RFC: Native desktop app using Rust/Iced

docs/desktop-app-proposal.md

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+# msgvault Desktop App Proposal
+
+## Overview
+
+This document proposes the development of a native desktop application for msgvault using **Rust** and the **Iced** GUI framework. The desktop app will provide a modern, cross-platform alternative to the terminal UI (TUI).
+
+## Motivation
+
+While the TUI is powerful, a native desktop app offers:
+
+- **Richer UI** - Better message rendering, inline attachments, syntax highlighting
+- **Mouse-friendly** - Click-based navigation alongside keyboard shortcuts
+- **Native experience** - Platform-appropriate menus, dialogs, and behaviors
+- **Accessibility** - Better screen reader support and high-contrast themes
+
+## Architecture
+
+The desktop app will be an **HTTP API client** that communicates with the existing `msgvault serve` backend:
+
+```
+┌─────────────────────────────┐     HTTP/REST     ┌─────────────────────────────┐
+│  msgvault-desktop (Rust)    │  <───────────>    │  msgvault server (Go)       │
+│  - Iced GUI framework       │                   │  - All existing endpoints   │
+│  - reqwest HTTP client      │                   │  - SQLite/Parquet storage   │
+└─────────────────────────────┘                   └─────────────────────────────┘
+```
+
+This approach:
+- Reuses all existing Go backend logic
+- Works with both local and remote (NAS) deployments
+- Keeps the desktop app focused on UI concerns
+
+## Scope
+
+**Full TUI feature parity plus:**
+
+| Feature | TUI | Desktop |
+|---------|-----|---------|
+| Aggregate views (7 types) | ✓ | ✓ |
+| Drill-down navigation | ✓ | ✓ |
+| Fast/deep search | ✓ | ✓ |
+| Selection & deletion | ✓ | ✓ |
+| Account setup & OAuth | CLI | ✓ GUI |
+| Sync management | CLI | ✓ GUI |
+| Settings UI | config.toml | ✓ GUI |
+| First-run wizard | CLI | ✓ GUI |
+
+## Technology Stack
+
+- **Language:** Rust
+- **GUI Framework:** [Iced](https://iced.rs/) - Elm-inspired, cross-platform
+- **HTTP Client:** reqwest + serde
+- **Platforms:** macOS, Linux, Windows
+
+## Timeline
+
+**Estimated: 8-12 weeks** (10-15 hours/week)
+
+Phased implementation with stacked PRs:
+1. Project scaffolding & basic app (Week 1)
+2. Stats display & navigation (Week 1-2)
+3. Aggregate views & drill-down (Week 2-3)
+4. Message list & detail views (Week 3-4)
+5. Search functionality (Week 4-5)
+6. Selection & deletion staging (Week 5-6)
+7. Sync management (Week 6-7)
+8. Account setup with OAuth (Week 7-8)
+9. Configuration UI (Week 8-9)
+10. First-run experience & polish (Week 9-10)
+
+## Repository
+
+Development will happen in a separate repository:
+- **Repo:** `EconoBen/msgvault-desktop`
+- **PRs:** Stacked PRs against that repo, with periodic updates here
+
+## New Server Endpoints
+
+Some features require new API endpoints (to be added to the Go server):
+
+| Endpoint | Purpose |
+|----------|---------|
+| `POST /api/v1/deletion/stage` | Stage messages for deletion |
+| `GET /api/v1/sync/{account}/progress` | Sync progress polling |
+| `POST /api/v1/auth/initiate/{email}` | Start browser OAuth flow |
+| `DELETE /api/v1/accounts/{email}` | Remove account |
+
+These will be proposed as separate PRs when needed.
+
+## Questions for Maintainers
+
+1. Any concerns with this approach?
+2. Preferences on where new server endpoints should live?
+3. Interest in eventually merging the desktop app into this repo?
+
+---
+
+*This is a draft proposal. Feedback welcome!*