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+# MSG-2026-04-13-truth-file-version-detection
+
+**From:** Chronicler #85
+**Date:** 2026-04-13
+**Priority:** HIGH — needed before BuiltByBit listings, ideally before April 15
+**Status:** OPEN
+
+## Background
+
+After 3 rounds of Gemini consultation and live Wings API testing, we have a
+complete architectural decision for version detection. Here's everything you
+need to implement it.
+
+---
+
+## What We Proved via Live Testing
+
+- `DaemonFileRepository::getContent()` and `putContent()` both work from Panel
+ PHP context (confirmed via tinker on live panel)
+- `manifest.json` does NOT survive Pterodactyl modpack installation on any of
+ our 22 servers — installer discards it
+- `modpack_installations` table has no version info — only provider + modpack_id
+- Wings directory listing works — we can read the server filesystem
+
+---
+
+## The Fix: Truth File Strategy
+
+### New Detection Order (replaces current fall-through logic)
+
+```
+1. DB: current_file_id present? → skip to comparison
+2. Wings: read /.modpack-checker.json → parse file_id → store in DB → compare
+3. Wings: read /manifest.json → parse file_id → write Truth File → store in DB → compare
+4. Nothing found → set status = 'pending_calibration' → STOP (never seed from latest)
+```
+
+**CRITICAL RULE: Never seed current_version from latest API result.**
+If we don't know the installed version, we say we don't know. Store `null` /
+`pending_calibration`, never assume latest = installed.
+
+---
+
+## The Truth File
+
+Write `.modpack-checker.json` to server root via `DaemonFileRepository::putContent()`.
+
+```json
+{
+ "extension": "modpackchecker",
+ "project_id": "490660",
+ "file_id": "7097953",
+ "version": "5.10.15",
+ "calibrated_at": "2026-04-13T05:00:00+00:00"
+}
+```
+
+**Write the Truth File in TWO scenarios:**
+1. When admin calibrates (picks version from dropdown)
+2. When ANY detection method successfully finds the version (manifest.json etc.)
+
+This makes detection self-healing — once tracked by any method, always tracked
+even if the original source file disappears in a future update.
+
+---
+
+## New DB Status Value
+
+Add `pending_calibration` to the status enum in `modpackchecker_servers`:
+```sql
+ALTER TABLE modpackchecker_servers
+MODIFY COLUMN status ENUM(
+ 'up_to_date','update_available','error','unknown','pending_calibration'
+) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'unknown';
+```
+
+---
+
+## Files to Change
+
+### 1. `app/Console/Commands/CheckModpackUpdates.php`
+
+In `checkVersion()` — replace the seeding fallback with Truth File logic:
+
+```php
+// After existing detection chain (egg var, existing DB)...
+
+// NEW: Check for Truth File on server filesystem
+if (empty($currentVersion)) {
+ try {
+ $repo = app(\Pterodactyl\Repositories\Wings\DaemonFileRepository::class)
+ ->setServer($server);
+ $truthFile = json_decode($repo->getContent('/.modpack-checker.json'), true);
+ if (!empty($truthFile['file_id'])) {
+ $currentVersion = $truthFile['version'] ?? null;
+ $currentFileId = $truthFile['file_id'];
+ }
+ } catch (\Exception $e) {
+ // File doesn't exist — continue to next check
+ }
+}
+
+// NEW: Check for legacy manifest.json
+if (empty($currentVersion)) {
+ try {
+ $repo = $repo ?? app(\Pterodactyl\Repositories\Wings\DaemonFileRepository::class)
+ ->setServer($server);
+ $manifest = json_decode($repo->getContent('/manifest.json'), true);
+ if (!empty($manifest['files'][0]['fileID'])) {
+ $currentFileId = (string) $manifest['files'][0]['fileID'];
+ // Write Truth File immediately so it persists
+ $this->writeTruthFile($server, $modpackId, $currentFileId, null);
+ }
+ } catch (\Exception $e) {
+ // File doesn't exist — continue
+ }
+}
+
+// REMOVE the seeding fallback entirely. Replace with:
+if (empty($currentVersion) && empty($currentFileId)) {
+ $this->updateDatabase($server, [
+ 'platform' => $platform,
+ 'modpack_id' => $modpackId,
+ 'modpack_name' => $latestData['name'],
+ 'status' => 'pending_calibration',
+ 'detection_method' => $method,
+ 'last_checked' => now(),
+ ]);
+ $this->info(" ⏳ PENDING: {$latestData['name']} — calibration required");
+ return;
+}
+```
+
+Add a `writeTruthFile()` helper method:
+```php
+private function writeTruthFile(Server $server, string $projectId,
+ string $fileId, ?string $version): void
+{
+ try {
+ $repo = app(\Pterodactyl\Repositories\Wings\DaemonFileRepository::class)
+ ->setServer($server);
+ $repo->putContent('/.modpack-checker.json', json_encode([
+ 'extension' => 'modpackchecker',
+ 'project_id' => $projectId,
+ 'file_id' => $fileId,
+ 'version' => $version,
+ 'calibrated_at' => now()->toIso8601String(),
+ ], JSON_PRETTY_PRINT));
+ } catch (\Exception $e) {
+ // Non-fatal — log and continue
+ \Log::warning('[MVC] Could not write Truth File: ' . $e->getMessage());
+ }
+}
+```
+
+### 2. `app/Http/Controllers/ModpackAPIController.php`
+
+In the `calibrate()` method — after storing the file_id in DB, write the Truth File:
+
+```php
+// After DB update in calibrate()...
+$this->writeTruthFileForServer($server, $modpackId, $fileId, $version);
+```
+
+Add the same `writeTruthFile` logic (or extract to a shared service).
+
+### 3. `views/server/wrapper.tsx`
+
+Add `pending_calibration` handling. When `data.configured === false` and
+status is pending, show calibration prompt instead of empty/error state:
+
+```tsx
+// After error state check, before main render...
+if (!data.configured && !data.update_available) {
+ return (
+
+ );
+}
+```
+
+---
+
+## Migration Needed
+
+```sql
+ALTER TABLE modpackchecker_servers
+MODIFY COLUMN status ENUM(
+ 'up_to_date','update_available','error','unknown','pending_calibration'
+) NOT NULL DEFAULT 'unknown';
+```
+
+Add to a new migration file:
+`database/migrations/2026_04_13_000002_add_pending_calibration_status.php`
+
+---
+
+## Post-Launch Enhancement (NOT for April 15)
+
+Log parsing at server restart — possible future detection method. Every modpack
+formats startup logs differently, too brittle for now. Flag as Task for after
+launch.
+
+---
+
+## Testing Checklist
+
+- [ ] Server with no Truth File → shows "Identify Version" button
+- [ ] Admin selects version → Truth File written to server root → DB updated
+- [ ] Cron reads Truth File on next run → correct status shown
+- [ ] Server shows update available after Truth File written with old version
+- [ ] Ignore toggle → muted card with Resume button (not vanish)
+- [ ] Resume → normal card restored
+- [ ] Never seeds current_version from latest API result
+
+---
+*— Chronicler #85*