# Cookbook

    # Build a valid IPC message envelope
    msg <- RDesk::rdesk_message("get_data", list(filter = "cyl == 6"))
    str(msg)
    #> List of 5
    #>  $ id       : chr "msg_177685047030.410_3286"
    #>  $ type     : chr "get_data"
    #>  $ version  : chr "1.0"
    #>  $ payload  :List of 1
    #>   ..$ filter: chr "cyl == 6"
    #>  $ timestamp: num 1.78e+09

Copy-paste recipes for the most common RDesk patterns.

## Load a CSV with a file dialog

    app$on_message("load_file", function(payload) {
      path <- app$dialog_open(
        title   = "Open CSV",
        filters = list("CSV files" = "*.csv")
      )
      if (is.null(path)) return(invisible(NULL))

      df <- utils::read.csv(path, stringsAsFactors = FALSE)
      app$send("file_loaded", list(
        rows     = nrow(df),
        cols     = names(df),
        filename = basename(path)
      ))
    })

## Render a ggplot2 chart

    app$on_message("get_chart", async(function(payload) {
      p <- ggplot2::ggplot(mtcars,
             ggplot2::aes(wt, mpg, colour = factor(cyl))) +
           ggplot2::geom_point(size = 3) +
           ggplot2::theme_minimal()

      list(chart = rdesk_plot_to_base64(p))
    }, app = app))

    rdesk.on("get_chart_result", function(data) {
      document.getElementById("chart").src =
        "data:image/png;base64," + data.chart;
    });

## Show a toast notification

    app$toast("File saved successfully", type = "success")
    app$toast("Could not connect",       type = "error")
    app$toast("Update available",        type = "info")

## Save a file with a dialog

    app$on_message("export_csv", function(payload) {
      path <- app$dialog_save(
        title        = "Save CSV",
        filters      = list("CSV files" = "*.csv"),
        default_name = "export.csv"
      )
      if (is.null(path)) return(invisible(NULL))

      write.csv(mtcars, path, row.names = FALSE)
      app$toast(paste("Saved to", basename(path)), type = "success")
    })

## Run a slow computation without freezing the UI

    app$on_message("run_analysis", async(function(payload) {
      result <- slow_function(payload$data)
      list(
        summary = as.list(summary(result)),
        n       = length(result)
      )
    }, app = app, loading_message = "Analysing..."))

## Add a native menu

    app$on_ready(function() {
      app$set_menu(list(
        File = list(
          "Open..."   = function() app$send("load_file", list()),
          "Export..." = function() app$send("export_csv", list()),
          "---",
          "Exit"      = app$quit
        ),
        View = list(
          "Refresh"   = function() app$send("refresh", list()),
          "Dark mode" = function() app$send("toggle_theme", list())
        ),
        Help = list(
          "About"     = function() {
            app$toast("MyApp v1.0.0 -- built with RDesk", type = "info")
          }
        )
      ))
    })

## Check for and install updates

    # In app.R, before app$run()
    rdesk_auto_update(
      current_version = "1.0.0",
      version_url     = "https://yourserver.com/latest.txt",
      download_url    = "https://yourserver.com/MyApp-setup.exe",
      app             = app
    )

Host a plain text file at `version_url` containing only the latest version string, e.g. `1.1.0`. RDesk checks it silently on launch and installs the update if a newer version is available.

## Send data when the app starts

    app$on_ready(function() {
      df <- load_initial_data()
      app$send("data_ready", list(
        rows = lapply(seq_len(nrow(df)), function(i) as.list(df[i,])),
        cols = names(df),
        n    = nrow(df)
      ))
    })

## Handle errors gracefully

    app$on_message("risky_operation", async(function(payload) {
      tryCatch({
        result <- operation_that_might_fail(payload)
        list(success = TRUE, data = result)
      }, error = function(e) {
        list(success = FALSE, error = e$message)
      })
    }, app = app))

    rdesk.on("risky_operation_result", function(data) {
      if (!data.success) {
        showError(data.error);
        return;
      }
      renderResult(data.data);
    });

## Detect if running as a built app vs dev mode

    if (rdesk_is_bundle()) {
      # Running as distributed exe
      data_path <- file.path(getwd(), "data", "config.json")
    } else {
      # Running in development via source("app.R")
      data_path <- file.path(app_dir, "data", "config.json")
    }