Basic REST API

[chilledtonic]

Our server needed a basic, read-only web view for users unfamiliar with terminal-land. So I've implemented a basic Read-Only Web API. I understand that activity-pub support is incoming, but it will likely be too heavy for our uses. Would this be a welcome PR, or should I fork Enigma?

PR: Document Message Area Web API

Added complete docs for the Message Area Web API in core/message_area_web.js. This covers the RESTful JSON API that gives read-only access to public message areas.

What's covered

Four main endpoints:

• List conferences: GET /api/v1/message-areas/conferences
• List areas in conference: GET /api/v1/message-areas/conferences/:confTag/areas
• List messages in area: GET /api/v1/message-areas/areas/:areaTag/messages
• Get message details: GET /api/v1/message-areas/messages/:messageUuid

Key features:

• Read-only, no auth required
• Auto-filters private areas
• CORS enabled for browser use
• Pagination (max 200 messages/page)
• Optional reply inclusion
• Configurable area exposure via exposedConfAreas
• Proper error handling and HTTP status codes

Config options:

contentServers: {
    web: {
        messageAreaApi: true
        exposedConfAreas: {
            local: {
                include: [ "*" ]
                exclude: [ "private*" ]
            }
        }
    }
}

Includes JSON response formats, usage examples with curl/JavaScript, and implementation details. This enables web/mobile app integration and external system access while keeping things secure.

[NuSkooler]

@chilledtonic Apologies as I haven't had much time with this stuff lately. Give me a bit to look over, and think about how to best tackle merging your work with the changes in the ActivityPub branch. Problem is, that branch isn't complete and I don't have time right now, but it changes a lot of web related work.

Without yet having looked at the code, I think the main change might have to be in the pathing, so something like /webapi/v1/... or something.

[robbiew]

Could this be utilized in building a web front end (login, read, post)?

[NuSkooler]

@robbiew looks like it. Before I can merge this, I really do need it to be synced up with the "Activity Pub" branch, however, as there are a LOT of web related changes there and I intend to make that the new master (with AP turned off by default, though)