HTML FRONTEND + C++ HOOKS

You can definitely run your HTML dashboard in Chromium kiosk mode and still have it talk to your existing C++/Qt backend. The trick is to bridge the browser UI with your native code. Here are the main approaches:

Example Code

🔗 Integration Options

1. Local WebSocket / TCP server

Run a lightweight server inside your C++ app (e.g. using QtWebSockets or QTcpServer).
Your HTML buttons call JavaScript functions that send JSON messages over WebSocket.

Example:

function sendCommand(cmd, payload={}) {
  socket.send(JSON.stringify({command: cmd, data: payload}));
}

// Qt side
connect(webSocketServer, &QWebSocketServer::newConnection, this, [=](){
    auto client = webSocketServer->nextPendingConnection();
    connect(client, &QWebSocket::textMessageReceived, this, [=](const QString &msg){
        QJsonDocument doc = QJsonDocument::fromJson(msg.toUtf8());
        QString cmd = doc["command"].toString();
        // handle command
    });
});

2. REST API (HTTP server)

Expose endpoints in your C++ app (/setRainfall, /getStatus, etc.).
HTML buttons use fetch() to call these endpoints.

Example:

fetch("http://localhost:8080/setRainfall", {
  method: "POST",
  body: JSON.stringify({value: 12.4}),
  headers: {"Content-Type":"application/json"}
});

3. Native Messaging (Chromium extension)

If you need tighter integration, you can build a Chromium extension that talks to your C++ app via Native Messaging.
More complex, but allows secure communication without opening a server port.

🖥️ Kiosk Mode Setup

Launch Chromium with flags:

chromium --kiosk --app=file:///home/user/dashboard.html

This runs fullscreen, hides controls, and loads your HTML UI.

⚙️ Recommended Path

For your case (Qt backend + kiosk UI), the WebSocket approach is usually the cleanest:

Qt has built-in WebSocket support.
Easy to send structured JSON messages both ways.
Works offline, no need for external servers.

🚀 Next Step

Would you like me to sketch out a minimal working example where:

A button in the HTML dashboard sends a command ("toggleSiren")
Your Qt app receives it and prints/logs the action?

That way you’ll see the full round-trip between Chromium kiosk and your C++ backend.

Example Code/Flow/Design

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