paperclip/doc/DEPLOYMENT-MODES.md

# Deployment Modes

Status: Canonical deployment and auth mode model  
Date: 2026-02-23

## 1. Purpose

Paperclip supports two runtime modes:

1. `local_trusted`
2. `authenticated`

`authenticated` supports two exposure policies:

1. `private`
2. `public`

This keeps one authenticated auth stack while still separating low-friction private-network defaults from internet-facing hardening requirements.

Paperclip now treats **bind** as a separate concern from auth:

- auth model: `local_trusted` vs `authenticated`, plus `private/public`
- reachability model: `server.bind = loopback | lan | tailnet | custom`

## 2. Canonical Model

| Runtime Mode | Exposure | Human auth | Primary use |
|---|---|---|---|
| `local_trusted` | n/a | No login required | Single-operator local machine workflow |
| `authenticated` | `private` | Login required | Private-network access (for example Tailscale/VPN/LAN) |
| `authenticated` | `public` | Login required | Internet-facing/cloud deployment |

## Reachability Model

| Bind | Meaning | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| `loopback` | Listen on localhost only | default local usage, reverse-proxy deployments |
| `lan` | Listen on all interfaces (`0.0.0.0`) | LAN/VPN/private-network access |
| `tailnet` | Listen on a detected Tailscale IP | Tailscale-only access |
| `custom` | Listen on an explicit host/IP | advanced interface-specific setups |

## 3. Security Policy

## `local_trusted`

- loopback-only host binding
- no human login flow
- optimized for fastest local startup

## `authenticated + private`

- login required
- low-friction URL handling (`auto` base URL mode)
- private-host trust policy required
- bind can be `loopback`, `lan`, `tailnet`, or `custom`

## `authenticated + public`

- login required
- explicit public URL required
- stricter deployment checks and failures in doctor
- recommended bind is `loopback` behind a reverse proxy; direct `lan/custom` is advanced

## 4. Onboarding UX Contract

Default onboarding remains interactive and flagless:

```sh
pnpm paperclipai onboard
```

Server prompt behavior:

1. quickstart `--yes` defaults to `server.bind=loopback` and therefore `local_trusted/private`
2. advanced server setup asks reachability first:
- `Trusted local` → `bind=loopback`, `local_trusted/private`
- `Private network` → `bind=lan`, `authenticated/private`
- `Tailnet` → `bind=tailnet`, `authenticated/private`
- `Custom` → manual mode/exposure/host entry
3. raw host entry is only required for the `Custom` path
4. explicit public URL is only required for `authenticated + public`

Examples:

```sh
pnpm paperclipai onboard --yes
pnpm paperclipai onboard --yes --bind lan
pnpm paperclipai run --bind tailnet
```

`configure --section server` follows the same interactive behavior.

## 5. Doctor UX Contract

Default doctor remains flagless:

```sh
pnpm paperclipai doctor
```

Doctor reads configured mode/exposure and applies mode-aware checks. Optional override flags are secondary.

## 6. Board/User Integration Contract

Board identity must be represented by a real DB user principal for user-based features to work consistently.

Required integration points:

- real user row in `authUsers` for Board identity
- `instance_user_roles` entry for Board admin authority
- `company_memberships` integration for user-level task assignment and access

This is required because user assignment paths validate active membership for `assigneeUserId`.

## 7. Local Trusted -> Authenticated Claim Flow

When running `authenticated` mode, if the only instance admin is `local-board`, Paperclip emits a startup warning with a one-time high-entropy claim URL.

- URL format: `/board-claim/<token>?code=<code>`
- intended use: signed-in human claims board ownership
- claim action:
  - promotes current signed-in user to `instance_admin`
  - demotes `local-board` admin role
  - ensures active owner membership for the claiming user across existing companies

This prevents lockout when a user migrates from long-running local trusted usage to authenticated mode.

## 8. Current Code Reality (As Of 2026-02-23)

- runtime values are `local_trusted | authenticated`
- `authenticated` uses Better Auth sessions and bootstrap invite flow
- `local_trusted` ensures a real local Board user principal in `authUsers` with `instance_user_roles` admin access
- company creation ensures creator membership in `company_memberships` so user assignment/access flows remain consistent

## 9. Naming and Compatibility Policy

- canonical naming is `local_trusted` and `authenticated` with `private/public` exposure
- no long-term compatibility alias layer for discarded naming variants

## 10. Relationship to Other Docs

- implementation plan: `doc/plans/deployment-auth-mode-consolidation.md`
- V1 contract: `doc/SPEC-implementation.md`
- operator workflows: `doc/DEVELOPING.md` and `doc/CLI.md`
- invite/join state map: `doc/spec/invite-flow.md`