Control server #

Run npm ci at the repository root. Start with npm start --workspace control_server, or use start-linux.sh / start-windows.ps1 for detached services. Linux services are transient systemd user units, not boot-time installations.

PORT defaults to 8765; MCP_PORT defaults to 8780. MCP_HOST defaults to loopback. For a private Tailscale forward on Linux:

PORT=8875 MCP_PORT=8880 IPAD_TAILNET_SERVE=1 bash control_server/start-linux.sh

The iPad URL is ws://TAILSCALE_IP:8875/device. Only the control listener needs a Tailscale forward. Stop with systemctl --user stop ipad-control-tailnet ipad-control ipad-mcp.

The state directory stores the input-device secret. Copy the existing secret when moving servers so it matches the flashed board. Keep .state out of Git.

CLI #

Run node control_server/client.js status, screen, send, stop, or computer_use FILE. The computer_use JSON contains coordinateSpace and actions. The low-level move, click and drag CLI commands take absolute coordinates in the 0..32767 HID range.

MCP #

Run npm run mcp --workspace control_server. The endpoint is /mcp and exposes status, get_screen and issue_actions. No starting pointer is needed for coordinates. Point click and move_to use the latest full-screen screenshot dimensions; drag accepts from/to points. Scroll uses signed USB wheel units at the last position.

See PROTOCOL.md for sessions, input limits and request formats.