knowledge-base/ZeroLagHub_Complete_Current_State_Jan2026.md

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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knowledge-base 🟡 Updating Jan 18, 2026 Yes (docs) 6 weeks outdated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


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