CCAI : Cloudron Custom App Installer

[timconsidine]

Note : creating a dedicated App Wishlist for the Cloudron Custom App Installer ("CCAI"), to avoid further "hijacking" of @Kubernetes thread in App Packaging forum category.

This app makes it easy for a Cloudron user to install a custom-packaged app without having to clone the repo locally, install docker locally, build the docker image and push to a docker repository, and install Cloudron CLI to make the installation.

This appeals to :

• cloudron users wanting to keep their local device clean of dev utilities
• cloudron users who are not technically comfortable with the manual clone/build/install process

It is not a 1-click install, given the need for user to login to their Cloudron instance, and enter app location, but it's as close as we're going to get.

Latest version v4.1.1 :

• adopts suggestion from @robi to allow list of available custom apps to grow w/o intervention (popup dialogue for user to add a custom app to a list for themselves and others to install)
• tightens the UI to allow more custom apps in the list
• adds Grid or List display mode for known custom apps
• improves page responsive UI for different window widths

git repo : https://git.cloudron.io/timconsidine/cloudron-customapp-installer

home page : https://ccai.appx.uk
This page is left running as a service for Cloudron users wanting to install custom apps in advance of this app (or another Cloudron-supported version) making it into the App Store.

concept video : https://ccai-demo.appx.uk (but video needs an update for latest version UI and usage flow)

NB : the ability for an app packager to add their own custom app to the list without the site admin's involvement reinforces the NEED FOR CAUTION ON INSTALLING CUSTOM APPS.

• Check the app's reputation in the Cloudron forum
• Check the app packager reputation in the Cloudron forum.

TODO :

• add optional keep me logged in for 15 minutes to allow the user to install multiple custom apps without repeatedly logging in to their Cloudron instance.
• update the concept video for latest UI and usage flow

DISCLAIMER :

• this app inherently carries some risks that a poorly-packaged app mucks up a Cloudron instance. However Cloudron's app-isolation principles mitigate this to a large degree.
• nevertheless, only use this app if you understand and accept the risks
• for these reasons, it is understandable that Cloudron may or may not want this kind of app in the AppStore
• [@]staff or any developer are welcome to fork or re-write this app to improve it and address these issues

[timconsidine]

Updated to v4.2.0 :

• user session persists for 15 minutes to allow multiple installs, then automatically cleared (addresses user walking away), or logs out if user presses logout button
• N.B. this is a change from initial approach of auto-logout after an app installation
• fixed support for multiple concurrent users

Repo updated

TODO :

• update video walkthrough for new app flow

[luckow]

Yesterday, I tried out CCAI. Nice approach. Simple, flawless, straightforward. After installing CCAI on my own Cloudron instance, I noticed a discrepancy between the "App Catalog" on your instance and mine. What is your roadmap for synchronizing the catalog across all installed CCAI apps?

[timconsidine]

@luckow if CCAI is installed in another location, the app catalog will currently diverge as the data is drawn from /app/data/apps-config.json.

TBH I did not think about a “central” catalogue but that’s a nice idea as an option.
Let me think about how to implement.
Maybe a “Sync Catalogue” button.
But one-way or two-way ?
Maybe one way to start.