Network Studio

Network Studio

Use this skill when the user wants the portable Network Studio workspace, not the native wifi-watchtower app. If the request is specifically about apps/wifi-watchtower, use $wifi-watchtower instead.

Default product shape: a portable local-network watcher installed into a user-chosen folder with an optional SwiftBar wrapper, a dashboard opener, and a continuous scan loop.

Quick Start

1. Choose the lane first:
   • portable workspace install
   • SwiftBar plugin wiring
   • support-only guidance
2. Run bash scripts/run_network_studio.sh doctor to check prerequisites and the bundled template.
3. Install or refresh the workspace with bash scripts/run_network_studio.sh install "<workspace-path>".
4. If the user wants a menu bar item and uses SwiftBar, add --swiftbar-plugins-dir ~/SwiftBarPlugins to the install command.
5. Use bash scripts/run_network_studio.sh inspect to review the template and installed layout.
6. After install, run bash scripts/run_network_studio.sh open to trigger a fresh scan and open the dashboard.
7. For a continuous watcher, run bash scripts/run_network_studio.sh watch or add flags such as --interval 30 --resolve.
8. Keep the workspace local-first and honest about uncertainty.

Workflow

Choose The Surface

• network-studio-workspace: install or refresh the portable workspace in a user-chosen folder
• swiftbar-plugin: wire or repair the compact SwiftBar surface that points at the installed workspace
• support-only: explain the most reliable network-check path without installing anything

Install Or Update The Portable Workspace

• Use scripts/run_network_studio.sh install for the normal create-or-refresh path.
• Drop to scripts/install_network_studio.py only when you need the lower-level copy step.
• Preserve device-labels.json if it already exists.
• Preserve logs/ contents. Do not delete history unless the user asks.
• Re-run the installer against the same workspace when the user asks to update an existing install.

Wire SwiftBar

• Prefer pointing SwiftBar directly at <workspace>/swiftbar if the user is comfortable changing the plugin directory.
• If the user already uses ~/SwiftBarPlugins, pass --swiftbar-plugins-dir ~/SwiftBarPlugins. The installer writes a thin wrapper there that calls the workspace plugin.

Product Boundaries

• Use only on networks the user owns or administers.
• Explain that the portable workspace is LAN presence monitoring, not deep packet inspection.
• Recommend brew install nmap for more reliable portable-workspace discovery, but do not block on it.
• Note that dashboard links and label paths are generated from the installed workspace, so moving the workspace later requires a refresh or reinstall.
• Keep scans, labels, and trust explanations local by default. Do not add covert telemetry, network exfiltration, or surveillance framing.

Resources

• scripts/run_network_studio.sh: repo-native doctor, inspect, install, refresh, open, and watch helper for the portable workspace.
• scripts/install_network_studio.py: copies the portable workspace, preserves user state, and optionally installs a SwiftBar wrapper.
• references/project-map.md: default workspace, main files, and validation notes for the portable workspace.
• assets/workspace/: bundled template for the watcher, dashboard builder, and SwiftBar plugin. Read or patch these files only when setup or behavior needs to change.