From 94f071db567852f119c79f783bbce0163cbd4aa6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bradley Erickson <bbwe24@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:33:40 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 1/7] fixed coloring and typos on dashboard

---
 VERSION                                                     | 2 +-
 modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/VERSION                      | 2 +-
 .../wo_bulk_essay_analysis/assets/scripts.js                | 6 +++---
 3 files changed, 5 insertions(+), 5 deletions(-)

diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 42ec10d5..8a8cff7e 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.06T16.07.48.997Z.0bfff3a0.berickson.20260303.copy.paste.reducer
+0.1.0+2026.03.12T13.33.40.392Z.377c68ef.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/VERSION b/modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/VERSION
index 42ec10d5..8a8cff7e 100644
--- a/modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/VERSION
+++ b/modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.06T16.07.48.997Z.0bfff3a0.berickson.20260303.copy.paste.reducer
+0.1.0+2026.03.12T13.33.40.392Z.377c68ef.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/assets/scripts.js b/modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/assets/scripts.js
index 6ed6589c..e9895ae1 100644
--- a/modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/assets/scripts.js
+++ b/modules/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/wo_bulk_essay_analysis/assets/scripts.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ function createBinnedPasteEventsBadge (document) {
   const mediumPastes = lengthBins.medium_21_200 ?? 0;
   const largePastes = lengthBins.long_201_plus ?? 0;
   const largeColor = largePastes > 0 ? 'warning' : 'secondary';
-  const mediumColor = mediumPastes > 0 ? 'warning' : 'seconday';
+  const mediumColor = mediumPastes > 0 ? 'warning' : 'secondary';
 
   return createDashComponent(
     DASH_HTML_COMPONENTS,
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ function createBinnedPasteEventsBadge (document) {
     {
       children: [
         createPasteBadge(`${smallPastes} small (<20)`, 'secondary'),
-        createPasteBadge(`${mediumPastes} medium (21-200)`,mediumColor),
+        createPasteBadge(`${mediumPastes} medium (21-200)`, mediumColor),
         createPasteBadge(`${largePastes} large (201+)`, largeColor)
       ],
       className: 'd-inline'
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ function createPasteMetricComponent (document, metricId) {
 
   switch (metricId) {
     case 'paste_events':
-      return createPasteBadge(`${pasteCount} pastes`, pasteCount > 0 ? 'secondary' : 'light', 'me-1');
+      return createPasteBadge(`${pasteCount} pastes`, pasteCount > 0 ? 'warning' : 'secondary', 'me-1');
     case 'paste_bins':
       return createBinnedPasteEventsBadge(document);
     case 'total_paste_chars':

From b17c2ec8cd2b1cf803a50c9d74a86bf6629b3421 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bradley Erickson <bbwe24@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:12:02 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 2/7] updated portfolio diff to include config file so we can
 reuse the same build on different servers

---
 VERSION                                       |  2 +-
 learning_observer/VERSION                     |  2 +-
 learning_observer/learning_observer/routes.py | 23 ++++++++++++++++--
 modules/portfolio_diff/next.config.mjs        |  7 +++++-
 modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/layout.js      |  7 ++++++
 .../src/app/students/compare/page.js          |  7 ++----
 .../StudentDetail/SingleEssayModel.js         |  7 ++----
 .../StudentDetail/StudentDetailGrowth.js      |  7 ++----
 .../components/StudentDetail/index.js         |  7 ++----
 .../app/students/components/StudentsIndex.js  |  7 ++----
 modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/utils/ws.js    | 24 +++++++++++++++++--
 11 files changed, 68 insertions(+), 32 deletions(-)

diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 8a8cff7e..1a2c91d0 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.12T13.33.40.392Z.377c68ef.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.12T16.12.02.223Z.94f071db.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/learning_observer/VERSION b/learning_observer/VERSION
index 20ad2997..1a2c91d0 100644
--- a/learning_observer/VERSION
+++ b/learning_observer/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.02.27T21.25.37.849Z.3207a114.berickson.20260220.dami.portfolio.pr
+0.1.0+2026.03.12T16.12.02.223Z.94f071db.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/learning_observer/learning_observer/routes.py b/learning_observer/learning_observer/routes.py
index 763ea621..7d67f02d 100644
--- a/learning_observer/learning_observer/routes.py
+++ b/learning_observer/learning_observer/routes.py
@@ -480,8 +480,22 @@ async def _nextjs_handler(request):
         sub_url = request.match_info.get('tail')
         if sub_url is None:
             return aiohttp.web.FileResponse(os.path.join(path, 'index.html'))
-        # TODO will this handle multi-layered sub-urls? /foo/bar
-        return aiohttp.web.FileResponse(os.path.join(path, f'{sub_url}.html'))
+        # Normalize the subpath and ensure it stays in the exported Next.js folder.
+        # This allows exported assets like `runtime-config.js` to be served directly.
+        relative_path = sub_url.lstrip('/')
+        file_path = os.path.normpath(os.path.join(path, relative_path))
+        if os.path.commonpath([os.path.abspath(file_path), os.path.abspath(path)]) != os.path.abspath(path):
+            raise aiohttp.web.HTTPNotFound()
+
+        if os.path.isfile(file_path):
+            return aiohttp.web.FileResponse(file_path)
+
+        # Handle extension-less routes exported as html files.
+        html_path = os.path.normpath(os.path.join(path, f'{relative_path}.html'))
+        if os.path.commonpath([os.path.abspath(html_path), os.path.abspath(path)]) != os.path.abspath(path):
+            raise aiohttp.web.HTTPNotFound()
+
+        return aiohttp.web.FileResponse(html_path)
     return _nextjs_handler
 
 
@@ -501,6 +515,11 @@ def register_nextjs_routes(app):
         tail_path = page_path + '{tail:.*}'
         app.router.add_get(tail_path, create_nextjs_handler(full_path))
 
+        # Some exported apps resolve local assets under an `/_next<page_path>` prefix.
+        # Mirror those requests back to the same exported directory.
+        next_prefixed_tail_path = f'/_next{page_path}' + '{tail:.*}'
+        app.router.add_get(next_prefixed_tail_path, create_nextjs_handler(full_path))
+
 
 def register_wsgi_routes(app):
     '''
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/next.config.mjs b/modules/portfolio_diff/next.config.mjs
index 0f9816ce..bfb66e10 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/next.config.mjs
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/next.config.mjs
@@ -1,6 +1,11 @@
 /** @type {import('next').NextConfig} */
+const basePath = "/_next/wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff";
+
 const nextConfig = {
-  basePath: "/_next/wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff",
+  basePath,
+  env: {
+    NEXT_PUBLIC_BASE_PATH: basePath,
+  },
   eslint: {
     ignoreDuringBuilds: true,
   },
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/layout.js b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/layout.js
index a588683e..132deb55 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/layout.js
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/layout.js
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import Navbar from "./components/Navbar";
 import { CourseIdProvider } from "@/app/providers/CourseIdProvider";
+import Script from "next/script";
 import "./globals.css";
 
 export const metadata = {
@@ -11,6 +12,12 @@ export default function RootLayout({ children }) {
   return (
     <CourseIdProvider>
       <html lang="en">
+        <head>
+          <Script
+            src={`${process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_BASE_PATH || ""}/runtime-config.js`}
+            strategy="beforeInteractive"
+          />
+        </head>
         <body className="antialiased">
           <Navbar />
           {children}
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/compare/page.js b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/compare/page.js
index 1a9fe796..d00ecc7d 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/compare/page.js
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/compare/page.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ import dynamic from "next/dynamic";
 
 import { MetricsPanel } from "@/app/components/MetricsPanel";
 import { useCourseIdContext } from "@/app/providers/CourseIdProvider";
-import { getWsOriginFromWindow } from "@/app/utils/ws";
+import { getConfiguredWsOrigin } from "@/app/utils/ws";
 
 /* ---------------------- deterministic helpers ---------------------- */
 const seedFrom = (s) => {
@@ -1110,10 +1110,7 @@ export default function EssayComparison() {
   ]);
 
   /* ---------------------- comparison data fetch ---------------------- */
-  const origin =
-    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN?.replace(/\/+$/, "") ||
-    getWsOriginFromWindow() ||
-    "ws://localhost:8888";
+  const origin = getConfiguredWsOrigin();
 
   const dataScope = useMemo(() => {
     if (!urlReady || !studentID) {
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/SingleEssayModel.js b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/SingleEssayModel.js
index cc62510d..88f7e80c 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/SingleEssayModel.js
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/SingleEssayModel.js
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ import {
 import { MetricsPanel } from "@/app/components/MetricsPanel";
 import { useLOConnectionDataManager } from "lo_event/lo_event/lo_assess/components/components.jsx";
 import { useCourseIdContext } from "@/app/providers/CourseIdProvider";
-import { getWsOriginFromWindow } from "@/app/utils/ws";
+import { getConfiguredWsOrigin } from "@/app/utils/ws";
 
 /* =========================================================
    Helpers
@@ -678,10 +678,7 @@ function SingleEssayInnerModal({ studentKey, docId, docIds }) {
   }, [exportEnabled, courseId, docIds, selectedMetrics, studentKey]);
 
   // Connect to LO websocket
-  const origin =
-    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN?.replace(/\/+$/, "") ||
-    getWsOriginFromWindow() ||
-    "ws://localhost:8888";
+  const origin = getConfiguredWsOrigin();
 
   const url = `${origin}/wsapi/communication_protocol`;
   const { connection, data: loData, errors: loErrors } = useLOConnectionDataManager({ url, dataScope });
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/StudentDetailGrowth.js b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/StudentDetailGrowth.js
index eb0bf51e..75c71f70 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/StudentDetailGrowth.js
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/StudentDetailGrowth.js
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@ import { Loader2 } from "lucide-react";
 import { useLOConnectionDataManager } from "lo_event/lo_event/lo_assess/components/components.jsx";
 import { MetricsPanel } from "@/app/components/MetricsPanel";
 import { useCourseIdContext } from "@/app/providers/CourseIdProvider";
-import { getWsOriginFromWindow } from "@/app/utils/ws";
+import { getConfiguredWsOrigin } from "@/app/utils/ws";
 
 const ReactECharts = dynamic(() => import("echarts-for-react"), { ssr: false });
 
@@ -271,10 +271,7 @@ export default function StudentDetailGrowth({
 
   const enabled = !!studentID && docIdsAsc.length > 0 && selectedMetrics.length > 0;
 
-  const origin =
-    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN?.replace(/\/+$/, "") ||
-    getWsOriginFromWindow() ||
-    "ws://localhost:8888";
+  const origin = getConfiguredWsOrigin();
 
   const dataScope = useMemo(() => {
     if (!enabled) {
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/index.js b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/index.js
index 18306036..455e5f26 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/index.js
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentDetail/index.js
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ import { useLOConnectionDataManager } from "lo_event/lo_event/lo_assess/componen
 import StudentDetailCompare from "./StudentDetailCompare";
 import StudentDetailGrowth from "./StudentDetailGrowth";
 import { useCourseIdContext } from "@/app/providers/CourseIdProvider";
-import { getWsOriginFromWindow } from "@/app/utils/ws";
+import { getConfiguredWsOrigin } from "@/app/utils/ws";
 
 /* =============================================================
    CONSTANTS
@@ -390,10 +390,7 @@ export default function StudentDetail({ studentId }) {
     },
   }), [courseId, studentID]);
 
-  const origin =
-    process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN?.replace(/\/+$/, "") ||
-    getWsOriginFromWindow() ||
-    "ws://localhost:8888";
+  const origin = getConfiguredWsOrigin();
 
   // Single hook for the entire page
   const { data, errors, connection } = useLOConnectionDataManager({
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentsIndex.js b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentsIndex.js
index 009c1c58..ea58349f 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentsIndex.js
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/students/components/StudentsIndex.js
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ import {
   LO_CONNECTION_STATUS,
 } from "lo_event/lo_event/lo_assess/components/components.jsx";
 import { useCourseIdContext } from "@/app/providers/CourseIdProvider";
-import { getWsOriginFromWindow } from "@/app/utils/ws";
+import { getConfiguredWsOrigin } from "@/app/utils/ws";
 
 
 const SEVEN_DAYS_SECS = 7 * 24 * 60 * 60;
@@ -115,10 +115,7 @@ export default function WritingPortfolioDashboard() {
     },
   };
 
-  const origin =
-      process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN?.replace(/\/+$/, "") ||
-      getWsOriginFromWindow() ||
-      "ws://localhost:8888";
+  const origin = getConfiguredWsOrigin();
 
   const { data, errors, connection } = useLOConnectionDataManager({
     url: `${origin}/wsapi/communication_protocol`,
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/utils/ws.js b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/utils/ws.js
index 528bb49e..ec664a94 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/utils/ws.js
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/src/app/utils/ws.js
@@ -7,9 +7,29 @@
  *   where `window` is undefined.
  */
 
-export function getWsOriginFromWindow() {
+function trimTrailingSlash(value) {
+  return value?.replace(/\/+$/, "");
+}
+
+function getRuntimeWsOrigin() {
+  if (typeof window === "undefined") return null;
+
+  const runtimeValue = window.__PORTFOLIO_DIFF_CONFIG?.NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN;
+  return trimTrailingSlash(runtimeValue) || null;
+}
+
+function getWsOriginFromWindow() {
   if (typeof window === "undefined") return null;
 
   const proto = window.location.protocol === "https:" ? "wss:" : "ws:";
   return `${proto}//${window.location.host}`;
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
+
+export function getConfiguredWsOrigin() {
+  return (
+    getRuntimeWsOrigin() ||
+    trimTrailingSlash(process.env.NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN) ||
+    getWsOriginFromWindow() ||
+    "ws://localhost:8888"
+  );
+}

From c200ac3ad6fcc6c08620aaf4e36806e3889c7c63 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bradley Erickson <bbwe24@gmail.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:15:50 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 3/7] added manifest and updated setup to include build files
 when installing

---
 VERSION                               | 2 +-
 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/MANIFEST.in | 1 +
 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION     | 2 +-
 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/setup.cfg   | 5 +++++
 4 files changed, 8 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/MANIFEST.in

diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 1a2c91d0..359d3f3b 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.12T16.12.02.223Z.94f071db.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.12T16.15.50.507Z.b17c2ec8.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/MANIFEST.in b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/MANIFEST.in
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..15247f6f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/MANIFEST.in
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+recursive-include wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff *
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
index d6b12310..359d3f3b 100644
--- a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.02.27T21.15.41.540Z.01d7abed.berickson.20260220.dami.portfolio.pr
+0.1.0+2026.03.12T16.15.50.507Z.b17c2ec8.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/setup.cfg b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/setup.cfg
index c081ec60..2d64249e 100644
--- a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/setup.cfg
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/setup.cfg
@@ -5,6 +5,11 @@ description = Use this as a base template for creating new modules on the Learni
 
 [options]
 packages = wo_portfolio_diff
+include_package_data = True
+
+[options.package_data]
+wo_portfolio_diff =
+    portfolio_diff/**/*
 
 [options.entry_points]
 lo_modules =

From a9a3177c481cd85bbbb5bf6dd09a5542948b848c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bradley Erickson <bbwe24@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:16:15 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 4/7] added basic startup checks

---
 VERSION                                       |  2 +-
 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION             |  2 +-
 .../wo_portfolio_diff/module.py               | 42 ++++++++++++++++++-
 3 files changed, 43 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 359d3f3b..b8cb887e 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.12T16.15.50.507Z.b17c2ec8.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.13T12.16.15.820Z.c200ac3a.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
index 359d3f3b..b8cb887e 100644
--- a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.12T16.15.50.507Z.b17c2ec8.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.13T12.16.15.820Z.c200ac3a.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/module.py b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/module.py
index a8b13d7c..27d9f418 100644
--- a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/module.py
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/module.py
@@ -4,6 +4,13 @@
 A writing observer module that shows the difference between the works of a student
 '''
 
+import os
+import re
+
+import learning_observer.prestartup
+from learning_observer.log_event import debug_log
+
+
 # Name for the module
 NAME = 'Writing Observer - Portfolio Diff'
 
@@ -28,4 +35,37 @@
 '''
 NEXTJS_PAGES = [
     {'path': 'portfolio_diff/'}
-]
\ No newline at end of file
+]
+
+def _portfolio_diff_dir():
+    return os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'portfolio_diff')
+
+
+@learning_observer.prestartup.register_startup_check
+def check_portfolio_diff_assets_exist():
+    portfolio_diff_dir = _portfolio_diff_dir()
+    if not os.path.isdir(portfolio_diff_dir):
+        raise learning_observer.prestartup.StartupCheck(
+            "Could not find bundled portfolio diff assets at "
+            f"`{portfolio_diff_dir}`.\n"
+            "This dashboard expects a built frontend in "
+            "`wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff/`.\n"
+            "Rebuild and copy the frontend output into this module before starting."
+        )
+
+
+@learning_observer.prestartup.register_startup_check
+def check_runtime_config_server_override():
+    runtime_config_path = os.path.join(_portfolio_diff_dir(), 'runtime-config.js')
+    if not os.path.isfile(runtime_config_path):
+        return
+
+    with open(runtime_config_path, encoding='utf-8') as runtime_config_file:
+        runtime_config_contents = runtime_config_file.read()
+
+    if re.search(r'NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN\s*:\s*null\b', runtime_config_contents):
+        debug_log(
+            "WARNING:: portfolio diff runtime-config.js sets "
+            "NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN to null. "
+            "Set this value if you want the dashboard to point to a specific server."
+        )

From bc144fc8079ea0a68aaf1f4bd49f10b50f7dab1e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bradley Erickson <bbwe24@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:15:47 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 5/7] added startup commands to download files and set the
 runtime config based on settings

---
 VERSION                                       |   2 +-
 learning_observer/VERSION                     |   2 +-
 .../learning_observer/remote_assets.py        | 191 ++++++++++++++++++
 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION             |   2 +-
 .../wo_portfolio_diff/module.py               | 157 +++++++++++---
 5 files changed, 327 insertions(+), 27 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 learning_observer/learning_observer/remote_assets.py

diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index b8cb887e..449dd4d0 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.13T12.16.15.820Z.c200ac3a.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.15.47.294Z.a9a3177c.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/learning_observer/VERSION b/learning_observer/VERSION
index 1a2c91d0..449dd4d0 100644
--- a/learning_observer/VERSION
+++ b/learning_observer/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.12T16.12.02.223Z.94f071db.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.15.47.294Z.a9a3177c.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/learning_observer/learning_observer/remote_assets.py b/learning_observer/learning_observer/remote_assets.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..f485fa9a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/learning_observer/learning_observer/remote_assets.py
@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+"""
+learning_observer.remote_assets
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+Utilities for downloading and installing prebuilt frontend asset bundles
+(e.g. exported Next.js apps) that are hosted in a GitHub repository.
+
+Intended use: LO module ``__init__.py`` files call :func:`fetch_module_assets`
+from their startup checks to ensure their bundled frontend is present.
+
+Typical repository layout assumed by the pointer-file convention::
+
+    lo_assets/
+      my_module/
+        my_module-current.tar.gz   ← plain-text file containing the tarball name
+        my_module-v1.2.3.tar.gz    ← the actual tarball
+"""
+
+import os
+import shutil
+import sys
+import tarfile
+import tempfile
+import urllib.request
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Default repository coordinates
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+_LO_ASSETS_REPO = 'ETS-Next-Gen/lo_assets'
+_LO_ASSETS_REF = 'main'
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Interactive / non-interactive prompts
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def confirm(prompt, default_noninteractive):
+    """
+    Ask a yes/no question and return a boolean.
+
+    Resolution order:
+      1. *default_noninteractive* when stdin is not a TTY.
+      2. An interactive prompt otherwise.
+
+    Example usage in a module startup check::
+
+        should_fetch = confirm(
+            prompt='Download missing assets? (y/n) ',
+            default_noninteractive=False,
+        )
+    """
+    if not sys.stdin.isatty():
+        return default_noninteractive
+
+    return input(prompt).strip().lower() in {'y', 'yes'}
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Low-level network helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def read_url(url):
+    """
+    Fetch *url* and return its contents as a stripped string.
+    """
+    with urllib.request.urlopen(url) as response:
+        return response.read().decode('utf-8').strip()
+
+
+def download_file(url, destination):
+    """
+    Stream *url* to *destination*, avoiding loading the full response into
+    memory.
+    """
+    with urllib.request.urlopen(url) as response, open(destination, 'wb') as output_file:
+        shutil.copyfileobj(response, output_file)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Archive helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def find_nextjs_root(extracted_dir):
+    """
+    Walk *extracted_dir* and return the shallowest path that looks like an
+    exported Next.js app (contains both ``index.html`` and a ``_next/``
+    directory).
+
+    Raises ``ValueError`` if no such directory is found.
+    """
+    candidates = []
+    for root, _, files in os.walk(extracted_dir):
+        if 'index.html' in files and os.path.isdir(os.path.join(root, '_next')):
+            candidates.append(root)
+
+    if not candidates:
+        raise ValueError(
+            "Could not find an exported Next.js app inside the archive "
+            "(expected index.html and _next/ in the same directory)."
+        )
+
+    return min(candidates, key=len)
+
+
+def extract_assets_tarball(tar_path, target_dir):
+    """
+    Extract the Next.js app bundle at *tar_path* into *target_dir*.
+
+    The archive may contain arbitrary wrapper directories; only the shallowest
+    directory that looks like an exported Next.js app is copied to
+    *target_dir*.  Any pre-existing *target_dir* is removed first.
+
+    Raises ``ValueError`` (from :func:`find_nextjs_root`) if the archive does
+    not contain a recognisable Next.js export.
+    """
+    with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as temp_extract_dir:
+        with tarfile.open(tar_path, mode='r:gz') as archive:
+            archive.extractall(temp_extract_dir)
+
+        source_root = find_nextjs_root(temp_extract_dir)
+
+        if os.path.isdir(target_dir):
+            shutil.rmtree(target_dir)
+        shutil.copytree(source_root, target_dir)
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# High-level fetch interface
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def fetch_module_assets(
+    target_dir,
+    pointer_file,
+    assets_url=None,
+    assets_repo=_LO_ASSETS_REPO,
+    assets_ref=_LO_ASSETS_REF,
+):
+    """
+    Download and install a prebuilt Next.js asset bundle for an LO module.
+
+    Parameters
+    ----------
+    target_dir:
+        Local directory where the extracted app should be placed.
+    pointer_file:
+        Path within *assets_repo* to a plain-text file whose content is the
+        filename of the current tarball, e.g.
+        ``'wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff-current.tar.gz'``.
+        The tarball is assumed to live in the same directory as this file.
+    assets_url:
+        If supplied, skip pointer-file resolution and download this URL
+        directly.  Useful for pinning a specific release or local testing.
+    assets_repo:
+        ``owner/repo`` slug on GitHub.  Defaults to the canonical LO assets
+        repository.
+    assets_ref:
+        Branch, tag, or commit SHA to resolve *pointer_file* against.
+        Defaults to ``'main'``.
+
+    Raises
+    ------
+    urllib.error.URLError
+        Network error while resolving the pointer file or downloading.
+    ValueError
+        The downloaded archive does not contain a recognisable Next.js export.
+    OSError
+        File-system error while writing or extracting the archive.
+    tarfile.TarError
+        The downloaded file is not a valid gzipped tar archive.
+    """
+    if assets_url is None:
+        pointer_url = (
+            f'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/{assets_repo}/{assets_ref}'
+            f'/{pointer_file}'
+        )
+        resolved_name = read_url(pointer_url)
+        pointer_dir = pointer_file.rsplit('/', 1)[0]
+        assets_url = (
+            f'https://raw.githubusercontent.com/{assets_repo}/{assets_ref}'
+            f'/{pointer_dir}/{resolved_name}'
+        )
+
+    with tempfile.NamedTemporaryFile(suffix='.tar.gz', delete=False) as tmp:
+        archive_path = tmp.name
+
+    try:
+        download_file(assets_url, archive_path)
+        extract_assets_tarball(archive_path, target_dir)
+    finally:
+        os.unlink(archive_path)
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
index b8cb887e..449dd4d0 100644
--- a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.13T12.16.15.820Z.c200ac3a.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.15.47.294Z.a9a3177c.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/module.py b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/module.py
index 27d9f418..734e978f 100644
--- a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/module.py
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/module.py
@@ -4,23 +4,21 @@
 A writing observer module that shows the difference between the works of a student
 '''
 
+import json
 import os
 import re
+import sys
+import tarfile
+import urllib.error
 
 import learning_observer.prestartup
+import learning_observer.settings
+import learning_observer.remote_assets
 from learning_observer.log_event import debug_log
 
 
-# Name for the module
 NAME = 'Writing Observer - Portfolio Diff'
 
-
-'''
-The Course Dashboards are used to populate the modules
-on the home screen.
-
-Note the icon uses Font Awesome v5
-'''
 COURSE_DASHBOARDS = [{
     'name': NAME,
     'url': "/wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff/",
@@ -30,40 +28,151 @@
     }
 }]
 
-'''
-Built NextJS pages we want to serve.
-'''
 NEXTJS_PAGES = [
     {'path': 'portfolio_diff/'}
 ]
 
+_POINTER_FILE = 'portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff-current.tar.gz'
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Path helpers
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 def _portfolio_diff_dir():
     return os.path.join(os.path.dirname(__file__), 'portfolio_diff')
 
 
+def _runtime_config_path():
+    return os.path.join(_portfolio_diff_dir(), 'runtime-config.js')
+
+
+def _portfolio_diff_assets_present():
+    portfolio_diff_dir = _portfolio_diff_dir()
+    return (
+        os.path.isdir(portfolio_diff_dir)
+        and os.path.isfile(os.path.join(portfolio_diff_dir, 'index.html'))
+        and os.path.isdir(os.path.join(portfolio_diff_dir, '_next'))
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Asset fetching
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _fetch_portfolio_diff_assets():
+    learning_observer.remote_assets.fetch_module_assets(
+        target_dir=_portfolio_diff_dir(),
+        pointer_file=_POINTER_FILE,
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Prompts
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _prompt_to_fetch_assets():
+    return learning_observer.remote_assets.confirm(
+        prompt=(
+            'Portfolio diff assets were not found. '
+            'Download prebuilt assets from the LO assets repository now? (y/n) '
+        ),
+        default_noninteractive=False,
+    )
+
+
+def _prompt_to_write_runtime_config():
+    return learning_observer.remote_assets.confirm(
+        prompt=(
+            'Would you like to write runtime-config.js '
+            'using current LO hostname/protocol settings? (y/n) '
+        ),
+        default_noninteractive=True,
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Runtime config
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+def _ws_origin_from_settings():
+    protocol = learning_observer.settings.pmss_settings.protocol()
+    hostname = learning_observer.settings.pmss_settings.hostname()
+    ws_protocol = 'wss' if protocol == 'https' else 'ws'
+    return f'{ws_protocol}://{hostname}'
+
+
+def _runtime_config_contents(ws_origin):
+    # json.dumps produces a properly-quoted JS string literal.
+    return (
+        'window.__PORTFOLIO_DIFF_CONFIG = {\n'
+        f'  NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN: {json.dumps(ws_origin)}\n'
+        '};\n'
+    )
+
+
+def _write_runtime_config_from_settings():
+    runtime_config_path = _runtime_config_path()
+    os.makedirs(os.path.dirname(runtime_config_path), exist_ok=True)
+    ws_origin = _ws_origin_from_settings()
+
+    with open(runtime_config_path, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f:
+        f.write(_runtime_config_contents(ws_origin))
+
+    debug_log(
+        'Wrote wo_portfolio_diff runtime-config.js with '
+        f'NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN={ws_origin}.'
+    )
+
+
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+# Startup checks
+# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
+
 @learning_observer.prestartup.register_startup_check
 def check_portfolio_diff_assets_exist():
-    portfolio_diff_dir = _portfolio_diff_dir()
-    if not os.path.isdir(portfolio_diff_dir):
-        raise learning_observer.prestartup.StartupCheck(
-            "Could not find bundled portfolio diff assets at "
-            f"`{portfolio_diff_dir}`.\n"
-            "This dashboard expects a built frontend in "
-            "`wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff/`.\n"
-            "Rebuild and copy the frontend output into this module before starting."
-        )
+    if _portfolio_diff_assets_present():
+        return
+
+    if _prompt_to_fetch_assets():
+        try:
+            _fetch_portfolio_diff_assets()
+        except (urllib.error.URLError, OSError, tarfile.TarError, ValueError) as error:
+            raise learning_observer.prestartup.StartupCheck(
+                f"Could not automatically fetch wo_portfolio_diff assets. Details: {error}"
+            ) from error
+
+        if _prompt_to_write_runtime_config():
+            try:
+                _write_runtime_config_from_settings()
+            except (OSError, AttributeError) as error:
+                raise learning_observer.prestartup.StartupCheck(
+                    f"Could not write wo_portfolio_diff runtime-config.js. Details: {error}"
+                ) from error
+
+        if _portfolio_diff_assets_present():
+            debug_log('Downloaded and installed missing wo_portfolio_diff assets.')
+            return
+
+    raise learning_observer.prestartup.StartupCheck(
+        "Could not find bundled portfolio diff assets at "
+        f"`{_portfolio_diff_dir()}`.\n"
+        "This dashboard expects a built frontend in "
+        "`wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff/`.\n"
+        "Answer `y` to the interactive prompt on startup to fetch assets."
+    )
 
 
 @learning_observer.prestartup.register_startup_check
 def check_runtime_config_server_override():
-    runtime_config_path = os.path.join(_portfolio_diff_dir(), 'runtime-config.js')
+    runtime_config_path = _runtime_config_path()
     if not os.path.isfile(runtime_config_path):
         return
 
-    with open(runtime_config_path, encoding='utf-8') as runtime_config_file:
-        runtime_config_contents = runtime_config_file.read()
+    with open(runtime_config_path, encoding='utf-8') as f:
+        contents = f.read()
 
-    if re.search(r'NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN\s*:\s*null\b', runtime_config_contents):
+    if re.search(r'NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN\s*:\s*null\b', contents):
         debug_log(
             "WARNING:: portfolio diff runtime-config.js sets "
             "NEXT_PUBLIC_LO_WS_ORIGIN to null. "

From fa70160cb3f513398183ee8f8ebb88cffa9eabf6 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bradley Erickson <bbwe24@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:45:38 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 6/7] updated git ignore to be module level

---
 .gitignore                           | 1 -
 VERSION                              | 2 +-
 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/.gitignore | 1 +
 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION    | 2 +-
 4 files changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)
 create mode 100644 modules/wo_portfolio_diff/.gitignore

diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 6f37666e..4f517801 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -40,4 +40,3 @@ learning_observer/learning_observer/static_data/admins.yaml
 .ipynb_checkpoints/
 .eggs/
 .next/
-modules/wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff/*
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index 449dd4d0..fe0ae05f 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.15.47.294Z.a9a3177c.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.45.38.131Z.bc144fc8.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/.gitignore b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..31a4639c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff/*
diff --git a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
index 449dd4d0..fe0ae05f 100644
--- a/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
+++ b/modules/wo_portfolio_diff/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.15.47.294Z.a9a3177c.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.45.38.131Z.bc144fc8.berickson.20260312.small.fixes

From ed3b6ac0b7558edfcd2a9baeedea8deed869fa9c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Bradley Erickson <bbwe24@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Mar 2026 11:49:25 -0400
Subject: [PATCH 7/7] updated build documentation

---
 VERSION                          |  2 +-
 modules/portfolio_diff/README.md | 52 +++++++++++++++++++-------------
 2 files changed, 32 insertions(+), 22 deletions(-)

diff --git a/VERSION b/VERSION
index fe0ae05f..3222cfd5 100644
--- a/VERSION
+++ b/VERSION
@@ -1 +1 @@
-0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.45.38.131Z.bc144fc8.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
+0.1.0+2026.03.13T15.49.25.710Z.fa70160c.berickson.20260312.small.fixes
diff --git a/modules/portfolio_diff/README.md b/modules/portfolio_diff/README.md
index 66bb426f..daaf0981 100644
--- a/modules/portfolio_diff/README.md
+++ b/modules/portfolio_diff/README.md
@@ -1,36 +1,46 @@
-This is a [Next.js](https://nextjs.org) project bootstrapped with [`create-next-app`](https://github.com/vercel/next.js/tree/canary/packages/create-next-app).
+# portfolio_diff frontend
 
-## Getting Started
+This directory contains the Next.js frontend for portfolio diff visualizations. The app is configured with `output: "export"`, so a production build generates static files in `out/` that can be copied into Python modules or archived for an external assets repository.
 
-First, run the development server:
+## Prerequisites
+
+- Node.js + npm available locally.
+- Install dependencies from this directory:
+
+```bash
+npm install
+```
+
+## Build the static site
+
+From `modules/portfolio_diff`:
 
 ```bash
-npm run dev
-# or
-yarn dev
-# or
-pnpm dev
-# or
-bun dev
+rm -rf out/
+npm run build
 ```
 
-Open [http://localhost:3000](http://localhost:3000) with your browser to see the result.
+After build completion, the static export is written to `out/`.
 
-You can start editing the page by modifying `app/page.js`. The page auto-updates as you edit the file.
+## Bundle build output into a `.tar.gz`
 
-This project uses [`next/font`](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/optimizing/fonts) to automatically optimize and load [Geist](https://vercel.com/font), a new font family for Vercel.
+If you need an artifact for an assets repository, archive the exported files from `out/`:
 
-## Learn More
+```bash
+VERSION_TAG=$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S)
+tar -C out -czf "portfolio_diff_${VERSION_TAG}.tar.gz" .
+```
 
-To learn more about Next.js, take a look at the following resources:
+That creates a tarball in `modules/portfolio_diff` (for example `portfolio_diff-20260710-153010.tar.gz`) containing the static site root.
 
-- [Next.js Documentation](https://nextjs.org/docs) - learn about Next.js features and API.
-- [Learn Next.js](https://nextjs.org/learn) - an interactive Next.js tutorial.
+You should include copy this to the [`lo_assets` repository](github.com/ETS-Next-Gen/lo_assets) and update the `portfolio_diff-current.tar.gz` link to point to the new version.
 
-You can check out [the Next.js GitHub repository](https://github.com/vercel/next.js) - your feedback and contributions are welcome!
+## Existing helper script
 
-## Deploy on Vercel
+This repo also includes `build_and_add_to_module.sh`, which builds and copies `out/` into `../wo_portfolio_diff/wo_portfolio_diff/portfolio_diff/` for local module packaging:
 
-The easiest way to deploy your Next.js app is to use the [Vercel Platform](https://vercel.com/new?utm_medium=default-template&filter=next.js&utm_source=create-next-app&utm_campaign=create-next-app-readme) from the creators of Next.js.
+```bash
+./build_and_add_to_module.sh
+```
 
-Check out our [Next.js deployment documentation](https://nextjs.org/docs/app/building-your-application/deploying) for more details.
+Use that helper when updating the in-repo Python package. Use the tarball workflow above when publishing to a separate assets repository.