Fix nginx error, startup script, add skip

backend/app/Http/Controllers/Api/V1/OnboardingController.php

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 use App\Models\PlatformAccount;
 use App\Models\PlatformChannel;
 use App\Models\PlatformInstance;
+use App\Models\Setting;
 use App\Services\Auth\LemmyAuthService;
 use Illuminate\Http\JsonResponse;
 use Illuminate\Http\Request;
@@ -32,7 +33,11 @@ public function status(): JsonResponse
         $hasFeed = Feed::where('is_active', true)->exists();
         $hasChannel = PlatformChannel::where('is_active', true)->exists();
         
-        $needsOnboarding = !$hasPlatformAccount || !$hasFeed || !$hasChannel;
+        // Check if onboarding was explicitly skipped
+        $onboardingSkipped = Setting::where('key', 'onboarding_skipped')->value('value') === 'true';
+
+        // User needs onboarding if they don't have the required components AND haven't skipped it
+        $needsOnboarding = (!$hasPlatformAccount || !$hasFeed || !$hasChannel) && !$onboardingSkipped;
 
         // Determine current step
         $currentStep = null;
@@ -52,6 +57,7 @@ public function status(): JsonResponse
             'has_platform_account' => $hasPlatformAccount,
             'has_feed' => $hasFeed,
             'has_channel' => $hasChannel,
+            'onboarding_skipped' => $onboardingSkipped,
         ], 'Onboarding status retrieved successfully.');
     }
 
@@ -80,10 +86,12 @@ public function options(): JsonResponse
     public function createPlatform(Request $request): JsonResponse
     {
         $validator = Validator::make($request->all(), [
-            'instance_url' => 'required|url|max:255',
+            'instance_url' => 'required|string|max:255|regex:/^[a-zA-Z0-9]([a-zA-Z0-9\-\.]*[a-zA-Z0-9])?$/',
             'username' => 'required|string|max:255',
             'password' => 'required|string|min:6',
             'platform' => 'required|in:lemmy',
+        ], [
+            'instance_url.regex' => 'Please enter a valid domain name (e.g., lemmy.world, belgae.social)'
         ]);
 
         if ($validator->fails()) {
@@ -92,19 +100,23 @@ public function createPlatform(Request $request): JsonResponse
 
         $validated = $validator->validated();
 
+        // Normalize the instance URL - prepend https:// if needed
+        $instanceDomain = $validated['instance_url'];
+        $fullInstanceUrl = 'https://' . $instanceDomain;
+
         try {
             // Create or get platform instance
             $platformInstance = PlatformInstance::firstOrCreate([
-                'url' => $validated['instance_url'],
+                'url' => $fullInstanceUrl,
                 'platform' => $validated['platform'],
             ], [
-                'name' => parse_url($validated['instance_url'], PHP_URL_HOST) ?? 'Lemmy Instance',
+                'name' => ucfirst($instanceDomain),
                 'is_active' => true,
             ]);
 
-            // Authenticate with Lemmy API
+            // Authenticate with Lemmy API using the full URL
             $authResponse = $this->lemmyAuthService->authenticate(
-                $validated['instance_url'],
+                $fullInstanceUrl,
                 $validated['username'],
                 $validated['password']
             );
@@ -112,7 +124,7 @@ public function createPlatform(Request $request): JsonResponse
             // Create platform account with the current schema
             $platformAccount = PlatformAccount::create([
                 'platform' => $validated['platform'],
-                'instance_url' => $validated['instance_url'],
+                'instance_url' => $fullInstanceUrl,
                 'username' => $validated['username'],
                 'password' => $validated['password'],
                 'api_token' => $authResponse['jwt'] ?? null,
@@ -232,4 +244,33 @@ public function complete(): JsonResponse
             'Onboarding completed successfully.'
         );
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Skip onboarding - user can access the app without completing setup
+     */
+    public function skip(): JsonResponse
+    {
+        Setting::updateOrCreate(
+            ['key' => 'onboarding_skipped'],
+            ['value' => 'true']
+        );
+        
+        return $this->sendResponse(
+            ['skipped' => true],
+            'Onboarding skipped successfully.'
+        );
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Reset onboarding skip status - force user back to onboarding
+     */
+    public function resetSkip(): JsonResponse
+    {
+        Setting::where('key', 'onboarding_skipped')->delete();
+        
+        return $this->sendResponse(
+            ['reset' => true],
+            'Onboarding skip status reset successfully.'
+        );
+    }
 }

backend/app/Modules/Lemmy/LemmyRequest.php

@@ -12,10 +12,25 @@ class LemmyRequest
 
     public function __construct(string $instance, ?string $token = null)
     {
-        $this->instance = $instance;
+        // Handle both full URLs and just domain names
+        $this->instance = $this->normalizeInstance($instance);
         $this->token = $token;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Normalize instance URL to just the domain name
+     */
+    private function normalizeInstance(string $instance): string
+    {
+        // Remove protocol if present
+        $instance = preg_replace('/^https?:\/\//', '', $instance);
+        
+        // Remove trailing slash if present
+        $instance = rtrim($instance, '/');
+        
+        return $instance;
+    }
+
     /**
      * @param array<string, mixed> $params
      */

backend/routes/api.php

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@
     Route::post('/onboarding/feed', [OnboardingController::class, 'createFeed'])->name('api.onboarding.feed');
     Route::post('/onboarding/channel', [OnboardingController::class, 'createChannel'])->name('api.onboarding.channel');
     Route::post('/onboarding/complete', [OnboardingController::class, 'complete'])->name('api.onboarding.complete');
+    Route::post('/onboarding/skip', [OnboardingController::class, 'skip'])->name('api.onboarding.skip');
+    Route::post('/onboarding/reset-skip', [OnboardingController::class, 'resetSkip'])->name('api.onboarding.reset-skip');
 
     // Dashboard stats
     Route::get('/dashboard/stats', [DashboardController::class, 'stats'])->name('api.dashboard.stats');

backend/tests/Feature/Http/Controllers/Api/V1/OnboardingControllerTest.php

@@ -0,0 +1,364 @@
+<?php
+
+namespace Tests\Feature\Http\Controllers\Api\V1;
+
+use App\Models\Feed;
+use App\Models\Language;
+use App\Models\PlatformAccount;
+use App\Models\PlatformChannel;
+use App\Models\PlatformInstance;
+use App\Models\Setting;
+use App\Services\Auth\LemmyAuthService;
+use Illuminate\Foundation\Testing\RefreshDatabase;
+use Tests\TestCase;
+
+class OnboardingControllerTest extends TestCase
+{
+    use RefreshDatabase;
+
+    protected function setUp(): void
+    {
+        parent::setUp();
+        
+        // Create a language for testing
+        Language::factory()->create([
+            'id' => 1,
+            'short_code' => 'en',
+            'name' => 'English',
+            'native_name' => 'English',
+            'is_active' => true,
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_status_shows_needs_onboarding_when_no_components_exist()
+    {
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'needs_onboarding' => true,
+                    'current_step' => 'platform',
+                    'has_platform_account' => false,
+                    'has_feed' => false,
+                    'has_channel' => false,
+                    'onboarding_skipped' => false,
+                ],
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_status_shows_feed_step_when_platform_account_exists()
+    {
+        PlatformAccount::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'needs_onboarding' => true,
+                    'current_step' => 'feed',
+                    'has_platform_account' => true,
+                    'has_feed' => false,
+                    'has_channel' => false,
+                ],
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_status_shows_channel_step_when_platform_account_and_feed_exist()
+    {
+        PlatformAccount::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+        Feed::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'needs_onboarding' => true,
+                    'current_step' => 'channel',
+                    'has_platform_account' => true,
+                    'has_feed' => true,
+                    'has_channel' => false,
+                ],
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_status_shows_no_onboarding_needed_when_all_components_exist()
+    {
+        PlatformAccount::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+        Feed::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+        PlatformChannel::factory()->create(['is_active' => true]);
+
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'needs_onboarding' => false,
+                    'current_step' => null,
+                    'has_platform_account' => true,
+                    'has_feed' => true,
+                    'has_channel' => true,
+                ],
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_status_shows_no_onboarding_needed_when_skipped()
+    {
+        // No components exist but onboarding is skipped
+        Setting::create([
+            'key' => 'onboarding_skipped',
+            'value' => 'true',
+        ]);
+
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'needs_onboarding' => false,
+                    'current_step' => null,
+                    'has_platform_account' => false,
+                    'has_feed' => false,
+                    'has_channel' => false,
+                    'onboarding_skipped' => true,
+                ],
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_options_returns_languages_and_platform_instances()
+    {
+        PlatformInstance::factory()->create([
+            'platform' => 'lemmy',
+            'url' => 'https://lemmy.world',
+            'name' => 'Lemmy World',
+            'is_active' => true,
+        ]);
+
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/options');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJsonStructure([
+                'success',
+                'data' => [
+                    'languages' => [
+                        '*' => ['id', 'short_code', 'name', 'native_name', 'is_active']
+                    ],
+                    'platform_instances' => [
+                        '*' => ['id', 'platform', 'url', 'name', 'description', 'is_active']
+                    ]
+                ]
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_create_feed_validates_required_fields()
+    {
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/feed', []);
+
+        $response->assertStatus(422)
+            ->assertJsonValidationErrors(['name', 'url', 'type', 'language_id']);
+    }
+
+    public function test_create_feed_creates_feed_successfully()
+    {
+        $feedData = [
+            'name' => 'Test Feed',
+            'url' => 'https://example.com/rss',
+            'type' => 'rss',
+            'language_id' => 1,
+            'description' => 'Test description',
+        ];
+
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/feed', $feedData);
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'name' => 'Test Feed',
+                    'url' => 'https://example.com/rss',
+                    'type' => 'rss',
+                    'is_active' => true,
+                ]
+            ]);
+
+        $this->assertDatabaseHas('feeds', [
+            'name' => 'Test Feed',
+            'url' => 'https://example.com/rss',
+            'type' => 'rss',
+            'language_id' => 1,
+            'is_active' => true,
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_create_channel_validates_required_fields()
+    {
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/channel', []);
+
+        $response->assertStatus(422)
+            ->assertJsonValidationErrors(['name', 'platform_instance_id', 'language_id']);
+    }
+
+    public function test_create_channel_creates_channel_successfully()
+    {
+        $platformInstance = PlatformInstance::factory()->create();
+        
+        $channelData = [
+            'name' => 'test_community',
+            'platform_instance_id' => $platformInstance->id,
+            'language_id' => 1,
+            'description' => 'Test community description',
+        ];
+
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/channel', $channelData);
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => [
+                    'name' => 'test_community',
+                    'display_name' => 'Test_community',
+                    'channel_id' => 'test_community',
+                    'is_active' => true,
+                ]
+            ]);
+
+        $this->assertDatabaseHas('platform_channels', [
+            'name' => 'test_community',
+            'channel_id' => 'test_community',
+            'platform_instance_id' => $platformInstance->id,
+            'language_id' => 1,
+            'is_active' => true,
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_complete_onboarding_returns_success()
+    {
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/complete');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => ['completed' => true]
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_skip_onboarding_creates_setting()
+    {
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/skip');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => ['skipped' => true]
+            ]);
+
+        $this->assertDatabaseHas('settings', [
+            'key' => 'onboarding_skipped',
+            'value' => 'true',
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_skip_onboarding_updates_existing_setting()
+    {
+        // Create existing setting with false value
+        Setting::create([
+            'key' => 'onboarding_skipped',
+            'value' => 'false',
+        ]);
+
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/skip');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200);
+
+        $this->assertDatabaseHas('settings', [
+            'key' => 'onboarding_skipped',
+            'value' => 'true',
+        ]);
+
+        // Ensure only one setting exists
+        $this->assertEquals(1, Setting::where('key', 'onboarding_skipped')->count());
+    }
+
+    public function test_reset_skip_removes_setting()
+    {
+        // Create skipped setting
+        Setting::create([
+            'key' => 'onboarding_skipped',
+            'value' => 'true',
+        ]);
+
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/reset-skip');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => ['reset' => true]
+            ]);
+
+        $this->assertDatabaseMissing('settings', [
+            'key' => 'onboarding_skipped',
+        ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_reset_skip_works_when_no_setting_exists()
+    {
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/reset-skip');
+
+        $response->assertStatus(200)
+            ->assertJson([
+                'success' => true,
+                'data' => ['reset' => true]
+            ]);
+    }
+
+    public function test_create_platform_validates_instance_url_format()
+    {
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/platform', [
+            'instance_url' => 'invalid.domain.with.spaces and symbols!',
+            'username' => 'testuser',
+            'password' => 'password123',
+            'platform' => 'lemmy',
+        ]);
+
+        $response->assertStatus(422)
+            ->assertJsonValidationErrors(['instance_url']);
+    }
+
+    public function test_create_platform_validates_required_fields()
+    {
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/platform', []);
+
+        $response->assertStatus(422)
+            ->assertJsonValidationErrors(['instance_url', 'username', 'password', 'platform']);
+    }
+
+    public function test_onboarding_flow_integration()
+    {
+        // 1. Initial status - needs onboarding
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+        $response->assertJson(['data' => ['needs_onboarding' => true, 'current_step' => 'platform']]);
+
+        // 2. Skip onboarding
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/skip');
+        $response->assertJson(['data' => ['skipped' => true]]);
+
+        // 3. Status after skip - no longer needs onboarding
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+        $response->assertJson(['data' => ['needs_onboarding' => false, 'onboarding_skipped' => true]]);
+
+        // 4. Reset skip
+        $response = $this->postJson('/api/v1/onboarding/reset-skip');
+        $response->assertJson(['data' => ['reset' => true]]);
+
+        // 5. Status after reset - needs onboarding again
+        $response = $this->getJson('/api/v1/onboarding/status');
+        $response->assertJson(['data' => ['needs_onboarding' => true, 'onboarding_skipped' => false]]);
+    }
+}

docker/dev/podman/.env.dev

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 APP_NAME="FFR Development"
 APP_ENV=local
-APP_KEY=base64:YOUR_APP_KEY_HERE
+APP_KEY=
 APP_DEBUG=true
 APP_TIMEZONE=UTC
 APP_URL=http://localhost:8000

docker/dev/podman/container-start.sh

@@ -3,19 +3,17 @@
 # Copy development environment configuration to backend
 cp /var/www/html/docker/dev/podman/.env.dev /var/www/html/backend/.env
 
-# Setup nginx configuration
-cp /var/www/html/docker/nginx.conf /etc/nginx/sites-available/default
+# Setup nginx configuration for development
+cp /var/www/html/docker/dev/podman/nginx.conf /etc/nginx/sites-available/default
 
 # Install/update dependencies
 echo "Installing PHP dependencies..."
 cd /var/www/html/backend
 composer install --no-interaction
 
-# Generate app key if not set or empty
-if grep -q "APP_KEY=base64:YOUR_APP_KEY_HERE" /var/www/html/backend/.env || ! grep -q "APP_KEY=base64:" /var/www/html/backend/.env; then
+# Generate application key
 echo "Generating application key..."
 php artisan key:generate --force
-fi
 
 # Wait for database to be ready
 echo "Waiting for database..."
@@ -39,6 +37,10 @@ fi
 # Start services
 echo "Starting services..."
 
+# Start React dev server
+cd /var/www/html/frontend
+npm run dev -- --host 0.0.0.0 --port 5173 &
+
 # Start Laravel backend
 cd /var/www/html/backend
 php artisan serve --host=127.0.0.1 --port=8000 &

docker/dev/podman/nginx.conf

@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+server {
+    listen 80;
+    server_name localhost;
+
+    # Proxy API requests to Laravel backend
+    location /api/ {
+        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:8000;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_redirect off;
+    }
+
+    # Serve Laravel public assets (images, etc.)
+    location /images/ {
+        alias /var/www/html/backend/public/images/;
+        expires 1y;
+        add_header Cache-Control "public, immutable";
+    }
+
+    # Proxy Vite dev server assets
+    location /@vite/ {
+        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:5173;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_redirect off;
+    }
+
+    # Proxy Vite HMR WebSocket
+    location /@vite/client {
+        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:5173;
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_redirect off;
+    }
+
+    # Proxy node_modules for Vite deps
+    location /node_modules/ {
+        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:5173;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_redirect off;
+    }
+
+    # Proxy /src/ for Vite source files
+    location /src/ {
+        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:5173;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        proxy_redirect off;
+    }
+
+    # Proxy React dev server for development (catch-all)
+    location / {
+        proxy_pass http://127.0.0.1:5173;
+        proxy_set_header Host $host;
+        proxy_set_header X-Real-IP $remote_addr;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-For $proxy_add_x_forwarded_for;
+        proxy_set_header X-Forwarded-Proto $scheme;
+        
+        # WebSocket support for HMR
+        proxy_http_version 1.1;
+        proxy_set_header Upgrade $http_upgrade;
+        proxy_set_header Connection "upgrade";
+        proxy_redirect off;
+    }
+
+    # Security headers
+    add_header X-Content-Type-Options nosniff;
+    add_header X-Frame-Options DENY;
+    add_header X-XSS-Protection "1; mode=block";
+
+    # Gzip compression
+    gzip on;
+    gzip_vary on;
+    gzip_min_length 1024;
+    gzip_types text/plain text/css text/xml text/javascript application/javascript application/xml+rss application/json;
+}

docker/dev/podman/start-dev.sh

@@ -10,14 +10,12 @@ echo "🚀 Starting FFR development environment with Podman..."
 if [ ! -f .env ]; then
     echo "📋 Creating .env file from .env.example..."
     cp .env.example .env
-    echo "⚠️  Please update your .env file with appropriate values, especially APP_KEY"
 fi
 
 # Check if podman-compose is available
 if ! command -v podman-compose &> /dev/null; then
-    echo "❌ podman-compose not found. Installing..."
-    pip3 install --user podman-compose
-    echo "✅ podman-compose installed"
+    echo "❌ podman-compose not found."
+    exit
 fi
 
 # Start services
@@ -28,22 +26,32 @@ podman-compose -f docker/dev/podman/docker-compose.yml up -d
 echo "⏳ Waiting for database to be ready..."
 sleep 10
 
-# Check if APP_KEY is set
-if grep -q "APP_KEY=base64:YOUR_APP_KEY_HERE" .env || grep -q "APP_KEY=$" .env; then
-    echo "🔑 Generating application key..."
-    podman exec ffr-dev-app php artisan key:generate
-fi
+# Install/update dependencies if needed
+echo "📦 Installing dependencies..."
+podman exec ffr-dev-app bash -c "cd /var/www/html/backend && composer install"
+podman exec ffr-dev-app bash -c "cd /var/www/html/frontend && npm install"
 
 # Run migrations and seeders
 echo "🗃️  Running database migrations..."
-podman exec ffr-dev-app php artisan migrate --force
+podman exec ffr-dev-app bash -c "cd /var/www/html/backend && php artisan migrate --force"
 echo "🌱 Running database seeders..."
-podman exec ffr-dev-app php artisan db:seed --force
+podman exec ffr-dev-app bash -c "cd /var/www/html/backend && php artisan db:seed --force"
 
-# Install/update dependencies if needed
-echo "📦 Installing dependencies..."
-podman exec ffr-dev-app composer install
-podman exec ffr-dev-app npm install
+# Wait for container services to be fully ready
+echo "⏳ Waiting for container services to initialize..."
+sleep 5
+
+# Start React dev server if not already running
+echo "🚀 Starting React dev server..."
+podman exec -d ffr-dev-app bash -c "cd /var/www/html/frontend && npm run dev -- --host 0.0.0.0 --port 5173 > /dev/null 2>&1 &"
+sleep 5
+
+# Verify Vite is running
+if podman exec ffr-dev-app bash -c "curl -s http://localhost:5173 > /dev/null 2>&1"; then
+    echo "✅ Vite dev server is running"
+else
+    echo "⚠️  Vite dev server may not have started properly"
+fi
 
 echo "✅ Development environment is ready!"
 echo "🌐 Application: http://localhost:8000"

frontend/src/App.tsx

@@ -6,22 +6,8 @@ import Articles from './pages/Articles';
 import Feeds from './pages/Feeds';
 import Settings from './pages/Settings';
 import OnboardingWizard from './pages/onboarding/OnboardingWizard';
-import { OnboardingProvider, useOnboarding } from './contexts/OnboardingContext';
-
-const AppContent: React.FC = () => {
-  const { isLoading } = useOnboarding();
-
-  if (isLoading) {
-    return (
-      <div className="min-h-screen flex items-center justify-center bg-gray-50">
-        <div className="text-center">
-          <div className="animate-spin rounded-full h-8 w-8 border-b-2 border-blue-600 mx-auto mb-4"></div>
-          <p className="text-gray-600">Loading...</p>
-        </div>
-      </div>
-    );
-  }
 
+const App: React.FC = () => {
   return (
     <Routes>
       {/* Onboarding routes - outside of main layout */}
@@ -44,12 +30,4 @@ const AppContent: React.FC = () => {
   );
 };
 
-const App: React.FC = () => {
-  return (
-    <OnboardingProvider>
-      <AppContent />
-    </OnboardingProvider>
-  );
-};
-
 export default App;

frontend/src/components/Layout.tsx

@@ -129,6 +129,8 @@ const Layout: React.FC<LayoutProps> = ({ children }) => {
             <h1 className="text-lg font-medium text-gray-900">FFR</h1>
           </div>
         </div>
+        
+        
         <main className="flex-1">
           {children}
         </main>

frontend/src/contexts/OnboardingContext.tsx

@@ -28,22 +28,17 @@ export const OnboardingProvider: React.FC<OnboardingProviderProps> = ({ children
   const needsOnboarding = onboardingStatus?.needs_onboarding ?? false;
   const isOnOnboardingPage = location.pathname.startsWith('/onboarding');
 
-  // Redirect logic
+  // Redirect logic - only redirect if user explicitly navigates to a protected route
   React.useEffect(() => {
     if (isLoading) return;
 
-    if (needsOnboarding && !isOnOnboardingPage) {
-      // User needs onboarding but is not on onboarding pages
-      const targetStep = onboardingStatus?.current_step;
-      if (targetStep) {
-        navigate(`/onboarding/${targetStep}`, { replace: true });
-      } else {
-        navigate('/onboarding', { replace: true });
-      }
-    } else if (!needsOnboarding && isOnOnboardingPage) {
-      // User doesn't need onboarding but is on onboarding pages
+    // Only redirect if user doesn't need onboarding but is on onboarding pages
+    if (!needsOnboarding && isOnOnboardingPage) {
       navigate('/dashboard', { replace: true });
     }
+    
+    // Don't auto-redirect to onboarding - let user navigate manually or via links
+    // This prevents the app from being "stuck" in onboarding mode
   }, [onboardingStatus, isLoading, needsOnboarding, isOnOnboardingPage, navigate]);
 
   const value: OnboardingContextValue = {

frontend/src/lib/api.ts

@@ -151,6 +151,7 @@ export interface OnboardingStatus {
   has_platform_account: boolean;
   has_feed: boolean;
   has_channel: boolean;
+  onboarding_skipped: boolean;
 }
 
 export interface OnboardingOptions {
@@ -288,6 +289,14 @@ class ApiClient {
   async completeOnboarding(): Promise<void> {
     await axios.post('/onboarding/complete');
   }
+
+  async skipOnboarding(): Promise<void> {
+    await axios.post('/onboarding/skip');
+  }
+
+  async resetOnboardingSkip(): Promise<void> {
+    await axios.post('/onboarding/reset-skip');
+  }
 }
 
 export const apiClient = new ApiClient();

frontend/src/pages/onboarding/steps/PlatformStep.tsx

@@ -65,17 +65,18 @@ const PlatformStep: React.FC = () => {
         
         <div>
           <label htmlFor="instance_url" className="block text-sm font-medium text-gray-700 mb-2">
-            Lemmy Instance URL
+            Lemmy Instance Domain
           </label>
           <input 
-            type="url" 
+            type="text" 
             id="instance_url" 
             value={formData.instance_url}
             onChange={(e) => handleChange('instance_url', e.target.value)}
-            placeholder="https://lemmy.world"
+            placeholder="lemmy.world"
             className="w-full px-3 py-2 border border-gray-300 rounded-md focus:outline-none focus:ring-2 focus:ring-blue-500 focus:border-transparent"
             required
           />
+          <p className="text-sm text-gray-500 mt-1">Enter just the domain name (e.g., lemmy.world, belgae.social)</p>
           {errors.instance_url && (
             <p className="text-red-600 text-sm mt-1">{errors.instance_url[0]}</p>
           )}

frontend/src/pages/onboarding/steps/WelcomeStep.tsx

@@ -1,7 +1,24 @@
 import React from 'react';
-import { Link } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { Link, useNavigate } from 'react-router-dom';
+import { useMutation } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { apiClient } from '../../../lib/api';
 
 const WelcomeStep: React.FC = () => {
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  
+  const skipMutation = useMutation({
+    mutationFn: () => apiClient.skipOnboarding(),
+    onSuccess: () => {
+      navigate('/dashboard');
+    },
+  });
+
+  const handleSkip = () => {
+    if (confirm('Are you sure you want to skip the setup? You can configure FFR later from the settings page.')) {
+      skipMutation.mutate();
+    }
+  };
+
   return (
     <div className="text-center">
       <h1 className="text-3xl font-bold text-gray-900 mb-2">Welcome to FFR</h1>
@@ -28,13 +45,21 @@ const WelcomeStep: React.FC = () => {
         </div>
       </div>
       
-      <div className="mt-8">
+      <div className="mt-8 space-y-3">
         <Link 
           to="/onboarding/platform"
           className="w-full bg-blue-600 text-white py-3 px-4 rounded-md hover:bg-blue-700 transition duration-200 inline-block"
         >
           Get Started
         </Link>
+        
+        <button
+          onClick={handleSkip}
+          disabled={skipMutation.isPending}
+          className="w-full text-gray-500 hover:text-gray-700 py-2 px-4 text-sm transition duration-200 disabled:opacity-50"
+        >
+          {skipMutation.isPending ? 'Skipping...' : 'Skip for now'}
+        </button>
       </div>
     </div>
   );