Push notifications: finalize client implementation and document server requirements

[Copilot]

Client-side push notification implementation had incomplete server integration points, debugging logs in production, and missing testing capability. Server requirements were undocumented.

Changes

Client Polish

• Icon positioning: Bell icon moved to last position in platforms list
• Dev-only logging: Wrapped all console statements in isDev checks (client uses import.meta.env.DEV, service worker checks hostname)
• Test hotkey: Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P triggers test notification with realistic episode content and artwork
• Image verification: Confirmed all notification image paths (/android-chrome-192x192.png, /favicon-32x32.png, /android-chrome-384x384.png) exist

Server Integration (TODOs → Implementation)

Replaced placeholder TODOs with environment variable support and API integration:

// VAPID key from env or fallback
const vapidKey = import.meta.env.PUBLIC_VAPID_KEY || 
  'BEl62iUYgUivxIkv69yViEuiBIa-Ib37J8xQmrPcBKKk6qzqsXBBEDdHDz_D8LViZvZOGSIcjKPi0xhS3IkmJnw';

// API integration with graceful fallback
if (import.meta.env.PUBLIC_API_URL) {
  await fetch(`${import.meta.env.PUBLIC_API_URL}/api/subscribe`, {
    method: 'POST',
    headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
    body: JSON.stringify(subscription)
  });
}

Environment variables: PUBLIC_VAPID_KEY, VAPID_PRIVATE_KEY, PUBLIC_API_URL

Documentation (PUSH_NOTIFICATIONS.md)

• 12 notification opportunities: Episode pre-announcements, highlights/quotes, guest announcements, live recordings, milestones, personalization, time optimization, interactive actions, promotions, recommendations, engagement polls
• Server implementation guide: VAPID key generation, database schemas (SQL), API endpoint specs, RSS monitor, notification sender with web-push, error handling, rate limiting
• Code examples: Complete Node.js implementation patterns
• Production checklist: Security considerations, performance optimization (batching, queuing), compliance requirements

Environment Configuration

PUBLIC_VAPID_KEY=your-public-key      # Generate: npx web-push generate-vapid-keys
VAPID_PRIVATE_KEY=your-private-key
PUBLIC_API_URL=https://api.example.com

Original prompt

Enable push notifications for when new episodes are published, using native html push notifications. Put a stateful bell icon button at the bottom left of the main sidebar, if the browser supports it, when pressed and not active, go through the user flow to enable push notifications on that device. If enabled and pushed, verify with the user they want to disable push notifications and then remove them and reset the button. Create a minimal solution that uses astro in all the best ways for this use case.

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Project	Deployment	Actions	Updated (UTC)
starpod	Error		Feb 9, 2026 6:56am