feat: add automation features (auto-update, auto-start, scheduled updates)

README.md

@@ -50,6 +50,61 @@ All paths are configurable via environment variables:
 | `FRONTEND_DIR` | `../frontend/dist` | Built frontend assets |
 | `LISTEN` | `:8080` | HTTP listen address |
 
+## Automation
+
+The panel can perform automatic operations at startup and on a schedule.
+
+### Startup tasks
+
+Configured in the **Automation** section of the Settings UI:
+
+| Setting | Description |
+|---------|-------------|
+| **Auto-update server on startup** | Runs `steamcmd +app_update` for the Arma 3 server binary when the web service starts. |
+| **Auto-update mods on startup** | Downloads workshop updates for every enabled mod in the active modlist when the web service starts. |
+| **Auto-start server on startup** | Restarts the game server if it was running when the web service last stopped. Useful for recovery after host backup cycles or container restarts. |
+
+All startup tasks run asynchronously — the web UI is available immediately.
+
+### Scheduled updates
+
+Set a **cron expression** in the `Scheduled Update` field to run game + mod updates on a recurring schedule (e.g. `"0 4 * * *"` for daily at 4 AM). Leave empty to disable.
+
+The scheduled update runs even if the game server is currently running.
+
+## SteamCMD Authentication
+
+The panel integrates with SteamCMD for server binary updates and workshop mod downloads.
+
+### Anonymous (default)
+
+The `Steam User` field in the settings UI defaults to `anonymous`.  
+In this mode, **no Steam account is required** — SteamCMD uses `+login anonymous`.
+
+- Workshop mod downloads always use this mode, regardless of the configured user.
+- The Arma 3 server binary update is available via `+login anonymous` only if the server files are publicly accessible on that Steam account.
+
+### Authenticated login
+
+To update the Arma 3 server binary (`app_update 233780`) with a real Steam account, set the `Steam User` field to your account name.
+
+The web panel does not pass a password — SteamCMD relies on a **cached session**.  
+You must authenticate manually once so the login token is persisted:
+
+```bash
+# Docker
+docker exec -it arma3-web steamcmd +login your_steam_username
+```
+
+Enter your password when prompted, including any Steam Guard code if enabled. The session is cached inside the container's filesystem (`~/.steam/`).
+
+> **Note:** SteamCMD sessions may expire. Re-run the login command if the "Update Server" button fails with an authentication error.
+
+### Security
+
+- Steam credentials saved in `data/settings.json` are stored as **plain text**.
+- It is recommended to use a **dedicated Steam account** with only the necessary game licenses for automated server management.
+
 ## API
 
 REST API at `/api/*` and WebSocket endpoints at `/ws/*`. Key routes:

backend/cmd/server/main.go

@@ -50,6 +50,7 @@ func main() {
 	modlistMgr := services.NewModlistManager(dataDir)
 	process := services.NewProcessManager(serverfileDir, modsDir, cfgDir, profilesDir, settings, modlistMgr, configMgr, streamer)
 	steamcmd := services.NewSteamCmdManager(serverfileDir, streamer)
+	scheduler := services.NewScheduler(settings, modlistMgr, steamcmd)
 
 	r := gin.Default()
 
@@ -62,9 +63,58 @@ func main() {
 		log.Printf("serving frontend from %s", frontendDir)
 	}
 
-	handler := api.New(settings, configMgr, modlistMgr, process, steamcmd, streamer, serverfileDir, modsDir, cfgDir, profilesDir)
+	handler := api.New(settings, configMgr, modlistMgr, process, steamcmd, scheduler, streamer, serverfileDir, modsDir, cfgDir, profilesDir)
 	handler.SetupRoutes(r)
 
+	// Startup auto-tasks
+	s, err := settings.Load()
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("startup: load settings: %v", err)
+	} else {
+		if s.AutoUpdateOnStartup && s.SteamUser != "" {
+			go func() {
+				log.Print("startup: auto-updating gameserver")
+				if err := steamcmd.UpdateGame(s.SteamBranch, s.SteamUser); err != nil {
+					log.Printf("startup: auto-update game failed: %v", err)
+				}
+			}()
+		}
+
+		if s.AutoUpdateModsOnStartup && s.ActiveModlist != "" {
+			go func() {
+				log.Print("startup: auto-updating mods")
+				ml, err := modlistMgr.Get(s.ActiveModlist)
+				if err != nil {
+					log.Printf("startup: load modlist for auto-update: %v", err)
+					return
+				}
+				var modIDs []string
+				for _, m := range ml.Mods {
+					if m.Enabled {
+						modIDs = append(modIDs, m.ID)
+					}
+				}
+				if len(modIDs) > 0 {
+					if err := steamcmd.DownloadMods(modIDs); err != nil {
+						log.Printf("startup: auto-update mods failed: %v", err)
+					}
+				}
+			}()
+		}
+
+		if s.AutoStartOnStartup && s.WasRunning {
+			go func() {
+				log.Print("startup: auto-restarting server (was running before)")
+				if err := process.Start(); err != nil {
+					log.Printf("startup: auto-start failed: %v", err)
+				}
+			}()
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Start the scheduled updater
+	scheduler.Start()
+
 	log.Printf("starting server on %s", listen)
 
 	srv := &http.Server{Addr: listen, Handler: r}
@@ -80,6 +130,7 @@ func main() {
 	<-quit
 
 	log.Print("shutting down server...")
+	scheduler.Stop()
 
 	ctx, cancel := context.WithTimeout(context.Background(), 10*time.Second)
 	defer cancel()

backend/go.mod

@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ require (
 	github.com/quic-go/qpack v0.6.0 // indirect
 	github.com/quic-go/quic-go v0.59.0 // indirect
 	github.com/remyoudompheng/bigfft v0.0.0-20230129092748-24d4a6f8daec // indirect
+	github.com/robfig/cron/v3 v3.0.1 // indirect
 	github.com/twitchyliquid64/golang-asm v0.15.1 // indirect
 	github.com/ugorji/go/codec v1.3.1 // indirect
 	go.mongodb.org/mongo-driver/v2 v2.5.0 // indirect

backend/go.sum

@@ -65,6 +65,8 @@ github.com/quic-go/quic-go v0.59.0 h1:OLJkp1Mlm/aS7dpKgTc6cnpynnD2Xg7C1pwL6vy/SA
 github.com/quic-go/quic-go v0.59.0/go.mod h1:upnsH4Ju1YkqpLXC305eW3yDZ4NfnNbmQRCMWS58IKU=
 github.com/remyoudompheng/bigfft v0.0.0-20230129092748-24d4a6f8daec h1:W09IVJc94icq4NjY3clb7Lk8O1qJ8BdBEF8z0ibU0rE=
 github.com/remyoudompheng/bigfft v0.0.0-20230129092748-24d4a6f8daec/go.mod h1:qqbHyh8v60DhA7CoWK5oRCqLrMHRGoxYCSS9EjAz6Eo=
+github.com/robfig/cron/v3 v3.0.1 h1:WdRxkvbJztn8LMz/QEvLN5sBU+xKpSqwwUO1Pjr4qDs=
+github.com/robfig/cron/v3 v3.0.1/go.mod h1:eQICP3HwyT7UooqI/z+Ov+PtYAWygg1TEWWzGIFLtro=
 github.com/stretchr/objx v0.1.0/go.mod h1:HFkY916IF+rwdDfMAkV7OtwuqBVzrE8GR6GFx+wExME=
 github.com/stretchr/objx v0.4.0/go.mod h1:YvHI0jy2hoMjB+UWwv71VJQ9isScKT/TqJzVSSt89Yw=
 github.com/stretchr/objx v0.5.0/go.mod h1:Yh+to48EsGEfYuaHDzXPcE3xhTkx73EhmCGUpEOglKo=

backend/internal/api/router.go

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ type Handler struct {
 	modlists      *services.ModlistManager
 	process       *services.ProcessManager
 	steamcmd      *services.SteamCmdManager
+	scheduler     *services.Scheduler
 	streamer      *services.LogStreamer
 	serverfileDir string
 	modsDir       string
@@ -25,6 +26,7 @@ func New(
 	modlists *services.ModlistManager,
 	process *services.ProcessManager,
 	steamcmd *services.SteamCmdManager,
+	scheduler *services.Scheduler,
 	streamer *services.LogStreamer,
 	serverfileDir, modsDir, cfgDir, profilesDir string,
 ) *Handler {
@@ -34,6 +36,7 @@ func New(
 		modlists:      modlists,
 		process:       process,
 		steamcmd:      steamcmd,
+		scheduler:     scheduler,
 		streamer:      streamer,
 		serverfileDir: serverfileDir,
 		modsDir:       modsDir,

backend/internal/api/settings.go

@@ -7,16 +7,20 @@ import (
 )
 
 type updateSettingsInput struct {
-	IPPort            *string `json:"ip_port"`
+	IPPort                *string `json:"ip_port"`
-	ServerParameters  *string `json:"server_parameters"`
+	ServerParameters      *string `json:"server_parameters"`
-	SteamBranch       *string `json:"steam_branch"`
+	SteamBranch           *string `json:"steam_branch"`
-	SteamUser         *string `json:"steam_user"`
+	SteamUser             *string `json:"steam_user"`
-	Platform          *string `json:"platform"`
+	Platform              *string `json:"platform"`
-	CBASettings       *string `json:"cba_settings"`
+	CBASettings           *string `json:"cba_settings"`
-	AILevelPresets    *string `json:"ai_level_presets"`
+	AILevelPresets        *string `json:"ai_level_presets"`
-	DifficultyPresets *string `json:"difficulty_presets"`
+	DifficultyPresets     *string `json:"difficulty_presets"`
-	ActiveConfig      *string `json:"active_config"`
+	ActiveConfig          *string `json:"active_config"`
-	ActiveModlist     *string `json:"active_modlist"`
+	ActiveModlist         *string `json:"active_modlist"`
+	AutoUpdateOnStartup   *bool   `json:"auto_update_on_startup"`
+	AutoStartOnStartup    *bool   `json:"auto_start_on_startup"`
+	AutoUpdateModsOnStartup *bool `json:"auto_update_mods_on_startup"`
+	ScheduledUpdate       *string `json:"scheduled_update"`
 }
 
 func (h *Handler) GetSettings(c *gin.Context) {
@@ -51,6 +55,10 @@ func (h *Handler) UpdateSettings(c *gin.Context) {
 	if input.DifficultyPresets != nil { s.DifficultyPresets = *input.DifficultyPresets }
 	if input.ActiveConfig != nil { s.ActiveConfig = *input.ActiveConfig }
 	if input.ActiveModlist != nil { s.ActiveModlist = *input.ActiveModlist }
+	if input.AutoUpdateOnStartup != nil { s.AutoUpdateOnStartup = *input.AutoUpdateOnStartup }
+	if input.AutoStartOnStartup != nil { s.AutoStartOnStartup = *input.AutoStartOnStartup }
+	if input.AutoUpdateModsOnStartup != nil { s.AutoUpdateModsOnStartup = *input.AutoUpdateModsOnStartup }
+	if input.ScheduledUpdate != nil { s.ScheduledUpdate = *input.ScheduledUpdate }
 
 	if err := h.process.WriteUserconfigFiles(s); err != nil {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": "write userconfig: " + err.Error()})
@@ -61,6 +69,11 @@ func (h *Handler) UpdateSettings(c *gin.Context) {
 		c.JSON(http.StatusInternalServerError, gin.H{"error": err.Error()})
 		return
 	}
+
+	if h.scheduler != nil {
+		h.scheduler.Refresh()
+	}
+
 	c.JSON(http.StatusOK, s)
 }
 

backend/internal/models/settings.go

@@ -3,15 +3,20 @@ package models
 import "time"
 
 type ServerSettings struct {
-	IPPort            string `json:"ip_port"`
+	IPPort                string    `json:"ip_port"`
-	ServerParameters  string `json:"server_parameters"`
+	ServerParameters      string    `json:"server_parameters"`
-	SteamBranch       string `json:"steam_branch"`
+	SteamBranch           string    `json:"steam_branch"`
-	SteamUser         string `json:"steam_user"`
+	SteamUser             string    `json:"steam_user"`
-	Platform          string `json:"platform"`
+	Platform              string    `json:"platform"`
-	CBASettings       string `json:"cba_settings"`
+	CBASettings           string    `json:"cba_settings"`
-	AILevelPresets    string `json:"ai_level_presets"`
+	AILevelPresets        string    `json:"ai_level_presets"`
-	DifficultyPresets string `json:"difficulty_presets"`
+	DifficultyPresets     string    `json:"difficulty_presets"`
-	ActiveConfig      string `json:"active_config"`
+	ActiveConfig          string    `json:"active_config"`
-	ActiveModlist     string `json:"active_modlist"`
+	ActiveModlist         string    `json:"active_modlist"`
-	UpdatedAt         time.Time `json:"updated_at"`
+	AutoUpdateOnStartup   bool      `json:"auto_update_on_startup"`
+	AutoStartOnStartup    bool      `json:"auto_start_on_startup"`
+	AutoUpdateModsOnStartup bool    `json:"auto_update_mods_on_startup"`
+	WasRunning            bool      `json:"was_running"`
+	ScheduledUpdate       string    `json:"scheduled_update"`
+	UpdatedAt             time.Time `json:"updated_at"`
 }

backend/internal/services/scheduler.go

@@ -0,0 +1,92 @@
+package services
+
+import (
+	"log"
+	"sync"
+
+	"github.com/robfig/cron/v3"
+)
+
+type Scheduler struct {
+	cron     *cron.Cron
+	entryID  cron.EntryID
+	settings *SettingsManager
+	modlists *ModlistManager
+	steamcmd *SteamCmdManager
+	mu       sync.Mutex
+}
+
+func NewScheduler(settings *SettingsManager, modlists *ModlistManager, steamcmd *SteamCmdManager) *Scheduler {
+	return &Scheduler{
+		cron:     cron.New(),
+		settings: settings,
+		modlists: modlists,
+		steamcmd: steamcmd,
+	}
+}
+
+func (s *Scheduler) Start() {
+	s.cron.Start()
+	s.Refresh()
+}
+
+func (s *Scheduler) Stop() {
+	s.cron.Stop()
+}
+
+func (s *Scheduler) Refresh() {
+	s.mu.Lock()
+	defer s.mu.Unlock()
+
+	if s.entryID != 0 {
+		s.cron.Remove(s.entryID)
+		s.entryID = 0
+	}
+
+	sett, err := s.settings.Load()
+	if err != nil || sett.ScheduledUpdate == "" {
+		return
+	}
+
+	id, err := s.cron.AddFunc(sett.ScheduledUpdate, s.runScheduledUpdate)
+	if err != nil {
+		log.Printf("scheduler: invalid cron expression %q: %v", sett.ScheduledUpdate, err)
+		return
+	}
+	s.entryID = id
+	log.Printf("scheduler: scheduled update with cron %q", sett.ScheduledUpdate)
+}
+
+func (s *Scheduler) runScheduledUpdate() {
+	sett, err := s.settings.Load()
+	if err != nil {
+		return
+	}
+
+	if sett.SteamUser != "" && sett.SteamUser != "anonymous" {
+		log.Print("scheduler: running gameserver update")
+		if err := s.steamcmd.UpdateGame(sett.SteamBranch, sett.SteamUser); err != nil {
+			log.Printf("scheduler: game update failed: %v", err)
+		}
+	}
+
+	if sett.ActiveModlist != "" {
+		ml, err := s.modlists.Get(sett.ActiveModlist)
+		if err != nil {
+			log.Printf("scheduler: load modlist %s: %v", sett.ActiveModlist, err)
+			return
+		}
+		var modIDs []string
+		for _, m := range ml.Mods {
+			if m.Enabled {
+				modIDs = append(modIDs, m.ID)
+			}
+		}
+		if len(modIDs) > 0 {
+			log.Printf("scheduler: updating %d mod(s)", len(modIDs))
+			if err := s.steamcmd.DownloadMods(modIDs); err != nil {
+				log.Printf("scheduler: mod update failed: %v", err)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}

backend/internal/services/server_process.go

@@ -72,6 +72,11 @@ func (pm *ProcessManager) Start() error {
 		return fmt.Errorf("load settings: %w", err)
 	}
 
+	s.WasRunning = true
+	if err := pm.settings.Save(s); err != nil {
+		return fmt.Errorf("save was_running: %w", err)
+	}
+
 	binName := "arma3server_x64"
 	if s.Platform == "windows" {
 		binName = "arma3server_x64.exe"
@@ -141,6 +146,13 @@ func (pm *ProcessManager) Stop() error {
 
 	rp.cancel()
 	<-rp.exited
+
+	s, err := pm.settings.Load()
+	if err == nil {
+		s.WasRunning = false
+		pm.settings.Save(s)
+	}
+
 	return nil
 }
 

backend/internal/services/settings.go

@@ -54,13 +54,18 @@ func (sm *SettingsManager) Save(s *models.ServerSettings) error {
 
 func (sm *SettingsManager) defaults() *models.ServerSettings {
 	return &models.ServerSettings{
-		IPPort:            "0.0.0.0:2302",
+		IPPort:                "0.0.0.0:2302",
-		ServerParameters:  "-server -world=empty -loadMissionToMemory -noPause",
+		ServerParameters:      "-server -world=empty -loadMissionToMemory -noPause",
-		SteamBranch:       "stable",
+		SteamBranch:           "stable",
-		SteamUser:         "anonymous",
+		SteamUser:             "anonymous",
-		Platform:          "linux",
+		Platform:              "linux",
-		ActiveConfig:      "",
+		ActiveConfig:          "",
-		ActiveModlist:     "",
+		ActiveModlist:         "",
-		UpdatedAt:         time.Now().UTC(),
+		AutoUpdateOnStartup:   false,
+		AutoStartOnStartup:    false,
+		AutoUpdateModsOnStartup: false,
+		WasRunning:            false,
+		ScheduledUpdate:       "",
+		UpdatedAt:             time.Now().UTC(),
 	}
 }

frontend/src/pages/Settings.tsx

@@ -26,6 +26,10 @@ export default function Settings() {
   const [difficulty, setDifficulty] = useState('')
   const [activeConfig, setActiveConfig] = useState('')
   const [activeModlist, setActiveModlist] = useState('')
+  const [autoUpdateOnStartup, setAutoUpdateOnStartup] = useState(false)
+  const [autoStartOnStartup, setAutoStartOnStartup] = useState(false)
+  const [autoUpdateModsOnStartup, setAutoUpdateModsOnStartup] = useState(false)
+  const [scheduledUpdate, setScheduledUpdate] = useState('')
 
   useEffect(() => {
     if (settings) {
@@ -39,6 +43,10 @@ export default function Settings() {
       setDifficulty(settings.difficulty_presets)
       setActiveConfig(settings.active_config)
       setActiveModlist(settings.active_modlist)
+      setAutoUpdateOnStartup(settings.auto_update_on_startup)
+      setAutoStartOnStartup(settings.auto_start_on_startup)
+      setAutoUpdateModsOnStartup(settings.auto_update_mods_on_startup)
+      setScheduledUpdate(settings.scheduled_update)
     }
   }, [settings])
 
@@ -54,6 +62,10 @@ export default function Settings() {
       difficulty_presets: difficulty,
       active_config: activeConfig,
       active_modlist: activeModlist,
+      auto_update_on_startup: autoUpdateOnStartup,
+      auto_start_on_startup: autoStartOnStartup,
+      auto_update_mods_on_startup: autoUpdateModsOnStartup,
+      scheduled_update: scheduledUpdate,
     }),
     onSuccess: () => { qc.invalidateQueries({ queryKey: ['settings'] }); setDirty(false) },
   })
@@ -220,6 +232,45 @@ export default function Settings() {
             </span>
           </div>
 
+          <hr className="border-neutral-800 my-6" />
+
+          <div>
+            <h3 className="text-lg font-medium mb-3">Automation</h3>
+            <div className="space-y-3">
+              <label className="flex items-center gap-3 cursor-pointer">
+                <input type="checkbox" checked={autoUpdateOnStartup} onChange={e => { setAutoUpdateOnStartup(e.target.checked); setDirty(true) }} className="accent-amber-600 w-4 h-4" />
+                <div>
+                  <div className="text-sm">Auto-update server on startup</div>
+                  <div className="text-xs text-neutral-500">Run gameserver update when the web service starts</div>
+                </div>
+              </label>
+              <label className="flex items-center gap-3 cursor-pointer">
+                <input type="checkbox" checked={autoUpdateModsOnStartup} onChange={e => { setAutoUpdateModsOnStartup(e.target.checked); setDirty(true) }} className="accent-amber-600 w-4 h-4" />
+                <div>
+                  <div className="text-sm">Auto-update mods on startup</div>
+                  <div className="text-xs text-neutral-500">Download workshop updates for the active modlist when the web service starts</div>
+                </div>
+              </label>
+              <label className="flex items-center gap-3 cursor-pointer">
+                <input type="checkbox" checked={autoStartOnStartup} onChange={e => { setAutoStartOnStartup(e.target.checked); setDirty(true) }} className="accent-amber-600 w-4 h-4" />
+                <div>
+                  <div className="text-sm">Auto-start server on startup</div>
+                  <div className="text-xs text-neutral-500">Restart the server if it was running before the web service stopped</div>
+                </div>
+              </label>
+              <div>
+                <label className="text-xs text-neutral-500 block mb-1">Scheduled update (cron)</label>
+                <input
+                  value={scheduledUpdate}
+                  onChange={e => { setScheduledUpdate(e.target.value); setDirty(true) }}
+                  placeholder='e.g. "0 4 * * *" for daily at 4 AM'
+                  className="w-full bg-neutral-800 border border-neutral-700 rounded px-3 py-2 text-sm font-mono"
+                />
+                <div className="text-xs text-neutral-500 mt-1">Empty = disabled. Runs game + mod updates at the specified schedule.</div>
+              </div>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+
           {showSteamCMD && (
             <div className="mt-4">
               <div className="flex items-center justify-between mb-2">

frontend/src/types/index.ts

@@ -9,6 +9,11 @@ export interface ServerSettings {
   difficulty_presets: string
   active_config: string
   active_modlist: string
+  auto_update_on_startup: boolean
+  auto_start_on_startup: boolean
+  auto_update_mods_on_startup: boolean
+  was_running: boolean
+  scheduled_update: string
   updated_at: string
 }