $('readyTimeoutMs').value = settings.readyTimeoutMs || '';
+  updateExamplesServerPanel();
 }
 
-// Save settings
+function updateExamplesServerPanel() {
-function saveSettings() {
+  const panel = $('examplesServerPanel');
+  const enabled = settings.examplesServerEnabled === true;
+  if (panel) panel.style.display = enabled ? 'block' : 'none';
+  const urlEl = $('examplesServerUrl');
+  const statusEl = $('examplesServerStatus');
+  if (urlEl) urlEl.textContent = EXAMPLES_URL;
+  if (!enabled) {
+    if (statusEl) statusEl.textContent = 'Off';
+    return;
+  }
+  if (statusEl) statusEl.textContent = 'Starting…';
+  chrome.runtime.sendMessage(
+    { target: 'bridge-swarm-native', action: 'examplesServerStatus' },
+    (res) => {
+      if (chrome.runtime.lastError) {
+        if (statusEl) statusEl.textContent = chrome.runtime.lastError.message;
+        return;
+      }
+      if (!res) {
+        if (statusEl) statusEl.textContent = 'No response';
+        return;
+      }
+      if (urlEl && res.url) urlEl.textContent = res.url;
+      if (!statusEl) return;
+      if (res.error) statusEl.textContent = res.error;
+      else if (res.running) statusEl.textContent = 'Running at ' + (res.url || EXAMPLES_URL);
+      else if (res.enabled) statusEl.textContent = 'Enabled — waiting for native host…';
+      else statusEl.textContent = 'Off';
+    }
+  );
+}
+
+// Save settings (autosave)
+function saveSettings(quiet) {
   settings.notifyOnDisconnect = $('toggleNotify').classList.contains('active');
   settings.debug = $('toggleDebug').classList.contains('active');
   settings.disableOnFileUrls = $('toggleDisableFileUrls')?.classList.contains('active') || false;
+  settings.examplesServerEnabled = $('toggleExamplesServer')?.classList.contains('active') || false;
   settings.defaultAppName = $('defaultAppName').value || 'bridge-swarm';
   settings.defaultMaxPeers = parseInt($('defaultMaxPeers').value) || 0;
   settings.defaultRequestTimeoutMs = parseInt($('defaultRequestTimeoutMs').value) || 0;
   settings.readyTimeoutMs = parseInt($('readyTimeoutMs').value) || 0;
 
   chrome.storage.local.set({ [SETTINGS_KEY]: settings }, () => {
-    log('Settings saved');
+    if (!quiet) log('Settings saved');
+    updateExamplesServerPanel();
   });
 }
 
+function scheduleSaveSettings() {
+  if (settingsLoading) return;
+  clearTimeout(settingsSaveTimer);
+  settingsSaveTimer = setTimeout(() => saveSettings(true), 250);
+}
+
 // Update dashboard
 function updateDashboard(state) {
   currentState = state;
@@ -261,15 +310,35 @@ function setupEvents() {
   // Refresh button
   $('refreshBtn').addEventListener('click', refresh);
   
-  // Toggle switches
+  // Toggle switches — autosave on change
   document.querySelectorAll('.toggle').forEach(toggle => {
     toggle.addEventListener('click', () => {
       toggle.classList.toggle('active');
+      scheduleSaveSettings();
     });
   });
 
-  // Save settings
+  ['defaultAppName', 'defaultMaxPeers', 'defaultRequestTimeoutMs', 'readyTimeoutMs'].forEach((id) => {
-  $('btnSaveSettings').addEventListener('click', saveSettings);
+    const el = $(id);
+    if (!el) return;
+    el.addEventListener('change', scheduleSaveSettings);
+    el.addEventListener('input', scheduleSaveSettings);
+  });
+
+  $('btnOpenExamples')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
+    const url = $('examplesServerUrl')?.textContent || EXAMPLES_URL;
+    chrome.tabs.create({ url });
+  });
+
+  $('btnCopyExamplesUrl')?.addEventListener('click', async () => {
+    const url = $('examplesServerUrl')?.textContent || EXAMPLES_URL;
+    try {
+      await navigator.clipboard.writeText(url);
+      log('Examples URL copied');
+    } catch (_) {
+      log('Could not copy examples URL');
+    }
+  });
   
   // Logs functionality
   let logs = [];

extension/manifest.json

@@ -36,7 +36,9 @@
         "protomux-bundle.js",
         "defaults.js",
         "dashboard.html",
-        "dashboard.js"
+        "dashboard.js",
+        "examples/*",
+        "examples/**/*"
       ],
       "matches": [
         "<all_urls>"

extension/manifest_firefox.json

@@ -35,7 +35,9 @@
         "protomux-bundle.js",
         "defaults.js",
         "dashboard.html",
-        "dashboard.js"
+        "dashboard.js",
+        "examples/*",
+        "examples/**/*"
       ],
       "matches": [
         "<all_urls>"

extension/options.html

@@ -75,11 +75,30 @@
     }
     .toast.show { opacity: 1; }
     .toast.err { color: #f7768e; }
+    .examples-panel {
+      margin-top: 0.75rem;
+      padding: 0.75rem 0.9rem;
+      background: #24283b;
+      border: 1px solid #3b4261;
+      border-radius: 8px;
+    }
+    .examples-panel[hidden] { display: none !important; }
+    .examples-url {
+      font-family: ui-monospace, SFMono-Regular, Menlo, monospace;
+      font-size: 0.9rem;
+      color: #7aa2f7;
+      word-break: break-all;
+    }
+    .examples-status { font-size: 0.8rem; color: #565f89; margin: 0.4rem 0 0.75rem; }
+    .examples-status.ok { color: #9ece6a; }
+    .examples-status.err { color: #f7768e; }
+    .examples-actions { display: flex; gap: 0.5rem; flex-wrap: wrap; }
+    .autosave-hint { font-size: 0.8rem; color: #565f89; margin-top: 0.25rem; }
   </style>
 </head>
 <body>
   <h1>BridgeSwarm</h1>
-  <p class="sub">Extension settings. Changes apply to new swarms and requests.</p>
+  <p class="sub">Extension settings. Changes save automatically and apply to new swarms and requests.</p>
   
   <p style="margin-bottom: 1.5rem;">
     <a href="dashboard.html" target="_blank" style="color: #7aa2f7; text-decoration: none; display: inline-flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem;">
@@ -145,6 +164,25 @@
     </div>
   </section>
 
+  <section>
+    <h2>Examples</h2>
+    <div class="field">
+      <div class="checkbox-row">
+        <input type="checkbox" id="examplesServerEnabled" aria-describedby="examplesHint">
+        <label for="examplesServerEnabled">Enable examples server</label>
+      </div>
+      <p class="hint" id="examplesHint">Starts a local HTTP server (via the native host) that serves the bundled demos. Open the URL below in a normal tab so BridgeSwarm can inject.</p>
+      <div class="examples-panel" id="examplesPanel" hidden>
+        <div>Open: <a class="examples-url" id="examplesUrl" href="http://127.0.0.1:4173/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://127.0.0.1:4173/</a></div>
+        <p class="examples-status" id="examplesStatus">Off</p>
+        <div class="examples-actions">
+          <button type="button" class="primary" id="btnOpenExamples">Open examples</button>
+          <button type="button" class="secondary" id="btnCopyExamplesUrl">Copy URL</button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  </section>
+
   <section>
     <h2>Debug</h2>
     <div class="field">
@@ -157,10 +195,10 @@
   </section>
 
   <div class="actions">
-    <button type="button" class="primary" id="btnSave">Save</button>
     <button type="button" class="secondary" id="btnReset">Reset to defaults</button>
     <span class="toast" id="toast"></span>
   </div>
+  <p class="autosave-hint">Settings save as you change them.</p>
 
   <script src="options.js"></script>
 </body>

extension/options.js

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 (function () {
   const browser = typeof chrome !== 'undefined' && chrome.storage ? chrome : typeof browser !== 'undefined' ? browser : chrome;
   const KEY = 'bridgeSwarmSettings';
+  const EXAMPLES_URL = 'http://127.0.0.1:4173/';
   const DEFAULTS = {
     defaultAppName: 'bridge-swarm',
     defaultRequestTimeoutMs: 0,
@@ -8,7 +9,8 @@
     readyTimeoutMs: 0,
     disableOnFileUrls: false,
     notifyOnDisconnect: false,
-    debug: false
+    debug: false,
+    examplesServerEnabled: false,
   };
 
   const defaultAppNameEl = document.getElementById('defaultAppName');
@@ -18,10 +20,18 @@
   const disableOnFileUrlsEl = document.getElementById('disableOnFileUrls');
   const notifyOnDisconnectEl = document.getElementById('notifyOnDisconnect');
   const debugEl = document.getElementById('debug');
-  const btnSave = document.getElementById('btnSave');
+  const examplesServerEnabledEl = document.getElementById('examplesServerEnabled');
+  const examplesPanelEl = document.getElementById('examplesPanel');
+  const examplesUrlEl = document.getElementById('examplesUrl');
+  const examplesStatusEl = document.getElementById('examplesStatus');
+  const btnOpenExamples = document.getElementById('btnOpenExamples');
+  const btnCopyExamplesUrl = document.getElementById('btnCopyExamplesUrl');
   const btnReset = document.getElementById('btnReset');
   const toastEl = document.getElementById('toast');
 
+  let saveTimer = null;
+  let loading = false;
+
   function showToast(msg, isError) {
     toastEl.textContent = msg;
     toastEl.className = 'toast show' + (isError ? ' err' : '');
@@ -31,16 +41,69 @@
     }, 2500);
   }
 
+  function updateExamplesPanel() {
+    const on = examplesServerEnabledEl.checked;
+    examplesPanelEl.hidden = !on;
+    examplesUrlEl.textContent = EXAMPLES_URL;
+    examplesUrlEl.href = EXAMPLES_URL;
+    if (!on) {
+      examplesStatusEl.textContent = 'Off';
+      examplesStatusEl.className = 'examples-status';
+      return;
+    }
+    examplesStatusEl.textContent = 'Starting…';
+    examplesStatusEl.className = 'examples-status';
+    browser.runtime.sendMessage(
+      { target: 'bridge-swarm-native', action: 'examplesServerStatus' },
+      function (res) {
+        if (browser.runtime.lastError) {
+          examplesStatusEl.textContent = browser.runtime.lastError.message;
+          examplesStatusEl.className = 'examples-status err';
+          return;
+        }
+        if (!res) {
+          examplesStatusEl.textContent = 'No response from background';
+          examplesStatusEl.className = 'examples-status err';
+          return;
+        }
+        if (res.error) {
+          examplesStatusEl.textContent = res.error;
+          examplesStatusEl.className = 'examples-status err';
+          return;
+        }
+        if (res.running) {
+          examplesStatusEl.textContent = 'Running at ' + (res.url || EXAMPLES_URL);
+          examplesStatusEl.className = 'examples-status ok';
+        } else if (res.enabled) {
+          examplesStatusEl.textContent = 'Enabled — waiting for native host…';
+          examplesStatusEl.className = 'examples-status';
+        } else {
+          examplesStatusEl.textContent = 'Off';
+          examplesStatusEl.className = 'examples-status';
+        }
+        if (res.url) {
+          examplesUrlEl.textContent = res.url;
+          examplesUrlEl.href = res.url;
+        }
+      }
+    );
+  }
+
   function load() {
+    loading = true;
     browser.storage.local.get(KEY, function (result) {
       const s = result[KEY] || {};
       defaultAppNameEl.value = s.defaultAppName != null ? s.defaultAppName : DEFAULTS.defaultAppName;
-      defaultRequestTimeoutMsEl.value = s.defaultRequestTimeoutMs != null ? s.defaultRequestTimeoutMs : DEFAULTS.defaultRequestTimeoutMs;
+      defaultRequestTimeoutMsEl.value =
+        s.defaultRequestTimeoutMs != null ? s.defaultRequestTimeoutMs : DEFAULTS.defaultRequestTimeoutMs;
       defaultMaxPeersEl.value = s.defaultMaxPeers != null ? s.defaultMaxPeers : DEFAULTS.defaultMaxPeers;
       readyTimeoutMsEl.value = s.readyTimeoutMs != null ? s.readyTimeoutMs : DEFAULTS.readyTimeoutMs;
       disableOnFileUrlsEl.checked = s.disableOnFileUrls === true;
       notifyOnDisconnectEl.checked = s.notifyOnDisconnect === true;
       debugEl.checked = s.debug === true;
+      examplesServerEnabledEl.checked = s.examplesServerEnabled === true;
+      loading = false;
+      updateExamplesPanel();
     });
   }
 
@@ -76,11 +139,12 @@
       readyTimeoutMs: readyTimeout,
       disableOnFileUrls: disableOnFileUrlsEl.checked,
       notifyOnDisconnect: notifyOnDisconnectEl.checked,
-      debug: debugEl.checked
+      debug: debugEl.checked,
+      examplesServerEnabled: examplesServerEnabledEl.checked,
     };
   }
 
-  btnSave.addEventListener('click', function () {
+  function saveNow(quiet) {
     const s = validate();
     if (!s) return;
     browser.storage.local.set({ [KEY]: s }, function () {
@@ -88,8 +152,53 @@
         showToast('Save failed: ' + browser.runtime.lastError.message, true);
         return;
       }
-      showToast('Saved.');
+      if (!quiet) showToast('Saved.');
+      updateExamplesPanel();
     });
+  }
+
+  function scheduleSave() {
+    if (loading) return;
+    clearTimeout(saveTimer);
+    saveTimer = setTimeout(function () {
+      saveNow(true);
+    }, 250);
+  }
+
+  const inputs = [
+    defaultAppNameEl,
+    defaultRequestTimeoutMsEl,
+    defaultMaxPeersEl,
+    readyTimeoutMsEl,
+    disableOnFileUrlsEl,
+    notifyOnDisconnectEl,
+    debugEl,
+    examplesServerEnabledEl,
+  ];
+  for (const el of inputs) {
+    el.addEventListener('change', scheduleSave);
+    if (el.tagName === 'INPUT' && (el.type === 'text' || el.type === 'number')) {
+      el.addEventListener('input', scheduleSave);
+    }
+  }
+
+  examplesServerEnabledEl.addEventListener('change', function () {
+    updateExamplesPanel();
+  });
+
+  btnOpenExamples.addEventListener('click', function () {
+    const url = examplesUrlEl.href || EXAMPLES_URL;
+    browser.tabs.create({ url: url });
+  });
+
+  btnCopyExamplesUrl.addEventListener('click', async function () {
+    const url = examplesUrlEl.textContent || EXAMPLES_URL;
+    try {
+      await navigator.clipboard.writeText(url);
+      showToast('URL copied.');
+    } catch (_) {
+      showToast('Could not copy URL.', true);
+    }
   });
 
   btnReset.addEventListener('click', function () {
@@ -100,12 +209,14 @@
     disableOnFileUrlsEl.checked = DEFAULTS.disableOnFileUrls;
     notifyOnDisconnectEl.checked = DEFAULTS.notifyOnDisconnect;
     debugEl.checked = DEFAULTS.debug;
-    browser.storage.local.set({ [KEY]: DEFAULTS }, function () {
+    examplesServerEnabledEl.checked = DEFAULTS.examplesServerEnabled;
+    browser.storage.local.set({ [KEY]: Object.assign({}, DEFAULTS) }, function () {
       if (browser.runtime.lastError) {
         showToast('Reset failed: ' + browser.runtime.lastError.message, true);
         return;
       }
       showToast('Reset to defaults.');
+      updateExamplesPanel();
     });
   });
 

native-host/examples-server.js

@@ -0,0 +1,210 @@
+/**
+ * Local static HTTP server for BridgeSwarm examples (127.0.0.1).
+ * Started/stopped via native messaging (examplesServer.start / stop / status).
+ */
+
+const http = require('bare-http1');
+const fs = require('bare-fs');
+const path = require('bare-path');
+
+const DEFAULT_HOST = '127.0.0.1';
+const DEFAULT_PORT = 4173;
+
+const MIME = {
+  '.html': 'text/html; charset=utf-8',
+  '.js': 'text/javascript; charset=utf-8',
+  '.mjs': 'text/javascript; charset=utf-8',
+  '.css': 'text/css; charset=utf-8',
+  '.json': 'application/json; charset=utf-8',
+  '.svg': 'image/svg+xml',
+  '.png': 'image/png',
+  '.jpg': 'image/jpeg',
+  '.jpeg': 'image/jpeg',
+  '.gif': 'image/gif',
+  '.webp': 'image/webp',
+  '.ico': 'image/x-icon',
+  '.woff': 'font/woff',
+  '.woff2': 'font/woff2',
+  '.map': 'application/json',
+  '.txt': 'text/plain; charset=utf-8',
+  '.md': 'text/markdown; charset=utf-8',
+};
+
+/** @type {import('bare-http1').Server | null} */
+let server = null;
+let boundHost = DEFAULT_HOST;
+let boundPort = DEFAULT_PORT;
+let examplesRoot = null;
+
+function exists(p) {
+  try {
+    return fs.existsSync(p);
+  } catch (_) {
+    return false;
+  }
+}
+
+function resolveExamplesRoot() {
+  if (process.env.BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR) {
+    return path.resolve(process.env.BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR);
+  }
+
+  const candidates = [];
+  if (process.env.BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE) {
+    candidates.push(path.join(path.dirname(process.env.BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE), 'examples'));
+  }
+  candidates.push(path.join(process.cwd(), 'examples'));
+  candidates.push(path.join(__dirname, 'examples'));
+  candidates.push(path.join(__dirname, '..', 'examples'));
+
+  for (const dir of candidates) {
+    if (exists(path.join(dir, 'index.html'))) return dir;
+  }
+  return null;
+}
+
+function safeJoin(root, urlPath) {
+  const decoded = decodeURIComponent((urlPath || '/').split('?')[0]);
+  const cleaned = path.normalize(decoded).replace(/^(\.\.[/\\])+/, '');
+  const full = path.join(root, cleaned);
+  const rootNorm = path.resolve(root);
+  const fullNorm = path.resolve(full);
+  if (fullNorm !== rootNorm && !fullNorm.startsWith(rootNorm + path.sep)) return null;
+  return fullNorm;
+}
+
+function contentType(filePath) {
+  const ext = path.extname(filePath).toLowerCase();
+  return MIME[ext] || 'application/octet-stream';
+}
+
+function send(res, status, body, headers = {}) {
+  const buf = typeof body === 'string' ? Buffer.from(body) : body;
+  res.statusCode = status;
+  res.setHeader('Cache-Control', 'no-store');
+  for (const [name, value] of Object.entries(headers)) {
+    res.setHeader(name, value);
+  }
+  res.end(buf);
+}
+
+function handleRequest(req, res) {
+  const root = examplesRoot;
+  if (!root) {
+    send(res, 503, 'Examples not found on disk');
+    return;
+  }
+
+  let urlPath = req.url || '/';
+  if (urlPath === '/') urlPath = '/index.html';
+
+  const filePath = safeJoin(root, urlPath);
+  if (!filePath) {
+    send(res, 403, 'Forbidden');
+    return;
+  }
+
+  let st;
+  try {
+    st = fs.statSync(filePath);
+  } catch (_) {
+    send(res, 404, 'Not found');
+    return;
+  }
+
+  let target = filePath;
+  if (st.isDirectory()) {
+    target = path.join(filePath, 'index.html');
+    if (!exists(target)) {
+      send(res, 404, 'Not found');
+      return;
+    }
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const data = fs.readFileSync(target);
+    send(res, 200, data, { 'Content-Type': contentType(target) });
+  } catch (_) {
+    send(res, 404, 'Not found');
+  }
+}
+
+function status() {
+  const root = examplesRoot || resolveExamplesRoot();
+  const url = server ? `http://${boundHost}:${boundPort}/` : null;
+  return {
+    ok: true,
+    running: !!server,
+    url,
+    host: boundHost,
+    port: boundPort,
+    root: root || null,
+    rootFound: !!(root && exists(path.join(root, 'index.html'))),
+  };
+}
+
+function start(opts = {}) {
+  if (server) {
+    return { ...status(), ok: true };
+  }
+
+  const root = resolveExamplesRoot();
+  if (!root) {
+    return {
+      ok: false,
+      error:
+        'Examples directory not found. Reinstall BridgeSwarm or set BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR.',
+      running: false,
+      url: null,
+      root: null,
+      rootFound: false,
+    };
+  }
+
+  examplesRoot = root;
+  boundHost = typeof opts.host === 'string' && opts.host ? opts.host : DEFAULT_HOST;
+  boundPort = typeof opts.port === 'number' && opts.port > 0 ? opts.port : DEFAULT_PORT;
+
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    const s = http.createServer(handleRequest);
+    const onError = (err) => {
+      s.removeListener('listening', onListening);
+      server = null;
+      resolve({
+        ok: false,
+        error: err.message || String(err),
+        running: false,
+        url: null,
+        host: boundHost,
+        port: boundPort,
+        root: examplesRoot,
+        rootFound: true,
+      });
+    };
+    const onListening = () => {
+      s.removeListener('error', onError);
+      server = s;
+      resolve({ ...status(), ok: true });
+    };
+    s.once('error', onError);
+    s.once('listening', onListening);
+    s.listen(boundPort, boundHost);
+  });
+}
+
+function stop() {
+  if (!server) {
+    return Promise.resolve({ ...status(), ok: true, running: false, url: null });
+  }
+  const s = server;
+  server = null;
+  return new Promise((resolve) => {
+    try {
+      s.close(() => resolve({ ...status(), ok: true, running: false, url: null }));
+    } catch (_) {
+      resolve({ ...status(), ok: true, running: false, url: null });
+    }
+  });
+}
+
+module.exports = { start, stop, status, resolveExamplesRoot, DEFAULT_HOST, DEFAULT_PORT };

native-host/host.js

@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ const minimalDefinition = require('./hyperdb-minimal-definition.js');
 const b4a = require('b4a');
 const capabilities = require('./capabilities/registry.js');
 const { getStorageRoot } = require('./capabilities/paths.js');
+const examplesServer = require('./examples-server.js');
 
 // File-based logging
 const LOG_FILE = path.join(__dirname, 'bridge-swarm.log');
@@ -1183,6 +1184,19 @@ async function handleMessageAsync(send, msg) {
         break;
       }
 
+      case 'examplesServer.start': {
+        reply(await examplesServer.start(payload || {}));
+        break;
+      }
+      case 'examplesServer.stop': {
+        reply(await examplesServer.stop());
+        break;
+      }
+      case 'examplesServer.status': {
+        reply(examplesServer.status());
+        break;
+      }
+
       case 'capabilities.list': {
         reply({ ok: true, packs: capabilities.listPackIds() });
         break;
@@ -1264,6 +1278,9 @@ async function handleMessageAsync(send, msg) {
 }
 
 function cleanup() {
+  try {
+    examplesServer.stop().catch(() => {});
+  } catch (_) {}
   try {
     const mediaPack = capabilities.getPack('media');
     if (mediaPack && typeof mediaPack.cleanup === 'function') mediaPack.cleanup();

native-host/package-lock.json

@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
         "bare-fetch": "^3.2.0",
         "bare-ffmpeg": "^1.5.0",
         "bare-fs": "^4.7.4",
+        "bare-http1": "^4.5.7",
         "bare-media": "^2.10.1",
         "bare-module": "^6.4.0",
         "bare-path": "^3.1.1",

native-host/package.json

@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@
     "bare-fetch": "^3.2.0",
     "bare-ffmpeg": "^1.5.0",
     "bare-fs": "^4.7.4",
+    "bare-http1": "^4.5.7",
     "bare-media": "^2.10.1",
     "bare-module": "^6.4.0",
     "bare-path": "^3.1.1",

package.json

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@
     "build:hyperdb": "node scripts/build-hyperdb.js",
     "build": "npm run build:host && npm run build:protomux && npm run build:hrpc && npm run build:hyperdb",
     "pack": "node scripts/pack-extension.js",
+    "sync:examples": "node scripts/sync-examples.js",
     "examples": "node scripts/serve-examples.js",
     "repair:macos": "bash scripts/repair-macos-codesign.sh",
     "build:dist": "node scripts/build-distributable.js",

scripts/build-distributable.js

@@ -280,6 +280,12 @@ async function createZipArchives(builtEntries) {
     }
   }
 
+  const examplesDir = path.join(NATIVE_HOST_DIR, 'examples');
+  if (!fs.existsSync(path.join(examplesDir, 'index.html'))) {
+    console.log('  Syncing examples for host packages...');
+    execSync('node scripts/sync-examples.js', { cwd: ROOT, stdio: 'inherit' });
+  }
+
   for (const [host, file] of byHost) {
     const zipName = `${HOST_NAME}-${host}.zip`;
     const zipPath = path.join(RELEASES_DIR, zipName);
@@ -295,6 +301,9 @@ async function createZipArchives(builtEntries) {
       } else {
         archive.file(file, { name: path.basename(file) });
       }
+      if (fs.existsSync(path.join(examplesDir, 'index.html'))) {
+        archive.directory(examplesDir, 'examples');
+      }
       archive.finalize();
     });
 
@@ -311,6 +320,9 @@ async function createZipArchives(builtEntries) {
 async function build(hosts, doPackage) {
   patchBareBuildSignForLinux();
 
+  console.log('Syncing examples into native-host...');
+  execSync('node scripts/sync-examples.js', { cwd: ROOT, stdio: 'inherit' });
+
   // Ensure HRPC spec is mirrored into native-host before packing
   console.log('Building HRPC spec...');
   execSync('npm run build:hrpc', { cwd: ROOT, stdio: 'inherit' });

scripts/install-from-source.sh

@@ -67,6 +67,9 @@ if [[ ! -f "$EXT_DIR/manifest.json" ]]; then
   exit 1
 fi
 
+echo "  Syncing examples into extension + native-host..."
+node "$REPO_ROOT/scripts/sync-examples.js"
+
 if command -v pbcopy >/dev/null 2>&1; then
   echo "$EXT_DIR" | pbcopy
 elif command -v xclip >/dev/null 2>&1; then

scripts/install-host.sh

@@ -13,6 +13,9 @@ else
   echo "  node_modules exists, skipping npm install"
 fi
 
+echo "Syncing examples into extension and native-host..."
+node "$REPO_ROOT/scripts/sync-examples.js" || true
+
 # Prefer Bare bundled with native-host (npm package `bare` → bare-runtime).
 BARE_PATH=""
 LOCAL_BARE="$HOST_DIR/node_modules/bare/bin/bare"

scripts/install.ps1

@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ $Bat = @"
 @echo off
 set "DIR=%~dp0"
 if not defined BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE set "BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE=%DIR%bridge-swarm-storage"
+if not defined BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR set "BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR=%DIR%examples"
 "%DIR%bridge-swarm-host.exe" %*
 "@
 Set-Content -Path $Launcher -Value $Bat -Encoding ASCII

scripts/install.sh

@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ if [[ "$PLATFORM" == "darwin" ]]; then
   printf '%s\n' '<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>' '<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">' '<plist version="1.0"><dict><key>com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation</key><true/></dict></plist>' > "$ENTITLEMENTS_PLIST"
   codesign --force --sign - --entitlements "$ENTITLEMENTS_PLIST" "$HOST_BIN" 2>/dev/null || true
 
-  printf '%s\n' '#!/bin/bash' 'DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"' 'export TMPDIR="${DIR}/tmp"' 'export BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE="${BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE:-${DIR}/bridge-swarm-storage}"' 'exec "${DIR}/bridge-swarm-host" "$@"' > "$LAUNCHER"
+  printf '%s\n' '#!/bin/bash' 'DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"' 'export TMPDIR="${DIR}/tmp"' 'export BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE="${BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE:-${DIR}/bridge-swarm-storage}"' 'export BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR="${BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR:-${DIR}/examples}"' 'exec "${DIR}/bridge-swarm-host" "$@"' > "$LAUNCHER"
   chmod +x "$LAUNCHER"
   HOST_BIN="$LAUNCHER"
 
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ if [[ "$PLATFORM" == "darwin" ]]; then
   fi
   echo "  Signed ${SIGNED} native addons; main binary has library-validation disabled"
 else
-  printf '%s\n' '#!/bin/bash' 'DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"' 'export BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE="${BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE:-${DIR}/bridge-swarm-storage}"' 'exec "${DIR}/bridge-swarm-host" "$@"' > "$LAUNCHER"
+  printf '%s\n' '#!/bin/bash' 'DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"' 'export BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE="${BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE:-${DIR}/bridge-swarm-storage}"' 'export BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR="${BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR:-${DIR}/examples}"' 'exec "${DIR}/bridge-swarm-host" "$@"' > "$LAUNCHER"
   chmod +x "$LAUNCHER"
   HOST_BIN="$LAUNCHER"
   echo "Installing native messaging manifest..."

scripts/pack-extension.js

@@ -89,6 +89,9 @@ async function main() {
   const version = getVersion();
   console.log('BridgeSwarm version from manifest:', version);
 
+  console.log('Syncing examples into extension...');
+  execSync('node scripts/sync-examples.js', { cwd: REPO_ROOT, stdio: 'inherit' });
+
   console.log('Running npm run build:protomux...');
   execSync('npm run build:protomux', { cwd: REPO_ROOT, stdio: 'inherit' });
 

scripts/repair-macos-codesign.sh

@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ ENTITLEMENTS_PLIST="$INSTALL_DIR/entitlements.plist"
 printf '%s\n' '<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>' '<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">' '<plist version="1.0"><dict><key>com.apple.security.cs.disable-library-validation</key><true/></dict></plist>' > "$ENTITLEMENTS_PLIST"
 codesign --force --sign - --entitlements "$ENTITLEMENTS_PLIST" "$HOST_BIN" || true
 
-printf '%s\n' '#!/bin/bash' 'DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"' 'export TMPDIR="${DIR}/tmp"' 'export BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE="${BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE:-${DIR}/bridge-swarm-storage}"' 'exec "${DIR}/bridge-swarm-host" "$@"' > "$LAUNCHER"
+printf '%s\n' '#!/bin/bash' 'DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "$0")" && pwd)"' 'export TMPDIR="${DIR}/tmp"' 'export BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE="${BRIDGE_SWARM_STORAGE:-${DIR}/bridge-swarm-storage}"' 'export BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR="${BRIDGESWARM_EXAMPLES_DIR:-${DIR}/examples}"' 'exec "${DIR}/bridge-swarm-host" "$@"' > "$LAUNCHER"
 chmod +x "$LAUNCHER"
 
 echo "Extracting addons into $INSTALL_DIR/tmp ..."

scripts/serve-examples.js

@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
  * Modern Chrome/Firefox treat each file:// URL as a unique opaque origin, which
  * breaks local HTML demos (scripts, styles, extension injection).
  *
+ * Prefer the extension Settings toggle ("Enable examples server") which starts
+ * the same URL via the native host. This script is for repo/dev use without that.
+ *
  * Usage: npm run examples
  *        node scripts/serve-examples.js [port]
  */

scripts/sync-examples.js

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env node
+/**
+ * Copy repo examples/ into the extension (and optionally native-host) so they
+ * ship with packed builds. Source of truth remains examples/ at the repo root.
+ *
+ * Usage: node scripts/sync-examples.js
+ */
+'use strict';
+
+const fs = require('fs');
+const path = require('path');
+
+const REPO_ROOT = path.resolve(__dirname, '..');
+const SRC = path.join(REPO_ROOT, 'examples');
+const DESTINATIONS = [
+  path.join(REPO_ROOT, 'extension', 'examples'),
+  path.join(REPO_ROOT, 'native-host', 'examples'),
+];
+
+function rmrf(dir) {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(dir)) return;
+  fs.rmSync(dir, { recursive: true, force: true });
+}
+
+function copyDir(src, dest) {
+  fs.mkdirSync(dest, { recursive: true });
+  for (const entry of fs.readdirSync(src, { withFileTypes: true })) {
+    if (entry.name === '.DS_Store') continue;
+    const from = path.join(src, entry.name);
+    const to = path.join(dest, entry.name);
+    if (entry.isDirectory()) {
+      copyDir(from, to);
+    } else {
+      fs.copyFileSync(from, to);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+function main() {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(path.join(SRC, 'index.html'))) {
+    throw new Error('examples/index.html missing — nothing to sync');
+  }
+
+  for (const dest of DESTINATIONS) {
+    rmrf(dest);
+    copyDir(SRC, dest);
+    console.log('Synced examples →', path.relative(REPO_ROOT, dest));
+  }
+}
+
+main();