quality_recticel/windows_print_service/README.md

# Quality Recticel Print Service - Native Windows

A lightweight Windows service that provides local HTTP API for silent PDF printing from the Quality Recticel web application. This is a **native PowerShell implementation** with zero external dependencies.

## 🏗️ Technical Architecture

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Quality Recticel Web App                 │
│                  (print_module.html)                       │
└─────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────┘
                      │ HTTP Request
                      ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         Native PowerShell Print Service                     │
│                (localhost:8765)                            │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐   │
│  │ PowerShell  │  │    CORS      │  │   PDF Handler   │   │
│  │ HTTP Server │  │   Support    │  │     & WMI       │   │
│  └─────────────┘  └──────────────┘  └─────────────────┘   │
└─────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────────────┘
                      │ Native Messaging (Optional)
                      ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                Chrome Extension                             │
│  ┌─────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐  ┌─────────────────┐   │
│  │ Background  │  │  Content     │  │     Popup       │   │
│  │ Service     │  │  Script      │  │     UI          │   │
│  │ Worker      │  │              │  │                 │   │
│  └─────────────┘  └──────────────┘  └─────────────────┘   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

## Overview

This service creates a local HTTP server on `localhost:8765` that receives print requests from the Quality Recticel web application and handles silent PDF printing to local printers.

## Key Features

- **🚀 Native Windows**: Pure PowerShell implementation - no Python or external dependencies
- **🖨️ Silent Printing**: Print PDFs without showing print dialogs
- **🔧 Printer Management**: List and select available local printers  
- **⚙️ Windows Service**: Runs automatically in the background
- **🌐 Chrome Extension Integration**: Works seamlessly with the Quality Recticel Chrome extension
- **📡 REST API**: Simple HTTP endpoints for printing operations
- **📝 Comprehensive Logging**: Detailed service logs for troubleshooting

## Quick Installation

### Prerequisites
- Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016+
- Administrator privileges
- PowerShell (included with Windows)
- Chrome browser (for the extension)

### Install Steps

1. **Download Service Package**
   - Download the complete service package from the Quality Recticel system
   - Extract all files to a temporary folder

2. **Run Native Installer**
   ```batch
   # Right-click and "Run as administrator"
   install_native_service.bat
   ```

3. **Install Chrome Extension**
   - Open Chrome and go to `chrome://extensions/`
   - Enable "Developer mode"
   - Click "Load unpacked" and select the `chrome_extension` folder

4. **Test Installation**
   - Open your browser to: http://localhost:8765/health
   - You should see a JSON response indicating the service is healthy

## Service Architecture

### Native PowerShell Service
- **No Dependencies**: Uses only built-in Windows components
- **HTTP Listener**: .NET HttpListener for web requests
- **WMI Integration**: Windows Management Instrumentation for printer access
- **Service Integration**: Native Windows Service Control Manager

### File Structure
```
C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel\PrintService\
├── print_service.ps1        # Main PowerShell service script
└── print_service.log        # Service activity log
```

## API Endpoints

### Health Check
```http
GET http://localhost:8765/health
```
**Response:**
```json
{
    "status": "healthy",
    "service": "Quality Recticel Print Service",
    "version": "1.0",
    "timestamp": "2024-01-15 14:30:25",
    "platform": "Windows PowerShell"
}
```

### List Printers  
```http
GET http://localhost:8765/printers
```
**Response:**
```json
{
    "success": true,
    "printers": [
        {
            "name": "HP LaserJet Pro",
            "driver": "HP Universal Printing PCL 6",
            "port": "IP_192.168.1.100",
            "is_default": true,
            "status": 3
        }
    ],
    "count": 1
}
```

### Print PDF
```http
POST http://localhost:8765/print/pdf
POST http://localhost:8765/print/silent

Content-Type: application/json

{
    "pdf_url": "https://example.com/document.pdf",
    "printer_name": "HP LaserJet Pro",
    "copies": 1
}
```
**Response:**
```json
{
    "success": true,
    "message": "Print job sent successfully",
    "printer": "HP LaserJet Pro",
    "timestamp": "2024-01-15 14:30:25"
}
```

## Service Management

### Using Service Control Manager
```batch
# Start service
sc start QualityRecticelPrintService

# Stop service
sc stop QualityRecticelPrintService

# Check status
sc query QualityRecticelPrintService

# Restart service
sc stop QualityRecticelPrintService && sc start QualityRecticelPrintService
```

### Using Services GUI
1. Press `Windows + R`, type `services.msc`
2. Find "Quality Recticel Print Service"
3. Right-click for start/stop/restart options

### View Logs
Service logs are automatically written to:
```
C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel\PrintService\print_service.log
```

## Troubleshooting

### Service Won't Start
1. **Check Administrator Rights**: Ensure installer was run as Administrator
2. **PowerShell Execution Policy**: Verify PowerShell execution policy allows scripts
   ```powershell
   Get-ExecutionPolicy
   # Should be RemoteSigned or Unrestricted
   ```
3. **Port Conflict**: Check if port 8765 is already in use
   ```cmd
   netstat -ano | findstr :8765
   ```
4. **Service Logs**: Check the log file for detailed error messages

### Printing Issues
1. **Printer Access**: Verify printers are accessible from Windows services
2. **PDF Access**: Ensure PDF URLs are accessible from the service context  
3. **Print Queue**: Check Windows print queue for stuck jobs
4. **Permissions**: Verify service has permission to access printers

### Chrome Extension Issues
1. **Service Connection**: Test http://localhost:8765/health in browser
2. **Extension Loading**: Verify extension is properly loaded in Chrome
3. **CORS**: Service includes proper CORS headers for browser access
4. **Console Errors**: Check browser console for JavaScript errors

## Security Features

- **Localhost Only**: Service only accepts connections from 127.0.0.1/localhost
- **No External Access**: No outbound network requirements except for PDF downloads
- **Temporary Files**: PDF downloads are cleaned up automatically
- **Service Account**: Runs with minimal required privileges
- **CORS Protection**: Proper cross-origin resource sharing headers

## Uninstallation

### Automated Uninstall
```batch
# Right-click and "Run as administrator"
uninstall_service.bat
```

### Manual Uninstall
```batch
# Stop and delete service
sc stop QualityRecticelPrintService
sc delete QualityRecticelPrintService

# Remove files (optional)
rmdir /s "C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel"
```

## Advantages of Native Solution

✅ **Zero Dependencies**: No Python, Flask, or external packages required  
✅ **Faster Installation**: No package downloads or environment setup  
✅ **Better Integration**: Native Windows service with proper lifecycle management  
✅ **Smaller Footprint**: Minimal disk space and memory usage  
✅ **Enterprise Ready**: Uses only trusted Windows components  
✅ **Easier Deployment**: Single installer with no prerequisites  

## Development Notes

### PowerShell Service Implementation
The service uses PowerShell's built-in capabilities:
- `System.Net.HttpListener` for HTTP server functionality
- `Get-WmiObject Win32_Printer` for printer enumeration
- `System.Net.WebClient` for PDF downloads
- Native Windows service architecture

### Why PowerShell vs Python?
- **Deployment**: No need to install Python runtime or pip packages
- **Security**: Uses only Microsoft-signed components
- **Performance**: Faster startup and lower memory usage
- **Maintenance**: Easier to troubleshoot with native Windows tools
- **Enterprise**: Better compliance with corporate security policies

## Support

For issues or questions:
1. Check the troubleshooting section above
2. Review service logs at `C:\Program Files\QualityRecticel\PrintService\print_service.log`
3. Test individual endpoints using browser or curl
4. Contact Quality Recticel IT support with log details

## File Inventory

- `install_native_service.bat` - Service installer (run as Administrator)
- `uninstall_service.bat` - Service removal script
- `print_service.ps1` - Main PowerShell service implementation
- `chrome_extension/` - Chrome extension files (optional)
- `README.md` - This documentation file