ShowStack

Modern production management software for live entertainment

ShowStack is a comprehensive suite of tools designed for lighting designers, production electricians, and entertainment professionals. This repository contains the ShowStack:Production module - a modern alternative to LightWright 6.

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🎯 Project Overview

ShowStack:Production is a desktop application (Electron) for managing lighting plots, power distribution, and production paperwork. It provides:

• ✅ Virtual spreadsheet interface handling 10,000+ fixtures
• ✅ Real-time collaboration (optional cloud sync)
• ✅ ETC Eos console integration (OSC)
• ✅ Vectorworks import/export with reconciliation
• ✅ Professional label printing (Dymo, Brother, Zebra)
• ✅ Power & DMX management with error checking
• ✅ Custom paperwork generation with branding

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📁 Repository Structure

showstack/
├── docs/                   # Documentation
│   ├── technical-spec.md   # Complete technical specification
│   ├── pricing.md          # Pricing strategy & competitive analysis
│   └── dev-setup.md        # Development environment setup
│
├── proof-of-concept/       # Working POC of virtual data grid
│   ├── src/
│   ├── package.json
│   └── README.md
│
├── src/                    # Main application (TBD - Phase 1)
│   ├── main/              # Electron main process
│   ├── renderer/          # React application
│   └── preload/           # Preload scripts
│
├── .github/
│   └── workflows/         # CI/CD pipelines
│
├── LICENSE
├── README.md              # This file
└── package.json           # Root package.json

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🚀 Getting Started

Quick Start - Test the Proof of Concept

The POC demonstrates the core virtual data grid:

cd proof-of-concept
npm install
npm run dev

Opens at http://localhost:5173 with 1,000 fixtures loaded.

What to try:

• Scroll performance (60 FPS with 10k+ fixtures)
• In-cell editing (click, type, Tab, Enter)
• Multi-select (Click, Shift+Click, Cmd/Ctrl+Click)
• Add/delete fixtures

Full App Development (Phase 1+)

Coming soon! See docs/dev-setup.md for environment setup.

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📊 Status

Current Phase: Pre-Alpha
POC Status: ✅ Complete (virtual grid validated)
Phase 1 Status: 🚧 In Development

Completed

• ✅ Technical specification
• ✅ Pricing strategy
• ✅ Proof-of-concept (virtual data grid)
• ✅ Database schema design
• ✅ Architecture decisions

In Progress

• 🚧 Electron app setup
• 🚧 Database layer (SQLite)
• 🚧 Core CRUD operations

Planned

• ⬜ Sorting & filtering
• ⬜ Power management
• ⬜ Eos integration
• ⬜ Vectorworks sync
• ⬜ Label designer
• ⬜ Report generation

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💰 Competitive Positioning

vs LightWright 6:

Feature	LightWright 6	ShowStack:Production
Price	$845 one-time	$249/year
Updates	$625 every 3-5 years	Continuous (included)
Collaboration	❌	✅ Real-time
Cloud Sync	❌	✅ Optional
Modern UI	❌ (1990s)	✅ (2025)
Offline Mode	✅	✅

Year 1: 71% cheaper ($249 vs $845)
3 Years: 49% cheaper ($747 vs $1,470)

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🛠️ Technology Stack

Desktop App (Electron)

• Runtime: Node.js 20+
• Framework: Electron 27+
• Database: better-sqlite3 (local)
• Hardware: electron-printer, osc-js

Frontend (React)

• Framework: React 18+
• Language: TypeScript 5+
• State: Zustand
• UI: Tailwind CSS + Radix UI
• Build: Vite

Backend (Optional Cloud Sync)

• API: Express.js + PostgreSQL
• Auth: JWT
• Realtime: Socket.io
• Storage: AWS S3 / Cloudflare R2

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📖 Documentation

• Technical Specification - Complete feature specs, database schema, architecture
• Pricing Strategy - Market analysis, revenue model, go-to-market plan
• Development Setup - Environment setup, testing, building
• POC README - Proof-of-concept documentation

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🗺️ Roadmap

Phase 1: Foundation (Months 1-2)

• Proof-of-concept (virtual grid)
• Electron app shell
• SQLite database
• CRUD operations
• Sorting & filtering
• Auto-complete

Phase 2: Power & Control (Months 3-4)

• Dimmer rack configuration
• Circuit management
• DMX map visualization
• Error checking
• Multi-cable tracking

Phase 3-7: See docs/technical-spec.md

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🤝 Contributing

This is currently a private project in early development. Contributions will be welcomed once we reach beta.

Development Workflow

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing feature')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-feature)
5. Open a Pull Request

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📊 Performance Targets

• Load time: <2 seconds for 5,000 fixture project
• Grid rendering: 60 FPS with virtual scrolling
• PDF generation: <5 seconds for 50-page report
• Sync time: <10 seconds for typical project

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📄 License

Copyright © 2025 Lytrix / Josh Karp Designs

License TBD - Currently proprietary during development.

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🎯 Success Metrics

Month 3 Target

• ✅ Core spreadsheet interface complete
• ✅ 10 beta testers
• ✅ 60 FPS performance
• ✅ Positive UX feedback

Month 12 Target (Launch)

• 100+ paying customers
• $10k+ MRR
• NPS >50
• Public launch at USITT or LDI

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📞 Contact

Josh Karp
Lytrix / Josh Karp Designs
jkarp.com

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Built with ❤️ for the live entertainment industry

🎭 Theater • 🎵 Concert • 📺 Broadcast • 🎬 Film/TV