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Blind Flange Calculator Microarchitecture Migration Plan

1. Purpose​

This document defines the technical plan for migrating BlindFlangeCalculator from a Docusaurus-bundled React component into a separately maintained Vite application that is published into the host site as a static utility app.

Target source module:

src/components/tools/BlindFlangeCalculator

Target published app path:

static/utility-apps/blind-flange-calculator/app.html

The migration should follow the existing utility-shell pattern already used by standalone utilities such as dxf-editor, where the Docusaurus page renders the common site shell and loads the utility app inside the tool frame.

2. Current State​

2.1 Host Site Stack​

The root site is a Docusaurus application named cadautoscript-site. It already uses React, TypeScript, Tailwind-related tooling, Vercel analytics, Supabase, Three.js, Replicad/OpenCascade, Monaco, Zustand, jspdf, lucide-react, and other browser utility dependencies. The package manager is pnpm@10.33.0, and the Node engine is 22.x.

2.2 Current Blind Flange Integration​

The current page imports the calculator directly into the Docusaurus bundle:

import UtilityShellPage from '@site/src/components/Utilities/UtilityShellPage';
import BlindFlangeCalculator from '@site/src/components/tools/BlindFlangeCalculator';
import {utilityPageConfigs} from '@site/src/data/utilityShellPages';

export default function BlindFlangeCalculatorPage() {
  const config = utilityPageConfigs['blind-flange-calculator'];
  if (!config) {
    throw new Error('Utility page configuration missing for slug "blind-flange-calculator"');
  }

  return <UtilityShellPage {...config} tool={<BlindFlangeCalculator />} />;
}

This means the tool is compiled together with the documentation site and is tightly coupled to Docusaurus aliases, theme build settings, and site dependency resolution.

2.3 Existing Standalone Utility Pattern​

UtilityShellPage already supports two rendering modes:

  1. If a tool React node is passed, it renders the tool directly.
  2. If no tool is passed, it loads a static utility app through an iframe.

The default iframe path is:

appPath ?? `/utility-apps/${slug}/app.html`

The dxf-editor page uses the generic standalone utility wrapper:

import {createUtilityPage} from '@site/src/components/Utilities/createUtilityPage';

export default createUtilityPage('dxf-editor');

This is the desired integration model for blind-flange-calculator after migration.

3. Migration Goal​

Move BlindFlangeCalculator to a separately buildable Vite micro-application while preserving the existing public route:

/utilities/blind-flange-calculator/

The Docusaurus site remains responsible for:

  • route ownership
  • SEO metadata
  • utility shell layout
  • auth/access gate
  • reactions/comments
  • fullscreen shell controls
  • utility catalog data

The Vite app becomes responsible for:

  • calculator UI
  • calculator state
  • engineering domain logic
  • export actions
  • CAD/STEP generation improvements
  • local persistence for tool-specific settings, if needed
  • future internal architecture evolution independent of the Docusaurus bundle

4. Architectural Direction​

Use a repository-level monorepo-style structure with a standalone Vite app inside the existing repository first. This keeps deployment simple and avoids introducing cross-repository automation too early.

Recommended repository layout:

apps/
  blind-flange-calculator/
    index.html
    package.json
    tsconfig.json
    vite.config.ts
    src/
      main.tsx
      App.tsx
      styles.css
      components/
      domain/
      data/
      export/
      cad/
      workers/
      state/
      shared/

static/
  utility-apps/
    blind-flange-calculator/
      app.html
      assets/

A later phase can split apps/blind-flange-calculator into a separate repository and publish the built artifact back into this site repository.

4.2 Why Start Inside the Same Repository​

Starting inside the same repository reduces risk because:

  • current calculator code can be moved without package publishing overhead
  • Docusaurus integration can be changed in one PR
  • build output can be validated against the existing static utility pattern
  • root dependencies and versions can be reused or mirrored
  • future split into a dedicated repository remains possible once the app boundary is stable

4.3 Later Separate Repository Model​

After the Vite app is stable, move it to a separate repository, for example:

YurMil/blind-flange-calculator-app

That repository should publish a versioned static artifact containing:

app.html
assets/*
manifest.json
checksums.json

The host site can then consume it through one of these approaches:

  1. GitHub Actions artifact download
  2. Git submodule
  3. Git subtree
  4. package tarball from GitHub Packages
  5. release asset sync script

Recommended long-term approach: GitHub release asset sync, because it keeps the host repository clean and avoids submodule friction.

5. Target Runtime Integration​

5.1 Docusaurus Page​

Replace the direct component page with the generic utility page:

import {createUtilityPage} from '@site/src/components/Utilities/createUtilityPage';

export default createUtilityPage('blind-flange-calculator');

This matches the standalone utility pattern used by dxf-editor.

5.2 Utility Config​

Keep the existing blind-flange-calculator entry in src/data/utilityShellPages.tsx, but optionally make the app path explicit:

'blind-flange-calculator': {
  slug: 'blind-flange-calculator',
  title: 'Blind Flange Calculator',
  subtitle: 'Web utility - EN 13445-3 blind flange sizing',
  description: 'Auto-select EN 1092-1 PN class, calculate blind flange thickness, and estimate weight from DN and pressure.',
  about: 'Enter DN, operating and test pressure, temperature, material, and corrosion allowance. The calculator selects the nearest PN class from EN 1092-1, computes minimum thickness per EN 13445-3, and recommends a standard plate thickness with a weight estimate.',
  tags: ['EN 13445-3', 'EN 1092-1', 'Flanges'],
  note: 'Runs entirely in the browser. Validate final flange sizing, bolt loads, and gasket selection against project specs.',
  features: [
    'Automatic PN selection from operating pressure',
    'Minimum and recommended thickness outputs',
    'Bolt circle data and weight estimate',
  ],
  scriptType: 'module',
  appPath: '/utility-apps/blind-flange-calculator/app.html',
}

5.3 Vite Build Output​

Configure Vite so the generated HTML file is named app.html and all assets use relative paths.

Required Vite settings:

import {defineConfig} from 'vite';
import react from '@vitejs/plugin-react';

export default defineConfig({
  plugins: [react()],
  base: './',
  build: {
    outDir: '../../static/utility-apps/blind-flange-calculator',
    emptyOutDir: true,
    assetsDir: 'assets',
    rollupOptions: {
      input: 'index.html',
      output: {
        entryFileNames: 'assets/[name]-[hash].js',
        chunkFileNames: 'assets/[name]-[hash].js',
        assetFileNames: 'assets/[name]-[hash][extname]',
      },
    },
  },
});

After build, rename or emit index.html as app.html. Prefer a small postbuild script so Vite remains conventional:

{
  "scripts": {
    "build": "vite build && node scripts/rename-html.mjs"
  }
}

6. Application Internal Architecture​

6.1 Design Principle​

The migration must not simply copy the existing component tree into Vite. It should create a maintainable app boundary with clear separation between UI, domain calculations, data, exports, workers, and future CAD features.

apps/blind-flange-calculator/src/
  main.tsx
  App.tsx

  components/
    layout/
      ToolHeader.tsx
      Panel.tsx
      Section.tsx
    input/
      InputForm.tsx
      GeometryModeSelector.tsx
      PressureInputs.tsx
      MaterialInputs.tsx
      FastenerInputs.tsx
    results/
      ResultsPanel.tsx
      ThicknessSummary.tsx
      BoltSummary.tsx
      ValidationMessages.tsx
    export/
      ExportActions.tsx
      PdfExportButton.tsx
      StepExportButton.tsx

  domain/
    calculations/
      calculateBlindFlange.ts
      hydrotest.ts
      customSizing.ts
      manualCheck.ts
    standards/
      en1092.ts
      en13445.ts
      materials.ts
      fasteners.ts
      gaskets.ts
    validation/
      inputValidation.ts
      geometryValidation.ts
    types/
      blindFlangeTypes.ts
      calculationTypes.ts

  state/
    useBlindFlangeStore.ts
    selectors.ts
    defaults.ts
    persistence.ts

  export/
    pdf/
    text/
    download.ts
    fileNames.ts

  cad/
    geometry/
      computeBlindFlangeCadGeometry.ts
      buildBoltHolePattern.ts
      validation.ts
    workers/
      cadWorker.ts
      cadWorkerClient.ts
      cadWorkerProtocol.ts
    hooks/
      useStepExport.ts

  shared/
    numberFormat.ts
    units.ts
    errors.ts

6.3 State Management​

Use zustand, already present in the site dependencies, for app-level state instead of passing many props through the entire tree.

Recommended store slices:

  • inputSlice: DN, pressures, temperature, material, corrosion allowance
  • geometrySlice: standard/custom mode, custom dimensions, selected design config
  • fastenerSlice: standard, type, grade, friction, tightening method
  • resultSlice: calculated result, custom result, manual check result
  • exportSlice: PDF/STEP generation state
  • uiSlice: expanded panels, warnings, selected tabs

Persist only user preferences and non-sensitive calculator defaults. Do not persist generated file buffers.

6.4 Domain Layer Rules​

The domain layer must remain framework-independent:

  • no React imports
  • no DOM access
  • no Docusaurus aliases
  • no direct file download side effects
  • deterministic pure functions where possible

This allows future unit tests, CLI checks, and possible package extraction.

6.5 UI Layer Rules​

The UI layer should consume domain selectors and actions. It should not contain engineering formulas directly.

Bad:

const requiredThickness = Math.sqrt(...formula...);

Good:

const result = useBlindFlangeResult();

7. Dependency Strategy​

7.1 Reuse Existing Technologies​

Use technologies already present in the site where practical:

  • React 19
  • TypeScript
  • Zustand
  • Lucide React
  • jsPDF
  • Replicad / OpenCascade for future STEP generation
  • Three.js only if a 3D preview is later added
  • existing CSS/Tailwind-compatible utility classes where possible

7.2 Vite-Specific Dependencies​

Add only the minimal Vite app dependencies:

{
  "dependencies": {
    "@vitejs/plugin-react": "latest",
    "vite": "latest"
  }
}

Use workspace/shared versions where possible. Avoid adding a second UI framework.

7.3 Styling Strategy​

Do not depend on Docusaurus theme CSS inside the Vite app.

Use one of these approaches:

  1. Local CSS modules or plain CSS files copied with the app
  2. Tailwind build inside the Vite app, if the app needs utility-first styling
  3. A small shared design-token CSS file copied from the host site

Recommended for the first migration: local CSS with CSS variables matching the current dark engineering UI.

8. Build and Publication Pipeline​

8.1 Root Scripts​

Add scripts to the root package.json:

{
  "scripts": {
    "dev:blind-flange": "pnpm --dir apps/blind-flange-calculator dev",
    "build:blind-flange": "pnpm --dir apps/blind-flange-calculator build",
    "typecheck:blind-flange": "pnpm --dir apps/blind-flange-calculator typecheck",
    "sync:blind-flange": "node scripts/sync-blind-flange-calculator.js"
  }
}

8.2 Local Development​

Use two modes:

  1. Standalone app development:
pnpm dev:blind-flange
  1. Host integration check:
pnpm build:blind-flange
pnpm start

Then open:

/utilities/blind-flange-calculator/

8.3 CI Requirements​

CI should run:

pnpm install --frozen-lockfile
pnpm typecheck:blind-flange
pnpm build:blind-flange
pnpm typecheck
pnpm build

The host site build must fail if the static app output is missing.

8.4 Artifact Manifest​

Generate a small manifest during Vite build:

{
  "name": "blind-flange-calculator",
  "version": "0.1.0",
  "buildTime": "2026-05-04T00:00:00.000Z",
  "entry": "app.html",
  "assets": ["assets/index-xxxxx.js", "assets/index-yyyyy.css"]
}

The host site can later use this for diagnostics and release verification.

9. Cross-App Communication​

9.1 MVP​

No complex host/app communication is required for the first migration. The iframe app should run independently.

If the host needs to control theme, fullscreen state, analytics, or auth context, use postMessage with a typed protocol.

Example:

export type HostToUtilityMessage =
  | {type: 'theme'; value: 'light' | 'dark'}
  | {type: 'fullscreen'; active: boolean}
  | {type: 'utility-shell-ready'};

export type UtilityToHostMessage =
  | {type: 'utility-ready'; slug: 'blind-flange-calculator'}
  | {type: 'utility-error'; message: string}
  | {type: 'utility-analytics-event'; name: string; payload?: Record<string, unknown>};

Keep this optional until a real need appears.

10. STEP/CAD Roadmap Alignment​

There is already a separate technical specification for adding 3D STEP generation to BlindFlangeCalculator. The Vite migration should prepare for that work by reserving a dedicated cad/ subsystem.

Recommended CAD architecture inside the Vite app:

cad/
  geometry/
    computeBlindFlangeCadGeometry.ts
    buildBlindFlangeSolid.ts
    buildBoltHolePattern.ts
    validation.ts
  workers/
    cadWorker.ts
    cadWorkerClient.ts
    cadWorkerProtocol.ts
  hooks/
    useStepExport.ts

CAD/STEP generation must run in a Web Worker so the calculator UI remains responsive.

11. Implementation Plan​

Phase 1 — Prepare App Boundary​

Tasks:

  • create apps/blind-flange-calculator
  • add Vite, React, TypeScript configuration
  • create main.tsx and App.tsx
  • move existing calculator files into the Vite app structure
  • remove Docusaurus-specific aliases from moved code
  • replace @site imports with relative or package-local imports
  • copy or recreate required CSS locally

Deliverable:

  • calculator runs with pnpm dev:blind-flange

Phase 2 — Reorganize Internal Code​

Tasks:

  • split UI components from engineering domain logic
  • move standards data into domain/standards
  • move calculations into domain/calculations
  • move export/download helpers into export/
  • introduce Zustand store for app state
  • keep existing calculation behavior unchanged

Deliverable:

  • calculator behavior matches current production behavior, but internal structure is cleaner

Phase 3 — Static Build Publication​

Tasks:

  • configure Vite build output to static/utility-apps/blind-flange-calculator
  • ensure generated HTML is available as app.html
  • ensure assets are loaded through relative paths
  • add artifact manifest
  • add root build scripts

Deliverable:

  • static/utility-apps/blind-flange-calculator/app.html is produced by the Vite build

Phase 4 — Host Shell Integration​

Tasks:

  • change src/pages/utilities/blind-flange-calculator.tsx to use createUtilityPage('blind-flange-calculator')
  • optionally set explicit appPath in utilityShellPages.tsx
  • verify auth gate still works through UtilityShellPage
  • verify fullscreen and info-panel controls still work
  • verify reactions/comments remain on the host page

Deliverable:

  • /utilities/blind-flange-calculator/ loads the Vite app inside the existing utility shell

Phase 5 — Validation and Regression Testing​

Tasks:

  • compare current and migrated outputs for representative inputs
  • test standard geometry mode
  • test custom geometry mode
  • test manual check/custom sizing paths
  • test PDF/export actions
  • test mobile layout inside iframe
  • test fullscreen mode
  • test production Docusaurus build

Deliverable:

  • migration accepted with no functional regression

Phase 6 — Separate Repository Publication​

Tasks:

  • create a dedicated repository for the Vite app
  • move app source from apps/blind-flange-calculator
  • configure GitHub Actions build
  • publish release artifact with app.html, assets, and manifest
  • add host-site sync script to download and place artifact under static/utility-apps/blind-flange-calculator
  • add checksum verification

Deliverable:

  • standalone repository publishes versioned app builds consumed by the site repository

12. Detailed Acceptance Criteria​

12.1 Functional​

  • existing URL remains /utilities/blind-flange-calculator/
  • calculator loads inside the standard utility shell
  • all current inputs remain available
  • automatic PN selection still works
  • hydrotest pressure logic still works
  • standard/custom geometry modes still work
  • export actions still work
  • mobile and fullscreen shell modes remain usable

12.2 Technical​

  • Docusaurus no longer imports src/components/tools/BlindFlangeCalculator
  • standalone app builds through Vite
  • static output is placed under static/utility-apps/blind-flange-calculator
  • generated app uses relative asset paths
  • domain calculations are framework-independent
  • app does not depend on Docusaurus runtime aliases
  • future CAD worker code has a reserved architecture path

12.3 Quality​

  • TypeScript passes for both host and utility app
  • production Docusaurus build passes
  • no duplicated engineering formulas between host and app
  • no hidden runtime dependency on root Docusaurus CSS
  • errors inside the iframe app are readable to the user

13. Risks and Mitigations​

Risk: Duplicated dependency versions​

The standalone app can accidentally drift from the host dependency versions.

Mitigation:

  • keep it inside the same repository first
  • use pnpm workspace version alignment
  • document allowed dependency additions

Risk: Broken asset paths after static publication​

Vite defaults may emit absolute paths that fail under /utility-apps/....

Mitigation:

  • set base: './'
  • test built app.html through Docusaurus locally

Risk: Losing shell features​

Direct component rendering currently avoids iframe boundaries. After migration, shell controls must still work.

Mitigation:

  • keep shell-owned features in UtilityShellPage
  • avoid moving comments/reactions/auth into the app
  • use the existing iframe fallback path

Risk: Over-coupled app source​

Simply copying the old folder can preserve tight coupling and make future improvements difficult.

Mitigation:

  • reorganize into domain, state, export, cad, and components
  • enforce no React imports in domain modules

Risk: Large CAD/WASM payload later​

Future STEP generation may increase bundle size.

Mitigation:

  • lazy-load CAD workers
  • split CAD code into separate chunks
  • warm up the worker only when user opens export/CAD actions

Keep the first PR focused on migration mechanics only:

  • create Vite app
  • move current calculator code
  • build static app
  • switch Docusaurus page to iframe utility mode
  • preserve existing behavior

Do not combine this with major formula changes or STEP generation. CAD/STEP work should be a follow-up PR using the new cad/ architecture.

15. Definition of Done​

The migration is complete when:

  • BlindFlangeCalculator is buildable as an independent Vite app
  • the built app is published to static/utility-apps/blind-flange-calculator/app.html
  • the Docusaurus page uses createUtilityPage('blind-flange-calculator')
  • current calculator functionality is preserved
  • the codebase has a clear internal architecture for future improvements
  • the app is ready to be moved to a separate repository without changing the public site route
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