Adding Cross-Platform UI for Picoclaw

[lxowalle]

[RFC] Adding Cross-Platform UI for Picoclaw

Overview

This discussion proposes adding a cross-platform UI interface for the Picoclaw project to improve user experience across multiple platforms. The goal is to provide a native-like experience while maintaining a single codebase.

Proposal

1. Technology Choice: Flutter

We propose using Flutter as the framework for building the cross-platform UI. The rationale behind this choice includes:

• Single codebase: Write once, deploy to multiple platforms
• Native performance: Compiled to native code for optimal performance
• Rich ecosystem: Extensive package ecosystem and strong community support
• Hot reload: Fast development cycle with instant UI updates
• Consistent UI: Material Design and Cupertino widgets for platform-appropriate look and feel
• Existing experience: Many team members have Flutter experience

2. Supported Platforms

Target Platforms:

• ✅ Windows (Desktop)
• ✅ Linux (Desktop)
• ✅ macOS (Desktop)
• ✅ Android (Mobile)
  Rationale for platform selection:
  These platforms cover the majority of our user base and provide a good balance between desktop and mobile experiences. We can expand to iOS and web in future phases based on user demand.

3. Android Minimum Version

Proposed Minimum Version: Android 10 (API Level 29)
Released: September 2019

4. UI Content

Modifications based on the current picoclaw-launcher

Open Questions

Open for Discussion:

1. What is the minimum Android version required by our target users?
2. Should we support lower versions (Android 7/8/9) to cover more devices?
3. Are there specific use cases that require older Android support (e.g., repurposing old phones)?
4. What is the priority order for the four platforms? (e.g., Windows first, then Android, etc.)

Next Steps

1. Gather community feedback on this proposal
2. Create a proof-of-concept for one platform (suggestion: Windows or Android)

---

Please share your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions! All feedback is welcome as we shape the future of Picoclaw's user interface.

[sky5454]

For TV: It should be noted that for Android TV and even Tizen TV, it is inconvenient to operate through the interface, and a better TV solution is to only have a start-stop button, and then users can open the background management web interface through a QR code on the local network for configuration.

[lxowalle]

Yep, that makes things way easier. The only catch is users have to grab the key on their phone and then paste it into the mobile web page — but still way better than use remote control.

[sky5454]

For UI: The design on the graphical interface should first consider whether to use flutter controls completely or mix webview. If it is completely flutter controls, it needs to be consistent with the function of the web end. It is best to have a document to synchronize the design (the interface is different but the function is as close as possible).

[lxowalle]

Considering we need to support phone setups, maybe mix webview is better?

[sky5454]

https://github.com/sky5454/picoclaw_fultter_ui

This is my implementation, and I want to contribute it to the Picoclaw Repo, which is freely available for use by the PICOCLAW project. Just one small request: Please mention the first version contributed by my name Sky5454.

[lxowalle]

Nice!

[Acceleratorer]

❤️ Really appreciate the work!

[sky5454]

released at https://github.com/sipeed/picoclaw_fui/releases

platform support: Android/Windows/macOS, and Linux/iOS is the next thing to do,
and we need more test and feedback to make it better!

[niutech]

How about wrapping an existing web UI into a lightweight cross-platform app with a system webview, like Wails?
The architecture could be like:

picoclaw-desktop
│
├── Wails
│    │
│    ├── start picoclaw-launcher
│    │
│    ├── wait for 127.0.0.1:18800
│    │
│    └── create WebView window
│             │
│             ▼
│       http://127.0.0.1:18800
│             │
│             ▼
│       PicoClaw WebUI
│             │
│             ▼
│       PicoClaw launcher
│             │
│             ▼
│       picoclaw gateway