# Audio Recorder — EXE Launcher

## What's Included

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `src/launcher.py` | GUI launcher — the entry point for the EXE |
| `audio_recorder_server.py` | Flask recorder server (bundled into EXE) |
| `AudioRecorder.spec` | PyInstaller build config |
| `BUILD.bat` | One-click build script |
| `build_tools/version_info.txt` | Windows EXE metadata |

---

## Building the EXE (one time, on your Windows PC)

### Requirements
- Windows 10/11
- Python 3.8+ with pip (https://python.org)
- Internet connection (to download PyInstaller + libraries)

### Steps

1. Put these files together in one folder:
   ```
   📁 AudioRecorder_Build\
     ├── audio_recorder_server.py    ← from previous step
     ├── AudioRecorder.spec
     ├── BUILD.bat
     ├── build_tools\
     │   └── version_info.txt
     └── src\
         └── launcher.py
   ```

2. Double-click **BUILD.bat**

3. Wait ~2 minutes — PyInstaller bundles Python + all libraries

4. Find your EXE at: `dist\AudioRecorder.exe`

That's it! The EXE is completely self-contained (~50–80 MB).

---

## What the EXE Does

When you double-click `AudioRecorder.exe`:

1. **GUI launcher window opens** showing server status
2. **Flask server starts** silently in the background (no console)
3. **Browser opens automatically** to `http://localhost:5000`
4. **Taskbar window** stays open showing:
   - Server status (Running / Stopped)
   - Current recording state + elapsed time
   - Local URL + ESP32 IP address to enter in config
   - Quick Start / Pause / Stop / Save buttons
   - Settings (port, output folder, format, sample rate)
   - Audio device picker

5. **Closing the window** gracefully saves any active recording before shutting down

---

## Distributing to Others

The `AudioRecorder.exe` is fully standalone — no Python installation needed on the target PC.

Just copy the single EXE file. On first run it will:
- Create a `recordings\` folder next to itself
- Create a `recorder_config.json` for saved settings
- Use the system's default audio input device

---

## Troubleshooting Build Issues

**"UPX is not available"** → Open `AudioRecorder.spec`, change `upx=True` to `upx=False`

**Antivirus flags the EXE** → This is a false positive common with PyInstaller. Add an exclusion or rebuild with `--key` option for obfuscation.

**"Failed to execute script launcher"** → Run BUILD.bat again with the console visible to see the error, or test with `python src/launcher.py` first.

**Missing sounddevice DLLs** → Make sure `sounddevice` is installed: `pip install sounddevice --upgrade`