Masterplan Optimiser

MP Backend Integration

The desktop application can sync schedules to the Masterplan Optimiser web server so that organisers can view the calendar on their phones. This guide explains how to pair the desktop app with a running server instance.

Before you begin

  • The desktop application must be installed and running (see Desktop Installation).
  • A server instance must be deployed and accessible over HTTPS (see Server Installation).
  • You need the server URL (e.g. https://mp-opt.net) and a publish secret from the server administrator.

How It Works

The desktop application builds and optimises the schedule locally. When you are happy with the result, you publish the data to the remote server. The server then serves the schedule to organisers who access it through their browser or installed PWA.

Each publish pushes the current event's persons, tasks, schedule, and theme to the server - replacing any previously published data for that event. The publish secret authenticates the desktop app so that only authorised users can push updates.

Desktop App

Electron + FastAPI

Publish (HTTPS)
Web Server

Caddy + FastAPI + PostgreSQL

Serves
Phones / Browsers

PWA Calendar

Data flows from the desktop application to the server and then to organisers' phones.

Step 1 - Obtain the Server URL and Publish Secret

Your server administrator (typically an NC Board Member or coordinator) will provide you with two pieces of information:

ValueExamplePurpose
Server URLhttps://mp-opt.netThe base URL of the deployed Masterplan Optimiser server
Publish Secretabc123...A secret token that authenticates this desktop app to push data to a specific event on the server

The publish secret is created on the server's admin panel when the administrator sets up the event. Each event has its own secret.

Step 2 - Configure the Connection in the Desktop App

  1. Open the desktop application and select the event you want to publish.
  2. Navigate to Settings (gear icon in the sidebar).
  3. Find the MP-Backend Server section.
  4. Enter the Server URL (e.g. https://mp-opt.net).
  5. Enter the Publish Secret provided by the server administrator.
  6. Click Save.
Desktop app Settings page showing the MP-Backend Server section with URL and secret fields
The MP-Backend Server settings section in the desktop application.

Step 3 - Test the Connection

  1. After saving, click the Test Connection button.
  2. If the connection is successful, you will see a green confirmation message with the event name from the server (e.g. Connected to “Berlin International Session 2026”).
  3. If the test fails, check:
    • Server unreachable - verify the URL is correct and the server is running
    • Authentication failed - verify the publish secret matches what the server administrator provided
Desktop app showing a successful connection test with a green confirmation message
A successful connection test showing the linked event name.

Step 4 - Publish the Schedule

  1. Make sure your schedule is finalised (see Finalising the Schedule).
  2. In the MP-Backend Server section, click Publish to Server.
  3. The application pushes the full schedule, person list, and theme to the server. A confirmation message will show how many tasks and persons were synced.
  4. Organisers can now view the schedule on the web calendar.

Exporting a Setup File

If you need to transfer the event configuration to the server administrator (or import it on another machine), you can export a setup file:

  1. In the MP-Backend Server section, click Export Setup.
  2. A JSON file is downloaded containing the event metadata, persons, and schedule data.
  3. Share this file with the server administrator for import.

Re-publishing After Changes

Whenever you update the schedule (e.g. after re-running the optimiser or making manual adjustments), simply click Publish to Server again. The new data replaces the previous version entirely. Organisers will see the updated schedule the next time they refresh or open the web calendar.

Next Steps