fix: resolve NativePHP build issues with frontend assets

- Add public/hot to cleanup_exclude_files to prevent Vite dev mode in production
- Add npm install step before npm run build in prebuild commands
- Create build-prepare.sh script for clean production builds
- Add comprehensive build fix documentation

This ensures frontend assets are properly built and included when
distributing the NativePHP application, fixing "Vite not found" errors
on fresh installations.

Author: vijaythecoder

NATIVEPHP_BUILD_FIX.md

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+# NativePHP Build Fix Guide
+
+## Problem Summary
+When building the NativePHP/Electron app, frontend assets weren't being properly included, causing "Vite not found" errors on fresh installations.
+
+## Root Causes Identified
+
+1. **Hot Reload File**: The `public/hot` file was being included in builds, causing Laravel to look for Vite dev server
+2. **Missing npm install**: Build process wasn't installing npm dependencies before building
+3. **Build artifacts**: Development artifacts were interfering with production builds
+
+## Fixes Applied
+
+### 1. Updated `config/nativephp.php`
+
+- Added `public/hot` to `cleanup_exclude_files` to prevent it from being included in builds
+- Added `npm install --omit=dev` to prebuild commands before `npm run build`
+
+### 2. Created Build Preparation Script
+
+Created `build-prepare.sh` to ensure clean builds:
+- Removes development artifacts (hot file, .vite cache)
+- Installs production npm dependencies
+- Builds frontend assets
+- Verifies manifest.json exists
+- Optimizes Laravel for production
+
+## Build Process
+
+### For Development
+```bash
+# Start development environment
+composer dev
+
+# Or for NativePHP development
+composer native:dev
+```
+
+### For Production Build
+
+1. **Prepare the build** (run this before building):
+   ```bash
+   ./build-prepare.sh
+   ```
+
+2. **Build the application**:
+   ```bash
+   php artisan native:build mac arm64
+   ```
+
+3. **Test the build** on a fresh machine:
+   - Copy the built app from `dist/` directory
+   - Install and run - it should work without any Vite errors
+
+## Important Notes
+
+1. **Always run build-prepare.sh** before building for production
+2. **Never commit the `public/hot` file** to version control
+3. **Ensure `public/build/manifest.json` exists** after building
+4. The prebuild commands in `config/nativephp.php` will automatically:
+   - Install npm dependencies
+   - Build frontend assets
+   - Optimize Laravel
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+If you still see "Vite not found" errors:
+
+1. Check if `public/hot` file exists in the built app - it shouldn't
+2. Verify `public/build/manifest.json` exists in the built app
+3. Ensure the app is running in production mode (`APP_ENV=production`)
+4. Check Laravel logs for any asset-related errors
+
+## Testing on Fresh Machine
+
+When testing on a new machine:
+1. The app should work immediately after installation
+2. No need to run `npm install` or `npm run dev`
+3. All assets should be pre-built and included

build-prepare.sh

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+echo "🚀 Preparing Clueless for production build..."
+
+# Remove any development artifacts
+echo "📧 Cleaning development artifacts..."
+rm -f public/hot
+rm -rf node_modules/.vite
+
+# Install dependencies
+echo "📦 Installing npm dependencies..."
+npm install --omit=dev
+
+# Build frontend assets
+echo "🏗️ Building frontend assets..."
+npm run build
+
+# Verify build output
+if [ -f "public/build/manifest.json" ]; then
+    echo "✅ Frontend assets built successfully"
+    echo "📁 Build manifest found at: public/build/manifest.json"
+else
+    echo "❌ Build failed - manifest.json not found"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+# Clear and optimize Laravel
+echo "🔧 Optimizing Laravel..."
+php artisan config:clear
+php artisan route:clear
+php artisan view:clear
+php artisan cache:clear
+
+# Cache for production
+php artisan config:cache
+php artisan route:cache
+php artisan view:cache
+php artisan optimize
+
+echo "✨ Build preparation complete!"

config/nativephp.php

@@ -83,6 +83,7 @@
         'content',
         'node_modules',
         '*/tests',
+        'public/hot', // Remove Vite hot reload file in production
         // Don't exclude the build directory as it contains our native executable
     ],
 
@@ -153,7 +154,8 @@
      */
     'prebuild' => [
         './build-swift-audio.sh',
-        'npm run build',
+        'npm install --omit=dev', // Install production dependencies
+        'npm run build', // Build frontend assets
         'php artisan optimize',
         'php artisan config:cache',
         'php artisan route:cache',