fix start and install bat

windows/README.md

@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ Node.js 18 and 20 are not supported by the current native SQLite dependency.
 2. Double-click `windows\install.bat`.
 3. Approve the Node.js LTS installation if Windows asks for it.
 4. Wait until the script reports `Windows setup completed`.
-5. Start with `windows\start_backend.bat` or `npm start`.
+5. The installer runs `npm.cmd restart`, leaving the backend running in the background.
 6. Open `http://localhost:8081`.
 
 The installer:
@@ -25,11 +25,12 @@ The installer:
 - checks the Windows architecture
 - checks Node.js and installs current LTS with `winget` when needed
 - installs/checks Microsoft Visual C++ 2015-2022 x64 Runtime for bundled AMMC
-- runs `npm ci` from `package-lock.json`
+- runs `npm.cmd ci` from `package-lock.json`
 - verifies that Express loads
 - opens an in-memory SQLite database through `better-sqlite3`
 - verifies `ammc-amb.exe`, `ammc.dll`, and `MyLapsSDK.dll`
 - creates `data\` and `logs\`
+- runs `npm.cmd restart` so both new installations and updates use the installed code immediately
 
 Run from PowerShell instead when you want options:
 
@@ -54,9 +55,9 @@ npm.cmd run verify
 npm.cmd start
 ```
 
-`npm ci` installs exactly the dependency versions in `package-lock.json`. The install fails early with an actionable message if Node.js is unsupported. The post-install verification also fails if the native SQLite module cannot run.
+`npm.cmd ci` installs exactly the dependency versions in `package-lock.json`. The install fails early with an actionable message if Node.js is unsupported. The post-install verification also fails if the native SQLite module cannot run.
 
-The project intentionally uses `better-sqlite3` v12.11.x. That release provides a working prebuilt Windows binary for the supported Node.js versions. The package is explicitly listed in `allowScripts` so npm 12 may run its binary installer; do not use `npm ci --ignore-scripts`.
+The project intentionally uses `better-sqlite3` v12.11.x. That release provides a working prebuilt Windows binary for the supported Node.js versions. The package is explicitly listed in `allowScripts` so npm 12 may run its binary installer; do not use `npm.cmd ci --ignore-scripts`.
 
 Use `npm.cmd` from PowerShell when local execution policy blocks `npm.ps1`. The plain `npm` command works normally from Command Prompt (`cmd.exe`).
 
@@ -70,19 +71,20 @@ npm.cmd stop
 npm.cmd run start:fg
 ```
 
-- `npm start` starts `server.js` in the background.
-- `npm run status` reads `data\server.pid` and reports process state.
-- `npm restart` restarts the background process.
-- `npm stop` stops it.
-- `npm run start:fg` runs in the current terminal for troubleshooting.
+- `npm.cmd start` starts `server.js` in the background.
+- `npm.cmd run status` reads `data\server.pid` and reports process state.
+- `npm.cmd restart` restarts the background process.
+- `npm.cmd stop` stops it.
+- `npm.cmd run start:fg` runs in the current terminal for troubleshooting.
 - stdout is written to `logs\server.out.log`.
 - stderr is written to `logs\server.err.log`.
 - SQLite data is written to `data\rc_timing.sqlite`.
 
 ## Windows helper scripts
 
-- `windows\install.bat`: install and verify all runtime dependencies
+- `windows\install.bat`: install, verify, and restart the backend
 - `windows\start_backend.bat`: start the Node backend in the background
+- `windows\restart_backend.bat`: restart the Node backend after copied or pulled updates
 - `windows\start_ammc.bat`: start bundled AMMC manually
 - `windows\start_all.bat`: start AMMC, backend, and open the browser
 - `windows\stop_all.bat`: stop the backend and `ammc-amb.exe`
@@ -111,14 +113,14 @@ windows\start_ammc.bat
 
 The recommended normal operation is to let the backend manage AMMC:
 
-1. Start RaceController with `npm start`.
+1. Start RaceController with `npm.cmd start`.
 2. Open `Settings`.
 3. Enable `Managed AMMC`.
 4. Set the decoder IP and WebSocket port `9000`.
 5. Save and click `Start AMMC`.
 6. Use the server WebSocket URL and connect the decoder.
 
-AMMC always runs on the computer that runs `npm start`. Opening the UI from a laptop does not start AMMC on that laptop.
+AMMC always runs on the computer that runs `npm.cmd start`. Opening the UI from a laptop does not start AMMC on that laptop.
 
 ## Network access
 
@@ -167,7 +169,7 @@ npm.cmd stop
 git pull
 npm.cmd ci
 npm.cmd run verify
-npm.cmd start
+npm.cmd restart
 ```
 
 Keep `data\` when updating. It contains the SQLite database, saved state, PID file, and local AMMC configuration.

windows/install.bat

@@ -4,7 +4,8 @@ setlocal
 echo JMK RB RaceController - Windows 11 setup
 echo.
 
-powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "%~dp0setup.ps1" %*
+rem setup.ps1 refreshes PATH after a Node installation and runs npm.cmd restart.
+powershell.exe -NoProfile -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File "%~dp0setup.ps1" -StartServer %*
 set "EXIT_CODE=%ERRORLEVEL%"
 
 echo.

windows/restart_backend.bat

@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+@echo off
+setlocal
+
+for %%I in ("%~dp0..") do set "APP_DIR=%%~fI"
+where node.exe >nul 2>&1
+if errorlevel 1 (
+  echo [ERROR] Node.js was not found. Run windows\install.bat first.
+  exit /b 1
+)
+
+pushd "%APP_DIR%"
+call npm.cmd restart
+set "EXIT_CODE=%ERRORLEVEL%"
+popd
+
+if not "%EXIT_CODE%"=="0" (
+  echo [ERROR] Backend restart failed.
+  exit /b %EXIT_CODE%
+)
+
+echo [OK] Backend restarted in background
+echo      URL: http://localhost:8081
+echo      Logs: %APP_DIR%\logs\server.out.log
+endlocal

windows/setup.ps1

@@ -128,16 +128,17 @@ if ($OpenFirewall) {
 }
 
 if ($StartServer) {
-  Write-Step "Starting RaceController"
-  & $npmCommand start
+  Write-Step "Restarting RaceController after installation"
+  & $npmCommand restart
   if ($LASTEXITCODE -ne 0) {
-    throw "RaceController did not start (exit code $LASTEXITCODE)."
+    throw "RaceController did not restart (exit code $LASTEXITCODE)."
   }
 }
 
 Write-Host ""
 Write-Host "Windows setup completed." -ForegroundColor Green
-Write-Host "Start:   npm start"
-Write-Host "Status:  npm run status"
-Write-Host "Stop:    npm stop"
+Write-Host "Start:    npm.cmd start"
+Write-Host "Restart:  npm.cmd restart"
+Write-Host "Status:   npm.cmd run status"
+Write-Host "Stop:     npm.cmd stop"
 Write-Host "Open:    http://localhost:8081"