fix: implement persistent Docker volume configuration to prevent data loss

Previously, configuration created via the web UI was lost when containers were
recreated or updated, requiring users to reconfigure each time. This was due to
the .env file being stored inside the container filesystem.

Changes:
- Add persistent volume mount for configuration directory in docker-compose.yml
- Update ConfigApi to auto-detect Docker vs development environment
- Configure dotenv loading to use persistent config path when available
- Update file watcher to monitor correct .env file location
- Remove conflicting host .env file mount
- Update README with new volume configuration instructions

Configuration now persists across container updates, eliminating the need for
users to reconfigure after updates.

Fixes #94

🤖 Generated with [Claude Code](https://claude.ai/code)

Co-Authored-By: Claude <noreply@anthropic.com>

README.md

@@ -157,7 +157,7 @@ Visit the [Community Scripts page](https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE
 
 **Steps:**
 
-1.  **Create a Directory:** Make a directory on your Docker host where Pulse will store configuration:
+1.  **Create a Directory:** Make a directory for your Docker configuration files:
     ```bash
     mkdir pulse-config
     cd pulse-config
@@ -175,8 +175,14 @@ Visit the [Community Scripts page](https://community-scripts.github.io/ProxmoxVE
           # Change the left side (e.g., "8081:7655") if 7655 is busy on your host
           - "7655:7655"
         volumes:
-          # Mount local directory for persistent configuration
-          - ./pulse-data:/opt/pulse-proxmox
+          # Persistent volume for configuration data
+          # Configuration persists across container updates
+          - pulse_config:/usr/src/app/config
+
+    # Define persistent volumes
+    volumes:
+      pulse_config:
+        driver: local
     ```
 3.  **Run:** Start the container:
     ```bash

docker-compose.yml

@@ -11,13 +11,23 @@ services:
       # Map container port 7655 to host port 7655
       # You can change the host port (left side) if 7655 is already in use on your host
       - "7655:7655"
-    env_file:
-      # Load environment variables from a .env file in the same directory as this compose file
-      - .env # Standard location
+    # env_file:
+      # NOTE: .env file is now managed by the web UI and stored in persistent volume
+      # No need to load from host .env file
+      # - .env
+    volumes:
+      # Persist configuration data to avoid losing settings on container recreation
+      # Mount a persistent volume for configuration files
+      - pulse_config:/usr/src/app/config
     # Optional: Define networks if needed, otherwise uses default bridge network
     # networks:
     #   - pulse_network
 
+# Define persistent volumes for configuration and data
+volumes:
+  pulse_config:
+    driver: local
+
 # Optional: Define a network
 # networks:
 #   pulse_network:

server/configApi.js

@@ -1,11 +1,21 @@
 const fs = require('fs').promises;
+const fsSync = require('fs');
 const path = require('path');
 const { loadConfiguration } = require('./configLoader');
 const { initializeApiClients } = require('./apiClients');
 
 class ConfigApi {
     constructor() {
-        this.envPath = path.join(__dirname, '../.env');
+        // Use persistent config directory if it exists (for Docker), otherwise use project root
+        const configDir = path.join(__dirname, '../config');
+        const projectRootEnv = path.join(__dirname, '../.env');
+        
+        // Check if we're in a Docker environment with persistent config volume
+        if (fsSync.existsSync(configDir)) {
+            this.envPath = path.join(configDir, '.env');
+        } else {
+            this.envPath = projectRootEnv;
+        }
     }
 
     /**

server/configLoader.js

@@ -98,7 +98,18 @@ function loadPbsConfig(index = null) {
 function loadConfiguration() {
     // Only load .env file if not in test environment
     if (process.env.NODE_ENV !== 'test') {
-      require('dotenv').config();
+        const fs = require('fs');
+        const path = require('path');
+        
+        const configDir = path.join(__dirname, '../config');
+        const configEnvPath = path.join(configDir, '.env');
+        const projectEnvPath = path.join(__dirname, '../.env');
+
+        if (fs.existsSync(configEnvPath)) {
+            require('dotenv').config({ path: configEnvPath });
+        } else {
+            require('dotenv').config({ path: projectEnvPath });
+        }
     }
 
     let isConfigPlaceholder = false; // Add this flag

server/index.js

@@ -1,4 +1,17 @@
-require('dotenv').config(); // Load environment variables from .env file
+// Load environment variables from .env file
+// Check for persistent config directory (Docker) or use project root
+const fs = require('fs');
+const path = require('path');
+
+const configDir = path.join(__dirname, '../config');
+const configEnvPath = path.join(configDir, '.env');
+const projectEnvPath = path.join(__dirname, '../.env');
+
+if (fs.existsSync(configEnvPath)) {
+    require('dotenv').config({ path: configEnvPath });
+} else {
+    require('dotenv').config({ path: projectEnvPath });
+}
 
 // Import the state manager FIRST
 const stateManager = require('./state');
@@ -998,7 +1011,12 @@ let lastReloadTime = 0;
 global.lastReloadTime = 0;  // Make it globally accessible
 
 function setupEnvFileWatcher() {
-    const envPath = path.join(__dirname, '../.env');
+    // Use same logic as ConfigApi to find .env file
+    const configDir = path.join(__dirname, '../config');
+    const configEnvPath = path.join(configDir, '.env');
+    const projectEnvPath = path.join(__dirname, '../.env');
+    
+    const envPath = fs.existsSync(configEnvPath) ? configEnvPath : projectEnvPath;
     
     // Check if the file exists
     if (!fs.existsSync(envPath)) {