Add a development runner

[cweagans]

This doesn't matter that much right now, as it's just a browser window that xulrunner is managing. However, if #4 has some work done (especially disabling the cross origin security stuff in Gecko), this will be really important.

Here's what I'm thinking:

• Package a development app that's looking for the module of your choice.
• When changes occur in that module directory, reload the development app.
• Enable the developer tools (or at least firebug lite) for the dev app (I'm not sure if this is built in or if it's separate code you'd have to pull in from Firefox)

It's a bit like LiveReload in that way, but gives you the ability to test an application using cross domain ajax requests without having to rebuild the application all the time.

This, of course, would not be packaged in the real release packages - this is just for local development.

[motin]

It would be useful with menu items for managing plug-ins and extensions which could be enabled for certain builds only. The app supports Firefox plugins and extensions already, albeit making it's management easier is what I expect this issue is about.

To manage plugins, decomment <!--<browser type="content" src="about:plugins" flex="1" width="100%" height="100%"/>--> found in modules/app/chrome/content/app/ui/main.xul and then run the app with a new profile (either by running with the -P switch or by deleting local profile directories). Running with a new profile ensures that the XUL is re-interpreted. This will include a plugin management view in that build.

Package a development app that's looking for the module of your choice. When changes occur in that module directory, reload the development app.

I believe this can be achieved already today using for instance Yeoman together with the LiveReload extension for Firefox

Enable the developer tools (or at least firebug lite) for the dev app (I'm not sure if this is built in or if it's separate code you'd have to pull in from Firefox)

Haven't tried this neither, but does the Firebug extension maybe work out of the box in the Wrapper?

If you try this, it is great if you could report back any problems encountered :)

[motin]

Had some time to try this out, and can confirm the following:

1. LiveReload works fine if you use Yeoman to build your webapp. While developing, have the port number in modules/app/chrome/content/app/ui/main.xul changed to 9000 and have grunt server running.
2. Add Firebug Lite to your webapp (as you suggested), it works fine :)

As always, you can and will most likely develop your webapp outside of the wrapper and have access to ordinary developer tools.

As for LiveReload / Developer Tools for the XUL contents (the actual wrapper app), there is little I can do at the moment, but be sure to check out these docs, they may be helpful.