MechanicDesk can be installed as a browser PWA from the hosted Next.js platform. Once the app has been opened, the hosted service worker keeps core platform pages and previously visited screens available when the connection drops.
What it does
- Starts the installed PWA at
/app. - Caches the hosted platform shell, public platform pages and the offline fallback page.
- Reuses previously visited same-origin pages when the network is unavailable.
- Keeps API calls out of the offline cache so hosted saves, billing, invitations, conversion and notification dispatches do not pretend to complete offline.
Current limitation: offline mode is a safety fallback, not full multi-device sync. Reconnect before relying on hosted backup/restore, shared organisation snapshots, billing actions, invitation emails, push dispatches, template conversion or personal/shared calendar feed publishing.
Where to find it
- Hosted workspace:
/app - Offline fallback:
/offline - Browser install option: the browser or operating system PWA install action when available
Step by step
Install the hosted PWA
- Open the hosted MechanicDesk URL in a browser that supports PWAs.
- Open
/app. - Use the browser's install or add-to-home-screen action.
- Launch the installed app. It should open at the workspace.
Use the app when the connection drops
- Open the installed PWA or browser tab.
- If the last visited workspace page is cached, continue reviewing the visible information.
- If the requested page is not cached, MechanicDesk shows the
Offlinepage. - Reconnect before saving hosted data or using server-backed actions.
What each screen shows
| Area | What it shows |
|---|---|
/app |
The hosted management workspace and local browser state that was already available on the device. |
/offline |
A connection fallback with Open workspace and Home actions. |
Tips and good to know
- Visit the workspace before going offline so the browser has a useful cached copy.
- Treat offline cached content as device-local. It does not prove that another device or the hosted database has the latest data.
- Use JSON export/import or hosted snapshots after reconnecting when you need a deliberate backup or restore point.
- The native iOS/Android shell can wrap the hosted PWA, but provider-backed features still depend on their own credentials and permissions.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | What to try |
|---|---|
The app shows MechanicDesk is waiting for a connection |
Reconnect, then select Open workspace or Home. |
| A hosted save, billing action or invitation does not complete offline | Reconnect and run the action again. Server-backed actions are intentionally not cached as successful offline writes. |
| The installed app opens a public page instead of the workspace | Reinstall or relaunch from the current hosted manifest; the Next.js PWA manifest starts at /app. |
| Offline mode shows an older workspace view | Reconnect and refresh the workspace before continuing work. |
Related guides
Ready to try it? Open the workspace and follow along — it works in your browser, installs as an app and runs offline.
Open the workspace