Real-time message queue for office communication. Install on all computers in your small business. Staff posts short messages (using initials and codes, never PHI) and the board keeps everyone in sync across workstations in different rooms. Messages age through color-coded states. Your data never leaves your network!
whiteboardQ-demo.mp4
- Real-time WebSocket messaging across all connected workstations
- Color-coded message aging (green > yellow > red > overdue) with configurable thresholds
- Automatic LAN server discovery via UDP broadcast
- Sound alerts for message state transitions
- Drag-to-reorder message priority
- Light and dark themes
- TLS encryption (self-signed certificates auto-generated on first run)
- Two server deployment options (see below)
| Installer | Use Case | How Server Runs | Auto-Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| FrontDesk | Small offices, front desk PC | Tray app manages server as subprocess | On user login |
| BackOffice | IT-managed, always-on | Windows Service | On system boot |
Both ship with a Server Manager GUI for configuration, and a separate Client installer for workstations.
- Windows 10 or later
- Python 3.12+ (for building from source)
- Inno Setup 6.x (for building installers)
PySide6 (Qt for Python) is installed automatically via pip. This is a ~200MB download on first install.
| Port | Protocol | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 5000 | TCP (TLS) | WebSocket + REST API |
| 5001 | UDP | LAN discovery (broadcast) |
Both ports are opened in Windows Firewall by the installers.
# Clone and set up
git clone https://github.com/johnbrantly/whiteboardq.git
cd whiteboardq
python -m venv venv
.\venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1
# Install dependencies
pip install -r requirements.txt # Everything (server + client)
pip install -r requirements-dev.txt # Build/test tools (pytest, pyinstaller)
# Or install only what you need:
# pip install -r requirements-server.txt # Server + Manager only
# pip install -r requirements-client.txt # Client only
# Build all executables
python build.py
# Build installers (requires Inno Setup 6.x)
.\build.ps1Build targets: python build.py client, python build.py server, python build.py service, python build.py frontdesk-manager, python build.py backoffice-manager
Built installers go to dist/installer/.
| Executable | Purpose | Included In |
|---|---|---|
WhiteboardQ.exe |
Desktop client | Client installer |
WhiteboardQ-Server.exe |
Standalone server | FrontDesk installer |
WhiteboardQ-Server-Service.exe |
Server as Windows Service | BackOffice installer |
WhiteboardQ-FrontDesk-Manager.exe |
Tray app + server control | FrontDesk installer |
WhiteboardQ-BackOffice-Manager.exe |
Service control GUI | BackOffice installer |
# Terminal 1: Server Manager (starts server automatically)
python -m whiteboardq_server.manager
# Terminal 2: Client
python -m whiteboardq_client.mainServer data (database, logs, certs) is stored in %ProgramData%\WhiteboardQ\ in both dev and production. This directory is created automatically but requires write access — run your terminal as administrator if you get permission errors.
pip install -r requirements-dev.txt
pytestA CLI test tool is also included for load testing and server diagnostics:
python -m whiteboardq_test_tool --helpSee whiteboardq_test_tool/README.md for details.
whiteboardq/
whiteboardq_client/ # PySide6 desktop client
whiteboardq_server/ # FastAPI + uvicorn server
manager/ # Server Manager GUI (FrontDesk & BackOffice)
service.py # Windows Service wrapper
whiteboardq_test_tool/ # CLI for load testing and server diagnostics
installers/ # Inno Setup scripts
build.py # Build script
This project is not accepting pull requests. You're welcome to fork and build upon it under the terms of the GPL. Bug reports via GitHub Issues are appreciated. See CONTRIBUTING.md for details.
Copyright (c) 2026 John Brantly
This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation, version 3.
See LICENSE for the full text.