unraid-docker-manager/.planning/phases/08-inline-keyboard-infrastructure/08-CONTEXT.md

Phase 8: Inline Keyboard Infrastructure - Context

Gathered: 2026-02-03 Status: Ready for planning

## Phase Boundary

Users interact with containers via tappable buttons instead of typing commands. This phase adds inline keyboard buttons to the existing Telegram bot, creating a visual interface for container control. The core functionality (start, stop, restart, update, logs) remains the same — this changes HOW users invoke it.

## Implementation Decisions

Button layout & grouping

• Icons only for button labels (▶️ ⏹️ 🔄 ⬆️) — compact, mobile-friendly
• Container list is paginated (not all at once)
• Each container shows: name + status (e.g., "plex — Running")
• Update available indicator: use Unraid's native update detection if accessible (research needed)

Container selection

• Two entry points: /status command AND a persistent menu button ("Containers")
• Tap container name → submenu with status details + action buttons
• Direct access supported: /status plex jumps straight to that container's submenu
• Submenu shows container status info (state, details) plus action buttons

Confirmation flow

• Confirmation required for: Stop and Update only (not restart)
• Edit same message with "Stop plex? Yes / No" — keeps chat clean
• Timeout after 30 seconds — reverts to original buttons if no response

Progress feedback

• Quick actions (start/stop/restart): show final result only
• Updates and batch operations: show progress (simple status, not detailed steps)
• Format: "Updating plex..." → "plex updated ✅"
• After completion: show result + "Back to menu" button

Claude's Discretion

• Button row arrangement (single row vs grouped)
• Number of containers per page in list
• "No" confirmation behavior (return to container buttons or list)
• Error/failure handling approach

## Specific Ideas

• Navigation pattern: List → tap name → submenu (status details + actions) → tap action → execute
• Persistent menu button provides always-available access without typing
• Direct container access (/status plex) preserves power-user shortcuts

## Deferred Ideas

• Cached update status checking — only pursue if Unraid native detection isn't accessible
• Detailed progress steps during updates — keep simple for now

---

Phase: 08-inline-keyboard-infrastructure Context gathered: 2026-02-03