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  iVistaar — Installation Guide (Windows Server + IIS)
  Version: 0.5.0 (see VERSION in this package)
  Git is NOT required on the target server
  Package: obfuscated customer build
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This package installs the iVistaar admin control plane on IIS. After install,
you connect a project folder on the server (similar to connecting a repo on
Render) and publish it to an internal URL.

See CHANGELOG.md for release history.

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1. PREREQUISITES
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  - Windows Server with IIS enabled
  - IIS Management Scripts and Tools
  - HttpPlatformHandler
      https://www.iis.net/downloads/microsoft/httpplatformhandler
  - Python 3.10 or newer (python.exe on PATH, or know the full path)
  - Administrator PowerShell

  Optional — enable IIS features:

      Install-WindowsFeature Web-Server, Web-Mgmt-Tools, Web-Scripting-Tools

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2. DOWNLOAD AND EXTRACT
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  1. Download iVistaar-latest.zip (or iVistaar-0.5.0.zip).
  2. Extract to a permanent location, for example:

        C:\iVistaar

  You should see INSTALL.md, INSTALL.txt, CHANGELOG.md, VERSION, wsgi.py,
  admin\, scripts\, and sample-apps\ at the root of that folder.

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3. INSTALL THE ADMIN SITE
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  Open PowerShell as Administrator:

      cd C:\iVistaar
      .\scripts\install-admin.ps1 -Port 8080

  Common options:

      .\scripts\install-admin.ps1 -Port 80 -HostHeader "ivistaar.company.com"
      .\scripts\install-admin.ps1 -Port 8080 -PythonPath "C:\Python312\python.exe"

  The installer creates:
    - Python venv under this folder
    - IIS app pool:  IVistaar_Admin
    - IIS site:      iVistaar
    - Apps root:     D:\iVistaar\apps

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4. SIGN IN
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  Open:   http://localhost:8080/
  User:   admin
  Pass:   iV!5taar#Ctrl2026

  Change these credentials before wider network exposure.
  Set IVISTAAR_ADMIN_USER / IVISTAAR_ADMIN_PASSWORD in web.config if needed.

  Licensing (freemium):
    Free demo: up to 3 projects/sites.
    Need more: email hello@ivistaar.com for a yearly SPC code.
    Activate under License in the admin UI.
    At the free limit, Connect shows a contact/gate screen.
    When Pro expires, request a new yearly SPC.

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5. DEPLOY AN APPLICATION (CONNECT A FOLDER)
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  1. Place your Flask project on the server, for example:

        C:\Projects\my-dashboard

     Include app.py (or your entrypoint) and requirements.txt.

  2. In iVistaar, open Connect and enter that folder path.
  3. Click Deploy.

  Resulting URL example:

        http://localhost:8080/apps/my-dashboard/

  Sample project for a first test:

        C:\iVistaar\sample-apps\hello-flask

  After code changes in the connected folder, click Redeploy — or rely on
  auto-deploy (default), which watches for Python / requirements changes.

  Open Events for deployment history (actor, source mtime, owner).
  On the project page: Releases → Rollback; also Start / Stop / Delete.
  Delete removes the iVistaar build + IIS app, not your original folder.

  UNC paths (\\laptop\share\project) work if the IIS app pool identity can
  read the share and the share is online at deploy time.

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6. UPGRADE
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  1. Download the newer zip.
  2. Stop the IVistaar_Admin app pool.
  3. Extract over C:\iVistaar (KEEP the data\ folder — history + license).
  4. Re-run install-admin.ps1.
  5. Start the app pool.
  6. Confirm License still shows the expected tier.

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7. TROUBLESHOOTING
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  Blank / 502 ........ C:\iVistaar\logs\stdout_admin.log
  IIS script errors .. Run elevated; confirm Management Scripts/Tools
  Handler missing .... Install HttpPlatformHandler; recycle app pool
  Folder not found ... Path must exist for the app pool account
  pip / venv fail .... Run:  python --version
  Can't add 4th app .. Free demo limit — License page or hello@ivistaar.com
  SPC rejected ....... Check typing and expiry date in the code

For the full formatted guide, open INSTALL.md in this package.
Product site: https://vistaar-c5o.pages.dev
Support: hello@ivistaar.com

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