# External Video Player Auto-Launch Feature Implementation

## Overview
Successfully implemented a seamless auto-launch system for external video players, allowing users to configure preferences once and automatically launch videos without manual selection each time.

## Features Implemented

### 1. Player Preferences Management (`/src/lib/player-preferences.ts`)
- **localStorage-based storage** for user preferences
- **Cross-component state management** with custom events
- **Default configurations** with safe fallbacks
- **Platform-specific player detection**

Key preferences:
- `preferredPlayer`: User's chosen video player (null = manual selection)
- `autoLaunch`: Enable/disable automatic launching
- `confirmBeforeLaunch`: Show confirmation dialog before auto-launch
- `rememberChoice`: Offer to remember manual selections

### 2. Enhanced LocalPlayerLauncher (`/src/components/local-player-launcher.tsx`)
- **Auto-launch detection** on component mount
- **Confirmation dialogs** for auto-launch (when enabled)
- **Smart preference learning** from manual selections
- **Fallback to manual selection** when no preferences set

New workflow:
1. Component loads → Check user preferences
2. If auto-launch enabled → Show confirmation or launch directly
3. If manual selection → Show traditional player selection
4. After manual selection → Offer to remember choice

### 3. Settings Page Integration (`/src/app/settings/page.tsx`)
- **Dedicated Video Player section** with modern toggle switches
- **Real-time preference updates** with immediate feedback
- **Platform-aware player list** showing only compatible players
- **Current configuration display** for transparency
- **Reset to defaults** functionality

Settings UI includes:
- Auto Launch toggle
- Preferred Player selection (with manual option)
- Confirmation toggle
- Remember Choice toggle
- Current status display

## User Experience Flow

### First Time Use
1. User clicks on .ts (or other external format) video
2. LocalPlayerLauncher shows traditional selection dialog
3. User selects preferred player (e.g., VLC)
4. System asks: "Remember VLC as preferred player?"
5. If yes, asks: "Auto-launch videos with VLC in future?"
6. Preferences saved for subsequent videos

### Subsequent Uses (Auto-Launch Enabled)
1. User clicks on external format video
2. System shows: "Launch VLC?" confirmation dialog
3. User clicks "Launch VLC" → Video opens immediately
4. OR clicks "Choose Manually" → Shows full selection dialog

### Subsequent Uses (Auto-Launch Disabled)
1. User clicks on external format video
2. System immediately launches preferred player
3. No confirmation needed

## Technical Implementation

### Storage Architecture
```typescript
interface PlayerPreferences {
  preferredPlayer: string | null;    // Player ID or null for manual
  autoLaunch: boolean;              // Enable auto-launch
  confirmBeforeLaunch: boolean;     // Show confirmation dialog
  rememberChoice: boolean;          // Offer to remember selections
}
```

### Auto-Launch Logic
```typescript
const autoLaunchCheck = shouldAutoLaunch();
if (autoLaunchCheck.autoLaunch && autoLaunchCheck.playerId) {
  if (autoLaunchCheck.needsConfirmation) {
    setShowingAutoLaunchConfirm(true);
  } else {
    handlePlayerLaunch(autoLaunchCheck.playerId, true);
  }
}
```

### Settings Integration
- Real-time preference updates using localStorage
- Custom event system for cross-component synchronization
- Platform detection for showing relevant players only
- Visual feedback with toggle switches and status display

## Benefits

### User Experience
- ✅ **One-time setup** → Seamless future use
- ✅ **Configurable experience** → Users choose their level of automation
- ✅ **Smart defaults** → Safe, non-intrusive initial behavior
- ✅ **Clear settings** → Easy to modify preferences later

### Technical
- ✅ **Lightweight implementation** → localStorage-based, no server calls
- ✅ **Cross-platform compatibility** → Detects available players per OS
- ✅ **Backwards compatible** → Manual selection still available
- ✅ **Event-driven updates** → Real-time preference synchronization

## Configuration Options

Users can now configure:

1. **Auto Launch**: Toggle automatic video launching
2. **Preferred Player**: Choose default player or manual selection
3. **Confirmation**: Require confirmation before auto-launch
4. **Learning**: Allow system to learn from manual choices

## Files Modified

1. **Created**: `/src/lib/player-preferences.ts` - Preference management system
2. **Enhanced**: `/src/components/local-player-launcher.tsx` - Auto-launch support
3. **Enhanced**: `/src/app/settings/page.tsx` - Settings UI integration

## Future Enhancements

Potential improvements:
- **Player installation detection** - Verify players are actually installed
- **Custom player paths** - Allow users to specify player locations
- **Per-format preferences** - Different players for different video formats
- **Keyboard shortcuts** - Quick launch hotkeys

The implementation provides a perfect balance between automation and user control, making the external video player experience as seamless as possible while maintaining flexibility for different user preferences.