🖨️ LAN Printer Server

A modern, professional printer server solution that allows devices on your local network to upload files and print them through a centralized printer server.

🌟 Features

• 🚀 Modern Stack: Built with NestJS backend and Next.js frontend
• 📤 Drag & Drop Upload: Intuitive file upload with drag and drop support
• 🖨️ Multi-Printer Support: Select from available printers or use default
• 📊 Real-time Status: Live print job tracking and printer status monitoring
• 🔄 Auto-refresh: Real-time updates for print jobs and server status
• 📱 Responsive Design: Works seamlessly on desktop, tablet, and mobile
• 🔒 File Validation: Supports PDF, Word, Excel, images, and text files
• ⚡ Fast & Reliable: Built for performance and reliability

🛠️ Technology Stack

Backend (NestJS)

• Framework: NestJS with TypeScript
• File Upload: Multer for handling file uploads
• Printer Integration: Windows PowerShell commands for printing
• API: RESTful endpoints with proper error handling
• File Management: Automatic cleanup and file type validation

Frontend (Next.js)

• Framework: Next.js 15 with App Router
• Styling: Tailwind CSS for modern, responsive design
• State Management: React hooks for real-time updates
• File Upload: Drag & drop interface with progress indicators
• Real-time Updates: Polling for live status updates

📁 Project Structure

printer-server/
├── apps/
│   ├── backend/          # NestJS backend application
│   │   ├── src/
│   │   │   ├── print/    # Print module (jobs, printers)
│   │   │   ├── files/    # File management module
│   │   │   └── uploads/  # File upload directory
│   │   └── package.json
│   └── frontend/         # Next.js frontend application
│       ├── src/
│       │   ├── app/      # Next.js app router
│       │   ├── components/ # React components
│       │   └── lib/      # API utilities
│       └── package.json
├── packages/             # Shared packages (future use)
└── package.json          # Root package.json (monorepo)

🚀 Quick Start

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+
• npm 9+
• Windows OS (for printer integration)

Installation

1. Clone and install dependencies:

   npm install

2. Start both backend and frontend:

   npm run dev

   Or start them individually:

   # Backend (port 3001)
   npm run dev:backend
   
   # Frontend (port 3000)
   npm run dev:frontend

3. Access the application:

   • Frontend: http://localhost:3000
   • Backend API: http://localhost:3001

📖 API Documentation

Print Endpoints

• GET /api/print/printers - Get available printers
• GET /api/print/default-printer - Get default printer
• POST /api/print/upload-and-print - Upload file and create print job
• GET /api/print/jobs - Get all print jobs
• GET /api/print/jobs/:jobId - Get specific print job

File Management

• GET /api/files - Get uploaded files list
• DELETE /api/files/:filename - Delete uploaded file

System

• GET /api/health - Server health check
• GET /api - API welcome message

🔧 Configuration

Environment Variables

Create .env.local in the frontend directory:

NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://localhost:3001

Supported File Types

• Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, TXT
• Images: JPG, JPEG, PNG, GIF, BMP
• Maximum Size: 50MB per file

🖨️ Printer Integration

The application uses Windows PowerShell commands to interact with system printers:

• Automatically detects available printers
• Shows printer status and default printer
• Supports printing to specific printers
• Handles print job status tracking

🔄 Development Scripts

# Development
npm run dev              # Start both apps
npm run dev:backend     # Start backend only
npm run dev:frontend    # Start frontend only

# Production Build
npm run build           # Build both apps
npm run build:backend   # Build backend only
npm run build:frontend  # Build frontend only

# Production Start
npm run start           # Start both apps in production
npm run start:backend   # Start backend in production
npm run start:frontend  # Start frontend in production

# Utilities
npm run lint            # Lint all workspaces
npm run test            # Test all workspaces

🌐 Network Access

To allow other devices on your LAN to access the printer server:

1. Find your local IP address:

   ipconfig

2. Update the frontend API URL in .env.local:

   NEXT_PUBLIC_API_URL=http://YOUR_LOCAL_IP:3001

3. Start the applications:

   npm run start

4. Access from other devices:

   • Open http://YOUR_LOCAL_IP:3000 in any browser on your network

🔐 Security Considerations

• Currently designed for trusted local networks
• File uploads are validated for type and size
• Temporary files are automatically cleaned up
• Consider adding authentication for production use

🚀 Future Enhancements

• User authentication system
• Claude AI integration for document processing
• Print history and analytics
• Email notifications for print jobs
• Mobile app support
• Docker containerization
• Linux/macOS printer support

🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Test thoroughly
5. Submit a pull request

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🆘 Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Printers not detected:

   • Ensure printers are properly installed on Windows
   • Check printer drivers are up to date
   • Verify PowerShell execution policy allows scripts

2. File upload fails:

   • Check file size (max 50MB)
   • Verify file type is supported
   • Ensure uploads directory has write permissions

3. Network access issues:

   • Verify firewall settings allow connections
   • Check that both backend and frontend are accessible
   • Confirm correct IP addresses in configuration

Support

For issues and questions:

• Check the troubleshooting section above
• Review the API documentation
• Check the console for error messages
• Ensure all dependencies are properly installed

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Built with ❤️ using NestJS and Next.js for reliable, professional printer sharing on your local network.