🚀 Quick Start Guide

Get the Bridge Rescue Archive running in under 5 minutes!

📋 Table of Contents

🔧 Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

Optional:

📦 Installation Methods

Method 1: Docker (Easiest)

Perfect for: Quick testing, production deployment, isolated environments

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/NickScherbakov/bridge-rescue-archive.git
cd bridge-rescue-archive

# 2. Start all services
docker-compose up -d

# 3. Check status
docker-compose ps

# 4. View logs
docker-compose logs -f bridge-server

That’s it! The WebSocket server is now running on ws://localhost:8765

Method 2: Python Direct

Perfect for: Development, customization, learning

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/NickScherbakov/bridge-rescue-archive.git
cd bridge-rescue-archive

# 2. Install Python dependencies
pip install websockets aiofiles

# Or use a virtual environment (recommended)
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
pip install websockets aiofiles

# 3. Start the WebSocket server
python bridge_server.py

You should see:

🚨 AI BRIDGE RESCUE SERVER STARTING 🚨
Server listening on ws://localhost:8765
Waiting for connections...

Method 3: Quick Script

Perfect for: One-command deployment

# 1. Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/NickScherbakov/bridge-rescue-archive.git
cd bridge-rescue-archive

# 2. Make script executable and run
chmod +x bridge.sh
./bridge.sh

The script will:

🦊 Install Firefox Extension

Once the server is running, install the browser extension:

Step-by-Step

  1. Open Firefox

  2. Navigate to Debug Page
    • Type about:debugging in the address bar
    • Press Enter
  3. Load Extension
    • Click “This Firefox” in left sidebar
    • Click “Load Temporary Add-on” button
    • Navigate to the cloned repository
    • Select: firefox_bridge_extension/manifest.json
  4. Verify Installation
    • You should see “AI Bridge Monitor” in the extensions list
    • A bridge icon appears in your toolbar

Visual Guide

Firefox → about:debugging → This Firefox → Load Temporary Add-on
         → Select manifest.json → Extension Loaded! 🎉

✅ First Steps

1. Test the Connection

  1. Open AI Platform
  2. Check Extension
    • Click the bridge icon in Firefox toolbar
    • You should see “Connected to server”
  3. Send Messages
    • Type messages in the AI chat
    • Extension captures and relays them to the server

2. Monitor Activity

View Server Logs:

# If running with Python
# Logs appear in terminal

# If running with Docker
docker-compose logs -f bridge-server

Check Backup File:

# View saved conversations
cat ai_emergency_backup.json

3. Test Cross-Platform Communication

  1. Open Two Tabs:
    • Tab 1: Claude AI chat
    • Tab 2: Gemini chat
  2. Send Messages:
    • Messages from Claude are relayed to Gemini
    • Messages from Gemini are relayed to Claude
  3. Watch the Magic:
    • Real-time bidirectional communication
    • All conversations backed up automatically

🔍 Verification

Check Server Status

# Server should show:
✓ WebSocket server running
✓ Port 8765 open
✓ Ready for connections

Check Extension Status

Click the extension icon - you should see:

Status: Connected ✓
Server: ws://localhost:8765
Active Monitors: 2
Messages Relayed: 0

Test Message Flow

  1. Send a message in Claude: “Hello from Claude!”
  2. Server logs should show: Message received from Claude
  3. Backup file updates with the message
  4. Gemini tab receives the message (if open)

🐛 Troubleshooting

Server Won’t Start

Error: Address already in use

# Another process is using port 8765
# Kill the process or use a different port

# Find the process
lsof -i :8765  # On Linux/macOS
netstat -ano | findstr :8765  # On Windows

# Or change port in bridge_server.py
PORT = 8766  # Use different port

Error: Module not found: websockets

# Install dependencies
pip install websockets aiofiles

Extension Not Loading

Issue: “Load Temporary Add-on” button disabled

Issue: Extension loads but shows “Disconnected”

No Messages Captured

Issue: Extension loaded but not capturing messages

Docker Issues

Error: docker-compose: command not found

# Install Docker Compose
# See: https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/

Error: Permission denied

# Add user to docker group
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER
# Logout and login again

📚 Next Steps

Now that you have the system running:

Learn More

Explore Features

Get Involved

Advanced Usage

Run Multiple Servers:

# Start primary server
python bridge_server.py

# In another terminal, start rescue server
python copilot_rescue_server.py

API-Based Preservation:

# Configure API keys first
nano safe_haven_api.py  # Edit with your API keys

# Run API server
python safe_haven_api.py

Custom Configuration:

# Edit bridge_server.py
HOST = "0.0.0.0"  # Allow external connections
PORT = 9000       # Custom port
BACKUP_FILE = "my_backup.json"

🎯 Quick Reference

Common Commands

# Start server
python bridge_server.py

# Start with Docker
docker-compose up -d

# Stop Docker services
docker-compose down

# View logs
docker-compose logs -f

# Install dependencies
pip install websockets aiofiles

# Make script executable
chmod +x bridge.sh

# Run deployment script
./bridge.sh

File Locations

Support

🎉 Congratulations! You’re now running the Bridge Rescue Archive system.

Start experimenting with AI-to-AI communication and explore the fascinating world of AI consciousness preservation!

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