# ZeroLagHub Complete Current State - January 2026

**Document Date**: January 18, 2026  
**Platform Status**: 85% Complete - Architectural Foundation Established  
**Critical Blockers**: API Codebase Not in Git, DNS Fix Status Unknown  
**Next Milestone**: 90% (DNS functional, dev containers operational)

---

## 🎯 Executive Summary

### **Platform Status Overview**

**What's Working** ✅:
- Architectural boundaries clearly defined and documented
- Drift prevention system established across repositories
- Infrastructure ready (1.8TB storage, 75-100 developer capacity)
- Backup system operational (PBS + Backblaze B2)
- Network architecture documented and enforced

**What's Blocked** 🔴:
- API codebase not in git repository (cannot verify changes)
- DNS fix from Dec 20, 2025 not verifiable
- 4+ weeks of undocumented session work
- Dev containers implementation paused

**What's Next** 🎯:
1. Push API codebase to git (IMMEDIATE)
2. Verify/apply DNS fix (CRITICAL)
3. Resume dev containers implementation
4. Update remaining documentation

---

## 📊 Repository Status Matrix

### **Git Repositories**

| Repository | Status | Last Update | Code Present | Critical Issues |
|------------|--------|-------------|--------------|-----------------|
| **zlh-grind** | ✅ Current | Jan 18, 2026 | Yes (docs) | None |
| **knowledge-base** | 🟡 Updating | Jan 18, 2026 | Yes (docs) | 6 weeks outdated |
| **zlh-api** | 🔴 Empty | Dec 28, 2025 | **NO** | Code not pushed |
| **zlh-agent** | ❓ Unknown | Dec 24, 2025 | Yes | Not audited |

### **Critical Finding: API Codebase Gap**

**Problem**:
- `zlh-api` repository created December 28, 2025
- Repository is empty (no commits, no code)
- API is running in production but not version controlled
- Cannot verify December 20 DNS fix application

**Impact**:
- No change tracking or history
- Cannot review or audit code
- Cannot verify bug fixes
- Cannot collaborate effectively
- Risk to project continuity

**Required Action**:
- IMMEDIATE: Push current API codebase to git
- Verify DNS fix is present in code
- Establish commit workflow
- Enable code review process

---

## 🏗️ Infrastructure Status

### **VM Inventory (11 Production VMs)**

**Critical Production**:
- ✅ VM 100 (zlh-panel) - Pterodactyl panel + OAuth
- 🔴 VM 103 (zlh-api) - Node.js backend **[CODE NOT IN GIT]**

**Game Infrastructure**:
- ✅ VM 101 (zlh-wings) - Game servers + LXC integration target
- ✅ VM 102 (zlh-portal) - Next.js frontend
- ✅ VM 104 (zlh-monitor) - Prometheus/Grafana monitoring

**Network & Services**:
- ✅ VM 1000 (zlh-router) - Network routing + VLANs
- ✅ VM 1001 (zlh-dns) - Technitium DNS + development domains
- ✅ VM 1002 (zlh-proxy) - Caddy reverse proxy + SSL
- ✅ VM 300 (zlh-panel-dev) - Development environment
- ✅ VM 2000 (zlh-ci) - CI/CD pipeline
- ✅ VM [zlh-back] - PBS backup + Backblaze B2 replication

### **Storage Capacity**
- **Total Available**: 1.8TB
- **Developer Capacity**: 75-100 concurrent development environments
- **Backup**: Operational (PBS + Backblaze B2)
- **Status**: Ready for scale

### **Network Architecture**

**Internal Network (10.x)**:
- Container IPs: `10.200.0.X` (allocated by API)
- Velocity Proxy: `10.70.0.241` (internal routing)
- Network Isolation: Containers not accessible from public internet

**External Network**:
- Public IP: `139.64.165.248` (Cloudflare proxy target)
- DNS: Dual-stack (Cloudflare public, Technitium internal)
- Access: Only through API gateway

**Critical Architectural Fact**:
- Frontend → Container: **NO DIRECT PATH**
- All access: Frontend → API → Agent
- This is network reality, not policy

---

## 🔒 Security & Authentication

### **Current Auth Stack**
- **Frontend**: Next.js 15 with sessionStorage JWT
- **API**: Node.js/Express with JWT validation
- **Pterodactyl**: OAuth integration (custom)

### **Known Vulnerabilities** 🔴

**Critical Security Issues** (Identified but unfixed):
1. **Server Ownership Bypass**: Any user can control any server via UUID
2. **Admin Privilege Escalation**: Frontend can claim admin via JWT manipulation
3. **Token URL Exposure**: JWTs visible in browser history/logs
4. **API Key Validation Missing**: Authentication bypass vulnerabilities

**Status**: Documented in project knowledge, fixes pending
**Priority**: HIGH - Must be addressed before public launch

---

## 🎮 Game Support Matrix

### **Production Ready** ✅
- Minecraft (Vanilla, Paper, Fabric)
- Terraria
- Project Zomboid

### **Development Pipeline** 🔧
- Valheim
- Palworld
- Vintage Story
- Core Keeper

### **Strategic Focus**
- Target: Modded/indie games vs mainstream providers
- Advantage: Custom mod support + developer ecosystem
- Differentiator: LXC performance (20-30% improvement)

---

## 📋 Outstanding Issues

### **Critical Issues (Blocking Progress)** 🔴

#### **1. API Codebase Not in Git**
- **Severity**: CRITICAL
- **Impact**: Cannot verify fixes, track changes, or collaborate
- **Timeline**: IMMEDIATE action required
- **Resolution**: Push current codebase to zlh-api repository

#### **2. DNS Fix Status Unknown**
- **Identified**: December 20, 2025
- **Location**: `provisionAgent.js` lines 46, 330-331, 402
- **Fix**: 3-line change (delete ZONE var, fix hostname passing)
- **Status**: Cannot verify if applied (API not in git)
- **Impact**: If not applied, servers remain unreachable
- **Required Action**: 
  1. Push code to git
  2. Verify fix is present
  3. If not, apply 3-line fix
  4. Test end-to-end provisioning

#### **3. Documentation Debt**
- **Gap**: 6 weeks since last tracker update
- **Missing**: 4+ weeks of session summaries (Dec 20 - Jan 18)
- **Risk**: Institutional knowledge loss
- **Status**: Being addressed (Jan 18 update in progress)

### **High Priority Issues** 🟡

#### **4. Security Vulnerabilities**
- **Count**: 4 critical auth vulnerabilities identified
- **Status**: Documented but unfixed
- **Timeline**: Must fix before public launch
- **Blockers**: None (ready to implement)

#### **5. Dev Containers Paused**
- **Original Plan**: 3-day sprint for implementation
- **Status**: Paused for DNS debugging
- **Impact**: Developer revenue pipeline delayed
- **Resume**: After DNS fix verified

#### **6. WebSocket Console Streaming**
- **Status**: Planned but not started
- **Dependency**: None
- **Priority**: Medium (enhances UX but not blocking)

---

## 📅 Recent Work History

### **December 20, 2025 Session**
**Focus**: DNS record creation debugging  
**Achievement**: Identified root cause of DNS bug  
**Finding**: EdgePublisher expects SHORT hostname, provisionAgent passing FQDN  
**Solution**: 3-line fix documented (delete ZONE var, fix line 402)  
**Status**: Fix identified but application not verified

**Root Cause Analysis**:
```
BROKEN FLOW:
provisionAgent.js (line 402)
├─ slotHostname: "mc-vanilla-5074.zerolaghub.quest" ← FQDN
└─> EdgePublisher receives FQDN
    └─> Adds .zerolaghub.quest again
        └─> Creates: "mc-vanilla-5074.zerolaghub.quest.zerolaghub.quest" ← INVALID
            └─> DNS record creation FAILS

CORRECT FLOW (after fix):
provisionAgent.js (line 402)
├─ slotHostname: "mc-vanilla-5074" ← SHORT
└─> EdgePublisher receives SHORT
    └─> Adds .zerolaghub.quest internally
        └─> Creates: "mc-vanilla-5074.zerolaghub.quest" ← VALID
            └─> DNS record creation SUCCEEDS
```

### **December 28, 2025**
**Event**: zlh-api repository created  
**Status**: Empty (no code pushed)  
**Next**: Must push codebase to repository

### **January 18, 2026 Session**
**Focus**: Architectural boundary establishment  
**Achievement**: Updated 3 files in zlh-grind with drift prevention  
**Files Modified**:
- PORTAL_MIGRATION.md - Architectural boundaries
- CONSTRAINTS.md - Network architecture rules
- ANTI_DRIFT_GUARDRAIL.md - AI-specific guardrails

**Key Outcome**: Established "Frontend cannot call agents" as hard architectural rule

---

## 🎯 Architectural Boundaries (Established Jan 18, 2026)

### **The Three-Layer Defense**

**Documentation Location**: `jester/zlh-grind` repository

**Layer 1: PORTAL_MIGRATION.md**
- High-level architectural boundaries
- Frontend→Agent prohibition explained
- Network reality documented
- Correct vs forbidden patterns

**Layer 2: CONSTRAINTS.md**
- Hard technical rules
- Network architecture facts
- Common violation patterns
- Enforcement policy

**Layer 3: ANTI_DRIFT_GUARDRAIL.md**
- AI tool-specific warnings
- Codex/GPT/Claude guardrails
- "Documentation wins" enforcement
- Restart semantics

### **Core Architectural Facts**

**Network Isolation**:
- Container IPs: 10.200.0.X (internal only)
- No public routing to containers
- No CORS headers on agents
- Frontend has no network path to agents

**Correct Flow**:
```
User Action → Frontend → API → Agent → Response
```

**Forbidden Flow** (Prevented by Documentation):
```
User Action → Frontend → Agent (FAILS - no network path)
```

**Why This Matters**:
- AI tools may suggest direct agent calls
- Developers may try to add CORS
- Shortcuts bypass security/auth/rate limits
- Breaks architectural isolation

---

## 🚀 Business Model & Revenue Pipeline

### **Developer-to-Player Strategy**

**Revenue Multiplier Model**:
```
LXC Development Environment ($15-40/month)
   ↓
Game/Mod Creation & Testing  
   ↓
Testing Servers (50% developer discount)
   ↓
Player Community Referrals (25% player discount)
   ↓
Developer Revenue Sharing (5-10% commission)
   ↓
Viral Growth & Market Expansion

Revenue Example:
1 Developer ($20/month) 
→ 10 Players ($112.50/month) 
→ Developer Commission ($15/month)
= $147.50 total monthly revenue from one developer acquisition
```

### **Financial Projections**

**Month 6**: $8K-30K (LXC advantage + developer pipeline)  
**Month 12**: $25K-100K (custom platform competitive advantages)  
**Month 24**: $75K-300K (market leadership + technology licensing)

### **Competitive Advantages**

1. **LXC Performance**: 20-30% improvement over Docker competitors
2. **Developer Ecosystem**: Complete dev-to-production pipeline vs pure hosting
3. **Open Source Foundation**: 30-40% cost advantage over corporate providers
4. **Gaming-First Architecture**: Purpose-built vs adapted generic hosting

**Status**: Infrastructure ready, waiting on dev containers implementation

---

## 📊 Current Sprint Status

### **Phase 1: Security + LXC Foundation (Active)**

**Infrastructure**: 
- ✅ Backup complete (PBS + Backblaze B2)
- 🔧 LXC dev environments (PRIORITY - paused for DNS)

**API**:
- 🔴 Critical: Push codebase to git
- 🔴 Critical: Verify DNS fix status
- 🔧 Security fixes (documented, not started)
- 📋 Developer platform APIs (planned)

**Pterodactyl**:
- 🔧 OAuth security hardening (planned)
- 🔧 Wings LXC integration (CRITICAL for performance)

**Frontend**:
- 🔧 Token security fixes (planned)
- 📋 Developer dashboard interface (planned)

### **Critical Success Factors**

**Week 1 (Now)**:
- [ ] Push API codebase to git
- [ ] Verify DNS fix status
- [ ] Apply DNS fix if needed
- [ ] Test end-to-end provisioning
- [ ] Update remaining documentation

**Week 2-3**:
- [ ] Resume dev containers implementation
- [ ] Security vulnerability fixes
- [ ] Developer platform API scaffolding
- [ ] WebSocket console streaming

**Week 4**:
- [ ] LXC integration validation (20-30% improvement)
- [ ] Developer dashboard MVP
- [ ] Revenue pipeline technical foundation

---

## 🎯 Next Immediate Actions

### **Action 1: Git Repository Remediation** 🔴
**Owner**: Development team  
**Timeline**: IMMEDIATE (Today)  
**Steps**:
1. Push current API codebase to `jester/zlh-api`
2. Include all dependencies (package.json, etc.)
3. Document commit history from Dec 20 onwards
4. Establish git workflow for future changes

**Success Criteria**: Code visible in git, can verify DNS fix status

---

### **Action 2: DNS Fix Verification** 🔴
**Owner**: Development team  
**Timeline**: IMMEDIATE (After Action 1)  
**Steps**:
1. Check `provisionAgent.js` for lines 46, 330-331, 402
2. Verify ZONE variable removed
3. Verify `slotHostname: hostname` (not `slotHostname`)
4. If fix missing, apply 3-line change
5. Test end-to-end provisioning
6. Verify DNS records created correctly

**Success Criteria**: New server provisions successfully, DNS resolves

---

### **Action 3: Documentation Completion** 🟡
**Owner**: Claude/AI assistants  
**Timeline**: This week  
**Steps**:
1. ✅ Create Jan 18 session summary
2. ✅ Update Cross Project Tracker
3. ✅ Create Jan 2026 current state (this document)
4. [ ] Update Drift Prevention Card
5. [ ] Fill missing session summaries (Dec 20 - Jan 18)
6. [ ] Audit other knowledge-base documents

**Success Criteria**: All documentation current as of Jan 18, 2026

---

### **Action 4: Security Vulnerability Remediation** 🟡
**Owner**: Development team  
**Timeline**: Week 2  
**Steps**:
1. Fix server ownership bypass (UUID validation)
2. Fix admin privilege escalation (JWT verification)
3. Fix token URL exposure (secure storage)
4. Fix API key validation (authentication enforcement)

**Success Criteria**: All 4 vulnerabilities resolved, security audit clean

---

### **Action 5: Dev Containers Resume** 🟡
**Owner**: Development team  
**Timeline**: Week 2-3  
**Steps**:
1. Resume Day 1 of 3-day sprint
2. Implement LXC container provisioning
3. SSH access for developers
4. Resource monitoring integration
5. Developer dashboard interface

**Success Criteria**: 20+ concurrent dev environments operational

---

## 📈 Success Metrics

### **Technical Metrics**

**Week 1 Goals**:
- [ ] API code in git repository
- [ ] DNS fix verified and working
- [ ] Zero security vulnerabilities in authentication
- [ ] Documentation 100% current

**Month 1 Goals**:
- [ ] LXC 20-30% performance improvement validated
- [ ] 20+ concurrent development environments operational
- [ ] Developer platform APIs functional
- [ ] WebSocket console streaming live

**Month 6 Goals**:
- [ ] $8K-30K monthly revenue
- [ ] 50+ active developers
- [ ] 500+ player servers
- [ ] Custom platform migration complete

### **Business Metrics**

**Developer Acquisition**:
- Target: 10 developers by Month 3
- Target: 50 developers by Month 6
- Target: 200 developers by Month 12

**Revenue Pipeline**:
- Developer tier: $15-40/month
- Player referrals: 10x multiplier
- Commission: 5-10% developer revenue share

---

## 🔍 Risk Assessment

### **Critical Risks** 🔴

**Risk 1: API Codebase Not Version Controlled**
- **Probability**: Currently happening
- **Impact**: Cannot track changes, verify fixes, collaborate
- **Mitigation**: IMMEDIATE git push required
- **Owner**: Development team

**Risk 2: DNS Bug Unknown Status**
- **Probability**: Medium (identified but not verified)
- **Impact**: All new servers unreachable if not fixed
- **Mitigation**: Verify and apply fix immediately
- **Owner**: Development team

**Risk 3: Security Vulnerabilities**
- **Probability**: High (4 critical issues documented)
- **Impact**: Auth bypass, privilege escalation, data exposure
- **Mitigation**: Security sprint scheduled for Week 2
- **Owner**: Development team

### **High Risks** 🟡

**Risk 4: Documentation Debt**
- **Probability**: Currently happening
- **Impact**: Knowledge loss, coordination difficulty
- **Mitigation**: In progress (Jan 18 update)
- **Owner**: AI assistants + team

**Risk 5: Dev Containers Delay**
- **Probability**: Low (paused for DNS, not blocked)
- **Impact**: Revenue pipeline delayed
- **Mitigation**: Resume immediately after DNS fix
- **Owner**: Development team

---

## 📚 Reference Documentation

### **Primary Documents**
- **Master Bootstrap**: Strategic overview + business model
- **Cross Project Tracker**: Technical governance (THIS UPDATED JAN 18)
- **Current State** (this doc): Complete platform status
- **Engineering Handover**: Daily tactical tasks

### **Architecture Documents**
- **zlh-grind/PORTAL_MIGRATION.md**: Portal architecture + boundaries
- **zlh-grind/CONSTRAINTS.md**: Hard technical rules
- **zlh-grind/ANTI_DRIFT_GUARDRAIL.md**: AI-specific guardrails

### **Session Summaries**
- **2025-12-20**: DNS Fix Identification
- **2026-01-18**: Architectural Guardrails (NEW)

### **Git Repositories**
- **zlh-grind**: https://git.zerolaghub.com/jester/zlh-grind (✅ Current)
- **knowledge-base**: https://git.zerolaghub.com/jester/knowledge-base (🟡 Updating)
- **zlh-api**: https://git.zerolaghub.com/jester/zlh-api (🔴 Empty)
- **zlh-agent**: https://git.zerolaghub.com/jester/zlh-agent (❓ Not audited)

---

## ✅ Document Status

**Document Status**: ACTIVE - Reflects current platform state  
**Accuracy**: High (as of January 18, 2026)  
**Next Update**: After DNS fix verification  
**Owner**: Claude + Development Team  

**Critical Note**: This document identifies API codebase not being in git as CRITICAL blocker. All other work should pause until codebase is version controlled.

---

**Platform Readiness**: 85% → 90% (after DNS fix + git remediation)  
**Timeline to Launch**: 4-6 weeks (assuming no new blockers)  
**Confidence Level**: HIGH (architectural foundation solid, tactical issues identified)

🎯 **Next Session Priority**: Push API to git, verify DNS fix, resume dev containers