Documentation Update Summary

Date: October 15, 2025
Branch: logging

New Documentation Created

1. Bug Fix Documentation System

Location: docs/bugfix/

Created a comprehensive system for documenting significant bug fixes:

  • docs/bugfix/README.md - Complete guidelines and template for bug fix documentation
  • docs/bugfix/2025-10/vhs-video-not-playing.md - Documented VHS loading video bug fix
  • .github/BUG_FIX_DOCUMENTATION_PROMPT.md - Template for prompting documentation after fixes
  • docs/BUG_FIX_SYSTEM.md - Overview of the entire bug fix documentation system

Purpose: Preserve knowledge from debugging significant issues, help future developers, prevent regressions.

2. Server Implementation Documentation

Location: docs/server-implementation.md

Comprehensive documentation of the Node.js server:

  • Why we switched from nginx to Node.js (pros/cons)
  • Complete code explanations (logging endpoint, range requests, MIME types)
  • Environment configuration with envsubst
  • Logging system architecture (browser → server → Docker logs)
  • Testing commands and troubleshooting
  • Performance considerations and future improvements

Purpose: Explain the server.js architecture, HTTP Range Request support, and logging implementation.

3. Troubleshooting Guide

Location: docs/troubleshooting.md

Complete troubleshooting guide covering:

  • Channels not loading (environment variables, CORS, network)
  • Video not playing (HLS streams, browser compatibility)
  • Loading VHS video issues (with reference to bug fix)
  • EPG not showing (XMLTV parsing)
  • Docker issues (ports, rebuilds, logs)
  • Performance problems
  • Browser console errors with explanations
  • Quick diagnostic checklist

Purpose: Help users quickly resolve common issues.

4. Updated Existing Documentation

Files Updated:

  • docs/index.md - Reorganized with sections for Getting Started, Technical Documentation, and Resources
  • docs/development.md - Added comprehensive bug fix documentation section with template and process
  • docs/usage.md - Updated sample log output with actual Docker log entries
  • README.md - Reorganized documentation links with better categorization

Documentation Structure 

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docs/
├── index.md                       # Documentation hub with organized links
├── installation.md                # Existing installation guide
├── usage.md                       # Updated with real log samples
├── development.md                 # Updated with bug fix documentation process
├── troubleshooting.md             # NEW - Comprehensive troubleshooting
├── server-implementation.md       # NEW - Server.js architecture
├── BUG_FIX_SYSTEM.md             # NEW - Bug fix system overview
├── bugfix/                        # NEW - Bug fix documentation directory
│   ├── README.md                  # Bug fix guidelines and template
│   └── 2025-10/                   # Monthly organization
│       └── vhs-video-not-playing.md  # Example bug fix documentation
└── Screenshots/                   # Existing screenshots

.github/
└── BUG_FIX_DOCUMENTATION_PROMPT.md  # NEW - Prompt template for bug fixes

README.md                          # Updated with better doc organization

Key Features of Bug Fix Documentation System

1. Monthly Organization

Bug fixes organized by YYYY-MM/ folders for easy chronological navigation.

2. Comprehensive Template

Each bug fix document includes:

  • Problem Description
  • Root Cause Analysis (step-by-step)
  • The Fix (code with reasoning)
  • Testing Commands (Docker builds with env vars)
  • Verification steps
  • Files Modified
  • Technical Notes (why it occurred)
  • Lessons Learned
  • Future Improvements

3. Pattern Tracking

Common bug patterns documented in docs/bugfix/README.md:

  • Server Feature Parity (nginx → Node.js issues)
  • Future patterns will be added as they emerge

4. Process Integration

Added to docs/development.md:

  • When to document bug fixes
  • How to create documentation
  • Complete template reference
  • Example bug fix link

Usage Examples

Viewing Bug Fix Documentation 

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# View all bug fixes
ls docs/bugfix/

# View specific bug fix
cat docs/bugfix/2025-10/vhs-video-not-playing.md

# View guidelines
cat docs/bugfix/README.md

Creating New Bug Fix Documentation

  1. Create month directory if needed: docs/bugfix/YYYY-MM/
  2. Create new file: docs/bugfix/YYYY-MM/descriptive-name.md
  3. Use template from docs/bugfix/README.md
  4. Include all testing commands with environment variables
  5. Document lessons learned

Accessing Documentation

GitHub:

  • Main README links to all documentation
  • docs/index.md serves as documentation hub
  • Can be hosted on GitHub Pages

Local:

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# View documentation index
cat docs/index.md

# View server implementation
cat docs/server-implementation.md

# View troubleshooting
cat docs/troubleshooting.md

Benefits

1. Knowledge Preservation

  • Debugging insights preserved for future reference
  • Understanding why bugs occurred prevents recurrence
  • New developers learn from past issues

2. Faster Debugging

  • Similar issues resolved quicker with documented solutions
  • Testing commands readily available
  • Common patterns identified

3. Better Code Quality

  • Understanding root causes improves architecture
  • Lessons learned inform future development
  • Prevention strategies documented

4. Team Communication

  • Documented investigations help async collaboration
  • Clear explanations of technical decisions
  • Shared learning across team members

Real-World Example

VHS Video Not Playing Bug Fix

File: docs/bugfix/2025-10/vhs-video-not-playing.md

Problem: Loading VHS video stopped playing after switching from nginx to Node.js server

Root Cause: Missing HTTP Range Request support (RFC 7233)

Documentation Includes:

  • Complete investigation process
  • Why nginx worked but Node.js didn’t
  • Code changes to implement range requests
  • Testing commands with Docker and environment variables
  • Technical explanation of range requests
  • Lessons about server feature parity

Impact: Future developers will immediately know to implement range request support when building custom servers.

Future Enhancements

Potential Additions

  1. Automated bug fix index generation
  2. Search functionality across bug fixes
  3. Integration with CI/CD for prompting documentation
  4. Pattern detection and alerts
  5. Metrics on common bug types

Process Improvements

  1. Template refinement based on usage
  2. Additional example bug fixes
  3. Video tutorials for creating documentation
  4. Automated testing checklist generation

Documentation Standards

All Documentation Should:

  • ✅ Be clear and concise
  • ✅ Include code examples
  • ✅ Provide testing commands
  • ✅ Reference related files
  • ✅ Explain the “why” not just “what”

Bug Fix Documentation Must:

  • ✅ Include complete testing commands with environment variables
  • ✅ Show step-by-step investigation
  • ✅ Document lessons learned
  • ✅ Reference related commits
  • ✅ Explain technical background

Maintenance

Regular Tasks

  • Review and update troubleshooting guide as issues arise
  • Add new bug patterns to docs/bugfix/README.md
  • Update server implementation docs when features change
  • Keep documentation index up to date

Monthly Review

  • Check bug fix documentation for common patterns
  • Update templates based on feedback
  • Consolidate similar issues
  • Archive outdated documentation

Questions or Improvements?

If you have suggestions for improving the documentation system:

  1. Open an issue describing the improvement
  2. Submit a PR with proposed changes
  3. Discuss in team meetings

Documentation is a living system - keep it updated!